Left Flank

Politics is the art of compromise, right? So, environmentalists should ask not only for no new drilling, but...?

«I'm not knee-jerk opposed to anything,» said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). «We're willing to work. We haven't shut our minds to anything.»

Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) said he sensed there were enough votes from
his Democratic colleagues to expand offshore drilling into new areas —
and that the eastern Gulf of Mexico «should be one of the first places
we should look.»

Although Senate Democrats are slowly easing away from opposition to
offshore drilling, it's clear that the majority party is not giving it
away for nothing.

One idea floated by Reid would require that whatever oil is drilled in
newly opened areas would need to be sold in the United States.

Democrats also want any compromise plan to include investments in clean
and renewable energies, a crackdown on oil speculators and proof that
the oil and gas companies are fully utilizing land that is already
leased for exploration.

«If they were showing in good faith that they were drilling on some of
the 68 million acres they have now, it might change some of our
attitudes,» said Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.).

Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) said that he was open to
drilling in new areas but opposed to «offshore drilling if there is any
environmental impact.» Durbin reiterated the call for oil companies to
drill in areas covered by existing leases first, but then added:
«Beyond that, if there is a suggestion of some new area to go into,
I'll look at it.»

Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), fresh from his GI Bill victory, said that he is
now making energy a major priority. «We need to look at all our
assets,» he said, suggesting a large package including expanded
offshore drilling, alternative energy, nuclear power and technology to
make coal cleaner.

Was there ever really a chance to stop offshore drilling?

At least the GOP consistently uses scare tactics well.

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As if I needed anymore links to show that McCain's offshore drilling flip-flop is bad politically and marginally effective, I will link to both Bill Scher and Michelle Malkin. I hope my blog doesn't crash!

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Thomas A. Firey, managing editor, Regulation, puts it about as finely as possible:

Concerns about the environmental impact of drilling are legitimate, as are concerns that the United States may be forgoing the use of a valuable resource by not drilling in these areas. Good public policy would examine the risks and costs underlying both of these concerns, and then make a decision (or perhaps a compromise) about drilling. However, this issue will not be decided in such a rational way. The debate will be dominated by two ideological camps – the «drill at any cost» crowd and the «don't drill at any cost» crowd – and their ideological priors and political power will preempt any good policy discussion.

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...Or, is it that the Wizard of Cheney's Reality? More unconscionable republican tactics on energy policy?

''China is not drilling in Cuba's Gulf of Mexico waters, period,'' said Jorge Piñon, an energy expert at the University of Miami's Center for Hemispheric Policy.

(…)

Piñon, who supports oil and gas exploration, said he met with several congressional offices Wednesday about the China-Cuba connection. He said he told them: ' `If you guys want to use this as a scare tactic to lift the moratorium on drilling off the west coast of Florida, at least be factual, be correct.' They didn't do their homework.''

China's Sinopec oil company does have an agreement with the Cuban government to develop onshore resources west of Havana, Piñon said. The Chinese have done some seismic testing, he said, but no drilling. Western diplomats in Havana told McClatchy that to the best of their knowledge there is no Chinese drilling offshore.

Cuba's state oil company, Cupet, has issued exploration contracts to companies from India, Canada, Spain, Malaysia and Norway. But many oil companies from those countries have expressed reservations about how to turn potential crude oil into product. Cuba doesn't have the refinery capacity, and the biggest potential market -- the U.S. -- is off limits because of the trade embargo.

I agree with Christopher Orr, although it's not because of malevolence (that's just too lampoonish), rather anyone so stupid to grasp at talking points should have to take their lumps in the private sector.

It's hard to know quite how to respond to politicians who are willing to make things up so brazenly. Except, I suppose, to point out that one should take anything they say with a grain of salt…

I'd would double down on yellow pundits who can't seem to use their "skills" to involve facts and unsavory issues.