July 28, 2008
Posted: 03:03 PM ET

(CNN) — John McCain again pushed for offshore drilling Monday, and suggested it could provide relief to American consumers "within a matter of months."

"There are some instances within a matter of months, they could be getting additional oil. In some cases, it would be a matter of a year," McCain said at a press conference in Bakersfield, California. "In some cases, it could take longer than that depending on the location and whether or not you use existing rigs or you have to install new rigs. But there is abundant resources in the view of the people who are in the business that could be exploited in a matter of months."

Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan called the proposal a "gimmick.

"By handing out $4 billion in tax breaks to the biggest oil companies and proposing gimmicks like offshore drilling that won’t produce a drop of oil for seven years, Senator McCain’s energy plan fails to provide short-term relief to consumers or long-term independence from foreign oil," he said.

Filed under: John McCain


Carl Justus   July 28th, 2008 8:01 pm ET

John McCain again pushed for offshore drilling Monday, and suggested it could provide relief to American consumers "within a matter of months.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++===

If John McCain really thinks that we can get a lease made, research for a well and get a platform built and a well drill in a matter of months he is surely not thinking straight. He has not consulted a driller or a contractor to construct the platform.
He is outright lying to make the public think we can immediately solve the oil crunch and hope enough believe it to vote for him
IF he thinks that he certainly has a mental problem and not fit for the presidency.

Jon   July 28th, 2008 7:58 pm ET

What a Liar he knows that it will take 5 to 10 years. He will say anything to get elected. How do you know McCain is lying his lips are moving. In a TV add he blamed Obama for the high Gas prices. Now if anyone beleives that go ahead and vote for McShame because you're to stupid to think for yourself and you need another 4 years of McBush.

Tom   July 28th, 2008 7:57 pm ET

It's smoke and mirrors to get more oil company welfare from taxpayer money into the hands of global oil companies like BP, Dutch Shell, Occidental, Chevron, Marathon, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil and Haliburton. It's a quid pro quo to Cheney and the other CEO's that comprised that secret energy commission he conspired with in the first term of his monarchy. McCain isn't smart enough to understand the oil business. He was coached on what to say by API and Cheney lawyers as a way to give them one more lame duck windfall before they leave.

Truth is, we the people can and are having a BIG impact on them by the reduced demand displayed over the last few months!!!

Christopher in TN   July 28th, 2008 7:57 pm ET

What are McBush's sources for this curious claim? Everything I've read to date says it would be years before any offshore or Alaskan oil could actually reach the refineries and be turned into gas. The man is either a liar or demented!

Roger from CA   July 28th, 2008 7:55 pm ET

So, now the McCain camp is just making up facts. There is NO CONCEIVABLE way that drilling of currently-off-limits offshore areas will yield any oil that quickly. In fact, they probably won't be able to negotiate the lease terms or even begin designing the rigs within that time. His explanation tries to confuse things by conflating the possibility that existing rigs may be able to punch a new hole in the same place and get more oil, with the completely different scenario of new rigs in new (now-off-limits) areas, and make the public think that the "new" oil will flow quickly.

I have to say that–although I never seriously considered supporting McCain over any possible Democrat (well, maybe not Kucinich)–I always had a certain respect for the man and his (now cliche) "maverick" reputation. Certainly, I felt that the Republicans were wise to pick him this year; I definitely think any of the other clowns who ran in the Rep primaries would immediately be blown out of the water.

But the avalanche of shameless, disgusting, underhanded, deceitful tactics that have come tumbling out of the McCain campaign and its allies in recent weeks has changed that view for me. I disagree with Barack Obama on his recent response to McCain: McCain is NOT an honorable man. He has shown himself willing to lay down with the dirtiest of the dogs, and he is mangy with fleas.

TRUTH   July 28th, 2008 7:55 pm ET

Right!!! Maybe 24 to 36 months.

Gary   July 28th, 2008 7:53 pm ET

Way to pander to big oil, John.

Martha Hussein Baker for Barack   July 28th, 2008 7:48 pm ET

No offshore drilling. Potential damage to the enviroment is too big a risk to take for a "maybe" quick fix. No guarantees they even find oil.

Grandpa McShame is really grasping at straws. What happened to his "gas holiday" idea?

OBAMA '08′

YES WE CAN!

