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Poll Watch: Americans Favor Keystone XL Pipeline
According to the latest Gallup Poll.A solid majority of Americans think the U.S. government should approve of building the Keystone XL pipeline, while 29% think it should not. Republicans are almost twice as likely as Democrats to want the government to approve the oil pipeline. About half of independents also approve.
These data were collected as part of Gallup’s annual Environment survey, conducted March 8-11, 2012. The Keystone XL oil pipeline is a politically divisive project, which President Obama and the Republicans in Congress have been battling over. The proposal from TransCanada Corporation for building a pipeline to carry crude oil from Canada down to the Gulf of Mexico, first made in 2005, needs approval from the U.S. president because it crosses an international border. The Republicans in Congress inserted a provision on the pipeline in the payroll tax extension bill late last year, but in January, President Obama rejected TransCanada’s permit entirely. However, the administration is allowing TransCanada to reapply for the permit it needs.
The pipeline would travel through the Midwest and the South, and Americans in those two regions are the most likely to approve of the project. Nearly 7 in 10 Midwesterners want the government to approve the building of the pipeline and 61% of those in the South do as well. There has been discussion in Washington and in the media about the potential new jobs the pipeline project would create, which may partly explain the higher support seen in those regions. Americans in the West and East are less likely to approve.
With rapidly rising gasoline prices, President Obama has become very sensitive to this particular pipeline. Unfortunately, while in Oklahoma today, this particular segment of the Keystone XL Pipeline has NOTHING to do with his previous refusals of approval. But, he has hedged his bets but allowing resubmittals.
So, why is the President having an apparent about face on this issue?
Why it is the election – duh!
President Obama this week set out on a two-day multistate trip to promote his energy strategy, including reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil. As part of his trip, Obama on Thursday will visit Cushing, Okla., the place where the southern portion of the Keystone XL pipeline would begin. There he will announce that his administration will expedite the permit process for the southern half of the pipeline, which does not need his specific approval.
TransCanada says this part of the pipeline will help it relieve a bottleneck of oil in Oklahoma. But Republicans in Congress have already criticized the president’s yet-to-be-made announcement, with a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner telling MSNBC it is an “attempt to take credit” for the pipeline, and that the southern part “is being built in spite of the president, not because of him.”
Regardless, the northern part of the pipeline, which does require the president’s approval, has still not been approved. The majority of Americans, though, say they want the government to allow the pipeline to be built. So, most would likely support any attempt by the president to move the pipeline forward.
If gasoline prices continue to rise, watch the radical environmentalists give Obama a “pass” on this pipeline and it will be approved.
Why?
See the polling results above, go over to Gallup and read more detailed polling results.
I am not too cynical, am I?
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CA-26 Poll Watch: Linda Parks Beating Democrats in June Primary AND Tony Strickland in November
Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks (NP) and California State Senator Tony Strickland (R)
According to a new poll released by Timm Herdt at the Ventura County Star.There’s a very long way to go between here and there, but as the campaign season gets under way, Supervisor Linda Parks of Thousand Oaks has a very good chance of making history this year as independent running for Congress. Which is another way of saying that she could actually win.
That conclusion is based on a poll conducted by Parks’ campaign team of Gorton Blair Biggs International, headed by former Pete Wilson strategist George Gorton, whose storied career in political consulting includes a tie-in with Watergate as a youth-vote adviser to President Richard Nixon’s 1972 presidential campaign (he paid someone to spy on anti-war protesters) and a major role in helping to elect Boris Yeltsin as president of the Russian Federation (the film “Spinning Boris” was based on that, with Jeff Goldblum playing the role of Gorton).
Parks’ team yesterday shared with me a polling memo in the 26th Congressional District. Although short on details of the actual poll, the memo makes three things clear: Parks is now running in a strong second place in the primary, none of the four Democratic candidates is particularly well known, and that the Thousand Oaks supervisor has a statistically significant lead in a hypothetical November matchup against Republican Tony Strickland.
Some details: The poll surveyed 361 likely primary voters from Feb. 26-28 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent. The results, according to the memo, show Parks in a “strong second place” in the primary. If she were to finish second, the polling results (weighted to reflect the expected partisan makeup of a general election turnout) show her leading Strickland 42.6 percent to 35.5 percent in a head-to-head race in November.
