Rick Perry: Sorry I Tried To Eliminate The Department I Now Want To Run

He meant he wants to run it. Poorly. Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian, hosts of The Young Turks, discuss. Tell us what you think in the comment section below.

"Rick Perry, the former Texas governor and President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nominee as energy secretary, said in his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday that he regretted having recommended the abolition of the Energy Department in the past.

He addressed his awkward history on the issue up front, telling the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee that after “being briefed on so many of the vital functions of the Department of Energy,” he no longer believed, as he said while running for president in 2011, that it should be eliminated.

Mr. Perry also offered a full-throated reversal of his views on the science of human-caused climate change, which he called a “contrived, phony mess” in a 2010 book.

“I believe the climate is changing,” he said. “I believe some of it is naturally occurring, but some of it is also caused by man-made activity. The question is: How do we address it in a thoughtful way that doesn’t compromise economic growth, the affordability of energy or American jobs?”

Continue reading the main story

Mr. Trump, by contrast, has called climate change a “hoax” and has continued to express doubts about established climate science.

Mr. Perry also appeared to signal a somewhat different position from Mr. Trump on nuclear weapons policy, the Energy Department’s chief portfolio.

Mr. Trump has said the United States must “greatly strengthen and expand” its nuclear capability, “Let it be an arms race,” he said.

But Mr. Perry, asked by Senator Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent, whether he believed expanded testing of nuclear weapons was a “dangerous idea,” replied, “I think anyone would be of the opinion that if we never have to test another nuclear weapon that would be a good thing for the world.”

He added, “I think nonproliferation is a good thing.”

Asked if he would support the Iran nuclear deal — which Mr. Trump has derided and which was largely negotiated by the current energy secretary, Ernest J. Moniz — Mr. Perry said he had not received classified briefings on it.

“If D.O.E. has a role to make sure that Iranians are living up to the deal, message delivered, sir,” Mr. Perry said to Senator Al Franken, Democrat of Minnesota.”*

Read more here

Hosts: Cenk Uygur, Ana Kasparian

Cast: Cenk Uygur, Ana Kasparian

***

The Largest Online News Show in the World. Hosted by Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian. LIVE STREAMING weekdays 68pm ET.

Young Turk (n), 1. Young progressive or insurgent member of an institution, movement, or political party. 2. Young person who rebels against authority or societal expectations. (American Heritage Dictionary)

Download audio and video of the full two hour show ondemand + the membersonly post game show by becoming a member at Your membership supports the day to day operations and is vital for our continued success and growth.

Get The Young Turks Mobile App Today!

Download the iOS version here

Download the Android version here