by Mark Silva
President Barack Obama went to Home Depot today.
"Seeing how Christmas is right around the corner, and we're at Home Depot, I figured I might knock out some of my shopping,'' the president said at the icon of the big-box stores in Northern Virginia.
"My press secretary wants something that prevents leaks,'' the president joked.
But this part is no joke: The president is calling on Congress to offer new incentives for homeowners and business to add insulation, replace leaky windows and doors and other "retrofitting'' that can save energy consumption and costs - and create some needed jobs in the process.
"I know the idea may not be glamorous,'' the president said, alluding to a recent roundtable talk. "Someone said insulation is not very sexy... I disagree... Here's what's sexy about it: Saving money.
The so-called "cash for caulkers'' program, a takeoff on the government's popular "cash for clunkers'' buyout of old cars, ''is an extraordinary idea,'' the president maintained, noting that 30 percent of Home Depot's business comes from small contractors, many of whom do this kind of retrofitting.
The caulker-in-chief was touting the benefits of the existing economic stimulus bill's spending on alternative energy development and conservation.
"We want to take some strategic steps... in areas that are going to generate the greatest amounts of jobs,'' Obama said today. "Clean energy can be a powerful engine for creating that kind of growth.''
The nation is on track to double its clean energy production by the year 2012 - ''doubling it,'' the president said.
"Our nation's buildings, our homes and offices, consume almost 40 percent of the energy we use,'' and produce much of the carbon "that everyone is talking about in Copenhagen'' this week, noted the president, who will head to Copenhagen for the close of the United Nations conference on climate change at week's end.
The simple act of retrofitting buildings "is one of the fastest, easiest and cheapest things we can do to put Americans back to work,'' the president said, noting that the nation already is on pace to upgrade the homes of a half-million Americans by next year. "This is an area that has huge potential to grow.''
"This is a smart thing to do....
" I told you, insulation is sexy.''
(Photo of President Barack Obama at a Home Depot in suburban Alexandria, Va., today, by Susan Walsh / AP)
Comments
LET'S HEAR IT FOR "President Spock"
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http://spectator.org/archives/2009/12/15/president-spock
Posted by: Bobby Mobbie | December 15, 2009 12:07 PM
OR IS IT "All Hat and No Cattle"
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http://www.businessinsider.com/obamas-newfound-populism-all-hat-no-cattle-2009-12
Posted by: Bobby Mobbie | December 15, 2009 12:09 PM
The Obumble White House couldn't administer "cash for clunkers", it makes up imaginary districts on its "stimulus" website, and today we hear that 800,000 swine flu vaccines have been recalled--and yet he forges ahead with a NEW giveaway program!
As to the specifics of "cash for caulkers", the government ALREADY has a "cash for caulkers" program--and it's mired in fraud and unspent funds. See http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=44186&dcn=e_gvet for the details the DNC Swamp doesn't dare give you.
Posted by: Bruce | December 15, 2009 1:29 PM
Spock and sexy . . . ummm nope, don't think so.
Posted by: Bobby Mobbie | December 15, 2009 2:00 PM
Bruce, You realize the Swine Flu vaccines were produced by PRIVATE industry. How is the governnment to blame for their screw-ups?
Posted by: Saluki Slayer | December 15, 2009 2:22 PM
Alternate headline:
America's Tool Visits a Home Depot Store
Posted by: Chris | December 15, 2009 5:48 PM
Great idea! I plan to replace all my windows in 2010. This will help.
Posted by: HmongRodneyKing | December 15, 2009 6:16 PM
Bruce,
Are all tax incentives "giveaways." Or just the ones that you don't like?
Posted by: martin | December 15, 2009 6:28 PM
The New Program for economic recovery "Have Caulk Gun, Will Travel". This should get unemploymnet to 12% in no-time
Posted by: Terry | December 15, 2009 6:37 PM
I guess we now know what Michelle Obama will be getting Barry for Valentine's Day.
Posted by: Chris | December 15, 2009 6:55 PM
To all my fellow Americans: We have to support our President regardless of our opinion. United we stand, Divided we fall. In China they would jail you for this talk, in Afghan they would stone you and the list goes on. Come on, the US is the greatest country in the world for business, freedom and making something from nothing. Think twice before you tear us down. God Bless America.
