Environment

Obama on Keystone: The Republicans Made Me Do It

CUSHING, Okla. (AP/The Blaze) — President Barack Obama firmly defended his record on oil drilling Thursday, ordering the government to fast-track an Oklahoma pipeline while accusing Congress of playing politics with a larger Canada-to-Gulf Coast project.

Deep in Republican oil country, Obama said lawmakers refused to give his administration enough time review the controversial 1,170-mile Keystone XL pipeline in order to ensure that it wouldn’t compromise the health and safety of people living in surrounding areas.

“Unfortunately, Congress decided they wanted their own timeline,” Obama said. “Not the company, not the experts, but members of Congress who decided this might be a fun political issue decided to try to intervene and make it impossible for us to make an informed decision.”

Facing fresh criticism from Republicans who blame him for gas prices near $4 a gallon, Obama announced Thursday that he was directing federal agencies to expedite the southern segment of the Keystone line. The 485-mile line will run from Cushing, Okla., to refineries on Texas‘ Gulf Coast that would remove a critical bottleneck in the country’s oil transportation system. The directive would also apply to other pipelines that alleviate choke points.

“Anyone who says that we‘re somehow suppressing domestic oil production isn’t paying attention,” Obama said, speaking at the site of the new Oklahoma project.

Republicans said the moves were little more than a publicity stunt, arguing that it wouldn’t help Canadian company TransCanada build the pipeline any sooner. Construction is expected to begin in June with completion next year.

“The American people can’t afford more half-measures on energy from the president. No matter what he says, the reality is he killed the Keystone pipeline and the energy production and 20,000 jobs that went with it,” said Kirsten Kukowski, a Republican National Committee spokeswoman.

Environmentalists were also critical. Susan Casey-Lefkowitz of the Natural Resources Defense Council said Obama’s move was “downright foolhardy to cut corners on safety reviews for permitting” the Texas-to-Oklahoma line, “especially when the industry has a history of oil spills.”

Obama’s order urges speedy review of the Cushing project and directs federal agencies to incorporate previous environmental studies of the Keystone proposal that included the southern route.

The use of previous studies should help move the project forward more quickly than if a review of the project started from scratch, although it’s unclear exactly how much time the expedited review will save.

Republicans call the president’s actions a belated attempt to take credit for a project over which he has relatively little control. While federal agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers and the Interior Department play a role in the approval process for the domestic portion of the pipeline, states have a more direct say in approving the route.

The full Keystone pipeline became a political flashpoint late last year when congressional Republicans wrote a provision forcing Obama to make a decision, and environmental groups waged a campaign to kill the project. Obama delayed the project in January.

Obama has been highlighting his energy agenda this week in Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma and later Thursday in battleground Ohio, a trip that reflects the degree to which high gas prices have begun hitting consumers in their pocketbooks.

For Obama’s advisers, rising gas prices pose a threat to his re-election bid because they could undermine the benefits of a payroll tax cut that he made the centerpiece of his jobs agenda last fall – Congress approved the tax cut extension in February – and throttle the economic recovery.

Republicans view rising gas prices as emblematic of Obama’s energy record and hope to tag him with the blame even though no president has much control over prices at the pump. Gas prices have risen more than 50 cents a gallon since January in response to a standoff over Iran’s nuclear program that has threatened to disrupt Middle East oil supplies.

GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum, campaigning at a Harvey, La., company that services oil rigs, said Obama’s administration should open more federal lands for leases to boost U.S. oil production and revenue for the federal government.

“Here’s an opportunity for us in this country to do something about it: increasing jobs, lowering energy prices, decreasing the deficit, all of the things you would think the president of the United States would be for,” Santorum said.

Mitt Romney, Santorum’s chief rival for the Republican nomination, has labeled Obama’s top energy advisers as the “gas hike trio,” urging the president to fire three Cabinet secretaries because of the high prices.

Obama was ending the day with a stop in battleground Ohio, talking about automobile research and development at Ohio State University in Columbus. The president has cited his decision to raise fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon for new vehicles by 2025 as an important step in conserving oil and saving consumers at the gas pump.

