An editorial from The Journal
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — During the six months leading up to the November general election, voters will be examining the two leading candidates for president, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, in a variety of ways. We will want to know more details about their policy positions, more about them personally and more about those they want to place in top posts.
But for West Virginians, Clinton begins that process with two strikes against her. On issues important to us, Clinton is, quite simply, wrong.
Clinton has made it clear she will intensify President Barack Obama’s campaign against coal and affordable electricity. She also has hinted she will be no friend to the natural gas industry.
She insists she wants to help Appalachian victims of her plan. But what she offers is merely more socialism of the type that does little other than make people more reliant on government programs.
Trump, too, has spoken in general terms – but looking in an entirely different direction. During his visit to Charleston last week, he reiterated previous support for coal as a source of affordable, reliable power.
“We’re going to put a lot of miners back to work,” Trump pledged.
“We’re going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business,” Clinton said several weeks ago.
So yes, thoughtful voters will evaluate both candidates using a wide range of criteria. But on one issue critically important to our region, Clinton begins the campaign trailing Trump badly.
