McCain: Lift Offshore Drilling Moratorium

Ariz. Senator Says States Should Have Right To Explore Energy Near Coasts

(AP)  Sen. John McCain said Monday the federal moratorium on offshore oil and gas drilling should be lifted, and individual states given the right to pursue energy exploration in waters near their own coasts.

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.”

McCain also suggested giving the states incentives, including a greater share of royalties paid by companies that drill for oil, as an incentive to permit exploration.

Asked how far offshore states should be given control of drilling rights, he said that was a matter for negotiation.

He offered no other details for his proposal, which he is expected to describe more fully on Tuesday in an energy speech.

The current drilling moratorium is a perennial cause for controversy, pitting those who favor additional exploration on the one hand against environmentalists on the other.

The current ban on offshore drilling covers an estimated 80 percent of U.S. coastal waters. Given Democratic opposition in Congress to ending it, the Bush administration and congressional Republicans have been seeking the type of state option that McCain endorsed.

The GOP presidential candidate said a recent run-up in the price of oil was having an adverse effect on consumers.

“We've seen the impact of it in the form of food prices, in the form of gasoline, in the form of threats of inflation and indeed indications of inflation, and we must we must embark on a national mission to eliminate our dependence on foreign oil,” he told reporters. McCain has sought to carve out something of a middle road on energy issues, parting company with many Republicans by opposing drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, for example and calling for measures to reduce greenhouse gases.

The Senate last month rejected a GOP energy plan, 56-42, that included a provision similar to McCain's proposal. It would have allowed a state's governor to petition to have the federal moratorium lifted for waters off its coast. Republican senators argued there are some 14 billion barrels of recoverable oil available in waters now off limits. Also, the House has twice approved giving states the right to opt out of the federal ban, both when the GOP held the majority, but the proposal has never made it through the Senate.

McCain made his remarks before leaving the Washington area for a pair of fundraisers in Dallas.

Another fundraising event, originally set for the home of Clayton Williams in Midland, Texas was pulled from the schedule after a controversy erupted over remarks the 1990 Texas GOP gubernatorial candidate made several years ago about rape.

McCain sought to minimize the fallout, telling reporters that his aides had not known of the earlier comment when they scheduled the event

“We'll do it someplace else and I understand he's not attending. That's pretty much the sum of it all,” he said.

He said he would hold another fundraising in the Midland area later this summer and Williams would not attend. Democrats have called on McCain to return more than $300,000 that Williams had raised for McCain from other individuals.

[midland666]

Another fundraising event, originally set for the home of Clayton Williams in Midland, Texas was pulled from the schedule after a controversy erupted over remarks the 1990 Texas GOP gubernatorial candidate made several years ago about rape.
....................................................

Im so glad someone picked up on this and exposed it.

[midland666]

So its not ok for Fossil, Ken, and Jurassic Barbie?

[rgrxx175]

we need to get off oil, mccain wants to drill for more oil to make more money that''s all my friends....

[midland666]

yeah, learing is great.

[sgtrds-e4]

Off-shore drilling is not the answer anymore then drilling in ANWR is. Alternative technologies are. If we put the same kind of effort and funding into alternative energy creation as we did into going to the moon or that we''re wasting on war in Iraq, then we can find the technologies to get ourselves off oil altogether. We''re going to have to do it someday anyway, so why not now.

[smashwl7]

oil

[smashwl7]

We as Americans are so stupid on this issue!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

We deserve 5.00 a gallon gas we as Americans are so stupid!

[smashwl7]

We as Americans are so stupid on this issue!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

We deserve 5.00 a gallon gas we as Americans are so stupid!

[rgrxx175]

hey, mccain is so old i seen him at walmart entrance greeting customers...

[smashwl7]

We as Americans are so stupid on this issue!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

We deserve 5.00 a gallon gas we as Americans are so stupid!

[smashwl7]

We as Americans are so stupid on this issue!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

We deserve 5.00 a gallon gas we as Americans are so stupid!

[smashwl7]

We as Americans are so stupid on this issue!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

We deserve 5.00 a gallon gas we as Americans are so stupid!

