Ripley News

Like every president seeking re-election, Barack Obama walks the fine line every day between the discordant goals of motivating his party's strongest loyalists and reaching out to swing voters for their support.

RIPLEY, Okla. - President Obama called Thursday for new and faster construction of the nation's petroleum pipelines, delivering a message of reassurance here in deep-red Oklahoma that the oil industry has a key role in his energy plan.

Pipeline yard north of Ripley, protesters will be gathering in Cushing. They are supporters of the state's oil and gas industry and believe the President is using Oklahoma as a campaign prop.

Details of President Obama's 'oil' visit to Oklahoma this week show he'll be speaking near the town of Ripley, not Cushing on Thursday.