CNN

LIMITED drilling using latest technology makes sense and can indeed be done safely...It buys us time while we get alternatives up and running. But I want a President Obama to oversee this energy policy. I think he knows America will have to start drilling and using more nuclear in the very near future. McCain doesn't care about what consumers are paying at the pump. The only thing he cares about all the oil-industry lobbyists fueling his campaign. His campaign is nothing BUT lobbyists. At least Obama will keep the consumer and the nation's economy in mind as he crafts a realistic energy policy. McCain doesn't know squat about the economy... he's even said so. And I believe him!!!!

This is such backwards thinking! We now have the technology to build hybrid cars, electric cars, wind and solar power, and McCain is still thinking oil? We need to move beyond oil, and we need an administration who's not tied to the oil company puppet strings. We need new blood, new ideas, new thinking in Washington, and McCain is not the one to bring about new anything.

What many of you fail to realize is that opening up and drilling in these places will take 7-10 years for any real production to be realized and experts have said that the decrease in the price of gas will only amount to a couple of cents. We cannot keep taking the short-term solution but must invest in the future and possibly be forced to go through difficult times in order to prosper. The answer is not to do more drilling but focus on alternative sources of fuel.energy that can sustain long-term growth.

TO.....Conservative for McCain June 17th, 2008 1:08 pm ET
LOVE and Peace… I LOVE BHO, I LOVE BHO…… IS our Commit here to pick us up yet……..I LOVE BHO……..DOWN with McSAME……I LOVE BHO. Obama is the Savior of the WORLD…… I LOVE BHO…..
I bet this will get posted....
-------------------------------
It's people like this who starts calling Obama a Savior, Moses and Jesus..........Then when he does something positive and EXPERIECNED they are the one's who comment things like who he think he is a Savior, Jesus or Moses, if you stop and think for yourself, you won't have to ask this question again.....Oh by the Way......WELCOME ABOARD REPUBLICAN FOR MCCAIN.......OBAMA AND HIS SUPPORTERS THANK YOU...WE LOVE HIM TOOOOOOOOOO.

I sit here and read the blogs and the stupidity of the American public overwhelm me. Just love to take cheap shots and talk out of their posterior. It is about time we renewed off-shore drilling. For those who continue to preach the environment, do some research!!
Annually.........forest fires consume more timber and land, and expel more emissions into the atmosphere than by human means. Liberals and environmentalist need to escape from their vacuum of sterilization. The word liberal equates to rewarding failure, and second and third generation welfare recipients, while sucking more taxes out of hard working America.

This is an AMERICAN problem...

please leave your political beliefs out of the argument. Many of you have nothing to stand on because you are narrow minded.

We need any and all energy sources working together to solve our crisis. This coming from the fromer Exxon CEO from the 1980s on where we are today.

If he can understand this, I sure hope all of you can. It takes 30 YEARS to get your foot in the door just to see if you can try to get a permit to build a nuclear plant...

WE ARE DOING THIS TO OURSELVES...

I say drill everywhere even under the White House! Just leave my guns and truck alone. These kids today get off too easy. Let em sweat a bit and earn their keep. All I know is that when gas becomes ten dollars a gallon I will get rid of at least two of my amps and subwoofers in my 4×4. That thing is a monster to fill but hey it is fun to intimidate those smaller sedans on the road. Those ol' ladies sure can yell!
McCain until 09!

McCain, even if we had 21 billion barrels we use 21 million barrels every day. That's enough oil so the US would be self sufficient for oil for THREE YEARS. Then it's gone and we have no reserve left? Don't we want to save that 21 billion barrel reserve for our children and grandchildren?

This is different from the Bush policy. Bush wants to drill in Alaska, while McCain wants to drill off the mainland coasts. That's two different places folks, and McCain will not be hurting any polar bears or endangering other polar animal species.

Now how does this proposal "curb greenhouse gases" as advertised? This ad is typical of the half-truths that have come out of the Bush administration for years on end now. I will be fair and call this ad "deceptive" for what it does not state.

is this his "realistic plan that will curb greenhouse gas emissions"?

Is it all possible to trust anything McCain says. Either he's for the environment or he is not. Which is it today? He wants to play both ends against each other and I think the end result will be that he loses big time on both counts. Lets support Obama since at least we know where he stands on this issue.

> You seem to be against the idea because McCain proposed it.

No, we are against it because it is a stupid idea (I am a scientist so I know a little about these things). What we need is independence from oil i.e. non-feedstock cellulosics and other forms of renewable energy. This is a cornerstone of Obama's energy policy for those of you that actually care about issues.

And Joe in VA, if Obama proposed something we're completely against, why would we support the idea? Your comment doesn't even make sense.

I know many extreme right-wing Corporations-First, America-Last types have developed a fantasy about Obama supporters, but we are not easily swayed into foolish, fake solutions like those proposed by Bush/McCain and the Party of Constant Failure.

Its called "Arctic Wildlife Refuge", not "Disposable Natural Area in exchange for a $2 reduction in the price of oil per barrel". There are better solutions, son, and while the average middle-school dropout may not be able to comprehend it, Democrats can. Sorry, but the time of Republicans destroying the United States of America with idiotic policies has come to a close.

My problem with drilling offshore is that we won't see the results of that oil for several years. In the meantime, gas prices will remain high so by the time we actually get the offshore oil, hopefully we will be less dependent on oil and would have never really needed to drill in the first place. I agree that gas prices are outrageous but the good news is that it will force us to give up driving our hummers and huge SUVs and be more conservative with our driving. Since we will be using less gas, oil producing companies will be forced to lower gas prices in order to maintain their high profits. I know that this line of thinking is idealistic of me but at the same time I'm enough of a realist to know that what we've been doing is not working and we should not be enabling our levels of gas consumption for the sake of the environment as well as the economy.

That is right John McSame as Bush. Drill more oil and ignore the root problem for another 8 years. McFlip Flop is simply hillarious. What can you say about this guy accept he is funny.

He changes his view of issues more than any politician in recent memory. He is a pandering, flip flopping liar who was and is a great war hero. Does that make him the best for President. HELL NO!!!

So you are for climate change, etc.. and your solution is to drill more oil and risk our kids environment, etc..

Brilliant Old Man aren't you?

Republicans and All Americans for Obama. The right change and the right time.

Headline:
McCain ad highlights differences between Bush and McCain...

Headline:
McCain wants to allow drilling off shore

John McCain...What a hypocrite.

Gosh, that McCain is so dumb! I bet if Obama becomes President, all our oil woes will end overnight! He's so smart, and we will be filling up our SUVs' tanks with good feelings and love, not oil like McCain wants. Obama can solve anything and starting next year, the US will be oil independent thanks to him!

Sarcasm aside, we're not getting off oil anytime in the next 50 years, so what's wrong with letting states decide what to do. If you don't like it, you can move to another state.

Both McCain and Obama's energy policies are very similar, and they both have a good record concerning the environment.

SUCH AN INDEPENDENT SCUM BAG HEY.

TRASH OUR ECONOMY.

NOW FURTHER TRASH OUR SHORES.

Grand idea! Many, many, many jobs were lost when offshore drilling ceased. Nearly whole town evaporated. People seem to forget things like this. Take a look at Shreveport, LA. That place was a ghost town until the casinos came along and put some people back to work. The place still looks hopeless and once was thriving, down to the little mom and pop business that made the tiniest fittings for the drills. Coastal states are worried about their coastline, oh my, aren't they soooo important? Beautiful coastline that, by the way, people will not be able to afford to enjoy because they will no longer be able to get to them because there is no fuel or what there is will be cost prohibitive!! The fishing/shrimping industy(ies) are having a big ol cow because the drilling will mess up their fishing. Gee, don't those ol shipping boats run on diesel? Where are they are to get that in a few years? People won't be able to afford the cost of fish because the fuel to run the boats will be way too much for the fisherman to afford to even go out. If the Dems would get off their polar bear protecting duffs and open up that land for oil drilling, there would never be a need for foreign oil/fuel! I'm glad I'm not any younger and having to raise a family in this crazy country. Things were much simpler and far better in my day and much more so before that! The day a black man is empowered will be a day rued by us all.

NOW WE KNOW WHY BUSH GAVE

SLEAZO THOSE HUGGS, & SUPPORT,

MORE OIL.

#1 America does not contain enough oil within its borders to significantly fulfill its longterm energy needs or even to significantly affect longterm oil prices; and #2 even if it did, burning it would likely send our economy and lifestyles back into the dark ages due to climate change. These are not "liberal" or "left-wing" speculations, these are what our best scientists are telling us. Yet many continue to choose to ignore, and even berate, this information - and many of these people have a [R] stamped on their foreheads. It is a wonder that McCain, a [R] who actually admits #2, finds support amongst what's left of the reality-challenged [R] "base". Now what most [D]s and other thinking sapiens worry about in McCain is that despite his recognition of #2, he ignores #1 by supporting more drilling, a course which AT BEST takes our eye off the longterm energy ball and makes us more energy vulnerable in the longrun.

THE LOOTING OF AMERICA GOES ON.

GOT YOUR TAXES. WE WILL GET YOUR SHORES

AND THEN SOME.

Once again McCain wants it to look like he is doing something when in fact he is doing nothing. He can push for the federal goverment to lift the moritorium because he knows the states will not allow off shore drilling. This gives the "appearance" of doing something, instead of actually addressing the fact that we need to get off of oil. He says this is to do something in the short term, when in fact, if we actually did drill off shore, it would take several years to get the oil to market. The oil would go into the world market, so other countries could just cut their production to keep supply low and keep prices high.

McCain is GOD....what you said is just plain scary so I will not choose to respond.

Harvy, Tampa, FL.....okay, we'll see how you like it when you look out your window and see oil rigs across the coast line instead of the beautiful horizon. Then when a hurricane comes through and an oil slick kills everything along your coast, pollutes the air, and destroys drinking water then we will talk. When the dead animals are floating up on the beach you can explain to your children that America needs more oil.

Not to mention the delicate balance our oceans play into the entire planet's health. We cannot be haphazardly drilling in the ocean hoping for the best.

We need to fund alternative energy and get American car manufacturers to produce more efficient vehicles. Honda is rolling out a hydrogen model, and there are hydrogen fueling stations in California. There is an engineer who has made a little commuter that runs on compressed air. There are electric-gas hybrids. Americans need incentives to buy these cars. THEN we can make a difference.

We got it – Let's get it!

