As Clinton Campaigns Ahead Of Tuesday's Primary, Kentucky Voters Have Not Forgotten Her Pledge To Kill The Coal Jobs And Businesses Kentuckians Depend On

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Today, Clinton is making last-minute campaign stops in Kentucky ahead of the state's Democrat primary on Tuesday.

Under the Clinton-Obama energy agenda, Kentucky's coal industry is deeply suffering, with high unemployment rates and the fewest coal jobs since 1898.

Clinton's last trip to coal country did not go as planned, receiving harsh headlines as she was confronted by protestors and a laid-off coal worker over her pledge to kill coal jobs.

Heading into tomorrow's primary, Kentucky voters have not forgotten Clinton's promise, with even Clinton friends like Kentucky's Democrat Secretary Of State Alison Lundergan Grimes publicly rebuking her.

Today, Clinton Is Campaigning In Kentucky Ahead Of The State's Democrat Primary Tomorrow. "Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will be in the state again Monday to campaign ahead of Kentucky's primary election Tuesday. She will be making stops in Bowling Green Monday morning before heading to Lexington." ("Hillary Clinton To Be In Lexington Monday Before Tuesday's Primary," WKYT, 5/16/16)

ON CLINTON'S LAST VISIT TO COAL COUNTRY, SHE RECEIVED A CHILLY WELCOME

On A Recent Tour Of Coal States, Clinton Was Greeted By Protestors And Jeers

During Early May Campaign Stops In West Virginia, Both Clintons Were Booed And Protested. "If you need more evidence of West Virginia's shifting political paradigm, look at the mixed crowd that turned out for Bill Clinton's appearance in Logan County Sunday and Hillary Clinton's stop in Williamson Monday. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and Senator Joe Manchin heard boos and derogatory chants mixed in with the cheers as they campaigned with the former President in Logan. When Hillary Clinton campaigned in Williamson yesterday, angry protesters were on hand, booing and chanting 'go home!'" (Hoppy Kercheval, "The Faded Clinton Crown In WV And Its Impact On Tomblin, Manchin," [West Virginia] MetroNews, 5/3/16)

The Week Before Bill Clinton Made An Early May Campaign Stop In Logan, West Virginia, Representatives From The City Contacted Clinton Supporter Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) To Say The Clintons Were "Simply Not Welcome In Our Town." "Local news station WVNS reported on Saturday that Logan officials sent Sen. Joe Manchin's (D-W.Va.) office an email last week protesting the Clinton campaign's outreach there. 'Bill and Hillary Clinton are simply not welcome in our town,' they wrote to Mike Browning, a representative in Manchin's office." (Mark Hensch, "Bill Clinton Heckled In W.Va.," The Hill, 5/2/16)

Town Officials Said That "Mrs. Clinton's Anti-Coal Messages Are The Last Thing Our Suffering Town Needs At This Point," And That The Policies "Championed By People Like Mrs. Clinton Have All But Devastated Our Fair Town." "Mrs. Clinton's anti-coal messages are the last thing our suffering town needs at this point. The policies that have been championed by people like Mrs. Clinton have all but devastated our fair town, and honestly, enough is enough. We wish them the best in their campaign, however we again state they are not welcome on our city properties. We hope that you will respectfully consider NOT visiting our community. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, 304-xxx-xxxx. I am writing this on behalf of the City Of Logan." ("Logan Officials Message To Clinton Campaign," WOWK, 4/30/16)

Some Protesters Drove Long Distances "Just To Voice…Disapproval" Of Clinton At Her Events. "[Christopher] Cline, 23, drove more than an hour Monday from Louisa, Kentucky, just to voice his disapproval of former secretary of state and current Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton as she got out of her campaign van and walked into the Williamson Wellness and Health Clinic, in Mingo County. Cline said he felt like Clinton's appearance was insulting after she said earlier in the year that she would put a lot of people in the coal industry out of jobs." (Daniel Desrochers, "No Warm Welcome For Clinton In Williamson," Charleston [West Virginia] Gazette-Mail , 5/2/16)

