Drill Now As The Conservative MoveOn?

Politico: 527 Group Started By Newt Gingrich Makes Waves Over Off-Shore Drilling

(The Politico)  This story was written by Avi Zenilman.

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For years John McCain’s environmental agenda highlighted his independent streak, and angered conservatives in the process. Yet the right showed little ire when he aired an ad last month touting his environmentalist bona fides: "John McCain stood up to the president and sounded the alarm on global warming five years ago."

That’s because the day before that ad went up, McCain offered an energy plan that called, among other things, for a repeal of the federal moratorium on off-shore drilling-a reversal of his previous position on the subject. It’s an idea that big oil companies eager to gain access to new potential reserves have backed for years and that had emerged over the preceding weeks as a cause célèbre for conservative activists and bloggers.

For now, at least, his support for off-shore drilling has papered over the divide on environmental issues between the party and its candidate.

It’s also inspired hope among the “rightroots,” the undersized kid brother of the left’s far more robust political Web presence, that this could be the moment and the issue that catalyze the emergence of online conservatism as a force in its own right.

"The left has been blocking domestic energy production for decades (drilling, refineries, nuclear, etc), so Newt Gingrich's ‘Drill here. Drill now. Pay less’ message tapped into a very simple frustration around which the right could rally,” said Jon Henke, a strategic manager of New Media Strategies and co-founder of The Next Right in an e-mail. “When you can tell a story about a unifying grievance, you can galvanize people online.”

The unifying grievance, of course, is the sharp rise in gas prices, and the unifying cause came into being on May 20, when American Solutions, the 527 started by Newt Gingrich, posted a petition that called for increased drilling as a way of lowering gas prices. “We… the undersigned citizens of the United States, petition the U.S. Congress to act immediately to lower gasoline prices (and diesel and other fuel prices) by authorizing the exploration of proven energy reserves to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources from unstable countries,” it declared.

Within a week, the Web traffic for American Solutions skyrocketed, even beating out MoveOn.org for a couple of days, which led blogger Soren Dayton, who used to work for McCain, to ask, “Is Drill Now the conservative MoveOn?”  (The liberal Web behemoth-with over three million members and a proven ability to generate massive amounts of small donor cash quickly-started as a petition to “move on” from Clinton’s impeachment.)

On June 12, Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.) started circulating a petition specifically for House members that stated, “I will vote to increase U.S. oil production to lower gas prices for Americans.” Almost 200 members-including five Democrats-have signed on.

Those legislators surely have in mind the more than 1.2 million people who have signed the American Solutions petition-almost a million of whom did so before McCain announced his new support for off-short drilling on June 16.

“Tomorrow I’ll call for lifting the federal moratorium for states that choose to permit exploration,” McCain said at a press conference announcing his new energy policies. “I think that this and perhaps providing additional incentives for states to permit exploration off their coasts would be very helpful in the short term in resolving our energy crisis.”

Douglas Holtz-Eakin, McCain’s top economic advisor, acknowledged the next day that increased drilling would have no immediate effect on prices, but argued that “There is an important element in signaling to world oil markets that we are serious." The campaign has also folded its discussion of drilling into a broader energy plan that also calls for building 45 new nuclear power plants and establishing a cap-and-trade program to control and reduce carbon emissions.

A 2007 report by the federal Energy Information Agency cast doubt on whether increased drilling’s ability would have any impact on market prices and noted that it would take ending the moratorium five years before it resulted in new oil production. And even if extracted in full, the untapped reserves are expected to amount to just a drop in the bucket of international supply: “Because oil prices are determined on the international market, however, any impact on average wellhead prices is expected to be insignificant.”

However incremental the economic benefits might prove, the political payoff has been immediate, and explosive. “The Drill Here Drill Now mantra that Newt came up with rapidly accelerated everyone coming together on the issue,” said Erick Erickson, who runs redstate.org, an influential conservative blog.