Granted the race is in the early stages and this is a proprietary poll.
But, there are some lessons here for Republicans and Democrats.
If the Democrats wish to have a nominee in the general election, they had better coalesce around one candidate and that candidate is likely California Assemblywoman Julia Brownley. Why there are four democrats running in this race and why a democrat incumbent in Congress, namely Rep Brad Sherman, did not run in this marginally Democratic Congressional District is anyone’s guess.
For the Republicans to hold retiring Rep Elton Gallegly’s seat, they will have to broaden their base and campaign heavily in Latino-centric Oxnard. Tony Strickland cannot allow the Ventura County Public Employee Unions and other unions to run rough-shod over him in Republican voter deficit City of Oxnard and to some degree Ventura.
Linda Parks will win some Republican votes in Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village, Strickland cannot rely on large margins there – which he ahs enjoyed in the past.
But, again, this race is early and the Democrats will surely start attacking Parks soon.
If not, then Strickland better get a new pair of shoes and start walking the streets of Oxnard and Ventura early.
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The Morning Flap: March 22, 2012
These are my links for March 15th through March 22nd:
- Romney advisor says his conservatism can be erased – Ever since he launched his first bid for the presidency over five years ago, critics have argued that Mitt Romney’s conservative positions aren’t sincere, and that he would start to abandon them once he was no longer trying to appeal to the Republican primary electorate. I just never expected one of his chief campaign staffers to openly admit it. Yet feeling cocky after Mitt Romney’s strong victory in Illinois, top advisor Eric Fehrnstrom did just that.
Here’s the stunning exchange on CNN (via Greg Sargent):
HOST: Is there a concern that Santorum and Gingrich might force the governor to tack so far to the right it would hurt him with moderate voters in the general election?
FEHRNSTROM: Well, I think you hit a reset button for the fall campaign. Everything changes. It’s almost like an Etch A Sketch. You can kind of shake it up and restart all over again.
- ‘Etch A Sketch’ Latest Gaffe From Romney Campaign – For a candidate who has spent months battling the title of “flip-flopper,” perhaps the last thing he would want associated with his name is an Etch A Sketch, those do-over drawing boards that let you shake your scribbles away with the flick of a wrist.
Unfortunately Mitt Romney won’t be able to shake away this comparison any time soon. When his campaign spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom was asked this morning on CNN how the GOP frontrunner would make the pivot to the general election, Fehrnstrom compared Romney’s primary campaign to an Etch A Sketch, a gaffe that spread like wildfire to Romney’s rival’s stump speeches.
- Jeb Bush: It’s time to support Romney as Republican candidate – Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush says Republican front-runner Mitt Romney has earned the right to take on President Obama in November.
“It is time to get behind the nominee,” Bush told the Tribune-Review on Wednesday during a visit to Pittsburgh. “And it is time for the country to focus on the most important thing, which is to elect a president who will create a climate for high growth and job-creating abilities for our country.”
Bush called for the Republican Party to unite behind the former Massachusetts governor, who won the Illinois primary this week with 46.7 percent of the vote to 35 percent for Rick Santorum, the former senator from Pennsylvania.
GOP strategist Bruce Haynes said the Bush endorsement is worth a lot to the Romney campaign.
“It’s literally the sound of the referee’s whistle calling the game to an end,” Haynes said.
Santorum, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas have declared that they will remain in the race until the Republican National Convention in August in Tampa.
- Jeb Bush: Romney should pick Sen. Rubio as running mate – Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), who endorsed Mitt Romney for president on Wednesday, wants Romney to pick Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as his running mate if the former Massachusetts governor wins the nomination.
Bush, speaking to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, said that the junior Florida senator is “dynamic, joyful, disciplined and principled.”
- Obama’s Speedy Keystone Review Won’t Accelerate Cushing Pipeline –
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-22 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-22
- Los Angeles Marathon 2012: Race Report | Smiles For A Lifetime – Temporary (Locum Tenens) Dentistry – Los Angeles Marathon 2012: Race Report
- Basno – 2012 Honda LA Marathon Finisher Medal – Gregory Flap Cole – I love L.A.