Obama has repeatedly invoked his decision to rescue General Motors and Chrysler from collapse with billions in federal aid, a move that saved hundreds of thousands of auto assembly and supplier jobs in Ohio, Michigan and elsewhere. Romney opposed the bailout, and Obama’s team intends to make it a stark contrast between the two candidates if the former Massachusetts governor wins the GOP nomination.

Comments (60)

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  • saranda
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 7:39pm

    Repubsgiggled like school girls when they forced a quick decision on the full pipeline, now deny having done so when it kinda backfires. When do the schoolyard games end?

    Report Post »  
  • Lucy Larue
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 7:33pm

    Oui…,the Republicans made him do it. UGH!
    I am so weary of a President that thinks he is the leader of ZIMBABWE! I am weary!

    The genius “Dr. Suess“ wrote a book called ”Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now”. He did.
    I wanted to share this book because everything he says about Mooney fits EXACTLY my message to my President.

    Suess says,”The time has come. The time is now.Just go.. GO! I don’t care how. You can go by foot. You can go by cow. Marvin K. Mooney, will you please go now!
    You can go on skates. You can go on skis. You can go in a hat. But please go, Please! I don’t care. You can go by bike. Youcan go on a zike bike if you like.
    If you like you can go in an old blue shoe. Just go,go,GO! Please do,do,DO!

    Marvin K. Mooney, I don’t care how, Marvin K. Mooney will you please go NOW!

    I do not want to be cited for COPYRIGHT infringement. I do not. But please Blazers substitute Barack Hussein Obama for Marvin K. Mooney and Dr. Suess is clairvoyant!

    The time has come.
    The time is now.
    Just go. Go. I don’t care how. You can go by foot. You can go by cow. Barack Hussein Obama will you please go now!
    You can go on skates. You can go on skis. You can go in a hat. But please go. Please!

    Read the Suess classic. Substitute Barack for Marvin. It has a happy ending!

    Report Post »  
    • TeaPartyForRomney
      Posted on March 22, 2012 at 8:04pm

      Here is the Republican response to Obama blaming Congress. This is their new web ad: http://www.thedailycandidate.com/video/2012/mar/rnc_ad_solyndra_obama.html

      Report Post »  
    • MYHEROISRON
      Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:40am

      Aww, the Republicans made me do it … aww.

      How ’bout this, OBAMMY, you lousy POS! Everything you own has been given to you, and all of yer problems are always someone elses fault. Yer nothing but a communist muslim and a traitor!!

      Report Post » MYHEROISRON  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on March 23, 2012 at 2:31pm

      If the Republicans made him do it then we are on a roll. I’m sure a list can be made of other things that he can be made to do. Also, ” The president has cited his decision to raise fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon for new vehicles by 2025 as an important step in conserving oil and saving consumers at the gas pump.” That really helps now. I doubt he’ll see it.

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 7:02pm

    There was nothing to REVIEW: We needed it; Just do it! No… The Devil made him kill it!

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • cosette
      Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:04am

      I’m old enough to remember the “Flip Wilson” show. He was a black entertainer who had a variety show, much like Carol Burnettes’, in the 70′s. He had an ongoing skit which featured a character, much like the one in the white house, who never took responsibility for his actions. His mantra was “The devil made me do it”. We have all been watching that skit in real time since Jan. 20, 2008. It’s called the Obama administration. He is the Flip (off America) Wilson of our time.

      Report Post »  
  • TerryDo
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 7:01pm

    President Pointing Fingers, can’t take responsibility for nothing, except killing Osama bin Laden, he claims the Republicans made him do it, regarding his decision on the Canadian Keystone project.

    Report Post »  
  • JACKTHETOAD
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 6:33pm

    Man, oh man! I‘ve heard of people beatin’ a dead horse, but this guy is RIDING this one! Good efx team, I’ll bet. You can’t even see the wires.

    Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
  • ThePostman
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 6:31pm

    Well maybe if he can’t make a timely decision on something as simple as a pipeline, he should not be in charge of making life and death decisions about nuclear weapons.

    Report Post »  
  • chevy65
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 6:24pm

    every time the government increases the fuel standards they are basically causing more people to die in accidents. By making auto makers reach those limits they have to lighten the vehicle and it cant help but cause more deaths. soon we all be riding around in cardboard boxes. why not let people make those choices for themselves? I prefer to keep my grandkids safe by driving a big ol car is the choice I want to make. I swear I’m starting to think that Ron is the best choice. ( ok, that’s a bit extreme) Why can‘t these leaders realize that I’m the best person to decide things for myself?

