Biden Off Message Again: "We're Not Supporting Clean Coal"

Think Progress:

At a campaign stop today in Maumee, OH, Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) talked to Carolyn Auwaerter, a young 1Sky campaigner, about energy policy. Questioned about his campaign's support for "clean coal," Biden vigorously defended his record in favor of renewable energy, and outlined what he sees as the key challenge: developing carbon capture and sequestration technology (which he calls "clean coal") to limit the pollution from China's rapidly increasing fleet of coal plants. In his words, captured on video by the Energy Action Coalition:

No coal plants here in America. Build them, if they're going to build them over there make 'em clean because they're killing you.

Biden also claimed, "We're not supporting 'clean coal.'" In fact, "clean coal" is a major part of Sen. Obama's energy plan and public rhetoric, calling for the development and deployment of "clean coal technology" as part of his green jobs initiative.

Read the whole story: Think Progress

Comments

[PAposter]

Listen or read again:

What he's talking about is "developing carbon capture and sequestration technology. . .to limit the pollution from China's rapidly increasing fleet of coal plants."

Isn't it a good thing to capture and sequester the pollution from coal?

[mike42nola]

Why not go nuke instead and eliminate the pollution from coal?

[VeroucaSalt]

The problem is, nobody knows all that much about CLEAN coal technology (vs coal powered energy). I'm not excusing the gaffe, but it's understandable why such a misspeak would happen if energy is not one's forte.

[Whinger]

Well if clean coal plants are a serious risk to health it needs careful looking at.

His position and that of Barack Obama needs clarification so we know where they're coming from!

[PAposter]

They are not in support of building coal plants.

[JJI]

Holy Crap

[wanj]

Jeez! what is with Biden lately? He's beginning to worry me now... once is okay, but continously?

[daves333]

LOL, its so funny to hear the liberals continuously justifying everything Biden says. He can't keep his foot out of his mouth. You know darn well, when the other side makes a gaffe you insist it is relavent. Biden is pathetic, plain and simple. There is no good coverage of Biden when he isn't putting his foot in his mouth.

[unity08]

Lets see what Ms Palin has to say about it

Oh I forgot, she doesnt talk to the press. The few questions that she has taken in the townhall meeting propted absolutely unintelligible responses.

Granted Biden needs to bone up on Obama's positions, but at least he has an original thought in his head.

[VeroucaSalt]

First of all, don't generalize. Not all Obama/Biden supporters are liberal, and second, many people here are accepting of the fact that Joe stuck his foot in his mouth. What's done is done, nobody got hurt. Move on.

[ConCreteHead]

The OBAMA camp need a couple of linebackers traveling with Joe Biden, and when he starts steering off of the campaigns message someone needs to tackle him ... I mean seriously, SOMEBODY TACKLE THIS GUY !!!

I think Joe Biden is a great VP pick. He was my first choice when this whole thing started 2 years ago. But since then, I have come to realize that just like John Kerry in 2004 and Al Gore in 2000 being the smartest guy in the room really does you know good if it makes you look like you are using a PhD. dissertation when it would be acceptable to give a canned bumper-sticker slogan instead.

Engage with a short answer and let questioner feel involved in the conversation. This gets you points because it put you both on the same level. It has worked for the GOP since 1980. BUSH 41 is the only exception because he didn't follow the rule. Reagan was a Knot-Head just like BUSH 43 and that is what attracted people to them.

Joe should have said: “Wind & Solar are the key components to our energy plan in addition to other proven renewable sources of ENERGY”. If he wanted to sound a little SMARTER he could have added: “Energy policy is really part of our larger and more comprehensive economic, national security, and foreign relations policy and frankly it is the missing piece of the pie in McCain’s message”.

[thefallen]

This is what could give him problems in the debate with Palin. He plays to whatever crowd he is in front of and just rambles on and on until he says something stupid. His gaffe in front of a national guard crown about how al-quaida forced his chopper down in Afghanistan was quickly disproved.­..by John Kerry who pointed out it was a snow storm. Kerry said they thought they might have to have Joe fight off the Taliban with snow balls. There is no way he will lose the debate on the issues or knowledge, but the Obama camp will be praying he can keep it focused and not stick his foot in his mouth again.