"Hundreds Of People, Angry And Shouting, Stood In The Pouring Rain" To Protest Clinton's Appearance In Williamson, West Virginia. "His voice breaking, Bo Copley read a Bible verse, steadied his nerves and handed a picture of his three children to the woman across the table. Outside, hundreds of people, angry and shouting, stood in the pouring rain in front of a pawn shop and a shuttered building. 'The reason you hear those people out there,' Copley, 39, told Hillary Clinton, 'is because, when you make comments that you're going to put a lot of coal miners out of jobs, these are the people you're affecting. That's my family.'" (David Gutman, "Hillary Clinton Hears WV Concerns, Successes In Mingo County," Charleston [West Virginia] Gazette-Mail, 5/2/16)

Protestors Included Former Clinton Supporters, Still Angry Over Clinton's Pledge To Kill Coal Jobs And Businesses. "Still, those misstatements, as she referred to them, continued to resonate with protestors outside like Emma Runyon. She's a Williamson native who volunteered on the 2008 Clinton campaign and has since switched her party registration to Republican." (Ashton Marra, "Protesters Outnumber Supporters At Clinton Williamson Event," West Virginia Public Radio, 5/2/16)

"'This Very Time I Was Phone Banking For Hillary Clinton In 2008,' Runyon Said. 'She Changed Every Position From 2008 To Now. She Slowly Went So Far Away From Working People.'" (Ashton Marra, "Protesters Outnumber Supporters At Clinton Williamson Event," West Virginia Public Radio, 5/2/16)

In Williamson, The Protestors' Chants Were So Loud They Could Be Heard At The Campaign Event Clinton Held Inside A Local Clinic. "Inside the site of the small campaign event, held as part of a two-day swing through Appalachia, their chants sounded in the background as Clinton and Sen. Joe Manchin led a 12-person roundtable discussion on the collapse of the coal industry. ("Go! Go! Go! Go!" they shouted.)" (Ruby Cramer, "Clinton Deals Face To Face With Deep Opposition In Coal Country," BuzzFeed , 5/3/16)

While Protestors Chanted Outside In Williamson, Clinton Was Confronted About Her Anti-Coal Remarks By A Laid-Off Coal Worker

"The Democratic Front-Runner Got An Earful During A Campaign Stop In Williamson, West Virginia." (Jennifer Epstein, "Clinton Walks Back Coal Remarks After Confrontation In West Virginia," Bloomberg , 5/2/16)

Clinton Was Confronted By Laid-Off Coal Worker Bo Copley, Who Asked How Clinton Could Pledge To Put Coal Miners Out Of Work "And Then Come In Here And Tell Us How You're Going To Be Our Friend." "When Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton said in March that she would put a lot of coal miners out of business, Bo Copley took it personally. On Monday, the laid-off coal worker from this struggling Appalachian community came face to face with the former secretary of state and called her to account for her remarks. 'I just want to know how you can say you're going to put a lot of coal miners out of jobs and then come in here and tell us how you're going to be our friend,' Mr. Copley said." (Colleen McCain Nelson, "Laid-Off Coal Worker Wants Explanation From Hillary Clinton," The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire , 5/2/16)

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Copley Showed Clinton "A Picture Of His Family And Spoke About Other Coal Workers Who Have Lost Their Livelihood," Telling Her That "These Are The Kind Of People That You're Affecting." "Mr. Copley, who is 39, choked up as he showed Mrs. Clinton a picture of his family and spoke about other coal workers who have lost their livelihood. 'When you make comments like we're going to put a lot of coal miners out jobs, these are the kind of people that you're affecting,' he said." (Colleen McCain Nelson, "Laid-Off Coal Worker Wants Explanation From Hillary Clinton," The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire , 5/2/16)

Copley Said He Was Giving Voice To The Protestors "Outside The Event Who Were Not Invited In." "Copley, who handed Clinton a photo of his children before he asked his question, told reporters afterward that he came to question the candidate as a way to speak for the people outside the event who were not invited in." (Dan Merica, "Hillary Clinton Apologizes For Coal Comments In West Virginia," CNN, 5/3/16)

