Comments on: Is Barack Obama the Livable Streets Candidate? http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 22 Mar 2010 06:49:33 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: JDC http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42626 JDC Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:46:29 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42626 To add to JB's comment - Richardson is the only candidate to have implemented a commuter rail system. He's also mentioned light rail in debates and on the stump. And although Bloomberg is chauffered from his home to a subway station in an SUV, he's said that in an ideal world, [paraphrasing] public transportation would be free and it would cost a hell of a lot more to own a car. To add to JB's comment - Richardson is the only candidate to have implemented a commuter rail system. He's also mentioned light rail in debates and on the stump.

And although Bloomberg is chauffered from his home to a subway station in an SUV, he's said that in an ideal world, [paraphrasing] public transportation would be free and it would cost a hell of a lot more to own a car.

]]> By: Sean http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42462 Sean Sun, 06 Jan 2008 11:13:03 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42462 As Matt Yglesias summarizes nicely, <a href="http://matthewyglesias.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/01/metro_policy.php" rel="nofollow">urban interests are not politically relevant in presidential politics</a>. Early primary states like Iowa (okay, a caucus state), New Hampshire, and South Carolina have no large metropolitan areas. And the electoral college renders the states with big cities irrelevant. Bill Richardson has carbon tax wrong. But, he consistently raises mass transit and land use as critical components of our nation's energy policy. Search <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/05/us/politics/05text-ddebate.html" rel="nofollow">the transcript of last night's debate</a> for "land use," "transit," and "rail." As Matt Yglesias summarizes nicely, urban interests are not politically relevant in presidential politics. Early primary states like Iowa (okay, a caucus state), New Hampshire, and South Carolina have no large metropolitan areas. And the electoral college renders the states with big cities irrelevant.

Bill Richardson has carbon tax wrong. But, he consistently raises mass transit and land use as critical components of our nation's energy policy. Search the transcript of last night's debate for "land use," "transit," and "rail."

]]> By: JB http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42461 JB Sun, 06 Jan 2008 10:30:02 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42461 Bill Richardson's Platform Strategy 1(D): Smart Growth, Energy Efficient Cities, and Public Transportation Smart growth and the development of energy efficient cities are essential to improving energy security, improving the environment and enhancing our quality of life. A study by the Center for Neighborhood Technologies highlighted the correlation between energy consumption and metro area growth. Sprawl lengthens commutes and contributes to congestion on city and suburban roads and highways, and in some areas causes commuters to spend more on transportation than they spend on housing (an appreciating asset, in most cases). Creating walkable, livable alternatives is important over the medium- to long-term. While considering long-range issues such as metro area design, we must dramatically increase our transportation options and provide convenient and efficient public transit, both within metro areas and intercity. We should also support urban planning that promotes walking and biking, reduces urban sprawl by more carefully matching housing development to job location, and enhances the "livability" indicators in our communities. Safe and livable cities will save energy -- and they will save commuters time and money, while allowing our children to walk to school, safely, once again. Bill Richardson's Platform

Strategy 1(D): Smart Growth, Energy Efficient Cities, and Public Transportation

Smart growth and the development of energy efficient cities are essential to improving energy security, improving the environment and enhancing our quality of life.

A study by the Center for Neighborhood Technologies highlighted the correlation between energy consumption and metro area growth. Sprawl lengthens commutes and contributes to congestion on city and suburban roads and highways, and in some areas causes commuters to spend more on transportation than they spend on housing (an appreciating asset, in most cases). Creating walkable, livable alternatives is important over the medium- to long-term.

While considering long-range issues such as metro area design, we must dramatically increase our transportation options and provide convenient and efficient public transit, both within metro areas and intercity. We should also support urban planning that promotes walking and biking, reduces urban sprawl by more carefully matching housing development to job location, and enhances the "livability" indicators in our communities.

Safe and livable cities will save energy -- and they will save commuters time and money, while allowing our children to walk to school, safely, once again.

]]> By: Elly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42343 Elly Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:45:38 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42343 The sad thing is that there is no livable streets candidate, and there never has been, at least in my memory. As the bicycling, walking, carfree, livability, sustainability, etc movements grow, though, we might have a chance to at least start making candidates aware of them. Informative, well-reasoned letters from voters do make an impact on the issues politicians think are important -- and we should all be writing those. The sad thing is that there is no livable streets candidate, and there never has been, at least in my memory. As the bicycling, walking, carfree, livability, sustainability, etc movements grow, though, we might have a chance to at least start making candidates aware of them. Informative, well-reasoned letters from voters do make an impact on the issues politicians think are important -- and we should all be writing those.

]]> By: Mac http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42314 Mac Thu, 03 Jan 2008 04:28:23 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42314 Yes, Time for a single national primary. The neglect of urban and suburban issues, including sprawl, is a direct result of this ridiculous focus on Iowa and New Hampshire. Surely we can do better than this! (And unlike most of the commentators, I actually think Obama is serious about livable cities and much else. But the coal-to-liquid stuff is terrible of course. I'm hoping that is just the crowd-pleasing he needs to do to get elected) Yes, Time for a single national primary. The neglect of urban and suburban issues, including sprawl, is a direct result of this ridiculous focus on Iowa and New Hampshire. Surely we can do better than this!

