(CNN) – A new Gallup poll suggests more than half of the country may support a proposal backed by President Bush and Sen. John McCain to allow states to authorize off-shore oil drilling, a practice currently banned by the federal government.
Fifty-seven percent of Americans favor allowing oil drilling in coastal and wilderness areas that are currently off-limits. Forty-one percent of Americans oppose allowing drilling in those areas, and 2 percent have no opinion.
The poll also reveals a partisan divide on the issue. Eighty percent of Republicans surveyed favored opening up off-limits areas to oil exploration and 56 percent of independents favored allowing the practice. But 59 percent of Democrats opposed the idea.
During the last week, the prospect of oil drilling off the U.S. coast has become into a major policy dispute between Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama, respectively the presumptive Republican and Democratic nominees, and between Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill.
The Gallup survey involved telephone interviews nationally with 1,013 adults aged 18 and older and was conducted May 19-21. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
From CNN Politics
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I bet very few were from California, florida or Alaska. BTW Arnold Schwarzenagger opposes it BIG TIME and came out and said so and he is a repub.
Drill here! Drill now! The Saudis are laughing at us. The world thinks we are crazy–what is wrong with those democrats? Only thing I can figure is that they are so rich they do not care about the rest of us. Power is a strange thing. Like they care about the Caribou! Give me a break! I t is all about power and making history.
I think we shoud drill in areas that don't matter. But I also think we shouldn't beg anybody, like the Saudis for oil. We're Americans, and George Bush is a fool.
Tick tock already, when is he leaving. Put an asterick by his name because he was not a real president. He was a phony and a fake who did whatever Cheney and Rove told him to do. He is a moron and I will never forgive him for trashing our country.
Why do you think the country is in the toilet. Because there's no one minding the store. I'm still waiting for the GOP to apologize for George's fake administration.
This si my problem...
I own roylties in oil down in Texas (yes Bush country) I have not recieved a royalty check all year cause they have a federal order not to pump oil from those wells. Why do we need to drill more wells off shore that may indanger wildlife when all we have to do is start pupming oil from the wells we have...can someone answer this for me...I would be more than happy to hear an answer.
Than you,
I'm sure the majority of them don't live on the costs where they will be drilling. Everyone should take a trip to the Gulf Coast along the shores of AL, Miss. and TX. Go to the beach at night and you'll see a city of lights off the coast. It horrible, it looks like the picture shown in this post times 20.
Again the public is being misled by Bush and his Oil buddies. Americans haven't you learned yet. Bush doesn’t give two turds about you just his money and rich friends.
There you go CNN bloggers. Your beloved polls tell no lies.
One can only object oil drilling IF they do not use a car, AC or gas guzzling machinery.
Who cares what the majority of Americans think? Certainly not the majority of Democrats.
Unfortunately, many Americans are uninformed. We won't see a drop of oil for another 5-10 years. It's up to Sen. Obama, the Dems, and independent groups to explain to people that this will NOT lower gas prices. It's like putting a band aid over a gunshot wound.
Where was this poll taken, Nebraska? I bet if they ask Californians and Floridians, you know, the people that are actually affected by this, they'd have an entirely different set of results.
We narcissistic Americans need to wean ourselves from the gas pump and start growing up. Our use of fossil fuels is not sustainable and it's way beyond time to face that immutable fact.
The big oil companies are not going to save us from our fate, even though they'd love us to believe that. What we need to is not look for more and more places to drill but to look for alternative energy sources and to CONSERVE!
That's because the people being polled:
1. Don't live near the areas that will be affected
2. Are ignorant and think this will help them now (it won't have any effect for at least 5-6 years)
3. Think that the answer to the problem is more oil, not using what we have more efficiently.
I hope it gets turned down. Let's focus on solar, wind, and hydrogen. No more SUVs, force automakers to produce vehicles that get 40+ mpg, and start putting restrictions on plastic goods like shopping bags.
That's great news.
Sen. McCain surely you will make a fine President. America is very proud of you.
Together We Can! United We Will!
McCain 08! McCain All The Way!
The poll asked specifically "if drilling would reduce gas prices whould you be okay" . The porblem is that it won't in the next few years and it's not a guaranty that it will then. On top of that, there's estimated to only be a 2-4 year supply offshore. If the poll actually broke all that down then I'm sure the favorabilty rating would be much lower. This is when a poll is no good.
"We simply must balance our demand for energy with our rapidly shrinking resources. By acting now, we can control our future instead of letting the future control us." Carter bluntly pointed out that: "The most important thing about these proposals is that the alternative may be a national catastrophe. Further delay can affect our strength and our power as a nation." He called the new energy policy he was proposing, "[T]he 'moral equivalent of war' - except that we will be uniting our efforts to build and not destroy."
Most Americans are not aware that the oil would be sold on the international market as opposed to being used here in America which would further enrich these oil compnies. Plus the amount of oil drilled for would not make a difference in price at the pumps once refined into gasoline. why doesn't CNN do responsible journalism by clarifying what will really happen to the oil if we open up off shore drilling?
The flip flop master, McBush has always been against the driling. But of course now that he can grab some votes. The desperate old man is all for it. And as usual he is in lock step with Bush. This is nothing new. McFlop changed his stance on the Bush tax cuts for the big Corporations to grab their financial support too. He is so shallow.
"The world has not prepared for the future," said Jimmy Carter. "During the 1950s, people used twice as much oil as during the 1940s. During the 1960s, we used twice as much as during the 1950s. And in each of those decades, more oil was consumed than in all of mankind's previous history." Hubbert said we must begin to conserve. Carter agreed.
"Ours is the most wasteful nation on earth," he said, a point that is still true. "We waste more energy than we import. With about the same standard of living, we use twice as much energy per person as do other countries like Germany, Japan and Sweden." Carter directly challenged the fossil fuel and automobile industries. "One choice," he said, "is to continue doing what we have been doing before. We can drift along for a few more years. "Our consumption of oil would keep going up every year. Our cars would continue to be too large and inefficient.
Three-quarters of them would continue to carry only one person - the driver - while our public transportation system continues to decline. We can delay insulating our houses, and they will continue to lose about 50 percent of their heat in waste. "We can continue using scarce oil and natural gas to generate electricity, and continue wasting two-thirds of their fuel value in the process."