- AD-38: College of the Canyons Associated Student Government to Host 38th Assembly Candidate Forum – Patricia McKeon Declines » Flap’s California Blog – AD-38: College of the Canyons Associated Student Government to Host 38th Assembly Candidate Forum – Patricia McK…
- Los Angeles Maraton 2012 Start
– YouTube – Los Angeles Maraton 2012 Start
– YouTube - Los Angeles Marathon 2012: The Expo | Smiles For A Lifetime – Temporary (Locum Tenens) Dentistry – Los Angeles Marathon 2012: The Expo
- Los Angeles Maraton 2012 Start
– YouTube – I uploaded a @YouTube video Los Angeles Maraton 2012 Start - Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-21 » Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-21
- Former Rosemead mayor pleads guilty to federal bribery charge – Former Rosemead mayor pleads guilty to federal bribery charge
- El Monte Union board selects educator for seat vacated by Tran – El Monte Union board selects educator for seat vacated by Tran
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-21 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-21
- Holtz-Eakin and Smith: ObamaCare’s Flawed Economic Foundations – Holtz-Eakin and Smith: ObamaCare’s Flawed Economic Foundations
- Flap’s Dentistry Blog: ObamaCare Dental Regulations Issued by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – ObamaCare Dental Regulations Issued by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Assembly candidate John Tran agrees to plead guilty to bribery – Whittier Daily News – Assembly candidate John Tran agrees to plead guilty to bribery – Whittier Daily News
- President 2012 Virginia (VA) Poll Obama Back On Top In Virginia – Quinnipiac University ? Hamden, Connecticut – President Barack Obama leads all the Republican presidential candidates in Virginia, with his 50 – 42 percent margin over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney his biggest lead over Romney in this election cycle, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Putting Gov. Bob McDonnell on the ticket as the GOP vice-presidential nominee does not help the Republicans carry the state, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. In a matchup of President Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden against Romney and McDonnell, the Democrats win 50 – 43 percent.
Obama wins head to head against other Republican contenders:
54 – 35 percent over former House Speaker Newt Gingrich; 49 – 40 percent over former Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum; 49 – 39 percent over Texas U.S. Rep. Ron Paul.
- Republicans Attack Health Law as Supreme Court Hearing Nears – NYTimes.com – RT @chucktodd: GOP seems a lot more organized on the P.R. front re: health care SCOTUS focus than the Dems.
- Republicans Attack Health Law as Supreme Court Hearing Nears – NYTimes.com – GOP seems a lot more organized on the P.R. front re: health care SCOTUS focus than the Dems.
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-20 » Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-20
- El Monte Union Board of Trustees to interview, select replacement for Tran – El Monte Union Board of Trustees to interview, select replacement for Tran
- El Monte Union appoints new board member to fill vacancy – El Monte Union appoints new board member to fill vacancy
- “Higher Costs” (TV Ad)
– YouTube – MUST WATCH: New RNC TV ad on Obamacare — #tcot #RS - @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-20 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-20
- Green Bay Press Gazette | Green Bay news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Green Bay, Wisconsin | greenbaypressgazette.com – Green Bay Press Gazette | Green Bay news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Green …
- Untitled (http://getglue.com/tv_shows/killing?s=tch&ref=Fullosseousflap) – On Demand works for me while I heal up from marathon. @GetGlue @TheKilling_AMC
- Green Bay Press Gazette | Green Bay news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Green Bay, Wisconsin | greenbaypressgazette.com – 29 Wisconsin judges sign recall petitions | Green Bay Press Gazette |
- 29 Wisconsin judges sign recall petitions | Green Bay Press Gazette | greenbaypressgazette.com – 29 Wisconsin judges sign recall petitions | Green Bay Press Gazette |
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-19 » Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-19
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-19 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-19
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-18 » Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-18
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-18 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-18
- On the way home from San Diego to run @LAMarathon tomorrow and then to return – On the way home from San Diego to run @LAMarathon tomorrow and then to return
- In San Diego where my daughter Allison just delivered my first grandson James Phillip – In San Diego where my daughter Allison just delivered my first grandson James Phillip
- Why Your Company Is Screwed If You Don’t Go Social – Why Your Company Is Screwed If You Don’t Go Social
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-17 » Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-17
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-17 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-17
- Gregory Flap @ TAIX French Restaurant – foursquare – After LA Marathon Expo lunch with the LA Roadrunners gang (@ TAIX French Restaurant)
- Re: Sen Ted Stevens: Report Details Inner Workings – Re: Sen Ted Stevens: Report Details Inner Workings
- Hatch Supporters Make Strong Showing in Utah Caucuses – The Tea Party-inspired drive to oust Senator Orrin G. Hatch, a six-term Republican, got a bit more complicated on Thursday night.