Surprise, surprise. McSenile trying to keep the oil flowing for his big oil buddies.

McCain, we are going to feel some pain for awhile until we get off this oil. There is no easy way out of it. There is no quick fix. We should have done this back in the 70s. This and your gas-tax holiday gimmick is absolutely ridiculous.

We are getting of oil, for good. Doesn't matter where it comes from. Obama understands that. Get ready for an Obama tsunami on your old behind come November. McSame, what a fool.

Here come the liberal hippie environmentalists.

Guess what? We can be less dependant on oil. It's because of you morons that we haven't built a refinery in twenty or thirty years. We're maxed out.

But I bet if we SELL it to other countries, the laws of supply and demand come into effect and will drop prices. *slaps face with jaw open and eyes wide* But you morons won't think of that.

Personally, I'm all for drilling in ANWAR, because I'll never go there, I'll never see it, and screw the polar bears that would kill you anyways.

Biodiesel is jacking up corn prices so all the food is rising because we're putting it in our cars. Great for farmers who want subsidies but bad for everyone else.

I'm all for green energy. But it isn't going to solve the immediate concern and another hundred fifty billion tax dollars into the problem isn't going to help our economy either. Obama is an absolute liberal idiot.

PUMA people just do it and shut up. You are like the lost soul on the bridge faking like he is going to jump when all he wants is attention. So, go ahead and take the leap and vote McSame if it will make you happy. Clinton is still begging each of her 18million folks for $I.00 to get her out of the hole but they won't do it. She lost, so get out of here and go cry to her or help her because you are not doing anyone any good on here.
Obama will win this race without you and it will be better that way so that Hillary won't get the credit for her PUMA people crossing over.
Obama08 with or without YOU.

McOIL sounds like he wants to continue more of the Bush policy.. seems I have been heariong BUSH tout drilling off shore.

McOIL wants to continue the same Bush third term and help the rich get richer and keep BUSH TAX on the middle and low income to pay for an illegal war.. Why doesn't he just get to grind and say it..

I am BUSH THIRD TERM.... no doubt......

Yes...WE....CAN... have alternative energy..

Yes...WE...CAN... end the Bush destruction

Yes...WE...CAN... have TRUE LEADERSHIP in America...

OBAMA 2008

The state of Florida has routinely been opposed to such offshore drilling because of the threat it could pose to it's lucrative tourism business. I don't think this proposal is going to help McCain in the Sunshine State.

What happened to the energy concious McCain I've heard so much about?

Once again the Republicans wish to apply a bandaid to a compound fracture. Isn't it remarkable how the Conservatives seem to ignore the long term issues in regard to the energy problems. There is only enough oil reserves to fuel America and th world for 60 years, while that may seem like a long time, and I won't, in all likleyhood be around when we run completely out of oil, I am certianly a proponant for finding new, renewable sources of energy. If not for our future generations, then for the environment which is in dire shape as well. Lets forget the bandaid and get on with ensuring the prosperity and livlelyhood of our children and grandchildren. It is apalling to see the Republicans ignore reality for short term gains for thier buddies. God bless Al Gore for bringing the environment and the need for long term solutions to the forefront. More drilling is not the answer..Wind, Solar and other renewables are more the answer. Why is it that South American countries have a head start on the US in renewable fuels, some vehicles run exclusivly on renewable fuels, and we in the US are still held hostage by the Republicans and thier Oil buddies. Time to wake up and smell the (You Know What) the Republicans are shoveling out for us to swallow. Not me!!!!!!!!!!

why didn't he do 20 years ago. Let they new generation tells us what to do.

So what I'm hearing from the anti-drilling crowd is that we should finish off those families that are a paycheck away from living in the streets by waiting for a viable "alternative" – as someone mentioned, as much as, I myself, would like to see alt energy take hold – "you can't wave a magic wand" - do you think that $600 check we all got is going to put 4kW of solar on my roof?

It's going to take baby steps, the first is to remove ourselves from "foreign" oil dependency – then make the move to alternatives.
If we head into a global depression the least of our worries is going to be domestic drilling.

In a word "incredible". How he comes up with this plan as a way to bring about our energy independence is simply beyond unbelievable. 21 Billion barrels is hardly going to provide us ever-lasting security. The damage and dangers to our environment by allowing offshore drilling are real and with tremendously costly consequences. Interestingly enough, both the Florida and California governors oppose his policy. Talk about being out-of-step with reality and the will of the people.
Instead of focusing on offering incentives for our companies to develop new approaches, new ideas, new products, which would create a tremendous boon to our own economic instabilities, let's all follow McCan't down a path of the same ol bs and blind politics that continue to keep us dependent on resources we should and can move away from.

It's amazing how no one seems to understand that if we drill and get this oil, yes our gas prices may go down, temporarily. However, while we're drilling all over the place we're ruining the environment and sucking the Earth dry. There is no endless supply of oil. It's going to run out eventually.

In the mean time, we're going to ruin the environment which is the source of most of our food. The extinction of honeybees alone could do major damage to our comfortable way of life and they're already dying all over the US. It's not just about a polar bear dying (not that I don't think that all living creatures are important and that we need to take care of them), it's about entire ecosystems being ruined because we decided to spend money drilling when we knew we were going to run out of oil anyway. Why don't we spend that same money and find alternatives to fuel. Fuels that burn cleaner and don't cause harm to the environment to create. This way, everyone wins!

But I'm just a crazy liberal tree hugger who is supporting the crazy homosexual, pro murder, anti-war agenda. What do I know?????

Initiate a windfall profits tax on the oil robber barons, and use the
money to support alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, etc. Build a huge solar power array in New Mexico on unused land, and watch how much better off we would be, without risking another Exxon Valdez disaster. Don't buy gas from Exxon. The environment should be everyone's concern, especially for the children of the world.

Al Gore is right.

GO OBAMA!!!!

But please, fellow oil bashers, what is the next great energy source?

But please, let's continue... do you wear shoes, buy food at the store?

HOLY COW!!!! You consume oil as well you dirty people you. You can scream shame on SUV drivers, but face it, we ALL need oil for survival. Any food you eat was shipped using oil... PERIOD...

I hear no solutions... if it was that simple, then we'd already be there...

You all should read what jonathan had to say!!!

Here we go again with these quick fix solution, and when that oil is gone then what? The one thing consistent with Repubs or GOP is that they are always venturing out to quick fix solutions to get votes, and never plan for the future. IT IS TIME! TO PLAN NOT REACT! Our leaders need to learn from our neighbors. McCain and Bush are stubborn. We are watching and listening to you all, our generation eyes are wide open .

Destroying delicate ecosystems for an insatiable oil demand is outright blasphemous. Drilling on the shore will negatively effect the ocean for centuries. Even if our ethics is solely egoistic and human-centric, this will negatively impact us for generations to come. Drilling in Alaska would re-route the caribou migration and ultimately lead to the starvation of the native people there. Please people, stop being so short-minded. This greed for oil will be the harbinger of devastation, as is already self-evident. WON'T SOMEBODY SAVE THE WORLD?

This is not a 21 century solution to solve energy problems. McCain plan sound like it out of the 80's.

McCain the real flipflopper. James from NY you just made my day! LOL

Do you realize that an oil man drafted our current energy bill and the prices are high? They squeezed the public so they could get the restrictions released to drill. Smart move. I'm glad I have stock.

Let's go McCain!

I don't want to see oil rigs along all of our beaches... Los Angeles and upward north already has waaay to many. It looks terrible.

I think Johnathan just might be right about this one.

McCain BACK-OFF! Do NOT get in my face about drilling oil off my coast. We already have oil rigs off the coast of California and pipelines that connect the supertankers to the refineries.

They already leak and oil spills onto the beach enough as it is.

Obviously you & your Bush/Cheney cronies are competely bought-off and corrupted by the Big Oil monopoly.

The dude/dud can't even use a computer, my 6 year old knows that much. What a president he would be!! Can't blame him the man is just not to bright.

What would you call someone actually trying to solve our energy crisis and not merely talk about it?
Mr. President?

Also, just because it is drill in USA; it is not going to be cheaper. Since the private oil copanies will only sell it to whoever can pay the highest price.

We would have enough oil if we had drilled ten years ago. We need to drill off shore and we need to drill in Alaska. Alaska is a big place. I don't think 1% is going to endanger anything. We would not be in this position if we had encouraged alternative fuel possibilities, built new refineries and had others' present at Bush's little energy meeting. It's time we think about the future and take care of ourselves or we will be paying $10 a gallon in the future. Think about it.

As someone who has knowledge on these issues....please note that the US does not have 21 Billion barrels of "Proven" oil reserves that are undeveloped. That is simply a bald faced lie and shows that McCain does NOT understand energy issues nor do his advisors!
Exploratory drilling is absolutely required, precisely to move what could be 21 Billion barrels of "Potential" reserves into the category of even "Probable" reserves!

I support Senator Obama, but this is an issue that should be revisisted. Given the current oil CRISIS that we're in, one can't help but wonder exactly how much oil will be produced offshore. I read in an article that that quoted a GOP senator in which he said there's 14 billion barrels available offshore right now. I'm no genius, but 14 billion barrels is a drop in the bucket at our consumption rate. I would like to see independent evidence of just how much oil can be produced offshore and if it is sufficient to significantly stiffle our dependency on foreign oil. I understand the possible environmental effects, but that's where super duper technology and regulation comes in. Also, imagine what it can do for states' economies. Just a thought....

Obama '08

To Caveman David S. CA : many of us in this country want to save the environment and the planet. Get used to it ! And discard your SUV if you have one .,..

i'm a independent, i don't like leeberman though, on most issues i lean towards the dem's, but on this issue i strongly side with Mccain, who cares about the wildlife, i thought human life came first, if we just got our oil from alaska we wouldn't need the middle east, and we could mind our own business, so sign me up for off shore drillin plz.

Change You Can Believe In........change I can believe in.........

To Caveman David S, CA : some of us want to save the environment and the planet. Get used to it ! And discard your SUV by the way ...

All of you, who think more drilling will make us energy independant are mistaken. Any expert in the oil industry will tell you that even if we start exploring today, it will take a minimum of 10 years before we see a drop of oil from places like Anwar, Also becasue that oil will also be sold on international market , where demand from India and China would be doubled by then. So there is no chance that more exploring or drilling can either solve or even make life little easier for us. The only way to be energy independent is to create and develop alternate energy sources.