Uck No! I live in California and we have nice beautiful ocean while paying the most for gas. The problem is NOT SUPPLY! IT IS DEMAND and the fact is no matter how much you have the demand is going to be more.
WHO was polled? Certainly not I. Why drill more when we aren't using all of the land that has already been leased fand proven or oil drilling? When not use our great AMERICAN brains and find a better, cleaner, more cost effecient way to produce energy? How about the new VOLVO solution using electric motors and a tiny gasoline engine that is used to re-charge the hydrogen fuel cell? Get smart people. Not to mention that more drilling will not help for at least 10 years? By that time, if we are smart we may only need a fraction of the oil we currently use.
It will lower the price of gas. The Saudi's want us to depend on them. The rest of the world is laughing at us because we have the resources and don't use it. We pay and the money goes to terrorist organizations to use against us. We can use that money right here in the US. Even if it takes five years its better than doing nothing. It will also create jobs.
I'm all for it:) So it takes 10 years to see any results. We need to start taking care of ourselves now an not be so dependent on the Arab's who by the way were mostly responsible for 9-11. In the meantime we can continue to conserve and explore other alternative energy measures. It's time we moved all our eggs from that one energy basket......
Hmmmmmm.... gas prices go up, polls show support for drilling. When will U.S. citizens begin to understand that we are being manipulated. Not that it matters what we think, the powers that be have already decided to drill and drill they will.
those that support the idea of drilling are either not form California, Florida or Alaska OR not informed about the problems resulted of drilling.
We need a clean environment or eventually we will have Nothing!
Stop with the now attitude and think of the future.
2% of the world's oil lies beneath the United States. We consume 25% of the oil supplied to the world. Even a simpleton can see that the math doesn't work. Almost all of the oil that is drilled here is shipped out to the world market. Oil Companies already have hundreds of permits to drill in certain parts of this country, but they aren't. They have no motivation to do so when oil is already over $130 a barrel and climbing thanks to speculators. We need to enforce the laws that are already in place to keep speculators from raping the American people.
DRILLING WILL NOT SOLVE THE GAS PRICE CRISIS....
The only thing that will stop the price gouging is to shut down the SPECULATORS...
IF THE OIL COMPANIES WANTED TO DRILL, THEY COULD HAVE EASILY GOTTEN IT THROUGH CONGRESS WHILE THE REPUBLICANS HAD THE HOUSE, SENATE, AND PRESIDENCY FOR SIX OF THE LAST 7 1/2 YEARS...
Besides that... the oil companies ALREADY have MILLIONS of ACRES they are currently NOT drilling on (BECAUSE THEY DON'T "WANT" TO DRILL !) DON'T YOU GET IT???
IT IS THE EXCACT SAME SCENARIO AS ENRON !!!!!
SHUT DOWN THE ENRON LOOPHOLE AND YOU END THE "OIL SPECULATORS"...... END THE SPECULATION, AND YOU CUT THE PRICE BETWEEN 33% AND 50% BY "DEFLATING THE ARTIFICIAL BUBBLE" .....
I bet the people who want it don't live near a coastline, if they had to look at it and suffer the environmental consequences the poll numbers would be different. Rigs are fine, just not in my backyard. Most people think they will see an immediate drop in gas prices this is not the case, it will be 5-10 years before anything happens. It would be faster to develop alternatives. Just because we lower consumption doesn't mean that China and India the biggest consumers will follow suit.
What a shame that this latest round of media blitzing by the Republicans and the Oil execs have fooled many Americans into believing that more off shore drilling will answer the gas price issue.
Where is our responsible media?
Their job is supposed to be to tell the Americans the truth on these types of issues. And, the truth is that new off shore drilling will do nothing to impact gas prices for at least 15 years. And, even then, we're talking about maybe 5 cents per gallon.
I hope the American people wake up to the reality that more exploratory drilling is a farce offered up by oil-friendly Republicans. They are using this last-ditch opportunity to push through all of the crap they couldn't get through Congress in the past few years. They know that the clock is ticking on their time in power and they are getting desperate... trying so hard to convince the people that this is a real solution and the path toward energy independance.
LaShanda hit the nail on the head. Suppose we do open up the shores to drilling. We won't see any of it for years. This proposed drilling plan, along with the "gas tax holiday," are just feel-good ideas that contain no substance. Do some research before agreeing to something filled with "pretty" words. Did anyone ever consider that, if drilling gets an 'ok,' there could be another Exxon Valdez incident?
Dear Union yes:
Bush is not running for president, that was the last election. Just thought I should let you know. I am voting for McCain, too lower my gas and heating bill....
Obama wants us to eat less, and quit consuming energy. He stated in Oregon that we should not drive SUV's, or keep our houses at 72 degrees and we must consume less food. If I wanted to live in a third world country I would vote for him.
Democrat for McCain....
Yes, we must drill because oil companies will always act in the interest of the public good, not that of their shareholders. Why would they possibly keep prices high if they're taking in record profits? Surely they'll play by the free market and not keep their prices high while lowering their purchasing costs!
How is the America the superpower, when the dollar isn't worth the paper it's printed on and it relys on other countries for fuel. Can someone help me out?
Had we been drilling off shore and the 1% of Alaska wilderness we would not be in this mess. So what if it takes ten years to get oil out of these places? You think the cost of oil is going to go down in the next ten years?
We need to get a head start and a handle on this problem, it's not going away. If we sit by and do nothing, we'll be having this insipid conversation again, next month, next year, the next decade, etc.
Of course the poll leans towards drilling in off-limits areas. The public is panicking because of the gas prices, and many don't realize that opening up new areas to drilling won't help in the short term, and will most likely cause harm in the long run. The oil companies already have a LOT of land leased to drill on, but they're not using it. Big Oil isn't the only culprit in the gas prices, but they are doing their fair share of damage to the economy. Let's not start tearing up protected areas on a wild goose chase to fix a problem that should have been dealt with years ago.
Most Americans are stupid. Just look at who they elected president.
Dear Janey,
Please do some research into the demographics of the Democratic party. To claim that they are too rich to care is so absurd.
And, the last time I checked, most fat-cat CEO's are registered Repubicans. Especially Big Oil execs.
The reason many Dems (and independants like me, by the way) oppose this farce of a plan is that it is NO SOLUTION. It won't lower your gas price at the pump for many years. And, when it does, we're talking about a mere 3-5 cents per gallon.
