President Obama’s “inaction” is to blame for the stalled Keystone XL pipeline project, a Colorado Republican Senate candidate said Saturday.
“Just yesterday, the Keystone Pipeline delay turned six years old. Thanks to the president’s inaction, we are no closer to building the pipeline today than we were six years ago,” said Rep. Cory Gardner.
“As a result, thousands of Americans are missing out on the good paying jobs the pipeline would create.”
Gardner delivered the GOP weekly address from his home state of Colorado, attacking Democrats over the delayed project.
He is in a close race with Democratic Sen. Mark Udall.
Gardner didn’t mention Udall in his Saturday address, but he has made Keystone and energy production a top issue in his bid against the Democratic freshman. Udall has opposed construction of the pipeline because he said more analysis is needed to determine the environmental impact.
The transcontinental pipeline won’t run through Colorado, and polls show Americans broadly favor the project’s construction.
“Colorado supports building the Keystone Pipeline because we know its benefits don’t end with its ability to create new jobs,” Gardner said. “The pipeline would be a major step forward in making us North American energy secure.”
In Saturday’s address, the GOP gave Gardner the opportunity to showcase himself as an important player in the Republican party who will push an agenda that includes boosting the economy by increasing domestic energy production of all kinds, including renewable sources.
Gardner noted in his address that Colorado is home to successful wind farms and hydropower plants.
Instead of attacking Udall, Gardner focused his criticism on Democrats and the president, who in general have been dragging down Udall’s numbers.
Udall has dodged appearing alongside the president, whose poll numbers are a major factor in his re-election difficulties.
“The president and congressional Democrats don’t understand that this isn’t about oil companies or billionaire donors,” Gardner said. “This is about the American people who are hurt by their decision to block jobs at the behest of their special interests.”
A Quinnipiac University poll last week found Gardner up eight points over Udall, although a RealClearPolitics average shows the two in a virtual tie.