[smashwl7]

We as Americans are so stupid on this issue!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

We deserve 5.00 a gallon gas we as Americans are so stupid!

[terrapin78]

If....
(riz. Senator Says) States Should Have Right To Explore Energy Near Coasts

Then States should also have right to place a moratorium on energy development near coasts too.

We cannot drill our way out of the energy situation. We need new ways to avoid oil and it''s byproducts. Only then will we be energy secure.

[inventagod2]

McBu$h - always looking into the past -
Maybe we could focus on alternative energy development???

All the money the current administration spent on killing for oil would have gone a long way towards THAT cause...

[chitown639]

McCain: Lift Offshore Drilling Moratorium....presented by ExxonMobil

LOL...How fitting!!!!

[von_marko]

As much as he tries to present himself as something new, Obama''''s entire campaign is built on vague promises that would return America to the era of Jimmy Carter: higher taxes, higher gas prices, and weak national security

[von_marko]

Jimmy Carter: The Sequel.

Like most politicians, Barock Obama has said nothing of substance to his followers, he meely commits Aristotle%u2019s %u2018Fallacy of the emotive%u2019. ans Ayn Rand%u2019s %u2018Fallacy of the stolen concept%u2019. So, I write his %u2018groupies off as naive political ignoramuses, easily manipulated by his BIG GOVERMENT socialist rhetroic. They are UN Ambassador Gene Kirkpatrick%u2019s %u2026blame America first crowed.%u201D

[chitown639]

As much as he tries to present himself as something new, Obama''''''''s entire campaign is built on vague promises that would return America to the era of Jimmy Carter: higher taxes, higher gas prices, and weak national security


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by von_marko

Higher gas prices and weaker security...Sounds like the Bush era to me.....McCain can only promise more of the same failures!!! Vote Obama 2008

[shippg-2009]

How about drilling for oil in America (and offshore) while developing alternative energy? Anything is better than depending on the Arabs.

I used to live in Southern California, and the oil derricks can be seen from shore. So what? North of Alaska, there have been no spills and very good conservation. At ANWAR they are talking about an installation smaller than 1/4 of an airport. That is not much compared to the size of Alaska. Why can''t we be real about energy, while developing oil alternatives?

Reagan vetoed Carter''s solar programs because he believed that power was in the ability to trade and barter. You can''t do that with the sun (trade and barter). Now that we are in such a weak trading position, it''s time to toss out the old ideas.

[rgrxx175]

mccains great idea came from his buddy bush...

[smashwl7]

We as Americans are so stupid on this issue!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

We deserve 5.00 a gallon gas we as Americans are so stupid!

[smashwl7]

don''''t forget.....it was John McCain''''s party that put an end to all ther alternative energy projects and programs started by Carter in the 70S. If these had been allowed to continue we would have greatly reduced our dependance on foreign by now and would not have had to go to war.

The republican power base is a few and very rich.

The Republican voting base is many and struggling because of the mess their elected leaders put the US into.

the republican power base does not look out for the best interest of those who put them in office.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by SHURCH4TRUTH

GREAT POST KEEP HITTING THE HARD WITH THIS GREAT TALKING POINT!

[rudy654-2009]

Sure McCain, as long as you take it off the world market, everything will just be fine and dandy as can be.

[ricknuber]

it''''s time to toss out the old ideas.
Posted by shippg at 06:41 PM : Jun 16, 2008

Here''s the important point you left out:

If America lead the world in solar tech, we could "trade and barter" for actual PRODUCTS manufactured DOMESTICALLY.

Remember when the USA had a manufacturing sector? It''s time to throw out the oldest idea, that conservatives have any authority to speak on economics.

[rgrxx175]

grampa mccain with his ideas, then what happens when the oil runs out?

[noloyalisti]

McSame at it again. I wonder how he feels that everyone hates him and everything he stands for. Except for his fascist oil buddies. Can you think of anyone more crazy and embarrassing than McLame? Oh yeah, bush and cheney, rice and mukasey. And don''t forget the traitors Scalia, Roberts and Alito. Shame on the terrorists!!!!

