West Virginia Blue
The Best Blogging Community in West Virginia Democratic politics, progressive policies, the good life and free living in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.
ROCKEFELLER CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION IN WEST VIRGINIA
Washington, D.C.-Senator Jay Rockefeller issued the following statement on fighting for the future of education and jobs in West Virginia:
"I'm glad to hear from so many West Virginians about this really important issue," said Rockefeller. "I will absolutely fight for the future of education and jobs in our state. I will not support an energy bill that threatens West Virginia's future. Global climate change is a grave threat to our future, but our great country can rise to this challenge. People in the rest of the country need to know how eager the educators of West Virginia are to train students for the new jobs of the future."
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 in June. The Senate is in the process of crafting its own bill, and it is roughly estimated that legislation could be considered later this fall.
It's time for West Virginia to prepare for the future, not to cling to the past. Coal is just one of many resources in West Virginia, let's take advantage of everything the state has to offer.
I think Sen. Rockefeller needs to hear from even more West Virginians that global climate change is real and should be addressed with alternatives other than "more coal." (Press release via email on July 17, 2009.)
ROCKEFELLER CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE OF COAL IN WEST VIRGINIA
Washington, D.C.-Senator Jay Rockefeller issued the following statement on fighting for the future of coal and jobs in West Virginia:
"I'm glad to hear from so many West Virginians about this really important issue," said Rockefeller. "I will absolutely fight for the future of coal and jobs in our state. I will not support an energy bill that threatens West Virginia's future. Technology can make coal even cleaner, but our nation cannot survive without energy from coal. People in the rest of the country need to know how dependent on West Virginia coal they are."
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 in June. The Senate is in the process of crafting its own bill, and it is roughly estimated that legislation could be considered later this fall.
If that's all Sen. Rockefeller thinks needs to be done, he's not listening to enough West Virginians. He doesn't sound like someone who understands the status quo threatens West Virginia's future.
* Tell him you want a climate bill that aggressively addresses climate change by building a green energy economy--not one that prolongs coal with very expensive unproven technology.
* Let him know the people of West Virginia need a hand-up for clean energy jobs, not another hand-out for the coal industry.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a $15 million increase for both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for FY 2010, as my good friend Cecil Thompson just e-mailed me.
This is Great! The problems with the economy are hurting the performing arts spaces big time... from the Metropolitan Opera down to many of the smaller companies and performance groups in your own regions.
Now this is a real winner for the Insurance Companies that are already sucking the money out of the Healthcare system and making it more expensive for the majority of us. For one thing, EVERYONE would be required to buy insurance... and those who couldn't afford it would get a government subsidy... your tax money in Insurance company pockets.
Two or three sources are betting that Norm Coleman is going to discontinue his campaign to keep Al Franken from getting the Minnesota Senate seat if the State Supreme Court, as it is believed, comes in supporting Franken. Even though John Cornyn and the other Republican Committee types are saying they would support Coleman through the US Supreme Court, Coleman apparently thinks Governor Pawlenty will sign the certification if the State Supremes come in for Al.
Even in West Virginia, I'm sure you've heard plenty about what's going on with the still-unsettled Senate race in Minnesota.
While Republican Norm Coleman prolongs his endless and pointless appeals, cementing his admission into the Sore Losers Hall of Fame, progressive organizations Democracy for America and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee have introduced a new effort: NormDollar.com, "A Dollar a Day to Make Norm Go Away." Very simply put, commit to contributing just one dollar per day for every day that sore loser Norm Coleman refuses to concede.
This is exactly the correct approach to take in order to provide Republican leadership in Washington with adequate disincentive from continuing to fund Coleman's endless appeals. The GOP bigwigs funding Coleman's appeals see value in putting their money toward keeping progressive Senator-elect Al Franken from being seated. This grassroots-powered effort will make them think twice by generating many thousands of dollars for progressive candidates for every single day that they fund the Coleman circus.
If you feel so inclined, you can certainly chip in a bit of change directly to the Franken Recount Fund, as well.