"The environmentalists are destroying this nation...plentiful resources"

LOL

We wouldn't be spending $5,000,000,000 / week in Iraq if any local resource could even remotely be considered plentiful. McCain has admitted he knows little if anything about economics so he shouldn't be speaking.

Just say no to MORONS like Bush, like McSame

Obama 08, 12

Way to go McCain, I plan that can help today, not a deal with it while we look for alternatives promise. Canada has increase prduction 85% over the last 30 years, Mexico almost 40%. The US, how about a 22% reduction. If we would have increased an average of our friends to the north and south we would be 91% energy independent, go figure. Why has Canada and Mexico increased, mostly to support our increase in demand over the decades. If people care so much about the enviornmental impact, where is the outrage over Canada and Mexico drilling for more oil? Is our enviornment more important than theirs???

If we drill more we can pump out about 200k barrels a week that would totally bring down out consumption to about 8 cents a gallon untill the oil companies start hike up the prices.....then add in your gas tax holiday and we save a whole $128 for a whole year.....try selling that to Trucker or a car rental company or a Tractor company....hmmmmm

You one wise man Mcbush.

Change You Can Believe In........change I can believe in.........

We need a change–and that includes a change in the type of fuel used. Feeding an addiction is no cure.

I smell worse than Mcsame

Destroying delicate ecosystems for an insatiable oil demand is outright blasphemous. Drilling on the shore will negatively effect the ocean for centuries. Even if our ethics is solely egoistic and human-centric, this will negatively impact us for generations to come. Drilling in Alaska would re-route the caribou migration and ultimately lead to the starvation of the native people there. Please people, stop being so short-minded. This greed for oil will be the harbinger of devastation, as is already self-evident.

Sure, what does McCain care about the environment? He won't be here to see the effects anyway.

Kill the oceans drilling for oil so we can kill the atmosphere and everything in it. Sounds like a Republican to me.

I think this is a great idea. Why should Companies from other nations be able to drill off our shores but prohibit us from accessing the oil.

Remember we need both long term and short term goals to work toward our nations energy independance. We need to drill for oil temporarily while the less harsh means of energy becomes more efficient, practical and affordable to the public.

i urge you all to look at the Flexible Fuel Mandate bill that is out before the House. The will would have vehicles be able to use our normal fuel, an 85% ethanol 15% regular fuel, and/or 85% menthanol 15% regular fuel,. The technology is here, Brazil is already using this technology, and the cost per vehicle range from $100 to $500 per vehicle. This could really be the answer and break the grip OPEC has on our nations oil needs.

To all the informed members from the "right":

I suggest you visit the State of Alaska website and read bout ANWR – 6 months' supply of oil, non-regenerative field and it will take 30 months to build the platform. Yet 92% of the adjacent coastline and near-shore areas bordering ANWR have drilling permits in place for the asking with completely regenerative fields, meaning endless oil, but the big oil companies and BushCo are not interersted?

So what exactly is in ANWR, Mr. Bush, that you're not revealing to us?!?!?!

And to stop the right-wing lip-flapping, the report is put out by a Republican administration to boot!!!

and when we have depleted out oil resource, what then?

Is it too much to ask for some long term solutions. Let's just put a patch over the problem and hope that it will go away. PLEASE.

DEMOCRATS UNITE!!!!!

I am not surprised most Americans are ignorant about oil rights, but I am shocked to think most politicians do not understand oil rights or else they are lying in their teeth!!!!!!!!!
Do you think because you own land and they find oil under it, you will be rich? WRONG If you do not own the oil rights which does not come automaticaly when you purchase property you will get nothing, except the bother of having drilling rigs all around you.
You may ask, who does own the oil rights under your land. These rights may be held by banks financial institutions or the original owner who did not include oil rights in the sale of that property.
In most foreign countries, the govt. owns all the oil rights.
In Mexico, the govt owns every thing below the surface which includes oil,water,gold,silver iron and anything else of value. Faarmers can not drill a water well without govt permission.

female republican, your FOXyness is rearing its ugly and, as always, completely INACCURATE head!!!

we know you're a FOX non-thinker cuz you are spouting off their "supply and demand" line of BS. do you even want to know the REAL reason for our high gas prices, or do you want to stay in your negative, misinformed FOX world??

gas prices are high because the oil futures speculators have free reign to price oil AS THEY CHOOSE. WE CAN thank the republicans for their de-regulations and loopholes that ALLOW this to happen. because of them, the very people who stand to profit off the sale of oil are SETTING THE PRICES FOR OIL!!! can you say "fox guarding the henhouse"?

do you think that out of the "goodness" of their heart, these people who are making BILLIONS off the high price of oil are going to bring down the price just so you and i can pay less at the pump???

FOX IS NOTHING MORE THAN PROPAGANDA! you do know those people are NOT newscasters, they are entertainers! take alook at where they all got into the business, A Current Affair and other ENTERTAINMENT shows!!! the FOX talking heads are just mouthpieces for the neocon administration, and you all just lap it up like kittens!!!

I might be willing to listen to arguments in favor of drilling in these environmentally delicate areas if the oil companies had a better track record. But they've proven they do not care about the environment either in terms of their exploration techniques, drilling methods and disaster recovery methods.
Have we forgotten about the Exxon Valdez? Exxon created the disaster, then tried to isolate themselves from it. They did little or nothing to contain the spill. They did nothing to help with the clean-up. They did their best to minimize their exposure in terms of liability – both financial and criminal. Their whole attitude seemed to be, "Oops! Oh well. Not my problem." And look at the toll that one accident took. Think if there were a major spill from an oil rig that was not immediately contained. It would be an environmental catastrophe.
So – until the oil companies can exhibit some concern for the environment and some responsibility, they can leave those areas alone, as far as I'm concerned.

21billion gallons soundslike a lot but it really is just a drop in the bucket when compared to global demand. The only solution to this problem is reducing our demand and seeking alternative sources. I am not a tree hugger by any means but I am not to keen on off-shore drilling.

The real problem is there is no oversight on the sale of oil futures and the commodities markets thanks to recent republican changes made so they could have a free for all.The rest is just a screen to get this oil at all costs.

See, you BO backers. BO talks of "Change" but he won't change a vital position when it is necessary for the good of the country

Sen McCain will "change" his views when world conditions require it. This is the man we should all be supporting.

No one who opposes McCain's plan should ever complain about high gas prices again. It's the laws of supply and demand that set the prices. If you want lower gas prices then support more drilling. This doesn't mean we can't move to alternatives at the same time, but the only way to lower prices right now is more drilling. Logical move by McCain to fix the problem, while still not allowing drilling in ANWAR. I applaud the move.

We are so glad that Sen McCain will change his position when world conditions warrant it. Put America first! If we can't get reasonably priced fuel from overseas, by all means we can drill for our own and sell it back to them at a high price.

Hey Y'all,
Don't worry about them trees they are overrated. I got two big overgrown ones in my back yard and if you like them you can have them. And as far as the mountains go they are just overgrown rocks that are in the way of something really useful like another Walmart!
I need cheap gas for my truck dagnamit!
Go McCane!

This just tells you how bad of a president McCain would be. We need to move beyond our dependence on oil. If we start to create alternative energy sources the price of oil will come down because our demand will be less. The planet is in peril and his response is to feed the monster. McCain is wrong for America and he's wrong for the world.

Your plans get more rediculous every day.

God help us all, if you become the president in this country.

Mike Kaplan June 17th, 2008 12:53 pm ET

Offshore drilling won't solve the problem- in fact, it is unlikely to have a significant effect on anything except messing up more pristine wilderness and ocean.

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Where are the facts you mean when you state "in fact it is unlikely...."

Obama = 2nd Carter term. Obama said he was willing to negotiate with those enemies directly and "without precondition" that sound like Carter. Would he have done this with Hitler in 1940?

I am not against Obama b/c of lack of experience. That is a non-issue IMO. I am against him for his views and lack of them.

The easy American oil has already been drilled. The stuff that's left costs more to get than it's worth, even at these prices. And there's not enough of it in relation to our needs to solve our energy problems. That's not even taking pollution into consideration.

This drilling nonsense is another simple-minded feel-good do-nothing bromide by the far right. McCain is, as usual, utterly wrong and pandering easy answers for votes.

For once, America, take the long view.

Obama 08 & 12.

Why are some of you calling for more refineries? You're arguing for something that was a problem 5 years ago, not today.

The refineries that we have aren't even running at full capacity. Companies like Valero and Tesoro are dealing with decreasing stock prices and selling off the refineries that they have (VLO got rid of one in Louisiana and one in Aruba in the last 3 months because they're not profitable with oil prices as high as they are and US demand down. It's not a refining capacity problem.

I want Obama supporters to defend his energy plan RIGHT NOW...

he's happy gas prices are high, and he wants to make them higher with taxes to generate more revenue. He wants to decrease production while increase our demand. He wants to tax oil companies (like we did under Carter), and when that happened, price of oil shot up almost 60%...

Neither candidate has any solution, but at least McCain is looking into nuclear and oil and a few other places.

Obama says and does nothing....

Dont be surprised when John drops out for stress related health issues and the real candidate comes in.This could all have been a fix.

How come nobody blames all those SUV drivers. Anyway, one short term proposal would be for most Americans to switch to a 4 day workweek. This alone can probably reduce our gas consumption by 10%. So corporate America, try it, it cant hurt!

More offshore drilling means more pollution of the water and shorelines.
More oil consumption means more air pollution, and global climate change–droughts, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and lots and lots of extinctions.

John McCain, bad for the planet.

Well, its about time, the environmentalists are destroying this nation and people are starting to wake up. We need to invest heavily in alternative fuels but in the meantime, we can use our plentiful resources, both have to go hat in hand.

Obama talks a good talk about alternative energy but he cant wave a magic wand. He offers nothing that will stave this nation from recession by way of these crippling energy costs. Environmentalists may want to live in caves but I dont.

By seeing oil price miseries as an opportunity to lobby for oil companies, McBush is just proving to be McSame. Just like Bush is seizing this misery as an opportunity to advocate for destroying Alaskan eco system.

I wonder if oil crisis were deliberately created by the Oil Mafia to press their case. Shame on you McShame, I thought unlike Mitt Romney, you were a very different repub, but you proved to be just another neo-con puppet operated by Oil Mafia.

LOVE and Peace... I LOVE BHO, I LOVE BHO...... IS our Commit here to pick us up yet........I LOVE BHO........DOWN with McSAME......I LOVE BHO. Obama is the Savior of the WORLD...... I LOVE BHO.....

