EDITORIAL: Clinton must reveal stance on Keystone pipeline

When Hillary Clinton launched her 2016 presidential campaign this spring, she boldly proclaimed on social media that she, unlike the GOP, was "looking forward to a real discussion" about the issues facing Americans. As we saw last week, however, her desire to have "a real discussion" about the issues does not apply to the Keystone XL pipeline.

If built, Keystone would send some 800,000 barrels of oil each day from Canada and North Dakota across the Midwest to American refineries on the Gulf Coast. It would require hundreds of miles of steel pipe, create thousands of new jobs and generate $3.4 billion in economic activity — all without Washington having to borrow or spend a dime. It would also be far safer and better for the environment than transporting oil by rail or truck. The project, which has been waiting for State Department approval since 2008, was vetoed by President Barack Obama in February and it currently sits in regulatory review limbo.

As secretary of state in 2010, Mrs. Clinton said she was "inclined" to support the pipeline. Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, has also supported the idea, and a former Keystone lobbyist is a consultant to her campaign. Since 2013, however, she has backed off her support of the project, refusing to take a position when asked by reporters or voters. And her avoidance continued last week in New Hampshire.

A New Hampshire voter asked Mrs. Clinton to give him a yes or no answer regarding her support of the pipeline. Mrs. Clinton responded by saying that Keystone is "President Obama's decision" and she wasn't going to second-guess him.

"I want to wait to see what he and Secretary [John] Kerry decide," she told the voter. "If it's undecided when I become president, I will answer your question."

Mrs. Clinton's arrogance is astounding. She's running for president. Voters need to know her positions if they're going to vote for her. Yet she says, "Elect me first, then you'll find out!" It's unacceptable for her to duck an issue that's so important to job creation and our relationship with Canada, our most important ally and biggest trade partner.

As long as she doesn't answer the question, voters — and, more importantly, the environmentalists she's trying to appease — can assume her answer is no. She won't support the pipeline. Of course she won't. She was President Obama's secretary of state.

Thankfully, for voters and green groups, Sen. Bernie Sanders — Mrs. Clinton's chief rival for the Democratic nomination for president — isn't afraid to speak to his mind on the issue.

"It is hard for me to understand how one can be concerned about climate change but not vigorously oppose the Keystone pipeline," Sen. Sanders said in a statement following Mrs. Clinton's nonstatement.

We've said it before: Sen. Sanders has bad ideas, but at least he's honest. Mrs. Clinton sure isn't.