Karen-phoenix   July 28th, 2008 7:46 pm ET

Talk to the oil companies first. See how long it takes just to put up a rig if they can even get one!!! Drilling is NOT a solution! We should have done what Brazil did 30 years ago. But, oh NO Big oil backed Reagan. Now look at the mess we are in and as Pickens says, "This time we can not drill our way out of this". NO OLD EXPERIENCE IN Washington again. We need new, bright and young ideas. And I'm a 64 year old republican voting for Obama!! He is the only chance my grandchildren have of even thinking of getting the American dream back.

ex republican   July 28th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

Why is the media covering up the OIL SPILL that happened during mcCANE's cancelled photo op?

And why isnt mcCANE talking about the spill, or even MENTIONING it? what kind of leader does not mention an environmental disaster that closes the mississippi river for days?!?!

Farrell, Houston, Tx   July 28th, 2008 7:42 pm ET

McCain sounds politically insane on this issue of oil drilling; a matter of months, a matter of a year, and in some cases it could take longer. A 5th grader could have come up with a better statement than that.

Fordy in Jamaica   July 28th, 2008 7:42 pm ET

Reports are that John McCain's donation from big oil donors has tripled to 1.1 million since he changed his position and announced his support for off-shore drilling. Hmm??

former republican white man from california for Obama   July 28th, 2008 7:42 pm ET

I wish the real republicans out there would stand up and tell this right wing radical movement to clear out! Our party has been taken over by fear, hate, and greed! I am no democrat but at least I do believe Sen Obama has the education and background to make sure our country survives the next for years then maybe we will have gotten rid of all these right wing extremist in our party and have a chance to put forth a candidate worthy of the title President! It sure as heck is not the chameleon Mc Cain

M.S. Indiana   July 28th, 2008 7:37 pm ET

My Friend, you are right about one thing, we are going to have relief in a few months, the general election is going to be over and we wont have to hear about you any more

scott   July 28th, 2008 7:35 pm ET

If by a 'matter of months' he meant 84 months then yes, we could see some relief in a matter of months… Funny, had Obama said this McCain would have been all over him for it.

Willow, from Iowa   July 28th, 2008 7:35 pm ET

I have heard from various sources that we would not be taking any additional oil out of offshore drilling until well past 2026. And any oil that comes out of the Gulf will be placed into the international oil market, to be sold to the highest bidder. So China would probably outbid us for it , or we'd get it at a higher price than now.

It IS a gimmick. Because there is not a chance that oil will enter the US refineries for over 15-20 years.

gotcha   July 28th, 2008 7:34 pm ET

If Senator McCain, my darling, solution for the oil crisis is a gimmick in the eyes of the Obama campaign, what is Obamas plan? He has none .

Debby, NJ   July 28th, 2008 7:33 pm ET

And what is this going to do for me NOW McShame??
BARACK THE VOTE !!!

McCain for President   July 28th, 2008 7:33 pm ET

Of The National Gimmick Club

If there isn't such a thing then only he has the capacity to be it's founding President

Joe the Troll   July 28th, 2008 7:28 pm ET

Yeah, about 180 months. What does McCain do for four years if he manages to lie his way into office?

Oh, right…. the same thing Bush has been doing.

California Gold   July 28th, 2008 7:25 pm ET

The oil companies already have 21 million acres off oil leases plus existing off shore sites. Let the oil companies utilize that which they already have and not expand their leases. This is a thinly veiled manipulation by McCain to further the oil company interests. It's 2008 and the American taxpayer is no longer settling for a few measly crumbs brushed from the table while the Big Boys fill their pockets and laugh all the way to the bank.

a southern bell for OBAMA   July 28th, 2008 7:24 pm ET

ANOTHER ONE OF HIS RELIEF PLANS FOR THE

OIL COMPANIES THAT RECENTLY GAVE HIM 1.1 MILLION.

MCSENILE JUST BEING HIS OLD SLEAZY LYING SELF.

Lesley   July 28th, 2008 7:24 pm ET

I'll take Boone Pickens' version of the crisis (we can't drill our way out of this) any day over McCain's desperate attempt to look informed. He refers to people in the business? Pickens has put millions of dollars of his own money into wind power and advocates natural gas and solar power as well. If he thought we could get relief in "months," he'd be digging for oil himself instead of investing in alternative energy, using his own money no less. McCain is sounding more anxious every day in his efforts to stay ahead of the game.

