SubscribeObama Spins His Offshore Drilling Shift
From ABC News:
Obama Attempts to Explain Shift on Offshore Drilling
August 02, 2008
Sunlen Miller
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., fought back against the perception that he’s shifted away from his opposition to off-shore oil drilling by suggesting he softened his position as a compromise toward a broader energy policy.
Obama first indicated Friday in an interview with the Palm Beach Post that he would be willing to compromise on his opposition to off-shore drilling, and would consider expanding the current drilling boundaries — if it was part of a plan to make the country more energy independent by developing more fuel-efficient cars and alternative energy sources.
Today, at a press availability in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Obama said that his comments weren’t a shift.
“This wasn’t really a new position. What I’m saying is that we can’t drill our way out of the problem,” he told reporters. “And if we can come up with a genuine bi-partisan compromise in which I have to accept some things I don’t like, or the Democrats have to accept some things that they don’t like, in exchange for actually moving us in the direction of energy independence, then that is something I am open to.”
On Friday, the bi-partisan “Gang of 10” group of senators unveiled a compromise energy plan that would include opening areas of the Gulf of Mexico and southeast Atlantic to drilling –- in addition to raising taxes on major oil companies. Part of the plan also includes oil exploration 50 miles off of Florida’s coastline –- a state that is an important battleground in the general election.
Obama said that while he hasn’t seen the Gang of 10’s final legislation, he understood it has some aggressive elements that could move America in the direction of energy independence.
“I think is [sic] a positive step, so there are a whole bunch of good things that have been proposed by this bi-partisan group,” Obama said. “I remain skeptical of some of the drilling provisions, but I will give them credit that the way they crafted the drilling positions are about as careful and responsible as you might expect for a drilling agenda.”
Obama said while he is opening the door to a compromise, he will not support a plan that suggests drilling is the answer to the nation’s energy problems…
Obama said that in the end the shift on offshore drilling shouldn’t be a political one.
“What I’m interested [in], ultimately, is going to be governing,” he said. “And what that means is that we’re going to try to get things done. … At some point, people are going to have to make decisions: Are we going to keep on arguing or are we going to get some things done?”
Do they still run “Dancing With The Stars”? Mr. Obama would be a shoo-in to win.
He’s got this two-step down perfectly.
“I think is [sic] a positive step, so there are a whole bunch of good things that have been proposed by this bi-partisan group,” Obama said.
He sure is articulate. And deep.
And just imagine the profundity of his analysis if he had actually seen the proposal.
Yep, Mr. Obama is going to be a wiz at “governing.”
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13 Responses to “Obama Spins His Offshore Drilling Shift”
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August 2nd, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Obamy is for anything that raises taxes.
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
“What I’m interested [in], ultimately, is going to be governing,” he said. “And what that means is that we’re going to try to get things done. … At some point, people are going to have to make decisions: Are we going to keep on arguing or are we going to get some things done?”
Who’s on first?
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Holy Mackerel, what a lot of empty words. This guy can say less with more air than anyone I’ve ever heard. But boy, you nailed the one sentence where his true intent comes through: “What I’m interested [in], ultimately, is going to be governing.” Arrrggggghhh.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:25 pm
“he will not support a plan that suggests drilling is the answer to the nation’s energy problems…”
Then by rational reasoning I suggest that the answer is to stop drilling?
What a dope.
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:14 pm
“Anyone saying I have been changing my positions isn’t listening to me” - LOL - what a tool - (actually could have spelled that 4 letter word starting with a f)
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Ok i am back I have never won a spelling bee or an English competition. Now saying that. Ol flip flop is at it again he gripe my arse so damn bad.
The oil in Alaska ANWAR is so vast it is unreal. Also the oil in the rest of the U.S. is vast. I know a guy that has found oil on is property around Chattanooga Tn the goverment let him sell some to save his property an that is it. The find on his land is bigger than any thing in Texas an he is starving.
I cant stand this. I hate anybody that stands in the way of someone making a honest dollar in this country. An when the democratic party runs away from a decision in a regular vote. The democrates are just stealing from the rich an costing the poor more than it is worth. Nancy an Barack you both are popin j,s
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Obamanation is not having a good week - first he (and his handlers I’m sure) thought his Obamanation Summer World Tour would kick his numbers up to the point that a garen-damn-tee win was in the bag - yet his numbers actually fell. Who’d have thunk it?!? Then McAmnesty started slinging at him (his The One video is a hoot).
And I see more and more questions on Obamanation’s statements and positions - which of course he is dancing around and explaining away - this is not the position he should be in - this close to his
coronationoops nomination - he should be burning up the poll numbers.And he isn’t - what a shame.
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:24 am
Wardmama, with John McCain running one of the worst campaigns in the history of our electorial process, one has to wonder what would the polls look like if McCain had his groove on?
You’re right that the Dalibama (as Hugh Hewitt calls him) thought that prostrating himself in front of a bunch of Euroweenies would increase his image as a world leader but that was the first mistake David Axelrod (who is really in charge of this campaign) made. Americans don’t want a King of the World, they want a president who will put their nation first and telling the Germans that we have made mistakes in the past, and getting the whole Berlin Air Drop thing wrong, I am sure that Axelrod was sweating bullets hoping the kneepad wearing, loyal press would not mention it.
