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

[bini]

Actually I think it's great that he speaks his mind. Stuff like this isn't going make or break a campaign. At least he speaks (yes, too much) and has his own valid and educated opinion. Isn't this better and more informative then NOTHING.

[UnbiasView]

Tell West Virginia that you won't support coal is like telling Michigan you won't support the auto industry.

[imusintheevening]

Agree, pushback on "clean coal" which sounds like an oxymoron to me is appropriate. The biggest reason we need to invest in it is to speed up the adoption of minimizing coal pollution from China which opens several new coal fired electrical generating plants each week. According to Data on Wikikpedia:

China currently generates around two thirds of its electricity from coal-fired power stations.[15] It is progressing with the construction of 562 new coal-fired plants over the next few years.[18] In June 2007 it was reported that an average of two new plants were being opened every week

[Bertha40869]

Until the MSM gets tough on Palin and stop cow towing to her every whim, I don't want to hear not one single piece of news about a Biden gaffe. That happens when you actually talk to people, you know.

[reggie1298]

"I don't want to hear not one single piece of news about a Biden gaffe. That happens when you actually talk to people, you know."
Wow! I'm saving that one for a ctrl-v !

[obamanation31]

Joe,
Please stick with the program.

[vinny]

article misleads...

in transcript biden is talking about not building new coal plants...

[SanityNowPlease]

Might not be such a gaffe

http://www.greenpeace.org/seasia/en/campaigns/climate-change/climate-impacts/coal/the-clean-coal-myth

[poco767c]

OOOOPS , Obama knew that Biden could be a liability. He didn't choose him to win an election, he chose him to help lead.

[All57States]

BHO's error in judgement?

[imusintheevening]

If this is the big gaffe, then how do you quantify the Moose Ki//er?

[DesertLight]

Operation Slingblade is in full swing!

[jamarib2mom]

Joe is having a senior moment! any way no body pays attention to the VP when in office. Just hope we get there.

Obama 08i

[toochie]

Shouldn't that be Obama/Biden 08?

[Jalenth]

There's been hardly any coverage of Joe's events, but as soon as he makes a gaffe, he's suddenly newsworthy. Can we at least have a balance of good coverage of Joe and not just gaffe postings?

Sheeeesh!

[sandiegoconservative]

If you could find any of his comments that are newsworthy you might have an argument.

[Sparty1]

Oh Joe, say it ain't so.

[truegreen]

Someone please put a muzzle on Biden's mouth. I understand he wears his heart on his sleeves which means he's accessible, but he has to control what he says.

[johnnygoodwud]

yo joe, do you realize hillary is waiting in the wings? stay on track, and shut that yap.

[Fabienne]

Considering Bill's current television appearances, I can guarantee that his wife will NEVER be Obama's VP candidate. I think he would be likely to choose Edwards before Clinton.

[CourtneyReg]

biden may be commiting these gaffes from time to time. at least, he's accessible to everyone, press and all. not afraid to drop these gaffes. are they substantive? i don't think so.

[judyc]

Small potatoes compared to McCain's gaffes over the past 2 weeks.

[johnu1974]

i love joe biden, i really do, but this gaffe won't be as scrutinized because the media is still focusing on mccain's gaffes. obama needs to have a meeting with biden to stay on message though.

[All57States]

Keep telling yourself that.