Obama's clean-energy speech: Convincing?
Was Obama's new attack on America's "fossil-fuel addiction" a persuasive argument for clean energy, or just post-spill political spin?

An embattled President Obama said Wednesday that the Gulf oil disaster makes it imperative that America kick its "fossil fuel addiction." In a speech at Pittsburg's Carnegie Mellon University, Obama urged Congress to scrap tax breaks for oil companies and dedicate the money to entrepreneurial clean-energy efforts, and promised to fight for energy legislation, opposed by most Republicans, that "finally put[s] a price on carbon pollution." Can Obama use the BP spill to remake energy policy, or is he just playing politics? (Watch a clip from Obama's energy speech)
Obama made a strong argument: Like most of Obama's speeches, this one wasn't "particularly flashy," says James Fallows in The Atlantic. But it was notable as a clear, logical, and "serious" argument for weaning the U.S. economy from its "environmentally and strategically damaging" oil addiction. "And what better time than when oil is gushing into the sea?"
"Another speech worth noticing: Obama in Pittsburgh"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This was a campaign speech, not an energy one: What's most notable is how little Obama mentioned the "economy-threatening, ecosystem-strangling, gigantic oil spill," his "purported top priority," says Mary Katherine Ham in The Weekly Standard. In fact, he spent at least twice as many words "going off" on Republicans. That sure won't help the perception he's "more concerned with politics than the oil spill."
"Priorities: Obama gives four times the attention to GOP as oil spill in speech"
The policy and politics are connected: Obama did use the Gulf spill to make "his strongest pitch yet" for carbon-taxing energy legislation, says John Dickerson in Slate. But he clearly sees "political benefit" in that pitch, too. "With so few ways to show that he is in command of the spill and its cleanup," vowing to fight the GOP on the bill shows he's "fighting to protect the country" from another such disaster.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Scientists want to fight malaria by poisoning mosquitoes with human blood
Under the radar Drugging the bugs
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: March 31, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku medium: March 31, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published