I think the risk of environmental damage far outweighs the supposed benefit.
Do some research. Check the facts.
Contrary, gas will realistically be down to $1.00 a gallon, sounds good to me. I heard that we have more oil in the United States than the Arabic countries have. We dont need to be dependant on them, and we dont need to be sending our hard earned cash to them for gas either. I dont want to continue paying for their terrorism efforts.
Democrat for McCain and low cost gas
When you have Hannity, Limbaugh, O'Really, and Boortz towing the line for three hours a day on their programs, the listeners start repeating it verbatim – like zombies muttering "brains....brains...."
HAVEN'T WE SCREWED THE ENVIRONMENT UP ENOUGH ALREADY?
IT ISN'T GOING TO HELP GAS PRICES NOW ANYWAY!
According to a poll 3 years ago, about 60% opposed and 40% supported the oil drilling near the California coast. But the mood might be very different now. There was a recent poll in Florida (a couple of days) and majority supported the drilling. I supported drilling with strict environmental regulations. A blank ban is never a good idea. But it might be a good idea to keep this oil near the coast until the U.S. desperately needs the oil. We can treat it as another reserve for emergency. Are we at that desperate stage yet? McCain did get a lot of points by this proposal and the nuclear energy proposal. It shows he wants to do something while Obama has no plans. Of course, you can tell Americans to save energy, but you do that you lose elections.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE WHO ANSERED WITH SOME SENSE, WE WILL NOT SEE ANY PRICE REDUCTION IN GAS WITH DRILLING HERE IN THE USA, AND IF WE DO IT WON'T BE UNTIL MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IS IN 8TH GRADE.
Are you people nuts? Just announcing that the US was going to open up the coastal areas to drilling would make world oil prices drop 10 bucks a barrel. The commodites players would run for cover the day it was announced.
Besides, even if you did decide to open it up, the billions (with a B) that the government would make in lease fees and royalties would fund the alternative energy program.
Anyone who makes arguments against this has a partisan agenda or is not looking at the facts.
Open your eyes!
Are you people nuts? Just announcing that the US was going to open up the coastal areas to drilling would make world oil prices drop 10 bucks a barrel. The commodites players would run for cover the day it was announced.
Besides, even if you did decide to open it up, the billions (with a B) that the government would make in lease fees and royalties would fund the alternative energy program.
Anyone who makes arguments against this has a partisan agenda or is not looking at the facts.
Open your eyes!
Will this help lower gas prices or will it keep helping the big oil companies that still seem to be raking in all the money?
First, you ought to get more than a thousand people polled before reporting this stat. Second, the sooner we wean ourselves off the oil teat and start using alternative methods for fuel and energy, the better off and more independent we'll be. ... and the Middle East is laughing at us for other reasons, not just our addiction to fossil fuels.
I oppose drilling off the coast. The oil companies have million of acreage leased that they are not using. Now that Bush is about to leave office he wants to hand this gift to them. Now the big oil companies are going to Iraq and manage their oil fields after thousands of our soldiers have given their lives and many thousand will forever be disabled. I still believe this all smells , they believe that Obama is going to take over the office and big oil will not have the republican's in there pocket. If you believe this is going to lower our prices think again. This is just that much more oil that they can screw us over with. Wake up America. OBAMA 08
Connie from Indiana
MARGIN OF ERROR OF +/- 4 points
THAT IS A VERY INNACCURATE SURVEY!!!
Shameful that this kind of innacurate survey makes news. CNN should know better.
Doesn't anyone recognize the pattern, here? Create a problem (gas prices soaring for no apparent reason WHO could be responsible?) then propose a solution, hailed as the ONLY possible one to the problem . . . let them drill where they want. Now ask what happened to the car that could be running on Browns Gas (H-H-O) TODAY. No, you don't drive around with a tank full of hydrogen–it is produced on demand. Every attempt to bring this to market has been SHUT DOWN. Who would lose if we could each be driving without burning petroleum or ethanol? Follow the money.
This is a loaded question set up for a loaded answer. I don't favor off shore drilling! What a waste of money. Why when there are so many alternative energy sources available? Solar, geothermal, methane, etc... that are less expensive and better for the environment. We must end the dependency on oil period.
Sold on the world market?
Answer me this....how much of the 42% of oil consumed by the US that is produced domestically is being sent over seas? Bubkus. Why would someone spend the $$$ in fuel to transport it to Europe when you could produce it here, refine it here, and sell it here? Answer? All of it.
It won't solve the problem and won't produce oil for years! There are already permits to drill on shore. why not use those? This is another ploy for oil companies to exploit us. Inside-loophole trading of oil shares is driving up the price-NOT availibity. This is big oil/Enron and GOP ripping us off. Don't fall for it! They are creating this crisis and counting on people being uniinformed .
That would be the ones who don't live on or near any of the coasts no doubt. But then, why mention that if it would create some balance to the news? Not as sensational and dramatic if you include facts, right CNN? Truth in politics and reporting my you know what!
Why is it an ALL or NOTHING story. Option 1 – If we only open up the drilling we will just revert back to the way it was & not change our ways. Option 2 – Conservation isn’t the answer, who is going to convince 2 billion people (China & India) to stop using oil. We need to have a plan and compromise; open up some drilling for the next say 20 years knowing it will end. Then start funding other options, like a NASA project. If we care about our security then let’s stop funding the Middle East. I hate the fact that we cannot agree that we need to work together; it’s all or nothing.
Hey "La Shanda"
Get real! So what if it takes 5, 10 or 20 years. We definitely need to start somewhere - and soon!
Obama explain to people? This guy can't even explain his constant flip-flopping...
The amazing part is people think that the moment we hit oil gas prices are gonna go down.
1st: that oil hits the world market and may not even get to us
2nd: It take 5 years or more to refine the stuff into gasoline
3rd: it does nothing to help ween us off of oil. I wish conservatives would get their collective heads out of the sands and address the problem instead of trying to delay figuring out a solution.
Besides coming up with ways to effectively reduce the amount of fuel we consume, we have to also reduce our dependency on other countries for their oil. We have millions of square miles in northern Alaska that has hundreds of millions of barrels of oil, if not billions in reserve. Let's use a little bit of that land to help all of Americans. I think that the wildlife up there have plenty of room to get their food.
