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Republicans to Try Burning Obama on Coal
November 02, 2008 3:23 PM
“I’m calling on behalf of John McCain and the RNC to tell you that coal jobs, which are so important to our community are in jeopardy,” says the robocall being made to voters in Pennsylvania and Ohio, among other coal-producing states.
Continues the robocall: “Listen to Barack Obama's plans to bankrupt the coal industry.”
The call then plays this quote from Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.: "So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; it's just that it will bankrupt them because they're going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that's being emitted.”
You can listen to the robocall HERE.
The quote comes from a January 2008 interview with the San Francisco Chronicle; the Obama campaign says the quote is being “wildly” taken out of context, that in the full interview Obama praises coal and says that the idea of eliminating coal is “an illusion.”
“The line they pulled out is in the context of cap and trade program,” says an Obama spokesperson. “The point Obama is making is that we need to transition from coal burning power plants built with old technology to plants built with advanced technologies -- and that is exactly the action that will be incentivized under a cap and trade program.”
Is it being taken unfairly out of context? You be the judge. Here’s the entirety of Obama’s remarks:
“I voted against the Clear Skies Bill. In fact, I was the deciding vote -- despite the fact that I’m a coal state and that half my state thought that I had thoroughly betrayed them. Because I think clean air is critical and global warming is critical.
“But this notion of no coal, I think, is an illusion. Because the fact of the matter is, is that right now we are getting a lot of our energy from coal. And China is building a coal-powered plant once a week. So what we have to do then is figure out how can we use coal without emitting greenhouse gases and carbon. And how can we sequester that carbon and capture it. If we can’t, then we’re gonna still be working on alternatives.
“But ... let me sort of describe my overall policy. What I’ve said is that we would put a cap and trade policy in place that is as aggressive if not more aggressive than anyone out there. I was the first call for 100 percent auction on the cap and trade system. Which means that every unit of carbon or greenhouse gases that was emitted would be charged to the polluter. That will create a market in which whatever technologies are out there that are being presented, whatever power plants are being built, they would have to meet the rigors of that market and the ratcheted-down caps that are imposed every year.
“So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can. It’s just that it will bankrupt them because they’re going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that’s being emitted. That will also generate billions of dollars that we can invest in solar, wind, biodiesel, and other alternative energy approaches. The only thing that I’ve said with respect to coal -- I haven’t been some coal booster. What I have said is that for us to take coal off the table as an ideological matter, as opposed to saying if technology allows us to use coal in a clean way, we should pursue it, that I think is the right approach. The same with respect to nuclear. Right now, we don’t know how to store nuclear waste wisely and we don’t know how to deal with some of the safety issues that remain. And so it’s wildly expensive to pursue nuclear energy. But I tell you what, if we could figure out how to store it safely, then I think most of us would say that might be a pretty good deal.
“The point is, if we set rigorous standards for the allowable emissions, then we can allow the market to determine and technology and entrepreneurs to pursue, what the best approach is to take, as opposed to us saying at the outset, here are the winners that we’re picking and maybe we pick wrong and maybe we pick right.”
-- jpt
November 2, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (477)
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The statement I found illogical all together was "So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can. It’s just that it will bankrupt them because they’re going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that’s being emitted. That will also generate billions of dollars that we can invest in solar, wind, biodiesel, and other alternative energy approaches."....How are the utilities going to Produce Billions if they are Bankrupted as he predicts in the first sentance. ...
Posted by: Peter Combs | Nov 5, 2008 4:32:00 PM
The Obama statement used on the robocalls was taken out of context. Nathan, do you homework before you slam somebody. You can see the complete video on SFGate.
This tactic was a last minute ditch tactic. Over 250 websites suddenly had this story posted on November 2 even though the interview was fully posted on the SFGATE website since January or February 2008. The video and it's content was not hidden.
Posted by: Dennis | Nov 4, 2008 7:01:06 PM
Poor Carol and Perry, in a few hours they're going to be *very* disappointed.
Posted by: MiddleRoad | Nov 4, 2008 1:47:43 PM
Obama's stance on coal energy is the same as Mccain.In my opinion Obama is the only person in this race that has the intelligence and fortitude to bring this country out of the Haze of war and economic greed the GOP has lodged us in over the past 8 years Mccain graduated 894 out of 899 in his class Obama graduated from Harvard with honors.Obama taught constitutional law at Chicago University.Mccain wrecked 5 planes in the military. Ok it was four.One of them wasn't his fault.I still consider myself a republican. I just don't see any other Republicans in this race. Mccain is another neo-con that is just going to tax less and spend more and give 800 billion in tax break to an oil industry that is already making more money than any in history Unfortunately Palin is the most traditional Republican in this election but She attended 5 different colleges over 5 years and has a degree in journalism and communication.and the least experience of them all. You choose for yourself but I voted for Barack
Posted by: Nathan | Nov 4, 2008 1:43:43 PM
Another example of Obama saying one thing to one part of the country, while saying something entirely different to another part. Obama talks out of both sides of his big mouth.
It's called LYING! If he can lie straightfaced about accepting public financing, he can lie about anything. That kool-aid must be pretty strong stuff.
Nobama!! Never!!