    Report Post »  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on March 22, 2012 at 6:37pm

      Mr. President, just how many years do you need to approve a pipeline?
      The ONLY reason you are involved at all, is that it crosses international borders.
      As such, your involvement should be directly related to concerns related to the border.
      You’ve had years already, racing toward a decade, to study this piece of pipe! Just how much do you need to study plumbing? Huh? It is OLD technology, and PROVEN technology. Heck, I hear they even have it indoors today!

      Speaking of arbitrary timelines, Mr. President, how’s Afghanistan coming along?

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
  • Caballosinnombre
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 6:18pm

    Obamarxists always like to deflect responsibility by blaming someone else. Come on Obama, be a man, and just admit this was done one your watch.

    Report Post »  
    • Ryan Beaulieu
      Posted on March 22, 2012 at 6:24pm

      Needed time to make an informed decision? Like how health care was rushed through. Didn’t Pelosi say “You must pass the bill to know whats in it?”

      Report Post »  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on March 22, 2012 at 10:36pm

      What was the number one issue when he was elected ? JOBS
      What came ahead of JOBS ? Self gratification Obamacare
      What is still ahead of JOBS ? More self gratification
      What you gonna do when those Tax Revenues don’t come in ? Tax The People Some more
      What’s he doing in the WH ? Self gratification watching the peons whither in oppression.

      Report Post »  
  • eaglesview
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 6:14pm

    Run, duck, look for cover, point fingers, blame someone else, outright lie, etc etc etc.
    Time to grow up Mr. President.
    We’ll clean up your mess right after we escort you to the door in Nov.

    Report Post »  
  • KangarooJack
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 6:05pm

    Blames Congress for not taking the time to analyze the situation….kinda like NOT HAVING A BUDGET FOR HOW LONG????????? EXACTLY HOW MANY YEARS is needed to “study” this pipeline?????

    Concerns regarding the aquafir-plans were redrawn and rerouted-nough said.

    Report Post » KangarooJack  
    • AOL_REFUGEE
      Posted on March 22, 2012 at 6:11pm

      I’VE got a pipeline this living, lying piece of crap can study.

      Report Post » AOL_REFUGEE  
  • TEIN
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 6:04pm

    “the experts” and “to make an informed decision” These are two phases that will soon be the mantra of the Libby/Progressive Demo’s…The big problem will always be who the experts are… Be careful when these two statements start to dominate conversation, answers, and justification…

    Report Post »  
  • LouC57
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:58pm

    This is a lying, spoiled child. If I were his mama or his mama in law, I’d slap the snot out of him for lying.

    oh wait, he’s pathological….

    Report Post »  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on March 22, 2012 at 6:03pm

      Obama said “this is not our project per se” in reference to Solyndra today. It’s funny…when Obama wants to distance himself from something it‘s a group that owns it but when he’s trying to take credit for something it’s “my administration or my policies”. But here’s the clincher…when anyone says “per se” in this context they’ve immediately lost the argument. Obama is twisting in the wind over Solyndra. His energy secretary isn’t helping him either.

      Report Post »  
  • 13axes
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:51pm

    this article,and almost every other article on this subject,continue to claiming “no president has much control over prices at the pump”.That is a flat out lie,spewed daily by the media,the truth is George Bush only had to threaten to increase production and because the world knew he was serious,oil went from $147 per barrel to $33 per barrel,so stop lying

    Report Post » 13axes  
  • SpeckledPup
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:50pm

    will he ever shut up, no. will that rabid communist animal always blame Americans? yes.

    Report Post »  
  • momprayn
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:44pm

    Rush was about as mad as I’ve heard him for a long time about this – how he is blatantly LYING about it – said he has no moral core, etc. Well, we knew that, Rush. He’s always asking why people are surprised when they hear about some liberal doing something outrageous and now he seemed to be with this. But as he said, he just prays enough people know he is lying !!.

