West Wing Report: June 16, 2010

"For decades, we talked and talked about the need to end America's century-long addiction to fossil fuels. And for decades we have failed to act with the sense of urgenchy that this challenge requires." - President Obama last night

That could have been said decades ago – in fact, it pretty much was – but now, President Obama warns, the U.S. reliance on oil is a strategy that’s running on fumes.

The President is now pivoting towards one of the top three goals of his administration – an energy and climate bill. The House passed such a bill a year ago; a similar bill is now in the Senate.

He wants a price on carbon – and acknowledges the shift towards renewable energy won’t come cheap:

"Now there are costs associated with this transition. And there are some who believe that we can't afford those costs right now. I say we can't afford NOT to change how we produce and use energy. Because long-term, costs to our economy, our national security and our environment are far greater."

Speaking of costs – those top execs from BP are coming to the White House today – Obama will demand perhaps as much as 20-billion dollars from them to help pay for claims – the money going into an escrow account controlled by a third party.

Obama will get right to the point – the meeting is set to run less than 20 minutes.

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The Schedule

President Obama's long-awaited meeting with BP executives will be short: Just 20 minutes have been set aside for the Roosevelt Room showdown.

The major questions at this point are: who is the third party that will administer the escrow account to handle claims by individuals and businesses hurt by the catastrophic spill - and how much money will BP be asked/told to put into it? The number on Capitol Hill is $20 billion.

Obama will talk about the meeting in a Rose Garden statement to reporters at 12:15. Later he'll meet in the Oval with Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown (R) and make a speech to the American Nurses Association.


EDT


10:15AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT attend a meeting with BP executives
Roosevelt Room
Closed Press

10:35AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press

11:05AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press

12:15PM THE PRESIDENT delivers a statement to the press
Rose Garden
Open Press (Pre-set 11:15AM – Final Gather 11:45AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)

12:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT have lunch
Private Dining Room
Closed Press

1:45PM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press

2:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator Scott Brown
Oval Office
Closed Press

5:35PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at the American Nurses Association House of Delegates
Washington Hilton
Open to Pre-Credentialed Press (Travel Pool Gather Time 4:45PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)


Briefing Schedule

2:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

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On This Day

On This Day: 1858: Future President Abraham Lincoln gave his famous “House divided” speech, warning that slavery was tearing America apart.

Borrowing a phrase from the New Testament, Lincoln said "A house divided against itself cannot stand."

On This Day. 1941: President Roosevelt ordered the closure of all German consulates in the United States.

Presidential Quote

“Politics would be a helluva good business if it weren't for the goddamned people.” - Richard M. Nixon