The Guardian’s correspondent at Copenhagen catches on to what we noticed . . . oh, what, late 2007? Early 2008?
By the time Obama rose to give his speech before more than 110 leaders, there was enormous speculation about what he would say or do. But there was broad agreement that he would not arrive empty-handed. He would bring specific promises of action.
What he could not do, however, if he hoped his presence would indeed help bring the summit to a deal, was leave Copenhagen without offering clear evidence to the 192 countries assembled here that he would push, and push hard, to make sure America did its share on climate change. After all, this was Obama’s second trip to Copenhagen in a matter of weeks. The last time he was here, to push Chicago’s bid to host the Olympics, Obama and his wife, Michelle, fell back on their store of compelling personal narratives to get things done.
It didn’t work then and it won’t work now.
Falling back on the compelling personal narrative? That’s Plan A, and Plan B, and Plan C . . .
The Guardian’s headline is, “Obama offers Copenhagen little hope: There was much Barack Obama could have told the climate summit delegates, but he left them disappointed.”