2NC Extensions: A/t - #4 “Republicans Will Win” [2/2] 290
4) Obama’s new regulations will get implemented due to public support, but opponents are getting ready to fight.
GUARDIAN, 13
[Richard Schiffman; “President Obama is talking big on climate change, but will he act?” 6/25, http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jun/25/obama-climate-change-speech-more-promises]
But the broad strokes of Obama's new plan are impressive: tough regulations on greenhouse gas emissions, new energy efficiency standards for appliances, renewable energy development on public lands, billions of additional federal dollars to support the launch of green technologies, and coordinated action with state and local governments to help mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. He also pledged that the federal government would increase the electricity it uses from renewables to 20% in the next seven years. This time, the president is not waiting for the Republicans to come on board. He's mandating federal agencies to make the changes unilaterally without having to go to Congress for approval. In what will likely be the most controversial move of all, Obama directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the authority of the Clean Air Act to issue new regulations on carbon dioxide emissions from America's power plants, which are responsible for 40% of US carbon output. Last year, the EPA proposed limiting carbon from newly built plants, although it is yet to implement that rule. Now the agency will set stringent standards for existing power plants as well – a very big deal, since many of these facilities are still fueled by carbon-spewing coal. Coal plants will either have to switch over to cleaner burning natural gas, sequester the CO2 from their stacks, a tricky and expensive operation, or close up shop. A recent Duke University poll shows strong support for "regulating greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and factories" (64% support this versus 14% opposed). But it's not likely to go down well in the coal belts of the midwest and the inter-mountain west. House speaker John Boehner didn't wait for the actual announcement to blast the expected new rules: "I think this is absolutely crazy," the House Speaker said last week. "Why would you want to increase the cost of energy and kill more American jobs at a time when the American people are still asking where are the jobs?" In his speech today, the president said that this view reflects a "fundamental lack of faith in American business and American ingenuity". Moving to renewables will serve, he said, as "an engine for growth for decades to come". In fact, most voters see such a stark division between "jobs" on one hand and "the climate" on the other as being simplistic. Reuters reported on a Pew survey earlier this year in which, "An astounding 73 to 21% majority rejected the notion that America has to choose between the environment and the economy because more environmental regulations 'will increase costs, hurt our economic recovery and destroy jobs'". Obama, who is no slouch when it comes to divining where the political winds are blowing, must have noticed the change in mood after too hot summers, Hurricane Sandy, and the spate of wildfires in Colorado and elsewhere have shown Americans that the wolf of climate change is already howling at our door.
2NC Extensions: A/t - #5 “Link Turn” 291
1) Economic assistance to Latin America is a loser for Obama because Republicans view the region as a low priority and will fight before making any deals with corrupt governments. Extend our ROETT evidence.
2) We have specific links that the plan will hurt Obama’s political capital.
[Insert Plan-Specific Link]
3) Republicans will not compromise on aid to Latin America because they think the U.S. should focus on the Middle East.
BARBOSA, 12
[Rubens, former ambassador of Brazil to the United States; “What Will Obama's Second Term Mean for Latin America?” 11/08, http://www.thedialogue.org/page.cfm?pageID=32&pubID=3135]
"In his second term, Obama will be more interested in looking for his legacy in history. The U.S. government will tend to be more proactive and try to increase its influence in the current hot spots: Pakistan, Syria, Iran and elsewhere in the Middle East. The relationship with China will continue to be high on the foreign policy agenda. Having in mind this scenario, Latin America will continue to be off the radar of U.S. decision makers: the region will remain a low priority for Washington. Despite this fact, the reaction of the Latin American leaders and citizens to Obama's re-election has been very positive. The role of Latinos in the election was important and in some places crucial. In terms of policy changes on issues such as immigration, drugs and Cuba, Obama will continue to face strong opposition from the Republican Party but I would not be surprised if new ideas could be advanced by the administration especially in relation to immigration and Cuba."
2NC Extensions: A/t - #6 “Political Capital is a Myth” [1/2] 292
1) Their evidence has no warrant. Political capital works because Presidents are able to use favors and leverage to convince politicians to side with them, but only if they appear strong. Our uniqueness evidence proves that Obama has the strength to pull some politicians onto his side, but only if he avoids any battles in the short-term.
2) Passing new policies requires political capital that trades off with other policies.
SEIDENFELD, 94
[Marc, Associate Professor at Florida State University College of Law; Iowa Law Review, October]
The cumbersome process of enacting legislation interferes with the President's ability to get his legislative agenda through Congress much as it hinders direct congressional control of agency policy-setting. A President has a limited amount of political capital he can use to press for a legislative agenda, and precious little time to get his agenda enacted. These constraints prevent the President from marshalling through Congress all but a handful of statutory provisions reflecting his policy vision.
3) Obama needs all his political capital to get the rules changes through, or Congress will rip the changes to shreds.
FALLON, 13
[Brandon, recent grad student at CSULB with a BA in History from Fordham University; “Obama Is Moving Ahead On Climate — With Or Without Congress' Help ”, 6/27, http://www.policymic.com/articles/51623/obama-is-moving-ahead-on-climate-with-or-without-congress-help]
Executive powers are one way to limit the problem, but using them could make it appear as if the president is reaching for more power. Obama cannot tell Congress what to do, but he could order the Departments of Energy and the Interior and the EPA to begin cutting pollution and prepare for a future in which climate change will affect all of us. Leadership is a requirement if Obama is to make climate change a serious priority. It already has become a priority as Obama brought it up often in his State of the Union address. What the president cannot do now is leave the issue solely in the hands of Congress, which will likely result in a watered-down bill at best or nothing at worst.
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