Once again, it appears media and Democrats are on the wrong side of public opinion, as a new poll released Tuesday shows Americans more interested in expanding oil drilling to solve the current energy crisis than additional conservation measures.
In fact, "[a]n increasing proportion also says that developing new sources of energy - rather than protecting the environment - is the more important national priority."
I kid you not.
Grab some popcorn, supply-siders, for this survey by the Pew Research Center is guaranteed to put a smile on your face (emphasis added throughout, chart above courtesy Pew):
Amid record gas prices, public support for greater energy exploration is spiking. Compared with just a few months ago, many more Americans are giving higher priority to more energy exploration, rather than more conservation. An increasing proportion also says that developing new sources of energy - rather than protecting the environment - is the more important national priority.
The latest nationwide survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted June 18-29 among 2,004 adults, also finds that half of Americans now support drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, up from 42% in February.
The public's changing energy priorities are most evident in the growing percentage that views increased energy exploration - including mining and drilling, as well as the construction of new power plants - as a more important priority for energy policy than increased conservation and regulation. Nearly half (47%) now rates energy exploration as the more important priority, up from 35% in February. The proportion saying it is more important to increase energy conservation and regulation has declined by 10 points (from 55% to 45%).
And, what should REALLY wake up Democrat leaders and their media minions is the following:
Much of the increase in support for energy exploration has come among groups that previously viewed this as a less important priority than energy conservation - young people, liberals, independents, Democrats, women and people who have attended college.
Fully half of people ages 18 to 29 (51%) now say expanding energy exploration is a more important priority for energy policy than increasing energy conservation and regulation; only about a quarter of young people (26%) expressed this view in February. The proportion of liberals who say expanded energy exploration is the more important priority also has doubled (from 22% to 45%). [...]
Similarly, more independents (19 points) and Democrats (16 points) view increased energy exploration as the more important priority. About the same proportions of Democrats (46%) and Republicans (43%) now say expanded exploration, rather than increased conservation, should take precedence; in February, far more Republicans than Democrats expressed this view.
Are you kidding me? More Democrats than Republicans now see exploration as being a higher priority than conservation?
Alas, such numbers are probably irrelevant, for Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and their media minions don't agree.
What a shame.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
HIHO HIHO it's off to drill
July 2, 2008 - 13:31 ET by SemperrightHIHO HIHO it's off to drill i go.
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The MARINES don't have that problem."
President Ronald Reagan - 1985
The next chant from the lefties
July 2, 2008 - 14:19 ET by 10ksnookerHi Ho - Hi Ho, Hey wait a minute, where did my job go. Anyone see the carnage in the auto industry in June, they say that the layoffs will be 80,000 plus at the auto makers alone. About 20% of the US economy is auto dependent.
The end for the no drill Democrats will come when the layoffs start in mass.
Democrats seek power to deny the rest of us freedom and liberty. The auto is the quintessential expression of Amercian freedom.
Don't worry Noel
July 2, 2008 - 13:33 ET by IgnatzJFahrquarThe networks news will lead off with this story to heighten the public's awareness.
Oh, that's right. Never mind. I'll just watch Fox for the story.
"All generalizations are false, including this one.” Mark Twain
This Surprises You?
July 2, 2008 - 13:34 ET by Wildcatter1980Algore and Sting proclaim the planet in crisis, yet, consume ungodly amounts of energy NOT scrimping on their lifestyles. Why should the average American do so? So that they don't have to?
There is plenty of energy available with the borders of the USA. Stop with the partisanship and let's go get it!
Anyone want to bet...
July 2, 2008 - 13:37 ET by c5thenWhat are the odds this is the lead story on the MSM channels tonight? Hell, what are the odds it even gets mentioned on any of them?
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
the real shocker for this
July 2, 2008 - 13:46 ET by TruthMongerthe real shocker for this poll is probably more than half of those supporting drilling are probably algore libs - voting anonymously:)
First off I would like to
July 2, 2008 - 13:40 ET by dscottFirst off I would like to comment as to this notion of "priority" as though choosing energy exploration is somehow at the expense of conservation or even the environment. This is a false dichotomy if there ever was one. None of these three items are mutually exclusive.
I would suspect that if the survey were done in such as way as not to give the choices as one versus the other, then more people would be saying drill, drill, drill.
Secondly, note that conservation and regulation are listed as going hand in hand sharing the same approval number. That is a patently false assertion on the part of the survey. These are emphatically two different approaches by two different groups. Regulation is government forcing a proscribed reduction regardless how you get there. It was regulation that got us to this point of a fuel shortage from failed Democrat policies pandering to environmentalists thus driving up prices. This should always get low marks. Conservation is both a character trait and a response to tight supplies based on individual effort, that should always get high marks.