Posted by: Carol | Nov 4, 2008 11:08:15 AM
Obama stated, "We would put a cap and trade policy in place that is as aggressive if not more aggressive than anyone out there." McCain has a cap and trade policy but it is not that aggressive. Obama was bragging to get votes from elite voters on the west coast.
Posted by: tlintx | Nov 4, 2008 8:34:55 AM
Thank you, Jake! That pretty well clears it up. He wants to bankrupt them until and unless 'we' find a technology that will meet those standards.
Posted by: fsteele | Nov 4, 2008 3:11:05 AM
Weird. Except for the headline, it is a balanced story. I'm not used to seeing those from ABC.
Posted by: pat moore | Nov 3, 2008 9:46:35 PM
I mentioned "Logic" in my last blog. Take a look at "ernieson's" comment. Using his logic and assuming his assessment of John McCain is true, lying to Letterman means you always lie to everyone. That means if you lie to your boss about not coming to a meeting because you were sick, for instance, you will lie to everyone all the time. Does "ernieson" always tell the truth? If he says he does, he's probably a lier, and as such, by his own logic, will therefore always lie to everyone. If he says he does not, the same applies. Funny how logic can be straightforward, if you're not intoxicated by the Obama Kool-Aid. Normally, I would let this go, but in McCain there is a man who spent 5 years under real torture in service of our country, but "ernieson" would rather vote for a man who sat through twenty years of hateful, racist church speeches and associated with another person who has bombed buildings and whose group has killed innocent civilians in their plight. As accomplishments he has run a successful, albeit deceitful campaign and helped in community organizations. Note I am not calling the man any names, but I will examine his actions, his associations and his judgements. Sadly, some people in this country will get exactly what they deserve. I just wish the rest of us didn't have to go down on the same ship.
Posted by: shelly | Nov 3, 2008 5:42:52 PM
SNL skit banned by the Democrats, too much truth!
Posted by: Average American | Nov 3, 2008 5:39:24 PM
If John McCain would lie to David Letterman about his reason for not appearing on his show, he would lie to anyone anytime for any reason. His campaign is the dirtiest, most dishonest campaign I can recall. We do not need another dishonest POTUS.
Posted by: ernieson | Nov 3, 2008 5:20:10 PM
Sarah Palin has only been in the news for a few months and already there has been more background information dug up about her than we know of Obama (Ask about Obama's medical or college records and papers). I am afraid we will be electing a brilliant speaker we know nothing about except for his past friends and associates (and none of that information has been positive)Doesn't his scare anybody? Is everyone too young to know why communism failed in Germany or socialism failed in Sweden? Or are we all going to stick out or hands to the government and get whatever they can squeeze out of the few remaining working people? (If the US companies haven't already left the country.) And to forestall any Lib's comment on me being a "Dumb redneck", I hold an advanced engineering degree and worked my way through a state university. I have learned to think logically, rather than responding solely on emotions and hype.
Posted by: Shelly | Nov 3, 2008 4:11:07 PM
Obama want to bankrupt the coal industry. If you actually listen to his voice on the recording, he sounds depressed when he "no coal is an illusion." Like that is some regret he has, then goes on to state how bankrupting coal is what he wants, along with nuclear.
Boy he loves the coal miners when he talks in front of them, but in San Francisco, coal miners are just another bunch of religious nuts, bitter and clinging to their guns. PENNSYLVANIA AND OHIO WAKE UP, IF BO LOSES YOU HE LOSES!!!! YOU HOLD ALL THE CARDS!!!!!
Posted by: Kristina | Nov 3, 2008 3:27:43 PM
Wow OH. You sooo nailed it. How completely brilliant. I guess I'm an oddball though. I recycle, compost and drive fuel efficient hybrid car and......I'm conservative. This might surprise you though. Most of us 'lying' conservatives who 'hate the environment, fuel efficiency, clean-burning coal facilities' are really just like me. We love our country and everyone in it, even if they disagree with us. And by the way, WE VOTE!
Posted by: MM | Nov 3, 2008 2:47:24 PM
OK all repubs cannot really be too stupid to read an entire article and understand it?Please will one -just one prove me wrong.
Here it is in a NUTshell President Obama and songbird both support clean coal technology and carbon caps and all that.
Songbird is just being pathetic and desparate and he lies a lot.
I know that songbirds info wasnt in the article I added so the repugs would understand both coal plans are the same.
Posted by: John | Nov 3, 2008 2:02:42 PM
Anyone who votes for Obama hates America. Simple as that.
Obama supporters are mindless drones.
Posted by: Perry | Nov 3, 2008 1:50:02 PM
The Republicans have succeeded where Osama Bin Laden has failed in bringing the US to it's knees!
You idiots, the US will be better off with Obama NOT worse!
Posted by: Arliss | Nov 3, 2008 1:37:55 PM
Hey media Palin is lying and neglecting to mention McCain has the same plan!
You guys are awful. Posting this garbage the night before the election hurts democracy.
Posted by: Andy | Nov 3, 2008 1:24:17 PM
The most leftist liberal wing is taking over tomorrow. How very sad for this country that Obama and the media hoodwinking the electorate with their lies. He says one thing and San Francisco and another in Penn.
Twice!
Posted by: chris | Nov 3, 2008 1:10:09 PM
How can you tell you’ve encountered a right-wing nutcase?
They call Obama’s tax plan “socialism”.
Posted by: JJ | Nov 3, 2008 12:49:09 PM
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