Obama supports the offshore drilling plan of the Gang of 10. Some details...

[madfloridian]

The first thing that entered my mind after reading more about this plan....images of the hurricanes that year after year skirt the coastlines of these states. Sometimes all summer long, even into November.

Two parts stunned me...Florida will be given no choice, and in cases of the other states only a 50 mile ban. Again I saw an image of the hurricanes.

This part is from the local paper about Obama's appearance here yesterday, and it quotes from a separate statement sent out by his campaign.

Obama in Lakeland refers to drilling

Friday, he said he was still not a fan of drilling, telling the Palm Beach paper, "I think it's important for the American people to understand we're not going to drill our way out of this problem."

Obama also said, in a separate statement issued by his campaign, that he supported the bipartisan energy plan offered by 10 senators Friday.

"Like all compromises, it also includes steps that I haven't always supported," he said. "I remain skeptical that new offshore drilling will bring down gas prices in the short term or significantly reduce our oil dependence in the long term, though I do welcome the establishment of a process that will allow us to make future drilling decisions based on science and fact."

The proposal would end most of the ban on drilling. It would allow a 50-mile buffer on the East Coast, as well as Florida's Gulf Coast. Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina would be permitted to start oil and natural gas exploration outside the buffer.

Now more details about the plan from the five Republicans and 5 Democrats in the Senate.

Compromise would open some areas to exploration

The Gang of 10 proposal would encourage states to allow drilling off their shores by sharing some of the federal offshore royalty revenues with the states. But unlike the other four states, Florida would not get a choice on whether to allow drilling off its coasts. When asked why not, Chambliss said, "It's only a logical extension of what's happening in the Gulf right now. Plus, that area has been identified as an area where resources are available right now."

But the proposal, coming just two years after passage of a carefully crafted compromise that opened a portion of the eastern Gulf, was met by almost immediate opposition from Florida's senators — Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Mel Martinez.Nelson has already has told Senate leadership "if anybody wants to drill off Florida, they'll have a fight on their hands," Nelson spokesman Dan McLaughlin said in an e-mail. Martinez, in a statement, said: "Unfortunately, the proposal would eliminate Florida's 2006 Gulf protections and give Floridians absolutely no voice in determining where exploration could occur."

The Gang of 10 tried to avoid more opposition by limiting the new areas open for exploration, opting not to try to include the West Coast or the East Coast north of Virginia — areas where opposition might have been equally vigorous.

"We've got to start somewhere," Chambliss said. "It doesn't make a whole lot of sense just to open everything up right now and think that ... we're going to have a rush by the folks who do the exploration to go all over America."

The bill's prospects are far from certain. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the proposal "includes some very good ideas" but added: "I do not agree with every part of it."

I think I was right when I said the the Democrats will not fight very hard on this.

Only 50 miles offshore in the most hurricane prone states. Common sense just is overflowing in Congress.

[Captain Hilts]

1. This stinks. And I'm disgusted he's supporting it. nt

[Demeter]

27. It Might Be One of Those "Piecrust Promises" So Common to Elections

Easily made, easily broken. It wasn't a commitment, or part of his platform, after all.

I trust the man--he hasn't made any fatal errors, and he's recovered well from the worst they can throw at him so far.

So keep your fingers crossed, because that may be exactly what Obama did (cross his fingers) when he spoke those words of compromise--just more graciously than a blatantly lying Republican ever did.

[Captain Hilts]

33. Yes, I'm prepared for those. But they seem to be piling up. Fingers crossed. nt

[quantass]

71. Reading Obama I just dont get the sense that he'll go thru w/ it -- "Piecrust Promise" indeed!

[TankLV]

29. just the latest in a now lengthening list of complete 180's he's made...

I just "love" all the spinning his die-hard followers are trying to do - unsuccessfully.

There is no excuse...

I can't even imagine the venom here if Hillary was the choice and she did the same...!

[debbierlus]

31. A fair point - FISA, Off-Shore Drilling, & the ridiuclous 1000 rebate economic

'Stimulus' (Hey, let's borrow MORE money from China & keep ourselves in total debt)!

I always viewed Obama as a ball of clay - it was yet to be seen what he would do & the choices he would make.

These early indications are NOT good signs. Actions, not words.

Disappointing to say the very least.

[emilyg]

50. There is no excuse - you're so right.

[Danger Mouse]

65. I just "love" all the usual suspects who come out to express "concern"

every time Obama makes a controversial decision.

[madfloridian]

2. Emphasis on the words "Florida gets no choice."

Bam.