I bet this will get posted

This is what everybody wants, apart from a few far left activists who wont let anything through, apart from what they put forward...

Drill here, drill now !!!!!

More oil is not the problem; even if we did start drilling for oil off our shores, gas prices would not go down for at least 10 years and even then would only go down cents not dollars. I'd like to see exploration for natural gas and see oil go the way of the dinosaur. McCain thinks he can get the uneducated people to vote for him by bringing this up now. Why didn't he bring this up years ago? If anything, we need more oil refineries and alternatives to everything that is produced using oil. Let's find a way to make products without using oil and make cars affordable that don't run on gas!

i guess if we're going to destroy our planet,by continued use of fossil fuels,we should go ahead and destroy our coastal environments,at the same time.we may as well commit global suicide ,the fastest way possible,and not let our children suffer long and painful extinction.we need to stop destroying our environment,just to make life easier for ourselves.instead of investing all that money in destroying our world,for oil,it should be invested in alternative energy.

"Let's improve the environment by drilling for oil everywhere!"

Just like Bush. He only wants to help the oil companies get higher profits. Besides, even if we did drill for oil everywhere, it would be years before that oil gets to market and would do nothing help our current crisis. More oil is just a band-aid on a gaping neck wound. Only alternative energy sources will get us out of this mess for good.

By the way, in case you missed it…

PUMA = Operation Chaos

They are nothing but desperate republicans pretending to be Hillary supporters. It is a feeble attempt to divide the Democratic party. Do not fall for it. We must take back OUR country.

YES WE CAN

OBAMA 08

Who can tell about Old John, by next week he may have changed his stand on the offshore drilling issue, especially if he thinks he may be speaking to an environmentally sensitive group like the group from the Evergaldes he talked to a week or so ago. Old John out there blowin' in the wind, trying to be all things to everyone, he and Hilary would have made a good pair.

If our love affair with oil goes away, so goes the problems with that love affair.

How about cars that run on air, or water or steam, or solar power, or electricity. When the last oil crisis hit, why didn't those industries that are oil intensive migrate to another energy source? It's 20 years later and we are back to the same issues. Is it because the oil industry doesn't want Americans to migrate to something else?

What forces are in play that keep us dependent on oil in the first place. No, I don't concur that drilling more is the solution to our problem. It just makes the ditch deeper and harder to climb out of.

He wants to be sure there is enough oil so he can lubricate his bearings.

McCain = Big Oil

Bush = Big Oil

Cheney = Big Oil

WHEN WILL THEY EVER LEARN....

Human's are responsible for less than 1% of green house emissions.

That last volcano that erupted in S.America put out more CO2 than we could in 100 years if we tried our best.

Global warming is a natural phonema. You aren't going to change it. It's going to change by itself just as it's done for the last few billion years.

Now, Pollution as far as air content is concerned an issue to fight for and we're ahead of the curve (see china). But please, get off the global warming hysteria.

Drilling our own oil instead of BUYING IT FROM OUR ENEMIES is the big issue and has little to do with the environment.

Also, wouldn't you be in favor of a nice new eco friendly, state of the art refinery instead of the 50-60 year old stuff we have now? Yeah, thought so.

Also, Gas accounts for <35% of Exxon mobiles business. I'm being conservative and I'm pretty sure it's even less than that. Ever hear of plastic?

The solution is simple...

we need to get the American juggernaut together and make all forms of energy and do it NOW... that simple...

we need nuclear, wind, solar, oil, coal, hydroelectric... EVERYTHING...

the answer is not just renewable energy and not just oil... IT"S ALL OF THE ABOVE

stop your fighting and unite together...

The Straight talk express? More like the I will say anything for the swing vote express. He changed his mind yet again. Just like he did voting against a King holiday. Obama...Consistant...and Accurate. We had been ready for a new prez since yesterday

Why are we trying to power 21st century economies with 19th century technology. We are beholden to oil because that is what Exxon, Chevron, Shell, etc. want us to be. And, I guess it is a coincidence that the price of oil has QUADRUPLED under the administration of oil guys who hold secret meetings with oil companies to discuss this country's energy policy.
Republicans don't care about the environment or the future. You may not care if the polar bears die off but what will that mean for the planet when your children or your grandchildren grow up? Further global warming? Unbreathable air? Undrinkable water?
Don't fall to this quick fix temptation. We should be looking past oil. for all of his faults, Jimmy Carter knew that and put programs in place. All it took was for the great Ronald Reagan to get into office and cancel them. Not cost effective, you know.

I love BHO I LOVE BHO, I LOVE BHO.

Thats all CNN will post so I love BHO

McCain wants to leave it to the states to decide? That's music to my ears. Finally, the people are given a mandate to decide their own lives.

The EPA and our Enviro-fascists on this board can take a hike. Try your shpeal in the far East and see how far it gets you.

Now he wants us to drill offshore. Didn't BUSH tell him CHINA is already there or is this one of his forgetful moments.

Obama...isn't even addressing increasing energy production.
Yet...most economists agree we need to increase domestic production.

Why won't the Democrats even discuss this?

How much will small business and individuals suffer before rational problem-solving occurs inside the beltway?

Perhaps–they need the suffering to get votes?

Why does the best political team in television eliminate some of us from responding to the issues. My responses are clearly professional. Is there some bias here?

While I am for Mr. Obama and he will be our next president. I have to say that this is the only thing that John McCain has said that I do agree with. We have the technology. We can drill safely. I like what the last blogger said about trilling on our own soil but putting a limit on it. If the gas prices come down so does the price of food and everything else tied to gas. We've got to find a way to lower the gas prices and quite frankly a lot of us don't have 10, 15, or 20 years to wait on alternative fule development. Most of us also can't go out and buy a smart car or any of the other cars that are now on the market that get 30+ mpg. We're tightening our belts and there's not any room left. Opening up off shore drilling to help get this country back on our feet is a very good idea. Dem. Always And Forever Obama 08, 12

First sensible thing McCain has said in a long time!

At least we are seeing ways to do what McCain is promising, Obama on the other hand says I will do this and this and this and while we are at it lets give money for this and that. Not once have I actually seen Obama say HOW he going to do the things he has promised. Oh wait thats right the money is going to come from DOD spending...yeah right.

Proof positive the McCain energy policy is unacceptable.

He has such short term memory. Anyone remember oil spills of the past? Anyone remember Santa Barbara? Anyone remember Alaska's Exxon Valdez? Anyone remember which dish detergent best cleans seals and ocean wild life coated in oil? Anyone ever walked the beach and then had to pick chunks of oil off your feet or shoes?

No off shore drilling and no to McCain.

This is a question that I’d like an answer. Why is it that no one seems to be the least bit concerned about an economic plan from someone why admittedly says he (Senator McCain) knows nothing about the economy.

Listen up Democrats...You don't want to pay high gas prices, but you don't want us to drill in the US which can help lower the gas prices. That is the problem with all of you. You all want everything to be done the way you want it to be done but you don't want to pay anymore money to do it. YOU WANT YOUR CAKE AND YOU WANT TO EAT IT TOO!
McCain may have agreed with the ban, and he still may. What he is doing is trying to come up with a solution that will buy us some time of lower gas prices while coming up with effective alternatives to using oil.
McCain has it right!

McCain 08

Does this fool think his voting record isn't readily available? Does he think when he says one thing and votes another way – for years and years – people won't notice?

Mr. McCain – if I were you, I'd focus on a topic you really believe in – like women's rights. (Insert rimshot here.)

What a clown...

Okay John, I was kind of "on the fence" about whether or not to vote for you. Well, you just made my decision easy!
I will NOT support any idiot who wants to ruin the valuable off shore food supplies by driling, or the ANWR by drilling.
What is this– some plan to make sure Cheney & Bush still make millions once they're out of office. We all know they're knee deep in the oil industry. I've wondered if all this price increase at the pump crap is really another Bush/Cheney ploy to get people so scared of gas prices that they'll say "go ahead and drill".
People, do some research. If this drilling was approved tomorrow, it would take anywhere from 5 years on up to see it implemented. And by a study done for the Senator from Alaska himself, ANWR drilling would take as much as 10 yrs before we actually saw any results, and even then it would only equate to like 75 cents a barrell in savings.
This Republican "gotta drill" stuff is all a smoke screen to make millions for the GOP big whigs.

Flip Flop McCain is at it again!

No way John. Americans want to continue to be reliant on Middle Eastern oil, provide subsidies to inefficient wind and solar power, and reach that magical number of $10 gasoline.

Go dems!!! Take us into the toilet!!!!!!

You people going off on the middle east controlling our oil prices fail to realize our biggest oil supplier is our friends to the north, Canada. This is the stupidest idea I have heard. We have put ourselves in this position by exploiting our environment to increase carbon fuel consumption. Now when the bill is coming due we ask for a loan by drilling for more? Come on wake up! There is only so much oil and gas left in the earth and if this isn't a wake up call to do things different what is? Our children will inherit this pile of desolation we are leaving them, don't you think it's time to clean up a little? Or are we that selfish? Maybe that's a bad question, as I fear I know the answer

You go McCain, bleed the planet dry. Give more money to the oil companies instead of trying to get us off oil, because they're pretty strapped for cash. Make that status quo even worse for us. McCain is great. I hope you can pick up on the sarcasm. McIdiot.

I'm sure he agrees with putting ethanol into cars as well. Within a few years he'll be buying everyone cars.

Just another Big Oil Move and more Record Profits for Big Oil

Sen. McCain what would our gas Prices Be if you succeeded

Have you gotten a Price from Big Oil

What would their Record Profits be

What about the environment sir?

And what is the alternative that NOBAMA has in mind – doing nothing. Alternatives need to be explored but they need to be realistic – not like the ethanol farce they have mandated. All it has done is inflated the price of corn and related products.

We are "Tree Hugging" ourselves into a depression. I hear so much about this side blaming that side that it makes me sick. It's gotten to the point of "who cares. " The problem is here and something needs to be done about it. Congress and the House needs to learn how to talk across the aisle and realize that their disagreements on issues is a major part of the problem. I wish I could remember the name, but a Democratic Senator once said, "I like the proposal, it shows the potential needed to make this bill very successful", or words to that affect. He also added that he could not support it because his party was not behind his decision. I feel that our representatives have forgotten who they represent. Each seems to be on their on schedule and their own soapbox. As for the oil companies, the permits have been given to drill and they were maid available some time ago. The get to it. I don't put all the blame on any administration or party. It's beyond that now. I put the blame mainly on greed.

