CQ Politics | Boxer Crosses Aisle For Help on Climate Bill

But Boxer must assemble a broad coalition behind the sweeping climate change bill that forms the cornerstone of President Obama’s energy agenda and is one of her own top priorities. Privately, many Hill watchers are skeptical (and indeed sometimes dismissive) of Boxer’s capacity to summon the clout and support to pull a broad coalition together. But that initiative falls squarely under her jurisdiction as chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and so for the past two months, she has been doing what any Senate dealmaker does on the verge of a historic legislative push: methodically reaching out to all manner of potential allies — lawmakers, coal-staters, even Republicans.
...
For Boxer, however, the run-up to the Senate climate change debate will mark the difference between publicly touting an environmentalist agenda, as she has for years, and ensuring that one comes to pass, with all the back-scratching and compromises that come with moving any major bill. Many Hill watchers are skeptical that Boxer, known more for being a voice of protest from the left than for actually moving legislation, can tone down her abrasive style and deploy some diplomatic skills as chairwoman to make it happen.
...
She was particularly scathing in her attacks on James M. Inhofe , the ranking Republican on the Senate Environment panel, who has said global warming is a hoax. “The senator from Oklahoma reminds me of the people who kept saying, ‘No, the Earth is flat’ and ‘No, cigarettes don’t cause cancer,’ ” Boxer said.

CQ Politics | Notepad - Constituents 'Pretty Hostile' on Climate Change Vote

Some House Democrats who backed the climate change bill before the Independence Day recess got an earful when they headed home for the break.

"It was pretty hostile," said Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md. "They equate cap and trade with raising taxes."

Opinion polls and puzzling behavior at the White House

It has been said that the definition of insanity is to continue doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result each time. In this regard the White House is exhibiting some puzzling behavior. If 2 stimulus packages fail, propose a 3rd. If an army of scientists around the globe agree that humans have very little to do with climate change, and the public overwhelmingly opposes a dramatic increase in their energy costs and taxes, keep trying to pass 'cap and trade' anyway.
...
Many of us joked that Obama's Presidency would be Jimmy Carter's second term. Increasingly, it would appear this is no joke.