
While there is often online demand for individual TRMS clips, tonight's fake presidential address drew a lot of requests for the transcript. So below is a rushed, possibly-not-quite-exactly-every-single-word-in-the-right-order transcript of tonight's speech that is at least close enough for reference purposes.
View the video of the segment here.
Good evening.
I'm here to announce three major developments in the response to the BP Oil Disaster that continues, right now, to ravage the beloved Gulf Coast of the United States of America.
I wish I could tell you that the first development is that BP has capped the well, stopped the leak. They haven't. They can't. They don't know how. And no one else does either. Their best hope is a relief well, which poses its own risks and challenges, and which even in a best case scenario, affords no relief until August.
All the might of this, the mightiest nation on earth, and the combined expertise of the richest, most technologically ambitious corporations the world has ever seen, cannot, it turns out, cap an oil well when it breaks five thousand feet-deep in the ocean. It is something that mankind does not yet have the technological capability to fix.
And that brings us to the first development in this disaster that I am announcing tonight: Never again, will any company, anyone, be allowed to drill in a location where they are incapable of dealing with the potential consequences of that drilling.
When the benefits of drilling accrue to a private company, but the risks of that drilling accrue to we the American people, whose waters and shoreline are savaged when things go wrong, I as Fake President stand on the side of the American people, and say to the industry: From this day forward, if you cannot handle the risk, you no longer will take chances with our fate, to reap your rewards.
Our nation's regulatory oversight of the oil industry has been a joke in many ways, for decades -- from the revolving door of industry apparatchiks taking supposed "oversight" jobs in government, in which they just rubberstamped the desires of the industry to which they were loyal -- to energy industry lobbyists, themselves being allowed, in secret meetings, to write our nation's energy policies.
In light of the state of the Gulf right now, my fellow Americans, the details of how industry has infiltrated and infected the government that was supposed to be a watchdog protecting the American public from them -- those details are enough to turn your stomach. But no detail tells you more about the corroding power of the industry against the interests of the American people than the simple fact that they have been allowed to drill in American waters, without being forced to first prove that drilling is safe.
That will never happen again, as long as I am Fake President.
When I announced in March, that my administration's energy policy would include expanded offshore drilling, that policy change was premised on our acceptance of the oil industry's assurances that they knew how to do such drilling safely. They were lying. It cannot be done safely -- not when no technology exists to cap a blowout on the sea floor.
Offshore drilling will not be expanded in American waters, the moratorium will be held firm and in place, unless and until the industry conclusively demonstrates major advances in safety. Oil industry jobs are important, and I will work with industry to mitigate the impact on American families who survive on oil company paychecks -- but in the 21st century, and in the name of the 11 workers who were killed when the Deepwater Horizon rig blew out, we will not play Russian Roulette with workers' lives, and we will not play Russian Roulette with irreversible, national, environmental disaster for the sake of short-term income.
The second major development I'm announcing tonight, my fellow Americans, concerns another oil industry assurance that we can no longer believe. The industry, has long assured us that they were capable of handling spilled oil. In BP's own disaster response plan for the Gulf of Mexico, they claimed they were perfectly capable of containing, and cleaning-up, up to 250,000 barrels of oil a day. That no significant amount of an oil spill of even that size would get to shore, foul beaches, kill wildlife, or destroy wetlands. They were lying.
And the industry is lying when it says it takes seriously its responsibilities to contain and clean-up disasters they cause. The same low-tech, inffective equipment and techniques are being used to respond to this oil disaster today, as were used in the 1960s and '70s to respond to spills back then. That's because the industry hasn't invested in any new containment and cleanup technology in all of these decades. Because they haven't cared too much about it, as an issue.
And it shows. It shows both in the inept technology that we have to deploy, to contain and clean-up a spill like this, and in the lackadaisical, uncoordinated, unprofessional way this inept technology has been deployed by BP.
Beaches have been fouled and wetlands destroyed and wildlife killed that should have been saved. Pensacola Bay in Florida, if properly boomed, should never have been breached by oil. Perdido Pass at Orange Beach, Alabama, should never have been breached by oil. Queen Bess Island, the pelican nesting ground in Barataria Bay in Louisiana, Barataria Bay itself, none of these areas should have been breached by oil -- even given the sad state of existing technology to stop it -- but the fact that those areas were breached is BP's human error.
