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Subscribe to RSSIt’s not just Benghazi anymore.
One of the most controversial energy projects in the nation also has become a flash point in the drama surrounding who may become the next secretary of state – and it’s coming from the left instead of the right.
Back on Nov. 28, “OnEarth,” published by the Natural Resources Defense Council, dug into U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice’s financial disclosures and found that she and her husband have a stake in TransCanada, the company pushing for the Keystone XL Pipeline to be built.
NRDC officials say it's an important issue that must be discussed during the nomination process. But the timing of the report raises questions, as it is being surfaced by an environmental activist community that has previously given support to another potential secretary of state candidate – Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry.
NBC News' Mark Murray explains why the partisan divide over the potential nomination of U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice is intensifying.
The decision on whether to approve the pipeline goes through the State Department.
“If confirmed by the Senate, one of Rice’s first duties likely would be consideration, and potentially approval, of the controversial mega-project,” Scott Dodd at “OnEarth” wrote. “Rice's financial holdings could raise questions about her status as a neutral decision maker.”
Dodd noted that “Rice owns stock valued between $300,000 and $600,000 in TransCanada, the company seeking a federal permit to transport tar sands crude 1,700 miles to refineries on the Texas Gulf Coast, crossing fragile Midwest ecosystems and the largest freshwater aquifer in North America.”
Bill McKibben, an anti-pipeline activist, told the publication: “It’s really amazing that they’re considering someone for Secretary of State who has millions invested in these companies. The State Department has been rife with collusion with the Canadian pipeline builders, and it’s really distressing to have any sense that that might continue to go on.”
Susan Casey-Lefkowitz, the NRDC's director of international programs, sounded a less strident tone a day later: "What's most important is that she rid herself of her holdings in TransCanada and other tar sands-related companies, and we're confident she will do that ... What's most important is that we have a good, thorough review done.”
Danielle Droitsch, a senior attorney for the NRDC and director of the Canada Project, told First Read: “We think Ambassador Rice has the credentials to be secretary of state, but if she were nominated, and then appointed, these holdings would have to be addressed.”
She added that “high-level officials dealing with Keystone should not have any conflicts of interest.”
The likelihood is that, if nominated, Rice will have to divest herself of her TransCanada investment to avoid a conflict of interest.
Will new Obama appointments come this week? Is there a way to get both John Kerry and Susan Rice into the Obama cabinet? NBC News' Chuck Todd and Time's Joe Klein join the discussion.
The environmental group’s effort to shed light on Rice’s financial interest in TransCanada could be just an attempt, if Rice is nominated, to get a “thorough review” and make sure it has a staunch ally in trying to thwart the project, as Casey-Lefkowitz said.
But could it also be a signal that the NRDC prefers another candidate for the job – Kerry, the other of the final two candidates reportedly being considered for the post?
After all, environmental groups have strongly supported Kerry in the past and have a long working relationship with him. Like they would for most Democrats in a presidential election, for example, the NRDC and the League of Conservation Voters, among others, ran ads in the 2004 election boosting Kerry.
LCV even endorsed Kerry before the New Hampshire Democratic primary that year, although it has notably not spoken out about Rice.
Droitsch, however, would not address whom the NRDC prefers for the job.
“We’re trying to signal that the pipeline decision has to be conflict-free,” Droitsch said. “That would pertain to any potential nominee. The president has the prerogative to nominate the person he believes is best for the position.”
The Senate will then raise questions, however, she said. And “now is important to raise the issue ... We want to make sure that anyone who’s being considered would be free of those conflicts. That’s our primary interest right now.”
The NRDC, which has been very involved in efforts to block Keystone, is the environmental interest group most pressing the issue of Rice’s financials.
But others might not be as keen to see Kerry leave Capitol Hill. After all, consider that green groups already spent a lot of money trying to oust Republican Scott Brown from the Senate – and were successful.
But if Kerry becomes secretary of state (or even defense secretary), his seat would become vacant, raising the potential for a costly and competitive special election.
“Who cares if the U.N. ambassador has a TransCanada stock. Who cares if the head of the FDA has TransCanada stock,” said a Democratic strategist and ally of the administration who is a veteran of confirmation battles.
“If she [Rice] were to be nominated, she would go through a process by which we look for financials conflicts. Maybe this stock would be identified as something that posed a conflict, and she would sell," the strategist said. "But she hasn't gone through that process, because she's not a nominee to anything. If they want to say that if she is the nominee, she should sell the stock, that's fine. But you can't legitimately hit her for having it now. And that is likely why NRDC backed off and no other environmental groups have piled-on.”
What really is going on here likely has less to do with Rice and whether she should ascend to secretary of state, and more with the NRDC leveraging pressure on the president and the administration to make sure the pipeline is rejected again once it comes up for approval. And that could be soon.