Bob   July 28th, 2008 7:24 pm ET

Hari S is the 2nd biggest liar in this country. We will always need oil, forever. So why wait 10 years to drill for what we need today. Oh! I get it, the socialist left wing democratic party wants to keep sending my money to terrorists and use it for social engineering. SHAME ON YOU NANCY PELOSI. You have worse ratings then President Bush. DRILL NOW

Joan, Ontario   July 28th, 2008 7:24 pm ET

This is a very interesting proposal. Financial and economic advisors have been saying over and over that this can not happen so quickly and it would take years for oil from new drilling sights to start actually trickling out. Even then it would have very little effect, if any, and by then the world had better be much more energy efficient. Instead of talking so much about drilling new areas off shore why don't the big oil companies use up all of the areas on land and in the already approved off shore sites? It is probably because the big oil companies want this to remain an issue which could help the Republicans because they mutually help each other. Also, the big oil companies need to build more refineries to speed up the processing of the oil that is available now. That makes more sense. The government could also free up some of the oil reserves,impose fines on speculators and increase taxes on the big oil companies. Voters must look beyond the hype, read past the misleading headlines and not be so gullible this election year.

Ed   July 28th, 2008 7:23 pm ET

Pretty soon he'll say he can turn water to wine. McCain is so desparate he'll say anything to get one more vote. I can't wait until the double talk express is over, and Obama is President!!!

jason   July 28th, 2008 7:23 pm ET

thats kinda funny to tell people that there could be more oil in months to help out, the reality is that we won't see any oil years. It's a lie, John McCain has no honor at all. Obama 08

Greg   July 28th, 2008 7:21 pm ET

Wow, this goes beyond anything I've seen out of the McCain campaign so far. While I'm used to misrepresentations and unsubstantiated claims, this is an ALL OUT LIE.

There is NO WAY that anyone could put oil from new sources out on the market within months. It would take AT LEAST 7 YEARS. This is an all out lie and members of the media and other elected officials shuold be calling him out on it.

CONFUSED OLD MAN!!   July 28th, 2008 7:18 pm ET

CNN) — John McCain again pushed for offshore drilling Monday, and suggested it could provide relief to American consumers "within a matter of months."Maybe a within a month or a year or years……..The
Truth is…….JUST A "Gimmick.

David Goldman for OBAMA   July 28th, 2008 7:18 pm ET

THAT STATEMENT IS ABSOLUTELY A LIE.

THE ONLY RELIEF IS TO THE OIL COMPANIES

THAT BUSH GAVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN

TAX BREAKS, WHICH GET REENACTED IMMEDIATELY

UPON THE FIRST DRILL GOING INTO THE GROUND.

Monica for Obama in Indiana   July 28th, 2008 7:17 pm ET

Here you go again mccain. did you have a hearing test when you went to the doctors? they should have done a cat-scan. Governor Arnold said there would be no drilling off of California's shore.
You are pitiful 'Songbird' just pitiful.

Dr.Mimi De La Cruz for OBAMA   July 28th, 2008 7:14 pm ET

THAT STATEMENT IS ONLY MEANT FORE

THOSE THAT CAN'T READ OR ADD. THAT

IS ABSOLUTELY A BLATANT LIE.

David Newport, OR   July 28th, 2008 7:13 pm ET

Wow…THIS I have to see Johnny boy. So the "experts" say 5-7 yrs MINIMUM yet you say "months". Who do I believe? Experts? Or someone willing to say anything in hope to get the those individuals who can be easily swayed by false rhetoric to vote for him? People…do your research…you will see McCain is flat out lying to you and he thinks you are too stupid to realize it. Are you?

Ex-Republican for Obama   July 28th, 2008 7:13 pm ET

So, uhhhm, Johnny boy, everybody else in the usa didn't know this? Or are you just ridiculously stupid?

I could swear the oil companies have had over 70 million acres of land available at their disposal for 8 years now……why, oh why if it would help in just months, under your parties rule have they done NOTHING for 8 years?

Oh yea, that's right: It's an election year and you use the false promise and false scare gimicks, because you are too senile and inept to use your brain.

Obama '08

Steven(Ontario, California)   July 28th, 2008 7:13 pm ET

Someone might want to let McCain know he supports adding new rigs in areas where drilling hasn't happened, which would in turn take 10 years to produce gas. Listen to your swift-boat Buddy's financer T. Boone Pickens: WE CAN'T DRILL OUR WAY OUT OF THIS CRISIS.

Mike   July 28th, 2008 7:12 pm ET

This AD is not a Gimmick, it is an outright Lie. Are there no Laws that cover this kind of false advertisement?

gary   July 28th, 2008 7:06 pm ET

MCCAIN YOUR RIGHT. AMERICA NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN.

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