The false deadline did the trick. The uproar over the Obama Administration denying the Keystone XL pipeline played right into the U.S. Republican plans. Prime Minister Stephen Harper overplayed his part, reacting more harshly than was expected.
The GOP-led House inserted a 60-day deadline for the Keystone XL pipeline project, even though all the parties (especially TransCanada) were working on a new path for the stretch through Nebraska. These things take time, but the Republicans weren't looking for patience, but rather a short-term political gain. The U.S. media, for the most part, fell right into line. The White House, for its part, pointed out that the project isn't dead, TransCanada can submit the proposal again, and the artificial deadline was just that, artificial.
President Barack Obama said in a statement that the decision is "not a judgment on the merits of the pipeline."
Earlier: GOP forces President Obama to an artificial Keystone XL pipeline deadline
As we noted on Tuesday, Harper is trying to push through a pipeline to the West Coast. Harper wants to move quickly on principle, but would love to put pressure on the United States to speed up the Keystone XL pipeline process.
TransCanada has some blame as well for proposing the original path. The area in Nebraska would be at considerable risk. In the minds of TransCanada (corporations are only people in the United States), the reason for going the way they did made sense. However, the move cost them time and money.
Factor in that the Canadian government really wants this pipeline. The Obama Administration, if the pipeline follows a good path, is interested in going along with the project. After all, don't you think the Obama White House would love to play up jobs in an election year?
The Republicans are in line with the Keystone XL pipeline, but the political tactic of rushing to judgment means they want it sooner rather than better.
Often, when all the politicians involved appear to be playing to politics, consider which politicians are thinking long-term. History teaches us that the long-term thinkers get it right.
The only long-term thinker in this process is U.S. President Barack Obama. This doesn't mean he's right or has handled this in the best fashion. Comparatively, Obama is Thomas Jefferson on the need for the Louisiana Purchase, which is where most of the Keystone XL pipeline will be.
Comments