He really needs to get in line with T. Boone Pickens and the Democrat mayor of Anchorage, Alaska.

"'I think it's important for the American people to understand we're not going to drill our way out of this problem,' he said. 'It's also important to recognize if you start drilling now you won't see a drop of oil for ten years, which means its not going to have a significant impact on short-term prices. Every expert agrees on that.'"

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Yes, Barack--stay on this message! One of the main reasons I support you is your better stance on environmental issues.  Don't "move to the center" on this one!

BTW - I used to vote Republican until 2000; Gore got my attention as the pro-environment candidate. I've been voting Democratic ever since. Maybe it's not always popular or good for business to put the environment first, but if we develop alternative fuels, we can do both - expand new technologies that provide for our energy needs and protect the earth as well.

It's pretty obvious that if you don't drill for 10 years you won't realize a drop of oil.  We've already proved it.

Obama should at least be credited with bringing the discussion down to where his constituents can parrot, uh, understand it.

This is hysterical.....what does this make about his tenth position he's changed since securing the nomination???? What a joke......first he flips, then he flops, and now it never seems to stop.....

It makes it so much easier for the American people to see what a duplicitous jerk Obama is.  Audacity of Hope? I think not, but clearly the Audacity of Arrogance!

Go John McCain 2008

It's frustrating to see the Democratic Party caving in to John McCain on energy.  The Democrats should be leading on this issue with bold energy initiativea. We don't have the time or money to waste on old solutions.  We can't drill our way out of the energy crisis.

The art of governing is the art of compromise and also the art of seeming flexible when indeed you may not. The key phrase Obama made was if the science was available to further protect the environment if off-shore drilling exist. The science isn’t there, so the republicans would only get money for research in safe ways of offshore drilling. Obama has made similiar statements about coal production and nuclear energy. If we can find safe ways to dispose of energy waste or produce coal cleanly he would be for it.  But the science isn't there.  Obama statement is a boom for scientist and geo physicist but not for the oil companies.

OHHH! I was waiting for this moment!!  He is actually flipping on his base voters biggest issue!!

But we shouldn't gloat. No, no, no. We should welcome Barack to the fold. He now agrees with John McCain on the biggest issue for the election. Welcome, Barack, welcome!

Maybe Barack could call Nancy Pelosi and possibly see if she could bring congress back into session so they can vote on the oil drilling bill?

Yes Barack, you have made a very wise choice today.

Oh, and Greens, what do you think of this? I mean a cynic would say he's just doing it to get elected. You don't think thats what's going on, do you?

I knew he would backdown, he is absolutely spineless, how can you even consider a vote for this guy, "NO DRILLING" on Wednesday, and "OK LET'S DRILL FLORIDA" on Friday, you can't trust him.  Now you watch he will put Hillary on his ticket even though he said he would not!

And on Friday, August 1st, 2008, Barack Obama folds his tent and goes home.

Please Obama, dont even go there!!!

But I thought Barack, and his followers, said that even if we drill today, we won't see any oil for 10 years, and that it wasn't worth the effort, and that it polluted the environment, and that alternative energy was the way to go. What's happened to all that?

Obama needs to come out with facts and figures which are pretty much available in public domain about drilling our way now ...and use McCain's position to highlight the issue based difference here.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/06/20/new_offshore_drilling_not_a_quick_fix_analysts_say/

When you start drilling even if were to bring down the oil prices (which IT WILL NOT again published results show that)- does someone honestly think that the Oil Companies will NOT raise prices in the short term - so that they can make quick buck out of the consumers when there is a chance in the short term to do so?

We need to be cognizant of the long term ...how about Brazil which went sugarcane (sweet) route in the 70s. Today more 45% of their consumption is produced within the country. Can we not find a sweet route, other than drilling ?
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/10/world/americas/10brazil.html

Hey First Read,  

Can you please do some investigative reporting here...I'm really sick of you guys just posting up nonsense!~  This is tabloid S#!T!!!  All these republicans up on Capitol Hill lambasting the "do nothing democrats" when they have been the "block all legislation, run our country into the gutter republicans"???

