Clinton

In answer to a question about managing China’s transition to global powerhouse, Clinton said it’s crucial to (among other things) create a new generation of high-tech, high-wage jobs. What jobs? “Clean energy.”

Ira Flatow then responded that he had 8 years to advance smart energy policy, and he didn’t (though less bluntly put). Clinton had three responses:

Energy issues had low visibility back then, because other priorities were intruding and oil was cheap;
the Republican congress enjoyed the oil and coal economy, and still does;
and he did actually do some stuff, tax credits and such, not to mention Kyoto.
Gristmill