Obama shifts stance on offshore drilling
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| 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.”

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I disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure
<Not sure what you mean by a high standard of living in Europe......most people in Europe live in small houses, if they have a car they drive a small car, have no air conditioning, and live in cramped areas of towns.>
Really? Where have you lived in Europe? I have lived in France, UK, and Belgium and I always had ac and heat, though I can't remember ever using ac in Scotland. BTW - I live in NE, and many of the older cities have the look and feel of Europe with small homes, packed closely together, that are getting gentrified in some cities.
It sounds like the Europe you describe is well equipped to deal with high fuel prices, e.g. public transportation, living close to where they work. Is that really a bad thing, or just different?
I live in Metropolitan Boston.
I disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure
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