Just say the words "Nationalize big oil and regulate futures trading and you will see it drop fast.Bush and big oil are blackmailing us.Some folks just dont get it.
so where is the poll that asks people if they think we should spend more money drilling for oil that won't benefit anybody (if it ever does)
FOR YEARS. vs should we spend money on new sources of energy
This poll is crap. The question didn't even take into account how long it will take to set up off-shore drilling, nor did it ask about the side effects of off-shore drilling and whether people were willing to risk that. Come on. Off shore drilling is not a solution for anyone.
People need to understand that these oil companies already have Millions of acres of land that they are free to drill in already lets get the oil companies to use that land then maybe worry about the these other areas.
Offshore drilling will increase domestic oil production by LESS THAN 1%, and we won't see the economic benefits of it for TEN YEARS!
Plus as someone mentioned above, I didn't even know that there are oil wells in existence right now that are not being allowed to be pumped. WHY?
Could it possibly be because BUSH wants to give a going-away present to his oil company buddies, in the same way he waged an illegal war in Iraq so that Halliburton could get the exclusive no-bid reconstruction contract?
HOW MUCH LONGER WILL THIS EVIL MAN DUPE SO MANY AMERICANS!?
No offshore drilling, no drilling in Alaska, no more oil addiction!!!
Im in favor of drilling however we need something that will lower the cost of gas now. We can start drilling but we will not see that oil ready for the pumps till the year 2030 but the McCain is not telling that side of the story. So lets start drilling in the US in the mean while bring in the Windfall Tax for the Oil companies.
It seems the oil companies and many of their GOP affiliates are trying to manipulate the American public again with their quest for power. The problem is not with available space for drilling. 68 MILLION acres are currently not being used. The problem is with the limited number of new refineries. I believe that type of investment and alternative sources of energy will help create long-term stability & reduce costs.
We have only one planet!!!! You can not continue to rape and pillage the environment all in the name of money, convenience, or gas guzzling SUV's....WAKE UP!!
Let’s not forget the Bush family is in the oil business! People please make the connection.
Drilling may very well be a part of the mid-term energy mix but it MUST be tied to a few other things.
1. Not allowing that oil to go into the global market, which would nearly negate the advantage.
2. Increased cafe standards. Fuel efficiency must become an across the board focus.
3. Investment in R&D for clean and renewable fuels.
4. No new drilling to they uncap the wells already in place and/or already permitted.
Otherwise, were just finding ways for big oil to rake in a few more billion and digging a deeper hole.
Most of the people that participated in this poll have probably never been to either coast. They don't care because they won't have to see it. Well, how would they feel with an oil rig in their backyard?
Not this one.....NO,NO,NO. We Californians will keep paying 4.59 per gallon, thank you very much. Our Coast are clean and beautiful. No we will not go for this.
The Oil companies can continue to put pressure on us(charging Californians and Alaskans) the highest prices of all the States if they want to because we won't give in to them I would rather pay higher prices than see our oceans and beaches distroyed.
Not this one.....NO,NO,NO. We Californians will keep paying 4.59 per gallon, thank you very much. Our Coast are clean and beautiful. No we will not go for this.
The Oil companies can continue to put pressure on us.......charging Californians and Alaskans the highest prices of all the States if they want to because we won't give in to them I would rather pay higher prices than see our oceans and beaches distroyed.
How many of these posts on here are straight from the GOP. How many of the posts here haven't done any of there own research and are blindly believing everything they here from the GOP and Big Oil? Do your own research, many of these posters here and the politicians who try to make this is big game at the expense of the average American taxpayer cannot be trusted due to either ignorance or flat out lies. Big Oil loves the high prices of oil just like ENRON loved the high price of energy they ran up. Don't be another "ENRON" fool and do your research. These GOP politicians and Big Oil guys are counting on you to be naive and follow them at their word.
Dear Bloggers:
Contrary, gas will realistically be down to $1.00 a gallon, sounds good to me. I heard that we have more oil in the United States than the Arabic countries have. We dont need to be dependant on them, and we dont need to be sending our hard earned cash to them for gas either. I dont want to continue paying for their terrorism efforts.
Democrat for McCain and low cost gas
Not me. Oil companies have been raking it in long enough. They don't need carte blanche to destroy the environment so they can make billions more.
There is no guarantee they will find oil, and this new drilling will not relieve gas prices! It will take 5 years before any new production comes online! This is just blackmail by the oil industry to et these drilling rights that they have been after for decades. Both Bush and McCain owe the oil industry huge favors. Cheney makes most of his money on oil.
Don't give in!
Where is the CONSERVATION word? Why hasn't anyone uttered the word "we need to cut back", oh, and more trains!
Sure, as long as no spill in their neighborhood. Majority favor prisons, nuclear power plants and anything else that promises something for nothing.
Anyone who witnessed an oil spill would think twice about the potential for an evironmental disaster. There are lots of oil wells in CA that are sitting there not pumping oil because when the oil is gone in the Middle East we will have billions of barrels that have been waiting for years to be pumped. If we would all take one company a week of no one buying gas. Lets say no one buys any Shell gas for a week. Go ahead and buy from Exxon or whomever. The next week no Mobil, etc. we would see a gas wars again before long.
Dear MKN:
It is estimated that we will see a substantial reduction within 3-5 years. We will see a slight reduction immediately.
Democrat for McCain formerly Clinton
shouldn't we make the oil companies drill offshore at the sites they already have permits too? they can drill right now and they are not!
People are ignorant to support more drilling. It will take 8 to 10 years for new rigs to come on line and the only thing it will do for gas prices in the meantime is absolutely nothing!
But it will make oil companies richer because we as taxpayers will have to subsidize the research and construction cost of new oil sites.
Is giving oil companies more money to look for more oil so they can charge us more an intellegent idea?
WAKE UP PEOPLE!! Squezing every last drop of oil out of the ground is NOT the answer. Finding and adusting to new energy sources is.
The American way of thinking has already begun to change. Look at Ford and General Motors. They have drastically slowed down production of gas guzzling SUVs. People are buying more fuel effecient cars and energy effecient products. You see more people riding their bikes now. You see more wind turbines going up. The trend is changing and the Big Oil companies are coming and will continue to come out with the help from the Republicans to put a stop this "green" trend because it effects their pocket books. John McCain has top advisors who have big interests with the Big Oil companies and you wonder why he had flip-flopped on this issue. He sees the $ signs.
