Politics

Bill Clinton: ‘We Should Embrace’ Keystone Pipeline

One of the “best things” about being out of office is that “you can say whatever the heck you want.” At least according to former President Bill Clinton, who said the federal government should in fact “embrace” the Keystone XL pipeline that the Obama administration rejected last month.

“One of the most amazing things to me about this Keystone pipeline deal is that they ever filed that route in the first place since they could’ve gone around the Nebraska Sandhills and avoided most of the danger, no matter how imagined, to the Ogallala with a different route, which I presume we’ll get now, because the extra cost of running it is infinitesimal compared to the revenues that will be generated over a long period of time,” Clinton said during his keynote address at the Energy Innovation Summit Wednesday.

“So, I think we should embrace it and develop a stakeholder-driven system of high standards for doing the work.”

Daily Caller’s Nicholas Ballasy provides the video and adds:

Clinton’s wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, would have to approve the pipeline since it crosses international borders.

In his remarks, Mr. Clinton mentioned the advantages of not occupying 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. [...]

Toward the end of his speech, Clinton joked, “We are left with a time of real excitement here that probably won’t make the front page of the Washington Post tomorrow unless I say something outrageous which will embarrass the Secretary of State.”

 

But while getting to say whatever you want may be nice, Clinton did note the irony that “one of the saddest things about being a former president is that nobody necessarily cares what you say anymore…”

Comments (105)

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  • 1947
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 8:44pm

    This man has a set of BRASS B LLS. What side is he working for at this time. He doesn’t the back bone to meet the American people. He’s always in the back after he get a small group to start listing to his wet rag bull Sh t. He is part of your present problem and don’t over look that his wife if a COMMIE.

    Report Post »  
  • MarcusFL
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 8:37pm

    Could he have purchased stock? hmmmm

    Report Post »  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 9:33pm

      I’m thinking this is a balloon that he is floating on behalf of the Secretary of State.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • GO-FOR-LIBERTY
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 8:03am

      The words clinton and embrace should not appear in the same sentence—for obvious reasons.

      Report Post »  
    • AOL_REFUGEE
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 11:17am

      Apparently Billy Bob is trying to claim he’s irresponsible and irrelevant with his comments.

      Report Post » AOL_REFUGEE  
    • BarackStalin
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 4:25pm

      No, Marc,

      He just loves us and he wants what is best for us.

      Report Post » BarackStalin  
  • KingCanon
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:56pm

    This statement speaks volumes and will boost the liberal ticket. Ouch!

    Report Post » KingCanon  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:21pm

    Oh yeah, Hiliary is definately running in four years, betcha.

    Report Post »  
  • mmm535
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:15pm

    “One of the most amazing things to me about this Keystone pipeline deal is that they ever filed that route in the first place since they could’ve gone around the Nebraska Sandhills and avoided most of the danger, no matter how imagined, to the Ogallala with a different route, which I presume we’ll get now, because the extra cost of running it is infinitesimal compared to the revenues that will be generated over a long period of time”

    Exactly. Good thing Canada is revising their proposal. President Obama said way ahead of time that if none of those reroutes were made, he would reject the proposal. No compromises were made, and guess what happened. There will be a much higher chance of approval if those proposing the pipelines are willing to give up the small margins of profit involved in a slightly longer pipeline, and agree to a rerouting of Keystone. Once it is finally approved and implemented, though it will take a while to impact prices at the pump, it should go a long way in helping reduce dependence on Middle East oil.

    To anyone feeling particularly pessimistic: there‘s no way China’s getting this pipeline. Canada would not be revising their proposal if they wanted China getting in on this.

    Report Post »  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 8:03pm

      Would you provide link(s) to your statement obama demanded alternate routes? That is the first time I have heard that claim. If the potus had made that statement publicly, I for one would think a little differently of him.

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • mmm535
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 9:04pm

      I’ll take a look for it. It was in a conversation with environmentalists I believe, it wasn’t an official statement. But the sentiment of the Left on the whole was very much out in the open, with regards to those sensitive areas of the country where the pipeline would have gone through. There was an official statement that the Obama Administration is allowing the resubmission of the proposal with reroutes, though.