And tonight, as Fake President, I'm announcing a new federal command specifically for containment and cleanup of oil that has already entered the Gulf of Mexico, with a priority on protecting shoreline that can still be saved; shoreline that is vulnerable to oil that has not yet been hit. I have asked the Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, to assist me in the diplomatic side of this -- in soliciting, greenlighting and expediting all international offers of help from experts in booming and skimming from all over the world. We will bring in the best experts and the best equipment from anywhere on Earth, to dramatically increase our efforts to get the oil out of the water, and off of the coast.
Oil industry workers are often trained in booming and skimming. I am hereby directing BP to fund booming-and-skimming crash academies for all available oil industry personnel, anywhere in the world, to radically overhaul what has been a haphazard, half-hearted, totally unacceptable protection effort. Starting immediately. No expense will be spared and no excuses will be brooked. Even if the oil leak is capped today, the oil in the water will continue to surge toward shore for weeks if not months. As Fake President, I will personally issue a public update on cleanup and containment efforts every single day until this disaster is under control.
And finally, the third development I have to announce to you tonight in the response to this oil disaster is about how we got here, and how that will change. Every president in the modern era has complained that America must get off oil. Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush -- and now I, Fake President Obama -- have all intoned, solemnly, that we must get off oil.
Now that we have, at the hands of the oil industry, experienced the worst environmental disaster in American history, the time for talk is over. The world is different now. Our country is different now. The scales have fallen from our eyes. People say we're not ready? They're right. We're not ready. We also weren't ready to fight in World War 2 before Pearl Harbor, but events forced that upon us, and events have forced this fight upon us now. I no longer say that we must get off oil like every president before me has said too. I no longer say that we must get off oil. We will get off oil and here's how:
The United States Senate will pass an energy bill. This year. The Senate version of the bill will not expand offshore drilling. The earlier targets in that bill for energy efficiency and for renewable energy-sources will be doubled or tripled.
If Senators use the filibuster to stop the bill, we will pass it by reconciliation, which still ensures a majority vote. If there are elements of the bill that cannot procedurally be passed by reconciliation, if those elements can be instituted by executive order, I will institute them by executive order.
The political cowardice that has kept politicians from doing right by this country, finally, on energy, and standing up to the oil industry -- that cowardice has been drowned; drowned in oil on Queen Bess Island. There is a new reality in this country that has been forced on us by this disaster.
As Fake President, I pledge to you that the land and sea and livelihood and lives of the American people will be put first. As we do everything that is humanly possible to stop this disaster. We will never again let the oil industry put America at this kind of risk. We will save what can still be saved that is directly at risk from the oil in the Gulf. And we will free ourselves, as a nation, once and for all, from the grip of this industry that's lied to us as much as it has exploited us, as much as it has befouled us with its toxic effluent.
The oil age, America, is over. If you are with me, let your Senator know it.
I'll next speak to you about the BP oil disaster tomorrow, with my first public update on the cleanup effort in the Gulf.
God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.
Oh, and also -- I've decided I'm not a White Sox fan anymore. I'm a Red Sox fan. And I'm closing Guantanamo. KTHXBAI





Rachel Maddow for Real President!
Rachel your my hero!
here, here.... sorry Obama I can't vote for you again..... don't like bush lite. Still tastes like butt.
Sorry rachel, you don't know what obama's up against...not everything!
What ever game was afoot, he won!
He keeps hitting three pointers!
He gets what he can get!
Big historical score for the small people!!
Thats an art of war pragmatic view of how to really move the country forward.
....."the rest is just pipe dreams ". * popeye
Sorry, obama's still got my vote....but your speech was better....but suicidal!
Your still the best reserch reporter on the air! keep up the hard work!... in a couple of years, you'll be totally electable....for anything!!
President Obama had a plan! Talk moderate....let the BP lawers think they can be agressive in the next day's meeting.....they tell their clients. Clients relax and confident!
Meeting comes and the President comes in and nails them! Agression when it counts..in the actual fight...at the right moment! I would have loved to be a bird in the room.
Then he leaves and invites the C.E.O. into the oval office alone....without his attorneys..who just told him he had nothing to worry about.
Off balanced and afraid of Presidental Power ( which may or may not have existed), the C.E.O. goes down for the count!
While he's out.....
Biden says to the attorneys "You don't understand, the President is not requesting anything....he's telling you what is going to happen!! One way or the other!
Masterful "Art of War" plan.....