- Rockefeller says, "that there are already at work in this country at least two power plants producing electricity from coal that come in at a carbon reduction rate which is right in the middle of where nuclear power is now - that nuclear power doesn't produce carbon dioxide but in other words the emission rate, global warming rate is the same."
As the Wonk Room notes, "There are no coal-fired power plants in the United States that store any significant carbon emissions using carbon capture and sequestration technology (CCS), let alone nearly all carbon emissions. Clean coal does not exist."
Note: Can Sen. Rockefeller please name the two plants he's thinking of? Either we're all misinterpreting his comments or he's counting greenhouse gasses in a much different way than the rest of us.
- The Wonk Room also notes:
Rockefeller repeatedly says that nuclear energy is "considered clean," which is true only if you ask nuclear industry lobbyists.
- More from the Wonk Room:
Rockefeller asked Geithner "why is that we are not talking" about putting CCS research in the economic recovery package. This question is odd, because the package allocates $2.4 billion to carbon capture and sequestration research - more than the $2 billion allocated to all other non-automotive energy efficiency and renewable energy research projects combined.
- Another line from his testimony:
We have a 400 year supply in this country of coal and it doesn't make much sense to me not to try to use American ingenuity, international ingenuity to try to reduce the carbon emissions to approximately where nuclear power is, whatever that is. It's considered clean, so therefore it's got to be pretty good, five, 6%, whatever.
Talking about upping the ante. Not even the coal companies try to sell a 400 year pipe dream. Eighteen months ago a government report said we were down to 100 year supply, not the then often touted 250 year supply. Even then, the report was criticized as unrealistically assuming no growth in coal consumption.
More likely, we are down to 20-40 years of coal reserves, if that.
According to a recent dKos/R2000 poll, Sen. Harry Reid "enjoys" a nationwide approve/disapprove/don't know rating of 33 / 41 / 26 (that's a net -8). By comparison, in the same survey Obama is +38, Pelosi +2, and the Republican congressional leadership much worse even than Reid.
Count West Virginian HH among those disapproving of Reid's leadership of the Senate.
Here are the rest of my endorsements and predictions:
US SENATE
Endorsement- Jay Rockefeller is a good advocate for West Virginians. Some may call him a carpetbagger but he has fought for our state like a true mountaineer.
Prediction- Rockefeller wins by over 25% of the vote.
US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES- Second Congressional District
Endorsement- Anne Barth, the preacher's daughter, is better for the 2nd Congressional District than Shelley "Moore of the Same" Capito. As a Democrat in a Democratic Congress, Barth will be able to funnel projects back to the state so that we can address our infrastructure issues. Captio has been given eight years to represent our district's interest, but she has failed. Eight years of Bush and Capito policies have taken our great country horribly off course. The Bush Capito economic policy fattened crooks on Wall Street and left the rest of us sucking on hind tit. Let's make this change people.
Prediction- Barth will lose to Capito in a nail biter (3%). This is not a foregone conclusion but Capito's money and entrenched political status makes her hard to dislodge. Don't lose faith, if we want Barth to win we will have to work our asses off and then some but it can be done.
WV GOVERNOR
Endorsement- This may surprise some of you but I think Governor Manchin will go down as one of the best governors WV has ever had. He has solidified our unfunded liabilities and made WV more economically competitive. That alone is an historic feat. Manchin also solidified himself in the hearts and minds of many West Virginians during the Sago tragedy. He showed what leadership is truly about in that most combustible of situations. I give Manchin more flak than most for his stance on mountaintop removal, women's choice and other progressive issues but you have to give credit where credit is due. Manchin for Governor.
Prediction- Manchin wins by 30%.
WV SECRETARY OF STATE
Endorsement- Natalie Tennant is one of the rising stars in the WV Democratic Party and one of my favorite politicians in the state. I attached a photo of her from the State Fair where she was playing a Wii baseball game as part of the state's Healthy Lifestyles for Kids campaign (that is me in the background). Natalie will hopefully get rid of these damn touch screen machines and move everyone to optical scan ballots- something Secretary Ireland was unable and unwilling to do. After four years as SOS, I will be supporting Natalie Tennant as the next governor of our great state- I sure as hell hope she runs.
