Offshore Drilling, Obama Vs. McCain: Campaigns Spar Over Oil

WASHINGTON — The different paths John McCain and Barack Obama have taken to support expanded offshore drilling for oil demonstrate how each would govern as president, their supporters said Sunday.

McCain surrogates contended on the Sunday news programs that the Arizona Republican's turn toward drilling, which he had once opposed, showed how McCain would respond decisively to a crisis. Obama's supporters argued that his willingness to consider a bipartisan proposal including more drilling showed how the Illinois Democrat would pursue compromise to achieve results.

Sen. Joe Lieberman, a Connecticut independent and ex-Democrat backing McCain, was skeptical of Obama's support of 10 senators, half of them Republicans and half Democrats, promoting compromise legislation including drilling and other energy-related initiatives.

"John McCain sees the crisis," said Lieberman, who also once opposed more offshore drilling.

"Barack Obama says this weekend, 'maybe,' 'eh,' 'and,' 'if,' 'but.' He did not endorse, he did not come out with a strong decision," Lieberman said on "Meet the Press" on NBC. "I predict to you he'll find reasons not to be for it if this comes to a vote in the Senate."

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., appearing with Lieberman, said Obama remains opposed to drilling but is prepared to "break America's gridlock by honoring a bipartisan effort, if that is the only way to move us towards alternative and renewable fuels and an energy policy that's comprehensive."

Both Obama and McCain opposed expanding oil exploration on American coastlines when they were seeking their parties' nominations for president. As oil prices shot upward and gasoline edged toward $4 a gallon, McCain _ with the Republican nomination sewn up _ announced that he would support drilling because of spiraling energy costs.

Obama said last week that he remained opposed to additional offshore drilling but would consider it as part of a plan promoting fuel-efficient cars and developing alternate energy sources.

McCain has long touted his reputation as a Republican maverick who crosses party lines to seek compromise even if it annoys fellow party members. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., contrasted McCain's change of heart on drilling with Obama's on public financing for his presidential campaign, which Obama at first favored and then rejected.

"It's OK to change your mind in politics if it benefits your country," said Graham, another former drilling opponent, appearing on "Fox News Sunday." "Now, it's not OK to break your word."

Obama's supporters repeated their argument that new offshore oil exploration would take nearly a decade to produce any oil, thus not affecting gasoline prices today. They also said oil companies should first start drilling in the millions of acres for which they already hold leases.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said she would not support a vote on a stand-alone bill for allowing increased offshore drilling, calling it an effort to "to mislead the American people as to thinking it's going to reduce the price at the pump."

"What Sen. Obama said is what we want a president to say," Pelosi said on "This Week" on ABC. "Let's look at all of the options. Let's compare them. And let's see what really does increase our supply, protect our environment, save our economy, protect the consumer, instead of a single-shot thing that does none of the above."

Pelosi suggested that she might be open to a vote on a broader energy bill that includes some offshore drilling in areas now off limits. As far as a vote being scheduled, she said: "Well, maybe it will, as it's part of a larger energy package."

Comments

[joebaggadonuts]

So far Obama's campaign has been a resounding success. This is the first real issue the American public is really thinking about. If it were not for Obama, we would be pretending to think about it, aligned with our tribal views and completely divided. There is hope for America, but only that, so far. We have lots of work to do.

[MaryanneAZ]

This Gang of 10 bipartisan Bill is a gift from Heaven for Senator Obama. He understands the electorate and elections and knows that if the "average" voter BELIEVES offshore drilling is the answer, then he cannot oppose such a measure. This is just pure pragmatism and flexibility. I know that the haters and bigots will view this as flip-flopping etc., but I'd have to see your McCain flip-flop on the issue, and raise you Obama's flip-flop on this issue, and call it a draw. It is going to be difficult for the McC campaign to arouse much enthusiasm for bashing Obama on something McC himself is also guilty of. I support Barack Obama for President because he is intelligent, self-made, articulate, pragmatic, well-rounded, family-oriented, long-term answer oriented, and the best (not perfect) candidate for President of the U.S. He has my vote. Obama '08

[darthdarcy]

This has more to do for Obama with Goldman Sachs being his biggest bundler of money for his campaign as well as Morgan Stanley who are both the biggest players in the oil Futures Market manipulation between them they given him over $900,00.00

In the case of McCain this year alone Big Oil has given McCain over $1,000,000.00

Go to Open Secrets.org and you'll see exactly who the candidates biggest contributors are...!

http://www.opensecrets.org