Erickson, like almost every conservative blogger Politico spoke with, went out of his way to stress that drilling was just one component of a conservative approach to energy. “For the first time in a while, it’s an issue that’s rallying all parts of the right.”
Several bloggers acknowledged the swing in support came as something of a surprise. “It’s taken on a life of its own. It is really a case where conservatives have an amazing opportunity,” said Matt Lewis, a blogger at the conservative hub townhall.com. “We’re right on the issue, and it’s popular with the American people.”

Despite the groundswell of support, McCain’s new stance on drilling was widely considered a political risk, especially in coastal areas, where drilling has long been the third rail of environmental politics.

The next day, President Bush echoed McCain’s opposition to the ban, even as the candidate distanced himself from the president’s position on energy exploration in the Alaskan National Wildlife refuge.

[samsel3]

In March of 2008 a Cambridge, MA. oil & Gas consulting firm issued a report to Congress. In that report the Congress was told that the laws of supply & demand no longer apply to oil. Demand is constant with only small fluctuations at any given time. Although world demand will increase their is plenty of supply. BIG OIL currently leases 90 million acres of oil & gas land & offshore sites, 70 million are not in use. It is not in Big Oil''s economic interest to use these 70 million acres as they have enough supply at this time. Big oil does not want to loose profit by increasing supply , after all selling oil products is their business. Additional offshore and Alaskan wilderness leases are not necessary, Big Oil just wants additional control of these areas for future marketing.

The Saudi''s and Big Oil are very happy with the Bush & Cheney energy policy which eliminated Iraqi world oil market manipulation. Saddam kept prices down by selling cheap thus preventing the Saudi''s & Big Oil from getting the prices up. Bush & Cheney opened Pandora''s box & now things will never be the same.

[beastof70]

Posted by Beastof70 at 01:08 PM : Jul 02, 2008

Did i say psychological? For you, i meant psycho''con...
Posted by actornaught at 01:22 PM : Jul 02, 2008
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More with the name calling stinky cheese cutting...eh??

Start fanning it with that "red herring" actor....This one really stinks bad!!

[jack3213]

A Conservative " Moveon" Isn''t that like an OXY-MORON from a bunch liberal losers?

[actornaught]

Posted by Beastof70 at 01:08 PM : Jul 02, 2008

Did i say psychological? For you, i meant psycho''con...

[beastof70]

I promise to label myself a dimwit if I ever lean toward a rookie to be President of the US, who has offered absolutely nothing more than the word:

CHANGE

While his actions reveals:

NO

As he tucks tail and flees all attempts to get him into a non-scripted debate format that favors the more experienced and quicker of wit.

[beastof70]

At first examination, everything that that Scumbag newt says has to be assumed to be a lie. At second examination, this is still a lie.

To go thru the process of allowing more drilling in HOPES that it would have a PSYCHOLOGICAL effect is just plain crazy voodoo.

At least the Enron Loophole has a direct link to the cause of the problem.
Posted by actornaught at 12:36 PM : Jul 02, 2008
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These dang hyphenated-Americans trot out on these boards and cut the cheese as we smell above...

Then try to fan away the stink by repeatedly bringing up this "red herring" loophole that both Sen. "OsamaObama" and every other Democrats in Congress just last week admit would have zero affect on fuel costs.

I suppose this grants us real Americas insight into the mind of a suicide bomber.

[actornaught]

At first examination, everything that that Scumbag newt says has to be assumed to be a lie. At second examination, this is still a lie.

To go thru the process of allowing more drilling in HOPES that it would have a PSYCHOLOGICAL effect is just plain crazy voodoo.

At least the Enron Loophole has a direct link to the cause of the problem.