The second big mistake Axelrod made was allowing his programmed talking head (Obama) to take the podium and not stick to a script and a teleprompter. So while Obama has been tossing out that race card for months (oh, and did I mention he’s black?) and the MSM has chosen to ignore it, Obama’s “dollar bill” gaffe was so great that reporting it was unavoidable.
Now today, the media is reporting that Obama will not do any townhall styled Q & A sessions with McCain, sticking to the “traditional” three debate process. Well, Lawdie, Lawdie, I wonder why?
You see, you can call a rat a rabbit and some people will believe you. But eventually, all but the dumbest will not finally see that no matter what you call it, it is still a rat. It is the whole “lipstick on a pig” thing.
Even the left wing, kneepad wearing MSM is beginning to ask “Who is this man named Obama?” And if he loses the media, which has the attention span of a gnat, then he is sunk.
Last week, Charles Krauthammer and Newt Gingrich both said that within the next two weeks Obama would take a different stand on off-shore drilling. Why? Because 69% of Americans think it is the right thing to do. And after all, Obama IS all things to all people while really being nothing but an empty vessel who has had his head filled with the falsehood that He, and only He, can lead this nation. I guess Krauthammer and Gingrich know a phony when they see one.
August 3rd, 2008 at 4:25 am
I don’t think it’s fair to hold Obama’s verbal gaffes against him. It’s just dizziness due to all his constant spinning.
August 3rd, 2008 at 5:22 am
Classic…
The only problem is, McCain opposed offshore drilling and even tapping in Alaska’s Anwar.
And his change in this race for the Presidency, really isn’t very convincing.
As he just praised Gore’s Global Warming deceit recently, with overt fanfare.
You cite Obama flip flopping here, yet, seem to have ignored McCain’s vapid flip flop on no new taxation.
Seems McCain is dancing just as much…
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:14 pm
HNAV - check out some of my posts - I am not a McAmnesty fan at all. McAmnesty opposed ANWAR when opposing ANWAR was cool - that he came around as soon as the writing hit the wall - should be somewhat commended. Obamanation opposed drilling last month - not the ‘70/80s - which does make it much closer to a flip-flop than a coming to reality moment.
I am fully against McAmnesty’s embracing the GloballWarning hoax - it is just another ding against him. As is his support for Shamnesty (which since he was in the Senate when the last Immigration Reform was passed - might someone ask why enforcing the laws passed the last time won’t work and why pass new ones if the last didn’t work). . .Talk about a msm with a real agenda.
My final problem with McAmnesty is that he was chosen by the msm and the RNC - not by the Republican voters - and besides he is so liberal that the msm figures they get a win either way.
I can’t vote for him - as it gives the RNC the green light to chose RHINOs, Dem lites and even more liberal Republicans in the future.
Now having said all that - Obamanation would be a thousand times worse - so I shall wait until the conventions are over and pray that something happens - that will turn the situation around. Otherwise I will have to get drunk to pull the lever for McAmnesty.
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:33 pm
…..“And if we can come up with a genuine bi-partisan compromise in which I have to accept some things I don’t like, or the Democrats have to accept some things that they don’t like, in exchange for actually moving us in the direction of energy independence, then that is something I am open to……”
…..“I remain skeptical of some of the drilling provisions, but I will give them credit that the way they crafted the drilling positions are about as careful and responsible as you might expect for a drilling agenda……”
Notice how this egomainac has already separated himself from the rest of Congress…as if he was already president…with the implicit threat of a veto if things don’t materialize to his liking. What an ass!
Rather than have him shut his “pie-hole”, I hope he keeps it running full-bore like this from now until November. It’s our best hope for defeating him, since McCain’s efforts at campaingnig are somewhat anemic.
If Samson slew the Philistines with the jawbone of an ass, maybe Obama’s run will be ended with the same instrument. His own!
August 3rd, 2008 at 3:46 pm
thanks for the note wardmama4…
My glaring, repetitive point remains, ignoring the vapid Candidacy of McCain, focusing only on Obama, on makes Washington WORSE.
We must focus on Congress, to prepare for either Liberal Senator, before it is too late.
There are a number of Conservative bloggers, pundits, elites, who are losing their credibility daily trying to focus solely on Obama, glossing over the folly of McCain.
This is a recipe for more bad government.
It reminds one of the blindness, Democrat Partisans have provided for so many of their corrupt, inept, pathetic Candidates.
McCain offers a very POPULIST mindset, one who does not do his homework, embraces vapid Liberal Policies, and works to better himself.
He adopted the path of Bush on Iraq and the GWOT, probably because after 9-11, and while considering Kerry’s VP offering, the Maverick deemed GW’s Policy as more popular.
The focus on the weaknesses should inspire better policy from McCain’s Campaign, Candidacy, potential Presidency, etc., including (as liberals say) RAISE AWARENESS for Conservatives throughout the Nation, just how important a GOP Majority in Congress truly remains.
McCain’s demeaning of Sec. Rumsfeld for Liberal Votes in the GOP Primary, his embrace of Al Gore’s Global Warming Deceit, recent flop on promises to NOT RAISE TAXATION, should be warning for all.
This is not coming from an extreme Conservative, as this Poster strongly supports the Presidency of GW BUSH, who was and is outstanding. Unlike McCain, GW Bush had proven CEO Experience, was not a life long career politician, has conviction to be honest, and cared little for POLL DATA.
Sure, Obama is a disaster, but McCain is not much better.