Before oil companies start driling off shore, I think that they should drill on the lands that they already lease that has never been drilled on. The oil companies pay millions of dollars yearly for drilling and mineral rights on thousands of acres that have never been drilled on.
The American people are desperate and are getting everything it deserves and will even get more if the elect John McCain. Yea and when we have a major catastrophe off of one of these costs they will be crying foul.
Instead of drilling for oil in off-limit areas we should be advancing use of other technology. We can't remain forever beholding to the oil cartel.
What would happen to the United States military, which is utterly dependent on fossil fuel, if the middle east went sideways and we did not have enough of their oil products? Nothing moves without firing up those big Detroit engines folks.
Argentina has been powering vehicles with natural gas. We have options. But to remain blind to the only resource of oil is not in our long term interests for consumers and the defense.
The report I read this morning advised it would be 2030 before new oil drilling in off-limit areas would have any benefit at consumer level.
Not acceptable.
And there you have it, 57% of americans are idiots! Did you see the other poll that 55% of men supported Bush's last White House win? Hmmmmm...
Perot to has all the answers. Drilling is the republicans answer to pay for their economic plan that Obama continues to critize. Dear citizens, listen to others especially theold and the wise. The country needs some direction and that everyone cannot deny. Welfare to work was the brainchild of the republicans and Clinton had the privilidge to sign the bill as President. This is the best time to run for President because of the environment makes it so tempting. Whoever wins will benefit. Like independents don't know this already.
This should read
MAJORITY OF AMERICANS ARE TOO STUPID TO REALIZE THEY ARE BEING PLAYED BY AN OIL RICH ADMINISTRATION
The problem is NOT SUPPLY!!!! They just want you to think it is so they can lock up the rest of our lands for themselves. There are MILLIONS of Acres of land they have permission to drill on BUT THEY DON'T!!!!
BUSH & CO Scams
Majority of Americans = 1,013 adults aged 18 and older
Now that made me chuckle... LOL....
They can start drilling right now, and it will not make a difference. every single ship that is CAPABLE of carrying the oil is BOOKED for the next five years...
build more, you say..... ????
sounds good .... kind of like when the excuse of the day was a shortage of REFINERYs.... right... (point of reference: the last new oil refinery built in the U.s. was in 1974.
guys... they.... don't......WANT ...... conditions that will LOWER the price.
please refer to my previous post....
let's think people. If we allow off-shore drilling and drilling in wildlife reserves, we may see a few cents taken off the price of gas in 2018. And we will definately see our coastlines, beaches, and marshes destroyed. If we kill off the wildlife and foliage and eliminate the micro organisms that keep all of us alive, what are we leaving our children. Please think.
By the way, even if it takes 3 – 5 years to see results of drilling I am still for it, it is a move away from foreign oil.
Do whatever just bring the gas prices down...thank you!
People who oppose drilling are the 'ignorant' ones; drilling can be done with little or no damage to the environment or wildlife. Remember what they said about building the Alaska pipeline and destroying the caribou?
The caribou population increased as they 'adjusted'. I am sick to death of these environmentalists and 'rich/uncaring' people who won't let us use our resources. If Clinton had not vetoed the bill authorizing drilling 10 years ago, we would not be in the fix we are now. We need to stop this insanity, which is going on in our Democratic congress. Remember, they have alot of money, and care nothing that we have to pay more for fuel.
I will vote for McCain's package-No more foreign dependance on Oil, we can be self reliant and still continue Research and Development into other types of energy. I dont want to keep throwing my money away to the Middle East, who knows what their doing with it....
Democrat for McCain's Plan
Why do you now agree to drilling, is it because John Mccain told you too?
Where are they going to put the oil after they drill it?
In the new refiniary that are not built yet?
How is this going to reduce the price of oil when we know we will still
be driving the same big SUVs.
By the way mccain use to be against drilling of the coastlines I guess
bush told him it was a good idea.
Ask Mcain (Republicans et al) why Phoenix is not 100% solar powered.
Let the don't drill anywhere anytime demos fund their constituents rising gas expenses out of their own pockets if they don't want to drill. These ignorant politicians seem to forget they work for the american citizen, not the other way around
Big oils last grab before Dems landslide in November.
Obama bye bye
Hillary 08 or Mc Cain 08
I cant believe people still believe polls,it really amazes me.
The only reason people are suddenly supporting off-shore drilling is that people are in a crisis over gas prices. Once the media exposes how long it will take to get the oil, the polls will go back the other way. Off-shore drilling has been banned because of its detrimental impact to the environment.
judgin fromthe posts here... THIS poll says about 90% of us DO NOT want drilling.
and i am noting names that re USUALLY on the other side of the spectrum from myself.....
(me thinks I suspect a push poll)...
I'm sure they would. That;s because they are too dumb to realize that for the prices to have risen this much in such a short period of time, that it was a tactic used by the greedy oil companies to find a way to get their hands on more oil. There's no shortage, no disaster, no need for m ore oil other than for the oil companies to make more money. They decided to raise the price until their income went up. Now, with more drilling, their income will continue to go up. We've been had by the oil industry. Shame on us for letting them strong arm us. The Government needs to tax the crap out of them and return that money to the consumer at the pumps in tax reductions.
Gun owners, and many other traditional Republican backing groups are now becoming environmentalists. No forests means no Elk to hunt. No wetlands mean no waterfowl to hunt. Polluted rivers mean no salmon to fish. Blindly hating "environmentalists" is just another form of blind bigotry.
Think about the big picture, don't rely on the paid shills of the media to tell you what to think.
Drill Here Drill Now!! Just anther stupid phrase made up by the two most close-minded people in America. We wouldn't see any of that oit for 10 years. Kick out the speculators.
I bet 50% of the people in coastal areas wouldn't embrace this short term "solution" to our energy needs. When the government gets serious about energy efficiency and conservation I'll be more open to this. If Congress can give $100,000 tax breaks for Hummers they sure as hell can give $20,000 tax breaks to help Americans unload theie gas guzzlers for cars that get 35 mpg or more!
