From the Campaign Trails + A Lump of Coal

[SEE UPDATES BELOW THE FOLD.] This new ad — “Stakes” — runs in Iowa and New Hampshire starting tomorrow (via Mark Halperin’s The Page, a constantly-updated site on all the campaigns):

Also from The Page: “Union-Backed Pro-Edwards Group Hits the Airwaves in Iowa“: Day after Christmas, Alliance for a New America $750,000 ad buy causing recent Obama-Edwards spat goes on the air.

That Lump of Coal: John Edward’s campaign issues section has a strong, clear message on coal, “Calls For Ban On New Coal Plants Lacking Technology To Capture Carbon Dioxide Emissions.” Sen. Clinton’s energy issues section calls for the “nation’s stakeholders” to contribute to global warming clean-up: “… oil and energy companies to invest in cleaner, renewable technologies; utilities to ramp up use of renewables and modernize the grid; coal companies to implement clean coal technology; government to establish a cap and trade carbon emissions system and renew its leadership in energy efficient buildings and services; individuals to conserve energy …” But Sen. Obama? Southern Illinois has massive coal reserves (but they’re high in sulphur). Obama joined Kentucky GOP senator Jim Bunning to introduce the “Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Promotion Act of 2007.” Writes the Grist’s Muckraker:

… Obama joined with Kentucky Republican Jim Bunning to introduce the “Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Promotion Act of 2007.” Coal-to-liquid (CTL) technology uses a highly energy-intensive process to convert coal into diesel fuel for cars or jet fuel for airplanes — an appealing prospect to the coal industry in Obama’s home state of Illinois, but not to enviros and others concerned about global warming. Obama, who got a 100 percent approval rating from the League of Conservation Voters for his environmental voting record in the Senate last year, is now getting grumbles from greens and thumpings from the press for backing the dirtiest of all fossil fuels. — From Grist.org’s Muckraker news:

[NOTE: Obama also introduced a bill in 2006: S.3325, the ‘Coal-To-Liquid Fuel Promotion Act Of 2006.” — From his Senate site.]

In June, Ohio’s Cincinnati Post reported:

Obama said people would rather fill their car with coal than oil:  “‘The people I meet in town-hall meetings back home would rather fill their cars with fuel made from coal reserves in southern Illinois than with fuel made from crude reserves in Saudi Arabia,’ Obama said.”

Then Obama started to backtrack. But watchdog groups called him out on it. Clean Air Watch told the Washington Post on June 24:

‘That’s a rookie mistake for a presidential candidate, to think you can get in the middle of a controversial issue, and no one will notice’ “‘He was trying to throw a bone to the southern Illinois coal interests … and was surprised when people started saying, “What the heck are you doing?”‘ said Frank O’Donnell, president of the environmental group Clean Air Watch. ‘That’s a rookie mistake for a presidential candidate, to think you can get in the middle of a controversial issue, and no one will notice.’”

And Obama left his coal industry buddies “confused.” From the same WaPo story:

“In recent weeks, Obama’s new friends in the coal industry have seen him start to drift: On June 12, he introduced a proposal modeled on the California approach to reducing the carbon diox-ide content of tailpipe emissions. He has endorsed reducing all carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050. His Senate office quietly sent out a clarification of his coal- to-liquid position, saying he would support subsidies only if the fuel could be created with 20 percent lower carbon dioxide emissions than petroleum-based fuels. The statement dismayed those pushing coal-to-liquid, who noted this would require technologi-cal leaps beyond perfecting carbon storage. ‘He’s absolutely flip-flopped. We’re totally confused,’ Rentech chief executive Hunt Ramsbottom said.”

I think Clean Air Watch’s statement hits the problem on the head: It’s a rookie mistake. And I reiterate that Obama has a great future in national politics. He just needs more seasoning, more time, and more hard work before he runs for president. He’s young and has a bright future.

UPDATES:

(1) A.P. story, “Ministers say they didn’t endorse Obama“: “Two black South Carolina ministers listed by Barack Obama’s campaign as endorsing his White House bid say they did no such thing, and at least two others affirmed their support only after being contacted by campaign workers when questions were raised about their endorsements. …”

(2) Yahoo/wire service, “Head of Nat’l Black Caucus Endorses Clinton“:

Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton received another boost from a prominent black leader on Wednesday as the head of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators endorsed her candidacy.

Georgia state Rep. Calvin Smyre said the New York senator has “the strength and experience” to bring about needed change. …

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Lastly, here are some more items from the campaign trail (speaking of which, The Page has a daily list of the schedules of ALL the candidates, which itself makes for a fun read):

• Huckabee Takes Cash Money for Words — “Politico: Silver-tongued Arkansan still giving paid speeches as candidate.”
• And here’s a sweet story that also reflects the candidate’s view on women and children, from the WSJ’s A-1 article today on a key Clinton campaign strategist and scheduler, Patti Solis Doyle, a 42-year-old daughter of Mexican immigrants:
  

  While working in the White House, Ms. Solis married Jim Doyle, a corporate lawyer. Mrs. Clinton, on a trip to Chicago, met her aide’s parents and praised Mr. Doyle to them. When Ms. Solis Doyle had her first baby, Mrs. Clinton urged her to bring her crib into the White House. Often a “baby sleeping” sign would be hanging on her office door.

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SEE THE UPDATES ABOVE.