< Back to Front Page Text size – +

Most back McCain on offshore drilling

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor June 19, 2008 06:52 PM

A poll done last month suggests that whatever the merits of the idea, most Americans agree with Republican John McCain about ending the federal ban on offshore oil drilling.

In the Gallup survey, 57 percent of respondents said they support oil drilling in coastal and wilderness areas now off-limits to exploration, while 41 percent said they were opposed. While Gallup did not have previous polls to measure the trend, rising gas prices and energy costs are almost certain to have built support for the idea.

Republicans were far more supportive, 80 percent, while independents were more evenly divided, with 56 percent in favor and 43 percent opposed. Democrats opposed the idea by a 59 percent to 39 percent margin.

Their presumptive nominee, Barack Obama, also opposes the idea, saying it would take years to produce oil offshore, would reward Big Oil, and would run counter to the need for clean energy. The two candidates have been battling on the issue all week, opening up another front in their general election battle.

  • CommentComment
  • EmailEmail
» Back to Front Page
.

The Big O is right on this one-no contest! Offshore oil drilling would produce, at very best, a token amount of oil ( about 2% of expected world demand ), wiould take 10 or more years to get, pose very real and significant enviromental risks, and be unbelievably expensive. Put the same amount of money and time into solar, wind, electric cars and other renewables and the benefits would be much more meaningful , cleaner and longer lasting. This one is an easy call for anyone that studies the true facts. By the way-what happended to the Straight Talk Express? This McCain is flip-flopping like a newly caught fish on a boat on everything based on the latest polls. Does he really believe in anything? His campaign is a mess and he seems very confused. Do I sense a landslide?

Posted by John June 19, 08 08:36 PM
.

There is no 100% pollution-free, CO2-free, NIMBY-free solution to producing more energy. Remember the "Cape Wind" project? When a wind farm was proposed off the Massachusetts coast, Senator Ted Kennedy opposed it because he was afraid it would spoil the view as they went windsurfing. In other parts of the nation, windmills have been blocked by other environmentalists like the Audubon Society who claimed that birds would be killed by the blades.

You just name it, and I guarantee you'll find some liberals and some environmentalists who are against it. Put all their activism together, and we'll have to go back to lighting candles, riding horses and living on small farms.

Posted by Steve June 20, 08 10:42 AM
.

John McCain's son Andrew is a Director of Silver State Bancorp that has been named in two complaints alleging conversion, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, fraud and civil RICO claims.

www.webofdeception.com

Posted by Robert Lewis June 20, 08 10:59 AM
.

lets drill before any more time goes by

Posted by margaret smith June 20, 08 01:06 PM
add your comment *(If you put a URL in your comment, it must be relevant )
Required
Required (will not be published)

This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.

About Political Intelligence

Reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors about the Obama administration, the Massachusetts congressional delegation, and other national political happenings.
see all Globe blogs

News from the Washington Bureau

Afghanistan wary of US plan to send more advisers

Afghan officials have begun to push back from the Obama administration's plans to send hundreds of advisers to the country, complaining the Americans are often overpaid, underqualified, and unfamiliar with the culture of the country. (Globe Staff, 2:15 a.m.)

Mass. keeps an eye on US bill’s funding ban

Massachusetts officials are closely monitoring an abortion funding ban in the sweeping health care legislation before Congress to make sure that it does not restrict women’s access to abortion coverage in the state. (Globe Staff, 11/11/09)

Survey raises new doubts on military’s ‘don’t ask’ policy

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration received more research yesterday to help make its case for allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the armed forces. (Globe Staff, 11/10/09)

Lieberman’s threat of filibuster looms large

When a recent conversation among Senate centrists turned to insurance company antitrust concerns, Joe Lieberman boasted of his bona fides: As Connecticut attorney general in the 1980s, he sued the industry. (Globe Correspondent, 11/9/09)

Health care headache for House Democrats

WASHINGTON - Democratic House leaders scrambled to round up enough support yesterday for their sweeping health care overhaul, getting last-minute help from White House advisers on the eve of a historic vote scheduled for today. (Globe Staff, 11/7/09)

Patrick wraps up two-day visit to Washington

WASHINGTON - Governor Deval Patrick swept through Washington yesterday, wrapping up a two-day tour to advance the state’s interests in health care, economic development, and transportation - a trip that also let him showcase his access to the city’s most powerful Democrats, including President Obama. (Globe Staff, 11/5/09)

Health care opponents intensify late attack

WASHINGTON - The sweeping health care overhaul package before Congress is under an 11th-hour attack over a pair of emotional issues, abortion and immigration, that are complicating Democrats’ efforts to piece together the coalition they need to pass the bill. (Globe Staff, 11/6/09)

Public’s opinions of health care overhaul efforts have familiar ring

Americans’ opinion of the health care proposals now before Congress is eerily similar to public sentiment about the Clinton health reform initiatives in 1994, according to an analysis published online yesterday in The New England Journal of Medicine - and that may not bode well for Democrats. (Globe Staff, 11/5/09)

Frank reconsiders legislation after worry raised on loopholes

House Financial Services Committee chairman Barney Frank, under fire from some fellow Democrats and consumer groups for carving out what they call loopholes in legislation designed to prevent another economic meltdown, said in a letter released last night that “there may be a problem here’’ and that he wants to reconsider. (Globe Staff, 11/5/09)

Moderate Democrats fear shift to GOP

Democratic moderates who will determine the fate of much of President Obama’s domestic agenda heard an early warning from this week’s off-year elections: Congress had better do something about the economy, or sitting lawmakers will lose their jobs in 2010. (Globe Staff, 11/5/09)
archives