Why Democrats Have Little to Lose in Taking On the Coal Industry (original) (raw)
The Upshot|Why Democrats Have Little to Lose in Taking On the Coal Industry
Advertisement
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.
The Politics of Energy
- June 2, 2014
The Obama administration’s proposal Monday to reduce carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants is already being characterized by Republicans as the latest salvo in a “war on coal.”
The eagerness of Republicans to exploit the issue is understandable. Democrats have lost considerable ground in coal-producing areas in recent years, and their approach has hurt their chances of retaining the Senate.
Image
But because Democrats have already suffered significantly over the issue, the worst is just about over — and at the national level, it is no longer even that painful.
Since Democrats allied with the United Mine Workers in the early 20th century, the region stretching south from western Pennsylvania through West Virginia and eastern Kentucky — sometimes known as coal country —has been among the most reliably Democratic in the nation.
In states like West Virginia and Kentucky, large Democratic margins in coal country were essential to the Democratic pathway to victory statewide. The most Democratic coal counties, like Knott County, Ky., or Logan County, W.Va., voted for Democrats in every presidential election between 1932 and 2004.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Advertisement