Drilling in the ANWR is a perfect example of what off-shore drilling will get us. 110 milion dollars a day in revenue for big oil and a whopping 4 cents a gallon drop in price. I wonder why Repugs want to tap more holes? $$$$$$
Yes, drilling offshore is a temporary solution - BUT it buys us some time to develop other energy-efficient technologies. However, as usual, the ultra liberals (such as Obama) are more concerned about protecting some near-extinct "amoeba stickleback" than solving an energy crisis. If we begin NOW, even if it takes several years, we send a strong signal to the Middle Eastern oil cartels that we won't be their pawn forever! So I say - let usbegin!
I say to hell with the Democrats and obama
Let's begin drilling at midnight tonight.
Only girlie men don't want to drill cause it my get their hands dirty.
Let's drill early and often and bring down the price of oil and gasoline.
AMERICANS ARE DESPERATE AND ARE
BEING CONED ONCE AGAIN. BUSH & MCBUSH
JUST WANT THIS LAST COUPLE OF BILLIONS
FOR THEIR OIL MEN & THEMSELVES. FORE
CERTAIN OUR PRICES WILL CONTINUE TO GO UP.
My staff says the voters want to drill off shore. So, now I am for it even though I have always been against it in the past and even though I realize that it will have zero impact on gas prices.
See that's the problem with you Obamabots....no forsight. It's not all about right now. So many people are just soooo anxious to elect the first African American President, they see nothing else. I wonder how many of you would be such a die hard Obama fan if you didn't know his race?
Oh, by the way, I love how you Obamabots minimize Polls when they don't favor Obama! By the way, how old do you have to be to post, because so of these comments sound like they were written by a 4th grader?
BUSH & MCBUSH TEAM WANT TO GET THAT
LAST DROP OF BLOOD FROM US,
OUR NATION AND OUR PLANET.
YOU LET THEM & YOU WILL FULLY DESERVE
WHAT IS FOR CERTAIN TO COME.
if you want to know the REAL reason you pay $4-plus at the pump, and why offshore drilling is completely unecessary read the:
US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations' report on “The Role of Market Speculation in rising oil and gas prices"
you will be sickened by what you read. it's very dry, but it is VITAL that all americans know the TRUTH!!!! this has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do wtih supply and demand.
In this time of high US gas prices, why has bush EXPANDED the SPR to over one billion barrels?? This is not in the best interest of u.s. citizens, but it IS in the best interest of bush and his oil buddies
Perhaps the US should seize the assets of Big oil, it's CEOs, and freeze speculation until we get a commitment for additional refining capacity, a reduction in gas prices now, and a firm commitment to invest in hydrogen fuel cell, plug in electric, and renewable energy technologies. Oil will run out, we need to become not just foreign oil independant, but oil independant.
The drilling will take part over 50 miles from shore, you can only see up to 11 miles from the shore. China is drilling their now, we can not continue being dependant on the Middle East and send our money there to fund Terrorist Organizations. We need to lower our energy bills, I know I certainly do. I dont have 20,000 to go out and buy a Hybrid!
Democrat for McCain
Hybrid and Hydrogen and Electric vehicles are available.
Each individual CAN and should take responsibility.
Enuff said.
With the advances in drilling technology today, it only makes sense for the United States of America to drill for domestic oil, unless you get some perverted joy in giving a clown dictator like Hugo Chavez more U.S. money to support his anti-American rhetoric
Those Demoncrats who saying "drilling won't solve the oil crisis" are fools. What are you just going to sit there and do nothing? That's what Obama wants to do. NOTHING.
Not only do we need to drill more offshore, but anywhere in America that has oil. AND we need alternative energy sources produced by Americans in America.
The new Demoncrat party is grossly pathetic and severly overrated.
Spare me- How short-sided. This will do nothing but ruin the environment and line the fat pockets of Bush and Cheney's rich oil friends. For once, we need to think about long term solutions, like improving mass transit, developing alternative fuel sources. Why is it that Americans always take the easy way out.? No universal health care, etc. Why can't we be progressive in our thinking and our actions? Take a page from the European countries. I am beginning to think that the US Education system is so bad to keep our citizens ignorant.
Nooooooooooo! Do we still not get it? We were on the right track during the gas shortage of the 70s – buying smaller cars, and trying to conserve. If gas becomes less expensive, people will be back to Hummers and SUVs! No more oil! Figure out a way to convert our gasoline engines to running on salt water, and have the Feds pay for it. In the long run we will be better off. Stop the madness! This plan will only help the oil people, and make us less inclined to change. Unfortunately, it takes a crisis like we currently have before people get smart. I'm not rich, but will be willing to pay extra for gas, and use more public transportation until there are non-polluting alternatives.
It amazes me that the right is always for one solution that is always correct and the only one that is. As the oil companies are those which are the ones engaged in drilling it is they who are not drilling…primarily because of the economics. It’s cheaper to continue to tap existing oilfields than bear the capital costs of exploratory drilling, new drilling equipment, etc. I further disagree that corporations will simply fold given new costs of business…if Ford tomorrow doubled their fuel economies on their vehicles they would quickly corner the market on all new vehicle sales regardless of the price of oil. I simply believe that the free market will only promote that which allows for the highest profit margin…it is incapable without regulation of foresight into what is best for the long term. Forgot the windfall profits tax…simply end all corporate welfare afforded the oil companies and provide it to emerging alternative energy companies and industries. Mandate fuel economy improvements in all new vehicles. The continued belief that we are entitled to static, low prices will continue to guide us down this road of failure and continue to saddle our children with the costs.
I personally think we should drill for oil here.. as long as it can be done safely. The problem is that people think this will fix the gas prices right away.. and it won't. It'll take years for this to help.. but I say better invest in the future because who knows whether alternative energy sources will be running full speed ahead in 5 or 10 years.. better be prepared.
But I personally believe that we should be exploring other energy sources as well.. and I'm not talking about ethanol. Wind, Hydro, and solar can provide enough electricity to run our whole country if we develop the plants and harness them properly. Even nuclear.
Believe me.. I'd love to give the Saudis the finger and say now what are you gonna do? Then when their economy collapses.. maybe buy one of those artificial islands in Dubai
why even bother asking states in the inland of the country. They have no say!
These polls should only be asking residents that live in states with ocean views, as they would be the deciding factor to vote on this.
I can guarantee the west coast is off limits. Florida as well.
