Energy Issue Dogs Democrats

With energy policy a key issue in states with vulnerable Democratic incumbent senators, President Obama’s poor job rating on “improving the nation’s energy policy” adds to his political weakness in the November election.

He is only considered as doing a good job of improving energy policy by 42 percent of the public (Gallup, 3-24-14). His rating has been weak since early 2010 (43%), but today, it is a more serious political problem given the salience and impending decisions concerning the Keystone Pipeline, liquefying natural gas and fracking, all items economically important in battleground states, such as Colorado, Louisiana, Arkansas, Montana and Alaska.

 

Obama’s rating for making America prosperous is equally low (39%), but he scores better on “protecting the nation’s environment” (51%). Unfortunately for Democrats, today, energy policy and the economy are considered more important priorities than the environment.

The President’s timely decision on the Keystone Pipeline is important to Senator Mark Udall:

Udall’s “natural sentiment would be to be against” KXL [Keystone Pipeline], Denver-based independent pollster Floyd Ciruli said in an interview, as he is “fundamentally our most environmental senator.”

Gardner is an ardent industry backer, however, and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) is supportive of hydraulic fracturing for shale gas even as the issue sparks multiple local battles over banning the practice. Having to “weed [weave] through” the challenge of green support for fracking bans, Ciruli added, means Udall is likely “praying that the president will decide [on KXL] so he can move on.” (Elana Schor, E&E Publishing, 2-28-14)