That should just go over so big here. John Wilson of Fox 13 Tampa...happy now with all your news propaganda?

[liberal N proud]

18. That should be a what the fuck moment for the Florida tourism industry

They are the biggest losers behind the environment.

[The Backlash Cometh]

43. So what do we do, now that Obama just shat in our backyard?

We in Florida know what's going to happen to this state the minute the beaches become contaminated with an oil spill. The tourist trade will go belly up. They will blame Obama and see him in a way that no one will be able to help him get out of. We're the next Louisiana.

[ErinBerin84]

3. depressing.......thanks for all of your research on this.

[GarbagemanLB]

4. Good for Obama. He knows a losing issue when he sees one.

The GOP has one strength this election, and it is drilling. He is now taking the wind from their sails.

[madfloridian]

5. Wait till Floridians hear that Florida will be given no choice. Bam.

They will love that.

If Obama sang bomb Iran would you say fine, good for him?

Caveat...I support him, but I disagree on this issue and FISA.

[GarbagemanLB]

6. Again, his position neutralizes the only strength McCain had this election cycle.

It is called good politics, and I'd much rather have an Obama administration overseeing our energy future than a McCain administration.

[DrDan]

7. good politics for those living in Oregon perhaps

for those of us living in Florida - no so much

[madfloridian]

8. You only repeat the same phrase...you don't see anything but political posing.

You keep saying that it is good politics.

If you like the kind of politics that got us into Iraq and this economy, and I could go on...

This is a shameful thing to do...to allow drilling that close to shore when hurricanes are there.

Politics should end when it starts getting harmful.

[GarbagemanLB]

9. I'm sorry if I see a McCain administration infinitely more harmful than this one bill.

and for the record, I also don't think we should be pursuing off-shore drilling.

[madfloridian]

10. Being okay with everything is just wrong.

I am sorry, but that is just going overboard.

[Kermitt Gribble]

12. Good politics to throw all of your ideals out the window

and support the opposition, who's stance is crafted purely from propaganda designed to make the oil companies more money? It's been unbelieveable living in this bizarro world these past 7 1/2 years.

[GarbagemanLB]

16. Politics is a game, and it isn't even a fair game. The media is against us because of

soundbytes, which forces our politics into simple, black and white terms. The American people are feeling a lot of pain at the pumps, and one side is using the simple (but flawed) argument that more drilling = more oil = less cost. Meanwhile, the Democrats are fumbling for a short, simple rebuttal to what is seen as a proactive solution to the problem. Simply saying "well, there are already millions of acres that the oil companies have which they aren't drilling" isn't a good enough answer, and it is showing in the polls.

On FISA, I agree that he should have stuck against it because it was an issue that the majority of the public didn't fully understand and there was an opening to define his position to the public in principled terms.

That doesn't exist with this drilling issue, because the media and the GOP have been successful at framing it. I, for one, don't want Obama to waste half of his time being on the defensive on this issue when he could be campaigning on the myriad (basically ALL) of other issues that the Democrats WIN on.

[madfloridian]

17. Well, GarbageMan, you won. He gave in.

[Kermitt Gribble]

64. All that means is

the definition of good politics has been turned upsidedown like everything else in the past 7 1/2 years- up is down, down is up. There are still a lot of people who can see through this sleazy brand of politics. I'll stick with standing firm on your principles = good politics, just like Senator Obama should.

[TankLV]

30. ahh - I see now - "neutralizes" - as in fully SURRENDERS to the repukes on this...

nice framing - really...

he capitulates with the repuke's issue - even tho he SAYS he "doesn't like it" - he AGREES to DROP his PREVIOUSLY HELD BELIEFS on this one more issue...

no matter which way you try to slice it - he's now AGREEING WITH mcINSANE on this one...

[Barack_America]

13. I thought Floridians were in favor of offshore drilling.

Has that changed?

[madfloridian]

15. They were for it according to some polls recently.

They were feeling patriotic for supporting our country by supporting drilling offshore.

I don't know the latest polling if there has been more.

Most will be shocked to hear the 50 mile drilling is here now.

[spin]

20. I live in Florida...

and most of the people I talk to still favor drilling. (Not a scientific poll by any means.)

[madfloridian]

22. Well, they got it now. With no choice.

[spin]

24. Now that might just upset some people...

Choice is always a good thing. People often get angry when it isn't offered to them.

