The controversy over a transnational pipeline running from Alberta to Texas brings to light a potential sever in Democratic solidarity. Because of the economically trying times, the union-dominated portion of the party has made their ideol0gical platform in 2012 clear: to create jobs at all costs and with whatever provisions necessary.
Their endorsement of the $7 Billion, 1,700 mile pipeline, however, has collided head on with numerous environmentalist groups. This is problematic for a party in which environmentalism has become just as mainstream as the unionism. Not only does the "liberal fringe" take environmentalist approaches seriously, but the movement's financial and lobbying efforts in Washington have grown drastically as well.
So what will this mean for the Dems in 2012? Maybe nothing. Maybe a ton. The likelihood is that neither group will abandon the Obama camp. But then again we're looking at a party who lost a major wave election in 2010 and who has a guy in office who's been underwater in the polls for several years. Needless to say, the Dems need solidarity now more than ever, and this isn't helping
To read more about it, go here: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68089.html
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