His complete failure to use the "bully pulpit" to advocate a solar electric economy has just cost the Democratic party my vote.
While I am completely aware of "states rights" and the legislative process, I expect great leadership from an American President. This is not great leadership.
Curt, you are politically savvy. The White House certainly could have come out with a more ringing endorsement of EVs and a direct sales choice without endorsing Tesla per se. Their commerce department had stronger language about these dealership models actually being harmful to the consumer instead of protecting them than the President who should be giving the people a voice at the executive level. The President, and his advisors, must see the overwhelming public outcry for direct sales. He is not running again. Seems like not only the correct thing to do but the overwhelming popular one as well.
I did criticize the lack of political courage by the White House through their follow-up questionnaire. However as I suggested a year ago, the petition was too Tesla specific to expect a direct positive response from the White House. Earlier this year I did write the FTC and asked them to respond instead. They did, and I believe quite well. I suspect the president had an invisible hand in that. In any event, after a year the White house must have felt obligated to clear the petition out of the unanswered file, and did so in a less than inspired fashion.
When Mr. Obama represented my state in the US Senate, I sent him a number of emails. Most of the time it was obvious that he answered me personally rather than through a boilerplate. He did not avoid controversy and was willing to overturn roadblocks. In this case, he does not seem to be the same person.
Last edited: