Obama Changes Tune on Copenhagen Results

(CBS/ AP)  President Barack Obama says the public is justified in its disappointment with the outcome of the United Nations climate change summit.

Despite statements from his advisers proclaiming the summit's nonbinding agreement a great step forward, Obama says it didn't take the steps necessary to combat the effects of climate change.

The accord Obama helped broker last week urges major polluters to make deeper emissions cuts but does not require them to do so. Still, despite its shortcomings, Obama says the agreement was better than doing nothing.

"I think that people are justified in being disappointed about the outcome in Copenhagen," Obama said. "It didn't move us the way we need to."

He added: "I make no claims, and didn't make any claims going in, that somehow that was going to be everything that we needed to do to solve climate change… My main responsibility here is to convince the American people that it is smart economics and it is going to be the engine of our economic growth for us to be a leader in clean energy."

At the summit last week, Obama had said there had been "a meaningful and unprecedented breakthrough."

Obama made his remarks today in an interview with PBS NewsHour.

Click here to read more about Obama's comments about health care in the interview.

[rockcutr]

Oh how i long for the daze of Bubba Bush. At least he was funny....not a lick of sence, but, really funny. That is likely why cheney "let" him be president.
Seems quite clear that anyone WITH a lick of sence, that speaks clearly with the consideration of intent of purpose is not going to be understood by the millions of overeducated redneck idiots we call neighbors. There is such confusion to everyone who is not president just exactly what the Dude is supposed to do, what he can do, and what he cannot do alone.
One man cannot take away the feeling of blacks slavery minded thinking. One man cannot fix the Problems of the Jewish Nation. One man cannot remove the greed of big business. Walking in the consciousness of solutions which are possible. Maintaining positive attatudes toward all opinion as having the right to think the way they do. Yet, leaning to pursuade all to choose compromise with out selling souls.
There shall always be those who would ***** if hung with a new rope because it is all scratchy and makes their neck burn. There shall always be decenters of the right way to do things just to be in opposition.
Until the self serving nature of poly ticks is no longer the drivng force, we, shall live in chaos. Where any decision shall be in offence to some and a winner to others. Romper Room for adults. Nobody seems to want to stay in line and keep time with the drummer.
Prrumm, Prrumm, Prrumm.

[ajvw]

rather than admit failure just lower expectations. it's the political way.

[obwan222]

He could have easily convinced the Republicans that it was a success. All he had to do was stand under a big "Mission Accomplished" banner.

And then take a few years and blame the banner on someone else.

Instead within a matter of days he's trying to explain that progress is good, but not a complete solution. And for that, he deserves credit for more honesty than Bush & Co. could ever dreamed of.

[ToolMangler1]

by donbl1 December 23, 2009 8:52 PM EST
"e tells the big lie first of "meaningful progress" which gets the headline and a few days later tells the truth which gets no headline.
This is worse than Bubba."

by TruthSeeker23 December 23, 2009 8:04 PM EST
"I couldn't be happier that Copenhagen failed. Man-made Global Warming is the biggest Scam ever"



See!!!!
Obama can't win no matter what he does.
Now!!! if you two could ever come to an agreement, write it up and submit it to Obama and maybe, "just" maybe all of us could win..

[FauxNews]

Sounds like he's just clarifying his BS.

[donbl1]

He tells the big lie first of "meaningful progress" which gets the headline and a few days later tells the truth which gets no headline.

This is worse than Bubba.

[TruthSeeker23]

I couldn't be happier that Copenhagen failed. Man-made Global Warming is the biggest Scam ever. This President wants his corrupt Cap and Trade legislation to pass so he and his dirty friends (Al Gore & John Kerry) can make billions. I guarantee you he is in bed with the (Chicago Climate Exchange)<--- Google) just like Al Gore is. Seek Truth American.