The average American is catching on to the fact that government simply telling everyone to do more with less doesn't meet reality. That reality is shown by the price of gasoline. When the Democrats start telling the truth why the price of gasoline went up, pigs will fly. The truth is failed government policy meddling with supply and failed government policy of open borders flooding the country with more people than we want or need. Every person consumes energy, liberals (including John McCain) by their open border policy increased demand. So not only did the government CONSTRICT supply, they INCREASED demand. I call that blatant incompetence!
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
You're making too much
July 2, 2008 - 14:15 ET by mattmYou're making too much sense. It's just too bad the GOP doesn't start hammering the crap out of this issue. There's no way this should be "a Democrat year" as everyone seems to think...
Which is why McCain doesn't
July 2, 2008 - 14:59 ET by dscottWhich is why McCain doesn't listen to us, the rank and file GOPer. He is too busy listening to his inner liberal voice saying you know better than the rest of them, after all you're in office and they aren't.
You notice that it is only through the individual efforts of bloggers and non RNC groups that the Dems are continually being exposed??? We stand between them and the Dem/MSM propaganda machine. The muckty mucks at the GOP absurdly think that if they stay above the fray, McCain will look presidential. Wrong, this election hinges on McCain ripping off the facade of Obama's Madison Ave sales pitch to the public. With the facade gone, what's left is Obama's SOCIALISM.
The McCain campaign staff needs to find the intestinal fortitude to go after Obama on every thing he says and has voted on. He politicially needs to beat Obama with the TRUTH STICK until the little Socialist wannabe, crawls back in his hole and just sticks with preaching to the safety of the choir. And then the staff needs to take every statement he made to his choir and drumbeat mercilessly until Nov 4th.
Did you ever wonder why Democrats and the MSM use the drumbeat tactic on Bush, Cheney and other candidates??? They use it because they know it works on THEMSELVES. Manipulators always use the tools they fear the most and they also accuse others of what they would do themselves.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
Noel.. the word is censorship.
July 2, 2008 - 13:41 ET by Gary HallIt will go the way of other recent polls:
(;~> gary
The voice of “We the people” means nothing to the MSM
Noel, The good news is that people "who don't know"
July 2, 2008 - 13:51 ET by upcountrywaterhas dropped from 10% to 8%...
People who 'don't know' , GAWD that BUGS ME to no end!
NObama for people who don't know....That's my dream.
Liberals62%
IranianUranium
Wow! Given the choice of
July 2, 2008 - 13:56 ET by motherbeltWow! Given the choice of more oil or cutting back, more people choose to drill!
Who'da thunk it?
Haven't these people heard of "shared sacrifice"???
Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson
good news!
July 2, 2008 - 14:07 ET by mbuelThis is good news for us!
I predicted a month ago to my liberal friends that November would come down to whichever candidate supported drilling, and I expect as gas prices continue to rise the number of Americans who support drilling will continue to grow.
Dscott makes a good point. We can have our cake and eat it too... We can conserve the environment AND get more energy!
greed triumphs over bunnies any day
July 2, 2008 - 14:39 ET by wizardjrI was wondering what level of pain would finaly convince a majority of fern fondlers and bunny huggers to "see the light." Due to the gross myopia of the average American what was a preventable situation with regards to energy is what it is. Fortunately, once the pain begins, a larger and larger number of fad followers finally begin to notice that the emperor has no clothes.
It's too bad the election isn't next year when gas will hit $7.00 a gallon. That would finally put the nation in such an uproar that Barry and the Dims would get slaughtered at the polls (except in Chicago where the graveyards will once again empty out to vote Demoncrat).
I always said when gas
July 2, 2008 - 15:16 ET by bigtimerI always said when gas prices get near five a gallon before the masses would wake up here...
To bad the politicians aren't listening...just like illegal immigration..
Oh yes they know best...
We shall see...
McCain are you even really listening...
You were on the dems side for both of these issues...you had better do some major flip flopping if you really want to win.
So had the rest of the congressional districts and Senate seat up.
There is absolutely no reason for repubs to lose if they would wise up and listen tot he people.
Time will tell...
Drill Often...Drill Everywhere!
By the way...as an aside..if the masses do not wake up and pay attention to the environmentalists law suits that stop all of any kind of energy expansion and the judges that do this with them, plus the repubs speaking of this loud and often, this will never stop, we will be held back forever...these evil critters have destroyed more business and our own self reliant production here than anybody else... it is time they are stopped, it is time they are held accountable with these lawsuits, it is time they have to pay out the nose for all the destruction and money losses they have caused with their intentional destruction in this country, let alone all the regulations we have here in this country, and I will throw in the unions along in this too...why the heck do they think we have so many businesses that have said to hell with this...and go over seas.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
Mr. Shepphard:
July 2, 2008 - 15:39 ET by j. frank wilsonYour blog states a "... new poll released Tuesday shows Americans more interested in expanding oil drilling to solve the current energy crisis than additional conservation measures." However, the margin of error for this poll (not found on your blog, by the way, and this is a very important piece of information about any poll) exceeds the spread between the two opinions. In other words, it's a tie.