Victory America!
yea
Rachel, too many people already believe Obama is the fake president.
Too many people like who? You throw this junk out and hope it sticks!
seeing is believing!!! obama is actually a slick willy. he can talk the talk being half black, bs actually. TelePrompter king. if he so smart why does he need to know what to say all the time Kimme? fake president, no the problem is he is our real president.
And a total Winner!
Who else got the little people paid by big oil?
People in Alaska died and still were not paid!!
Come on! Answer that you little termite!
"We the People" just won a War!
Best President for the last 60 yrs and climbing.
Boy am I glad I voted for him!!
yea! I see too many people every time he wins!
Too many people...voting for him!
Too many people cheering him on!
Too many people who know he's the smartest President we've ever elected!
Yea! too many
Thats a lot of card board cutouts for a
" fake " President
Me thinks I smell a troll !!
lol ^5 Rachel! I'd vote for you in a heartbeat. Do you plan to run in 2012?
Maybe, just maybe, the boys in the White House caught Rachel's speech. If there's an live and curious brain cell still beating in that strange house, let them report it to their bosses.
Nice job, Rachel.... blotches and all.
Rachel, How I wish Pres. Obama had you working on his staff. I dream that someone there sees your show and especially this blog! Well, you working on this administration wouldn't be good for me because I would miss having someone who's so informative and articulates my thought so clearly. Thanks you & your staff and crew for representing the only sane people left in this country!
Terri Baker said what I wanted to say only better! Thanks!
Dear Rachael,
I watch your show and rarely make a comment as we agree on so many things. Tonights Presidential re-write was a blunder to this 55yr. old USAF Veteran. I have live long enough to have learned one of the "fundemental tenants" of being a human on this planet is to "never say never." Your pseudo-speech, cute and on point as it was, used the "never" word, and more than once. For this, I must give the President the wisdom points on his speech.
Imagine how thin the tight rope he walks in tackling all the Bush era deregulations and wars. Add the economy nearing the Great Depression and the largest oil spill in US History, I still give him an A+. He is articulate, his zeal is tempered, and he gets his message out without the pounding on the desk, although many would like it.
I am thankful for Mr. Obama and hope he continues for a second term. Lord knows he will need it to get things done. It is one thing to be the catalyst, but to sustain a reaction over time is the trick.
Great show ! Thank you for your insights and humor. If we cannot laugh, we would have another great flood from all the tears. Your loyal fan.
Now this has got to be coming from someone who has got their head screwed on right. I really like a lot of things that Rachel has got to say, but since the President's speech she's acting like someone who is really out of touch with the realities of life on this planet. The fact still remains that he is just one man working with what he has been given. Yes we may call him the most powerful man on the planet, but is that really true ? All that I can see is that he had a lot on his plate when he first got the damn job of fixing the problems the last most powerful man on the planet left us the American people with. And you haven't heard a word from him since this spill. Oh yeah Texas is not being affected. The fact of the matter is this if we don't come together and work together to help our President to solve this mess, instead of trying to make ourselves look like we could do a better job, things are really going to get out of control. Lets not make trouble for our leaders.
Thank You. I love Rachel. President Obama IS the real deal. He thinks...talks to all relavent parties, considers all options and renders a desicion for the good of the American Public. His positive words and actions are always for the American People.
He even considers what's good for republicans...much to my dismay. Kudos to the pres for being a good and decent human being.
As much as my gut reaction would have wished for Obama to give the speech like the one Rachel Maddow gave, I have to accept that he did give the most appropriate speech at the given time. In time, we will see in hindsight that his fabian moderation is perhaps the correct approach to this problem instead of trying to bulldoze sweeping change to our energy problem.
kudos
what I'd really like to hear, that I haven't heard from him since the campaign:
Cut. the Crap.
Cuz all the right wing noise machine does is fling monkey poo.
Hey rachel, how about the end of to big to fail (be accountable ) is here. Bp is finished, there will now be consequences for profitting from society while having no regard for it. The consequences will be severe enough as to discourage future wreckless endeavors by others corporations considering operating in this fasion. How bout that Rachel. oops what about the jobs they provide. I'm sure there are no more oil companies to go after the oil. Or maybe they're just not as capable as BP. And criminal charges for the management of mss would discourage future government employees from the possibilties of profitting from the coruption, who would serve, ethical people perhaps?Why isn't any coverage on exactly happens to these mss "traitors" now, do they still get retirement, pension, benifits etc. Whats the fear in the continuation of this conduct with the new team. Where the hell is the media in following up on the lack of consequences?
