As we look toward the 2012 elections, we must remember that the rules of the game have changed. The national balance sheet is now all the rage in D.C. As long as cleantech seems to conflict with that concern, it will face an uphill battle for federal support. We need to focus on reframing cleantech as China has itself -- developing clean-energy solutions should be seen as competitive advantage that will bolster the U.S. of A over the next century.