CNN

think more people would at least THINK about this issue for a second and maybe take into account the new technologies involved BUT it is the Fact that the entire Bush Administration and their Cronies who have gotten so rich off of our tax dollars are the ones who will get even RICHER if we let them Drill.

The ONLY way to do this is to let a NEW company do this job with NO ties to big Oil or Bush or his Buddies.

There are THOUSANDS of expert Oilmen around the world LOLOLOL I KNOW we OUTSOURCE the Job like they OUTSOURCED ALL OF OURS LOLOLOL.

Regarding Huckabee's remarks:

Of course he's going to say things that are positive about Obama, now that he has made the statement regarding shooting a black man. So now that he wants to be McSame's VP, he is trying to clean up his act. I'm not buying it. He's still an uninformed political suck-up who wants to be in the White House, badly. It won't work.

Regarding Cindy McCain being more favored than Michelle:

Surprise, surprise–what a revelation. The only sad thing is she hasn't done anything. She is a wealthy woman who took a job just for the "fun of it", and now she is a contender to be first lady. I've watched Cindy McCain when she thinks the cameras are not on her and she looks bored to tears. She was on the cell phone while McCain was being greeted by a serviceman. He said something to her, and she immediately put the phone away (I know he told her in a very stern tone to put that phone away). I personally don't want a teenager for my first lady. Someone who has to listen to "Daddy" to do the right thing.

I want a grown up who has been through the same challenges that a lot of women have been through. I like Michelle Obama and she WILL be my next first lady. Not some Barbie Doll from the dark ages.

And everywhere that dubya went, McCain was sure to follow...

Has everyone forgotten about electric cars. We had quite a bit of advancement, on that technology, before business and government pulled the plug.

It certainly seems that Bush/Cheney are trying hard to continue to line the pockets of big oil before they ride off into the sunset..
Note though, the lack of regulation and oversight of the speculators...estimates of speculation adding 25-50% to the cost of a barrel.....if you think that the price of oil is going to change just because there MIGHT be an increase in production in the coming years, consider why the speculators don't want any oversight, and no one is trying to add any...do you think that will change?

McCain is for off shore drilling, guess what so is Bush.
McCain is for permanent tax cuts for the wealthy, and big oil, gues what so is Bush.
MCcain is for conservative judges, guess what so is Bush.
McCain is for the war in Iraq to continue, guess what so is Bush.

How is this distancing from the administration, sounds like they are in lock step.

No No No
Can't we manage our energy better. Ride your bike, take a bus.
ALTERNATIVE fuels. How long can it take to build a windmill?

This will be such a small drop in the bucket to the over all need according to any expert you ask. It's just a way to look like their doing something other than laughing all the way to the bank. What a joke this guy is. We've known for ten years now this day was going to come and he acts like it's a complete suprise. What a moron how can anyone defend this idiot.

just exactly how long would it take to have these new drilling operations up and running and actually producing oil??? YEARS????
This is just another one of Bush's idiotic plans.

Let them drill off the coast. Why does it matter if we pollute the world. As long as we maintain a need for oil, we are polluting somewhere anyway. Right now, oil is all we have, so we must drill for now. But we must also search for alternative energy. We can't be so short sighted as to imagine that we will find a realistic one anytime soon. Obviously using corn is not it. We are just causing food prices to soar. .

Hey Bush. We'll open the off shore are to drilling when you open up Cheney's secret energy policy to public scrunity.

Hey Bush. Here's an idea. Subsidizing the purchase of 6000 lb.+ SUVs and PU trucks was a really bad idea wasn't it? And it was brought to us by that wonderful Republican held congress in 2000.

What a bunch of JERKS

I heard that John McCain has backtracked on this issue. Is this true?

People are saying he was against it BEFORE he was for it?

If so, it doesn't seem like he thought his position out very well to begin with.

If this is a move to win points with the electorate around gas prices, it doesn't help. Any drilling will take 4 or more years to add to the supply of oil.

Instead of gimmicks, we need a leader that recognizes the importance of energy planning to our ecomony, our national defense and our environement. Now that we've given you the questions on the test John .... what we call in education ... an open-book exam ... what are you going to do?

Just another Bush loves Big OIl comment, as they own him!

So Bush refused to fund or support alternative energy solutions and research until the very end of his disastrous 8 years, started a huge, pointless conflict in Iraq that further disrupted our oil supply... and now he wants to drill and despoil the coastline that I grew up having picnics on with my family, learning how to camp and fish and swim, so that he and his cronies can drive their big ole cars around Kennebunkport for another 10 years?
He's lied countless times before, and it's clear to me that drilling will do nothing about the gas prices in the long term, but will create more windfall profits for his buddies in the oil industry. How do people not see what a slimy, self-serving, spoiled little rich boy this guy is? And will congress continue to allow him destroy our country for selfish purposes, even in these last few months of his awful presidency?

Why haven't the oil companies drilled oil in those areas where they hold leases and where it is allowed. With the tax credits, we give to the Big Oil companies we have not prevented them from drilling in those areas. Why haven't they developed an alternative form of energy. If Oil companies refuse to develop alternative forms of energy or drill in those areas where they hold leases, then maybe we should hand the credits to the Oil Companies who are truly putting the windfall profits and credits into research & development and alternative fuels.

Finally do something on your way out the door!!