I am ashamed to have been duped by bush and called myself a republican!  I am ashamed of the Republicans for politicising our environment, in the name of filling their campaign coffers w/money from big oil!!!! PLEEEAASEEE NBC...GET BACK TO THE INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM THAT MADE YOUR NETWORK SO SPECIAL!!!! TAKE OUR GOVERNMENT TO TASK, AND EXCERCISE YOUR ROLE AS THE FOURTH BRANCH OF GOV'T AND INFORM THE CITZENRY!!!

It's all about accountability, and it's really hard to hold our gov't accountable when all you send us over the airwaves is bickering between campaign representitives!!!

This really doesn't classify as "reconsidering"... Obama's position against off-shore drilling has always been as against John McCain's shift.  John McCain repeated again his line about oil executives telling him they could produce more oil "in months" if the ban was lifted.  I'd love someone to ask McCain WHERE that might be... how the oil executives know there's oil where they think it is.  McCain's idea that off-shore drilling solving the nation's gas problems immediately is erroneous... even the Bush administration's energy department contradicts his claims.  This is what Obama has spoken out against.  What he's saying here is that he is willing to consider expanding drilling areas, if done correctly and carefully, if it means a larger compromise like the one brought up by the Group of Ten today could go forward.  He still cautions that it will take many many years for any production to come from drilling in these new areas... but Obama is reiterating the point of his campaign: he is willing to work with people from all sides to do what is right for the American people.  And if the Republicans want so badly to expand the leases offered to oil companies (even when those same oil companies aren't using all the leases they have now) and there will be strict guidelines and careful thought put into the policy, Obama will work with them.  This is the kind of change Obama has talked about from day one... so classifying this as "reconsidering" is a bit misleading.

Seems like he's saying "If, to pass the energy plan I want, I have to give a little to get it through then I'll consider allowing some off-shore drilling if it is safe for the environment.  I'm not going to be completely stubborn and not pass energy reform because I didn't get every single thing I wanted."

And, as someone who may be our next President, it makes me happy to see a person who looks like he isn't so stubborn that he is unwilling to compromise to get something done is Washington.

What's the old saying?  If both parties don't walk away from a compromise thinking they gave up to much, then it wasn't a good compromise.

Richard, Washington State

T. Boone Pickens has his own agenda which will make him millions. Don't forget this is one of the swift boat guys - you think he all of sudden developed a conscience?? Please I have a bridge to sell you.

I see no flip here, haters may suggest so. Notice Obama said...
"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.

That's because Obama cares about our enviroment. Does McCain?

What good is McCain's experience if he's forgetting everything?

I'm confused. Either it's okay to drill, or it's not. Obama has been steadfast in his opposition. McCain was steadfast in his support. I tell everyone I can that I support Obama for his position on fossil fuels, on the environment, and on Global Warming. Now Barack turns on a dime and supports all the things he had been against?

What changed?

Every expert does not agree!!!

Barack appears out to lunch again. It's not an either/or with drilling and alternative energy. It's both. You know, what McCain has supported all along.

I knew Obama would cave on the drilling issue. His  position on oil was as wrong as his position on the Surge. Obama is not qualified to be president; he is a spokesman and tool for envirnmentalists, unions, anti-war and other special interest groups that put their positions ahead of the good of the country. Obama will have to lead his party to a compromise or face defeat in November. The question is will Reid and Pelosi go along. If they don't they will take Obama down with them.

There goes OBAMA, clueless, FLIP Flopping celebrity.
Please be ware of salvaging America's future with him. Obama who send people to abuse Hillary a b....,
Hohn McCain a paralyzed citizen etc.. with a pastor who says God D.. America & Flip Flopped on Iraq..
Too risky.. No match for the patriotic McCain.

It appears to be like many issues.  You have to give up something to get something.  In the long run, offshore drilling is not a problem as long as it's not the only solution.

How on earth Mark Murray could come to this conclusion is beyond me. It is clear Obama’s fundamental views have not changed, in fact they were reiterated. It is time reporters report facts and stay clear of sensational journalism.  These are serious times and this is a very serious election. Please do better than this!

