Keystone Pipeline: Louisiana

[Kjesse]

I've been scanning the news tonight and in the US, it seems the Democrats are pushing for a vote on Keystone, and that's to "save" the member from Louisiana, even while the Republicans probably want to see Keystone approved.

Can someone comment on why this is in a summary way? The proposal won't touch that state. I don't get why in a run-off election it matters (though I understand she, Mary Landrieu, is a proponent).

[oilyfan]

Mary Landrieu wants to firmly portray herself as pro pipeline (and subsequently pro everything that is important to Louisana, like energy development and jobs) but more importantly she, and her challenger, want to show that they can move things along in Congress.

I think this has become a hot button topic because the Democrats have recognized that they have been sent a message and are going to have to do things different.

[driveway]

The Keystone pipeline is extremely popular in Louisiana. Landrieu is currently trailing her GOP opponent by several points. If she's given the opportunity to loudly and publicly vote 'Yes' on the pipeline, the theory is it will boost her standing in the election.

Now that the GOP has control of both houses, the approval of the Keystone is pretty much a foregone conclusion, so if the Democrats can get a vote on it (and republicans will have to vote yes, if a vote comes up) the thinking is they might be able to save one of their Red-State members.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by oilyfan

I think this has become a hot button topic because the Democrats have recognized that they have been sent a message and are going to have to do things different.

If the Democrats take that message out of the last election, they're fools. The message is: "the public doesn't blame congress for gridlock, they blame the President and the President's party."

Should the Republicans ever win a national election again, you can expect the Democrats to follow exactly the same methods that McConnell and Boehner have developed.

[Kjesse]

The pipeline doesn't touch her state, why does it matter? Are they planning to tie in to it?

[oilyfan]

Question is whether Obama will veto this bill when it gets to him. He faces a tough choice, not so tough for him but for the Democratic Party which is already looking ahead to 2016.

On one side are the staunch environmentalists that have formed a base for the Democrats, and raised a lot of funds for them.

On the other, at least on the face of it after this election, is the majority of the American public which has gotten tired of the shenanigans in Washington.

I think Obama will abide by the will of Congress and Senate.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by Delgar

The pipeline doesn't touch her state, why does it matter? Are they planning to tie in to it?

Louisiana has tons of oil, and the Keystone is seen as good for oil companies and therefore good for anywhere that has oil. The prevailing opinion among low-information voters is that approving Keystone XL will significantly improve the economic situation of all Americans. Provide millions of jobs, and get the country off foreign oil.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by oilyfan

On the other, at least on the face of it after this election, is the majority of the American public which has gotten tired of the shenanigans in Washington.

You know that 95% of incumbents were re-elected in the last election, right? If anything, Americans have shown that they are exceedingly happy with the state of affairs in Washington.

[oilyfan]

While incumbents have been elected in a high percentage, enough change has happened where both houses are now republican. I believe that's a strong message.

[Caged Great]

Obama will definitely veto it regardless. It's quite a pointless exercise. Also, the challenger for Landrieu happens to be the author of the bill in the house, so she's fighting for her opponent's bill. Brilliant.

[oilyfan]

Originally Posted by Delgar

The pipeline doesn't touch her state, why does it matter? Are they planning to tie in to it?

Louisiana is a big oil services state too, it stands to gain jobs during the construction and subsequent oil refining work.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by driveway

You know that 95% of incumbents were re-elected in the last election, right? If anything, Americans have shown that they are exceedingly happy with the state of affairs in Washington.

Or that 95% of districts have been gerrymandered to be non competitive.

[driveway]

Technically, the Cassidy (the Republican opponent of Landrieu) Bill is an identical copy of the Hoeven-Landrieu Senate Bill, so it's more accurate that he is fighting for his opponent's Bill.

[Kjesse]

Originally Posted by driveway

Louisiana has tons of oil, and the Keystone is seen as good for oil companies and therefore good for anywhere that has oil. The prevailing opinion among low-information voters is that approving Keystone XL will significantly improve the economic situation of all Americans. Provide millions of jobs, and get the country off foreign oil.

Considering transport costs, pipeline is cheaper than rail from Alberta to southern US refineries. Pipeline is also more environmental in the long term, I think.

Wouldn't Louisiana want to avoid that competiton from Canada? What is it about Keystone that improves Louisiana's production economics, market economics, or transport economics? I recognise the product being produced is somewhat different.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Obama will definitely veto it regardless.

Take a look at his vetoing history (or lack thereof). He doesn't have the balls.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by driveway

You know that 95% of incumbents were re-elected in the last election, right? If anything, Americans have shown that they are exceedingly happy with the state of affairs in Washington.

Congress has a 42% approval rating and Obama is at 39% approval, I don't think anyone in that country is happy with the state of affairs in Washington.

[driveway]

You're assuming that the voters of Louisiana are actually voting their rational interests. I don't know if Keystone is expected to have any impact on the economy of Louisiana at all, but it's extremely popular, therefore it's being politically supported by both parties there.

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Congress has a 42% approval rating and Obama is at 39% approval, I don't think anyone in that country is happy with the state of affairs in Washington.

Yeah, but there is a difference between expressing one's displeasure and actually acting on it. It's easy to tell a pollster you hate what's happening in Washington, it's harder to go into the voting booth and vote against the gerrymandered incumbent for the only other option, whom you happen to have one or two major differences with, which you consider to be moral absolutes.

But this is getting off the louisiana topic and going straight into "Other US politics Thread" territory.

[oilyfan]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Obama will definitely veto it regardless. It's quite a pointless exercise. Also, the challenger for Landrieu happens to be the author of the bill in the house, so she's fighting for her opponent's bill. Brilliant.

Considering she tabled the bill in the senate first it's her challenger who is actually fighting for her bill.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by driveway

You're assuming that the voters of Louisiana are actually voting their rational interests. I don't know if Keystone is expected to have any impact on the economy of Louisiana at all, but it's extremely popular, therefore it's being politically supported by both parties there.

It's end is in Louisana if I recall correctly.

It's really a dumb project for America because the Oil isn't even staying in the US. It's just getting transported down south so it can be exported from the gulf instead.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Handsome B. Wonderful

Take a look at his vetoing history (or lack thereof). He doesn't have the balls.

This is the first time that the opposition has been in control of both houses. Usually republican bills would die in the senate before it hit Obama's desk. That's not the case now, and stuff like this will get the veto stamp.