TXDEM........... Funny – McSame suggested the same thing…. typical GOP "deplete every resource until it's gone, then we'll be "forced" to find another solution".............TWINS.......McSAME distance himself from Bush in PUBLIC ......Together in DARKNESS and DESTRUCTION!!!!!!

Drilling now offshore will not bring any immediate to the US. All this will do is bring more profits to the oil companies. It's not the lack of oil that is the issue! Bush and McCain (and the rest of the polticians who are voting for this) are IDIOTS!!!!

Let's use up all our oil!!!! Forget thinking about the future and pushing for new technologies and worrying about polar bears, ice caps, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and droughts! We need it and we need it now! PS – Let's make Exxon a trillion dollars richer while were at it!

Yesterday, Cheney said that China is drilling 60 miles off the Coast of Florida but the Univ. of Miami said that is not true. What is going on?

Lately, a lot of people have been using my name to post false messages. I just want to put this circus to rest and voice my real views unequivocally.

I am no democrat.The fact is, my party has put such an old and weak candidate that we have to try even harder this time to sell our lies.No option, but to spread hate among democrats and
win this election.Fact is, I am affected by high gas prices,high food prices, high cost of medical insurance and all that.I know my party or McCain doesnt or will not have any solutions for our problems.
My party is run by the lobbyists.McCain is no different.{He didn't hesitate to take the $300,000 from the "rape" millionaire}
But you have understand, we cannot afford to let the democrats get to the WH.
Luv and peace to all the moron democrats who support McCain.

McCain 08

Let's pile stupidity on lunacy, Bush. Since the '70's, it's been glaringly apparent we must move away from oil. Our dependence is strangling us and making us vulnerable. Bush' solution? Destroy yourself to further your addiction instead of sucking up and going through withdrawal. That's not policy, it's self-destructive and short sighted. This guy is determined to leave the widest possible swath of damage before leaving office and then handing the sceptre to McCain to finish the job.

EVEN IF BUSH AND MCCAIN'S NEW CALL FOR DRILLING WERE TO BE APPROVED BY CONGRESS AND LET THE OIL COMPANIES KEEP THEIR HUMUNGOUS PROFITS WHICH I DOUBT THEY WILL USE ANYTIME SOON FOR OIL DRILLING AND BUILD REFINERIES, IT WILL TAKE TEN YEARS BEFORE WE, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
WILL SEE A DECLINE IN OIL PRICES AND SEE ,MORE AMERICAN OIL IN THE MARKET. OUR SO-CALLED "FRIENDS" THE SAUDIS AND OPEC HAVE PUT OUR ECONOMY IN VERY BAD SHAPE WHILE THEY HAVE ACCUMULATED TRILLIONS AT OUR EXPENSE AND SUFFERING. THEY ARE WORSE ENEMIES., NOT FRIENDS.

FLORIDA Voter for Obama June 18th, 2008 11:22 am ET

Destroy the environment 1st, then we can talk alternative energy.

Yeah, great plan.

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC

Drilling = destroy the environment??? That is smart. facts????

It is very rare that I agree with President Bush. This is one of the times. We are at the mercy of our enemies and it is destroying our economy and our stature and power in the world. No, we will not have billions of gallons flowing tomorrow from our own sources, but we will have begun the process of ending our dependence on foreign oil and on the loans from third world countries and oil sheiks that we need to pay for the oil we are forced to buy from them.

More oil drilling will simply divert resources that would be better spent in alternative energy development.

"Cradle to Cradle" is a book with good ideas on how to reshape the future so we don't ever find ourselves with a resource "crisis" again. Want outside the box ideas? Read this book.

I'm a democrat for drilling at home. We need to take a serious look at this. We can do it respoinsibly and in a clean way. It would create jobs here at home and it would help in the supply and demand issue. I'd reserve ANWAR for the last place to go but off shore and in the midwest... We need to go for it before it's too late.

We need to use our own resources even if it takes 10 years until it's ready. I fear where we'll be in 10 years if we don't. I'd rather not look back wishing that we had. We can be responsible. We still need to look at the green and alternative options like wind, too.

It seems Bush is just start awaking from his sleep to know the oil problem though I am not sure if this is the remedy for the oil problem America is facing.

CNN as a Canadian I am very angry that your main topic is on candidate wife's instead of war on terror. Our Canadian solders are sacrificing there life in Afghanistan. I have seen on your web site nothing about Taliban who flee from the prison last Sunday. Is this not more important than candidate's wife. I wish every American go outside of USA and see how people perceive America this days. I know many American's call themselves Canadian when they are out of there country call it patriotism.

Bill:
We supply 5% of the total; we use 25% of it.
thanks – I should have included that originally.

I don't see where drilling for more oil and pursuing alternate energy sources are mutually exclusive. Surely the United States of America is smart enough to chew gum and walk down the street at the same time (although some of these nasty, vicious comments make me wonder).

Bush is a fool, trying to protect his future investment in oil. Last time I heard we were supposed to be saving the planet, right? Not sucking it dry. You invaded Iraq, I'm sure they have plenty of oil for us, stop bickering about offshore drilling and get them to send us some. Also, someone needs to tell him about global warming. The guy doesn't have a clue but I'm sure he wouldn't care.

On another note, did you hear that Honda just released a car that no longer requires gasoline and only releases water vapor. The future is already here. These oil companies are trying to make as much money as possible by jacking up the price because innovation is going to drive them out of business. The planet is in peril and we can't continue to stab it to death. We're driving our own extinction.