Prediction- Tennant wins by 25%.
ATTORNEY GENERAL WV
Endorsement- AG Darryl McGraw fights for West Virginians like a bear fights for its cub. If you get cheated by some big corporation and McGraw finds out he will come lay down an ass whooping on the offender's candy ass. I know this from experience. My girlfriend went to McGraw after an Exxon oil changing station failed to change her oil and broke off her measuring stick in the tank. McGraw's office wrote a letter on her behalf and she was refunded her money and then some. McGraw has also brought the state millions upon millions of dollars in lawsuits against big tobacco and pharmaceutical companies that have hurt state citizens. Dan Greear is not a bad guy but the folks funding him would cheat a baby out of a lollipop given the opportunity. Vote McGraw.
Prediction- When you fight for the common person you make some powerful enemies. I think McGraw will be defeated by a slim margin because out of state corporate interests will pour so much money into the state for a campaign of lies that McGraw will simply be overwhelmed. This one pisses me off but unless we work harder than hard to get out the Democratic vote it appears this race will go to big corporations.
WV HOUSE PREDICTIONS
I think the Democrats will pick up three slots to buttress their super majority in the House (currently at 72), Kelly Sobonya being one of the defeated Republican seats. Sobonya said during the last session during a debate about gay civil rights, "If this continues we won't be able to discriminate against anyone anymore." Nice! The other two GOPers that are likely to be defeated are Carol Miller and Mike Porter.
In the 30th Delegate District, I endorse Democrats Brown, Hatfield, Guthrie, Scaff, Wells, Hunt and Republican Lance Vaughn. I do not recommend a vote for Democrat Sharon Spencer in the 30th but I predict she will be the seventh elected Democrat from the 30th.
WV SENATE
Democrats will pick up three seats to add to their majority in the Senate (Dems currently have 23 to 11 majority). Yost, Snyder and Ross will all win their highly contested races. In Kanawha County, I endorse Corey Palumbo and Dan Foster for the WV Senate. Both will win easily.
US SENATE
Democrats will get to the filibuster proof threshold in the Senate and be able to block most Republican attempts at obstruction. Lieberman will probably be thrown out of the caucus. Democrats will beat Dole in NC, McConnel in KY, Stevens in Alaska, Smith in Oregon, Coleman in MN and Sununu in NH. Democrats will also win open seats in Colorado, New Mexico and Virginia.
US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The Democratic majority in the House will grow to 254.
The good folks over at Talking Points Memo put together a highlight reel from the Senate all-nighter earlier this week debating the end of our occupation of Iraq. As Josh Marshall says
At one point, right at the end of the segment, Sen. Inhofe (R-OK) gets so wound up about how good things are going in Iraq that he appears to waver momentarily in his opposition to gays in the military. Take a look ..."
There's lots of great moments. You can see what idiots Lieberman (I-CT) and Thune (R-SD) are, too. Oh, how I wish Lamont had won... before you blame Conn. voters, don't forget that Lieberman was running ads saying he was going to help end the Iraq War. The media has never called him on it, either.
Good work everyone! We can breathe a sigh of relief (for now). Two competing amendments were both voted down in the Senate yesterday. Ken Ward, Jr. has the news in Senate rejects liquefied coal:
Controversial proposals to boost the conversion of coal into liquid fuel were rejected in the U.S. Senate Tuesday, after lawmakers and groups that support the idea broke ranks on how to get the job done.
[snip]
Liquid coal could still emerge somewhere as lawmakers finalize the Senate’s version of the energy bill. A Senate Finance Committee package could add liquid coal provisions to the energy bill later this week. Liquid coal could be inserted into the measure during a conference committee.
Copyright 2011 West Virginia Blue
Site content may be used for any purpose without explicit permission unless otherwise specified.
This site exists thanks to financial support from BlogPAC, dedicated volunteers and participation by members of this community. The views expressed at West Virginia Blue belong solely to their respective authors.