      I’d put money on an approval once Keystone proposes its reroutes. I, for one, am for it… With regards to oil, I really don’t think Obama is as liberal or “green” as people make him out to be. Rejecting the first pipeline, though very conditional, was one of the first times the extreme environmentalists in San Francisco seemed genuinely satisfied with him.

      Report Post »  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 9:58pm

      MMM535
      First of all welcome to the Blaze.

      You will find within our diverse opinions here we post links to our claims. In the media I have seen on keystone, studies have been done for the past three years, then ‘suddenly’ there was this outcry about this aquifer and some envio sensitive areas. Personally, if I am going to build a widget that will reap me profits for fifty years or more; adding five cents on the dollar at start-up is trivial.

      SO what is the whole story?

      The potus as of yet has no control on the re-submission of the pipeline with changes; he is not dictator yet. It puzzles me – if this was obama’s opposition why did he not state it?

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • mmm535
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 1:00am

      Stoic One,
      Thank You for welcoming me to the site. I’m sorry for not linking you off the bat. I have been reading The Blaze and its comments for a year and I have yet to witness the source citing phenomenon you speak of. I was a little offended you went on in the next sentence to mention ‘studies’– why, I don’t really understand– and not cite any sources either. I‘m going to assume you’re referring to some set of studies done by oil companies.

      I‘m not sure I’ll actually find the clip I was thinking of, but here is an article I had bookmarked from a little bit before that, chronologically speaking:
      http://www.mercurynews.com/presidentelect/ci_19489837

      You will notice that President Obama, up until the environmental groups really laid on the pressure, allowed for the possibility that the pipeline would be approved. In fact, people seemed really optimistic he would approve it. But he told Stephen Harper that he had to consider opinions from both the Left and the Right before he could come to a decision, and that he would not rush into anything. Basic stuff there. The opinions from the Left, both from environmental groups and their representatives in Congress, were explicitly resisting the pipeline’s route just as much as its very existence. They had their own ‘studies’. That I’m sure you can Google.

      It’s a old concept that politicians cater to their key constituents. President Obama had to appease the Left first, and will likely appease the Right close

      Report Post »  
    • mmm535
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 1:17am

      Also, I think we may be talking about different things…

      Remember that the project is just delayed and under review.

      I really don’t think the Left has enough of a reason to reject it, save for the extreme greeners.

      I thought this was an interesting read as well.
      http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/01/21/while-obama-delays-controversial-keystone-oil-pipeline-vast-network-energy/

      P.S. In my above comment I actually meant ‘after chronologically’.

      But I would be interested to see any studies you found interesting. I know that there are a number of people claiming that the pipeline would be a great deal safer than some of the old rickety ones in the midwest.

      Report Post »  
  • cuinsong
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:11pm

    Hay guys this is not about Bill and all these whimsical comments are funny but it really is about our energy future and jobs which this admin. seems to be interested in destroying. I think this is a glaring example of NObama’s hate for this country and these songs fit him well called
    “Don’t Get Him Started” http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_11916731
    “The Devils Song” http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_10789987

    Report Post » cuinsong  
  • Winkycat
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:11pm

    What a hypocrite. He waits till the keystone project is in China’s hands and then spouts out the obvious.

    Report Post »  
  • aChameleon
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:10pm

    If you wait long enough, Bill Clinton will be right about something.

    Report Post » aChameleon  
    • GeorgieJo
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:17pm

      SlickBill knows how to pick cigars???

      Report Post »  
    • ddg7
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 7:32am

      He‘s also a proponent of getting ’HIS’ pipeline embraced!

      Report Post »  
  • GOWINGS
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:09pm

    I miss the good old days of having a moderate liberal Democrat in the oval office. Just goes to show you har far left the Dem’s have gone.

    Report Post » GOWINGS  
  • Micmac
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:08pm

    Clinton sees what NoBama doesn’t. Having had to move right for a second term he is able to put on another foil hat and analyze from that perspective. He knows that the pipeline will be a big issue during the D-R debates that can hurt the D’s on several issues. The one thing that Billy has always been able to do is see ahead and map accordingly. Like where to stash his many affairs so Helloree wouldn’t find out, even though she always new.