"U.S. Sen. Barack Obama said today he would be willing to open Florida's coast for more oil drilling if it meant winning ..." the election.

I truly respect Senator Obama's reasonablness.  He sincerely has America's best interest at heart.  I like him more and more everyday.  I can't wait to vote for him.  
I can't wait for the lying, malicious mccain to go down in defeat.  The good guy will prevail and that is Senator Obama!

Richard - I agree. I was wondering whether Pickens would be hitching to Obama's wagon or if it would be the other way around.  Regardless, it would be very beneficial for Obama to start talking to this guy.

T. Boone Pickens is a highly respected oilman in this state and people here are really beginning to listen to the need for alternative energy because of his ads.  Obama would do a lot better in this red state if he sat down with Pickens.

as long as he doesn't leave it up to state officials alone...can we say shark feeding frenzy on the state level with the oil lobby...ugh

Although off shore drilling off the coast of my state is appalling to me, I admire Obama for keeping an open mind toward compromise.  Oil companies need to be accountable for any and all mishaps regardless if it is by hurricanes or tanker wrecks.  Brick walls do not accomplish anything.  The big picture is more important.  We can't climb mountains if we stumble over stones.

Obama never said he won't...his approach isn't half cocked....there are no easy answers to difficult problems...
Off shore drilling will take 10 to 15 years to see any benefits...It's hardly the answer...Obama's approach brings the profiteers to their knees...the oil companies...Oil is a strategic commodity for the economic welfare of the country..
Obama's agressive plan get's us away from the usage..
It's like an addict...you don't keep giving them more dope..they must we must be weened away from hoping there is a never ending supply...electric cars fed by solar and wind generation and hydro...
The best way to bring prices down is to lessen the use and demand...This by giving tax credits and incentives to change...
Oil use has dropped by 13% over the last two years...we're on the right track..the oil companies are scared because they see a weaker market for oil in the future....
Remove the demon and the problem goes away...
Demon oil..demon oil companies...Bye Bye...

another flip flop...  He'll say and do anything to get elected.  This goes against his earlier stance 100%

What a Flip Flopper.  There he goes again changing his positions.  What does he stand for and what is he for?  Is this the change he is talking about?  Changing his mind at every turn.  

One day Obama is against drilling and the next day he is in favor of it.  Can't the guy get any position right?

Reasonable position to take.  Shows he realizes that you have to compromise sometimes.

Talk about flip-flopping.  Why is it we always end up with a couple of jerks who want to run the country?  Make up your minds.  Off-shore drilling will not solve any problem - how long will it take to accomplish anything???  We already have the worst administration of all times - or one of the worst.  Can't we get someone to run who doesn't change his/her mind when they read some numbers.  Not everyone in California approves off-shore drilling!  I don't know about Florida - they better work on adding votes - the last election was a farce.

At first I read the headline and groaned thinking Obama was giving in to a pander.  After reading the quotes, I see that Obama is discussing a very pragmatic tact that probably reveals his style of governing, so I can grudgingly agree that it may be necessary to compromise.

There he goes fliping and flopping again....and trying to steal McCain energy plans.

Good call. I've been advocating the same policy shift for weeks. Here's the play:  The American people are desperate enough to latch onto any idea to relieve energy prices at the moment, Big Oil has the cash...much of it filched from our own pockets...to pound "drill, drill, drill!" into the American psyche, and the $1 billion dollar environmentalist PR machine is asleep at the wheel. A compromise has to happen to keep "drill, drill, drill" from being a life raft for the Republicans, and by clamping down on the trading requirements in energy futures, signalling an intent to drill (it won't happen for a decade, anyway) and pushing green initiatives, we will actually be able to put a dent into $4 a gallon gas. I imagine the deal Big Oil struck with the McCain campaign is to slowly but steadily increase refining capacity following the passage of the Bill into law.

It is easy, then, to see why the McCain campaign is stuttering instead of applauding Sen. Obama's compromise: There is now no political payoff in offshore drilling for Mr. McCain. The Republicans on the Hill are probably praying for Mrs. Pelosi to remain adamant in refusing to consider the issue, but Team McCain has to be tearing their hair out by now. Look at what an obvious stall Sen. McCain's response becomes when interspersed with Sen. Obama's concession on drilling:1

"We need oil drilling and we need it now offshore. He has consistently opposed it."