[beastof70]

LOL - Uuuuuh, gas prices are the result of Bush/McSame''s "Enron loophole" which deregulated speculation in the oil markets. Obama''s plan to reduce gas prices is to repeal the "Enron loophole" that was sponsored and championed by McCain''s chief economic strategist former Senator Graham. Ecomomists estimate that that alone will reduce gas prices by upwards of 50%. Why no indignation at Bush/McCain''s energy "policy" that grants big oil massive tax breaks in spite of record profits? Seems disingenuous to decry "WHAT''S OBAMA GOING TO DO??" and to ask nothing about the current administration and McCain who has pledged to continue its policies?
Posted by EddyNewHope at 10:56 AM : Jul 02, 2008
======================

So typical of all these hyphenated-Americans to spew this "Enron Loop hole" ka,ka as fact of what caused the high gas prices, even after both Sen. "OsamaObama" and the Democrat lead Congress told us just last week it has no effect on gas prices whatsoever and refuse to even mess with trying to repeal it.

Folks, please understand.....Sen. "OsamaObama" openly admitted, he likes gas prices where they are today, and if elected, he promises to raise them even more with his Jimah Carter like "Wind Fall Profits" taxes at the pump.

[beastof70]

What?? OK - you''re an idiot. Did you miss Bush walking hand in hand with the King of Saudi Arabia begging him for more oil? Did you miss the war in Iraq which made Halliburton, Bechtel, etc. (oil hardware and contracting) billions? Did you miss all that or are you just stupid as well as uninformed?
Posted by EddyNewHope at 11:01 AM : Jul 02, 2008

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So typical of these hyphenated-Americans....Name calling and lots of smoke.

For you see gal, we did not miss G.W. Bush''s calls on Congress less than a week ago to lift the ban on domestic drilling.

If until America wakes up and tosses these do nothing Democrats out again, I am tickled to death G.W. is in pursuit of other ways to help America.

Something not one Democrat can claim to be doing.

[beastof70]

How many of you heard this:

One day last week Sen. "OsamaObama" foolishly challenged Sen. McCain to reveal how well females working for him are being paid.

Turns out, females earn more on average than males in John McCain''s camp.

Females working for Sen. "OsamaObama" earn considerably less than men in his camp. And, only one of the five employees working for him who earn more than $100.000 is female.

LOL!!!! Suppose this goes a long ways in explaining why Sen. "OsamaObama" is so terrified of having to take this "feeble old man" on in a townhall debate format. A format that clearly favors the more experienced and quicker of wit.

Every time Obama steps out from behind the teleprompter he seems to be left wearing his butt for a hat!!

ROTFLMGTBO!!!

[von_marko]

"If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman of any color, he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept." --Clinton fundraiser and former Democratic vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro

[von_marko]

Jay Rockefeller October 10, 2002 "There was unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years. We also should remember that we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction."

Joe Biden August 4, 2002 "[H]e does have the capacity, as all terrorist-related operations do, of smuggling stuff into the United States and doing something terrible. That is true. But there''s been no connection, hard connection made yet between he and al-Qaida or his willingness or effort to do that thus far. Doesn''t mean he won''t. This is a bad guy."

*** Durbin September 30, 1999
"One of the most compelling threats we in this country face today is the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Threat assessments regularly warn us of the possibility that North Korea, Iran, Iraq, or some other nation may acquire or develop nuclear weapons."

Bill Nelson August 25, 2002
"[M]y own personal view is, I think Saddam has chemical and biological weapons, and I expect that he is trying to develop a nuclear weapon. So at some point, we might have to act precipitously."

[von_marko]

Ted Kennedy September 27, 2002 "We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction."

Chuck Schumer October 10, 2002
"It is Hussein''s vigorous pursuit of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, and his present and future potential support for terrorist acts and organizations that make him a danger to the people of the united states."

Nancy Pelosi December 16, 1998 "Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology, which is a threat to countries in the region, and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process."
Bill Clinton February 17, 1998 "If Saddam rejects peace, and we have to use force, our purpose is clear: We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq''s weapons of mass destruction program."
Madeleine Albright February 1, 1998 "We must stop Saddam from ever again jeopardizing the stability and the security of his neighbors with weapons of mass destruction."

