Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has announced her position on the Keystone XL pipeline, finally. Clinton said on Tuesday that she opposed the pipeline, but there are concerns as to what took her so long to speak on it. She said she was waiting on the White House to make a decision.
“I think it is imperative that we look at the Keystone Pipeline as what I believe it is: a distraction from important work we have to do on climate change, said Clinton. “And unfortunately from my perspective, one that interferes with our ability to move forward with all the other issues. Therefore, I oppose it.”
The exact amount of time it took for Clinton’s handlers to prepare that announcement is still unknown. Rather than make up her own mind and be her own candidate, she waited for the Democratic Establishment before she made a decision. In her announcement, Clinton explained why she’s been quiet about the pipeline.
“I was in a unique position as secretary of state at the start of this process, and not wanting to interfere with ongoing decision-making that the president and Secretary Kerry have to do in order to make whatever final decisions they need. So, I thought this would be decided by now, and, therefore, I could tell you whether I agree or disagree, but it hasn’t been decided, and I feel now I’ve got a responsibility to you and voters who ask me about this.”
This statement shows that Clinton was afraid to rock the boat on Keystone, that she only set out to follow the Establishment. This could be indicative of how she’d be as a president. Being diplomatic is one thing, this is quite certainly another.
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