obama keystoneAP Images  CUSHING, Okla. (AP) — President Barack
Obama firmly defended his record on oil drilling Thursday,
ordering the government to fast-track an Oklahoma pipeline while
accusing Congress of playing politics with a larger Canada-to-
Gulf Coast project.  Deep in Republican oil country, Obama said
lawmakers refused to give his administration enough time review
the controversial 1,170-mile Keystone XL pipeline in order to
ensure that it wouldn't compromise the health and safety of
people living in surrounding areas.  "Unfortunately, Congress
decided they wanted their own timeline," Obama said. "Not the
company, not the experts, but members of Congress who decided
this might be a fun political issue decided to try to intervene
and make it impossible for us to make an informed decision."
Facing fresh criticism from Republicans who blame him for gas
prices near $4 a gallon, Obama announced Thursday that he was
directing federal agencies to expedite the southern segment of
the Keystone line. The 48