This will only divert resources that can be better spent in alternative energy development. Vote "NO".

We are smarter than that.
Obama 08 !

Why try to bandage this issue? Resolve it once and for all and stop pandering. This country has been in energy crisis for a long time now – its only manefesting because some energy criminals have gotten bolder. The gas prices today has factored in the big interest groups profit that have big names and titles in America. Gone are the days of accountability and very soon we will become shameless. If any of the politicians want to help, let them first withdraw their interest in oil. Remove the specks in your eyes so that you can see clearly. Drilling more is not the issue, stop the oil middlemen and gas prices will go back to $1.50 per litre. If you drill here, how long will it take to have the first litre? Can you afford the cost of services here in the United States? This will only drive the price at pump up. The same reason why manufacturing is expensive in America should discourage anyone from drilling here – cost of services. Why are we pretending about this? I ask all these whys because I am frustrated at the political pandering.

So we are supposed to believe that unleashing the oil companies will reduce the cost at the pump because he says so? This is right up there with some of this President's biggest gaffes.

Also this direct policy link of McCain to Bush does not bode well for Senator McCain. Senator McCain is doing everything possible to extricate himself from public perception that a vote for him would be a third term for Bush. So yesterday McCain supports a policy to unleash the oil companies to drill in protected areas and by the end of the day the president supports a polity to unleash the oil companies to allow more oil drilling.

Senator McCain, I can't hear your words. Your actions are speaking too loudly.

Is this seriously where we are at? Same ole same ole?

If you voted for George W. Bush, you should be ashamed of yourself! You're not supposed to elect the guy you'd like to go have a drink with, you're supposed to elect the guy who you'd follow through anything. Someone with integrity and character, some oratory skill and for god's sakes a brain!

People, INNOVATION is the key to getting off $4 / gallon gas. Plain and simple. Pollution and more drilling is just asking for more trouble than we can already deal with. I'm not sure what it's gonna take anymore but the "establishment" better get it through their heads that the longer they try to hold onto the old way of doing things the worse off they'll be when we're all buying hydrogen fuel cells from toyota and honda. They may as well get on board this train so when we're telling Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Venezuela that they can keep their oil, they can chime in too.

I can see Obama getting another bump in the polls after McBush public statement of their energy policy!

Stock-up on fireworks and Shiner beer for 01-20-09........let's have a national fiesta!

This should not even be a political issue. The government has the responsiblity to regulate pollution when it affects the private property rights of others. It should have no authority to limit states from drilling where they can. Consumption is not going down and gas is more expensive than ever. Why not tap into our own natural resources? I can't believe the arguments I see on here.

Bush and McCain sitting in ah tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!

McCain says the same thing yesterday Bush says today! Did Bush push for offshore drilling in places like Florida prior to running for President? Heck No!

Thank you Bush, for allowing Americans to see that you and McCain do have similiar policies! McCain + Bush = McBush!

Drilling for more oil won't help Americans with the cost of gasoline and diesel! Bush is talking about anywhere from 5 to 10 years before we get any oil out of the oceans. Then combine that with the shortage of refining capacity means that much of offshore drilling oil will be sold to other countries with rising transportations fuel demand like China and India. And once a major hurricane strikes Florida and causes a major oil spill along the coastline of Florida, many Floridans and some Americans will be pissed off!

SHOCK! Why do you think we are paying the price we are?
2/3 of our oil comes from our own production (source current ad running on TV by an oil company!). That means that 2/3 of the oil pricing could be lower- math is math. Yet, because of the free market society we live in the government has allowed them to raise prices to the point that moswt Americans are ready to cry UNCLE and allow for off sore drilling and exploraiton in Alaska.
They give us simple ways of saving millions of gallons a day in oil. Follow them, and tell bush to take a hike!

The Democrats are the ones who banned any further oil drilling/exploration. You decide.

The federal government is so busy throwing tax payer money at problems they know nothing about–that they are unlikely to ever really provide targeted and beneficial change regarding all of the ills we keep electing them to fix!!!

We run the country–the government provides for our security and negotiates treaties, and creates laws for the land based on the constitution and bill of rights...etc.

Do we have that?

The government is dabbling in every sector of our lives, communication, energy, privacy, healthcare, finances, taxes!!!!

Wouldn't it be nice to have a government–that really listened, and limited itself? Limited government was the war cry of the revolutionary government and those founders who created the American experiment.

If it ain't broke don't fix it–should have been the 2nd Amendment.

Can anyone tell me what 'pandelling' is, haha!! Must have been one of those WV folks. Seriously, Don't cut off your nose to spite your face. Explore the option of drilling, more refinieries, MORE nuclear (clean air emissions) power, and wind, solar, coal, etc. ALL the wind in Bill and Al's rhetoric couldn't supply a wind farm to even think about the energy we need. Plus, libs don't want a wind farm in their back yard either. Don't kill this idea because it is a republican push. This will help us and can be done in an environmentally safe way. Besides, China is already off our coast. You think they are MORE environmentally caring than us?? If so, you are SADLY mistaken.

I love to read comedies like this.

Change is a comin folks. And I can't wait. Obama 4 ever.

Hey, Bush is just doing what he gets paid to do (or profits from). This move would allow him to keep enriching himself, his family, and friends for years after he leaves office. America has been swindled – and we have the extra $3.5 trillion in debt to prove it. Thanks, George, Dick, Carl, and company!

