Speaking directly to Organizing for America supporters, President Obama reiterated his position that as the BP oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico rages on, there is no time like the present to pass climate and energy legislation that will begin to move the U.S. off of fossil fuels and help build a clean energy economy (see video below). Said President Obama:

"...The tragedy unfolding on our coast is the most painful and powerful reminder yet that the time to embrace a clean-energy future is now. That’s why in the coming days, I will work with both parties to find the necessary votes to move comprehensive energy and climate legislation forward. But we also know that real change is only possible when ordinary Americans are willing to organize from the bottom up.

The pundits may say that this is too difficult – that the special interests are too powerful or that the political will just isn’t there. But you’ve never settled for what people in Washington believe is possible.

If we refuse to heed the warnings of this disaster, we will have missed our best chance to help build the clean-energy future America needs. But if we seize this moment, we can rebuild our economy on a new foundation and make it more competitive in the 21st century, creating entire new industries and millions of new clean energy jobs all across the country..."