McCain Was Skeptical Of Offshore Drilling...Three Weeks Ago

McCain on drilling this week:

"With gasoline prices rising and the United States chronically dependent on foreign oil, the Republican presidential contender said his proposal would `be very helpful in the short term resolving our energy crisis.'"

How times change. It's no wonder why no one really thinks of John McCain as a maverick anymore (via HuffPo):

In late May, during a campaign town hall, McCain was asked about the prospect of coastal drilling. His answer then was far more nebulous and skeptical of the idea compared to his recent, full-throated endorsement.

On a campaign stop in Greensdale, Wisconsin, the Senator suggested that turning to the nation's coast for energy needs would be something of a waste in time and effort and do little to resolve America's broader energy needs.

"[W]ith those resources, which would take years to develop, you would only postpone or temporarily relieve our dependency on fossil fuels," McCain said when asked about offshore drilling. "We are going to have to go to alternative energy, and the exploitation of existing reserves of oil, natural gas, even coal, and we can develop clean coal technology, are all great things. But we also have to devote our efforts, in my view, to alternative energy sources, which is the ultimate answer to our long-term energy needs, and we need it sooner rather than later."

McCain is desperately, desperately trying to get Obama on the defensive about anything, hence this attempt to exploit high gas prices for his own political gain. Although with all those Googles out there, he may not get away with it.



Display:


Re: McCain Was Skeptical Of Offshore Drilling...Th (none / 0)

Straight talk!

Any video of these remarks?


Saxby Chambliss
by bosdcla14 on Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 05:11:54 PM EST

Re: (none / 0)

maverick = dumbass;


[apparently]
by alyssa chaos on Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 05:13:04 PM EST

McFlip-McFlop n/t (none / 0)


by UrbanRedneck on Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 05:13:26 PM EST

Re: McCain Was Skeptical Of Offshore Drilling...Th (none / 0)

I have never understood the beaten-to-death use of the word "maverick" to talk about this man.

Maverick maverick maverick maverick. Buzz words buzz words buzz words.


by AlexScott on Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 05:31:22 PM EST

Re: McCain Was Skeptical Of Offshore Drilling...Th (2.00 / 1)


Two riders were approaching......the wind begins to howl!
by John in Chicago on Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 05:33:39 PM EST

Re: McCain Was Skeptical Of Offshore Drilling...Th (1.00 / 1)

McCain seems confused.

Oh noes!1!! I'm speaking in code about his age!


Yawn.
by spacemanspiff on Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 05:36:55 PM EST

Re: McCain Was Skeptical Of Offshore Drilling...Th (none / 0)

McCain's age makes him unfit to be President.

Fact.


by AlexScott on Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 05:42:13 PM EST

The MSM is in love with the Maverick Meme... (none / 0)

...it will be hard to shake.

I'm hoping so bad that Obama flips this on him and calls it for the pathetic pandering it is.


I attended PUMACon '08!!!
by iohs2008 on Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 05:44:41 PM EST

Re: McCain google? (none / 0)

I thought the guy doesn't even know how to use a computer.


by Brad G on Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 05:46:56 PM EST

McCain is a flip flopper (none / 0)

Let us count the  ways.  He will say anything to get elected.

He will blow were the wind blows.

Thus he is a very political phony.


by jasmine on Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 06:26:49 PM EST

Re: McCain Was Skeptical Of Offshore Drilling (none / 0)

Even the corporate news media seems less than gullible about this new scam.


Anybody's vote is worth having. But not everybody's vote is worth campaigning for.
by Freespeechzone on Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 06:38:49 PM EST

Re: McCain Was Skeptical Of Offshore Drilling...Th (none / 0)

I just saw a McCain ad talking about how he bucked President Bush on renewable energy and environmental standards...

Whoops!  I guess they'll be taking that one off the air...

It closes with:  McCain:  Prosperity, Honor, Peace...

Yeah, McCain is one hell of a peace candidate...  Jeebuz, he must think the American people are really that dumb!