If doing what is in the long-term interest of America is the measure of patriotism, then this is the most unpatriotic administration in at least a half-century... and much of it has been deliberate.

FRANK FROM FLORIDA............We need to stop our dependence on oil and this won't do the job. It takes time to build these oil refineries and in the mean time oil will still be high and this will also delay further advancement of alternative fuel sources.........You are SOOOOO
RIGHT.........IT'S ALL POLICTICAL NO TO McBUSH

This is our great oil president. John McSame may just give Bush the edge he has always wanted total control over the oil reserves and the right to plunder them.

What was the difference between them again?

Where does the oil from the Alasken Pipeline go to. Not the mainland. Japan. Bring that oil home

One reason to not support Mitt Romney is that in 4 years he will put Jeb Bush on the ticket as V.P. God help us Jeb!!!

are stupid, to put it kindly.

Let's see how the Democrats react. Will they be supportive or will they act as they normally do by dismissing it because Bush recommended it? My guess is that they will prolong the agony telling the american people to go pound salt once again rather than work in a bipartisan way to reach a positive result.

One problem is the much of the off shore crude which is pumped, is not of gasoling quality. For example, the wells one sees when driving up the CA coast line all produce oil which can not be refined into gasoline. It is tar grade crude.

there are 3 nations already drilling 70 miles off the Florida coast. Why should we let America drill just so those evil Republicans can get richer and keep the poor Democrats from getting any of it.

Needless to say this plan utterly sucks!!!! They must think the people of this country are all from ostrich lineage. And to make matters worse if Cuba drills of coast it will affect the U.S. still, they are only 90miles from the coast of the southernmost city in the united states...... We need alternatives NOW !! Including and alternate President!!!!

The last time we listened to the do-nothing democrats they said "Don't bother drilling....it will take 10 years to extract the oil".................that was in 1998.

Drill now!

Thank you Bulldog. Sometimes the MSM does a horrible job of protecting the American people. If the oil compnaies and McBush are so concerned about drilling, then why not start with the 68 million acres that you already have available?

As I said:

Bush/Cheney/McCain

ALL in the pocket of Big Oil.

Even if they managed to do an end run around the coastal states and force them to pump oil, it would take YEARS, maybe a DECADE for the oil to begin to make a difference.

But if they put the same energy and money towards renewables, the same effect could be achieved in the same time for the same money!

THAT'S the big lie you won't hear about from these OIL BARONS and their partners the MEDIA BARONS!

So most of you people don't think drilling is the answer! How ignorant are you people? Putting more oil on the market increases supply, thus lowering prices. It is true it may take 7 to 10 years to get this oil online, but most oil prices are based on speculation, and if world knows that the U.S. is going to start using its own recourses, the floor will drop on oil prices globally.

I also agree we need to continue working on alternative energy, but I'm going to tell you now, corn/ethanol & soy bean/diesel fuel is not the answer. This is only making all other markets (i.e. food) worse, and it will only hurt the environment, not to mention bio-diesel is actually causing a lot of problems with corroding fuel systems.

If you want zero emissions, then you need hydrogen and nuclear fuels; that simple!

Bulldog-they are not allowed to use it under the current government embargo on drilling/exporation. It's just land equity in it's current state–that can't be used for it's intended purpose.

Not this time

We will not be fooled.

We are committed to break our addiction of foreign oil and we do that by investing in alternative energy

Will – I totally disagree with you. Most of the value in Florida and CA revolves around our beaches, the ocean and marine wildlife – if we screw up drilling offshore you could see tourism collapse, which in FL would be a huge economic impact.

If we have to drill, my understanding is ANWR has more oil and is certainly much more isolated. If we screw up CA and FL, the economics of those two states will be enough to lead to a US economic downturn....

What Bush fails to note (of course, he's an oil man) is that there is actually plenty of supply right now. The reason oil is so expensive is because the commodities speculators have driven the price up. The price has NOTHING to do with what is available. Drilling off the coasts will NOT bring the price of oil down a single penny. What Bush and his buddies need to do is actually pay attention to the economy and get it working, then magically, along with putting a leash on commodities brokers, the price of oil will decline. Only a fool believes this fool.

Pandering to oil and gas... you make it sound like they are pure evil...

Fact 1. Exxon made 75% of their profits in the international market... meaning only $2 billion profit was made in the US. This puts them on line with Google, Microsoft, At&T in terms of earnings...

Fact 2. Profit margins for oil companies last few years is around 8%... which means they aren't doing that well...

Fact 3.... I suggest you do research before blaming one party over another...

I would agree to this if, and ONLY if, it was a US Government owned project, with civil servant labor, and profits used to offset taxes and George's debt. If this is just a convenient time for Bush to enrich his oil buddys at our expense (which it obviously is), then I'm 100% against it. I don't care if there is zero environmental impact.

HOW IS THIS GOING TO HELP US, AND DON'T TELL ME A COUPLE MILLION BARRELS IS GOING TO AFFECT OUR "SPECULATIVELY"-HIGH PRICES.

yeah,pour what money we have left into more big oil profits ,for the near future,and in 20 years we'll be right back in the same spot.by then global warming,will be well advanced,oil spills from hurricanes on the east coast,tornadoes and hurricanes across the gulf coast 'refinery areas,and earthquakes off the west coast,will further destroy our oceans and most other environements.let's just keep doing the same things we've done since the 19th century ,industrial 'revolution',instead of investing that money into clean energy,as barack obama has proposed.150 billion dollars ,over the next ten years,creating green jobs,by the millions,and reducing our reliance on the fossil fuels,and foriegn oil.makes more sense to me.