[FlaDem83]

58. People are so stupid.

I can't believe they fall for that pile of steaming dreck that off shore drilling will help. I hope to goodness the tourism industry here in Florida has some good lobbyists because I do NOT want drilling only 50 miles off the Gulf Coast (which, is, coincidentally, the coast on which I live - just a few miles from the beautiful Siesta Key beach). I know, know, know that this is compromise position but it sucks.

[Phx_Dem]

41. Exactly right.

I heard McNasty this morning rattling on at a town hall meeting about how Obama opposes off-shore drilling. "He actually opposes it!!" He droned on and on about it. Now Obama has taken that talking point away from him. Meanwhile, CNN showed a poll that said 76 percent of the country supports off-shore drilling.

[BlooInBloo]

11. Please reconcile....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[madfloridian]

14. Those statements are in the OP.....

I quoted those words.

He does not totally agree, but he is going along with a plan that could end bans on most drilling off shore.

And Florida will get no choice.

[Cha]

19. Thanks..the media doing what they do best. n/t

[madfloridian]

21. The paper included those quotes...so did I.

"Friday, he said he was still not a fan of drilling, telling the Palm Beach paper, "I think it's important for the American people to understand we're not going to drill our way out of this problem."

Obama also said, in a separate statement issued by his campaign, that he supported the bipartisan energy plan offered by 10 senators Friday.

"Like all compromises, it also includes steps that I haven't always supported," he said. "I remain skeptical that new offshore drilling will bring down gas prices in the short term or significantly reduce our oil dependence in the long term, though I do welcome the establishment of a process that will allow us to make future drilling decisions based on science and fact."

Trouble is the removal of the ban on most offshore drilling will start a chain reaction that will be hard to stop.

AND tell Floridians they have no choice...and they don't like it.

[BlooInBloo]

23. You say "Obama supports" he says "I remain skeptical". Please reconcile.

[madfloridian]

25. Did you read this part?

"Obama also said, in a separate statement issued by his campaign, that he supported the bipartisan energy plan offered by 10 senators Friday."

Now, you are going to have to talk to his campaign and The Ledger about that.

[BlooInBloo]

26. Good 'nuff - thanks!

[madfloridian]

28. The only Democrat of the 10 I could find was Kent Conrad...

I have been searching, and no others are mentioned. There are 5 Dems and 5 Republicans. They named themselves sort of after the Gang of 14 that stopped the filibusters of the Supreme Court judges.

Who are the other 4, anyone know?

[mnhtnbb]

37. Blanche Lincoln from Arkansas, Ben Nelson from Nebraska, Mary Landreau from Louisiana

and I can't remember the 4th. It was on a DU thread.

On edit: Mark Pryor from Arkansas is the 5th. Nice collection of inland states
selling out the east coast, eh?


Here's where I found them: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[madfloridian]

38. Only Landrieu is on the coast...always votes with oil.

Sens. Kent Conrad (D-ND), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.).

Inland happily selling out the coastal states. No skin off their hides.

I am very upset about this.

[Hippo_Tron]

53. In Louisiana we already drill off of our coastline

So the fact that California and Florida think theirs is too pretty really angers people down here.

Frankly I think this whole thing is a charade that will result in nothing. As I said on your other thread, the Florida Senators are going to do everything in their power to make it so that there is no federal authority to drill off of their states.

What it seems like we will get is a bill that will end the federal moratorium and then leave it up to the states, all of which will decide not to drill.

[suzie]

69. Inland States

The last time I looked at a map, Georgia and South Carolina were coastal states.

[Zodiak]

66. Every one of them is DLC nt

[polichick]

32. Great - Pelosi FINALLY stands up to the Republicans, and Obama caves...

I grew up two blocks from the Gulf in Florida ~ it's still my favorite spot on earth ~ and I am absolutely disgusted that Obama would even think about caving to big oil and supporting the offshore drilling scam. Fuck you Barack!

[madfloridian]

34. I was thinking that. The same day wasn't it?

That Pelosi stood up to them.

I guess we have to expect politicking.

[polichick]

35. Yeah, same day - I was so happy she walked out on them...

...went out registering voters for Obama last night (as I've done since Feb.) and came home to this news. Though I still own property in Florida and consider it my home, I'm a PA voter at the moment. I so hope my fellow Floridians will put a stop to this insanity. Thanks for your informative post!

[defendandprotect]

36. Obama must have had another visit from the DLC or Chamber of Commerce . . !!!

.... money men . .. ???