Team Obama: Right, but now he's willing to let you drill if you absolutely feel you must, and intend to obstruct all other relief measures in Congress until you get it included.

"He has opposed nuclear power."

With good reason, I think. Who wants to live next to a nuclear plant? Where are you going to put the sludge? What happens if there's another Chernobyl on American soil? Wouldn't that provide more facilities for terrorists to steal nuclear material from? Where is the exorbiant amount of money that each nuclear plant costs to build going to come from? Is nuclear energy more or less expensive than oil fired plants? Insert Team McCain strategy HERE __________.

"He has opposed reprocessing. He has opposed storage."

Like Breeder Reactors? No one's ever been able to make one work. See above with: "Where do we put the nuclear sludge and mutagens". I'm not sure what Team McCain means by "storage", barrels tend to leak.

...no real response, right?
Stutter, stutter.
Hiccup! Stutter.

"...he just took our one issue away from us...!"

Yup.

-Obama08

who is theONE???

theONE is such a shiftchanger..is theONE a skinchanger?..

No matter what we do will have an immediate effect on the price of gasoline.  Many experts believe we can drill and get oil within 5 to 7 yrs.  We need alternative energy programs but they also will take time. His previous answer of checking your tires for proper inflation and getting a oil change was asinine.  I'm sure his left base will be unset.

C A, Please quit whining. You're scaring the children.  Tabatha Reynolds, Oak Creek, Virginia (Sent Friday, August 01, 2008 6:45 PM) (another thread)

Tabatha ~ Such a catty comment, really.  C A is and old acquaintance of mine from other blogging days and one of the best-intentioned, least scary people I know.  He's obviously frustrated, like everybody else who has half a brain.  Maybe he's just suffering from the heat and from being served too much grape kool-aid by insensitive republican clones and drones.  If you read his story carefully, you would know how much he deserves your admiration, gratitude, and respect, rather than your derision.  He knows whereof he speaks.  You should listen first next time, and that will save you the trouble of making a fool of yourself.  

Obama is now letting McCain define him. That means Obama already lost this election. I had foolishly assumed that the Obama and his campaign would not roll over and play dead when the GOP "hit team" started slinging the mud. I was wrong. Barack, we hardly knew ye.

My messages helped. I emailed Obama and asked him to reconsider. I have. Initially I thought drilling was bad. But after I looked into the other issues around it and realized that the issue of energy was keeping dems and repubs from coming together w. a solution, I emailed him as a reply to a req for money.
This is the 3rd time Obama has been a listener to his constituents, and supporters that I am personally familiar with.
Furthermore, he explains his position to the American People instead of just asking them to take his word for everything like McCain does.
I Love Obama '08!

This is sensible, but assuming McCain will cut an absurd attack ad in response.  Nevermind the fact McCain was against drilling in January, before he was for it.  McCain will claim Obama is now beholden to the oil companies and wants to fill the Everglades with Yucca mountain nuclear waste.  

Will we ever know who BHO really is?  He  "refines" his position to suit the issue du jour.  I lost all faith in him a while back. This Democrat is voting for substance and dependability (Read: John McCain).

Why is anyone surprised at this shift?
He says one thing, then several weeks later, changes his position.  
Egad!  
Thanks to Democrats,who abandoned the American public to high gas prices, and ever rising grocery prices, while they vacation on taxpayer money, it won't be a struggle to elect a Republican President in the November election!

Actually, T Boone Pickens said we should drill, and drill every where now, so that we get rid of the oil as fast as possible. only then will Americans finally be forced to understand that his way is the only way. Thats paraphrasing, but its exactly what he intends to push.

Bad Idea. It won't make a damned difference, and it will make him look weak willed. Best to keep telling the truth and start hitting Johnny McGrampy on his total unfitness for office.

WHAT A SELLOUT!!!

FLIP FLOP! FLIP FLOP!

Liberals! THIS IS THE CANDIDATE YOU CHOSE?!!

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