For those who expect the government to continue to funding research in energy? Not only for oil and gas–but a whole new dumping ground for "green enterprises"–all at the taxpayers expense!!!

Isn't that what venture capital is supposed to do?

Please–let's get government out of the energy business completely–mabye we can return to a time when we could really trust our political leaders.

If you really want change that is worth your support/investment–LIbertarians have the candidates and agenda to start a renovation in your local, state, and federal government.

Got Liberty?

Bush and his twin McCain are typical oilmen. The Center for Responsive Politics finds that McCain has accepted over $1 million from the oil and gas industry. Many of McCain's top advisers have lobbied for big oil, which is why he now acts in their best interests, opposing environmental legislation and alternative energy plans. And that's exactly why we want everyone to know The REAL McCain.

McCain is desperate to distance himself from President Bush. But according to the Center for American Progress Action Fund, McCain has received millions in donations from the same oil, coal, nuclear, chemical, utility, and auto companies that helped the Bush administration create its energy planÑa plan that has raised gasoline to $4 a gallon.

Liberals are such hypocrites. They don't mind the drilling going on in other countries, they just don't want to do it in this country because it involves areas that are "pretty."

Losers.

What a shock. An oil man wants more drilling.

This just in: the sun rose in the east today. Again.

David in Illinois June 18th, 2008 11:14 am ET

Texas oilmen are in heaven. Focus now must be on conservation and alternative sources. If only the SynFuels Corp. would have survived back in the '80s. Carter had the right idea. Reagan killed it. It would have been nice to have had a 30-year jump on developing alternative energy sources. Thanks GOP!
____________________________________________________

Thanks for this David I usually post this fact that everyone wants to ignore. I get so disgusted with people who say Jimmy Carter was the worst President but have no idea of the policies he put into effect. Mr. Carter was/is a visionary who understood what was coming and tried to get us ready, unfortunately most Americans were/are not willing to pay the price today for the future. If we ahd followed the policies established by President Carter in the late 70s we would be energy independant already and not mired still in the middle east, he set the path for how to deal with the Isreal-Palestine problem and our oil problem then. He took the correct actions and we, as a country, have undermined those actions ever since and now look where we are. I do not suppose you will agree on most of my points here but I do agree with you and your statement about his synthfuel decision (ps did you know they had a system that could make cleaner synthetic fuel but the problem was it cost $40 a barrel (in 1980 but without the economy of scale) wonder what the cost would be today and if anyone is looking into it at all)

The oil companies for years have claimed that these hugh profits they have been earning were needed to help locate and refine new sources of oil.

The politicans seem to not be asking a key question: How many new refineries have you built in this country with all the money; where is the "new" expanded refinery capacity and when do they plan to build them?

The problem is we don't have the ability to make more fuel even if we did have more oil. Half the refineries in this country are antiquated and unsafe to begin with and they don't seem to be rushing to put their profits into up-grading them.

Management just wants to fatten their salaries and bonuses with their excess money. And now they want us to agree to dis-spoil our environment even more by allowing them to drill in Alaska and off shore.

What a bunch of greed bastards.

Emma............ That is now so called Republicans pandelling for votes...........DITTO!!!!!

It'll create more American jobs, and reduce our reliance on foreign oil. In the case of the Caribbean it will give us the opportunity to get the oil before Cuba who will be backed by China, gets it.

Although, I guess we could do nothing and continue to let our country go down the toilet just because an unpopular President/party came up with the idea.

Obama: "To open the way for more drilling won't have an impact for at least 5 years. We must find alternative fuels from alternative technologies. Within a decade these alternatives will start providing fuel. Oh, wait, that's 10 years rather than 5 years, isn't it? And even after that 10 years, they will still have minimal production impact for another 20 years. At least.
Oh well. My bad.
Vote for me anyway."

typical Dubya speak... in sync with Mc Same... no drilling in reserves ever!

If the majority of oil producers claim that they are not influencing Gas prices, and if the Oil companies/speculators say the same thing, someone is lying–and given the track record, I think it is Bush and his friends within the industry–this is just another way for them to channel our money into their pockets. We need to stand and stop this!

Wake up people. We need OIL. Like it or not, OIL is not going away. We need other fuel and energies as well, but oil is still going to be needed and we need to produce as much as we can in our own country.

I'm not sure how democrats can say they want a different energy policy when they are against, drilling, building nuclear power plants, and building more dams for Hydro-electric power. Solor and wind power ain't going to cut it. TO have an effective energy policy, America must produce, refine and distribute in our own country. This means a lot more infrustructure is needed and yes, some of the land will have to be disturbed.

Happy thoughts and wishful thinking is not a policy though the Obamanites and other liberals may think so.

that's the solution!! put a band-aid on a wound that is gushing blood. Offshore drilling will fix everything. Yea, right.

Wow...what a surprise. Do you think this whole price hike fiasco was an underhanded attempt to get congress to open up the restricted zones for drilling? Seems like a pretty obvious coincidence. Oil companies have been trying to get this for decades and what better strategy than to hold the consumer hostage to get congress to meet their ransom demands. And gee......look who's in on it.
Anyone surprised?

