On September 4th Andrew Yang spoke about "Thorium Reactors" to a CNN Town Hall audience concerned about Climate Change.
There was some gnashing of teeth among people more concerned with rolling out PWR, and maintaining the fleet, than any sort of pivot to T-MSR. And, yeah, I get it. But please take a moment to absorb this contrasting Q&A on nuclear, as supplied by RNC oppo-research:
What a great question! Then muddled up by rephrasing by the moderator. Then totally not-answered by the candidate, low-polling Marianne Williamson. It gives an idea the total range of responses on the question of nuclear from the Dems... if you haven't already heard Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders on the subject.
It is very possible that all nuclear progress will halt in 2020... don't ya think?
How much private investment will any nuclear receive if Bernie Sanders is elected?
So when a candidate laments a fleet build out of "antiquated technology" (yes a statement that pisses off a great many people) I think it is still worth considering all of Andrew Yang's statements on nuclear, and not turn public focus solely towards what we disagree with.
Obviously Cory Booker is a long-standing advocate for Advanced Nuclear.
Between them, there's a consensus on the value of the existing fleet. And combined they do a great job reinforcing each other's messages.