The Wall Street Journal Editorial: Clinton Gave "A Perfect Clintonian Non-Apology" To Copley, Saying She Was Sorry "I Gave Folks The Reason And The Excuse To Be So Upset With Me." "The presumptive Democratic nominee told out-of-work coal miners in Williamson, West Virginia that she felt their pain, promising to 'do more to see how we can get coal to be a fuel that can continue to be sold and continue to be mined.' In a perfect Clintonian non-apology, she added that 'I do feel a little bit sad and sorry that I gave folks the reason and the excuse to be so upset with me because that is not what I intended at all,' referring to her remarks in March." (Editorial, "Hillary's Appalachian Trial," The Wall Street Journal, 5/3/16)

Clinton Apologized, "But Not Without Qualifications, Insisting That The Comment Was Simply A 'Misstatement.'" "'I know that, though,' Clinton said, her voice low. She apologized several times, but not without qualifications, insisting that the comment was simply a 'misstatement.' 'I don't know how to explain it other than what I said was totally out of context from what I meant. Because I have been talking about helping coal country for a very long time, and I put out a plan last summer. It was a misstatement, because what I was saying was the way things are going now, we will continue to lose jobs.'" (Ruby Cramer, "Clinton Deals Face To Face With Deep Opposition In Coal Country," BuzzFeed , 5/3/16)

After The Event, "Copley Said That Clinton Hadn't Won Him Over," Saying "I'm Not Into Political Games…I Want To Hear The Plans You Have In Store For Us If You Do Get Elected." "Speaking to reporters after the event, Copley said that Clinton hadn't won him over. 'I would have liked to have heard more about what her plan is going forward for us,' he said. 'I'm not into political games...I want to hear the plans you have in store for us if you do get elected.'" (Hannah Fraser-Chanpong, "Hillary Clinton Apologizes For Saying She'd Put Coal 'Out Of Business,'" CBS News, 5/2/16)

The "Confrontation" With Clinton "Put A Spotlight On The Challenges Her Campaign Faces In Winning Over Economically Distressed Rust Belt And Appalachian Residents." "Copley's May 2 confrontation with Clinton put a spotlight on the challenges her campaign faces in winning over economically distressed Rust Belt and Appalachian residents who have come to distrust politicians from Washington." (Meridith McGraw, "Out-Of-Work Coal Miner Who Confronted Hillary Clinton Hints At Why His Vote Matters," ABC News, 5/11/16)

Clinton Received Harsh Headlines For Her Coal Country Trip

The New York Times Headline: "Hillary Clinton Hears Wrath Of Coal Supporters In West Virginia." (Amy Chozick, "Hillary Clinton Hears Wrath Of Coal Supporters In West Virginia," The New York Times' First Draft , 5/3/16)

The Wall Street Journal : "Laid-Off Coal Worker Wants Explanation From Hillary Clinton." (Colleen McCain Nelson, "Laid-Off Coal Worker Wants Explanation From Hillary Clinton," The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire , 5/2/16)

West Virginia Public Radio Headline: "Protesters Outnumber Supporters At Clinton Williamson [West Virginia] Event" (Ashton Marra, "Protesters Outnumber Supporters At Clinton Williamson Event," West Virginia Public Radio, 5/2/16)

CBS News Headline: "Hillary Clinton Apologizes For Saying She'd Put Coal 'Out Of Business'" (Hannah Fraser-Chanpong, "Hillary Clinton Apologizes For Saying She'd Put Coal 'Out Of Business,'" CBS News, 5/2/16)

BuzzFeed Headline: "Clinton Deals Face To Face With Deep Opposition In Coal Country" (Ruby Cramer, "Clinton Deals Face To Face With Deep Opposition In Coal Country," BuzzFeed , 5/3/16)

NBC News Headline: "Hillary Clinton Apologizes to Coal Country Over 'Out of Business' Comments" (Monica Alba, "Hillary Clinton Apologizes To Coal Country Over 'Out Of Business' Comments," NBC News, 5/3/16)

Charleston [West Virginia] Gazette-Mail Headline: "No Warm Welcome For Clinton In Williamson [West Virginia]" (Daniel Desrochers, "No Warm Welcome For Clinton In Williamson," Charleston [West Virginia] Gazette-Mail , 5/2/16)

