Mixed Reaction Expressed On President's Visit To Cushing

CUSHING, Oklahoma -- President Obama announced his first trip to Oklahoma. He's headed to the Sooner State to talk energy. The President will speak in Cushing next Thursday.

03/16/2012 Related Story: Source: President Obama To Visit Cushing Next Week

Cushing may not be an obvious choice, but it is a logical one. Oil is stockpiling there as the oil and gas market continues to fluctuate.

So Cushing is at the center of the Keystone XL pipeline battle, and President Obama is in the middle of that fight.

It's the top story at a Cushing radio station, something Sean Kelly never expected to report. He's lived here a long time and says a sitting President has never visited Cushing, until now.

"The price of oil is quoted from Cushing, Oklahoma, every day all over the world so it's a very important spot on the map," said Sean Kelly of KUSH radio.

It's called the "pipeline crossroads of the world." A newly-proposed Keystone pipeline would take oil from Cushing down into Texas.

02/27/2012 Related Story: Pipeline Announcement Has Many In Cushing Pumped

"I want him to learn about our plight with our oil crude storage and how desperately we need to get our pipeline constructed," said Cushing resident Kris Kinzie.

But many question if the President's on their side after he stalled the larger pipeline that would have stretched from Canada to the Gulf Coast.

"I'd like to hear what he has to say but he already denied the pipeline coming through," said Cushing resident Joshua Pauley.

"I don't really think he'll say anything new. I'm interested to hear what he has to say," said Scott Oliver of Cushing:

Still, Scott Oliver and many others want to shake the President's hand.

"I think it's amazing because my children will actually get to see their President," said Cushing resident Vanessa Brown.

And the Chamber of Commerce plans to roll out the welcome mat.

"How many communities of 8,000-plus can actually say they've had the President of the United States in their community?" said Brent Thompson with the Cushing Chamber of Commerce.

A place where the flag waves proudly over the oil tanks that might decide the next election.

The White House has not announced the format of the President's visit to Cushing - whether it's a speech, a town hall, or a meet-and-greet. He will also stop in Oklahoma City next week.