More from Senator Clinton

An imperfect, but improved answer from last week:

Courier-Journal Interview:

Q: Mountaintop mining has been a big issue in Kentucky. How would you approach that issue?

A: This is one of these areas where we’ve got to get everybody together and come up with some solutions.

I understand the argument that it’s a cost-effective way to get at the coal, but I also understand and sympathize with the concerns people have about stream and river pollution, about the effects on the environment and the livelihoods of people who are in other walks of life in the economy.

My administration would serve as a mediator and conciliatory presence in trying to figure out what we’re going to do.

I think her answer is particularly improved in that she recognizes the devastating impact mountaintop removal has on the economy, and the negative economic impact anybody who has a job besides being a heavy machinist on a mountaintop removal site.

About JW Randolph

Raised on the banks of the Tennessee River, JW's work to create progress in his home state and throughout Appalachia has been featured on the Rachel Maddow Show, The Daily Kos and Grist. He served first as Appalachian Voices’ Legislative Associate and then Tennessee director until leaving to pursue a career in medicine in 2012.