"This was never part of our arrangement, Specter" "I am altering the deal! Pray I don't alter it any further!" "This deal keeps getting worse all the time!"
by LordMike on Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 07:03:28 PM EST

Re: McCain Was Skeptical Of Offshore Drilling...Th (none / 0)

What price would be too much for Americans to pay so that they can buy gasoline for under 4 bucks a gallon?
drilling in ANWAR?  No problem.
Global Warming?  I'm cool with that!
I believe, based on what the politicians say, Americans would do anything, or give up anything, so long as they can fill er up for less than 4 bucks per.
anyone disagree?
by TJ1 on Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 07:29:43 PM EST

CBS Radio is repeating the lies (none / 0)

Please help in a campaign of complaints against CBS. There's an answering machine at the number below. Please help fill it.

Here's the contact information:

CBS RADIO
1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
212-846-3939

http://www.cbsradio.com/contact/sitehelp form.html

Here's what I wrote:

On Wednesday's 4:30 radio "newscast", Harley Carnes repeated an oil industry LIE - as "news" - that was debunked days ago by no less that Florida GOP Senator Mel Martínez.

Even Dick Cheney publicly admitted it was  completely untrue that China is drilling for oil between Cuba and Key West.

CBS News is out-lying DICK CHENEY!

Even if you apologize you can't undo the damage to the millions who heard this bald-faced propaganda.

This is not by any means the first time Mr. Carnes has willfully repeated right-wing talking points known to be false. The man is a blight on journalism and should be fired.


McCain housing policy shaped by lobbyist.
by obsessed on Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 07:59:17 PM EST

Rove (none / 0)

I think Rove is behind all this.  
Demonizing the Democrats on gas prices--and they're against offshore drilling--how awful!

SUSA did a poll about offshore drilling in the San Diego area only--60% in favor.  I wonder
if that number would drop if a well was placed
within 50 miles.  Arnold's still against it.

The best response to this "drop in the bucket"
emotional populism is to empahasize that it won't reduce oil prices at all.  This is all about money
and oil profits.


by esconded on Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 11:27:21 PM EST

Every article I've read mentions McCain's reversal (none / 0)

e.g., Here are two easy ones to grab:

St. Petersburg Times (where I first read the story):

In reversal, McCain says lift ban on offshore drilling

In a break with his past policy and his allies in the environmental movement, Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Monday called for ending the federal ban on offshore oil and natural gas exploration [...] McCain has supported the moratorium on offshore drilling in the past and has touted his position during campaign stops in Florida.

Top story on CBSNEWS.com (where I most recently read the story):

In the midst of the hot debate, John McCain and one of his possible VP choices, the governor of Florida, switched sides and now support drilling.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, reversed his opposition to oil exploration off the state's beaches after the presidential candidate said he supported lifting the moratorium.

Even some GOP pols in Florida understand reality:

Not all [Florida Republicans embraced McCain's plan, including Reps. Vern Buchanan of Sarasota and Gus Bilirakis of Palm Harbor, who said the nation has more appropriate places to drill.
[...]
Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Indian Shores, said he needed more information from the McCain campaign before he made up his mind but acknowledged it may be time to reconsider the ban.

Young's lukewarm response is matched by FL Senator Martinez (GOP):

Asked if McCain is risking votes in Florida, a state he dearly needs, Martinez shrugged. "The governor seems to have agreed with him ... and I'm kind of agreeing with him. So maybe things are changing in that regard."

What is delicious about this kind of news is that the reaction and coverage for McCain seems worse than his gas tax moratorium.  Former Senator Bob Graham said it best:

"Our people are not stupid," Bob Graham, a former Democratic governor and U.S. senator from Florida, said in a conference call arranged by the Obama campaign. "They understand ... this issue has nothing to do with the current price of gasoline."

When all is said and done, McCain may have wished he hadn't broached the topic at all.  Obama was already leading in FL and I betcha this latest news will hurt McCain in the polls here.


by sawgrass727 on Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 11:49:10 PM EST


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