Supporters of Mr. Hatch turned up in strong numbers at some packed Republican caucus meetings around the state, where delegates were elected to next month’s state party convention.
And here in Utah County, a deeply conservative area in the backyard of Brigham Young University, and hotbed of anti-Hatch sentiment, some prominent opponents of the senator failed to win delegate seats.
“It’s going to be a very good night for Hatch,” said Dave Hansen, Mr. Hatch’s campaign manager.
- Dick Lugar vows to appeal ruling – For the moment, Dick Lugar can’t even vote to save himself.
A local election board ruled Thursday that the six-term senator has abandoned his Indiana home and cannot cast a ballot in the state he represents. The Indiana Republican is up for re-election this year and faces a conservative challenger in the state’s May 8 primary.
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-16 » Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-16
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-16 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-16
- Untitled (http://getglue.com/Fullosseousflap/stickers/cbs_sports/2012_ncaa_second_round?s=ts&ref=Fullosseousflap) – I unlocked the 2012 NCAA Second Round sticker on @GetGlue! #MarchMadness @MarchMadness
- Untitled (http://getglue.com/topics/p/2012_ncaa_mens_division_i_basketball_tournament?s=tch&ref=Fullosseousflap) – Hoosiers! @GetGlue #2012NCAAMensDivisionIBasketballTournament
- Race Weekend Details & Cold Weather Plan – Thank you @LAMarathon for your rain and warming station plan for runner safety!
- AD-38: Ventura County Lincoln Club Endorses Republican Scott Wilk for California Assembly » Flap’s California Blog – AD-38: Ventura County Lincoln Club Endorses Republican Scott Wilk for California Assembly
- Romney advisor says his conservatism can be erased – Ever since he launched his first bid for the presidency over five years ago, critics have argued that Mitt Romney’s conservative positions aren’t sincere, and that he would start to abandon them once he was no longer trying to appeal to the Republican primary electorate. I just never expected one of his chief campaign staffers to openly admit it. Yet feeling cocky after Mitt Romney’s strong victory in Illinois, top advisor Eric Fehrnstrom did just that.
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Day By Day March 22, 2012 – Never Again
Day By Day by Chris MuirChris, remember when the “BIG” newspaper moguls used to run politics in America?Now, it is Twitter, Facebook and Google (Plus and Search).
By the way, a happy belated 6 year old birthday to Twitter yesterday.
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@Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-22
- Los Angeles Marathon 2012: Race Report http://t.co/XYUcrVb5 #
- Basno – 2012 Honda LA Marathon Finisher Medal – Gregory Flap Cole http://t.co/bh810zMq #
- AD-38: College of the Canyons Associated Student Government to Host 38th Assembly Candidate Forum – Patricia McK… http://t.co/VMzCPpfq #
- Los Angeles Maraton 2012 Start
– YouTube http://t.co/QdYnJQ8B # - I love L.A. http://t.co/bh810zMq #
- AD-38: College of the Canyons Associated Student Government to Host 38th Assembly Candidate Forum – Patricia McK… http://t.co/GrdG1kS5 #
- Los Angeles Marathon 2012: The Expo | Smiles For A Lifetime – Temporary (Locum Tenens) Dentistry http://t.co/3a3ahMSG #
- Los Angeles Maraton 2012 Start
– YouTube http://t.co/yoioagFH # - Los Angeles Marathon 2012: The Expo http://t.co/yvskNJkK #
- I uploaded a @YouTube video http://t.co/iR5q4tqf Los Angeles Maraton 2012 Start #
- A big thank you to all @Flap Twitter followers that inspired me to finish the 2012 Los Angeles Marathon #
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-21 » Flap's California Blog http://t.co/X4f460U8 #
- Back in the saddle again! Blogging that is… http://t.co/zeDjWRNw @GetGlue @dailyrundown #
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-21 http://t.co/YgYNCB1w #
- Former Rosemead mayor pleads guilty to federal bribery charge http://t.co/Clq2Ajmi #
- El Monte Union board selects educator for seat vacated by Tran http://t.co/rX8zfG73 #
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-03-21 http://t.co/CjitLnyq #
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