Just ANOTHER reason to vote Obama! This coastal town will go Democrat in November for the first time in awhile-you can take it to the bank! Keep talking McSame- the more you do- the more people come to the Obama side!

It's time to declare war on oil. We don't need to drill for more oil we need an all out effort to begin converting to hydrogen. There are many people that want us to keep wearing the ball and chain called oil but hydrogen technology is here and getting better. We won’t be truly free until we get rid of the backward dictators of OPEC. You can bet oil prices will begin to drop when they see that we are serious about getting rid of oil.

Maybe there is oil deep within the Grand Canyon in McCain's home state!

Oh wait! Too beautiful and pristine to drill. But the coast? No problem! Right?

Tapping here in the states would have little effect, sure the oil would stay here, but the prices are set by a global economy. So regardless, gas prices wouldn't really drop by much at all....maybe 5¢ to 10¢...if that.

Even if this decision was made, we wouldn't see any results for 6 to 10 years, so that wouldn't help much right now anyway.

Not worth risking the kiddies future in my opinion.

Offshore drilling won't solve the problem- in fact, it is unlikely to have a significant effect on anything except messing up more pristine wilderness and ocean.

To the poster calling himself "McCain is God", first of all, Jesus has nothing to do with this debate. Your religious views are not shared by all of us, or even by all Christians. Second of all, it's "reign", not "rain". Are you saying that Jesus lets us pour water on top of the animals? Finally, your short-sighted idiocy is just the kind of thinking that got us into this mess. We're not talking about "saving a few whales". The climate of the earth, including our own supply of oxygen depends on the ocean. If we mess up the food chain and the chemistry of the ocean, we will ALL die, and it won't be pretty. To risk messing it up just so people can continue to buy Hummers and SUVs seems pretty stupid to me. Jesus would probably agree, by the way.

I'm sure some idiot Judge will step in and side with the tree huggers or save the seaweed group. Save your breath McCain, the country is doomed with Obama looming in the background.

Lift the ban on offshore drilling so the natural beauty of Alaska is destroyed, along with thousands of animals. Great idea, Sen. McCain.

Have you ever been to Alaska and seen the beautiful land to which you plan on drilling? Probably not, since you are so busy burning oil flying all over the country and telling others that Obama has never been anywhere.

I always thought John McCain was a rationale man who was a radical to his own party. Too bad being nominated as their candidate has changed him. I voted for you in 2000, Sen. McCain. Then you were a better alternative to G W. Too bad you will now be a clone.

What happened to you?

I am amazed that there is such a hue and cry to drill in ANWR and along the Coasts of Florida and California. Disregarding for the moment the argument against drilling from an environmental standpoint, there are two other, more important facts that argue against drilling. First, it will literally take YEARS before any crude from drilling in new sites hits the market. Secondly, these reserves are a drop in the bucket of the demand for oil in the U.S. I say that we wait a significant amount of time before drilling in these sites. In 20, 50 years, this oil will be a national treasure.

R & D - It's the ONLY long term answer to our energy needs.

What about McCain's "commitment" to finding alternative fuels? THIS GUY IS OLD FASHIONED.

I have a change of heart, forget PUMA! I am now backing Obama!

He has vision.

This is great news...for Obama. The people of Florida are going to turn on McCain once they hear about his plan to drill on their coasts. Even the most conservative politicians in Florida know that opposing coastal drilling is vital to getting the support of Florida residents.

Great plan for getting us off oil and a cleaner environment – NOT!

It's about time! We should have been drilling offshore 20 years ago for oil. This is the first of many steps to energy independence, next is to drill anywhere in the US that has oil deposits and to build more refineries to get that oil to market. We have been at the mercy of the enviromental extremists for to long and need to do what is best for the country and its citizens and the is to drill for our own oil and bring it to market. Let the basics of supply and demand take over and you will definately see a decrease in price when supply comes more insync with demand and do not need to be at the mercy of oil production in other countries and the forces that disrupt and decrease production in those other countries. It is time for responsible drilling in the US!

Ending the off shore oil ban will only be ignoring a problem that WILL NOT go away. There's only a certain amount of oil in the world, people, and it won't last much longer - it will be gone in our lifetime. We need to find alternative solutions, not use every last drop as soon as prices go up. Prices will continue to go up – it's called supply and demand. We need to STOP OUR OIL ADDICTION.

Obama 08

US oil or foreign oil, the truth is that we are running out of it. Focus must be made of the alternatives to oil. McCain's visions are short sighted. I guess that comes with age.

Hey Obamabots, you sure have a sleazy tactics of stealing a users rights to express themselves fairly in our political system. It is pretty bad when you all stoop so low. Can't even use your own idenity, you have to steal someone elses!! Typical Obama supporter!!!

Is this the best you can do, Axelrod?

PUMA's on the rise!!!

Until there is comprehensive reform on energy usage, no way should we drill our insurance policies (ANWR, coasts). What a fool. I can't believe he thinks for $4 a gallon we are willing to give that up. I am not no matter how high it gets, maybe not so w/ everyone. But the first act of McCain is to p-i-s-s away our stuff.

This would be a disaster for our childrens future. Why not use those funds to find alternative fuel? Destroying the enviroment is not an option. It would be great to have our own source of oil, but if it is at the cost of destroying the oceans and all tha tis in it, is that really cost effective? Try NOT buying gas on Sundays. That would damage the oil companies and they would drop their prices. Hit them where it hurts, their wallets, not destroying the enviroment.

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Buying Oil Supports Terrorism, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Drilling & Using Oil Increases Green House Gases, Can We Please Pull Are Head Out!

Further if we elect McOil we deserve 12.00 a gallon gas! We as Americans can be so stupid!

No one seems to stop to think of all the products that oil is used in. There is very little in your home that has not got something that oil had to be used for a product to make it work. Be it everything from TVs, Laundry, Kitchen, even clothing. And the list goes on. That is just inside your home. Sewer lines, power lines. The list is just to long. So it isn't just driving. Stop and think people what we need to be independent from our dependency on all forgien products. I am not against trade but the "dependency" is what breaks my heart and no one seems to care that we are loosing our country.

I honestly cannot believe what I am reading!! The democrates are so flip-floppity it is actually getting funny. Yesterday I read where you are all fed up with the over $4 for a gallon of gas, and now you are actually complaining about drilling for our own oil? I mean, I totally understand the Enviro-nazi's and the saving of the cariboo that may actually get a little warmth from the piplines, but all this coming from adverage americans I am saddened.

I cannot believe that you honestly feel that it is ok to drill elsewhere as long as it is not in your backyard, BUT DON"T RUIN MY LAND!! DON"T DRILL HERE!!! Pathetic.....

Way to go McCain, I support you.

McCain's unyielding commitment to protecting the wealthy few continues to astound. Is he charting a path to the white house paved with pandering, 'purported' patriotism and right-wing rhetoric? Or is he really just a misguided opportunist?

Gas is over $4 a gallon people. When the facts change, i change my mind too. What do you people do?

There is no single issue more important to the American economy than becoming energy independent. If and when this country comes to a grinding halt, unemployment skyrockets, and your salads cost $27, you'll figure out that worrying about a spill or a polar bear's habitat is useless...especially when you have nothing. There's a time for fretting over a spill or a bear, and there's a time to worry about where your next paycheck will come from. At $4/gallon and rising, the choice is very easy for me...

we need to get away from oil all together, and use alternative fuels. it is as simple as that, unless you own an oil company like crawford oil.

Joe in VA – and when all that oil spills onto your shores, do you expect an ounce of sympathy or HELP from anyone? of course you do.

and when gas prices continue to go higher, despite creating our own oil for gas...what will you say then? "great solution"

and in 15 years when the world has exhausted the oil supply...is THAT when we decide its time to change course?

McCain, just like Al Gore is a penny short and a dollar late. Amazing how a politician will say anything to get elected...truly a nobel laurate candidate.......now he just needs to make a doucmentary. Everytime McCain opens his mouth, he puts his feet into it....

FedUpDem, please get a clue. Once you let them drill, no matter what preconditions were in place, even if those preconditions are not met, and even if there are disasters, the drilling will go on and on. Do you want to give them a blank check to ruin our coasts for a minimal benefit? I don't think so. Next time you call someone an Obamidiot, try not to look like a moron.

poll change postion / poll change position / poll change position / poll change position.......................................This guy is a piece of work!!!

This is not a bad option but it actually does nothing to get us off oil dependency. It also does not force the states to allow it, it only allows them to do it and California would never allow it.

McCain's trying to open the doors to drilling for the Oil lobbyist driving that so called Straight talk Express

I dont understand how drilling offshore will help us in the long run? Its proven that given the rise every year in consumption, and based on what we "estimate" the world holds in oil, one day, we will run out regardless. Why wait for that happen? Why not take the time NOW to change our course to something more renewable – more sustainable?

And uh, does anyone really think letting rich oil tycoons drill offshore will reduce our cost vs just making fat rich oil people fatter and richer??? Sorry charlies i dont see how this is a solution to anything, other than figuring out how to make a few people some more money.

I support nuclear energy and solar energy. Those two energy sources are the long term future. I do not understand why people oppose nuclear energy. Yes, nuclear fissure will produce some radiactive waste. But the amount is small. The waste problem is much much smaller than the problems caused by fossil fuel. If more investments are put into nuclear energy, soon we might be able to commercialize the nuclear fusion. Nuclear fusion will not produce any harmful waste.

Please support nuclear energy!!!

TERRY IN NEW YORK,

It's easy for you to agree with tapping oil in Alaska, Dakota, Montana. Apparently you've never left the city to admire those states and their beauty. The CHEAP oil is gone (close to the surface). The rest is so deep, they don't know how much is down their and they can not guarantee it will make America oil independent and it'll be very expensive to drill that far down. McCain is pandering or he's just not informed of the truth. We, out here in the West, know better. We need to broke of our oil habit like a crack head in rehab.

MCGREED IS ANOTHER "BOUGHT" POLITICIAN! MCGREED LIKES RECEIVING ALL THE REVENUES FROM OIL & GAS!

How about getting us cars that get more miles to the gallon.