    I just read a very shocking article that you have to read for yourself re 2008 elections – a MUST read people – spread the word:

    http://gulagbound.com/27615/did-obama-assassinate-clinton-delegates/

    Report Post »  
    • kentuckypatriot
      Posted on March 22, 2012 at 9:26pm

      Mom,
      Thanks for the link. I will do what I can to stop this fraud imposter as much as I can

      Report Post » kentuckypatriot  
    • JACKTHETOAD
      Posted on March 22, 2012 at 11:07pm

      OMG. I thought stuff like this doesn’t happen in America! If this is true, you know they offed Breitbart too. Thanks for the link, Mom. Dear God help us.

      Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:43pm

    This sounds like a High School kid whining that the teacher didn’t give him enough time to do his homework, even though it was assigned at the beginning of the year. And building a pipeline from OK to TX is like only building the middle part of a bridge, looks good, but is totally useless (like his policies), but at least the pigeons will have a place to poo.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:41pm

    The lies and distortions of Obama never cease; when are people going to understand he is a true narcissist, liar, delusional and utterly insane. HE will never admit to being wrong to anything he has destroyed or opposed, such as the pipeline – and then he rewrites history (in his own mind) over the matter; he takes credit and denounces everything.

    He speaks with both sides of his mouth.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • screw
      Posted on March 22, 2012 at 10:17pm

      The Obama‘s bought ’Brave New World‘ on Martha’s Vineyard but it seems like they must have read ‘1984’ along the way somewhere.

      Report Post » screw  
  • FREDD The WILSON
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:39pm

    Ok to TX Obama Are you Sh$t7ng me? That was approved EONS ago? Get the Hell out of office so we can get the country straight again.

    Report Post » FREDD The WILSON  
  • TeaPartyForRomney
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:36pm

    Here is the video of Obama blaming Congress for Solyndra: http://www.thedailycandidate.com/video/2012/mar/obama_congress_solyndra.html

    Report Post »  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on March 22, 2012 at 10:55pm

      The Chinese were undercutting prices ? First doesn’t there have to be a market to undercut ?
      I wonder what the sales were from the China market and who bought them ?
      Is or was there even a market for solar panels ?

      Report Post »  
  • AxelPhantom
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:30pm

    Has this man ever taken any responsibility for the negative consequences of any decision he has made in his life?

    Report Post »  
  • booger71
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:29pm

    A pipeline from OK to TX does nothing Barry.

    Report Post » booger71  
  • HKS
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:28pm

    I was amazed watching him lie like a dog, and keep a straight face, amazing this guy is good. He could probably cut his mothers throat and laugh all the way home.

    Report Post » HKS  
    • TOMSERVO
      Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:36pm

      Wow, what horrifying imagery. Thank you for blowing things horribly out of proportion and introducing a tinge of blood and violence to this everyday conversation.

      Report Post »  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on March 22, 2012 at 6:16pm

      TOMSERVO…being called a dog is a great insult to muslims. HKS was merely offering a familiar image for Obama to idenitify with. We already know Obama is willing to throw his grandmother under a bus…she’s a “typical white woman” remember sport? Obama’s mother on the other hand abandoned him at a young age although..not as early as his filandering father did. Did you know Harvard University cited the fact that they weren’t sure how many wives Barack Sr. had as one of the reasons they threw him out of Harvard? Look it up champ. Obama seems to have inherited Barry Sr’s penchant for duplicity. I bet you actually believed Obama when he said the Selma civil rights rally was the impetus for his parents getting together. Only…Selma happened in 1965 and Barry Jr. was born in 1961..how can that be TOMMY?

      Report Post »  
  • momsense
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:27pm

    Grow up Obozo———you sound like a spoiled brat whining about being disciplined because he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:33pm

      Yes! The man-child dictator …

      OMG 2012!

      Report Post »  
  • kangaroo
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:27pm

    Odictator seriously needs a slap upside the head with a clue bat.

    Report Post » kangaroo  
    • CatB
      Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:28pm

      LOL .. I like that visual!

      OMG 2012!

      Report Post »  
  • GoodStuff
    Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:25pm

    Screw u Obambi.

    To all Blaze readers,

    Please head over to Youtube and give the Obama/Tom Hanks propaganda video a big thumbs down:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2POembdArVo

    Report Post »  
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