Obama shifts stance on offshore drilling
Find a Conversation
| Sat, 08-02-2008 - 9:13am |
http://www.tothecenter.com/news.php?readmore=6547
Senator Barack Obama has wavered in his position on offshore drilling, saying that he may be willing to compromise on the issue, the Associated Press reports. The presumed presidential candidate had previously announced his opposition to offshore drilling but said Friday he would consider supporting limited offshore drilling if that was the way to get policy enacted that promotes more fuel-efficient cars and the development of alternate energy sources.
With attack ads criticizing Obama’s aversion to the drilling even as gasoline prices rise to $4, Obama has reneged his opposition, hoping that a compromise could put an end to policy gridlock on energy issues. “My interest is in making sure we've got the kind of comprehensive energy policy that can bring down gas prices,” Obama said in an interview with the Palm Beach Post. “If, in order to get that passed, we have to compromise in terms of a careful, well thought-out drilling strategy that was carefully circumscribed to avoid significant environmental damage -- I don't want to be so rigid that we can't get something done.”
Oil and energy have been a hot debate topic the past several weeks, leading up to the five week Congressional hiatus coming up. Earlier House Leader Nancy Pelosi refused to cave in to pressure to allow a vote on offshore drilling. It is unclear how Obama’s recent switch in stance will affect the Congresswoman’s steadfastness.
“The Republicans and the oil companies have been really beating the drums on drilling,” Obama said in the Post interview. “And so we don't want gridlock. We want to get something done.”

Pages
Yes, its all about taking care of the working poor; that's why conservative want to reduce
"Keeping America competitive requires affordable energy. And here we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world. The best way to break this addiction is through technology. Since 2001, we have spent nearly $10 billion to develop cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable alternative energy sources -- and we are on the threshold of incredible advances."
Right.. and the rest of the speech from 2006..
Too bad we can't bring some back for a souvenir :)
True! she said she did see a tent off the road with a camel near by.. but her driver said you don't want to venture off the road
Isn't "move beyond a petroleum-based economy" the key part of that quote?
If oil companies drill more in the US, do they give us a home town discount? Or is it just a part of the supply subject to the demands of the global economy?
Yep, gotta have our mcmansions, suvs, central heat and air. I've lived in several parts Europe, and though the homes, and cars, are definitely smaller, but we were usually able to climate control our indoor spaces as needed.
They also have 6+ weeks vacation per year; they have generous maternity and paternity leaves, universal health care, and free or subsidized university education for those that qualify.
"That's not a standard I want to live by." Oh the pain!
Pages