Get Energy Smart! NOW!

This afternoon, a group worth joining, Clean Tech & Green Business Leaders for Obama, held a reception with a number of insightful and impassioned speakers including Peter Schwartz (Art of the Long View), Congressman Jay Inslee and Jason Grumet from the Obama campaign.  And, some notable clean tech and other heroes and celebrities in the room, including race-car driver Leilani Münter. Above the fold, some top-notch quotes:

John McCain thinks that when you look for energy, you look under your feet.

Barack Obama believes you look above the shoulders and between your ears. Jay Inslee

And,

These are serious problems, requiring serious people pursuing serious solutions … You can read [John McCain’s energy] Lexington Plan riding down the escalator. It isn’t a plan, it is just three pages of talking points.

Some notes from some of the speakers.

Bracken Hendricks

• There is no voice more important in Washington today. This is the future of America.
• Both candidates are standing in front of wind turbines in their ads, but not their policies. Obama is not putting clean tech in his energy or economic plan, but at the center of his vision for the future.
• Clean Tech is the message for the future offering hope … people in the industrial heartland are looking to this industry for new, good jobs … for rebuilding the foundation of a robust, middle-class economy
• Just completed a poll about messaging clean tech. In an open response portion of the polling, the top answer is about the importance of clean tech for jobs and revitalizing American competitiveness.

Peter Schwartz

• In 1908, looking around the world, one saw tremendous technologies opening up the world and offering great opportunities for peace and prospertity. The political leaders blew it and instead of the end of war, we had two world wars.  Policy and politics matter.  We have a choice before us.
• In 2000, we took a step in the wrong direction in Palm Beach, we have a chance to take a step in the right direction in 2008.
• We have a very deep and profound choice before us between an inclusive, forward-looking vision and a retrograde vision that wants to take US back to the 19th century.
• I have a 17-year old son and I don’t want him to go to war over water …

Jay Inslee

•  When Barack Obama is President, we won’t need any back room deals on clean tech, because clen energy will be up front and center.
• Our destiny is to be the Arsenal of Energy just as we were the Arsenal of Democracy in World War II.
• In 2009, Barack Obama’s inaugural address will begin the next Apollo Project, on a new energy future.  We will unleash an economic boom unlike any ever seen in U.S. history.
• We face a stark choice between a man who voted against renewable electricity standards and th eman who promises to sign the bill as President.

Jason Grumet

• “This campaign matters a ton, it comes down to whether the kids come out and vote …”  The Campaign is a combination of inspiration and ground game.
• We must localize the jobs issue, when it comes to clean tech. Letters to the editor and OPEDs in Vermont are great, but they aren’t going to sway the election. Go to the battleground states.
• These are serious problems, requiring serious people pursuing serious solutions.  You can read [John McCain’s energy] Lexington Plan riding down the escalator. It is just three pages of talking points.
• To a great extent, John McCain has neutralized part of the energy debate as a lot of rhetoric can sound pretty good, he once stood out on global warming issues. People can be fooled. It is our job to help them understand the truth of the choice before us.