[sgtrds-e4]

At ANWAR they are talking about an installation smaller than 1/4 of an airport. That is not much compared to the size of Alaska. Why can''''t we be real about energy, while developing oil alternatives?

Posted by shippg at 06:41 PM : Jun 16, 2008

The problem with drilling in ANWR is only partially environmental. The main reason it has not been allowed yet is that they oil companies refuse to pledge that the oil taken from ANWR remains America''s oil and that they won''t sell it overseas to China like they want to. The oil companies don''t care where they sell OUR oil and unless the pledge to keep in in the US then to hell with them.

[ghostdog8]

Mc Cain is right, However, we should drill offshore AND drill in Alaska. If we did that, we would have enough oil to support ourselves while pursuing alternate sources of energy.

[obama8years]

That is why I am voting for Mccain. Of course we need to Drill and we need to Drill now. If you like Communism and Socialism than vote for Obama. If you want a president who wants smaller goverment than vote for Mccain.

If Barack Obama didn%u2019t know about Abunimah%u2019s writings (and Abunimah says he did), the same as his claims of being unaware of Reverend Wright%u2019s remarks after 20 years, then Obama is not competent to be our President. Abunimah likes to lie and claim Al Awda has nothing to do with the ISM or Electronic Intifada, though plenty of evidence exists on the website the homepage at www.StoptheISM.com showing the contrary.

But Obama%u2019s association with the ISM through his church and lobbying in Chicago goes even deeper than just his past links to Al Awda and Ali Abunimah. His pastor, Jeremiah Wright, and the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, are both equally involved with the ISM.

[ofbyfor1]

Posted by SgtRDS-E4 at 07:31 PM : Jun 16, 2008

Can you help me find links to the positions of House reps and Senators as to their positions on offshore drilling? I am looking to find a congressional listing of where they all stand rather than have to go through each individual one which would take forever. You seem to be pretty savvy on getting your facts. Can you help? Anyone?

[omega39-2009]

That is why I am voting for Mccain. Of course we need to Drill and we need to Drill now. If you like Communism and Socialism than vote for Obama. If you want a president who wants smaller goverment than vote for Mccain.


Smaller government??? You mean regulatory agencies ran by the very lobbyists that oppose them. So we end up with no oversight on over the counter energy contracts and Goldman Sachs bidding up oil for profits. As much as 60 percent of the price of a barrel of oil is speculation. Gee, the same lack of regulatory oversight was responsible for the sub prime mortgage mess.

[ofbyfor1]

If America lead the world in solar tech, we could "trade and barter" for actual PRODUCTS manufactured DOMESTICALLY.

Remember when the USA had a manufacturing sector? It''''s time to throw out the oldest idea, that conservatives have any authority to speak on economics.

Posted by RickNuber at 07:09 PM : Jun 16, 2008

I still believe that America has the know-how to be 1st in development of alternative energy (solar, wind, geothermal, etc.) provided that we have incentives for business to do the R&D. Government has not been willing to make that a desirable avenue for business for decades. Guess we''ll have to look to Europe as the frontrunner unless somebody changes our direction soon. How sad.

[kansas1946]

Ooops...there goes Florida. Bush tried that but got shot down by his brother who was running for election in Florida. Floridians ain''t gonna'' vote for someone who wants to muck up their pristine gulf coast.

[likeitis5050]

It''s about time. Someone posted something about trading and bartering what we have...the Middle East is learning it can''t eat the oil it''s using to hold everyone hostage...when will be sell our food for the equivilent of their barrel of oil? Seems fair enough.

[dobbershome]

DRILL,DRILL,DRILL here--now!!!!!!

[realpatriot1]

The oil company pimps need to get their story straight. Do we need more paces to drill or do we need more refinery capacity?

We''ve been hearing for the past several years from the neo-cons that the reason for high prices isn''t the lack of drude but the lack of refining capacity. Now we''re hearing that we need more drilling capacity without any additional refining capacity.

At least the Saudis are up front about gouging us. They agreed to increase current production only when they realized that people were turning to conservation and alternatives.

The best way to increase the production of oil is to gain market power over the producers and then watch them find more oil with current capacity.

