It’s bad enough for President Obama that three Democrat senators up for reelection (Mary Landrieu, LA; Mark Pryor, AR; Mark Begich, AK) are calling the latest delay in the Keystone XL Pipeline project an act of cowardice. But Terry O’Sullivan, head of Laborers’ International Union, who twice endorsed Barack Obama, gave a bitter public statement of the administration’s latest delay. “Once again, the administration is making a political calculation instead of doing what is right for the country,” berated Mr. O’Sullivan. For more of what Mr. O’Sullivan really thinks, read on.
“It’s not the oil that’s dirty, it’s the politics. Once again, the Administration is making a political calculation instead of doing what is right for the country. This certainly is no example of profiles in courage. It’s clear the Administration needs to grow a set of antlers, or perhaps take a lesson from Popeye and eat some spinach.
“This is another low blow to the working men and women of our country for whom the Keystone XL Pipeline is a lifeline to good jobs and energy security.”
The pipeline is expected to create some 2,000 new jobs from construction and thousands more related to the project. Many of those jobs would go to Mr. O’Sullivan’s union members, who do not live on San Francisco’s Pacific Heights like billionaire donor Tom Steyer who opposes Keystone.
Mr. O’Sullivan may feel especially bitter because he and the Laborers twice endorsed Mr. Obama for President, calling him a leader “who will fight to create jobs.” But he shouldn’t be surprised now given that Mr. Obama was doing the Keystone delay and dodge routine throughout 2012. Union leaders whose members work in the private economy, not the government, should know by now that if they want Keystone approved they will need a Republican Senate.
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