It was nice to see Bill Richardson unveil his energy plan at a New America Foundation event (though somewhat surprising given this). The plan was, in keeping with the pattern, slightly more extraordinarily ambitious than the previous plan introduced by a Democratic contender. First there was Edwards' plan, then Dodd's, and now Richardsons, all asymptotically approaching the strength of Al Gore's proposal.
The details are wonky, but here are the big points are boiled down:
1). Cap-and-trade system with a 90 percent reduction in emissions by 2050.
2). Lower dependency by incentivizing electric cars, 50 mpg CAFE standards.
3). National energy innovation trust fund with a one-time funding commitment.
Richardson, unlike Dodd and Gore, does not support a carbon tax.
On the charisma issue that Matt and Ezra are discussing, Governor Richardson always strikes me as just OK. He generally does pretty well with prepared remarks (though humorously today he forgot a line, stumbled badly for a second, and then recovered nicely). But when he's speaking extemporaneously, he lacks the, I think, important ability to make points concisely and sharply. He hems and haws and doubles back on his thinking and it can be pretty excruciating to watch. Just today, in response to a question about asking Americans to sacrifice, he began by referencing Jimmy Carter, saying he would not be telling his fellow citizens to put on a sweater and turn the heat down. But then he went on to list the things he thinks his countrymen should do. He included in that list low-hanging fruit like doing laundry smarter and taking public transportation. In the end, though, I don't see how that's at all different than putting on a sweater and turning the heat down.
Comments