The "fake President" speech was right on. Rachel for President! Where do I sign up to volunteer for the campaign?
Opps...tenets and any other spelling errors. Should have used spell check, but it rarely offered. Very cool.
I really liked what you said. I wish that was the speech we heard. The problem I have with it is: you are not the President. It is easy to "rewrite" a speech and go all hard-ass when you don't have to answer for it. When you don't bear the responsibility for it. I wonder if you would actually give that speech if you did bear those burdens.
Thank you for being a voice of reason. Rachel M's speech sounds wonderful, but she doesn't have to govern or live with the consequences. Also I can't get over how much power people seem to think that Mr. Obama has. It not like we don't have 2 other branches of government and 50 states.
Amazing. Incredible. I loved it! Did Aaron Sorkin help write the speech? 'Cause it was a real West Wing moment.
Rachel,
Just watched your Presidential broadcast, great, great, you should be the Presidents speachwriter. You got it exactly correct. These guys have been running a major plundering of US resourses unfettered by such things as regulations. In fact writing their own regulations under Bush/Cheney.
I only wish that President Obama had said what you said in the rewrite..
Keep up the good work..
Declan
Rachel, your speech as fake president tonight was amazing! If only president Obama would have uttered those words last night, America would be a much better place tonight. Seriously, President Obama had a golden opportunity to turn things around from the Oval Office but unfortunately his speech was very sad and condescending. Does Obama think that the American public is really that dumb? Apparently so. So, so, sad.
You should run for President, Rachel. Seriously, think about it, everything is apparently up for grabs right now especially with the rise of the "Tea Party" and Palin's garbage. What we truly need right now is a real voice...like YOUR voice.
Thanks Rachel!!!!!!!
I posted a comment
I am a partisan democrat. I voted for President Obama. I was so period when he was elected. Now I am truly disappointed. I find our president to be weak and too interested in pleasing the "Right." To me, your fake Oval Office Address last night was more than just "spoof," it shows how weak the "Left" is. I think it is time we on the Left start standing up for "what we believe in," and not care who we offend. After all, that's what the other side does.
Wow! if only. You were kidding but really that is the speech we really needed to hear. Thank you Rachel. With all of Obama's amazing, great speeches, perfect in tone and content I almost gave him a pass on this one... until I heard yours. And then I realized It was a speech he would have given in 2008. I still believe there is a chance he will become a great president... just not a progressive one.
Rachel, too many people already believe Obama is the fake president.
How many times are you going to say the same thing? He has done more in such a short time than the last one did in 8 LONG years. And you can't even think of two different snarky things to say in one comment board. Sad.
Rachel; I bow at your feet. MSNBC needs to run a couple (take more than one) of Best of Rachel shows on the weekends!
Just watched Your Fake President speech - now THAT is what I wanted to hear from Obama!! I hope he gets the message.
Re your comment on the US Military not able to protect our diplomats - wonder when this changed? Privatization of our defense should be an embarrassment to the U.S. I wonder HOW MUCH MORE private contractors are paid to guard diplomats versus those soldiers on the "front lines"?
I am a partisan democrat. I voted for President Obama. I was so period when he was elected. Now I am truly disappointed. I find our president to be weak and too interested in pleasing the "Right." To me, your fake Oval Office Address last night was more than just "spoof," it shows how weak the "Left" is. I think it is time we on the Left start standing up for "what we believe in," and not care who we offend. After all, that's what the other side does.
You know I don't won't to lower myself to be like the other side. I think I'll keep civility and not do name calling. That way lies the true weakness.
What does "I was so period" mean???
Sigh. People still can't read that this was a hastily typed TRANSCRIPT, with all its spelling errors... not the actual original work.
So, Rachel:
Could you actually run for office and show up the old boys' club the way you did tonight?
Please? Pretty please, with exploitation-free sugar on top?
Rachel,
If you haven't already read this, read "The Control of Nature" by John McPhee. It's about what the title says, the control of nature - by man. The lower Mississippi is probably one of the most modified pieces of real estate in the country. Man has tried to keep the Mississippi from flowing where it wants to since people settled in that area. It's been a constant fight. Nature will always win. So let them build the berms. Yes, they'll eventually get washed away, and then they'll be built again. Fighting nature is one of the things men do - and not well. Quite hopeless, but it makes them feel they're doing something worthwhile. Crazy, but true. BTW, great show!!
