E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
From NBC's Scott Foster
President Obama today tried to tamp down expectations about the temporary stoppage of the Gulf oil spill, cautioning Americans "not to get ahead of themselves."
He called the new temporary cap "good news," but added: "One of the problems with having this camera down there is that when the oil stops gushing, everybody feels like we're done -- and we're not."
In a Rose Garden media availability under an intense mid-July sun, the president explained that government scientists continue to analyze the oil well's integrity tests.
He said they're testing whether this new cap can shut the well without creating additional leaks under the sea floor.
And he said that while "all of us have taken hope in the image of clean water instead of oil spewing in the Gulf," it's important to "make sure that we're taking a prudent course of action, and not simply looking for a short term-solution."
But he also said Americans "should take some heart in the fact that we're making progress on this front." But the president explained that even if ongoing tests reveal a "shut-in" is impossible that this new cap will capture up to 80,000 barrels a day. "Nearly all" of the leaking oil until the well is killed, he said.
And when will it be permanently stopped? Mr. Obama said the relief well is "ahead of target," but didn't elaborate. BP has said those relief wells should be completed and linked the damaged well by mid-August.
He told reporters, "I know there were a lot of reports coming out in the media that seemed to indicate, 'Well, maybe this thing is done.' We won't be done until we actually know that we've killed the well and that we have a permanent solution in place."
The president made his remarks before heading to Bar Harbor, Maine for a weekend vacation with wife Michelle, and daughters Malia and Sasha.
Leave a Comment:
I agree with President Obama - but at least it's holding for now...
Something positive for a change coming out of the Gulf region is indeed welcome news...
Celebration will happen once the well has been stopped and the entire gulf clean from every last drop of oil. The celebration should come in the form of legislation that will ensure this never ever happens again. Sadly this will probably not happen in my lifetime. Destruction in the name of capitalism...or are they the same thing?
Dan Austin, Tx. Well said! Legislation to prevent this sort of thing from ever happening again would be worth celebrating. Capitalism works best when greed is regulated.
um, Ron? There are regulations. They are clear, and THEY WERE NOT ENFORCED.
Ad, yes, Ron, the permits that were given were given during the OBAMA administration. I know you'd like to ignore that-the media is complicit in allowing you to do that-but it is a FACT.
He was aware of the issues at MMS-and did NOTHING about it. Oh, wait, I forgot-he did away with MMS after the blow-out-by changing the name.
Yep, changing the name should fix the problem.
The man is in over his head. He was unprepared to be president, and seems to be incapable of learning on the job.
As the majority of the country now acknowledges. We'll begin to fix that in November-and put the final fix in place in '13. I just hope the disaster left behind by this poseur is not to great for even President Daniels to fix.
Ya know, it just break's my heart when people in this country won't give President Obama a chance. Anyone can tell that he's out to take care of the American people.
Since day one they have never said anything positive on what he as done so far.
TRR: I totally agree. No matter what President Obama does or doesn't do, he has been/is/will be damned. And that is so unfair, for as you stated, it IS obvious how much he cares for all of us - even his critics!
If there was ever a prime time for legislation it is now while this mess is still fresh in the minds of America. I also fear that this probably will not happen anytime soon and people will forget. So for now I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed that the cap holds until the relief wells are done. Then we can get down to the job of cleaning this mess up full time. Maybe Jindal will pick up a shovel and help. (joke).
As this week winds down I want to thank our hosts for another job well done. We had a lot of good posts this week from both sides of the aisle and it appears to be a little more civil than in the past. I want to thank all our Military people for their service and hope EVERYBODY has a safe weekend and see you all next week.
I can't even imagine the toll this has taken on the workers down there. Hopefully we will see an end in sight soon.
Off topic -
There is this man who lives in Maine and has had season's tickets to the New England Patriots for 11 years. And he has yet to miss a home game, regardless of distance, weather and time of game (Monday nights).
As long as President Obama & family are in New England, they should go to Fenway Park and watch a baseball game - Boston v. Texas btw Dan. Everybody needs time off and there is nothing like a baseball game on a summer night - hot dogs, peanuts, icy cold beer, friendly and not-so-friendly people.
Speaking of vacations, I wonder if Keith is leaving for his tonite?
Lawrence O'Donnell - wonder how preparations are going for his new show. Will he be broadcasting from LA, NY or DC I wonder? I would love a conversation type program, with Eric Burns, Chris Hayes, Ezra Klein and Jonathan Alter as frequent guests. They're likeable and realistic/honest in their views. I'm so sick of the Politico people. And Halperin.
