ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Friday he would be willing to support limited additional offshore oil drilling if that's what it takes to enact a comprehensive policy to foster fuel-efficient autos and develop alternate energy sources.
Shifting from his previous opposition to expanded offshore drilling, the Illinois senator told a Florida newspaper he could get behind a compromise with Republicans and oil companies to prevent gridlock over energy.
Republican rival John McCain, who earlier dropped his opposition to offshore drilling, has been criticizing Obama on the stump and in broadcast ads for clinging to his opposition as gasoline prices topped $4 a gallon. Polls indicate these attacks have helped McCain gain ground on Obama.
Here is a sampling of the very upset comments at the Huffington Post:
I sadly predicted several weeks ago, when Obama wimped on FISA, that the stage was set for more flip-flops. He apparently continues...he doesn't have to be doing this stuff, at all.
Please Senator Obama, say it ain't so!
...It looks like capitulation to the Mc Cain demands, and makes him look politically weak and undecisive. The strategy has been and should continue to be change. Having to explain and diminish his statement does not serve him well.
Thanks Obama, you have now made the entire Democratic party against drilling look like the fools they have been acting like for the past 6 months. People like Reid & Pelosi have put everything they have against drilling and now they are left standing alone.
The reaction to Obama's oil drilling reversal was no kinder over at the Democratic Underground:
just the latest in a now lengthening list of complete 180's he's made... I just "love" all the spinning his die-hard followers are trying to do - unsuccessfully.
I always viewed Obama as a ball of clay - it was yet to be seen what he would do & the choices he would make. These early indications are NOT good signs. Actions, not words. Disappointing to say the very least.
This stinks. And I'm disgusted he's supporting it.
Finally, the Daily Kos Kossacks weigh in on the Obama oil drilling ban flip flop:
I think his statement is pretty nuanced, I don't think its a radical flip flop. I do think it's disappointing.
If Obama would have maintained a consistent "NO to off-shore drilling" position we here would be behind him. But now we are divided and fighting among ourselves, instead of fighting against our common enemy.
I'm no McCain supporter, but at this point, I really have no enthusiasm anymore for Obama.
Obama is failing as a leader on this issue just like he did on FISA. I hope he just playing election politics and will show real strength and leadership once elected, but it seems less likely to happen that way as time goes.
There are many more of these comments, reflecting a mixture of anger and depression, which you can view at the DUmmie FUnnies.
