Good Move
The only thing that has worried me about the general election, and I mean the ONLY thing, is this issue of offshore drilling. We all know that Americans are hurting at the pump, we all know they may vote on this issue more than any other (definitely more than Iraq), and we also know that they are just dumb enough to think that offshore drilling will actually make a difference.
I'm against offshore drilling, I don't think it will produce much oil and won't make a damn bit of difference in gas prices now or in the future. Ending the war in Iraq and drawing down tensions with Iran would make a 1000 times more difference in stabilizing world oil markets.
But this is an election we absolutely have to win. I've been hoping that Obama would express openness to offshore oil drilling, if only to take the issue off the table. If McCain is Mr. Drilling and Obama is Mr. Renewables, we all know that just enough dumb voters (not you, dear reader) would pull the lever for the old man to maybe, just maybe, get him over the top.
So I was quite heartened to read this today:
This is actually the perfect way to sell it. We'll open up offshore drilling, but only if we raise fuel efficiency big time and invest big bucks in renewables like solar and wind. I'm cool with that. If Obama is elected, he could change his mind and ban offshore drilling anyway. The important thing, the only thing, is to get elected first.
I'm against offshore drilling, I don't think it will produce much oil and won't make a damn bit of difference in gas prices now or in the future. Ending the war in Iraq and drawing down tensions with Iran would make a 1000 times more difference in stabilizing world oil markets.
But this is an election we absolutely have to win. I've been hoping that Obama would express openness to offshore oil drilling, if only to take the issue off the table. If McCain is Mr. Drilling and Obama is Mr. Renewables, we all know that just enough dumb voters (not you, dear reader) would pull the lever for the old man to maybe, just maybe, get him over the top.
So I was quite heartened to read this today:
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Friday he would be willing to support limited additional offshore oil drilling if that's what it takes to enact a comprehensive policy to foster fuel-efficient autos and develop alternate energy sources.
Shifting from his previous opposition to expanded offshore drilling, the Illinois senator told a Florida newspaper he could get behind a compromise with Republicans and oil companies to prevent gridlock over energy.
Republican rival John McCain, who earlier dropped his opposition to offshore drilling, has been criticizing Obama on the stump and in broadcast ads for clinging to his opposition as gasoline prices topped $4 a gallon. Polls indicate these attacks have helped McCain gain ground on Obama.
This is actually the perfect way to sell it. We'll open up offshore drilling, but only if we raise fuel efficiency big time and invest big bucks in renewables like solar and wind. I'm cool with that. If Obama is elected, he could change his mind and ban offshore drilling anyway. The important thing, the only thing, is to get elected first.
posted by Existenz | 7:10 PM
1 Comments:
I look at this from 2 perspectives;
1. Obama caves, albeit not easily, to mounting pressure, in order to maintain high poll numbers. I was hoping he wouldn't cave because oil drilling won't have an effect on gas prices until 2026. It's a weak pander, because he's not saying "Open up ANWR" or "Drill today so the ChiComs won't drill tmw". He's saying limited drilling. Of course, look at the coast of LA, devastated by that huge oil spill. Do we really need that off the coasts of other states?
2. Actually, if you think about it, a lot of wind production is available right offshore. Put a couple windvanes on those oil rigs and you've got a dual solution to the energy crisis. So I see a bonus in Obama's thinking here.
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