Gore v. Inhofe Turns Into A Cage Match

Yesterday Al Gore testified on the dangers of global warming on Capitol Hill before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The most anticipated clash was that between Gore and Oklahoma's James Inhofe, the committee's ranking Republican, former chair, and longtime vocal critic of the very idea of climate change. Bradford Plumer was there and has an account over at The New Republic online.

In short, Gore seems to have acquitted himself well. But the biggest moments of tension came not between Inhofe and Gore, though they had their moments, but rather between Inhofe and current chair, California's Barbara Boxer. Bradford gives some examples:

During the questioning period, Inhofe asked Gore about his own personal energy use--a fevered right-wing meme that, of course, has no actual bearing on climate-change policy. When Gore calmly tried to point out that his family purchases non-carbon green energy, Inhofe cut him off. Bad move. Boxer retorted, "How can you ask a question and not give him a minute to answer?" A short while later, after Inhofe brought up a recent New York Times hatchet job that criticized Gore's documentary (the piece has been dissected here and here), he declared that he didn't want to hear Gore's answer, since it would take too long. "You can submit it in writing," he added with a sneer. Boxer, like a mother losing her patience, barked, "Would you agree to let the vice president answer your questions?" When Inhofe sputtered in protest, Boxer waved her chairman's gavel in front of his face: "No, you're not making the rules. You used to when you had this. But elections have consequences!" The room erupted in cheers. A red-faced Inhofe slumped back in his chair. Bernie Sanders had his head in his hands, laughing hysterically.

Good for Boxer. But also, on the whole, good for Gore. It looks more and more as if Gore is certainly not running in 2008, and that he has not been playing coy all along. Buthe may well play a significant role in a future democratic administration.