Just in case the Obama administration had any doubt as to whether or not the general American public is supportive of the Keystone XL pipeline’s construction while they continue to bend over backwards catering to well-monied, radical environmentalist interests, a new Fox News poll confirms that, why yes — the overwhelming majority of Americans are pretty much okay with an addition to America’s large network of terrestrial pipelines that will create jobs and economic growth.
Perhaps the eco-radicals were hoping that their extended and obstreperous campaign against the pipeline’s construction might help to raise awareness and galvanize the public’s opinions on the project. Apparently it did — just not in the way that they hoped, as Americans’ support has only increased over time.
A Fox News poll finds most American voters support building the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline. …
By a wide 70-23 percent margin, voters support building the pipeline that would transport oil from Canada to refineries in the United States.
Support for the pipeline is mostly unchanged from last year, when 67 percent favored building it and 25 percent were opposed (February 2012).
The three percentage-point uptick in support comes from Democrats: 57 percent say build it, up from 50 percent a year ago. At the same time, support among Republicans holds steady at 87 percent.
The State Department released yet another environmental impact review last week that once again failed to find fault with the pipeline on environmental grounds, and Canada’s natural resources minister is losing patience with the extended charade:
“Why then all the fuss? Why the demonstrations and movie stars chaining themselves to the White House gate,” Oliver said in prepared remarks for a Tuesday speech in Chicago, where he met with President Obama’s former chief of staff and current Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
“The answer is that some environmental and other groups see this as a symbolic issue in their larger battle against the development of hydrocarbons and specifically the oil sands. In a democratic society, they are entitled to their views, but not to take liberties with the truth. The stakes are high for Canada and, I suggest, the U.S. as well,” he said. …
“There are important complementary interests here: America needs oil and Canada has an abundance of it. It only makes sense to work together toward our common goals of improving the environment, growing the economy and strengthening our common security,” he said.
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