Two Dem Senators pushing for offshore drilling in Florida. Democrats once opposed it.

[madfloridian]

This is interesting to see this turn about going on. It boggles my mind. They are wanting to drill within 50 miles of Florida. It will end up being much closer, I think.

A change in leadership in Congress and the White House has done little to make Florida's coastline less vulnerable to oil drilling

For years, anti-drilling forces turned to Congressional Democrats to beat back GOP-led efforts to drill off Florida's coast. But now it is a pair of Democrats behind what environmentalists consider one of the most threatening pieces of legislation in years.

The proposal, led by Democratic Sens. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico, would allow drilling 45 miles from most of the Gulf Coast, and as close as 13 miles in the Panhandle. The surprise amendment passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee by a 13-10 vote last Tuesday.

Though a 2006 law passed by Congress prohibits drilling within 234 miles of Tampa Bay, the new proposal would supercede that legislation.

Supporters of the proposal plan to pair it with climate change legislation aimed at fighting global warming. It is a political move that could put senators in a position to oppose the global warming legislation, a top priority for President Barack Obama

That is not enough for Charlie Crist. He says even drilling 10 miles offshore won't bring Florida the money it needs. He advocates for possibly drilling as close as 3 miles.

Video: Crist says drilling 10 miles offshore won't bring Florida money. Need to drill closer, he says.

A congressional plan to drill for oil 10 miles off the coast of Florida would leave the state with some of the risk but none of the profits. Other states along the Gulf of Mexico would receive millions if Congress allows oil companies to drill closer to shore. As Whitney Ray tells us, Florida could net billions by lifting a ban on drilling in state waters, but environmentalists say the profits wouldnt cover the cost of a spill.

In the video Crist makes clear this is not close enough.

It is amazing the turn about in which party stands for what issue. Hard to keep up.

[JI7]

1. hahha, no surprise both Dems are not even from there

good to see where Crist stands on this.

[madeline_con]

2. N. Dakota nad N. Mexico? If only theyt had a gulf to fuck up.

But, no they want to ruin the tourist industry by having globs of tarry crap wash up on the beaches. Fuck 'em.

[flvegan]

3. "Drill baby, drill!" Sound familiar?

Not a good camp to be in, "Dems" just saying.

[Sebastian Doyle]

4. Can we just force the entire goddamn Mountain time zone to leave the country?

Between Baucus, Conrad, Daschle, and now Dorgan, I'm beginning to hate the entire fucking region, especially these goddamned treasonous assholes who call themselves "Democrats" in those states.

BRING ON THE YELLOWSTONE SUPERVOLCANO!!

[madfloridian]

5. Another article on this today.

Democrats Behind Latest Drive For Drilling

The proposal, led by Democratic Sens. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico, would allow drilling 45 miles from most of the Gulf Coast, and as close as 10 miles in the Florida Panhandle. The surprise amendment passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee by a 13-10 vote June 22.

Though a 2006 law passed by Congress prohibits drilling within 225 miles of Tampa Bay, the new proposal would supersede that legislation.

Supporters of the new bill plan to pair it with climate change legislation aimed at fighting global warming. It is a political move that could put senators in a position to oppose the global warming legislation, a top priority for President Barack Obama, in order to block drilling off the coast of Florida.

With Democrats in control in Washington, a false sense of security set in among environmental groups and anti-drilling allies in Congress, said Michael Gravitz of Environment America, a nonprofit group that is trying to mobilize opposition to the latest drilling plan.

The Senate and its Conservative Democrats who support way too much Republican stuff....is controlling the agenda. That is their plan.

They will not let anything through that is progressive in nature.

[nankerphelge]

6. Florida politicians take note...

Please start supporting nuclear plants to be built in North Dakota and New Mexico. Also, I've heard both of those states are excellent places to store nuclear waste.

[annabanana]

7. "American Oil". . the whole stupid construct is ridiculous.

It belongs to whoever drags it out of the ground. It will be sold to whoever pays the most for it. The phrases "foreign oil" and "American oil" are completely meaningless.

[bertman]

8. BINGO!!! We have a winner.

[dotymed]

10. EXACTLY

That is why Chavez "nationalized" the oil industry
in Venezuela....and why our President,past and present, along
with the "elites", hate Chavez. He understands that
the oil (everything) actually belongs to the people, not the
wealthy bastards that harvest it.
Too bad Americans are not smart (too greedy) enough to elect
a Chavez type person for President. He closed the Media you
say? lol...Our media is only for the wealthy, and right wing.
Just like in Venezuela. Their "media" was trying to
organize another wealth based "coup" against
Chavez. I think he should implement and strongly enforce a
version of the FAIRNESS DOCTRINE, like America had before
Reagan sold the truth tho the highest bidder. The
"airwaves" belong to the people also and should not
be used for propaganda.

[madfloridian]

9. Dorgan and Bingaman now front page with pictures in The Ledger.

http://www.theledger.com/article/20090623/NEWS/90623505...

People are really upset about this. Maybe some voted for our party for real change and are disappointed.

Article basically the same but pictures added and now it is on front page.

People wonder why?

[ChiciB1]

11. THIS ISSUE Is One That Infuriates Me.. Or The Thought Of Offshore Drilling!

I really can't get my head around so many of "These People" Democrats who SCREW us at every turn anymore! I'm sooooooooooo disgusted and wonder why I keep trying to keep myself informed. With back stabbers like these, we are simply SCREWED!

I really need to get this through my THICK HEAD! I'm chewing nails all the time as it is!!

[spag68]

12. Offshore oil

The Sunshine State you say, surely you jest! Many people in this, one of the really great places which is about to be despoiled,actually support this crap. Wake up full time Floridians, us snowbirds demand that you wise up and protect your and our ecosystem there. Can anyone explain what is wrong with these people,like the WV mountaintop protesters. Do they really not care that something is going to happen to spoil the place they live. Save my sunshine and fishing you idiots.