Less Jobs. More Wars. Higher National Debt. If you make $250,000 or more per year, and have invested heavily in big oil, McShame is your man! (at least until he changes his position again)
The best "Yes, I mean No, I meant Yes" man!
McShame 08!
A poll of oil-Baron Americans? I seriously don't know a SOUL who is in favor of this drilling!
This is sad news. Really quite depressing. To the Americans who were in this poll, who think that opening up oil drilling in pristine, off-limits areas will do wonders for our economy and drastically reduce oil prices: think again. To the Americans that belive more oil supply is the asnwer to our problems: think again. To the millions of Americans who are failing to see the long-term impacts of increased reliance on oil: think again.
I say think again because oil is the product to which we are addicted. It is a finite resource, and in a few years, especially at our rate of consumption of oil, we are going to be faced with the exact same situation–lots of demand, and not a lot of supply.
We truly MUST invest in renewable energy on the order of billions of dollars. This is money well-spent. Money that will go towards energy production that a) doesn't affect wildlife; b) does not contribute additional greenhouse gas emissions into the earth's atmosphere; and c) ensures that our future, our children's future, and our grandchildren's future is not dominated by war and conflict for the few drops of oil that are left.
We must also demand from our elected leaders that sustainable transportation options are available for people. That means hybrid buses, electric light rail, bicycle rental programs, walkable communities, subways...there are so many options.
You may save a few cents a gallon if new reserves are explored. Are those cents worth gambling the economic future of our country, the stability of our atmosphere, and the safety of our world? Any intelligent, thoughtful, and sensible person would say no.
Please, do the world and future generations a favor and think about it.
DRILLING WILL NOT SOLVE THE GAS PRICE CRISIS….
The only thing that will stop the price gouging is to shut down the SPECULATORS…
IF THE OIL COMPANIES WANTED TO DRILL, THEY COULD HAVE EASILY GOTTEN IT THROUGH CONGRESS WHILE THE REPUBLICANS HAD THE HOUSE, SENATE, AND PRESIDENCY FOR SIX OF THE LAST 7 1/2 YEARS…
ADDITIONALLY, the oil companies ALREADY haveTENS OF THOUSANDS OF LEASES FOR MILLIONS of ACRES they are currently NOT drilling on.
(BECAUSE THEY DON'T "WANT" TO DRILL !) DON'T YOU GET IT???
WHAT IS 'THEIR' MOTIVATION TO DRILL????? "LOWER" PROFITS?
IT IS THE EXCACT SAME SCENARIO AS ENRON !!!!!
SHUT DOWN THE ENRON LOOPHOLE (which is really a full blown law) AND YOU END THE "OIL SPECULATORS"…… END THE SPECULATION, AND YOU CUT THE PRICE BETWEEN 33% AND 50% BY "DEFLATING THE ARTIFICIAL BUBBLE" …..
this is the only immediate relief available..... and the republicans block the democrats each time they try to close this loophole/repeal this law!
Once again why are we fighting as you can see McCain has better Ideas than OBAMA. I said before and I will say it again Puerto Rican voted for Hillary Clinton not Barrack Obama. The puertoRican people knows that Obama will never do anything for the Puerto Rican People. Just ask the Puerto Rican in Chicago they don't like him. John McCain will pick up most of the Puerto Rican Votes in NY, NJ, CT, MA. FL and all of Bronx, and Man NY. My whole famaily is Democrate but will not vote for OBAMA.
McCain 2008
Hillary Clinton 2012
Drilling benefits are very long term and nearly inconsequential. Best estimates are that if all areas were opened for drilling, gasoline prices would drop about 1% by 2027 ($.04 per gallon). American oil goes onto the world market, not to the USA. This is another Shell game.
I don't trust the oil companies. How do we know they aren't raising gas prices on purpose for this reason? How do we know it'll benefit us and not them? When will be stop listening to everything President Bush says? I mean serious? Is 4000+ American troops dead, economic catastrope, global anti-American sentiments among a tall list of things not enough. If they go through with this and something terrible wrong happens, I'm just going to laugh. Once again no one listens to the democrat
so sad.
Again some Americans areTRULY uninformed. If you do decide to drill for oil you wont see ANY of it for a long long time. Then the demand will be so great from India and China etc etc that it still wont be enough...get real.. forget oil think about other energy sources that are indeed self fulfilling and will promote a healthy planet..Stop thinking so short term for God's sake!!!! That's how George W got in for a second term..and a lot of good that did!!!!
Jenna,
The US has about 2-3% of the world's oil. Definitely not more than Arab countries. Drilling will have no effect. There is drilling in Canada, it's $5.20 a gallon.
This is because most people don't know anything about the issue. First of all, if you end up granting more leases, that doesn't mean the Govt. will have the authority to direct5 sales domestically. Much of the oil wil go oversees as exports, which will give bigger profits to Big Oil and although it will help our exports and increase the crude supply, it won't do anything to increase refining capacity.
Use the leases you have and build more refneries. expanding the drilling leases is a stupid gimick.
red33 said:
If Clinton had not vetoed the bill authorizing drilling 10 years ago, we would not be in the fix we are now. We need to stop this insanity, which is going on in our Democratic congress. Remember, they have alot of money, and care nothing that we have to pay more for fuel.
RED.... HOW COME THE REPUBLICANS DID NOT RAM IT THROUGH WHEN THEY HAD THE HOUSE, THE SENATE, AND THE WHITE-HOUSE FOR SIX OF THE LAST SEVEN (AND A HALF) YEARS??????
answer..... BECAUSE THEY REALLY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT DRILLING.... if it would make them more money, they would do it.
controlling the price via speculation keeps it high.... more drilling would lower it in about 10 years... there is no reward nor incentive for the oil companys to do it.... which is why... when they had the chance....
THEY IGNORED IT!
Drilling here and there won't lower gas prices ... it will only continue to make Bush' s fat-cat oilmen pals richer .... nothing more.
We need to create a sustainable and renewable energy program and only then will be a strong nation once again.