The poll itself used the headline:
As Gas Prices Pinch, Support for Energy Exploration Rises
And the poll results clearly bear that statement out. They don't support your claim, however.
This same poll also shows that 52% of those surveyed believe the Iraq war is going not too or not at all well - 44% believe it is going very or fairly well. A clear majority (52%) believe we should bring the troops home - 43% believe we should keep our troops there. And a large majority (55% ) believe the war was the wrong decision. Just 39% responded that it was right (don't know was 6%).
Unlike the energy poll results, all the Iraq War answers exceed the poll's +- 3.5% margin of error (there must be at least a 7% spread between the responses before a preference is established).
That settles it, no more
July 2, 2008 - 15:42 ET by Clear thinkerThat settles it, no more drilling!
45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
LOL Ct... What would we
July 2, 2008 - 15:46 ET by bigtimerLOL Ct...
What would we ever do without frankie and his wisdom?
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
Well bt... He does provide
July 2, 2008 - 15:50 ET by Clear thinkerWell bt... He does provide a small amount of entertainement.
45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
@bigtimer:
July 2, 2008 - 16:09 ET by j. frank wilsonDo you actually have something to say, or are your contributions limited to tossing an insult bomb and then running off?
Saying you have "wisdom" is
July 2, 2008 - 16:12 ET by Clear thinkerSaying you have "wisdom" is an insult?
45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
Oh hi Frank... Yeah, I
July 2, 2008 - 16:13 ET by bigtimerOh hi Frank...
Yeah, I posted what I thought right before your wonderful post.
Scroll up...Didn't you read it?
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
@bigtimer:
July 2, 2008 - 16:23 ET by j. frank wilsonActually, no, I hadn't. But I did go back and read it.
There just doesn't seem to be much about our country that you like, is there? Personally, I'm a union guy. And a Union guy, for that matter.
If you think we're going to drill our way out of the current energy mess you're going to be very, very disappointed. The gas and oil companies that hold leases on hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands just aren't willing to explore and exploit them. Why exactly is that? What's wrong with the millions of acres of land in Alaska leased but un-tapped?
Gee - you don't think this whole "drill more" thing is a big lie, do you? You probably don't. I do.
frankie... You have been
July 2, 2008 - 16:29 ET by bigtimerfrankie...
You have been here long enough to read my opinions on this since I have been here on this subject.
Move on...I am not wasting time repeating a thing to you, it wouldn't matter anyway, you'd just disagree...it is what you do and always have.
You are just a troll here...have been since the day you got here.
Amusing at times, like Ct says...I give you that.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
@bigtimer:
July 2, 2008 - 17:00 ET by j. frank wilsonSo tell me - what is a "troll?"
Mr. Sheppard posted a blog. I wrote a respectful comment pointing out a specific flaw in his blog. I gave facts and quoted my sources. No insults, no name-calling. Numbers. Facts.
Is all it takes at NB to be called a "troll" is disagree? What's the point of having a website such as this one if everyone is always in 100%, complete agreement? How could you possibly learn anything?
Actually, I do have a theory about that. But that's for another time.
frankie... You always
July 2, 2008 - 18:35 ET by bigtimerfrankie...
You always disagree, you always have, no matter the subject ...that is the difference.
Worry not...move on.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
I think the margin of error
July 2, 2008 - 15:51 ET by bassndudeI think the margin of error is on the not drilling part. In other words, that percentage is to high, and for the drilling, that percentage is to low.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
I believe the name of the article was...
July 2, 2008 - 16:01 ET by Humblepie"Gas Poll Shocker" not the "Iraq War Shocker."
Think were going to need waaay more coins.
During this time with political correctness at its zenith, I reserve the right to let you know you're an idiot.
@Humblepie:
July 2, 2008 - 16:16 ET by j. frank wilsonProbably because the poll results of the Iraq questions are not a shock. We've known this for some time.
The real question is why we have an administration that recklessly pursues a policy most people don't support. That would explain, however, why selling Bush III is such a tough row to hoe.
Ah, it begins again
July 2, 2008 - 16:20 ET by HumblepieWhat is the name of this article, you know the one we are looking at right now? Come on you can answer it we all know you can.
During this time with political correctness at its zenith, I reserve the right to let you know you're an idiot.
