McCain vs. Obama: The energy debate
Posted: Thursday, June 19, 2008 9:11 AM by Domenico Montanaro
A New York Times analysis examines the debate over lifting the ban on off-shore oil drilling. “Whether $4-a-gallon gasoline is producing more support for domestic drilling is hard to discern. A Gallup poll conducted last month found that 57 percent of those surveyed favored drilling for oil in coastal and wilderness areas that are now off limits, but there are no earlier data for comparison. In March, before the latest spike in gasoline prices, a Pew Research Center survey found that 50 percent opposed drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, in Alaska, while 42 percent were in favor.”
VIDEO: As gasoline and other fuel prices continue to rise, Barack Obama and John McCain are sparring over energy plans, including proposals for offshore drilling. NBC's David gregory reports.
More: “The federal Energy Information Administration estimates that 18 billion barrels of oil are in the area covered by the moratorium, and the White House says that is enough to match current American production for 10 years. But a 2007 analysis by the agency concluded that opening up drilling in the moratorium area ‘would not have a significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices before 2030.’”
Politico writes that Bush and McCain “have given Republicans new ammunition in the war of words over $4-per-gallon gasoline, but their calls to lift a ban on offshore oil drilling are unlikely to break the political stalemate in Congress. The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday postponed a previously scheduled vote on Pennsylvania Rep. John E. Peterson’s proposal to lift the ban — perhaps a sign that the double-barreled push from the GOP’s leaders has left Democrats worried that the proposal isn’t the automatic loser it has been in the past. “
”But Democrats still control both the House and the Senate, and the party in power shows little interest in expanding production to confront skyrocketing gas prices — especially if doing so puts it at odds with voters concerned about the environment.”
Veepstakes watch on this issue, per NBC/NJ’s Mike Memoli:
Off message? Jim Webb is co-sponsoring John Warner’s offshore drilling bill.
Mark Sanford “reiterated his conditional opposition” to offshore drilling.
And Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) released a statement supporting Bush and McCain on drilling.
This energy debate has even become an issue in the Warner-Gilmore Senate race in Virginia, the Washington Post reports.
Also on the energy front: "McCain called yesterday for the construction of 45 nuclear reactors by 2030 and pledged $2 billion a year in federal funds 'to make clean coal a reality,' measures designed to reduce the United States' dependence on foreign oil."