[West Virginia] MetroNews Headline: "Clinton Greeted With 'Boos' During Williamson Visit" ("Clinton Greeted With 'Boos' During Williamson Visit," [West Virginia] MetroNews, 5/2/16)

The Hill Headline: "West Virginia Is No Longer Clinton Country" (Devin Henry, "West Virginia Is No Longer Clinton Country," The Hill, 5/5/16)

The Wall Street Journal Editorial Headline: "Hillary's Appalachian Trial" (Editorial, "Hillary's Appalachian Trial," The Wall Street Journal , 5/3/16)

AS SHE VISITS THE STATE, KENTUCKY IS SUFFERING UNDER THE CLINTON-OBAMA ENERGY AGENDA

According To A Recent Report From The Kentucky Energy And Environment Cabinet, The State's Coal Industry Lost More Than 1,500 Jobs In The First Quarter Of 2016. "The number of jobs dropped by a little more than 1,500 during the quarter, or 17.9 percent, leaving estimated employment in the industry of 6,900 as of April 1, according to the report by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet." (Bill Estep, "Coal Jobs In Kentucky Fall To Lowest Level In 118 Years," Lexington [Kentucky] Herald Leader, 5/2/16)

Kentucky Now Has The Fewest Coal Jobs Since 1898. "The last time the state had so few coal jobs was 1898, when coal employment averaged 6,399, the report said." (Bill Estep, "Coal Jobs In Kentucky Fall To Lowest Level In 118 Years," Lexington [Kentucky] Herald Leader, 5/2/16)

"The last time the state had so few coal jobs was 1898, when coal employment averaged 6,399, the report said." (Bill Estep, "Coal Jobs In Kentucky Fall To Lowest Level In 118 Years," Lexington [Kentucky] Herald Leader, 5/2/16) "Kentucky's Coal Industry Continued To Hemorrhage Jobs In The First Three Months Of 2016." "Kentucky's coal industry continued to hemorrhage jobs in the first three months of 2016, hitting the lowest total in 118 years, according to a report released Monday." (Bill Estep, "Coal Jobs In Kentucky Fall To Lowest Level In 118 Years," Lexington [Kentucky] Herald Leader, 5/2/16)

The Effects Of Coal's Downturn Have Spread Throughout Kentucky's Economy. "The plunge has decimated an industry that historically underpinned the regional economy, spreading the effects of the downturn. 'Businesses are suffering. People just ain't got the money to spend like they used to,' said Michael Preston of Floyd County, who lost his job as a driller at a surface mine in August 2014 after 16 years in the industry." (Bill Estep, "Coal Jobs In Kentucky Fall To Lowest Level In 118 Years," Lexington [Kentucky] Herald Leader, 5/2/16)

Local Governments Are Laying Off Staff And Cutting Services To Adjust To Lost Tax Revenue From Coal. "Some local governments in the region have laid off staff and cut services to deal with the downturn in tax revenue from coal, and schools are grappling with having fewer students and less money as families move away for work." (Bill Estep, "Coal Jobs In Kentucky Fall To Lowest Level In 118 Years," Lexington [Kentucky] Herald Leader, 5/2/16)

Coal Production In Appalachia "Has Dropped 45 Percent Over The Last Decade," And "More Than A Third Of The Region's Mining Jobs Have Vanished." "In Appalachia, coal production has dropped 45% over the last decade, according to the Appalachian Regional Commission. The rising use of natural gas and renewable energy has come at coal's expense. Exports are down too. Since 2011, more than a third of the region's mining jobs have vanished, a devastating loss in towns wholly dependent on coal for survival. Lost tax revenue has forced schools to shut down or lay off teachers, 77 of them here in Boone County." (Michael Finnegan, "Clash Between Trump And Clinton Over Coal Foreshadows A Tough Fight For Her In Battleground States," Los Angeles Times, 5/10/16)

Coal Country Has "Some Of The Highest Rates Of Unemployment" In The Country. "Parts of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia have some of the highest rates of unemployment, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, which is only exacerbated by the region's opioid epidemic. West Virginia has the highest drug-overdose death rate in the country, by far, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention." (Meredith McGraw, "Tracking Appalachia's Swing From Hillary Clinton To Donald Trump Country," ABC News, 5/4/16)