[skepticscott]

39. When Obama justifies possible offshore drilling

by saying things like:

"My interest is in making sure we've got the kind of comprehensive energy policy that can bring down gas prices"

It really makes me question his leadership capabilities. The man we elect president in difficult times like these can't just keep telling people the fairy tales they want to hear. He needs to tell people the cold, unvarnished truth that fossil fuel prices are NOT going to go down significantly not matter how hard they wish and whine for it, that the era of cheap fossil fuel is over FOREVER, not just for this summer, and that they need to strongly support and participate in energy conservation efforts and policies that will replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources, not look for a short-term 50 cent a gallon fix at the pump.

Yeah, I know...he needs to say whatever it takes to get elected, so we just have to grin and bear it...or say everyone keeps saying...but that doesn't mean I have to like it or be optimistic about where we're being led.

[NYC_SKP]

49. He could tell the truth, but then he'd lose.

He could say,

"You Americans and your ever growing love of McMansions and trucks and SUV's are to blame, you've failed to support candidates who support sustainability and improving mass transit and you're the most wasteful civilization in history."

But he's lose a few votes over that.

[skepticscott]

55. The title of your post

though probably true, is a pretty sad commentary on the state of the electorate. And I also suspect that a smart politician like Obama could phrase things a bit more diplomatically. But in the end, someone who is asking to lead the country in tough times has to be someone who can find a way to get people to listen to things they don't want to hear, and to motivate people to do things they may not want to do.

[NYC_SKP]

56. More than any other candidate, Obama has chosen truth over expediency...

This the hallmark of integrity and leadership and a rare characteristic among politicians.

He's told us that WE have to make these things happen, because it's true.

He's said it's going to be hard, because it will be.

And he may have lost points, and even states, for having not joined Hillary and John in the "Gas Tax Holiday" pander that seems to have been effective.

During the campaign he's got to temper brutal honesty with some finesse and so far is doing pretty well, I think.

[AllentownJake]

40. Can't defend him on this decision

However McCain is a pyschopath so I will live with it.

[Imagevision]

42. You forget that Fl./CA polled positive for off-shore drilling

[polichick]

44. That's because many voters don't know it's a scam...

Rather than folding to this insanity, Barack needs to educate them ~ the way he did with the gas tax holiday gimmick.

[cyberpj]

46. Statistics show that he didn't educate enough on the tax holiday gimmick either -

So many aren't even paying attention and will buy whatever sounds like the fastest solution.

[polichick]

47. I think he needs to hold an energy summit, with well-known experts to explain things clearly.

[madfloridian]

45. I haven't forgotten. We have anchors like John Wilson spouting propaganda

on Fox local news.

Dems can go along or they can tell the truth. If people hear the truth, they might change their minds.

[madfloridian]

48. The "policy shop" was ready and waiting with answers on drilling offshore.

Harold Ford said they would be the the policy shop of the 08 nominee.

Looks like he was right.

Our Energy Future: Moving past the drill or not-drill debate

Meaning let's not have that debate. Let's find the third way, they say, which means compromising with extremists again. Rather than explain to the people who are not being informed...just compromise again.

John McCain has taken to distorting Barack Obama's energy plan by calling the Democratic nominee "Dr. No" on proposals to tap new sources of energy. Meanwhile, some environmentalists have begun calling President Bush "Dr. Evil" for lifting the long-standing executive ban on offshore drilling his father put in place nearly two decades ago. Favoring conservation instead, they fear that drilling will lead to spills and that extraction will kill whales and damage other marine life. (Guess what....it will kill them)

The standoff -- so typical of the gridlock that plagues Washington -- runs counter to what most Americans want out of the nation's capital: a real solution to the nagging question of how to ensure that we have enough energy to keep the economy growing without destroying the environment -- while breaking our dependence on foreign oil.

The truth is that any comprehensive energy independence plan demands that we embrace the best ideas offered by those pushing for conservation, and combine them with an environmentally conscious strategy to build more capacity.

Conservation lost in this bill put forth by 5 Democrats who adhere to this group's policies.

Environmentalists should take credit -- and some solace -- in the fact that environmental regulations have toughened considerably since the 1970s, ensuring that new drilling and exploration no longer pose the same threat they once did. But proponents of new drilling should realize that there are still serious risks for the environment, and that new leases should be granted on a case-by-case basis, with states getting a say and a share of the revenues. Just in case those newfangled drilling methods aren't as environmentally friendly as companies claim, some of the savings from ending breaks to oil companies could go to a drilling equivalent of Superfund, a government program to clean up contaminated land.

