Editorial: Politics of the pipeline denial Obama’s jobs cheerleading rings hollow

The Orange County Register ^ | 1-19-2012 | Orange County Register editorial boarad

[landsbaum]

By denying a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline this week, President Barack Obama may succeed in delaying until after November's election the politically difficult decision of which loyal constituency to offend, big labor or environmental activists.

What is more certain is that the political maneuvering to deny a permit for the controversial 1,600-mile pipeline from Canadian wells to Texas refineries has an immediate, deleterious effect: It costs America thousands of jobs. The president's decision is contrary to consumer needs, ultimately contributing to higher energy prices, and misses an opportunity to reduce reliance on oil from unfriendly nations.

[FrankR]

[yup2394871293]

I think the pipeline is more important for reducing the effects of price shocks on the US than for jobs, but I don’t how Obama can defend his position either way. He’s just sucking up to his nutty followers.

[radioone]

I’d much rather send my money to Canada than those Arab, and other, Dictators that fund worldwide terrorism.

[no dems]

This, and ObamaCare, needs to be the two biggest campaign themes of 2012.

[no dems]

LOL........... Now, that’s funny.

[Figment]

The president’s decision is contrary to consumer needs, ultimately contributing to higher energy prices, and misses an opportunity to reduce reliance on oil from unfriendly nations.

And the very real risk that the oil will be sold to China instead

[ZOOKER]

This is a message that even the dimmest of voters can and should understand - Obama will put his own interests before the needs of his country and its citizens.

Thousands of jobs lost, perhaps permanently.
A much-needed evergy source lost, maybe for good.
An opportunity to break our dependence on oil from our enemies, given away - perhaps irrevocably.
A chance to stimulate our struggling industries and help struggling homeowners with cheaper energy bills, delayed (permanently?)

And for what reason? His own reelection campaign!

If a Republican President did this, how do you think the media would take it?

[Carry_Okie]

He’s just sucking up to his nutty followers.

Nonsense. He's sucking up to big oil, as the Democrats always have. They just demonize it as part of the charade while they regulate the market to keep prices high. High oil prices have the added benefit of the people coming to them for relief.