The next step in that approval phase, in fact, could come as early as next week, Droitsch said. TransCanada has applied for a shortened pipeline in hopes of having that approved – something the NRDC strongly opposes. A Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement could be released by the State Department as early as next week, Droitsch said.
“It is critically important for there to be independent decision-makers, free of conflict of interest, who can take an independent view,” she said.
She then tied the administration’s decision on the pipeline to climate change, an issue that has regained prominence as a result of Hurricane Sandy. In the days following Sandy’s landfall, in fact, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed President Barack Obama for his leadership on climate change.
How Obama decides on the pipeline “signals where the U.S. is headed in terms of importing dirty fuels, inconsistent with an administration that is committed to fighting climate change,” Droitsch said.
“We’re confident President Obama understands the seriousness around the issues surrounding this pipeline. Approving it sends the wrong signal about our country’s commitment to climate change. Yes, he’s under a lot of pressure, but the public is very concerned about this. It’s not a decision I know he’ll view lightly.”
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Sure are a lot of sour grapes on here since the election.
It is okay to cover up 4 murders but don't own stock. Somebody has their thought process running in reverse. But then I have know for many years these tree huggers were screwy.
Who covered up 4 murders? Everything about Benghazi is known.
golfsleft
Now that is funny.... We know HOW it happened, But not WHY? But then again I would not expect any lefty want to know that answer.
And nobody questions the millions and millions of dollars invested in the so-called "green" companies that our elected representatives hold and are trying to ram the tech down our throats? See who benefits before they vote on it.
Momma-2843355
Ya forgot... How much money did these 'Green' Compnaies give to obama's relection?
This is the final straw with her! I was leaning towards letting the Bengazi incident go on the idea she was 'just doing her job'. But this inside dealing is just unacceptable. She's tainted goods in my opinion. Playing all sides towards the middle and making big bucks doing it doesn't fit into the character of someone I want leading the country.
The President had better be careful, goodwill can ebb and flow on the peoples perception of credibility.
I guess that old rule in Washington is in effect....it's easier to get forgiveness than it is permission.
Really, seems to me she is on the wrong side of this. The pipeline wont get built under Obama, and she has invested in a company that will make money if the pipeline is built. Sounds like her inside information isnt so good after all.
Bill, why do you think the pipeline won't get built under Obama? A lot of it is already built.
golfsleft
Because obama himself has said it won't happen...
Yeah..... Give it to John Kerry.
He's less incompetent... & not as big a liar as Rice.
Meanwhile, most activists are opposing anyone still living as the nominee. Said one activist "Air is a commodity that is under attack for pollution, and anyone living is damaging the air by exhaling carbon dioxide. I can't believe they'd consider anyone who produces carbon dioxide like that. We think Mr. Obama should nominate a rock."
This is getting kind of ridiculous. There are no saints out there.
If Rice wants to become Secretary of State of the most powerful nation on earth, she must come clean...
I live in Mass and I want Kerry for Secty of State. We need to get him out of the Senate and into an appointed administration position so we can be rid of him in 4 years. Maybe we can even get Scott Brown back in the senate to offset the damage Pocohontus (Elizabeth Warren) will do as a senator.
One a person isn't even nominated yet and accusations are flying. Two Kerry is a multimillionaire and obviously would have monetary holdings which would cause a conflict of interest. Any Democrat or Republican would have monetary holdings which would cause conflict of interest. Think about it most of Congress and high level government officials are multimillionaires part of that one percent. Look hard enough they all have monetary ties or interest in business that is a conflict to their duties, only when it serves them. Otherwise they are supportive of that business. Are any of them really representing the interests of the common American? Think about it, act on it!
can you say 1%
Wasn't this I-hate-Rice, I-want-Kerry thing already discredited as a ploy to trick John Kerry into leaving the Senate so that Scott Brown could run in Massachusetts for Kerry's Senate seat?
"Commitment to climate change" can be defined as driving the price of oil through the roof to make "Alternative" sources of energy more competitive.
Obama the Ideologue not approving the pipeline was direct pandering to his environmental activist supporters he doesn't care about the economy or the country only his agenda.
Rice is a "yes" woman, she needs to take her talking points and go home.
Not to mention a LIAR.
Hey tards, how is it that Kerry who is worth more than Romeny, is not a off shore sucking rich guy also? Oh thats right he is a liberal and the liberal creed is do as I say, not as I do.
Ah, but kerry hasn't built anything, just mooched off of his wife which qualifies him for the obama admin???
And remember. Even if he had a business "he didn't build that".