McCain, Bush, and now overcooked Crist are saying the offshore drilling is good and will help when they first disagreed and said we are addicted to oil. Hopefully everyone will wake up to these spindoctors fairy dust and realize that we will not see any significant savings until many many years from now, and it won't be that much when we do. This idea of drilling offshore won't fool the American people no more than the stupid gas tax holiday-all gimmicks to get someone in office. At least the windfall profits tax from Obama will force energy companies to think twice as well as allow America to start building up reserves to start investing wisely in alternative fuels. People may not like Obama personally, but in November everyone will have stark choices to make: Stay in Iraq and continue fighting or withdraw to pre-surge levels; Focus on the economy to actually get a energy policy in place or don't. It's as simple as that-which candidate will best benefit your family in the long run on all of these issues.
Its basic math, which some people have a problem with. DEMAND is the issue, not SUPPLY. Nothing will change if we drill off the coast now. You won't see any changes for about 5 to 10 years and then it won't last because we'll run out of that in 3 years. Yeah, sure. Alternative fuels are the way. Can't someone invent a device that can lower the use of gas in my car now? I'd spent money on that and get relief from the gas pumps right away.
We need to do what we can to bring the price down.
Maybe we need to change things.
I am glad you post this information.
Very very interesting.
Linda
attentiontodetailgifts.com
letspartnerforresults.com
The same majority LOVED the thought of stealing Iraqi oil and supported the War gladly.
they deserve every bit of hardship and then some that they have brought on themselves.
where's justice for the iraqis murdered, maimed, or humiliated?
America will keep paying, and paying , and paying.
America NEEDS to get over this military mentality! There are tons and tons of people who have and continue to serve this nation:
1. What about teachers who shape the minds and hearts of our youths for the future?
2. What about parents who toil each day to keep some of us alive?
3. What about the factory worker who is there on a daily basis to build things for the nation?
4. What about judges, lawyers and any law-enforcement agency involved in keeping our laws and communities safe?
5. What about farmer, without whom we will all die of starvation?
Have all these people not served this nation equally as the military?
Members of my family have lots of military members, but this nation is forgetting ours who have equally continued to serve this nation!
John McCain completely flip-flopped on this isue. He supported the ban on offshore drilling for years. Now he completely changes course because he thinks he can win a few votes.....pathetic.
How many of the 57% live in coastal areas?
I am also being hurt by the high gas prices, but I would still rather see us invest in research into other fuel sources. ie wind ,solar ,hydrogen. We wont even see a drop of oil from any new drilling for 5 to 10 years.
Unfortunately there are two major obstacles abut drilling for oil that are within the oil companies themselves. One, it is very expensive to drill for oil, make the support structures needed to drill, ship, and refine it, distribute it, etc. Second, as oil companies are profit maximizers and oil has a very inelastic demand (quantity demanded does not change much with a change in price), decreasing price and increasing their quantity supplied will in fact cause them to make less money.
Additonally, as an oligopoly supply market with a non-differentiated product, it is very easy for the different firms to engage in collusive activity that isn't direct. Generally the way it works is that the largest producer sets a price and the other firms set theirs in a general area around it.
Simply put, the oil companies will increase their supply as long as they can maintain current profits and only to the extent of maximizing production at their already active production facilities. Then, if demand at their current price continues to rise enough, they will consider expanding production facilities. This is due to the fact that the two main costs are from building more buildings (drilling stations, refineries, etc.) and staffing them. The more they make, the more it costs for them.
Bet they don't know that it will not make a difference in our pocketbooks for years to come.
Closing the Enron loophole would've cut oil prices by up to 50% because it would have prevented investors from speculating. Guess who voted against it? That's right, McFlip-flop. Guess who created the loophole? Right again, the wife of Phil Gramm, economic advisor for McFlip-flop.
Before we are asked to give our opinion about oil drilling, we need to be provided with much more information about consequences, time lines, ownership and management of the drilling and consumption of the oil under the ocean. I think the jobs it could produce would be important, but I wonder if contracts would be made with foreign producers. That worries me.
DRILL!!!! DRILL!!! DRILL!! DRILL! McCain/Huckabee 08
"They don't care because they won't have to see it. Well, how would they feel with an oil rig in their backyard?"
We can look in our backyard for oil??? I'll do it!! I'll do it!!! LOL!!!
Ohhh and I'm baaack.....LOL!!!!
Hitler ran an entire Army on Synthetic fuels and we need to mess up the everglades to keep buring Oil in 2030, You baby Boomers won't to deal with the crap your doing by 2030 Us Gen Y ers' will, let us make the decision on whether or not we should rape our country for profit.
Frank from SF said it brilliantly. There is nothing to add. Thank you, Frank.
sure,may as well finish off the planet,now,and get it over with.i hope you people aren't parents.more concerned with your own lazy greed,and addiction to oil,than you are with the mess we're making out of our children's home.how sad.we deserve what we get.
It is very disheartening to hear that Americans would rather destroy their environment and beautiful country than change their lifestyle. This earth is the future of our children. To destroy it is a crime !
I just shake my head in sad wonderment at the "well, times have changed" argument against the moratorium on drilling. I'm sorry, but if the premise of the moratorium is that there is a greater good and value placed on the integrity of our environment and vistas than in the relative little oil we can gain by messing with all that, how sad it is when some bump in the price of oil somehow makes that original premise "out of date."
Was the value we placed on the eternal beauty of our oceans and beaches so low that $4/gallon is enough for us to chuck it all out the window???
Sure, because they think it will cause gas prices to go down in the immediate future. No one's talking about the longer range consequences.
We could have started drilling a long time ago. What is everyone waiting for. There is great technologhy available to do so without damaging the environment. I am tired of the democrats blocking everything and saying that we would not see the oil for 10 years. I believe if we do the Saudis and Opec would be forced to lower their prices. It would scare the heck out of them. So Yes, we should start drillin in our country.
There is no shortage. There is only market manipulation. Bush is oilman, you go figure. Oil prices are bringing the country to its knees.
Is Bush trying to resolve the problem? No! If you want to see Bush act, say something about raising minimum wage.
I used to have an appeal towards McCain, however forget it now. The man has completely gone backwards in the last two days I don't want hear him speak anymore. Drilling here will not solve anything, especially right away. It will take years to get this oil, more than likely ruin areas of this planet that are beautiful, and line every oil executives pockets with even more money. Give me a break Republicans how stupid do you think people are?
Are you kidding me? Where did they go to do this poll, the lunch-room at Exxon Headquarters?? People really can't be this dumb. Have you looked out your car windows lately? We are swimming in our own filth. Enough is enough!!!