We need more oil refineries! Pandering to US oil companies with a promise of tapping oil fields to get their corporate $upport is shameful. Anybody can pump more oil (Saudi Arabia, Canada oil sands, the US) but what good is it if you can't process it into gasoline? No new refineries in 30 years, $4 per gallon gas is our own fault!

Actually not a bad proposal–so of course the obamidiots are against it.

I would have liked to have seen him put a limit on it though. A limit that would force our "energy" barons to find another way to make their money off us rather than on oil that leaves us dependent on other countries. With the McCain Proposal we could say you have 10 years for offshore drilling and to keep our country moving and our armed forces supplied. But in that 10 years you have to come up with a new energy/fuel to drive our transportaion because we as a nation can not afford to be held hostage to oil and we can not continue to think it will last forever

Finally, McCain says something that makes sense. And further we should open the ANWR region as well. This would lower oil prices and decrease our dependence on the Middle East. All those opposed to opening these regions should be forbiden from complaining about gas prices. Until someone finds a sutable substitute for gasoline, the price of oil will continue to kill our economy.

DryHeat June 17th, 2008 12:20 pm ET

Seems to me his policies are based on who his audience is.

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC

IMO:
That could be said about both and all others running for office.

It's about time. Something has to be done about the high cost of the various fuels. While I am aware of the issues pro and con, there are times that we have to be pragmatic and analyze things from a risk/reward standpoint.

Risk: Environment hazards/damages.
Reward: Lower fuel prices, reduced leverage for OPEC.

Things have gotten out of hand; it's time we took matters into our own hands and controlled our own destiny here.

The endorsement now is just as important if you put stock in endorsements. Even thought the primary season is over, the GE is not. Any endorsements now will be to show solidarity for Obama leading up to the GE.

Drilling for more oil is not the solution. It's another quick fix to destroying our environment and continuing to live in our oil addicted nation. We must start looking into alternative energy. And drilling off shore is not the answer. We are going to run out of oil eventually and McCain is just saying, let's keep drilling because we some oil here, and some oil there. Wrong answer.

Obama '08

This is hardly the answer to the oil crisis. Let's look at real alternatives to fossil fuels rather than letting McCain again change his position on offshore drilling. BTW, he voted against funds to save the Everglades so that photo op was ridiculous at best in Florida!

There's finally a politician willing to stand up to the crazy environmentalists. Lots of countries drill off shore without polluting the ocean.

I think that money can be used better for alternative energies. By the way we use that oil...it will be years...

OH, just what we need, more oil, more dead fish, more destruction of ecosystems, nice mccain, nice

THIS IS WHY GAS PRICES ARE SO HIGH! THEY HAVE BEEN PUSHING AND PUSHING FOR OFFSHORE DRILLING AND FAILING FOR YEARS AS WELL AS DRILLING IN PROTECTED AREAS! EVERYTHING ELSE HAS BEEN A LIE! FOUR YEARS AGO THE EXCUSE FOR OIL PRICES GOING UP WAS FEAR OF WAR WITH IRAN; THE FOLLOWING YEAR, FEAR OF HURRICANES IN THE GULF; NOW THE LIE THAT STICKS IS WE'RE RUNNING OUT? BIG OIL COMPANIES ARE RAKING IN RECORD PROFITS; IT MAKES NO SENSE WHAT SO EVER! THEIR PLAN HAS BEEN THIS ALL ALONG AND THE REPUBLICANS WILL EASILY GO ALONG, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT THEY ARE PRESSING THE PUBLIC TO WANT OFF SHORE DRILLING AS WELL BY CRUSHING US AT THE GAS PUMPS!

How to become very very wealthy:
Have a father who is 'in' with government. (example works for CIA might be helpful)
Invest all that money in oil in Texas
Parrrrty like a Rockstar Go Nucular Dude!
Take a little of daddy's money and run for Governor in Texas
(Don't worry about investment, the American voter will pay for your campaign)
Take daddy's money and run for president along with daddy's smart friend (Cheney) for credibility of course.
Again don't worry the voter and lobbyists will pay for it.
Do this for four years
Make a ton of cash
Start a war against a weak country then volunteer to repair it...
(Don't forget to take advantage of those overseas government contracts)
Get Elected to another term during which you donate one dollar(inflated of course) to the other energies research fund and make sure you tell the American people you feel their pain and that you are looking really hard for other sources of energy.
Say this with a straight face especially when the cameras are rolling.
Watch as your oil stock goes through the roof.
Laugh, Laugh, Laugh and drink up the bubbly!
When you have had enough Tell your frenemy senator to do the same since these voters today seem to believe anything!
Repeat
Forgive me if some of the details are ambiguous but just blame it on Fuzzy Math!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! And this is his "plan" for getting us OFF OIL???????????????

Good grief!

Yes, it's about time! My other concern is why not our own continent? Alaska, the Dakota's, Montana? When will someone step on the EPA and make them allow more refineries to be built without the over excessive ridculous requirements. All this can be done safely and friendly to the enviroment. We have more natural gas and oil in our own land than the middle east but our laws won't let us tap it. That's B.S. we can't use it and are being held hostage by the towel heads.

What we NEED, is some oil refineries– There is plenty of oil. Problem is– no one wants one in there backyard.

When will we wake up to the fact that peak oil is going to happen no matter where we drill? Why not take this opportunity to change our habits, undo the destruction caused by more and more autos, and figure out alternatives?

Alternatives to energy from oil.
Alternatives to the 40 work week and commuting.
Alternative transportation, both locally and nationally.
Alternatives to war for oil.
Alternatives to ruining this earth to satisfy the short term need of consumers.

and, in any case, how can McCain be SO out of touch that he would believe that the states most likely affected by his "plan" are Florida, California and Alaska - none of which WANT off-shore drilling? In Florida, it's a disaster in waiting (like the Gulf, it's subject to Hurricanes); in California, too many REPUBLICANS own that expensive and precious LEFT coast; in Alaska, it's just environmental suicide.

But then, McCain is an old man still entrenched in the politics of the old. He doesn't even use computers. Look, I'm over 50 and I make my living using them. Do you SERIOUSLY want a president who can't use a computer? Just look what we got with the one who doesn't read!

John McCain = out of touch

John McCain = George Bush's THIRD TERM

can we drill in your back yard ???

21 Billion Barrels. That sounds like a lot. In reality its 3 years of US consumption or 1 year of total world consumption. The emphasis must be on alternatives...not ringing our coasts with oil rigs. McCain needs to be honest, not try to throw out big numbers hoping to confuse the issue. We can never drill our way out of this problem, and surely McCain knows that.

That is TERRIFIC news! It is vital that we work toward becoming energy independent, and using our own oil is a great start.

He wants to reduce greenhouse emissions, but favors drilling for more oil. You can't have it both ways. Seems to me his policies are based on who his audience is.

He is from Arizona! He does not have to worry about a coastline! I am from Florida and I am terrified of the damage that could be done by a reckless industry!

This is a new approach to a current problem. If BHO offered it up my guess is the Obamaniacs would be falling all over themselves praising his "good judgement" and bringing about "needed change".

You seem to be against the idea because McCain proposed it. You seem to want change but only if it's by your rules. Fortunately for the country, there are other citizens in the US, not just Obamaniacs.

The citizens in VA would welcome this change in policy. What's wrong with leaving the decision up to VA citizens or citizens from otehr states? Especially "Jamaal Kansas", when's the last time you saw an ocean?

No way I can vote for McCain...we need a conservative running...look at what we have. The republicans have forsaken the conservatives.

REMEMBER WHEN MCCAIN LAUGHED WHEN A SUPPORTER CALLED HILLARY THE "B" WORD?!?!?!?

DEMOCRATS IN 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!

why is this an issue? i would rather be warm than save a whale or 2 – who cares. Jesus gave us rains over all the animals and that means if we kill a few off we are within our rights to do it.

And by my calculations, when we use 21 million barrels each day, we will go through the 21 billion barrels in a thousand days. If we drill out every last drop, we can turn the whole country into a cesspool in order to get less than three years supply of oil. If it would actually solve the problem, it would be tempting, but it won't work. Alternative energy is the only way to go – it's not convenient, but facts are facts.

The way things are going for McCain, he'll sell his mother if it meant getting some votes. The guy needs to buy a clue.

I guess the coastal states won't be voting for McCain

Get ready for the florida oil keys, these republicans are to dim for words.

More domestic oil production. More conservation. More alternative energy sources. We need them all to get out of our current mess.

I bet the Oil and Gas McLobbyiest are pushing this to the max!!

So much for the coastal environment huh?

So, McCain's solution to solving the energy crisis in a Green Earth-Friendly way involves drilling/destroying the earth??? YOU CAN'T SIMULTANEOUSLY PRETEND TO BE ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND WHEN YOUR PLAN INVOLVES DESTROYING THE ENVIRONMENT!!!!

please, for the good of the world, obama '08

Hmmm...food for thought: the U.S has 3% of the worlds oil, including offshore oil, and we use 25%. Why does this McCain guy, with all his EXPERIENCE go and do the george bush thing to seriously throw independent and moderate votes away by reliving the past 8 years of oil dependence. I thought this guy was a center-leaning Repub., but he sounds like George.

Yet another significant reason to support Obama!!!

In a rare moment of foresight, a federal government enacts a law that protects delectate echosystems and a fragile environment. in an all-too-common moment of severe regressive thinking, one man suggests that this policy should be overturned.

For a man in his seventies to advocate policies, the full cost of which will be borne not by himself but his grandchildren demonstrates a flagrant (and, quite frankly, unforgiveable) example of political expediency

You just said lets do some more drilling,Would you like to make up your mind before the days out?And for all the dittokids out there causing trouble,dont forget to buy your "operation chaos secret decoder ring so uncle Rush can get his new condo in Dubai.

Google "federal leased land oil companies" and see the real truth about how much land the US Government has currenlty leased to the oil and gas companies to drill on. Over 65 million acres of onshore and offshore land open for oil and natural gas drilling leased to oil and gas companies who are hoarding it and not using it. And then we have John McCain and the rest of the GOP trying to blame democrats for blocking protected wildlife land from being drilled. They are a bunch of hypocrites working directly with these oil companies trying to distract everyone and they need to be exposed.

I am a HUGE Barack Obama supporter, but I also agree that we need to start drilling more in our Country. Currently we are too dependent on the Middle East and other countries to supply us with oil. This makes no sense if we have the necessary supply in our country. Still going to vote for Barack, but I do like the idea of offshore drilling.

