"So this is what we’ve come to. The big 'breakthrough' on the Senate climate bill comes not when a leading Republican voice actually co-sponsors climate legislation, but when he co-authors an opinion piece explaining how a deal might just be reached.

The NYT op-ed this weekend by senators John Kerry and Lindsey Graham laid out a possible route for a bipartisan deal on energy and the climate. It includes a bigger role for nuclear power, a big push for clean coal, and more offshore oil and gas drilling.

For some commentators, such as Joe Romm, this is what will break the impasse. 'The odds of a Senate climate bill just jumped through the roof,' he wrote. Others, such as Roger Pielke Jr., aren’t so sure that kind of compromise would be much of a victory for Democrats. 'It would be quite a coup, and bizarrely ironic, if Republicans can use the climate bill to ensure a fossil-fueled future for U.S. energy supply,' he wrote."

Keith Johnson reports for the Wall Street Journal October 12, 2009. [2]

See Also:

"Obama Urged to Intensify Push for Climate Measure" (Washington Post) [3]

"Obama's Climate-Change Hopes Get A Boost" (Reuters)
[4]
"Game Changer" (NRDC Switchboard) [5]

"Lobbyists Tread Over Partisan Minefield" (Roll Call) [6]

Boxer: Global Warming Bill Possible Soon (AP) [7]

Op-Ed: "Yes We Can (Pass Climate Change Legislation)" (New York Times) [8]

"Senate Dems Opening To Nuclear as a Path To Gop Support, 60 Votes" (Greenwire) [9]

"Offshore Drilling Could Add, Subtract Support for Senate Climate Bill" (ClimateWire) [10]