CNBC Host: Al Gore a ‘Charlatan,’ and a ‘Villain’

Most of the media may be convinced by Al Gore-style climate alarmism, but CNBC’s Joe Kernen isn’t afraid to speak his mind.

Joe Kernen, co-host of  “Squawk Box” called the inclusion of Former Vice President Al Gore on CNBC’s list of “Top Leaders, Icons and Rebels” both “stupid” and “ludicrous.” His Feb. 11, comments came after fellow co-host Andrew Ross Sorkin suggested that CNBC ought to include Gore on their “First 25” list for his contribution to global warming awareness.

Kernen went even further, suggesting that if Gore would be included only if the list allowed for “charlatans and villains on there” and “as long as we put Ken Lay and some of the others. “

He added “Madoff’s got to be on there too,” although he clarified that he was not “equating” Gore to these criminals.

Bernie Madoff, a prominent hedge fund manager, was arrested in 2008 for a massive “Ponzi scheme” estimated at $50 billion [1] dollars. In addition, Ken Lay was the CEO of Enron Corporation and was convicted of six counts of conspiracy and fraud in 2006 [2] for his role in the company’s corrupt financial practices.

Kernen expressed skepticism in global warming and in its importance to the business community. He criticized climate change models, saying “at this point, the data is not going the models’ way.” In fact, even some climate alarmists have admitted [3] that their models are failing.

He claimed that climate change isn’t even an important issue for many people, especially in the business community. Kernen said, “When you ask people the most important concerns that they have, there’s 15 of them above that. Are you sure that it’s paramount in everyone else’s mind?”  He did not name the survey he was referring to.

Kernen is no stranger to making controversial statements bashing liberals. In September 2012, Kernen accused liberal economists [4] Paul Krugman and Dean Baker of being “co-communists in a lot of different economic circles,” while also referring to Baker as an “idiot.”