![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.reefrelieffounders.com\/drilling\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/121229_keystone_protest_ap_605-300x162.jpg\" "\\"121229_keystone_protest_ap_605\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe poll reveals an electorate deeply split on the Canada-to-Texas oil pipeline, which is wildly popular among Republicans and almost equally unpopular among Democrats. A small majority of people overall either support the project or don\u2019t know what to think, according to results provided to POLITICO.<\/p>\n
But the Center for Biological Diversity, the group that commissioned the poll, says the president should pay attention to what his most fervent supporters are saying. Sixty-eight percent of people who voted for Obama want him to reject the pipeline, the poll found.<\/p>\n
Opposition is especially strong among Obama voters age 18 to 29, according to the survey conducted by Public Policy Polling. More than 60 percent think he would be breaking his promises if he OKs the pipeline \u2014 and 16 percent would feel betrayed.<\/p>\n
Of course, Obama has already won his second term and will most likely never face the electorate again. But he\u2019s also spoken of his desire to keep his base fired up during his second term.<\/p>\n
Keystone could put a quick kibosh to that, said Jerry Karnas, the environmental group\u2019s national field director.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis thing is a potential mass demoralizer for a large amount of Democrats,\u201d Karnas said.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeystone is bad news for America, its wildlife and the future health of our climate \u2014 and the people who put President Obama in the White House know it,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Administration officials have repeatedly said they\u2019ll make the pipeline decision based on facts and science. The White House stressed Tuesday that Keystone isn\u2019t even on the president\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn line with long-standing precedent, the State Department is conducting the assessment of the project,\u201d White House spokesman Clark Stevens said. He added that Obama will pursue his promises to confront climate change at the same time that he supports efforts to increase U.S. energy independence.<\/p>\n
Still, the poll\u2019s findings offer a glimpse at some of the political considerations at play as the administration weighs its stance on Keystone, an issue that pits supporters\u2019 promises of jobs and energy independence versus fervent opposition from climate activists.<\/p>\n
Some people proffering advice for the president say approving the pipeline would be a smart move to the middle \u2014 for instance, a January editorial in the scientific journal Nature said it would \u201cbolster his credibility within industry and among conservatives\u201d as he pursues strong action on climate change.<\/p>\n
But Karnas said Obama needs to think longer term.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis legacy is really hanging in the balance right now,\u201d Karnas said. \u201cHe\u2019s looking a lot more like an oil and gas president than he is a solar, wind and innovation guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a9 2013 POLITICO LLC.<\/p>\n
This article originally appeared here.<\/p>\n
Photo \u00a9 Paul S. Hamilton \t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
http:\/\/www.politico.com\/story\/2013\/03\/obama-keystone-poll-89108.html Politico, March 20, 2013 By Erika Martinson Environmentalists armed with new poll numbers have a warning for President Barack Obama: Approving the Keystone XL pipeline would put him at odds with core members of his base. The poll reveals an electorate deeply split on the Canada-to-Texas oil pipeline, which is wildly popular among Republicans … Continue reading Politico via Center for Biologic Diversity: Poll: President Obama voters don’t want Keystone<\/span>