Coal "Clearner" Than Natural Gas? -- Almost Too Good To Be True

I have not checked the links that this article references, stating that natural gas, as it is currently being produced from the Marcellus, actually leaves a larger "carbon footprint" than coal.

Long-term readers of this blog know my feelings about "carbon footprints" and man's role in global warming, so I'm not going to take the time to do anything more than comment on the linked article.

The author says that if this is "true," that natural gas production through hydraulic fracking is leaving a larger "carbon footprint" than coal, then coal is the "real winner." 

If the public can be convinced that natural gas is not as clean as we all think, the reasoning goes, then "coal" is the real winner.

My thought: for the foreseeable future, both coal and natural gas will do well. Something tells me scientific studies comparing "carbon footprints" between coal and natural gas will not change anyone's mind regarding either, or change minds about fossil fuels in general. As JRR Tolkien said, we all have our myths.