Shock Audio-Obama promises to bankrupt coal industry(San Francisco Gate Interview January 17 2008)

As this shock audio (San Francisco Gate Interview January 17 2008) points out, Barack Obama promises to bankrupt the coal industry in coal states such as Virginia , Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Indiana . This will have devastating consequences for their economies. Obama is clearly out of touch with economic reality.

"Let me sort of describe my overall policy.
What I've said is that we would put a cap and trade system in place that is as aggressive, if not more aggressive, than anybody else's out there.
I was the first to call for a 100% auction on the cap and trade system, which means that every unit of carbon or greenhouse gases emitted would be charged to the polluter. That will create a market in which whatever technologies are out there that are being presented, whatever power plants that are being built, that they would have to meet the rigors of that market and the ratcheted down caps that are being placed, imposed every year.
So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; it's just that it will bankrupt them because they're going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that's being emitted."

Maryland and Washington DC Primaries-victories for McCain and Obama-the political fallout

Barack Obama has inflicted crushing defeats on Hillary Clinton in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. This has been a black day for Clinton. Not alone has Obama eaten into Clinton's strong support among whites and amongst the elderly but he also now has a slight lead in the delegate count. Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania are now pivotal states. A Failure to win these would probably cost Clinton the nomination.

John McCain's progress to the GOP nomination continues unabated with victories in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. McCain must now unify the Republican Party by winning over conservative sceptics. In addition he must articulate policies that resonate with the public-policies which are grounded on solid conservative principles and which will improve living standards. An over emphasis on his war record will be a turn off for the majority of voters. This election will be won and lost on the economy and the competence of the presidential candidates.When McCain wins the nomination he must bring Mike Huckabee on board his campaign. He would make an excellent vice presidential candidate.

Virginia Primaries-McCain pips Huckabee. Obama blitzes Clinton

In the GOP primary Mike Huckabee has amassed huge votes in the rural conservative and evangelical counties. John McCain has polled very strongly in the more urban areas. This was sufficient for McCain to eke out a rather narrow victory. The conservative voters are sending out a strong message to John McCain that his platform is not conservative enough. Mike Huckabee's decision to remain in the race has been vindicated. McCain must continue to mend fences with conservatives,build a more powerful campaign organization to take on either Obama or Clinton and engage in a massive fund raising effort- if he hopes to compete with either. His choice of Vice Presidential candidate will be crucial. Mike Huckabees strong performance in Virginia strengthens his claims for the Vice Presidential slot.

In the Democratic primary Obama has blitzed Hillary Clinton. This result is a dagger at the heart of the Clinton campaign. Obama's support was strong among Whites and African Americans, male and female, rich and poor, young and old. Obama has made inroads into the higher age groups, poor and women-up to now bulwarks of the Clinton campaign. It appears that John Edward's supporters have moved towards Obama. A c27% margin of defeat for Clinton may be a portent of things to come.