The Oil Spill and the Obama Presidency
Host:
Subscribe to this Podcast:
Listen to/Watch entire show:
In his first speech from the Oval Office last night, President Obama explained what he called his "battle plan" for the Gulf oil spill. Did he succeed in a broader goal: reassuring Americans that he has the disaster under control? Also, cell-phone radiation. Is the City of San Francisco getting the jump on science?
Banner image: Having just returned from the Gulf, the President gave his first Oval Office address on the BP oil spill and the urgent need to turn towards a clean energy future, June 15, 2010. White House photo: Pete Souza
Making News
Obama Meets with BP Executives ()
As promised in last night’s address to the nation, President Obama met with the top executives of BP today and negotiated a $20 billion escrow fund for Gulf oil claims. It will be handled by veteran attorney Kenneth Feinberg, who oversaw payments to the survivors of the attacks on September 11. Cheryl Gay Stolberg is White House Correspondent for the New York Times.
Guests:
- Sheryl Gay Stolberg: White House Reporter, New York Times, @sherylstolberg
Main Topic
The Oil Spill and the Obama Presidency ()
At the White House today, BP agreed to establish a $20 billion escrow fund to pay claims from the worst oil spill in American history. Last night, in his first address from the Oval Office, President Obama promised to restore the Gulf Coast and to prevent such a disaster from happening again. The President demanded action, but his speech was short on specifics. What about controlling the spill? Should offshore drilling continue? Did he make the case for an energy bill to start weaning the country off the oil economy? Did he reassure Americans that his Administration is fully in charge?
Guests:
- John Tesvich: President, Ameripure
- Jody Freeman: Director of Environmental Law Program, Harvard Law School
- Tim Dickinson: Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone magazine , @7im
- Walter Shapiro: Speechwriter, then-President Jimmy Carter, @waltershapiroPD
Links:
Reporter's Notebook
San Francisco Moves to Show Cell Phone Radiation Levels ()
San Francisco's about to become the nation's first city to require that retailers post the level of radiation emitted by cell phones. Consumers will also be pointed toward educational materials on the subject. The cell phone industry says that could be misleading. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of California, has promised to sign the measure passed 10-1 by the City's Board of Supervisors. Rachel Gordon reports for the San Francisco Chronicle.
Guests:
- Rachel Gordon: Reporter, San Francisco Chronicle
Engage & Discuss
Further the conversation with your thoughts and comments. Agree, disagree, present a different perspective -- engage.
For information and guidelines click: Terms of Service | Privacy Policy
Please note, comments are moderated. KCRW reserves the right to edit and or remove posts deemed off-topic, abusive or not in accordance with KCRW's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