Hint: The last thing most of us want after a day of working is a ton of screaming on tv night after night. Ocassionally it's called for. But not every damn night. Anway, I'm really looking forward to this new program with Lawrence. He's one of the truly bright lights on tv these past few years. I hope his program does what Keith and Rachel's programs do - sheds light - not heat, as Keith says in his promo.
I would imagine his program will start in the Fall, as Rachel's did - two years ago.
Pat: If anyone deserves a vacation, it's President Obama. He has had to cancel two and I don't consider a weekend much of a vacation. He deserves a rest.
I also agree regarding TV rants. Sometimes I go over to MSNBC two minutes before Keith, and all I hear is Matthews ranting. I know Ed is one of your favorites, and I appreciate what he says about protecting the middle class, but I have to turn the volume down when he is talking.
I've noticed that Rachel has been doing a lot of traveling. MSNBC would not be sending her to Afghanistan and other places if they didn't have plans for her. My hope is MTP. I'm with Feisty, Gregory has to go. They will likely give him two years, look at his ratings and make a change.
I third that Pat & Ron:
I try to listen to Shultz on my way home in the evening although at times he gets to be too much and I tune him out! Think the Harry Reid rant earlier in the week...
As for Tweety - gave up on him a month ago or better (when he was on the WHY isn't the President doing more pedestal on the Gulf disaster)!
Now that Lawrence has his own show (YIPPPEE - what a great way to end an evening) I'm with Ron and think Rachel should get the MTP chair. Especially if it's true that gotcha doesn't do any research before the show!
Someone said earlier this week to my comment about him pimping out Rachel for ratings that they like to boost her ratings - hmmm... I do TOO for HER show NOT Dumbsh!t Davids! Let him get his rating on his own merit!
Ron, I have stopped watching Ed. Couldn't take the screaming which is how he starts off every program. Then he takes a poll, but first he has to get everybody angry before the poll. Ridiculous. It's the last thing I want to hear when I get home from work. Chris I haven't watched for months. Him and his PA co-horts did me in. And Buchanan.
I'm down to Keith and Rachel. Wouldn't miss them, even if I don't always agree with them, which I don't. But I think they are both v. intelligent and I'm willing to listen to their point of view, as well as their guests. I'm pretty stubborn with my opinions, but Keith and Rachel do get me to think more broadly. And I wouldn't want it any other way.
It's smart tv. Very rare these days. It's what I believe we will get with Lawrence as well. He was dead on during the healthcare days. So when the legislation wasn't exactly what I had hoped for, the let down wasn't as bad, as I was already prepared for it.
The David Brooks, Tom Freidmans, Maureen Dowds of the world I can do without. Three of the most overrated journalists in this country. At least I think so.
Make that a fourth poster to agree!! I want Rachael to do MTP and bring on Lawrence's show!!
I truly feel that Keith and Rachel are two of the finest Americans in this country. SOOO happy to read nice posts from other MSNBC viewers.
I want to add my voice to the chorus about Keith, Rachel, and Lawrence. I don't know where we'd be without them. I refuse to watch Mathews--I don't like guests being interrupted and talked over. If you do that, why have them on??
I also dislike rants and raves... Give me intelligence and respect!
Count me in as well. Rachel should get MTP and then Lawrence O'Donnell can have the spot after keith. However, I must point out that I think keith went a bit overboard with the oil spill reporting. I think it's time to remove it from being the 5th story because lately he is not adding anything new. Marine biologists are not experts in the field of engineering and during the last few shows, the so called "experts" have been assuming and not giving out any real facts.
Hi Pat,
I agree. Also I heard something on NPR that indicated Larry O will be in the fall line up. The yelling and screaming and talking over each other gets old pretty quick. Rachael is still my number one, she almost never cuts anybody off, and ifshe does she says sorry immediately. I think she would be great on MTP. I can only imagine the questions. You have a great weekend.
I tend to agree about Rachel and MTP, but I'm not so sure about trading seeing her every weekday for seeing her only once a week. I think we need her voice and her perspective. I wish she could do MTP and still keep her regualr show. CNN had Anderson Cooper on for three hours a day for a while, maybe MSNBC could have Rachel on weekdays and MTP too. She is worth it.
Rachel on MTP is super, but if we only got to see/hear her once a week, it would be hard for me. Rachel has a way of untangling all the political messes and explain them so simply - I would really miss that! Hoping she stays where she is and does MTP when she wants to or can.
Having no oil spewing, we might celebrate a bit but Pres Obama is right--cautious optimism. When the well is sealed permanently, the oil stops washing ashore, the beaches are clean, and when the fisherman can resume finding the catch of the day--we can raise a glass and really celebrate.