(And unlike most of the commentators, I actually think Obama is serious about livable cities and much else. But the coal-to-liquid stuff is terrible of course. I'm hoping that is just the crowd-pleasing he needs to do to get elected)

]]> By: Eric http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42312 Eric Thu, 03 Jan 2008 03:43:51 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42312 Two words: Al Gore. Unfortnately, urban issues haven't been much in the spotlight so far. From the campaign rhetoric, one would think that Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina were the nation's most populous states, and that the average American drove a tractor or worked in a textile mill. Time for a single national primary day. Two words: Al Gore.

Unfortnately, urban issues haven't been much in the spotlight so far. From the campaign rhetoric, one would think that Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina were the nation's most populous states, and that the average American drove a tractor or worked in a textile mill.

Time for a single national primary day.

]]> By: Charlie D. http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42311 Charlie D. Thu, 03 Jan 2008 03:35:18 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42311 Planetizen did a "Smart Growth" survey of the candidates positions in early December. There's reason to believe that Clinton, Edwards, and Richardson also believe that transit, walking, bicycling, land use, etc are important. http://www.planetizen.com/node/28846 Planetizen did a "Smart Growth" survey of the candidates positions in early December. There's reason to believe that Clinton, Edwards, and Richardson also believe that transit, walking, bicycling, land use, etc are important.

http://www.planetizen.com/node/28846

]]> By: Aaron Naparstek http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42310 Aaron Naparstek Thu, 03 Jan 2008 03:19:45 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42310 Nic, That probably could have been clearer. McCain seems to be interested in dealing with climate change. Transportation, not so much. Nic,

That probably could have been clearer. McCain seems to be interested in dealing with climate change. Transportation, not so much.

]]> By: simon http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42309 simon Thu, 03 Jan 2008 03:14:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42309 obama's also in the pocket of the ethanol lobby too. and that shit ain't helpful. obama's also in the pocket of the ethanol lobby too. and that shit ain't helpful.

]]> By: jmc http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42306 jmc Thu, 03 Jan 2008 01:38:48 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42306 Hey, if Bloomberg runs and wins, he'll probably appoint Sadik-Khan as director of the DOT! (wishful thinking) Hey, if Bloomberg runs and wins, he'll probably appoint Sadik-Khan as director of the DOT!

(wishful thinking)

]]> By: Niccolo Machiavelli http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42304 Niccolo Machiavelli Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:51:32 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42304 Whoever gives McCain a free ride on transportation is drinking cool-aid too. He is the most anti-rail of anyone in the Senate, driving the AMTRAK privatization agenda for over a decade. Son of an Admiral and a Navy vet, he moved to the desert. A gas powered desert at that. He has done everything he can to starve AMTRAK of assets and resources and has been no friend of urban mass transit either. Whoever gives McCain a free ride on transportation is drinking cool-aid too. He is the most anti-rail of anyone in the Senate, driving the AMTRAK privatization agenda for over a decade. Son of an Admiral and a Navy vet, he moved to the desert. A gas powered desert at that. He has done everything he can to starve AMTRAK of assets and resources and has been no friend of urban mass transit either.

]]> By: Damien http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42303 Damien Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:40:58 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42303 I did some posts on the lame-ness of all the presidential candidates on transportation issues, even though all the Democrats are fighting to be the one with the most aggressive greenhouse gas plans. If you look through the energy/Greenhouse Gas plans of the major Dems, you don't see much about transportation... Clinton talks about finding another $1.5 billion to encourage urban rail. Edwards has a lot of flowery language about reducing VMT. In addition to the language in the post, Obama also has one specific. He talks about increasing the tax credit for transit commuting so that its equal to the credit an employer gets for handing out free parking. If you want to read more of my thoughts, you can find them here: http://streetheatla.blogspot.com/2007/11/car-culture-not-mentioned-as-dems-talk.html here: http://streetheatla.blogspot.com/2007/11/hillarys-gg-plan-alternative.html and here: http://streetheatla.blogspot.com/2007/11/look-at-edwardsobama-greenhouse-gas.html I did some posts on the lame-ness of all the presidential candidates on transportation issues, even though all the Democrats are fighting to be the one with the most aggressive greenhouse gas plans.

If you look through the energy/Greenhouse Gas plans of the major Dems, you don't see much about transportation...

Clinton talks about finding another $1.5 billion to encourage urban rail.

Edwards has a lot of flowery language about reducing VMT.

In addition to the language in the post, Obama also has one specific. He talks about increasing the tax credit for transit commuting so that its equal to the credit an employer gets for handing out free parking.

If you want to read more of my thoughts, you can find them here:
http://streetheatla.blogspot.com/2007/11/car-culture-not-mentioned-as-dems-talk.html
here:
http://streetheatla.blogspot.com/2007/11/hillarys-gg-plan-alternative.html
and here:
http://streetheatla.blogspot.com/2007/11/look-at-edwardsobama-greenhouse-gas.html

]]> By: jmc http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42301 jmc Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:55:54 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42301 I think that's a coal-powered tricycle he's riding there. I think that's a coal-powered tricycle he's riding there.

