Cap-and-Trade May Be Costly for Democrats in Appalachia

Democrats have lost ground in Appalachia since the 2008 election, with the blame going mostly to dissatisfaction with President Obama's climate change policies, the National Journal reported. Wrote the Journal: "In just one year's time, discomfort with Obama has given way to an open, full-scale revolt against the majority party's agenda, particularly on coal." The National Journal cited events in Buchanan County, Va.


Voters will be sending President Obama a message, according to Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va. He was quoted as saying: "Cap-and-trade really had the public in this area confused. Two or three weeks from the [2009 gubernatorial] election, we knew we were going to lose. I don't think anyone could have won with a 'D' on their name."


Democrats are wondering whether Boucher can hold onto his seat next November. Joe Puckett, a Democrat who is the son of Virginia State Sen. Phil Puckett, D-Buchanan County, said Boucher could win but would have to separate himself from the president and from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

The dissatisfaction with the administration and the Democratic Congress runs throughout Appalachia, reported the National Journal. "Recent private polling has shown veteran Democratic Reps. Vic Snyder of Arkansas and Alan Mollohan of West Virginia surprisingly weak. Democratic Reps. John Tanner and Bart Gordon of Tennessee are opting to retire rather than run again."