Fox News Channel "Your World"- Transcript

Interview

MR. HEMMER: There was a big dustup the last two days on the issue of coal. Sarah Palin taking on the Democratic nominee, Barack Obama, for comments he made to The San Francisco Chronicle back in January about the coal industry and its future. Here is what Barack Obama told the newspaper, and then you will hear Governor Palin's reaction.

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL): (From videotape.) So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can. It's just that it would bankrupt them because they're going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that's being emitted.

GOV. SARAH PALIN (R-AK): (From videotape.) He says that sure, if industry wants to try to build these coal-fired power plants, they can go ahead and try, but they're only going to be able to do it in a way that bankrupts the whole industry, the coal industry. Now, he's comfortable with this happening, and then he talks about it's a given your electric prices are going to go sky high also. He says it right there. And again, day before the election, I'm glad at least Ohio will get wind of what his intentions are there.

MR. HEMMER: So there is the issue. And the McCain camp is up in a moment here, but first the Obama campaign and Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Sir, good evening to you.

REP. VAN HOLLEN: Good evening.

MR. HEMMER: Does Barack Obama have coal in the crosshairs?

REP. VAN HOLLEN: He does not have coal in the crosshairs. He's from the state of Illinois. It's a coal state. And I just urge all your viewers to actually go to the transcript of what was said. I've got it right here. It's a typical example of the McCain campaign in the last minute, desperate tactics, trying to lift one statement out of a much broader statement where he says, "But this notion of no coal, I think, is an illusion." And he goes on to explain --

MR. HEMMER: That's what he did say. And I've got the transcript with me as well. I'll read along with you. He said that initially then, and then he moved on to But you can build the plants, it will bankrupt them.

REP. VAN HOLLEN: No.

MR. HEMMER: And then he talked about they will be charged a huge sum for that greenhouse gas, which means the businesses are hurt and then the jobs go bye-bye.

REP. VAN HOLLEN: His point is that we have to move toward clean- coal technology which is exactly the same position that John McCain has taken. And I would point out that when John McCain raised a proposal three years ago for clean coal, George Voinovich, the senator from Ohio, said that the McCain plan would end the coal industry as we know it. In fact, Voinovich talked about the McCain plan. He said it would, quote, "put coal out of business."

MR. HEMMER: You mentioned Senator Voinovich, and I think you're putting your finger right on the point here. He is now being accused of pandering to voters in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky. Is that what's at play here? And I've got about 15 seconds, quickly.

REP. VAN HOLLEN: I'm sorry, is who pandering?

MR. HEMMER: Is Senator Obama pandering to these voters?

REP. VAN HOLLEN: No. Obama has been consistent on his position. In fact, he comes from, as I said, a coal state of Illinois. He's actually taken a position that's at odds with a lot of environmental groups in the Democratic coalition by taking the position that he has on coal and clean coal. He's sort of gone against a lot of environmental groups on that issue.

MR. HEMMER: So there's no double standard, that's what you're saying, right?

REP. VAN HOLLEN: Well, that's right. It's ironic he's being hit by John McCain on this particular issue. Again, they've lifted one statement, taken it out of context, which is what we're seeing across the board in these closing days from the John McCain campaign.

MR. HEMMER: All right. Chris Van Hollen, thank you for your time.

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