Chris Matthews argued Sunday that the passage of the Keystone XL pipeline is imminent regardless of a veto from President Obama.
“I think this time around he’ll veto it. But it’s going to come back again and time again,” the MSNBC host said on “Meet the Press” Sunday morning, The Daily Caller reported.
“Is it a mistake for him to veto it?” host Chuck Todd asked.
“Well, he may feel he has to do it for his environmental supporters, but it’s not going to stop it,” Mr. Matthews explained. “It’s going to happen. It will happen. It’ll happen either this year or next year or after … because the country wants jobs, and energy is always a primary concern of the American people.
“Look where the electorate [stands]. Who is the swing electorate? Working-class whites,” he added, The Daily Caller reported. “These are the people that Hillary Clinton will want, the Republicans will want. These people are going to be for jobs like this. He said there’s nothing in it for us. There are jobs in it. And that’s what the American people look at. Energy. Jobs.”
The House approved the controversial pipeline on Friday, 252-161. Colorado Sen. Michael F. Bennet, a Democrat, has signaled his support, bringing the Senate count to 59. Sixty votes are needed for it to move on to President Obama, who is expected to veto.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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