    NoBama 2012

    Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:07pm

    …
    Americans have short memories.
    Bill Clinton was IMPEACHED!

    Report Post »  
    • Razorhunters
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:13pm

      only by the house…i know dam shame, but all knew was just a game.

      Report Post » Razorhunters  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:38pm

      He was impeached over small matters, Obama has done much worse and not a peep. Both the house and senate are full of traitorous dogs.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • jespasinthru
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 11:56pm

      LEADNOTFOLLOW, Clinton wasn’t impeached. They tried to impeach him, but it didn’t stick. If the impeachment had gone through, he would have been kicked out of office right then and there

      Report Post » jespasinthru  
  • momprayn
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:05pm

    Not that I’m unduly cynical of politicians…..especially this one…..but somehow I wonder why he is going against the Admin. on this since Hillary is out there supporting him although I don‘t know if she’s said anything on this. We do know she and Bill hate Obama, according to many credible people and yes, we know she has said she has no interest in running again – but then we also know she lies a lot and she said the same thing just before she ran in 2008. I’m still not going to be surprised if she does run. That’ll be interesting.

    Report Post »  
    • antrancher
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:34pm

      Hilary is much more dangerous than Bill. that’s a fact!

      Report Post »  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:39pm

      “Hilary is much more dangerous than Bill. that’s a fact!”

      just ask Vince Foster

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
  • bastone
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:04pm

    at least ol billy likes women. unlike the repub bible thumpers

    Report Post »  
    • aChameleon
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:08pm

      lol

      Report Post » aChameleon  
    • aChameleon
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:11pm

      That‘s the dumbest thing I’ve heard all day.

      Report Post » aChameleon  
    • dblaess
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:16pm

      why yes, yes he does. also he understood not to be the president of “NO” like your current hero.

      Report Post »  
  • OhSnappage
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:04pm

    Oh Slick Willy, Most of us with a brain have long since stopped listening to what you have to say for quite some time. But it seems your consistant as ever in pitching misinformation.

    Report Post » OhSnappage  
  • Armyforlife
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:03pm

    ” … stakeholder-driven system of high standards … ” Sounds alot like union talk to me

    Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:02pm

    …
    Bill Clinton stated near the end of his speech, “We are left with a time of real excitement here, that probably won’t make the front page of the Washington Post tomorrow, unless I say something outrageous, which will embarrass the Secretary of State (Hillary Clinton).”

    WHAT A HYPOCRITE!!!

    It’s way too late for Bill to be worried about embarrassing his wife Hillary (Secretary of State). He wasn’t too worried about embarrassing her, when he was getting his saxophone tooted by Monica Lewinsky, while HE was President of the United States.
    HE embarrassed the WHOLE NATION!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Eric_The_Red_State
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 6:59pm

    Bill Clinton has been embracing his own pipeline for too long now.
    He’s about to go blind

    Report Post » Eric_The_Red_State  
    • bastone
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:03pm

      at least he gets cought with women. unlike the repubs who get caught with each other

      Report Post »  
    • Razorhunters
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:23pm

      barry was caught with a knobber and crack in the limo…
      barney frank…etcetc

      actually all in dc and state govt are more than likely pervs.

      Report Post » Razorhunters  
  • SoundStride
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 6:57pm

    Translation -the Nebraska Sand Hills are full of hot young intern puntang of coarse he wants to embrace it.

    Report Post » SoundStride  
    • Charles
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 8:26pm

      Of course. Unless the path is rocky and poorly planned.

      Report Post »  
  • MCDAVE
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 6:56pm

    This is a first for me…I agree with Bill Clinton..build the pipeline..Quickly

    Report Post »  
    • SHOWMESTATEGUY
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:01pm

      Tell you what. I never did like Bill but he would be 100 percent better than what we are stuck with now. I think if Bill had married someone other than Hillary he might have done better during his term in office.

      Report Post »  
  • johnpaulkuchtajr
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 6:55pm

    How much you want to bet that the Canadian pipeline company has a stack of 8“ x 10” glossy color photos of Bill Clinton and a farm animal?

