Drill. Don't drill. Whatever. We don't drill, we don't have any spills. We do drill, we get another tax revenue stream in the U.S. and 2 cent per gallon cheaper gas in exchange for potentially killing some sea life and idiot swimmers who aren't scared of black water. Either way, the game is potentially zero-sum.
Out of curiosity, I did a pre-election search for Obama and "offshore drilling", and the results were INCREDIBLY unsurprising.:
6/18/2008
Obama challenges McCain on offshore oil drilling, security
Quote:
Obama and McCain also clashed over energy policies. McCain accused his Democratic opponent of recycling impractical ideas by supporting a tax on windfall oil company profits. Obama criticized his rival's proposed energy plan which called for an end to a federal moratorium on offshore oil drilling.
Candidates Clash on Impact of Offshore Drilling
July 16, 2008
Quote:
AMOS: John McCain and Barack Obama agree the price of oil is painfully high. They disagree on what to do about it. And we begin with one of their major differences, on offshore oil drilling. President Bush has lifted a ban on drilling in many areas. That ban came partly in response to a 1969 spill in California.
Quote:
JOYCE: Days later Senator Barack Obama fired back in Jacksonville, Florida, where drilling isn't such a popular idea.
Senator BARACK OBAMA (Democrat, Illinois): It would have long-term consequences for our coastlines but no short-term benefits since it would take at least ten years to get any oil.
JOYCE: And that's not soon enough, he says.
Sen. OBAMA: Offshore drilling would not lower gas prices today.
Aug 3, 2008
Obama's offshore conversion: helps but battles loom
Quote:
Sen. Barack Obama's conversion in favor of offshore drilling on the road to the White House will ease the standoff in the U.S. Congress over energy but forging a veto-proof bill still faces big hurdles.
The Democratic presidential candidate said he would back limited offshore drilling as part of a broader package, signaling support for legislation unveiled by a bipartisan group of senators just before Congress recessed on Friday.
"My interest is in making sure we've got the kind of comprehensive energy policy that can bring down gas prices," Obama told The Palm Beach Post in Florida on Friday.
In a nutshell, Obama didn't give a **** either way during his campaign. I'm suggesting that sometime within the last 3 weeks he flipped a coin over a shot of Tequila and heads won out.
(Heads is ALWAYS drill for oil)