Since you cannot stay with the issue
July 2, 2008 - 18:28 ET by HumblepieDiscussion is not an option with you. The issue at hand was and is Oil and not the war in Iraq.
"The real question is why we have an administration that recklessly pursues a policy most people don't support." No one gives a rats pa-toot about your so called "real question." We support it, as did most Americans when it started. So please, shut up and stick with the issue at hand. If not you might want to read my quote below. Enough said.
During this time with political correctness at its zenith, I reserve the right to let you know you're an idiot.
The Democrats have tough choices to make
July 2, 2008 - 20:28 ET by pbthinkerOne thing the Democrats do believe is polls. The more they see these polls, the more they're going to have to question how much those donations from the environmental nuts are really worth. The problem, for the Democrats, is how to replace those donations. Can they blackmail Exxon/Mobil, now that they've trashed them in public with their rediculous hearings and threatened to take over their business?
Personally, I hope the Democrats stick to their guns and do nothing before the election. Every time people fill up their cars with gas, they know it was much cheaper before the Democrats took power. They also know that President Bush wanted to drill for oil and the Democrats have stopped that. If this poll is correct, and I have no reason to believe it's not, it could mean the Democrats, who should be a lock to win in November, will lose. Then, if the Republicans get power and tell everyone we're drilling and going balls to the wall on alternative energy, and the price of oil drops, the Democrats might not win again for years and years. All of this could happen, in spite in the morons in the Republican party that squandered the majority they held, for 12 years.
The question is, will the Democrats cave to save themselves, before the election?
Democrats: Stuck on Stupid since 2000.
Uh oh... if this continues
July 2, 2008 - 20:45 ET by JerryUh oh... if this continues I smell a "re-calibration" of the "nuances" of democrat positions on drilling.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Jerry... For the sake of
July 2, 2008 - 21:01 ET by Clear thinkerJerry...
For the sake of lower prices, I hope they do.
45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
We need to better get the
July 2, 2008 - 22:33 ET by Biff McCainWe need to better get the word out that 80% of domestic oil drill
permits granted, ExxonMobilEnron, and their expanded crime family, are
just sitting on waiting for $500 or $1,000 a barrel.
I heard Joe Biden on The Fox News Shows say so, so it must be true.
"Burn that mother down." -- Jimmy Ellis
Hey everyone, it's Biffy
July 2, 2008 - 22:36 ET by HumblepieComing in to throw his Troll Bomb and leave. Goodbye Biffy.
During this time with political correctness at its zenith, I reserve the right to let you know you're an idiot.
Biffy McCanus, be sure to not let the door hit you in the arse..
July 2, 2008 - 22:41 ET by R D Helm...on your way out. :-)
LOL-Sorry Humblepie, I hit the wrong reply button.
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
I heard Joe Biden on The
July 3, 2008 - 07:50 ET by dscottI heard Joe Biden on The Fox News Shows say so, so it must be true.
Biff, next time put <sarcasm> after the statement and everyone will laugh WITH you and not AT you. Joe Biden's claims are true, hahahaha, bahahaha, ROFL, stop it hurts, please stop... Truther type conspiracy theories like this one are over the top and the public isn't as stupid as the Dems think they are. Everyone should consider this thought, the Dems tell whoppers like this because they have so little respect for the average person. They really think the average American is a gullible moron that can be talked into anything, even giving up all their Freedoms. Why would you vote for much less take seriously a person who has so little respect for you?
Here is an example when just because something is said on FNC doesn't make it true. So Biff, I agree with your sarcastic statement and appreciate it, maybe not in the way you intended. Fair and Balanced means the loons like Biden or RFK Jr. get to spout their assertions and FNC gives them the opportunity to prove to the public they are lying scheming so and sos.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
If the price of oil
July 3, 2008 - 00:54 ET by Rush FanIf the price of oil continues to substantially increase before the election, McCain will have a better chance of being elected. However, listening to McCain talk about his energy policy or anything for that matter is like listening to my mother-in-law snoring. You just can't take it for very long! McCain is so boring he could put an insomniac to sleep.
On another sad note, Rudy Giuliani was on Glenn Beck's show today discussing McCain's energy policy (including his cap and trade) and when asked by Glenn if he believed in man-made global warming Giuliani said he did. You could see in Glenn's face how disappointed he was in that answer.
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I'm voting for Barack Obama now that an AP poll shows people would rather barbecue burgers with Barack Obama than with John McCain. http://news.yahoo.co...
Hi RF... I saw
July 3, 2008 - 01:02 ET by bigtimerHi RF...
I saw it...
You covered it all well.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Hi bigtimer
July 3, 2008 - 02:50 ET by Rush FanThank You!
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Which political party is invested in our defeat in Iraq?