Robert-1319721
No Kerry does it in the open... parking his boat where he does not have to pay taxes on it... What the hell is wrong with you people that belive just becasue some one is NOT a lefty, they are BAD?
Make her sell when the stock when it takes a dive when the imbecile Obama further holds back the project, and realize the loss; it will serve her right!
What's the big deal?????
So Rice can gain some more $$$$$$ if the pipeline deal goes through :)
It really don't matter which one President Obama picks Susan Rice or John Kerry the Country will be the loser.
Wait, she has millions? But I thought all those Democrats were poor and honest folk? ;) They always scream at the sky about the "evil, rich republicans" and I'm forced to think I have never seen a democrat politician living in a one room apartment like me. And I'm sure Obummer loves those state dinners on that fine china and glass. His meals prepared for him every day, instead of making it in a Microwave himself. One day maybe they'll drop the "I'm just like the common man" act.
FYI: I'm an independent. I am not one of the 1%. I have $2 in my wallet right now. I do not own land. Have no stocks in any company and I have no trust fund. No, I have never seen a poor republican politician. I just want the Dems to grop the facade of being poor themselves.
Obama needs that two dollars to fund his liberal dream for America please donate it now.
Richard-3533523
You got a wallet? ( LOL )
Both Rice & Kerry are horrible picks.
Agreed: there are a lot better choices out there - to include the one there now...... Perhaps Hilary should reconsider....
You people should read the article before commenting. Of course she has to divest herself of the stock if she is nominated and confirmed as SOS. It's a clear conflict of interest - but some of you didn't read that part, did you? Ask the people of Staten Island if they want to approve a pipeline that put out environment at greater risk. But no, just keep your heads in the sand on every issue.
Then lets run the pipeline into the poorer areas they dont have any say about anything anyways.
Guitarma
Tell that to the people in a small town in my state, where they came in and STRIPED a whole mountain top of all Growth to put in 'WIND FARMS'.
Tell that to the people who now have to live with the noise of them, Day and Night...
Just think how much Carbon Dioxide would have been removed by the trees and plants that were DESTROYED for the 'GREEN" energy...
This Sh1t is great as long as it is not in YOUR BACK YARD...
Christmas means the birth of Jesus,and peace on earth,and good will toward men-but men go on and on with their wars,and wars are not good will toward men,but bad will toward men.Jesus says,love your enemies,but in wars men kill their enemies. Jesus says,do unto others as you would want others to do unto you,but in wars men do to others what they don't want done to them.Jesus says,expect no reward from God loving only those who love you,even sinners love their own,but in wars men love only those who love them.Jesus sent out his disciples without swords to spread his Gospel,and Gospel means Good News,and wars are not good news,and men send out men with swords of wars against men,even in the name of God.
Easy to preach when you have a job, isn't it?
al do you know what, allahau akbar, means????
Al-3017247
How Dare you mention GOD ... I hope you burn in hell ( Sarcasm )
Not only is Rice incompetent, but she is way to homely. She reminds me of Albright, who was pretty much a joke.
She should have openly disclosed that long time ago - so this person cannot be trusted as such and she should resign add that along with Bengazi and you have a pattern dishonest political liar so whats new
Washington is full of morons, to much political nit picking and not enough work being done. 10 yr. old children conduct themselves better. Sad group of people..
Appointing a woman to that post was stupid in the first place. Bush made that mistake and so did Obama. C. Rice is a super smart woman but Bush should have never put her in that position. Hillary Clinton is a bull@!$%# artist and not a very good one and Obama should not have appointed her. The middle east is full of Arabs that laugh at these women and despise them because of the position they have. These Arabs will surely disrespect Susan Rice even more knowing that she was covering for the White House during the Benghazi fiasco.
A man needs to hold this position and John Kerry is not that man. Willie Nelson would have better results as a diplomat than John Kerry. I think a moderate conservative would be the best person for that post or a blue dog democrat if we still have any of those left...... on the left. I KNOW WHO WOULD BE A GREAT PICK !!!!!! Joe Lieberman would be great for that position! He wouldn't take any @!$%# off of of the Arabs and he is super smart. Yeah, thats the guy, problem solved.
You say the Arabs would have no respect for a woman in that position and then suggest sending a Jew? Interesting.
Ruger, that is exactly who we need in the middle east. Don't think for a minute we will ever resolve our differences with radical Islam and I don't think we should. Kissing Arab ass is not the answer, they only respect power and nothing else. They are a single minded, abusive people that want to kill us so yeah, Joe Lieberman is our man. I don't want to make friends with Islamofacistnazis and I don't think we need to. I don't want to continue killing these people or being killed by them, I just want to leave them alone. The more attention we give these evil people the more they raise their ugly head and I think Lieberman understands what these people are all about and how to handle them.
Respectfully submitted.