A Funny, Humanizing Global Warming Quote from Barack Obama

Newsweek has released a new, intriguing article in their “Secrets of the 2008 Campaign” series.

Among the juicy tidbits is a pre-debate quote from Barack Obama about the challenge of solving environmental problems.

The package of secret tales includes stories about how both campaigns had their computer systems hacked, how Sarah Palin walked into a briefing in only a towel, and also has some worrisome anecdotes about increased threats of violence against the Obama family.

It would be folly to try to explain the context of the quote about going green from Obama myself, so here is the Newsweek segment verbatim:

The debates unnerved both candidates. When he was preparing for them during the Democratic primaries, Obama was recorded saying, “I don’t consider this to be a good format for me, which makes me more cautious. I often find myself trapped by the questions and thinking to myself, ‘You know, this is a stupid question, but let me … answer it.’ So when Brian Williams is asking me about what’s a personal thing that you’ve done [that's green], and I say, you know, ‘Well, I planted a bunch of trees.’ And he says, ‘I’m talking about personal.’ What I’m thinking in my head is, ‘Well, the truth is, Brian, we can’t solve global warming because I f—ing changed light bulbs in my house. It’s because of something collective’.”

To read Newsweek’s article that is full of great conversation fodder, click here.

Photo Credit: Obama Biden Campaign Website

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