President Barack Obama’s support of cap-and-trade legislation that aims to control global warming “is really an attack on the coal industry here in Ohio,” Rep. Jim Renacci tells Newsmax.TV.
“For Ohio residents, 80-plus percent of our energy is coal driven,” the freshman Republican tells Newsmax in an exclusive interview. “We want to make sure that we’re using the most efficient, clean and cheap energy we can here in Ohio.
“Because of that, my opponent and, of course, President Obama’s support for cap and trade legislation, it is really an attack on the coal industry here in Ohio – but also on the residents of Ohio, who have to pay electric costs that are primarily based on the cost of coal.
Watch the exclusive interview here.
“In Ohio, we have to make sure that our energy source is the most efficient and most economical here, and coal is definitely that,” he said.
Renacci is battling Democratic Rep. Betty Sutton in a heated race to represent a new Ohio district. The contest has been characterized by negative campaign ads heavily funded by super PACs on both sides.
“The key issue is really just trying to make sure that people understand the differences between me and my opponent,” Renacci said. “We are truly polar opposites.
“I am somebody who has been in the business world for 28 years. I’ve had to understand what it means to live within the rules that Congress makes, I’ve created over 1,500 jobs, employed over 3,000 people.
“It’s about jobs and the economy – something that I’ve been a part of for the last 28 years, and it seems to be what resonates among voters most is what can we do about jobs? What can we do about getting this economy going? And this district really wants to hear those answers.”
Renacci said he is not fazed by recent polls showing President Obama leading GOP challenger Mitt Romney by as much as 10 points in Ohio.
“People are still concerned about America. They’re concerned about the direction our country’s going – and the only poll that really matters is the poll on Nov. 6th.
“At this point in time, there are hundreds of polls going on. I don’t think we could really worry about all of them,” he added. “We just need to continue to get the message out. And, again, the only poll that matters is the one on Nov. 6th.
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