The Boston Globe's Scot Lehigh: Until Recently, Coal Jobs "Provided Fat Paychecks" In Appalachia, Sustaining "Families, Towns, And A Commercial Cascade Of Related Industries" In The Region. "Only recently, coal mining provided fat paychecks here. Middle-aged miners, men in their 40s and 50s, regularly took home eighty, ninety, a hundred grand a year. Guys just a few years out of high school could make $50,000, $60,000 even. The mines sustained families, towns, and a commercial cascade of related industries. And now, those mines are steadily laying off workers and closing down." (Scot Lehigh, Op-Ed, "Trump And Clinton Campaign In Coal Country," The Boston Globe , 5/7/16)

Clinton Plans To Double Down On Obama's Anti-Coal Policies

Coal Businesses And Workers Blame "The Downturn On Federal Environmental Rules That Have Played A Key Role In Utilities Closing Coal-Fired Power Plants." "The coal industry blames the downturn on federal environmental rules that have played a key role in utilities closing coal-fired power plants and not building new ones. 'With 262 days left in the Obama presidency, it is all the more critical that the next occupant of the White House have a more positive opinion of coal and its use to power this country's economy,' said Bill Bissett, president of the Kentucky Coal Association." (Bill Estep, "Coal Jobs In Kentucky Fall To Lowest Level In 118 Years," Lexington [Kentucky] Herald Leader, 5/2/16)

Clinton "Has Pledged To Continue Down The Path Of The Obama Administration, Which Has Been Hostile Toward Coal Through The Actions Of The EPA." "So perhaps it can be argued that Manchin and Tomblin are taking the practical approach. But that's a tough political sell, especially after Hillary Clinton said she was going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business-a statement she later retracted and again apologized for Monday-and she has pledged to continue down the path of the Obama administration, which has been hostile toward coal through the actions of the EPA." (Hoppy Kercheval, "The Faded Clinton Crown In WV And Its Impact On Tomblin, Manchin," [West Virginia] MetroNews, 5/3/16)

Clinton's Push For Obama's Carbon Emission Regulations Will "Accelerate The Decline Of The Coal Industry." "If Clinton implements Obama's Clean Power Plan, as she has pledged to do, that would indeed accelerate the decline of the coal industry, which is already in trouble because of competition from natural gas." (Ben Adler, "Don't Worry About Clinton Pandering To Coal States," Grist, 5/9/16)

"If Clinton implements Obama's Clean Power Plan, as she has pledged to do, that would indeed accelerate the decline of the coal industry, which is already in trouble because of competition from natural gas." (Ben Adler, "Don't Worry About Clinton Pandering To Coal States," Grist, 5/9/16) The Boston Globe Scot Lehigh: "Obama's Anti-Carbon-Emissions Regulations" Will "Certainly Hasten Coal's Demise." "Her March remark sounded like Clinton's honest projection of coal's current trajectory. That's particularly true if President Obama's anti-carbon-emissions regulations, which were essential for leveraging the international commitments in the Paris climate-change agreement, hold sway. The US Supreme Court has stayed those regulations while their legality is litigated. But if Obama's plan goes forward, it would certainly hasten coal's demise." (Scot Lehigh, Op-Ed, "Trump And Clinton Campaign In Coal Country," The Boston Globe , 5/7/16)

AHEAD OF THE STATE'S PRIMARY, KENTUCKY VOTERS HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN CLINTON'S PLEDGE TO PUT COAL MINERS OUT OF WORK

Months After Clinton's Promise "To Put A Lot Of Coal Miners And Coal Companies Out Of Business," The Remarks Continues To "Haunt" Her

At A March Democrat Town Hall, Clinton Said "We're Going To Put A Lot Of Coal Miners And Coal Companies Out Of Business." CLINTON: "We're going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business." (Hillary Clinton, CNN Democratic Presidential Candidate Town Hall, 3/13/16)

