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AdvertisementBoxer's prize fightAfter 26 years as a federally elected official from California, Senator Barbara Boxer finds herself leading a public policy debate equivalent to a heavyweight prize fight. As with any professional pugilist, Sen, Boxer has participated in many preliminary matches leading up to this title bout. She's taken on the pesticides, clean water standards, and often touts her work on the Clean Air Act. But today's global warming fight is clearly her toughest. The opening bell rang last week when her Environment and Public Works Committee held three days of hearings regarding her and Sen. John Kerry's "Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act" or climate change bill. Panel one hosted four high-ranking administration officials: Energy Secretary Chu, EPA Administrator Jackson, Transportation Secretary LaHood and Interior Secretary Salazar. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack was traveling overseas and submitted a letter for the record instead of testifying. Typically, the first round of action in most title fights is rather uneventful; it's only on the rare occasion that a fighter will attempt a knock-out blow early on. Boxer's first round was typical. To no one's surprise, all of the administration witnesses supported the cap-and-trade bill. Similarly, all of the Republicans clearly expressed their opposition to the California and Massachusetts-based bill. As Boxer bobs and weaves her way through this fight, she's finding that while she expected punches from the right, it's the punches from the left that are toughest to defend. Included in her bill is language aimed at spurring the growth of nuclear energy within the U.S. However, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders criticized his chairman for placing too much faith in what he believes are expensive and outdated sources like coal and nuclear power. Sanders claims wind, solar and geothermal sources are the future of energy generation and this bill doesn't do enough to promote them. If Boxer has any shot of bringing even one Republican on board, she'll need to keep a strong nuclear program in the bill. If Boxer is the fighter in this analogy, then President Obama must be the promoter. Like Don King, Obama is orchestrating this entire fight and boisterously trying to convince the masses to buy his rhetoric. Clearly, he has campaign debts to pay off to his liberal environmental supporters and this bill is one way he can start paying them back. However, some worry that Obama doesn't have enough faith in Boxer's ability to win this fight on her own. This is where Sen. Kerry steps in. While Kerry is every bit as partisan as Boxer, he offers a bit more experience and delicacy in shepherding tough legislation. Where Boxer is rough and direct, Kerry can be smooth and vague. Like a trainer in the corner, Kerry is helping guide Boxer's punches throughout this debate. So what's our role? The best way we average "Joes and Janes" can enter this ring is by contacting our representatives. If the pen is mightier than the sword, hopefully it also packs a powerful punch. Advertisement
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