Research

When Barack Obama actually has a project with shovel-ready jobs, he punts in favor of appeasing his environmentalist and union allies. Obama knows he can’t afford to risk losing either interest group for his 2012 reelection bid. So why bother to create jobs and reduce energy dependence from unstable portions of the world when you can appease big labor and the enviros?

Obama Plans To Punt On Keystone XL Pipeline, Claiming To Study “Alternate Route” So That He Can Effectively Push “Any Action Past The 2012 Election.” “The Obama administration is preparing to delay a decision on the contested Keystone XL pipeline while it studies an alternate route, effectively pushing any action past the 2012 election, officials and lobbyists who have been briefed on the matter said on Thursday.” (John M. Broder and Dan Frosch, “U.S. To Delay Decision On Pipeline Until After Election,” The New York Times, 11/10/11)

“Barack Obama's Keystone Pipeline Dilemma: Why Not Punt?” (Darren Goode, “Barack Obama's Keystone Pipeline Dilemma: Why Not Punt?” Politico, 11/5/11)

• Obama Can’t Afford Risk Of Offending Labor Unions And Environmentalists For 2012 Election. “President Barack Obama’s upcoming decision on TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline may split some of his key base support in his reelection effort no matter which way he leans, raising the question of whether he should punt the decision until after next November. The problem: Obama runs the risk of disappointing either labor unions or environmental groups that went to bat for him in 2008, and he can't really afford to have any of his previous supporters sit on the sidelines next year.” (Darren Goode, “Barack Obama's Keystone Pipeline Dilemma: Why Not Punt?” Politico, 11/5/11)