CNN Touts Leftist Rolling Stone Journo Decrying Joe Manchin as Pro-Coal ‘Grifter’

Jessica Dean, CNN’s fill-in host provided a lively forum on Saturday afternoon Rolling StoneJeff Goodell, a contributing editor, will promote the article that denigrates moderate Democratic Senator Joe Manchin for being a “grifter”, who has been corrupted and enriched by the coal industry.

Manchin may as well be Republican. Goodell and other leftists don’t see the positive reason to oppose the Left’s attempts to close down the coal sector. 

Dean began by replaying a report from several months ago by correspondent Rene Marsh — previously documented by NewsBusters — which was critical of West Virginia residents being supportive of the coal industry in their state. Dean then introduced Goodell and began by bringing up a piece he wrote aggressively titled “Manchin’s Coal Corruption Is So Much Worse Than You Knew.”

CNN’s host, as well as the article she quoted, began her interview by taking a picture:

It is your writing that you quote: Manchin’s role is best described as that of a grifter, originating from King Coal. His political talents have been used to his advantage, and not for the benefit of the citizens of his state..” 

Do you think that any of the climate legislation could be sent to President Trump, considering what you have written there, and Senator Manchin’s motivations? There has been some talk among Democrats that they may try to stop it from happening, as they cannot get Build Back better in its current format through. Is there any hope that he will come around to any portion of the project?

Goodell complained soon:

The man is dependent on coal for his entire political life, power, and wealth. There is no doubt that taking climate action requires, well, getting rid off coal. This fossil fuel is one of the most polluting. To be serious about climate change, we have to be serious about shutting down coal plants.

He added the following:

Although I cannot speak for his personal motivations, the man earns half a million dollars per year by brokering coal waste with one West Virginia power plant. The coal industry is the basis of his entire political power. He is very close to the remaining coal barons.

This lobbying for the left against the fossil fuel industry was sponsored in part by America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses. You can find their contact information here.

The following is a transcription:

CNN Newsroom with Fredricka Whitfield

January 15, 2021

Eastern 12:42 PM

RENE MARSH: Now, the woman in the piece who said, “Let it flood,” that is an example of the commitment to coal in the face of climate change.  Although she says that coal was a stable source of employment in the past, it has become increasingly difficult to find reliable jobs. This is a dying industry. Unfortunately, Senator Manchin did not respond to our request. Rene Marsh. CNN, Washington.

JESSICA DANE, FILL IN HOST: Rene. Let’s chat with Jeff Goodell about more details. He serves as a contributing editor. Rolling Stone. He is also the author of The Water is coming. Jeff, we are glad to have you. Your lengthy article this week, entitled “Manchin’s Coal Corruption is So Much Worse than You Knew,” was titled: You write, quote, Manchin can best be described as a grifter who escaped from King Coal’s ancestral home. Manchin is an individual with coal dust in his veins, who used his political abilities to benefit himself and not his fellow citizens.

Do you think that any of the climate legislation could be sent to President Trump, considering what Senator Manchin is saying and what your writings there? Some Democrats have suggested that they might try to end it, since Build Back Better isn’t passing in its current form. Is there any hope that he will come around to any portion of the project?

ROLLING STONE Magazine, Jeff Goodell: It’s hard to know. He should be free to do what he wants. Manchin indicated that he supports some aspects of climate change. This is something I will take with a grain. That’s what I meant. This is an example of a man who has his entire political history and political power based on coal. It is clear that climate action means getting rid of coal. This fossil fuel is one of the most polluting. To be serious about climate change, we have to be serious about shutting down coal plants.

(…)

DEAN: Why did Senator Manchin vote “no”? Obviously, he was saying no to the whole bill, and when we talked to him on Capitol Hill, he said a lot of this he doesn’t believe should go through the process they were trying to use. What do you think is his problem with the climate?

GOODELL The coal industry is the basis of his entire political power. He is very close to the remaining coal barons.