    Report Post »  
  • TH30PH1LUS
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 6:54pm

    One of the “best things” about being out of office is that “you can say whatever the heck you want.” SAID THE MAN who lied under oath while in office.

    Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 7:42pm

      Almost everyone in DC has lied under oath. Impeach them all.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
  • gr8t2bfree
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 6:51pm

    Wow! Clinton finally found a brain!

    Report Post » gr8t2bfree  
  • LIBS-ARE-DINGLEHEADS
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 6:46pm

    I wonder who paid Billie to say this. You can bet someone did.

    Report Post » LIBS-ARE-DINGLEHEADS  
  • CleanUpAisle2013
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 6:42pm

    ” … stakeholder-driven system of high standards … ” ??!! Maybe I’m just too ignorant to understand that but I do know that a Democrat/Liberal using the words “high standards” is suspicious

    Report Post » CleanUpAisle2013  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 6:36pm

    Obama will still make sure this deal never happens. His cronies benefit too much from it.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Buck Shane
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 6:47pm

      I wonder who’s paying Clinton to be on the other side.

      Report Post » Buck Shane  
  • MYHEROISRON
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 8:33pm

    Bill, the best thing about you being out of office was suppose to be the American people not having to hear your voice or see your face … EVER AGAIN!! You are dishonest, you have no integrity, you are beyond corruption, and if the Secret Service did their job you would be placed under arrest for treason!

    Report Post » MYHEROISRON  
  • islamhater
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 8:35pm

    @Wiredmanonly24: You have been brainwash’ed. Take your Agenda 21 NWO crapp and stick it. Please do some real research and educate yourself to the real world.

    Report Post »  
  • thomas242007
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 8:38pm

    Hey since your obviously one of the intelligent liberals with all the answers to our problems, then how about you tell us how we can generate jobs that will be there in 3 years, obviously solyndra solar energy wan’t the answer that went belly up so obviously that isnt the answer, you can go ahead and keep giving your money to our enemies who want to see our country go belly up and us dead, but many of my fellow americans arent going to do it were tired of supporting the people who want us dead, we need jobs here screw iran, screw china, screw india our economy is suffering and needs a pick me up

    Report Post » thomas242007  
  • oneopinion
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 8:47pm

    There are creditable studies and research that indicates that oil is not a finite commodity. It is in fact a naturally reoccurring product from the earth’s mantle. I’m sure all the phony science and manipulation of facts about the causal relationship between man and global warming are of no concern to those that also want to keep their head in the sand. Try reading Melt Down by Patrick Michaels. He believes the globe is warming just not because we drive cars.
    I too would like to have some other product to use for transportation but Pres. Obama has shown that he cares nothing about this and is just busy handing out money to anyone that can say “green” and “business” in the same speech. Example, Solyndra was continuing to receive federal handouts and bonuses AFTER they were bankrupt. Also, the largest investors were guided by the Energy Dept. on how to request more money so it could be given to the largest investors so they could recover most of their “investment”.
    Electric cars, wind, solar and other hoped for technologies have been worked on for more than 100 years – maybe someday but not yet. So, in light of that we had better do something. If you like how Europe functions, go there. As for me and most others in America we want our Freedom and Liberty not some bureaucratic agency with no one responsible telling us how to live, travel, eat, sleep, wash clothes, mow lawns, how to make soap, and every other thing they can imagine.

    Report Post »  
  • voodoolife
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 9:32pm

    Wireman, the entire world is doing it. The computer you posted your rant with needs oil to be made, the Prius you (I assume) drive, clothes you wear, the list is endless. I don’t see you in a mad rush to become Amish, so until you do, or go live in a mud hut and weave your clothes out of twigs and grass (because I know you would not dare use leather) then your rant is pointless. Not saying we should not do what we can to make a ‘cleaner world’, but in the mean time, we NEED OIL!!! Got it? Have a wonderful day drinking Starbucks coffee constructed from a machine made from petroleum that a gas powered truck brought to the store. :)

    Report Post » voodoolife  
  • SupaNami
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 9:38pm

    yes people make money where ever it’s to be made … who wouldn’t jump on that? if you say you wouldn‘t you’re lying to yourself .. insider trading should be illegal for all but it‘s legal for congress and the House but for us common people it’s illegal … Nancy Pelosi “that evil bitch” ..has made millions from Insider Trading and im sure alot of Republicans have done the same .. the fact is they are law makers ..and control everything … this has to stop

    Report Post »  
  • hypnos
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 10:39pm

    Wireman , since we won’t build a nuclear power and coal is out and oil and natural gas are also severely restricted. WTF do you we suggest we use for energy and don’t just say wind or solar. Maybe capt Kirk can fire up a fusion reactor or the warp core.