[the74blaster]

As much as 60 percent of the price of a barrel of oil is speculation. Gee, the same lack of regulatory oversight was responsible for the sub prime mortgage mess.

Posted by omega39,

Good post. Its apparent the the GOP wants it to be business as ussual and does not want to bit the hand that feeds it.

I love how the conservatives want to drill for more oil but do not say a word about where the oil is headed. Does anyone want to tell us where all the oil from the Alaska pipeline goes?

I heard that most of it is sold to the far east. Its time to start using

[downsteamjim]

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita proved that oil production can be done offshore with minimum risk. Offshore rigs also make excellent structure for fishing.

[downsteamjim]

To psy-war: Sorry that the communism thing didn''t work out. You remember ''from each according to his means and to each according to his needs.''

[dobbershome]

There is a higher percentage of an enviromental disaster importing oil than drilling here in the u.s.

[lilvinnyb]

How can the dems say that drilling has not worked when the offshore ban has been in place for 20+ years?

Australia has been drilling for 40 years with no accidents. katrina - 1000 well heads damaged with no spills. Brazil - instantly becoming the worlds 2nd or 3rd largest oil producer with one of the largest finds off their coast.

only the dems have this 1950''s mentality.

[rowdywicca]

C''mon, John, let''s uncap, drill, and get the supply past demand, and the marketers can float the dip!

Go Grandpa McCain, let ''er rip!

[jandj6488]

It''s about time someone in Washington starts talking about real, long-term solutions. I''m getting less and less skeptical about McCain as time goes on.

[thenewconser]

It''s good to see McCain is on the right side on this issue I was worried he wasn''t going to come around for awhile there. I wrote an article about why we should drill on my blog awhile back.
http://www.thenewconservatives.blogspot.com/

[thenewconser]

http://www.thenewconservatives.blogspot.com/

[ioweign]

Carter Tried To Stop Bush''s Energy Disasters - 28 Years Ago
by Thom Hartmann

In his recent news conference, George Bush Jr. suggested that our nation''s "problem" with high gasoline prices was caused by the lack of a national energy policy, and tried to blame it all on Bill Clinton. First, Junior said, "This is a problem that''s been a long time in coming. We haven''t had an energy policy in this country."

This was followed by, "That''s exactly what I''ve been saying to the American people -- 10 years ago if we''d had an energy strategy, we would be able to diversify away from foreign dependence. And -- but we haven''t done that. And now we find ourselves in the fix we''re in." As is so often the case, Bush was lying.


Consider President Jimmy Carter''s April 18, 1977 speech below.

http://tinyurl.com/4xau3

[jsilver2th]

Still a bad idea- this is an example of why McCain will loose. No imagination, no vision. I heard Cindy say that she won''t let him drive- we can all see why.

[chitown639]

Why give one of the most stressful jobs in the land to a feeble minded senior citizen. McCain should be retired or working part-time as a Greeter at Wal-Mart....

[ioweign]

How can the dems say that drilling has not worked when the offshore ban has been in place for 20+ years?

Australia has been drilling for 40 years with no accidents. katrina - 1000 well heads damaged with no spills. Brazil - instantly becoming the worlds 2nd or 3rd largest oil producer with one of the largest finds off their coast.

only the dems have this 1950''s mentality.

Posted by lilvinnyb at 10:03 PM : Jun 16, 2008

I think NOT...Republicans have controlled Congress from 1994 to 2006.

Carter Tried To Stop Bush''s Energy Disasters - 28 Years Ago
by Thom Hartmann

In his recent news conference, George Bush Jr. suggested that our nation''s "problem" with high gasoline prices was caused by the lack of a national energy policy, and tried to blame it all on Bill Clinton. First, Junior said, "This is a problem that''s been a long time in coming. We haven''t had an energy policy in this country."

This was followed by, "That''s exactly what I''ve been saying to the American people -- 10 years ago if we''d had an energy strategy, we would be able to diversify away from foreign dependence. And -- but we haven''t done that. And now we find ourselves in the fix we''re in." As is so often the case, Bush was lying.


Consider President Jimmy Carter''s April 18, 1977 speech below.

http://tinyurl.com/4xau3