He is telling us to 'JUST LAY BACK AND ENJOY IT",its like the weather you know.

what if this surge in prices was meant to force congress to open up offshore drilling

Gaaad.... can the guy be any more pro-oil? The only ones who will benefit from off-shore drilling are the oil companies. You and I won't see anything change. Bush needs to shut the hell up and go away forever.

And how long is this going to take? We need relief NOW!!!

We don't need to drill MORE, and pollute MORE. We need to USE LESS, DRILL LESS, and POLLUTE LESS!!!

A little too late.
Whats Bush trying to do, one last act of concern for the american people before he leaves office.
I think he wants the dem. congress to vote no so he and mcsame can say the democrats want the gas prices to stay high.
Will the repub's stop at nothing to get their man in office

Drilling for oil will not impact prices for years and off-shore wells have produced no less than 80 spills – even with modern equipment.

In my area of of the country (South Dakota) people buy the 90/10 blend of gas and ethanol, and the price of gas is still below $4 a gallon as a result. If I had a E85 vehicle that ran on ethanol only, I'd pay less than $3 a gallon. I went to Cleveland, Ohio recently, and paid over $4 a gallon, and no ethanol blends were even available at the pump. Why is that? They should be required to sell the 90/10 blends which virtually every car can use to lower the price right now.

Alternative fuels and conservation standards that reduce consumption (fuel efficiency, lower speed limits, faster commercialization of new battery and fuel cell technology) can have immediate or near term impact on prices – and the market already shows this is true.

There's no need to drill for oil when these will work better and put us in a better place with respect to energy long term anyway.

One component is being overlooked. If American oil companies increase supply by drilling, they are going to sell it in the world market to the highest bidder. The result is more profit for oil companies, not lower prices for oil.

"In the short run, the American economy will continue to rely largely on oil, and that means we need to increase supply here at home

1- it will take several years and billions of dollars to build the platforms.

2- The amount of oil that is out there will likely not last mor than a few years befor it becomes prohibitively expensive to extract (= higher oil prices)

3- it's the Environment, stupid!!!!

4- what do you do with the platforms and rigs when the drilling ends? Leave them to decay?

I wonder what would happen to the earth once it's natural resource is gone? It will eventually happen in the future, there is no doubt. Does the earth need it's oil to live, like all living things need clean air to survive?

Bush's brilliant suggestion – don't think so. It's all about money, money, and more money.

Its the Demand thats the problem. Not SUPPLY. India, China, and other countries are using more oil now than three years ago. DEMAND is up. And do you think for a second that the oil companies don't know that? We have to get off the oil habit.

anyone ask Bush if he will guarentee the oil stays in the US and isn't sold to other countries? Of course, because it won't.

So the oil companies get a little richer-
A cross I can bear for the security of US energy independence!

It's about time!!!!!!!

This is insane. We need to get of the gasoline. use wind solar electric water.We have exausted our planet of oil.This government knew this 30 years ago and has done NOTHING> this government should have to answer for all its failures. We are sick of it. The people paying these senator and congressman and president their salaries and all their wonderful benefits they receive. Benefits I wish I had. Have to become accountable. I say they get paid on commission, when they get something done , They get paid! Just like the rest of us. I am tired of this do nothing government. Its on both sides, and obama isnt gonna change it people.

Destroy the environment 1st, then we can talk alternative energy.

Yeah, great plan.

McCain is opposed to that. FLIP-FLOP. McCain supports it. What's new for the guy who supports Bush 95% of the time?

Everything that comes out of Bush's mouth is a lie. Drilling would do little to benefit us, and would only do so in 7-10 years. I find that this is yet another propaganda campaign to take advantage of Americans in a time of frustration at the pump.

The Bush administration is doing nothing more than playing politics, and attempting to put the Democrats on the defense during this election year. So much for Oil independence (McCain)!

Bush had 8 years to ask congress to lift this ban. This is just a trick to get McCain in the white house to continue his efforts of keeping the Iraq war alive.

I say, Drill Drill Drill

More drilling and more supply will not decrease prices but will increase profits. Look at us in Canada with one of the largest oil fields in the world yet our gas prices are much higher here in Canada than your gas prices in the U.S.

Why do the news medias cover up this obvious fact as it is clear proof more supply is not the answer. Oh yeah we also supply you in the U.S. with oil yet your prices are lower than ours!

The last few days there has been "talk" about the drilling off shore, and the Congress investigating the oil specular and the future buyers and sellers.
This morning I saw that gas as dropped 8 cents a gal here in ND.

I am sure the drop in price has nothing to do with the talk.

Anyone who opposes off shore drilling to increase domestic oil produiction is either an idiot or a partisan zealot who refuses to see the trees because fo the forest.

Liberals are absolutely wrong on this issue and they won't look at it through the prisim of 2008 reality. The moratorium is an idea that made sense 27 years ago but is now an out-dated relic. Change? How is it change if Obama sticks to something that no longer works and makes absloutely no sense for America?

Obama offers more of the same thinking. No change.

I knew it. George Bush was John McCain's first and second term.

Remember that , this controlled Congress is composed of mostly DemocRATS; so , for them to go along; with this 'lame duck" President, it will be a miracle.......................... Party Politics, before the "good of the country"; remember that when you vote in Nov./2009................................................

