The White House has been playing down expectations for the December talks in Copenhagen.

Paul Bledsoe, Dir. of Comms & Strategy of National Commission on Energy Policy, said, "I think one of the things they're trying to do is reduce European expectations. Many in Europe are calling for the US to pledge to cuts far above those in pending legislation. That sets an impossible dynamic for the administration."

President Obama hopes he can travel to Copenhagen with proposed targets on emissions reductions.

The proposal, on one hand, can re-establish America's credibility on climate change issues and, on the other hand, is politically acceptable to American lawmakers who receive a major portion of their campaign contributions from America's leading industries.

But many analysts generally agree that high expectations for the Copenhagen meeting may already have been dashed.