Ezra Klein: The case for Jay Inslee

[babylonsister]

The case for Jay Inslee
Inslee is the only candidate treating climate change the way the science says climate change should be treated.
By Ezra Klein@ezraklein May 13, 2019, 9:30am EDT

snip//

As he told my colleague Dave Roberts, “I believe there is one central, defining, existential-with-a-capital-E threat to the future of the nation: climate change. It is clear that it will only be defeated if the United States shows leadership. And that will only happen if the US president makes it a clear priority — the number one, foremost, paramount goal of the next administration.”

Climate change isn’t a concern Inslee picked up just in time for the 2020 presidential race. In 2009, when he was a member of the House, he co-authored a book with energy expert Bracken Hendricks called Apollo’s Fire: Igniting America’s Clean Energy Economy, and wrote ambitious legislation trying to make his vision reality.

Inslee is a two-term governor of Washington state — he took office in 2013 and is term-limited out in 2020 — and the Republican attack line on him has been that the only thing he cares about is climate change. It’s the kind of insult that’s also, sort of, a compliment.

Inslee supported the state’s recent carbon tax ballot initiatives (both failed) and has tried several times to pass carbon pricing bills through the legislature, only to be thwarted. But he kept at it, and this session (finally working with a Democratic majority in both houses), he shepherded through a range of ambitious bills on clean electricity, clean buildings, electric vehicles, banning hydrofluorocarbons, and boosting energy efficiency standards.

Inslee’s single-mindedness, even in the face of past failures, is important. A persistent problem in climate change politics is that Democrats pay lip service to the existential threat but prioritize kitchen table issues with faster political payoff. By the time they turn back to climate, if they turn back to climate, they’ve long since lost the capital necessary for the fight. Inslee made this point in an accurate assessment of Barack Obama’s first term:

The Democratic team said, “We’re going to do health care first.” And so climate didn’t get done. Now, could it have gotten done if it was put first? There are no guarantees in the historical retrospectoscope. But once health care went first, there wasn’t enough juice to get climate through.

We simply cannot have that experience again. So [climate change] can’t be on a laundry list. It can’t be something that candidates check the box on. It has to be a full-blooded effort to mobilize the United States in all capacities.

more...

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/5/13/18564548/jay-inslee-2020-democrats-climate-change-science

[saidsimplesimon]

1. Thank you for posting this.

His message is one I support. Jay Inslee is an important voice for that message. While he may not win the nomination, perhaps it will influence our winner to consider including the environment as a top tier issue, after economic and health care concerns, but not ignored completely. imo

[Indygram]

3. Beto was the first one to come out with a detailed plan, and it's his top issue

Not his only issue...but anytime he is asked what his most important issue is, he says climate change.
So it's not being ignored. The media seems to be ignoring it, though.

https://betoorourke.com/climate-change/

[saidsimplesimon]

4. He is on my short list for a primary vote. wink

[Hortensis]

6. Very encouraging that he's in it also. Perhaps if Inslee's

boat is raised by some attention it'll raise those of all who are prioritizing our climate emergency.

Inslee's been focused on battling not just climate change but all the intertwining issues, disappearing fresh water, environment, ag, sustainable energy, air quality, public health, etcetera, for years and has some very strong on-the-ground creds.

A real chance for our Democrats to develop a national synergy.

[maxsolomon]

2. He's my governor and I love his approach.

I don't think he's going to get the nomination, but he will have a cabinet position - Energy or Interior.

It's THE issue, but so many people have more immediate concerns that it won't define the race. It's still an existential threat, versus, say, eviction.

[Hortensis]

5. Inslee's campaign has already paid off in new energy in WA,

with those recent important climate bills that had been blocked now passed. And people should note that WA just passed the nation's first state public option healthcare plan.

I really hope a lot of people take a very serious look at him. Just as his campaign is paying off in his home state, it can pay off across the nation, as he intends, by affecting our national dialogue.

[Merlot]

7. He's my first choice for VP

The VP could make climate change a high-visibility issue.

[The Blue Flower]

8. He's my first choice

Strong on policy and strong on governing experience that gets results. He also knows how to win elections.

[montanacowboy]

9. Yes!

Great Governor and Great next President. He could pick Dump up and spit in his ass (rhetorically speaking of course)

INSLEE/WARREN

[Qutzupalotl]

10. Jay is terrific in interviews.

He comes off friendly and likable, yet drives home the seriousness of his signature issue persuasively. I hope he qualifies for the debates, because we need his voice there. I would be proud to support him in the general.

[Qutzupalotl]

11. Just saw that Jay is at 50,000 donors out of 65,000 needed

so I sent him $20.20. You can too! Link below:
https://jayinslee.com/

Let’s get Jay to 65,000 donors!

[MFM008]

12. During the June debate

Biden needs to answer for his lackluster climate stance.
Im hopeful he will see the light if he becomes the nominee.

[oasis]

13. Kick for Gov. Inslee.

[Persondem]

14. Thank you for the post. Inslee has great ideas and great experience. K & R nt

[Honeycombe8]

15. If it were up to me....

he'd be a contender.

But he's not doing well. It's a shame, because this is an issue that is one of my main priorities.