I love this book. It's not perfect, but it is wonderful.
Rachel-
tsk tsk - shame on you. Have you forgotten that President Obama never promised you a rose garden? While those around him, including you, are quick to criticize and project their fears over the airwaves, he remains steadfast and calm. Some may say he's "too cool", but I'll take him over some hothead that gives BP a reason to take their boats and go home. He warned us that the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but we chose to walk it with him anyway. Stop complaining about what he didn't say, and stay focused on what he's doing. Keep your viewers informed and keep the pressure where it belongs - on the oil companies. He needs your support now, more than ever.
Thank you so much Mary Ann. I couldn't agree more. I used to love Rachel's show, but her constant bashing of our President is as depressing as the oil disaster itself. She used to be my hero, but one would now think she is interviewing for the next Fox news anchor. Why doesn't she, or Keith, or Chris give ANY credit to what President Obama HAS done on this disaster. Randi Rhodes said it best tonight when she stated something about "What other President could have gotten $20 billion for the victims of this disaster out of a company he has absolutely no legal control over. Now THAT's change we can believe in!"
I have agreed with some of Rachel's disagreements with Obama before, but she has lost my respect over her day-in-and-day-out negativity against him on this one. For God's sake, the man has an impossible job here and all she can do is rant against him. This is the time he needs at least a LITTLE support from the so-called "progressive" media. Sorry Rachel, I know I am only one viewer, but I am very close to saying good-bye.
thank you! thank you!
Thank you Mary Ann C, It's sad that Rachel is falling into this trap. We can all criticize but can we help ?
Whenever I hear "shame on you" I think - what??? Did the Nuns let class out early???
Evil people have no shame, so don't bother asking them to feel ashamed.
And the BEST people in the world (Rachel is certainly one), who are doing their thing superbly, have no reason whatsoever to feel bad about fulfilling their highest destiny in a way that serves all living things.
So "shame"??? It's a dumb comment. Say 10 hail Marys!
To be the strong, steady presence you claim President Obama is, he would have had to exhibit true courage and would have long since stood up for the difficult, but necessary things we need to do, facing down the GOP in political battle, and using his rhetoric to convince America, instead of inevitably (again and again) compromising everything important away in order to achieve a politically acceptable legislative "victory".
No, President Obama has had a year and a half to keep my respect and my (former) support. If he'd JUST ONCE taken a strong, ongoing, difficult stand on ANYTHING, he'd still have my active support and my vote. He didn't, so no, True Believers, he doesn't have my support or my vote.
When it comes to the national political scene, anymore, I'm outa here. Never again.
Rachel - Brilliant speech. Enough said. If you ever have any job openings let me know - I would love to work in your organization.
All I can say is: From your lips to God's ears - and those of Obama's staff of floundering speechwriters. Your speech/rewrite was simply superb, enthralling, and so much on point that I nearly cried - as release from mounting frustration. I guess hearing the truth, hearing it as it should have been said, hearing your heartfelt emotion tempered by that keen mind and facility with language - can do that to me. As an Obama supporter, I am pained to say he truly missed the boat with his preachy, non-specific, God-fraught speech. What a waste of a prime-time use of his bully pulpit! But you, my dear, hit the nail on the head like no one else. You and your staff never fail to impress, inform and surprise me. In the wasteland that is TV, you are an oasis. I wish every politico, every student, every citizen regardless of political affliation and every citizen of foreign countries could hear your version of what we could - and should - do in times of crisis. There's a higher calling for you - perhaps in government - at the top. And, dare I say, I agree with Sen. Brown's comments about you: you should, indeed, run for office - or at a minimum - write - or be consulted on - Obama's future speeches. You've raised the bar for excellence in journalism - and infotainment. Brava!
I couldn't have said it better myself. THIS IS WHAT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS SHOULD SOUND LIKE, ALL OF THEM. But, like MontanoDepeche, I am close to tears at the constant song and dance we get. Like Rep. Barton today.....wtf, I would less offended if he got up in the middle of committee, onto the desk and did an actual Tap dance, seriously. This guy is posing as an elected official but it's common knowledge he has been bribed(contributed). At least if he dances we know that cspan is just entertainment not real political change or accountability.