I Deeply Admire RFKJ, but...

[CorpGovActivist]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22robert+f.+kennedy%2C+jr.%22+coal">His stance on coal will hurt his endorsed candidate in key swing districts and states in the GE, should she be the nominee.

For some facts on where coal production is still a vital part of the economy, please peruse the quick facts of the http://www.nma.org/statistics/pub_facts_coal.asp">National Mining Association.

http://www.friendsofcoal.org/">Friends of Coal signs are just about everywhere in these areas.



The opposition groups' signs are few and far between.

: (

I deeply admire RFKJ, but http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22robert+f.+kennedy%22+%22west+virginia%22">what he's selling - and how's he selling it - won't resonate in these places.

The crowds will listen politely, and probably tell him stories about how grateful they will always be to his father and namesake.

But images like this one are seared into the psyche.



- Dave

[Tulkas]

1. It helps put to bed the "experience" argument

[thunder rising]

2. I don't care if we pollute the earth ... we want to mine coal.

[CorpGovActivist]

9. "Want"? No. "Need to, to feed a family"? Yes.

[Dogmudgeon]

3. Obama is also supported by/supporting the coal industry

Not a flame, just the heads-up.

He's probably the most conservative of the candidates on environmental issues, though they are all pretty much in agreement on the basics.

--p!

[CorpGovActivist]

10. I'd Wager...

... that the overwhelming majority of mining families would welcome a viable way to stay in the mountains and remain gainfully employed at the same wage as what they're being paid now.

The solution set to this is going problem is going to require something a lot more thoughtful than: "cease mining," in order for it to take into account all sides of the problem. I'm not suggesting that you suggested that, but I hear some pretty astoundingly simplistic ideas sometimes on this.

- Dave

[Dogmudgeon]

11. There is some talk of this on the Energy/Environment forum

We're a grim bunch over there, but the discussions are interesting if you can weed through all the press releases.

I should spend some time hunting down links, but I am multitasking as it is. Obama's coal connections concern me, but they don't fundamentally alter my positive view of him. (And I support HRC.)

--p!

[CorpGovActivist]

12. Thanks for the Heads-Up!

There are coal family sites that help make the case.

- Dave

[Sarah Ibarruri]

4. I read something about coal hurting the land? On the other hand, I've listened to all sides.....

... and where are there some really really good alternatives?

[ozone_man]

5. Edwards.

Edwards is the only candidate who supports full recapture of coal emissions. And he's against any new nuclear plants. Here's a handy table with candidate environmental positions.

http://grist.org/candidate_chart_08.html#null

[CorpGovActivist]

6. Thank You!

That's helpful!

: )

- Dave

[Sarah Ibarruri]

7. I love Edwards. Nobody has to convince me he's the best candidate

But I will vote for anyone that gets the nomination because if there's anything worse than coal emissions, it's EVERY F THING in the U.S. going wrong because we vote in another Repuke for 8 years.

[CorpGovActivist]

8. RFKJ v. UMWA: No Contest in Those Parts (UMWA Endorsed Edwards)

http://www.google.com/search?as_q=umwa+edwards&hl=en&num=10&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&cr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=johnedwards.com&as_rights=&safe=images">Stories from the Edwards site.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&as_qdr=all&q=umwa+john+edwards+site%3Aumwa.org">Stories from the United Mine Workers of America site.

There is a certain trust that - having seen the economic pain and displacement inflicted on a community when a mill closes, he "gets it" when it comes to the same thing happening to a mine.

- Dave