Trump mocks Democrats\' Green New Deal

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) At the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland, President Trump on Saturday mocked the "Green New Deal", an initiative introduced by Democrats that aims to slash U.S. carbon dioxide emissions to negligible levels in a decade.

"No planes.

No energy.

When the wind stops blowing that's the end of your electric," Trump said as the crowd cheered.

The "Green New Deal" introduced last month marked the first formal attempt by lawmakers to define legislation to create big government-led investments in clean energy, infrastructure and social programs. The goal is to transition the U.S. economy away from burning fossil fuels and emitting greenhouse gasses blamed for climate change, rising sea levels and severe storms. The initiative was unveiled by Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a rising political star, and Senator Edward Markey.

The initiative has the backing of almost all the Democrats declared as candidates seeking for the party's nomination in the 2020 presidential election.

Republicans have used the Green New Deal to try to sow discord within the Democratic party, painting their political rivals as shifting to the left and embracing extreme policies.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had called the Green New Deal a "green dream" and some Democrats in fossil fuel-dependent or rural districts have stayed quiet on their position.