WASHINGTON — U.S. President Barack Obama spent five minutes today disparaging the potential benefits of the Keystone XL pipeline project. He then kept it alive with five words.
At a White House news conference, Obama played down project's job potential, insisted it would not lead to lower gas prices and described it as better for Canadian "tar sands" companies than for Americans.
But he then left the door open, when asked whether he'll veto any Keystone XL bill sent to his desk by the new Republican Congress.
The president replied: ''I'll see what they do.''
The Republicans have said a Keystone bill will be their No. 1 priority in January, and also said they'll allow amendments to the bill — meaning it could become a venue for legislative deal-making.
Obama remains the key player in the pipeline debate. He can sign or veto any bill, or choose whether to approve the project through the normal regulatory process.