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Clinton's Comments Continue "To Haunt Her In Coal Country," "Proving To Be A Painful Thorn In Her Campaign." "While Clinton might have the support of much of West Virginia's political establishment in Tuesday's Democratic primary, the Logan letter reveals the depth of some of the opposition to her candidacy. It's sparked to some degree by a remark that continues to haunt her in coal country, two months after she made it in a March town hall. Referring to the transition to clean energy, Clinton said: 'We're going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business.' While Clinton later apologized for the comment, it's proving to be a painful thorn in her campaign." (Daniel Strauss, "Clinton Haunted By Coal Country Comment," Politico, 5/10/16)

Politico Headline: "Clinton Haunted By Coal Country Comment" (Daniel Strauss, "Clinton Haunted By Coal Country Comment," Politico, 5/10/16)

Clinton's Pledge "To Kill Coal Miners' Jobs In Favor Of Renewable Energy Continues To Haunt Her." "Bernie Sanders could notch a small victory Tuesday against front-running Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton in West Virginia, where a pledge the former U.S. secretary of state made two months ago to kill coal miners' jobs in favor of renewable energy continues to haunt her." (Emily Ngo, "West Virginia Holds Primaries On Tuesday, Nebraska Has GOP Race," [New York] Newsday , 5/10/16)

Clinton's Anti-Coal Pledge Was Not Well Received By Kentuckians

Alison Lundergan Grimes, Clinton Friend And Kentucky's Democrat Secretary Of State, Said She Was "Very Disappointed" In Clinton's Comments. " 'I was very disappointed to hear the comments that came out of the debate,' said Alison Lundergan Grimes, Kentucky's secretary of state and a close friend of the Clinton family who received their endorsement during her unsuccessful challenge to [Senator Mitch] McConnell in 2014. 'My hope is she'll have a chance to clarify those comments, comments that as I said were completely out of line with personal conversations that I have had with her.'" (Adam Beam and Jonathan Mattise, "Facing Backlash, Clinton Says Coal Still Has A Future," The Associated Press ¸ 3/14/16)

Bill Bissett, President Of The Kentucky Coal Association, Said That Clinton's Comments "Were Insulting To Coal Miners Everywhere." "After reviewing the comments of Hillary Clinton, it is clear to me that anyone who believes in the production and use of coal in this country should have nothing to do with Clinton's campaign to lead this nation. At a time when nearly every coalfield in this country is suffering from the second term of President Barack Obama, Clinton's remarks are insulting to coal miners everywhere. I am especially troubled by her taking credit for ending coal jobs and opportunities by saying, 'We're going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business.' If a comment like this one is how you secure a nomination for the Presidency of the United States, then the future for Kentucky and our country is truly bleak. I hope everyone who believes in affordable and reliable electricity listens to Clinton's words and makes their voice heard against her on Election Day. Simply put, if you are for Hillary Clinton, then you are not for coal." (Nathan Lyttle, "Coal Supporters Respond To Clinton's Statement About Putting Coal Miners Out Of Work," WYMT, 3/14/16)

[Bowling Green, Kentucky] Daily News Editorial: Clinton's Comments "Indicate She Is A Carbon Copy of Obama When It Comes To Coal." "So, Clinton wants to put coal miners and coal companies out of business. These words from the Democratic hopeful indicate she is a carbon copy of Obama when it comes to coal. If Clinton had it her way, along with her long list of anti-coal donors and friends, coal would become extinct. That's not an opinion, it's a fact right out of the candidate's mouth." (Editorial, "Clinton's Remarks On Coal Dangerous," [Bowling Green, Kentucky] Daily News , 3/17/16)

[Bowling Green, Kentucky] Daily News Editorial: "Democratic Candidates In Coal-Producing States Are Now Running Away From Clinton, For Good Reason . (Editorial, "Clinton's Remarks On Coal Dangerous," [Bowling Green, Kentucky] Daily News , 3/17/16)

. (Editorial, "Clinton's Remarks On Coal Dangerous," [Bowling Green, Kentucky] Daily News , 3/17/16) [Bowling Green, Kentucky] Daily News Editorial: "[Clinton] Is Anti-Coal Through And Through, And If Elected Would Continue To Wage War On The Coal Industry As Obama Has Done For Nearly Eight Years." (Editorial, "Clinton's Remarks On Coal Dangerous," [Bowling Green, Kentucky] Daily News , 3/17/16)

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