WASHINGTON (CNN) - With former Vice President Al Gore at his side, President-elect Barack Obama said Tuesday it's time the issue of climate change is dealt with in a "serious way."
"The time for delay is over, the time for denial is over," the president-elect told reporters after the private meeting with Gore and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.
Obama did not specifically say what role Gore would play on the issue of Climate change, though he pledged to work with "a whole host of stakeholders on this issues, including Vice President Gore."
Shortly before the scheduled meeting, a spokeswoman for Al Gore said the former vice president, who reportedly sought the sit down with Obama, was not seeking an official position in the new administration.
But he meeting's announcement on Monday immediately unleashed speculation about what Gore's exact role in an Obama White House could be.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Obama said the purpose of the meeting was hear Gore's positions on a host of environmental issues and his ideas for how new environmental polices can spur job creation and jumpstart the economy.
"We have the opportunity now to create jobs all across this country, to re-power America, to redesign how we use energy, to think about how we are increasing efficiency, to make our economy stronger, make us more safe, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and make us competitive for decades to come, even as we are saving the planet," Obama said.
From CNN Politics
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Boy did Blagojevich's shenanigans overshadow this one.
Gore in the Obama administration would be perfect! But he must know something bad about washington politics to make him say no all the time.
Appoint Gore as Environment Czar.
I think our country is facing a tremendous opportunity here as we make progress towards developing a greener economy and becoming truly energy-independent. We have so many creative, innovative citizens, ready to work hard to come up with solutions and strategies.
Bravo to President-Elect Obama for tackling this issue even before he's sworn into office!
How about appoint FRESH FACES as that LIAR Obama promised to
Why has it taken so long to get someone in office who has a vision?
This man is so refreshing!
Gore could do more outside Washington as a figurehead for environmental issues.
One of the most crucial things to deal with will be "COAL".
Dr.James Hansen, head (former) climatologist for NASA and much in the news, was keynote speaker. He spoke of the general global warming situation based on sound science (as contrasted with the pseudo science and doctored science purveyed by the Bush Administration), and, in terms of actions, he felt the most effective and necessary one would be to leave all coal in the ground. He felt this was necessary in order to prevent catastrophic effects, and to eventually turn around the CO2 content, even, hopefully to the point where the Arctic ice cap would re-form. (He said it was already past the tipping point for the Arctic ice cap, and that it would be melting).
I hope the Obama people read this and respond.
Richardson as Commerce and who ever get Energy Gore needs to work with both and change America to green with jobs, jobs and more jobs!!!! Go Green!!!
There goes more government spending and regulation. The taxman will be in hyper drive soon with these 2.
One of Obama's plans that I was most impressed about was a 10 year, government sponsered, national 'Apollo' like effort to create alternative fuel technology.
The idea was to get the best minds in the country working together on a top priority project, with full support from the govt.
The products of this effort would make the US fully and truly independent of foreign (or any) oil. At the same time, it would create millions of jobs as many of the largest industries (auto, power, aviation etc) would be revamped to integrate this new technology. Finally, the US could licence and sell the technology to the whole world...much like it did with computer and information technology.
I hope Obama and Gore are seriously thinking about implementing that project.
Two people totally ignorant of the subject in deep discussion about something they know nothing about.....
49% of your Country is Illiterate, and it is those people that Elect idiots like these two...
What climate change? This proves it is just a pinko left-wing liberal conspiracy to make you all suffer. Isn't that right Rush?
This is a great moment. I love it.
Obama–Yes.
So now we can talk seriously about the environment. Thank God.
James ~ I love it! I don't think he wants to be more hands off. Sort of a mentor, with less responsiblity. I thinks he's had enough politics for one life time, and I can't blame him.
Anyway, for those liberals who I'm not sure really exist accept for on the news who say Obamas not going far enough left. Settle down. If he's proved anything to us already it's that he's going to do what's best for everyone, party aside. Remember what the Republican campaigners said, he's the most Republican Senator ever.
He's doing exactly what he said he would. Work with the best people on every different issues, party aside.
Excellent!
To talk is a good start, but until people are willing to sit in igloos and live in tents, there will always be fights on global warming. It's greed versus reality. I cant think of any corporate giants that actually feels for the environment. In their thoughts but not in their hearts or balance sheet.
Al Gore, and Obama! wow! how awesome is that? You got Al Gore, who was really elected president 8 yrs ago, but we know how that turned out, so afterward decided to put forth his effort in warning the world about the dangers of global warming and helped jump start a global movement in climate change awareness. Then Barack Obama, who could possibly be on the verge of becoming one of the greatest presidents this nation has had. I don't see why they shouldn't work together because I think they would make a great team.
Why do I feel like I am 6 years old and my Dad just said..."because I SAID SO!" when Obama makes such sweeping unsubstanciated claims. Oh right...Gore has his back on this one...must be true then.
It is getting cold here in the Midwest – can someone start polluting more so we can warm up during the winter months?
no such thing as man made global warming – it's all cyclical.
We will finally have a President who will actual tackle the issues of our time!
Climate change? What climate change? The ordinary old uo-and-down cycle that's been going on for millions of years? Or the shriek-and-panic, the-human-race-is-evil, lunacy Gore has been raving about for years?
Go away, Al–you eco-Nazis are a waste of breathable air.
I was think something like james was – I mean, Al Gore, head of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) sounds about right.