Saying the United States should transition away from fossil fuels is a popular idea on the left. It’s not workable in real life, however. Millions of people depend on fossil fuels not only to heat and light their homes, but for their jobs.
During the final debate last night, Joe Biden said the United States should transition away from the oil industry. This was red meat for his base and the Bernie Sanders wing of the party, but it won’t play with millions of voters who live in the real world.
It’s easy to say you support the idea of abandoning fossil fuels, but if you want to know how that works out, look no further than California, where their green energy policy has led to rolling blackouts.
You can tell Biden’s comments were damaging, because the media has already moved to the ‘conservatives pounce’ stage of the issue.
From Politico:
Conservatives pounce on Biden’s desire to move away from oilConservatives pummeled former Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday for saying he wanted to transition away from the oil industry, accusing the Democratic nominee of being callous with the economy in his proposals for tackling climate change.“I would transition from the oil industry, yes,” Biden said during the final presidential debate.“Oh. There’s a big statement,” President Donald Trump responded.“It is a big statement,” Biden shot back.
Here’s the exchange, if you missed it:
Reagan once said that if you’re explaining, you’re losing. Biden’s team is now explaining:
Reactions came swiftly:
Biden challenged Trump to post his previous comments on fracking. Naturally, Trump accepted the challenge:
Even some Democrats recognize the mistake Biden made here and know they are vulnerable on this issue.
Andrew Solender writes at Forbes:
Vulnerable Democrats Break With Biden Over ‘Transition’ From Oil IndustryFormer Vice President Joe Biden’s remark during the final presidential debate that he would “transition” away from the fossil fuel industry was met with heavy pushback not only from Republicans – who instantly identified the remark as Biden’s weak point of the night – but vulnerable Democrats as well…Rep. Kendra Horn (D-Okla.), one of the most endangered House Democrats, affirmed Trump’s reaction, calling Biden’s stated position “one of the places Biden and I disagree,” and declaring: “We must stand up for our oil and gas industry.”Another vulnerable freshman Democrat, Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (D-M.N.) warned against “demonizing” the industry and stated she would “continue to stand up to my party when they’re out of touch with the reality on the ground.”
Energy policy is not just about jobs and convenience.
During one of the debates in the 2012 Republican primary, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said that energy independence is a national security issue. This point is not repeated nearly enough. As long as the United States can produce energy on its own, we are not beholden to potentially hostile nations for such a vital resource.
Like many people on the left, Biden is so comfortable with the talking points on fossil fuels that when Trump opened the door in the debate, Biden walked right through it.
Many people are noting the impact this could have on Biden in states like Pennsylvania and Texas, but at the end of the day, this is an issue that affects every single American.
When the lights go out, all bets are off.
Featured image via YouTube.
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