Posted by: Mango Carafino | December 15, 2009 7:00 PM
"Bruce, You realize the Swine Flu vaccines were produced by PRIVATE industry. How is the governnment to blame for their screw-ups? Posted by: Saluki Slayer"
"Saluki", this may come as news to you, but vaccines (including the recalled vaccine) must be approved by a FEDERAL GOVERNMENT agency, the FDA, before they can be used. And on Sept. 15th, the Obama administration approved the now-recalled vaccine for use. See http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/15/swine-flu-vaccine-approve_n_287526.html for the information that I thought everyone with a double-digit IQ was aware of.
There were other Obama administration screw-ups connected with the Swine flu vaccine program. This is only the most obvious one.
Posted by: Bruce | December 16, 2009 12:51 AM
This is a waste of money, unless you live in the frozen tundra. Maybe Obama is preparing you for the coming ice age.
These Green incentives don't create jobs and they don't save enough money to justify their cost.
Posted by: Free to Watch Whatever I Want | December 16, 2009 1:34 AM
How do you spell "photo op?" Or is it "foto" as in "fony?" A trip to Home Depot to illustrate a point he could have made a whole lot cheaper for the public in the WH briefing room? How about telling us how much that cost taxpayers in SS motorcades, local cops diverted from other work, advance checking, halting other commerce in the store, etc. Obama is taking his "Big Brother" act way too far. Give it a break.
Posted by: Aardmore | December 16, 2009 7:50 AM
Caulk gun and tire pressure gauge,will save the Country.
Is this guy for real ?
Posted by: Tim Nolan | December 16, 2009 8:02 AM
don't see this proposal creating many jobs...for those looking for employment right now, Salary For.com http://www.salaryfor.com/ has career advice, job listings and a huge database of real salaries that companies are paying for any position. you can post your own salary or view others for free.
Posted by: Kay | December 16, 2009 8:28 AM
Yo Mango:
Did you sing the same song during Bush?
Posted by: Bobby Mobbie | December 16, 2009 9:59 AM
Bruce,
This may come as news to you, but the recall had nothing to do with the FDA approval. There is no link between the recall and the Obama administration. This was a portion of the total vaccine shipped. Not all of it. Less than 1%. In fact,the approval requires certain standards. These vaccines that were recalled did not meet the standard, and then were recalled. It sounds like things are working as they should.
Posted by: martin | December 16, 2009 1:18 PM
Posted by: martin | December 15, 2009 6:28 PM
Are all tax incentives "giveaways." Or just the ones that you don't like?
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My answer on this is YES they are.
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Posted by: martin | December 16, 2009 1:18 PM
This may come as news to you, but the recall had nothing to do with the FDA approval. There is no link between the recall and the Obama administration. This was a portion of the total vaccine shipped. Not all of it. Less than 1%. In fact,the approval requires certain standards. These vaccines that were recalled did not meet the standard, and then were recalled. It sounds like things are working as they should.
________________________________
Your right but, most of the stuff that is being recalled has been used. And the one thing they seem to keep missing is that it really is not a big deal.
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If Obama really want to kill three birds with one stone. Take a few billion from the stimulus and install tank-less water heaters in every home. If you want even more jobs and energy savings. Take another 30 billion or so from the stimulus and install small Vertical Axis Wind Turbine on even home that they can.
Grid-connected wind turbines and tank-less water heaters would stop millions of tons of coal from being burn every year and who how much NG.
We installed a NG whole house tank-less water heater 4 years ago. Before that our budgeted gas payment every month was $210. Now its a even $50 and last year the gas company return $700 to us. Yes it cost ($1300.) more up front but, you do the math.
We started looking at small Vertical Axis Wind Turbines for the home at about that time. Cost just for the turbines was between 10 and 15K not counting installment just 4 years ago. Now its down to 5K installed and the return is down to under five years on the cost. And no need for power storage at home go with grid-connected metering. It a lot safer that way. Plus the V.A. Wind Turbines are also bird safe with very little sound.
Just think about all the jobs too. Look at that for under 50 billion. May be I should run for office, just kidding I could never go that low. Plus I would most likely end up shooting a coal/NG lobbyist or two.
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | December 16, 2009 9:54 PM
Why does Obama have to use the word “sexy” to get people to pay attention to saving energy in their homes? Are we living in the 30s, America? People should listen up – you'll save money and you'll help save this crazy planet we all call home. Check out http://tictacdo.com/ttd/Save-Energy-in-Your-Home for some easy ways to start. So everyone calm down. Better the president talk about sexy insulation than sexy interns, eh? ;-)
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Posted by: tax jobs | January 18, 2010 4:01 AM