On the stump, Senate Dem candidates split with Obama over Keystone pipeline

[xchrom]

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/220009-on-the-stump-dems-go-their-own-way-on-keystone

President Obama has steered clear of taking a firm stance on the Keystone pipeline, but many Democrats running for Senate don’t have the same luxury.

Eight of the 18 non-incumbent Democrats running for Senate surveyed by The Hill either steadfastly support the pipeline or oppose it outright, breaking with Obama’s decision to reserve judgment on the project until federal regulators conduct a full review.

Republican Senate hopefuls have made the pipeline — which would carry oil sands crude from Alberta, Canada, to refineries on the Gulf Coast — a top campaign issue. The emphasis on the pipeline has forced many Democratic candidates to stake out a clear position on the project, whether they like it or not.

TransCanada Corp.'s Keystone XL pipeline has ignited a firestorm in Washington.

The president denied a cross-border permit for the pipeline in January, infuriating Republicans and launching a thorny political debate in Congress that has forced vulnerable Senate Democrats to weigh in on the project. But Obama has said his decision to reject the pipeline was based not on its merits, but on a 60-day, GOP-backed deadline included in legislation to extend the payroll tax cut.

[brooklynite]

1. Two US Senators have told me personally...

...that they expect the Dems to end up supporting it, because you can't convince voters that more oil in the US doesn't mean lower gas prices.

[newfie11]

2. I am appalled at the stupidity of voters in this country

If this passes and there are leaks (and that is a given) I hope they enjoy the higher cost of food once the Ogallala is polluted. Then again maybe they don't mind eating oil with that! Our irrigation water comes from mountain lakes in Wyoming but our drinking water comes right out of the Ogallala. Might be finally time to sell the farm and move out of this country if this goes through.