Dems are being pitched a slowball over the plate on offshore drilling

[IDemo]

They need to swat it out of the park. And they can do that easily by making the following paragraph from the Energy Information Administration the starting point of every energy question, speech, or debate:

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/otheranalysis/ongr.html

The projections in the OCS access case indicate that access to the Pacific, Atlantic, and eastern Gulf regions would not have a significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices before 2030. Leasing would begin no sooner than 2012, and production would not be expected to start before 2017. Total domestic production of crude oil from 2012 through 2030 in the OCS access case is projected to be 1.6 percent higher than in the reference case, and 3 percent higher in 2030 alone, at 5.6 million barrels per day. For the lower 48 OCS, annual crude oil production in 2030 is projected to be 7 percent higher—2.4 million barrels per day in the OCS access case compared with 2.2 million barrels per day in the reference case (Figure 20). Because oil prices are determined on the international market, however, any impact on average wellhead prices is expected to be insignificant.

[MadHound]

1. Yes, I agree, but you're failing to take something into consideration

Many, if not most of the Dems and 'Pugs have been bought and paid for to some extent by Big Oil, and they will not bite the hand that feeds them. Therefore, while there may be wailing and gnashing of teeth, they will go ahead and approve off shore drilling, another cave in a long line of them.

Welcome to the two party/same corporate master system of government. It has been around for awhile now, but it is becoming ever more apparent everyday.

[screembloodymurder]

2. So?

The Democrats must present their own plan. People want action. Not doing anything is not politically acceptable. It reinforces the "do nothing Congress" label! Give me a plan.

[IDemo]

3. As I said, they need to START by showing up the Rep offshore drilling smoke and mirrors

That doesn't mean they don't have an existing plan, or that they won't further develop it with time. But what the media and the repubs are determined to do is make ANWR and other drilling sites the number one solution to $4.35 gasoline when it is easily proven to be no such thing. If we are unable to change the dialog on offshore drilling, much of the public simply won't care about alternatives and conservation.

Barack Obama's Plan