The UMWA has made its choice clear. The union is backing Barack Obama for president, but what about the West Virginia Coal Association?
Coal Association President Bill Raney says the group, made up of coal operators, isn’t taking sides. "They really don't take a position on those types of campaigns,” Raney said Monday. The coal support group, Friends of Coal, isn’t taking sides either.
Raney says instead they're reaching out to both the Obama and McCain camps getting the word out about the importance of coal to the nation's future. "It's so important for each candidate to understand that they cannot run this country without coal.” Raney said 99 percent of West Virginia households and businesses rely on coal for electricity and nearly 50-percent of the nation’s energy is produced by coal-burning plants.
There have been some questions about whether either campaign is truly behind coal and clean coal technology. But during a campaign stop in West Virginia last week, Obama's running mate Sen. Joe Biden, told the crowd coal would play a part in the Obama administration. McCain's camp says they too are in support of clean coal technology.
Raney admits while the West Virginia Coal Association and Friends of Coal are staying out of the race, many of their members have made a choice. "There's an awful lot of our people who are supporting John McCain for president and they're supporting him because the fact that he recognizes the significance of coal and the fact it does come from West Virginia,” Raney said.
The coal group is taking a position in the race for the 2nd District Congress. Raney says the group is firmly behind incumbent Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito because of her support of coal issues during her eight years in office.
The United Mine Workers Union has endorsed Capito's opponent Anne Barth.
------
Entire article posted -
source
