Friday, September 26, 2008,5:44 AM
SW Virginia Is Stunned
If the Obama campaign thought it could make inroads in solidly Republican Southwest Virginia, it can kiss that thought goodbye, what with vice presidential candidate Joe Biden's boneheaded remark in Ohio about his team actually being opposed to clean-coal-fired power plants, just after telling us here that they were pro-clean-coal.

Someone should tell the UMWA leadership that they've hitched their wagon to the wrong horse. First the latest on the reaction of the people of Southwest Virginia to Obama/Biden's subterfuge:
Southwest Virginia Voters Concerned About Biden’s Contradictory Remarks
By Nate Morabito, Reporter, WJHL

A video posted on You Tube of Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Joe Biden telling an activist he opposes clean coal has people in Southwest Virginia scratching their heads. At a rally in Castlewood, Virginia over the weekend, Biden told his hosts, the United Mine Workers of America, that he supports clean coal in the United States. There he touted a plan that calls for the investment of billions of dollars in clean coal technology. However, days before, he told an activist in Ohio something different.

“No coal plants here in America,” Biden said. “Build them, if they’re going to build them, over there (China). Make them clean because they’re killing you.”

Patty Howard works in Lebanon, Virginia. The self-confessed Obama backer was taken aback by Biden’s comments.

“It kind of made me mad,” Howard said. “They don’t need to tell us one thing one day and tell us another the next day. They need to keep their tails straight.”

Howard says that is especially important when the candidates are talking about coal production in America.

“Coal is our main source around here of living and it’s our income,” Howard said. “If it wasn’t for coal miners, we wouldn’t make much here.”(link)

A feeling shared by many in the coalfield counties of Southwest Virginia.

So how has the United Mine Workers responded? As if they're blind, deaf, and dumb:
United Mine Workers of America Communications Director Phil Smith says Biden’s off-the-cuff remark doesn’t warrant concern. In fact, he says Obama and Biden’s commitment to clean coal is not in doubt. [my emphasis]
That is beyond laughable. It reaches the realm of pitiable. What part of "no coal plants here in America" doesn't warrant concern?

Hat tip to Carl at Spark It Up!!!
 
posted by Jerry Fuhrman
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