[AnthonyVolpe]

For God's sake, Joe, think beforfe you talk.

[AnthonyVolpe]

And while I'm at it, I should spellcheck before I post.

[UnbiasView]

Maybe I missed something but on Obama's own website in the his energy plan . . .

The Obama-Biden comprehensive New Energy for America plan will:

"Develop and Deploy Clean Coal Technology"

I think Biden needs to keep a better secret that him and Obama will not support any proven sources of energy for this country . . . they are way too cheap. We need expensive energy and we need it in 20 years when it is developed!

[PAposter]

"Biden vigorously defended his record in favor of renewable energy, and outlined what he sees as the key challenge: developing carbon capture and sequestration technology (which he calls "clean coal") to limit the pollution from China's rapidly increasing fleet of coal plants."

This is where Clean Coal Technology comes in. How or Why is this a problem?

[UnbiasView]

He just said "we're not supporting clean coal"

[chubbydogwalker]

Biden is talking himself into irrelevant.

[UnbiasView]

Is that a shock to anyone that has a clue who Biden is?

[PAposter]

I disagree, he's extremely intelligent, and quite frankly, he's never had to play second fiddle. He's used to saying what he thinks, and being held accountable. However, right, now and for the next eight years, hopefully, he will have to consider his partner in this process, Barack Obama.

I respect Joe Biden, and I believe he will be an excellent Vice President. He will not be muzzled, and that's a good thing.

[PAposter]

What? I'm sorry Senator, I didn't hear your answer, LMAO!

How did anyone understand that answer, much less get a Headline story, LOL!

[zendem1]

Joe needs to zip it up.

[UnbiasView]

Yeah, he should keep quiet that his administration will not support any cheap and proven energy right?

[StephenDedalus82]

Funny how every time Biden "gaffes" he says something that is perfectly reasonable, if off message. Clean coal is a myth and a pander. Anyway I wish Clinton was VP, she's as smart as Biden and much less prone to sticking her foot in her mouth, oh and would bring enough voters to guarantee a win. But I can't think of any workable scenario for such a change. We're stuck with Biden and his mouth. I don't think this particular gaffe will turn anyone off... these things might tend to humanize him. The only thing we have to worry about I think is how he comes across when he debates Palin. It's a minefield people, and he has this unfortunately erratic verbal gait.

[All57States]

Is this one "perfectly reasonable"? The man is out of control.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0908/Biden_garbles_Depression_history.html?showall

[KISHAGREEN]

Well the only reason we are made aware of his gaffes is because HE TALKS TO THE PRESS!

Get Ms. Mooseburger to answer questions like ALL the other candidates and then get back to me with your criticism of Joe Biden!

[vietjawn]

i agree, Stephen. Biden needs to stick to the script, nod, spit out the slogan, don't make barack look bad in the vp debates, and that's all he needs to do.

[UnbiasView]

So Dems rip Palin for sticking to the script . . . but ask Biden to stick to it . . .

[DrFrescas]

Dude, get with it.

[OB-GYN]

Joe is objecting to dirty coal, a term used to describe blatant release of pollutants into the air, water etc, which China is indeed doing and planning more of.

Obama stresses the need to limit as much as possible coal pollutants, hence the coining of the phrase "clean coal".

Not really a senior moment or gaffe. Just more a nuance of terms.

[thefallen]

Clean....d­irty....wh­ere is the nuance? She asked him about clean coal. It was not a complicated question.

Answer: Yes Senator Obama and I believe that clean coal technology must be explored as should all energy options in this era of high oil prices. If it is fiscally solid and can be done in a way that doesn't threaten our environment unduly, then we will definitely pursue it. How hard was that?

[atila]

Joe..pleas­e...focus.­..