Maybe this is why hes moving to Dallas when hes out.He may become the head of exxon-mobil or their chief lobbyist.

Although I strongly support the Democratic platform and the environment is a high priority for me, this is one issue that I differ with most Democrats. Eventually drilling will take place offshore; if not by the U.S. then another country could potentially drill in international waters and possibly drill horizontally for miles to tap these reserves. I am not an expert, but I think we should be open to a discussion that seriously considers opening up these off shore reserves as well as the reserves in Alaska. Safe guards must be in place that include serious financial guarantees by the drillers.

Great, now we have to listen to the environmentalists who are part of the problem as it is. Just ask why it is our country has not updated the refineries or built new ones and you'll find that the environmentalists block it all the time. And we can't drill because of them. They give families money in Alaska to oppose drilling there when in reality they don't care one way or the other. So just remember this when you are paying for that $4 gas. There are other reasons why it is that price (one of many variables).

I find it funny that none of the news agencies haven't mentioned that GW "coincidentally" touted this policy the day after MCBUSH suggested the same thing. But a vote for McBush isn't a vote for a third GW term. ......and I have a bridge to sell you

Just say NO!

A simple fact if we were to start drilling TODAY it will be 5 years before a drop of that oil hits the market, the oil companies know this, they also know that if we were to tell them to start today they could raise the cost of gas TODAY to support the cost to drill for oil. So this will NOT lower the price of gas but increase it.

A better idea is for people to get used to paying $4-5 per gallon and when, in the next 10 years as predicted, the Middle East oil is just about used up and the Venezualian oil is almost gone along with the North Sea oil we will have a corner on the market and WQE will determine who gets oil and what they will pay for it. But that requires thinking ahead, planning for our future not something this administration, or most Americans (based on the credit crisis we now have and lack of savings in this country), are able or willing to do. Give a little today for a benefit tomorrow.

Funny how its all came together,

The GOP had control over Congress until 2006.

The GOP has been in Control of the Presidency since 2000.

Know in 2008 the GOP blames the Dems for the failed Energy Policy the or really the non-energy policy of the past.

One can only hope that the American Voter is not too short sighted to see that this is only the GOP pandering to the Oil/Gas Industry.

What is he talking about? The gas and oil companies already have over 68 million acres of onshore and offshore leased to them for this purpose. And they aren't using it! Why is the media not hammering the GOP on this? It's rediculous. Look it up at http://www.resourcescommittee.house.gov. John McCain, George Bush, and the GOP are liars and hypocrites. Don't believe them. This is another distraction.

IT TOOK NEARLY 8 yrs ............to ADDRESS THE gas ISSUE AND WILL TAKE 5YRS TO ACCOMPLISH ANY RELIEF........BUSH speak with a FORKY TONGUE!!!!!!

Surely, with a respect for the environment–and a concerted effort on the most advanced techonology and techniques–there must be a way to explore and expoit energy sources–and maintain the buttressing environment!!!

The new banner for Obama and McAain:

I'M FOR WHATEVER YOU GUYS WANT!!!
(Just elect me!!)

We need change alright. But the changes offered by both the Democrazies and Republicraps–are not going to do anything but garner further expansion of tax dollars grandiose plans, programs, and entities–that so far have only served to make the fat cats fatter–and the average American–even less than average.

"In the short run, the American economy will continue to rely largely on oil...." Yes, and that run would have been a lot shorter if Bush hadn't plugged his ears and ignored his duty when he was first elected. Imagine if he'd started his first term with a move to raise fuel economy standards for cars.

Imagine if Ronald Reagan had taken Jimmy Carter's words seriously and had pushed for more solar energy development in the 1980's, instead of dismissing Carter and taking down the solar water heater that Carter had placed on the White House.

As a country, we have a tendency to react only to pain, not to what we know will happen. But sometimes, by the time the pain starts, it's already too late.

BTW, where is gas tax holiday Mr. McSame?

mdg June 18th, 2008 11:09 am ET

No amount of domestic drilling will supply the oil we use. No amount of domestic drilling will reduce the pump prices by even a penny!

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Facts????????????

Texas oilmen are in heaven. Focus now must be on conservation and alternative sources. If only the SynFuels Corp. would have survived back in the '80s. Carter had the right idea. Reagan killed it. It would have been nice to have had a 30-year jump on developing alternative energy sources. Thanks GOP!

He has one last marker to pay to the "Texas Big Oil Boys" for putting him in office.The price of gasoline IS BEING MANIPULATED FOR THIS VERY REASON.There is no shortage.There is a glut of oil.The speculators have caused the problem and they claim they dont even know who the speculators are.Well I think we know who they are now dont we.This is blackmail,pure and simple.Squeeze the public till they give in.

This Guy is an Idiot no body should take him serious. Can not wait to see him go hide in ranch in texas.

I LOVE their "big/genius" ideas – shows how great their intellectual capacity really is and why the US economy has been so "successful" the last 8 years! – ROFL

I wonder what our children and future generations will think about all this???

This the time for drilling China and Cuba ready to drill in our backyard and we are paying more gas price , this is not politics ,
Wake up America

I am all for getting off our dependence on foreign oil, but we have been starting in recent years to move away from oil and into newer and cleaner forms of fuel. Why should we stop that to look and drill for more oil off of our coast when we need to wean ourselves off of oil, WE CAN DO IT, I have every confidence in the world. Besides the brazialians just the end of lat year found suposidly the 3rd largest reserve in the world off of their coast. The down side, that oil won't hit the market for AT LEAST another 5 years maybe more. Say we start to drill the end of this year and we find something, who knows how long it would take to hit the market, and what do we do in the mean time???

