Schaffer: ‘We Have Windows’
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James Joyner | Friday, August 15, 2008 |
Last night’s debate for the Colorado Senate seat being vacated by Wayne Allard had a rather amusing moment. Republican Bob Schaffer, a former oil company executive and solar energy advocate, was asked a not-unreasonable question:
Reporter/Debate Panelist Lynn Bartels: “Bob, when you are on the campaign trail, you always pull out that tiny [piece of solar cell material]…you probably have it with you now so you can show people…that you’ve touted as the cutting edge of solar research. How much of your home is solar-powered?”
Schaffer: “My home isn’t…well, to the extent…”
Bartels: “Do you have solar panels at your house?”Schaffer: “We have windows at our house.”
Not to be outdone, Green Party candidate Bob Kinsey said he had solar panels on his previous home, which he sold in 2002 after his wife died. He does, however, have a solar powered fountain on his deck.
The transcription above is being circulated by the campaign of Schaffer’s Democratic opponent, Mark Udall. AP’s Steven Paulson reports that Schaffer was “joking.” Either way, it’s amusing.
via email tip from the Mrs.
About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia.
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Heck, I'm a solar advocate. It doesn't mean I can afford it, though.
Maybe solar will become more affordable in the years to come.
I use solar power for my lawn and garden. It's cheap. It's easy. Everybody should try it!
Wow..I thought I was the only one. I also heat the interior of my car in both summer and winter with solar. A buddy of mine says he heats his pool with solar...but he's a bit of a b.s. er.
My family practices personal methane re-clamation to cook with!
I recall the term "passive solar". Early proponents of solar energy saw that passive solar like windows being oriented a certain way, trees providing shade in summer but not winter, and heat sinks as being the most cost effective way to harness energy.
High cost solar panels used to produce electricity are still out of reach of most people and not cost effective in most cases.
Of course it's not about real solutions with the Dems it's about appearances. Ask Al Gore.
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