President Obama rejected the Republican political maneuver trying to force him to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline without doing a full review of the application. (Click here to read his statement on the issue. It's really good.)

Heidi Heitkamp issued a press release today criticizing President Obama for his decision to reject Congressional Republican's efforts to rush a decision on the approval/rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline.  As we've pointed out repeatedly, TransCanada -- the company proposing to build the pipeline -- has promised that if it is allowed to construct the pipeline, gas prices in North Dakota will go up by as much as $.10 per gallon.  

Heitkamp apparently supports those higher gas prices, too. Here's her press release.

For Immediate Release
January 18, 2012
Contact:  Gail Hand, (701) 740-#### [redacted by NorthDecoder.com]

U.S. Senate candidate Heidi Heitkamp released the following statement criticizing the Obama Administration’s rejection of the Keystone XL Pipeline:

"The President’s decision to reject the Keystone XL pipeline was the wrong one, plain and simple.   Building the Keystone Pipeline will create North Dakota jobs as well as drive down costs of fuel for small businesses and North Dakota families. There is no time to wait.

"What we need now is greater investment in domestic energy development and production. Projects like the Keystone pipeline won’t just create jobs, they will decrease our dependence on foreign oil from the Middle East and help drive down our crushing national debt.

"As North Dakota’s United State senator, I will fight alongside Senator Hoeven to reverse this wrong-headed decision and put building the Keystone pipeline on the fast track – even if it means upsetting members of my own party. It’s time to put aside political games and partisan squabbles in Washington and do what’s right by North Dakotans."  

Press Release from Heitkamp's Campaign

I was hoping Heitkamp's candidacy was a sign that we might move a little towards fact-based political campaigns in North Dakota.  But "drive down costs for fuel for small businesses and North Dakota families"?!? That's nonsense. The opposite is true.  

Facts aren't partisan. They're facts. Heitkamp has a right to her own opinions. She doesn't have a right to her own facts.  I'd love to see an intelligent discussion about whether the Keystone XL should be approved. I'd love to participate in such a discussion. But nothing in Heitkamp's press release points anybody in the direction of that intelligent discussion.

I just don't get it. Why would Heidi Heitkamp misrepresent the facts? She's pretty bright. She should know about the KXL's promise of higher gas prices.  Why would she say gas prices will come down when everybody who's informed on the topic -- including even John Hoeven -- knows gas prices will go up if the KXL is built.  

And more jobs?  Since when does North Dakota need more jobs.  Last I heard (yesterday), North Dakota needs more workers.  And more housing and infrastructure for those workers.  But more jobs?

I don't know.

Heidi has been pretty quiet so far.  And this is really the first issue she decides to make a public statement on?  I don't get it.

Maybe this is the opening Tom Potter was looking for.  

(I'm working on getting a comment from Tom Potter and hope to post it tonight or tomorrow.)

Comments (7)

What the Heck said:

	too chummy with the empty suit That's been my perception for a long time, that Heitkamp is a smarter version of Hoeven. We don't need better version of a bad model. I hope there's another alternative that makes sense when it comes time to vote. Really disappointed in Heitkamp.
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January 18, 2012
Votes: +4

kmla said:

	... yep. this is a bummer. obviously an attempt to show separation from the President...
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January 20, 2012
Votes: +2

Star said:

... Heidi, Heidi, how can you you be so wrong! Just like the oil dripping Republicans we have in congress! The state of Nebraska is thoroughly against this pipeline as it is currently routed as does many of the people of Colorado. As the old saying in the West goes, "Wiskey is for drinking, and water is for fighting. They are trying to protect the Ogallala aquifer which is a major source of water for people, irrigation, and animals throughout the high plains of America. Look it up. Sometimes it is better to remain quiet and thoughtful while the shrill voices are screaming. Don't become one of them.

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January 20, 2012
Votes: +3

gun totin' librul said:

King When i heard HH was in the running I personally cheered cuz i thought "here's someone who has an actual chance of getting elected and would counter-balance the koch-bought-and-paid-for empty suit and slumlord we have as a senator and congressman." BUT...she has done nothing but parrot the lies and half-truths of mr empty suit, the slumlord and the republican/teabagger party. I for one am taking down the HH for Senate link on facebook and intend to write a strongly-worded email to the HH camp for opposing President Obama's well thought-out decision...that is when i can finally get some money to PAY FOR the privelege...You all see where one can't even open her website unless you PAY?!?! Never thought I'd be calling heidi heitkamp a D.I.N.O. but heidi...you're a democrat in name only...

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January 20, 2012
Votes: +3

Shirley said:

... I am also disappointed in Heidi Heitkamp and her stand on Keystone. President Obama has not shut the door on Keystone; he just wants to make sure the State Department has done enough research on the safety and repercussions of it. There is no reason the GOP should be setting arbitrary deadlines for this decision. In my opinion, both Heidi Heitkamp and Pam Gulleson need to stop pandering to the rightwing in this state. I also tried to leave an email on her official website and was unable to; she just wants my money, but based on this current position, I might just decide to support Potter.

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January 21, 2012 | url
Votes: +0

Jonny B said:

	Now I can't vote for anyone in the US Senate race for North Dakota I would not vote for Berg if my life depended on it. I can't (in good conscience) vote for Heidi Heitkamp either. It looks like I will have to leave one box on the ballet empty. This is really unfortunate.
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January 21, 2012
Votes: +0

Neil said:

	North Dakota issues She missed the mark when she was in office as the AG. Currently anyone can file a claim of ownership without any proof. Then it is up to the owner to sue for clear title. Owners of surface and minerals in North Dakota are all at risk. So clearly she failed the state and now she wants to move on to continue to ignore statewide problems.
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February 07, 2012
Votes: +0

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