[von_marko]

John Kerry February 23, 1998
"Saddam Hussein has already used these weapons and has made it clear that he has the intent to continue to try, by virtue of his duplicity and secrecy, to continue to do so. That is a threat to the stability of the Middle East. It is a threat with respect to the potential of terrorist activities on a global basis. It is a threat even to regions near but not exactly in the Middle East

Al Gore September 23, 2002
"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country."

Johnny Edwards February 6, 2003
"The question is whether we''re going to allow this man who''s been developing weapons of mass destruction continue to develop weapons of mass destruction, get nuclear capability and get to the place where -- if we''re going to stop him if he invades a country around him -- it''ll cost millions of lives as opposed to thousands of lives."

Bill Clinton February 17, 1998
"We have to defend our future from these predators of the 21st Century.... They will be all the more lethal if we allow them to build arsenals of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and the missiles to deliver them. We simply cannot allow that to happen. There is no more clear example of this threat than Saddam Hussein."

[eddynewhope]

OBAMA SAYS " STOP THE DRILLING! ONLY BUY MUSLIM OIL!!"
Posted by von_marko

What?? OK - you''re an idiot. Did you miss Bush walking hand in hand with the King of Saudi Arabia begging him for more oil? Did you miss the war in Iraq which made Halliburton, Bechtel, etc. (oil hardware and contracting) billions? Did you miss all that or are you just stupid as well as uninformed?

[eddynewhope]

Posted by von_marko at 10:46 AM

LOL - Uuuuuh, gas prices are the result of Bush/McSame''s "Enron loophole" which deregulated speculation in the oil markets. Obama''s plan to reduce gas prices is to repeal the "Enron loophole" that was sponsored and championed by McCain''s chief economic strategist former Senator Graham. Ecomomists estimate that that alone will reduce gas prices by upwards of 50%. Why no indignation at Bush/McCain''s energy "policy" that grants big oil massive tax breaks in spite of record profits? Seems disingenuous to decry "WHAT''S OBAMA GOING TO DO??" and to ask nothing about the current administration and McCain who has pledged to continue its policies?

[von_marko]

"We can''t drill our way out of this oil problem" Barrack Obama

"My only problem with the rise in gas prices is that I would have liked to see it happen a little less sudden" Barrack Obama

THOSE ARE HIS WORDS!

[von_marko]

Oil is making millionaires in North Dakota . State and industry officials say North Dakota is on pace to set a state oil-production record this year.

When oilmen wanted to drill there last year, Stohler, 83, doubted oil would be found two miles underground on his property. He even joked about it

In less than a year, Stohler and his wife, Lorene, 82, have become millionaires from the production of one well on their land near Dunn Center, a mile or so from the sod home where Oscar grew up. A second well has begun producing on their property and another is being drilled

all aimed at the Bakken shale formation, a rich deposit that the U.S. Geological Survey calls the largest continuous oil accumulation it has ever assessed.

OBAMA FIX FOR HIGH GAS PRICES:
1. NO deep sea drilling
2. NO reduction in the federal gas tax (20 cents per gallon)
3. NO Arctic drilling
4. NO Rocky Mountain drilling

Analyst estimate that the proven reserves in the Rocky Mountains, Deep Sea US Territory, North Dakota and Alaska are GREATER than ALL MUSLIM COUNTRIES COMBINED!!

OBAMA solution?? Ala Akbar - NO drilling!

WHAT IS THE OBAMA PLAN TO LOWER GAS PRICES??? ANYBODY??

[frootloop47]

Why aren''t the Oil Companies drilling in the millions of offshore leased acres they have now? Don''t say, because there''s no oil there...they haven''t even explored those acres yet.

[frootloop47]

OBAMA SAYS " STOP THE DRILLING! ONLY BUY MUSLIM OIL!!"
Posted by von_marko

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Don''t put statements in quotes that are not true.