Obama needs to change his position as well..I'm a Democrat and I'm hurting because of these gas prices..I'm ready for offshore drilling, Alaska drilling, retrieve the oil from the rocks in Colorado and wherever else it is and above all, stop the speculators from running up the prices...Then start working on renewable energy.

Doesn't McCain know that even if we taped that oil offshore, it's 5 miles down, deeper than we've ever gone before and it may yield a million barrels. That amount of oil is not going to help us at all, like a drop of water in an olympic sized pool. The cost to get it outweighs the necessity. Change the fuel effiency to 60 miles per gallon. We need to be broke of our oil habit totally. Invest in that.

Over time? Hows about RIGHT NOW. Corn based ethanol is a bust, sugar based ethanol is a humanitarian nightmare, and these things are contributing to a global food crisis. Clean coal is a decade away (or more) and not as clean as advertised. You just can't take McCain's "enviromental credientials" seriously. Gore's endorsement says it all. The repulican party will always champion cooperate profits and never give much more than a speech in florida about the environment or the new economy that could be created to save it. He's full of it

Go down to Florida and keep talkin' to them about drilling off their coast. They'll love you so much for it. C'mon are you stupid, naive or just plain senile?

after blathering on about is concern for the environment his plan is to drill for oil. it fits well with his pro-rape, texas based agenda. of course there wouldnt be any off shore drilling in his home state. he & his wife paris wouldnt have to worry about oil spills ruining life for them.

Come on people, why is this a shock? john mcwar and his cronies (repulsive republicans) could care less about the enviornment and you know it. It's all about making his buddies richer. That is why I love Barack's idea of weaning us off of oil and finding alternative energy solutions.

Typical. Do your research McBush. All the reserves in the US would barely last us any time at all with the way we consume it. We are talking a matter of months. Drilling here would only make the price of gasoline drop a little bit, we aren't the ones with high demand anymore (check china/india).
You've just lost a whole lot of independants with this new statement. The answer is investing a whole lot of money in alternative fuels, and decreasing demand. Drilling more is not an option.
Let us also not forget that our refineries are at capacity, so exactly how would having more crude oil help anyone?
You are such a waffler its not even funny. I liked you way better in 2000. Stop trying to tow the party line you sell out.

Watch it McCain or Obama will steal your idea! Now, as you are, Obama is for corporate tax cuts. He took many ideas of Hillary too. Obama has no substance.

McCain's plan to simply drill our way out of our energy crisis is the same misguided approach backed by President Bush that has failed our families for too long and only serves to benefit the big oil companies.

We need to lift bans on everything. Coal, oil, nuclear, hydroelectric... seriously...

we need all forms of energy and we need it NOW...

and for those of you going to comment about how this will dirty the water.... the oil we buy from other countries and have them shipped over have a 170x better odds of hurting the ocean than offshore drilling...

so please pipe down about it...

no one can deny this... we need all forms of energy NOW.... or face dire consequences in the next 5-10 years...

put aside your blind loyalty to some political party that means nothing... it's AMERICA

What was his position previously? Was he against offshore drilling and therefore changing his position on an issue AGAIN?

Correct me if I'm incorrect guys but isn't this what the Reps argue would work??? You know, find other places to drill??? I mean, what is this, "The Gold Rush?" All of a sudden we have a right to decide we want it or not??? I mean, for the states. Alright then, let him do what he has to do....

It is about time someone took the bull by the horns. Every other country is drilling off our shores and Cuba and Mexico's. I would like to see these political people get out of the pockets of the radical environmentalists. They are why we are in the trouble we are in. Them and the NIMBY people.
We have hundreds of yrs worth of oil and oil shale and sands in 6 northern states and it is far easier and faster to get to than the Alaska projects and off shore drilling. A lot of the sites you could drive to in a 4WD pickup. It would be a lot faster to use that while the off shore and Alaska sites are developed. But they don't want anyone to know what we have so we have to depend on the OPEC, WTO and NAFTA.. We are loosing (lost) our independence.

Well the old geezer can write off California in the November election. McGeezer hasn't had an original idea in his adult life.

Same old Bush ideas and we saw where that got us these past eight years – deeper in dept and not a step closer to energy independence.

The republican energy strategy seems to be lets soak the American people for every penny we can get.

Canada has some of the largest oil fields in the world yet gas prices in Canada are substantially higher than the U.S. gas prices despite Canada is a major exporter of oil to the U.S.

This should be absolute proof opening more drilling off shore is just a ruse to increase oil company profits at the expense of the environment.

It's time for the news medias to start telling the American public the truth about right wing propaganda to increase profits for the greedy oil companies. McCain is no more than an agent for the Corporate elite.

McCain, you just don't get it. It doesn't matter what you say or do you won't get my vote ! Bushes days are coming to an end, period !

Obama/Gore '08

Lifting this moratorium AND LEAVING THE DECISION TO INDIVIDUAL STATES makes so much sense I'm not sure why there was a federal moratorium in the first place.

McCain is proving himself to a moderate and responsible leader that true Democrats can support, given the situation over at the undemocratic Democratic Party...

Mr Obama, The Democrats have put us in the position where we cannot even utilize our own natural resources in the name of 'Special Interest' environmental groups! You Democrats are truely hypocritical and have never followed the banner that Barak Obama is waving. John McCain is on the right track. Get a domestic oil production base set up....NOW!!!!!

over 70% of the universe consists of Hydrogen. Its the fuel that powers the trillions of Stars in the universe and i believe we need to invest money in finding ways to use hydrogen for our fuel needs instead of drilling for our limited supply of oil.

Its inevitable that the supply will eventually run out.

And we're supposed to believe he's different from Bush on the environment? Nice try, but we're not buying it.

The experts all agree that drilling for new oil, is not going to help us with our rising gas prices. It's barely even a long term fix. The reality is, that only pursuing alternative energy, renewable energy, and the science involved is the only true way for this country to be free of it's dependency on OPAC and the Oil Industry.

McCain is Wrong, Wrong, Wrong

Conservative and conservation are polar opposites when it comes to the national energy crisis. The conservative belief that we should be able to drill for oil offshore to fuel Hummers and Escalades is an entitlement mentality that allows some to justify jeopardizing the existence of entire species to satisfy their wasteful use of resources. Energy conservation is critical. Unfortunately, it is going to be painful because we have come to depend far too much on automobiles. We have not been good stewards of the land and we should pay the price.

McCain flip flops again. Never admitting to a mistake. During the Keating 5 (corruption hearing) he did the same thing so the ethics committee could excuse him by simply reprimanding him for, in their words, "poor judgement" – source: Actual video tapes of the hearing as shown on CNN about 1 week ago.

I hate this guy so much

drill, drill, drill, bomb, bomb, bomb.

All I have to say is IT'S ABOUT TIME!!! Enough with the foreign oil.

Thanks McCain... so you claim to be pro-environment and now you want to destroy it to quench our thirst for oil. Do you want the country to learn to use alternate energy or not?

If you compare the energy plans laid out by McCain and Obama, you begin to grasp the scope of Obama's understanding of the energy crisis measured against McCain's inability to think beyond conventional solutions to new problems. I've been waiting for a candidate to lay out something akin to a Manhattan Project to lead us away from oil and its economic, military, and geopolitical insecurities. McCain apparently isn't capable of it; Obama demonstrated that he is.

The time for the republicans to do something about the gas prices was in 2000. They should have addressed the problems in the refining process & the demand going up because of India & China. Too little too late. Time to sweep all the republicans & their oil companies out of Washington.

The greatest myth in U.S. politics is that Senator McCain is ethical that straight-talking. This aging media darling is a bigger imposter than Ru Paul.

Mcsame is a warmonger and a lIar he can not be trusted with the highest job in the land

Yeah I want more oil slicks in our oceans! Cannot wait!

Exxon Mobile will be dancing in the streets. Does anybody believe there after the gallon will be back at $ 2? That crude will be needed in 30 years. It looks like the ancient Romans did. In case of big trouble give bred and games to the crowd and if that is not enough just start a war which makes people think about other issues than about their own needs.

The problem is the speculation and hedge funds that are betting on higher food and oil prices and profiting from the futures trading.

It is endangering our economy and security to allow greedy interests to artificially inflate oil and food prices.

McBush will do nothing to fight these wealthiest of the wealthy interests.

Oil and food commodities should be banned from futures trading globally. It is in the best interest of all countries and peoples on earth.

Well at least this is one thing I can agree with Senator McCain on.

Now if we can only start building safe and efficient refinerys instead of being forced to use old ones we might just be able to address this problem.

Clearly the solution to our energy problems is two fold

1. Solution for the short timeframe
2. Solution for the long timeframe

A reasonable combination of the two is what is needed.

Short term fix...what are the long term implications of doing this to the enviroment and oceans? Just wondering. I think dealing with the current price and pushing forward hard with other alternate energy source is a much better solution in the llong term for the enviroment and the american pocketbook.

Bryan

Obama '08

Drill the Bakken formation. More oil, less environmental impact. Just admit it, John, you hate Polar Bears!

McCain what do we do when our own oil reserves dry out? This is not a solution.

OBAMA 08!!!

What's interesting about this "solution"....there was a recent interview with Pickens (CEO of BP oil company)...sharing that increased drilling within the US is NOT a solution...there still is not enough oil to make the difference on our overseas dependence...he's investing in wind power...trying to work with environmentalist to overcome their concerns in regards to...I feel the push should be in on alternative affordale energy sources...my thoughts...

Ooo.. really? So let's open up a refinery in New Orleans to put even more money into lobbyists and corrupt Republicans' pockets. This guy resembles Bush more and more every day, regardless of his attempt to create differences.

he is a flip flopper .he have a diffrent view on this issue before. now he is changing it .well i dont even know why i am disturbing my salf i am not going to vote for you john macain anyway.

A great way to screw up the environment some more, continue our dependence on oil, support the oil companies' profits, etc. Why do automobiles have all of this new technology but still run on the same fuel designed over a century ago? I think we need to be progressive and look beyond the limitations of oil for newer, cleaner and replenishable sources of fuel such as hydrogen. Wake up John, it's the 21st century now, not 1908.

"I see your true colors shining through"...

It's amazing how he can cozy up to Big Oil at this point in the general election.

Independents BEWARE! McCain isn't the "maverick" he says he is.

Obama 08'

..so his oil buddies can get richer and the rest of America can eat oil flavored fish and shrimp. So he touts this greenness on the same day that he says this? This guy is trying to play both sides and it's making him look like a wet noodle.

