"The Keystone XL pipeline was a lightning rod in President Obama's reelection campaign. So now that the campaign is over, what will be the fate of the transnational oil pipeline that became a political symbol, thrusting Obama into the heart of an uncomfortable fight over jobs versus the environment? "
"Obama's final decision could come as soon as January. Environmental groups are launching an all-out campaign to pressure him to kill the project once and for all. That would draw an immediate firestorm of criticism from the right and from many in his own party, particularly labor groups, who say the project will create much-needed construction jobs as well as a conduit for North American oil to get into the global market. No matter what the decision, 'somebody's going to be mad,' said Mark Mellman, a Democratic pollster.
'My strong guess is that he'll make a decision based on the merits as he sees them and let the chips fall where they may,' Mellman said. 'You're not going to please all the people all the time, but that's what you can do as a second-term president.'"
Coral Davenport reports for National Journal November 13, 2012.
SEE ALSO:
"Moody's Predicts Obama Will Approve Keystone XL Pipeline" (E2 Wire/The Hill)
"Here's Why You Shouldn't Bet That Obama Will Approve The Keystone XL Pipeline" (Grist)
