Joe Biden is defending himself against criticism that the co-founder of a liquefied natural gas firm is hosting a fundraiser for him despite his pledge not to accept fossil fuel money for his 2020 bid.
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The former vice president said Wednesday during a CNN climate town hall series that he’s not violating his pledge because, according to Federal Election Commission records, Andrew Goldman “is not a fossil fuel executive.”
Joe Biden says he might reconsider a fundraiser scheduled for Thursday after being confronted and told about its host’s connections to the energy industry #ClimateTownHall https://t.co/VDehXzZTW9 pic.twitter.com/6DhMi8wwed
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) September 5, 2019
Later in the town hall, Biden said, “What I was told by my staff is that [the host] did not have any responsibility related to the company," referring to Western LNG, whose biggest project is a floating liquefaction facility for natural gas off the coast of British Columbia pic.twitter.com/lDzgcSfRfe
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) September 5, 2019
Some environmental leaders who encouraged Democratic candidates to refuse fossil fuel money say Goldman’s involvement in Thursday’s fundraiser violates the spirit of Biden’s commitment.
Goldman is managing director of the investment firm Hildred Capital Partners. But he’s also co-founder of Western LNG, a firm developing a Canadian natural gas facility.
Biden’s campaign notes Goldman isn’t involved in Western LNG’s day-to-day operations.
(AP)
Poor Sleepy Joe, flip flopping every five minutes. Can’t wait to hear him get flustered and stumbling all over the next debates! Lol. Democrats have got one loser after another running to be
What a joke,
He is a unifying candidate because he combines the worst aspects of both sides.