We can't drill our way to energy independence, but neither can we hope that conservation is a panacea. On the question of building a comprehensive energy independence plan, both sides needs to take the nation's larger interest into consideration, and find a third way.

The revenue sharing is going to sell it. The environmental damage according to this article will happen, so we form a superfund to take care of it.

Only 50 miles offshore in areas where hurricanes dominate.

[Holly_Hobby]

51. WTF???

Was this one, big, bait and switch?

[bigmoon]

52. Would this not let the states decide if they want to drill?

n/t

[madfloridian]

54. Not Florida.

And it would do away with most bans, do away with any protections Florida had....

How do you feel about deliberately putting oil rigs in the paths of hurricanes...frequent hurricanes.

It doesn't just damage the platform, it will damage the coastline.

[madrchsod]

57. there is a world wide shortage of deep water drilling equipment

for any oil to be pumped from deep water fields over 50 miles off shore is years away from ever going into production.
it`s a wonderful election sound bite for both sides but the reality is it`s not going to happen for years.

remember there are millions of acres that the oil companies still hold leases on in the usa that for some reason they refuse to say if there is any oil under the ground.

[MadHound]

59. Stupid move on Obama's part

Gore's support of offshore drilling in 2000 cost him almost 600,000 votes in Florida from registered Dems and self described liberals. And we all know how Florida wound up in 2000.

This is where Obama, once again, has a chance to but some teeth behind that change claim he's got going. Instead, once more, he's proving that he's just more of the same ol' same ol' Disappointing to say the least.

[Politicalboi]

68. Well if it does take years

For this to happen then he's got time to do something else about it. He could be truthful and say he's pandering to the stupid voters that think drilling is going to work tomorrow, but that might not go over very well. This just might buy him some time for another solution.

[Freddie Stubbs]

60. A majority of Floridians support offshore drilling

He is just giving the voters what they want.

[suzie]

70. I would guess that a number of Floridians have decided

to take their chances with offshore drilling. They may figure that high fuel prices will harm the tourist industry as much as oil spills.

[Freddie Stubbs]

72. Oil tankers dock in Florida ports every day

So far there have been no major spills in FL beaches.

[bluesmail]

61. There must be something credible out there linking

BigOil (aka neocons) to Obama.

[Overseas]

62. Semantics-- making consideration into support -- as a political tactic

If Obama is willing to consider offshore drilling and make his decisions based on science and fact, then he will not proceed with offshore drilling. The facts and science don't support it.

Changing his openness to consider something into SUPPORT ignites another flip flop controversy to add to the stack to create more strife to discuss on the news chat shows.

[madfloridian]

63. I quoted his support for the Gang of 10's plan, which I think is a bad plan.

I also quoted his statements that he is not sure it will make a difference.

I think perhaps his advisors failed him on this plan.

I think he is doing a good job against all odds, but he should not have said he supported this plan.

I wonder who sent out the statement? Perhaps not fully understanding that the plan gives Florida a mandate and no choice?

[demokatgurrl]

73. This is very very wrong.

And the fact that he KNOWS and ADMITS it won't make a difference makes it worse, not better, in my mind. He's not even HIDING the fact that he's going against reason, against his own primciples, against common sense.

August 1, 2008, 7:55 am
The will to drillFor a few barrels more
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/01/the-will-to... /

According to the Energy Information Administration, removing restrictions on offshore drilling would, at peak — about 20 years from now — add about 0.2% to world production, with an “insignificant” effect on the price of oil

[tnlefty]

67. Hey mad!! I've been re reading Naomi Klein's. The Shock Doctrine

and I get a churning feeling in the pit of my stomach like we're being Shock Doctrined right here at home. I heard an interview on XM 167 earlier today with David Bender and 2 other guys whose names I don't recall...long story short
Ms. Klein mentioned Katrina and how the Bush** misadmisinstration went to the Heritage Foundation and came up with 32 different ways to privatize services in NOLA, and the priviatized fire serives in CA during last year's fires.

The 2 most recent examples that she mentioned: Sec. Paulsson's declaration that Soc. Sec. should be privatized during the housing/bank crisis; the other being that people are literally being held over a barrel and pushing off shore drilling will be ramrodded through.

I felt better in a way as I felt in my gut that 'The Shock Doctrine' was being implemented here and I wasn't so crazy anymore, yet sad, that so many Americans would fall for it.

Keep up the good work!

[madfloridian]

74. Ed Schultz was just talking about this issue and Florida.

I guess he just realized that Florida is given no choice under this plan.

Wonder if the other Democrats endorsing it know it. Do they just discount it?