]]> By: Charles Komanoff http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42298 Charles Komanoff Wed, 02 Jan 2008 22:35:07 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42298 Yes, Angus, Kucinich is NOT pushing for a carbon tax. In the Grist interview you linked to, he said: "We need to do whatever we can do to create disincentives for the use of carbon-based energy. But that's not enough. Carbon-based taxes alone won't cut it because some people may be willing to pay an extra tax to use something that's bad for the environment. Inevitably we need a requirement to move away from all carbon-based technologies and to fund fully all alternative-energy research that is in harmony with the environment." That's lukewarm at best, particularly compared to Sen. Dodd, who is truly evangelizing for a carbon tax. And Kucinich's "willing to pay an extra tax" jibe betrays a basic lack of understanding of pollution taxes. Hell, can't you picture him trotting out the same line about congestio pricing? Yes, Angus, Kucinich is NOT pushing for a carbon tax.

In the Grist interview you linked to, he said:

"We need to do whatever we can do to create disincentives for the use of carbon-based energy. But that's not enough. Carbon-based taxes alone won't cut it because some people may be willing to pay an extra tax to use something that's bad for the environment. Inevitably we need a requirement to move away from all carbon-based technologies and to fund fully all alternative-energy research that is in harmony with the environment."

That's lukewarm at best, particularly compared to Sen. Dodd, who is truly evangelizing for a carbon tax. And Kucinich's "willing to pay an extra tax" jibe betrays a basic lack of understanding of pollution taxes. Hell, can't you picture him trotting out the same line about congestio pricing?

]]> By: Angus Grieve-Smith http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42292 Angus Grieve-Smith Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:44:40 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42292 <blockquote>It's also worth noting that Chris Dodd is the only candidate with the guts to push for a carbon tax.</blockquote> So Jason, <a href="http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/12/11/kucinich_qa/" rel="nofollow">Congressman Kucinich</a> isn't pushing? Or he's not a candidate?

It's also worth noting that Chris Dodd is the only candidate with the guts to push for a carbon tax.

So Jason, Congressman Kucinich isn't pushing? Or he's not a candidate?

]]> By: Mark http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42291 Mark Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:35:47 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42291 I searched the major candidates' sites for mention of "peak oil" several months ago -- it's the issue that will drive a lot of our concerns, no pun intended. Only found it on the Kucinich site, and only briefly. Someone correct me if you've seen something I've missed. Oh, and today marks a major milestone, with crude oil hitting $100 a barrel. I'm wondering when one of these presidential weasels will address that. I searched the major candidates' sites for mention of "peak oil" several months ago -- it's the issue that will drive a lot of our concerns, no pun intended. Only found it on the Kucinich site, and only briefly. Someone correct me if you've seen something I've missed. Oh, and today marks a major milestone, with crude oil hitting $100 a barrel. I'm wondering when one of these presidential weasels will address that.

]]> By: jmc http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42290 jmc Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:31:42 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42290 Obama is about as pro-carbon as you can get in a candidate. He'll tell you that bicycles are lovely, but he also loves "clean" coal. He'd never take the difficult steps necessary to avert climate change and rebuild our cities. Obama is about as pro-carbon as you can get in a candidate. He'll tell you that bicycles are lovely, but he also loves "clean" coal.

He'd never take the difficult steps necessary to avert climate change and rebuild our cities.

]]> By: bicyclebelle http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42288 bicyclebelle Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:25:31 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42288 It's also worth noting Obama's co-introduction of the Coal-to-Liquid-Fuel Promotion Act of 2007. crowd pleaser and coal pleaser. It's also worth noting Obama's co-introduction of the Coal-to-Liquid-Fuel Promotion Act of 2007. crowd pleaser and coal pleaser.

]]> By: Budrick http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/comment-page-1/#comment-42284 Budrick Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:04:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/02/is-barack-obama-the-livable-streets-candidate/#comment-42284 The short answer is no--this is the man who came before a Brooklyn audience and said that something needed to be done about $3 a gallon gasoline. http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YWU1NTQzNGZjN2ZkMzcxMDgzZGNmMTc3ZWUzMWJhMmU= Obama is a crowd pleaser, a populist with too many near-sighted, empty ideas for my liking. I wouldn't be surprised to see him add overt gasoline subsidies to the implicit subsidies we already give to cars in this country. It would just be such a signature Obama feel-good solution. The short answer is no--this is the man who came before a Brooklyn audience and said that something needed to be done about $3 a gallon gasoline.

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YWU1NTQzNGZjN2ZkMzcxMDgzZGNmMTc3ZWUzMWJhMmU=

Obama is a crowd pleaser, a populist with too many near-sighted, empty ideas for my liking.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him add overt gasoline subsidies to the implicit subsidies we already give to cars in this country. It would just be such a signature Obama feel-good solution.

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