Stop pandelling!

We need to stop our dependence on oil and this won't do the job. It takes time to build these oil refineries and in the mean time oil will still be high and this will also delay further advancement of alternative fuel sources.

DJ, Los Angeles June 18th, 2008 11:05 am ET

So littering the oceans and our precious coasts full of oil rigs to reduce imports for 10 years is the answer to high fuel costs?

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Many pipelines can be brought into one oil platform.

This is why Barack will prevail in November. McCain is banking on the same tired, useless ideas that have been retreaded over and over. Not to mention that this will lose him votes with independents and Florida voters. We need new ideas!

Absolutely not. The Saudis increase production because they saw Americans were beginning to use less oil. Demand is actually decreasing for the first time in years. The Saudis want us to rely on them because they know they will lose money and power if we get serious about alternative fuels. Opening our sensitive coastal environments to irreparable harm for a relative few drops of oil would just prolong this dependency on foreign oil. If the President is serious about national security, get our country on the road to renewable energy and independence.

The Democrats and Repulicans should come together, meet half way on this issue and propose and enact laws that will allow drilling that is done in an environmentally friendly way. It is called common sense, Folks. $4.00 per gallon is killing me!

When a family of oil barons is advising about oil policies, we have a significant conflict of interests. We've put the fox in charge of the henhouse.

Funny – McSame suggested the same thing.... typical GOP "deplete every resource until it's gone, then we'll be "forced" to find another solution"

GOP doesn't understand environmental or future generation "responsibility", renewable resources, balanced budgets, balanced social security, communicating with those that don't share the same values, healthcare right (not privilege). No wonder new American generations have been moving away from them.

CA and TX already have WAY to many oil rigs you can see from our beaches, do we really want more???

drill drill drill, bomb bomb bomb

How much money will he make off of this kind of deal?

The country is ready to embrace alternative fuel sources so that we do not continue to make OPEC rich enough to buy our landmark real estate and further lpad the pockets of the oil companies making obscene, record breaking profits each and every quarter!

No amount of domestic drilling will supply the oil we use. No amount of domestic drilling will reduce the pump prices by even a penny!

Not this time! It won't work!
Americans are not as stupid as you think, Mr. Bush!

....so all the oil compaines can get richer.

Better late than never. There is already drilling going on off our coasts, except that the drilling is being done by Cuba.

the "Twins" came up with that all by themselves?

MR Huckabee ............"Republicans will make a fundamental if not fatal mistake if they seek to win the election by demonizing Barack Obama............MR Huchabee is the most honest person in the REPUBLICAN ARENA .............Lisa ..........Where ever the wind blows you'll find Huckabee!.............HOPEFULLY THE WIND WILL BLOW ON YOU !!!!! ..........MR HUCKABEE THIS really make a person stop , think and seek UNITY !!! I suppose it took courage To tell the truth .....THE ? is not only WHERE WE STAND :BUT WHERE ARE WE AHEADED?.......BRIAN KNOXVILLE TN ......HOPEFULLY YOU are paying attention!!!! NO more negative RESPONSE FOR ME!!!!!1

Just another example of how McCain = Bush.

Mitt Romney is the wrong choice for vice president.

John McCain = Geo. W. Bush's THIRD TERM

If, after today, you don't believe that, I have some nice coastal property in Missouri I'd like to sell you.

DC in Missouri

Gee, yet another neocon agenda item that now has legs. Is there anything that W and the neocons won't get done before W leaves office that makes oil companies richer than god? How convenient for them that due to record petroleum prices they now may get the green light to make even more money. What a total shocker since we were dumb enough to elect two oil men to office twice.

We got it- Let's get it!
Let the middle east drowned in their oil!

So littering the oceans and our precious coasts full of oil rigs to reduce imports for 10 years is the answer to high fuel costs?

I bet Bush does want to drill at home and increase profits. Those increased profits go right into his every growing fat wallet.

Obama 08!!!

Nooooo.... Keep the poor people off the roads!

I love high gas prices!!

But we also need to give tax breaks to companies investing in nuclear, wind, solar, hydroelectric, etc.... alternative forms of energy that is cleaner but more efficient.

We'll never get rid of oil. It's that simple, but we need a mix of all of these energy sources and oil and coal to survive in this world right now.

FACE THE FACTS AND NOT THE POLITICS.

That is now so called Republicans pandelling for votes!

Dems....you must unite now. Bush, Cheney and McWar owe favorsand they are trying to collect. Just say NO to the drilling. I just don't believe they care about Americans. This is a gimmick.

Two words: Lame Duck

I'm in favor of drilling offshore with proper precaution, but I'm against drilling in ANWAR. This will at least improve our supply and keepprices as low as possible. Pair the drilling with a forceful move toward oil alternatives.

This is just dumb!

His other idea was having tea with the Saudi's to beg them to drill more...

This is NOT an energy policy!

American's are tired of being held hostage at the pump!

We NEED CHANGE! We need Barack Obama as our President – NOW!!!

Won't help. By the time the oil comes on line, demand will have increased that much more. We need alternatives to oil, not more drilling in sensitive habitats.