Mcsame is a flip flopper he will do and say anything to win just like Bush they are just alike i think that Mccain is Bush's Older brohter because they have virtually the sAME policies

I thought you said that you cared about our planet?

Lets put it this way

"McCain plans to flip-flop again"

This grumpy old man has flip-flop on
1. Bush tax cuts
2. John Hagee's support
3. Rod parsley support
4...........100
I can go on and on and on, even just yesterday, his bad choice of a fundraiser, forced him to flip-flop on a fundraising location.

The straight talk express has been renamed "FLIP-FLOP EXPRESS"

Can we be that short sighted to kill the enviornment for a few short years of oil? What about the tourisum indusrty that depends on beachs, surf or wilderness that will be gone? How will the people effected make money?

1 hurracane come through and you have oil everywhere – who pays for the clean-up? You and I while the oil companies only make profits.
McCain is wrong for America, good responsible energy policies are right for America.

This is only Katrina waiting to happen.

Vote Obama

WOW a republican trying to end a ban on offshore drilling. Holy smokes now thats what you call progressive. McCain you get closer to Bush every day. Good Luck in November

Obama '08

Liberals, please don't cry about the environment and the stupid polar bears.

Don't you realize that we need oil? Why should we get it from countries unfriendly to us? Why shouldn't we get it here?

Don't you realize China is drilling with Cuba, right off the coast of Florida? China!

Russia has dramatically lowered the taxes on their oil companies and are encouraging their oil companies to get as many leases to drill as possible. The whole world can see the coming crisis with oil, yet we want to save the fricken polar bears.

WAKE UP PEOPLE.

WOW!
Like the farmer said when walking through the fields with his son, "Don't eat that Elmer it could be horse manure!".

Drill Drill Drill Drill Drill Drill Drill Drill Drill Drill Drill Drill Drill Drill Drill

Thats just what we need...

Is it November yet?

Can't wait...

Yup. Great way to get votes...destroy the environment.
Good move.

And kill tourism, fishing, beautty, and wildlife in the process. Lets curb eviroment backwards before moving forwards.

The answer isn't MORE of a non-renewable resourse, its turning the war funding toward rewable sources of energy and reviving the country's infrastructure and INTERNAL defenses (Illegal immigration, drugs, China's hacking attempts). Put the monthly tab that Iraq is racking up and watch how fast this country becomes self-sufficient in health care, energy, and food.

Lets improve this country for the LONG run, not staying th course that has us so indebted to foreign powers that they'll be able to buy us outright before the end of McCain's years.

Offshore drilling will not solve our energy problem or lower gas prices in either the near term or 5 to 10 years down the road. The fact is, drilling everywhere in North America would only add a drop in the bucket of the world oil market and thus would have no effect on market prices. Even if we did drill, that oil would not come to market for another 5 to 10 years anyway. The best thing to do is to leave our natural resources unexploited for the future generations. Who knows if in the future, technology will advance to the point where there will be a non-destructive way to use some of those resources. If we destroy them now, we will never know.

This is the kind of solution we desperately need, and the talk I want to hear. Solutions, not empty promises from Obama. It is/was the democratic stranglehold on the united states congress that got us into this energy mess. All the talk coming from Obama is the same talk you hear from past presidents that have done nothing but raise our taxes forcing us into a situation where we need to be increasingly dependent on the federal government. That is not american and not something I will support. This X Hillary supporter is more and more leaning towards McCain.

Nobody will be able to afford to go see those cute little polar bears if we don't start developing our own energy here in America (not to mention that people don't go see polar bears right now.. hmm, maybe because they will rip you apart and eat you??)

We need to drill here in America for oil, shale and coal. We need to get away from being dependent on on dictators to give us the oil we need... because, make no mistake, WE NEED OIL. ITS A FACT.

We need to drill here as a stop gap measure while we start building coal to oil plants, nuclear plants, put solar panels in our vast, empty deserts, get wind power going and set it up in the midwest, from Texas straight up north to the border.

We need to wake up! We can't solve our problems by consuming less.. that is ridiculous and it wont work. That is a band aid on a gunshot wound. We don't need to lessen the quality of our lives, we need to create jobs and GET THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY.

It will take 10 years for us to begin to see any benefits, and he doesn't want to drill ANWR!!!! What is the point then?

McCain's main focus should be getting us out of Iraq, and spend the the billions of Dollars saved on our own country. Give car companies bonuses/incentives to create cars that don't need gasoline.

We should have been drilling off shore for years now. We cannot continue to depend on "other" for our energy needs. Way to go John!!

Go for it buddy, and then you can take a swim off the shore of Santa Barbara and get tar all over ya. Love our shores! Go back to your landlocked Arizona.

Maybe McCain can convince his wife to shut down production at her beer plants to conserve energy. Save us all from the swill she produces and save energy at the same time.

Perfect!!!!

McCain has no connection to/for alternatives to oil. Time to look for something else without any chance for renewal.

Sun, Wind, Water, BioFuels.

Let's pick up Whaling again, too. I'm sure he did that as kid.

Geez!!!!!

you arent the same man you were "years ago, mccain so your words are empty lies!!! you are a neocon, pro-business, anti-environment voter, so spare us your insulting lies!!

go away, mccain, you are an obsolete man!!!

Gee John changes like the weather,maybe he should just lay back and enjoy it.

Way to fix the problem McBush, more drilling. How about taking 5 minutes to work on a plan that gets us away from oil dependence?

1. Bad for the environment.

2. No short term relieve. It takes years to get offshore drilling started.

–> McPander at work...

How long would it take for the exploration,grading, getting the platform up and getting the first barrel to the refinery?

It seems to me that gas would be above the 4$ mark for quite some time before this plan made a difference.

Yes I'm glad McCain visited the Everglades. Hope he had a good time. Now he wants to pump them full of crude oil residue from off of Florida's Gulf Coast. He's a real conservationist!

The ban is in place for a reason. And the reason is not to prevent oil companies from making a profit. The reason is that some groups wish to drill with little or no regulations in place.

THANK YOU for a step in the right direction. Not sure about the states rights issues as I can see legal battles galore over what part of the ocean belongs to the state, but at least he is opening his eyes on what a growing majority of people want – drilling for our own oil. If Obama would embrace that idea he could win without Hillary.

He should be talking about building refineries before talking about more off-shore drilling.

We need to drill offshore, we need to drill in Alaska, we need to develop nuclear, wind, solar, coal to oil (which has been around for years), and we need to drill for shale as well.

Drilling off shore is a mid range fix to our oil problem, and we definitely need to do it. We need to buy ourselves some time to develop these alternative sources of energy.

WE NEED THE GOVERNMENT TO GET OUT OF THE WAY.

Mcflipflop

i love obama!

Toot the horn, change the sides. McCain's voted against every progressive energy bill that DOESN'T throw the bone to Big Oil Companies. All he's doing here is appeasing, and he has a track record that said he won't do anything about it in the Oval Office.

I would be more impressed if he talked about building more refineries. It's my understanding the problem is not the availability of oil but the capacity to refine it. We could have all of the oil we needed but not have the ability to refine it. With all the profits oil companies are making, it seems to me they should be building refineries here so that we wouldn't be depending on off-shore refining.

So when can we start calling McCain a flip-flopper? He's managed to flip-flop on pretty much every major issue of this race from abortion to the economy and now on environmental issues. Either the man can't remember from day to day what he told one group when he goes to talk to another, or he is cynically supporting whatever idea he thinks will get people to contribute to his campaign.

Is this oil that he talks about going to stay in the United States or go to the highest bidder? Since most of the land if not all is considered to be owned by the federal government (the citizens of the US), are the profits from this oil going to go back to the federal government? So he is proposing exploiting our natural resources with the profits not going to the country as a whole? Sounds familiar. How about making a real push to invest in real alternative energy choices as opposed to being short sited and trying to answer the energy problems with more of the same old ideas?

Change his position indeed . . . McCain has always been against drilling in Alaska. But then again, he used to be against Bush's tax cuts; he used to be for comprehensive immigration reform until he "heard the people;" he used to be against "agents of intolerance," and so on . . . Maverick . . . yeah, right. If he moves further to right, he's going to fall off the cliff.

And John, just how long would it take for oil to start flowing and what effect would it have on current oil prices? What 10 yrs? And it would not lower current prices? In other words, this is a way of getting large-oil companies to support you and to continue their record profits all at the cost of our environment. Here is a novel idea...what would happen if you took the money that would be used to drill for oil and invested it into research that would end our oil dependency? Where would we be in 10 yrs then? THAT is the difference between the 2 parties, one looks toward the future and the other looks to make a buck.

SON: DAD WHY DOES EVERYONE CALL MCCAIN A POLLUTER?
DAD: HE WANTS TO DRILL IN ALASKA AND OFF THE COST OF THE NATION. THAT WILL MAKE A MESS LIKE IT HAS IN THE PAST IF THERE IS A SPILL OR ACCEDNET.
SON: OH, HE STINKS!

"Let's improve the environment by drilling for oil everywhere!"

Just like Bush. He only wants to help the oil companies get higher profits. Besides, even if we did drill for oil everywhere, it would be years before that oil gets to market and would do nothing help our current crisis. More oil is just a band-aid on a gaping neck wound. Only alternative energy sources will get us out of this mess for good.

By the way...

PUMA = Operation Chaos

They are nothing but desperate republicans pretending to be Hillary supporters. It is a feeble attempt to divide the Democratic party. Do not fall for it. We must take back OUR country.

Backwards thinking from a backwards man. Mc Cain Mc Oil Mc Money Mc Madness

Why didn't McCain look into this during all that experience he has as senator? These things will be important to him until November 5, 2008.

Sen. Obama mentioned drilling in the US months ago.

Obama 08

It's about time someone got smart!!! China and Mexico are drilling offshore, but we aren't. We need to do this to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. We need to show the world we don't need their oil, and then things would change. This is why I will vote McCain in November.

Mr. McCain, this is just throwing a bandaid on our problem instead of addressing the real issue.

We need alternative resources and we need our government to fully support them.

Yeah! What America needs is more reliance on oil, not alternative energy. Alternative energy is for traitor tree-hugging hippies.

McCain is the Same!

Charlotte and Sharon from Minnesota are his kids.

Which one of you two are writing the book?

Flip-flop! Just like me & my PUMA PAC... this guy's worthless!

Obama '08