The Keystone Pipeline decision . . . . . definitely a political decision. Here is why we know this to be the case.

Original Commentary

It is under-reported but the decision by the Obama Administration to delay the Keystone Pipeline has been made twice in a matter of weeks. It is the second decision that is unquestionably "political."

A month ago, the White House put out leaders suggesting that Obama was about to sign into law, the creation of the Keystone Pipeline. At the time, and not reported by conservative media, the Republican governor of Nebraska opposed the pipeline because of its route through Nebraska lands that were considered "sensitive" to the construction processes involved in the creation of this supply line.

Understand that the unions were excited about this project. And, in August of this year, the environmental review was completed, approving of the pipeline. The project was "set to go." But the far Left rose to the occasion, mounted a rather involved televised campaign against the project and Obama chickened out on the decision. Or did he? The Administration argued that in view of continuing concerns from the Left and the Right (i.e. the Nebraska governor), the project was being put off, allowing for further review. No decision would be made until after the coming elections.

Since then, the company building the pipeline has agreed to route the supply line around and away from the lands in question. The governor of Nebraska has happily reversed his opposition, and the project was back on track (?) . But Obama had been backed into a corner by his Leftist base and has decided to continue the delay. His Secretary of Energy, Dr. Steven Chu, released a memo, yesterday, that effectively put off the project, again, for 18 months or more.

It is this second decision that is political, without question, and a poor decision, at that. The decision flies in the face of union approval but bolsters the Far Left Radicals' position of influence within this Administration. The pipeline's new routing is in the same providence of some 50 other existing pipelines within the State of Nebraska. The need for environmental review and confirmation would be something that could be revised in a matter of weeks, allowing for the remaining Executive decision to get this project under way, putting 20,000 people to work almost "immediately." Conservative opposition to this project has been reversed, as well, increasing pressure to move in favor of this construction.

With all that in mind, there is simply no reason for delay other than "politics," and, thus, we draw our conclusion with confidence.

Obama has put 20,000 jobs at risk in favor of saving one job . . . . . . . . . . his.