    Report Post » hypnos  
  • db321
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 11:16pm

    Wireman24 – next time God creates a planet maybe he will ask you how he should design it. You need to get a grip and stop drinking the Liberal Tea! I want a perfect World too – one with out people like you.

    Report Post » db321  
  • team1blazer
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 11:39pm

    Wireman, sorry dude, but you’ve been brainwashed by the greenocraps. We’ve got PLENTY of energy (real, efficient, cost effective energy, not the pie in the sky wind/solar/biomass), but if we dont allow their development, we will VERY SOON find out what $50/gal looks like, and that is NOT a typo.

    Report Post » team1blazer  
  • jespasinthru
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 11:48pm

    ONEOPINION actually gets it! There is no such thing as “fossil fuels”. Oil is not made from long-melted dinosaurs. It is created the same way as gold, uranium and rare earth metals. Chemical processes deep within the Earth’s core combine to create these elements. Over many mellinnia, tectonic upheavals force these elements closer to the Earth’s surface and make them accessible to Man. Some of y’all need to turn off the computer and the TV and just read a real book once in a while.

    Report Post » jespasinthru  
  • rayb1
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 11:52pm

    Wow, what world are you living in?

    Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:26am

    …
    I don’t care if polar bears become extinct, because their main diet consists of seals.
    I like seals way more than I like polar bears.

    Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:29am

    …
    We have plenty of oil in the USA.
    Drill here, drill now!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Mateytwo Barreett
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 7:35am

    You refer to tar sands. .that is a Canadian situation,- or course you would have no problem interferring with a soverign country’s rights when it come to the “polar bears. Inferior oils? What?!
    Don’t worry man, Bill is just positioning the Hilldabeast in case some of Yurboi Barry’s house of cards starts to collapse.

    Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
  • Bill
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 1:28pm

    Does your handle mean that you are an Electrician out of local 24 in Baltimore? If so, I too. This means that we are both highly educated. But where in the hell have you been for the 4 years. Everything that you have posted about has been proven to be a hoax, or mostly un-true and or exaggerated. We now know that the US has more coal, Nat gas and sweet oil than any country in the world. Or maybe you must be one of the EPA supervisers! Also you should know that the price of oil also drives the priceof all food, most consumables, plastic packaging, all types of transportation means and generating electricity. WOW

    Report Post »  
  • d.good
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 10:40pm

    Remember Y2K and what happen? We learnt that driving mass hysteria creates pay days for small group of people. The public simply likes to be negative but things aren’t so bad. I recall issuing contracts to help protect our systems and spending New year’s eve at the office waiting to respond to the crash and what happen “nothing” but the demand for computer programmer/analyst went through the roof . All the hype and evidence does not point to global warming, there is evidence that point to the contrary. There is more facts that the Keystone Pipeline is for the betterment of America so why wouldn’t more Americans embrace it and tell Canada to get err done.

    Report Post »  
  • txjb
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 9:51pm

    wire , are you saying our God , the creator of this planet had something else in mind for the oil He created ? It was made for our use .

    Report Post »  
  • hypnos
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 10:52pm

    Wireman what ever your smoking I’d ask for your money back

    Report Post » hypnos  
  • hypnos
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 10:48pm

    Wireman wake up. Whereis your solution.

    Report Post » hypnos  
  • txjb
    Posted on February 29, 2012 at 11:23pm

    There’s coming a time when you will have the chance , but believe this , you will not spit in His face ! Now about the dominion thing , you will have to borrow a Bible then go to Genesis 1:26 . I know I’ve wasted my here , maybe there is a chance for you .

    Report Post »  
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