Obama declares support for 'clean' coal -- Biden goes off the reservation

Barack Obama's campaign yesterday rushed to proclaim his support for "clean coal" technology after remarks by running mate Joe Biden cast doubts on Democratic friendliness to the coal industry.

In a videotaped exchange with an environmental campaigner in Ohio, Biden allowed Republicans to change the subject from the financial gloom that has put John McCain on the defensive this week.

Asked why he and Obama backed the expensive prospect of capturing and storing carbon dioxide emitted from coal-fired power plants, Biden told the campaigner: "We're not supporting clean coal … No coal plants here in America."

Biden's comments contradict Obama's public promotion of "clean coal" as well as a more controversial scheme to turn coal into liquid fuel.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/24/energy.uselections2008

I mean it exists now as a PR stunt, but I didnt think we know how to capture carbon and store it properly. Not to mention that blasting the tops off of mountains is not very clean itself.

Nobody is ever going to sequester a meaningful fraction of the CO2 we emit into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels. Talking about clean coal is just a way of pretending the problem is going to go away.

Someone who might disagree with him and challenge him - Biden certainly is that. He isn't a patsy, a yes-man, who will go along with every idea Obama puts forth. I think that's just fine.

Once elected Obama will appoint people who may disagree with him as well. I'm OK with that too.

that too.

However, Obama has been officially including "clean coal" as part of his platform. So they do have a message conflict here.

a script. Until that idiot they have as a VP opens her mouth they have nothing to say about my Biden!

as soon as they call seeking my advice) is for Biden to come out and explain these statements that are being questioned and jumped on.

Rather than having the campaign rush to "proclaim Obama's support", which always sounds like an ooooops cover up, let Biden address it himself. If he misspoke, he's a big boy and can take responsibility for what he said. Clear the air. Tell the truth. Stop playing the game, in this instance.

After the election, watch "clean coal" be funded a little ... then a little less ... and eventually wither on the vine.