David Roberts noted that as "frustrated" as he is with Democratic leaders for coming up far short, they're not ultimately to blame.
We should be clear about where the bulk of the responsibility for this farce ultimately lies: the Republican Party and a handful of "centrist" Democrats in the Senate. They are the ones who refused to vote for a bill, no matter how many compromises were made, no matter how clear the urgency of the problem. They are moral cowards, condemning their own children and grandchildren to suffering to serve their own narrow electoral interests. There isn't enough contempt in the world for them. So when the anger and recrimination get going -- as they already are -- let's at least try to keep the focus on the real malefactors.-/i]
http://www.grist.org/article/2010-07-22-on-the-death-of-the-climate-bill/