The dilemma of high gas prices might be addressed if congressional leaders would all just get along.
From CNN correspondent Kate Bolduan's perspective, the political differences on energy policy are little more than a "partisan standoff" between Democrats and Republicans.
"Even before the votes were counted on the latest energy proposal, the partisan standoff was clear," Bolduan said on the July 25 "American Morning." "[T]hat bill, a Democratic plan to release oil from the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve. It failed - one more example of the deadlock over sky-high gas prices and one step closer to Congress going home for the summer without passing anything significant on energy."
According to the report, the primary conflict involved opening federal lands to offshore drilling.
"The main battle comes down to whether to allow new offshore drilling," Bolduan said. "Republicans say yes, Democratic leaders say no. The dispute has deteriorated into competing press conferences, dueling poster boards and partisan jabs," she said.
However, this "standoff" would be eliminated if the Senate, controlled by the Democratic majority, would allow a vote on drilling - a detail lacking from Bolduan's report.
According to CNBC "Kudlow & Company" host Larry Kudlow, Democratic reluctance to vote on drilling stems from a fear of this becoming an election issue, which could hurt their chances when the November elections roll around.
"The drilling issue in Congress is a huge election-year debate," Kudlow wrote on National Review Online on July 23. "It could well be the Republican's last hope for November. The Democrats don't want to drill, even while the public does. This could be a Democratic waterloo and could actually help elect Republicans, narrowing anticipated GOP losses in the election."



















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Hello McCain, GOP... You
July 25, 2008 - 15:09 ET by gopsteveHello McCain, GOP...
You own this issue
Yes, but would it be
July 25, 2008 - 15:20 ET by HermanoYes, but would it be fighting fair to use it?
The Newsbusters Comments Crew: Saving the Environment - One Ribeye at a Time! h/t Dr_Liberty
Flip-Flop
July 25, 2008 - 15:27 ET by Biff McCainJuly 1, McCain: We can't drill are way out of this problem.
July2, McCain: We can drill our way out of this problem.
I know how to win wars!
Biff? Your mom know your on
July 25, 2008 - 15:34 ET by bassndudeBiff? Your mom know your on the computer again?
Link or sink and slink.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
That's not a flip-flop. It's
July 25, 2008 - 15:42 ET by mastersofdeceitThat's not a flip-flop. It's a change of position. 'member? You 'member? (h/t George Lopez)
If he goes back to We can't drill OUR way out, then it's a FF.
Why can't it just be "post-partisan" or "nuanced" or insert whatever word used to describe obama?
Link it Biff so we can see
July 25, 2008 - 16:21 ET by Dan The Man 2Link it Biff so we can see teh context. I believe he changed his ideas about this. He stands up and gives logical reasons not excuses or nuances or "it was misinterpreted" or any of the lame stuff Obama puts out.
McCain takes responsibilty for what he says, he owns it like we would want a fine upstanding man who wants to be the leader of teh free world. He is not a bald faced liar to your face kind of guy.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
You know they're never
July 25, 2008 - 15:24 ET by SchnikeysYou know they're never gonna say anything. McCain and his intolerance for "dirty campaigning" will make sure of that.
------------------------------------------------------------
"It could be the answer to our age-old, philosophical question, 'Why are we here?' PLASTIC!"
We CAN drill our way out
July 25, 2008 - 15:39 ET by RobNDemocrats are saying things like "We can't drill our way out of this mess," or "There's not enough oil in ANWAR/offshore to make a difference." Yet, apparently, a few million barrels from our strategic reserve WILL make a difference.
So which is it? The millions of barrels we could get each and every day for decades WILL make a difference and so we should allow drilling in our own backyard, or a few millions of barrels WON'T make a difference and this one-time drawdown of our reserves is a political sham? Either way, is there any way the democratic party doesn't end up looking like a bunch of hypocrits -- if there's any honest reporting, that is?
The drawdown of the SOR is
July 25, 2008 - 15:42 ET by HermanoThe drawdown of the SOR is for building capital only. If we release the oil we purchased at $20/barrell and sell it now at $120, we can substantially increase the treasury so we can give out more money so we can get re-elected.
Sincerely, Nancy Reid and Harry Pelosi.
The Newsbusters Comments Crew: Saving the Environment - One Ribeye at a Time! h/t Dr_Liberty
Latest survey of Anwar and
July 25, 2008 - 15:47 ET by bassndudeLatest survey of Anwar and Alaska is that there are about 90 billion bbl's of oil there. Dont have the link yet, but the report is out there. Cheveron is in the process of surveys.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
CNN Gives a Pass ? Sorry, No Workie
July 25, 2008 - 16:29 ET by JayTeeThe Americn People are Revoking any passes on Drilling...follow or get the hell out of the way...
Any more delay, and the 9% congressional approval rating may Drop Precipitously.....if it hasn't already
The Republican Revolution will not be Televised
These people are morons.
July 25, 2008 - 17:13 ET by Indiana JoeIf Democrats are afraid of the issue working against them, how will they escape the blame of not even allowing a vote on it? To me, that looks worse than going on record voting against drilling. It clearly defines them as spineless hacks only concerned about being re-elected.
Didn't anyone notice that oil prices are down something like $20/bbl in the last week or so? Gas prices here are already down from $4.29 to $3.78. I know it won't be reported this way, but it happened almost immediately after W lifted the presidential drilling ban. Cause and effect? Maybe, maybe not. Wonder what would happen if the congressional ban were lifted?
Vote on it, you wussies!
Likley scenario
July 25, 2008 - 17:24 ET by NWUndergroundThe dems are not stupid so they will cave.
However they will cave in a way that makes them look good.
They will insist on wording that specifies "Environmentally Friendly" drilling. Of course it will be merely symbolic since most modern drilling methods are required to take precautions that limit environmental impact.
The Dems will then approve the legislation and declare that they won and because they acted in a way that was responsible and sensitive to the environment while still giving us access to oil resources.
Environmental Impact
July 25, 2008 - 21:07 ET by cocodrieBack in the forties and early fifties there was heavy opposition to drilling off our Louisiana coast because of worries about how it would affect fishing. Lo and behold the fish love the oil rigs. People come from around the world to fish the gulf. Most of the fishing is done near the oil rigs because of the beneficial environmental impact.