Despite the media induced hysteria over lack of anger, and not appearing before the cameras soon or often enough--quietly behind the scenes, Pres Obama, Adm Allan, the WH staff, Sec Chu and a host of scientists have kept BP accountable. From the beginning, they have reviewed BP's actions to avoid further damage to the weakened well and considering the Government is not in the oil drilling or clean up business, they have kept plugging along trying new ideas, stopping failed ones. Steadily and surely while ignoring the critics, Pres Obama has done everything he could to "plug the d... hole". For now, it is plugged.
After reading some later posts on the First Thoughts thread, I came to the conclusion that Glenn Beck, and Rush Limbaugh have invaded FR and brought friends. I may have gotten a bit testy responding to a couple. That means, my tolerance level for blowhards, and folks with no compassion and no concern for their unemployed fellow Americans has reached the limit. I do believe it's time to take a break and head over to the local garden center for a stroll through the flowers.
Well said Jody. I wish people would wake up and smell the coffee instead of sticking their noses in a bucket full of tea bags.
President Obama and the First lady have been working for the American people since the day they moved into the White House. The Republicans, on the other hand, have been doing everything they can to make sure that their greedy big coporation buddies keep the money rolling their way.
Jody
Well said, but you left out........ the fines and penalties are paid in full along with reparations to those people and industries damaged by MMS and BP's negligence................ then we can celebrate. And really only then should we celebrate for if we settle for anything less we are erroneously celebrating our having been punked......again.
Relief wells being required solves most of our problems with the deepwater moratorium.
It's a good thing that BP worked over last weekend to solve the problem in the gulf while the guy running everything (by Obama's own proclimation) was playing golf.
Do you think Obama doesn't count his putts? You know, as part the reparations due to him?
Hey, JoannaSmith:
Look into your crystal ball and tell us all why this didn't happen 80+days ago? I mean, BP is all wise, all knowing and all pure, right?
Thanks
Come now JoAnna. I think the last post was below you. Reparations - Not like you at all.
Now if only we can get the moratorium in place for deep well drilling until all oil companies have this temporary fix in their arsenal.
It's technical. You wouldn't understand it.
Try me. They invented no new technology--this apparently existed before. I mean, it seems to be a logical question to ask.
Enlighten us all--share your wisdom!
Joanna: Why do you always have to be so negative. You just can't keep your trap shut for 5 minutes can you? You sound like such a miserable person.
Is the glass always half-empty for you? Or is it just the president that you don't like and no matter what he says or does you will find something wrong.
Hi Ginger, Yellowdog,
Seems the ones with no ideas just talking points keep on coming out of the woodwork. They just spew hate, lies and what ever they heard lately on Rush, FOX and Glenn. Facts seem to be in short supply. They give smart ass responses thinking that it's cute and qualifies as an intelligent answer. They get mad and attack like angry little bees when called out with more of the same somehow figuring that we will accept it the second time around.
It's in all the papers.
Putting the cap on did stop the leak, or did it? That's what BP is finding out. If the pipe below the surface is compromised, the leak will begin again, but this time it cannot be controlled as it will be leaking below and through the ocean floor. All solutions before now involved either siphoning off the oil or trying to plug the pipe below the surface. Those attempts all failed, but if they failed, they didn't compromise the integrity of the existing pipe. The capping solution BP did this last week had the most risk, so it wasn't tried until now. And the ultimate solution is to drill a relief well below the current well and stop the leak at the source, until that's done, the well isn't safe.
Again, not that I know much about it, it's in all the papers and on the web. I'm just passing the information along.
I'm surprised the rethugs, Baby Jindal and Howling Barbour aren't out parading the "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" banner...Maybe G Bush isn't can;t get off the wall?????
I prefer the pragmatic cautious approach Pres. Obama show's. No celebration untili it really is done.
Of course...after yelling and screaming that the government is not doing enuf....the silence from that side is deafening!
It is amazing but clearly informative to see the comments critical of Obama regarding the Gulf oil leak and that some even blame the whole thing (and everything) on him. Those critics not only identify their true biased and prejudiced nature but also the real negative character of their irresponsible and obnoxious aggressive efforts to sway others' thinking. No one should expect anyone to totally agree with everything anyone does but it should be reasonable to expect people to be honest and logical when finding fault. When objectively and rationally viewing what transpired it becomes totally obvious that not only did Obama not cause the problem (as with most all of the problems he inherited and is responding to) but also that he actively did all he thought he could do to achieve quick resolution. Some may not agree with all of his actions but the actions should be recognized as being constant and diligent (also recognizing that most critics are really just biased and emotional rather than informed and rational) and then credit should be given for honest effort. The critics, and everyone, should see that what is said against someone really defines those that say it more than it does who it is said about. The stink literally sticks with the BSers.