(CNN) - Sen. Barack Obama stood his ground Wednesday in opposing what he calls the "scheme" of offshore drilling, during a campaign event in Springfield, Missouri.
"The oil companies are shoving this thing down the throats of Congress, because they know everybody wants to try to pretend they're doing something about the energy crisis,” Obama said. “This is not real. I know it's tempting. The polls say its one of the ways that a majority of Americans think we're going to solve this problem, but it's not real."
"I understand how desperate folks are. If I thought that I could provide you some immediate relief on gas by drilling off the shores of California and New Jersey... I'd do it.”
But the Democratic presidential candidate added, "The soonest you would see any drop of oil from drilling off our shores would be 10 years from now....The most you would end up saving 10 years or 20 years from now would be a few cents on the gallon, although at that point, I figure oil might be $12 a gallon."
Citing the oil companies' record profits, Obama charged that they are, "making money hand-over fist, they're making out like bandits."
For more on the the latest political news, tune into Campbell Brown: Election Center tonight at 8 pm ET.
Obama then proposed his own answers: "First of all, let's make the oil companies drill where they're already got leases, let's increase supply by making them do what they're supposed to do."
Obama also said he wants to make sure speculators aren't manipulating the oil markets.
To a standing ovation, he said, "And let's get serious about alternative energy sources like solar and wind and bio-diesel. Let's raise fuel efficiency standards on cars. Let's get plug-in hybrids all across America. Let's finally free ourselves from dependence on foreign oil. That's the direction we need to go."
From CNN Politics
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Don't think for a minute oil will be drilled off the California coast. The only polls that matter are polls from the states which would be affected by offshore oil drilling. All you fly over states don't get a say. End of story!
Randy
where is the leadership when had two oil men is charged of this country engery policies for 7 and half years and gas went from around $1.50 a gallion to where it is now.We can not drill our out this
talk about someone who or wouldn't see the big picture.
More than two thirds of Americans say they favor increasing drilling efforts while only 30 percent disapprove of such action.
Obama's ideology is obviously ahead of us in line...
So where was McCain 10 years ago? He keeps running on his record so where is it???
McCain was going to do a offshore drilling even the other day but had to cancel because of an 88 mile oil spill! Not to mention that it will not help gas prices, because there isn't enough of it and it would not go into global markets...hence not changing the global price of oil.
We need to work smarter, not harder.
Obama 08!
STILL FOR HILL, JA Cook,
You must have missed my post. So I'll repeat. All you have to do is demand that your candidate put forth a bill for the gas tax holiday if he has such a great idea. He is a senator afterall.
I'll repeat, the summers wasting.............
Oil willl be 12 dollars a gallon? Didn't know we were buying oil by the gallon....Interesting Obama. Get a clue!
Thank you Mr. Obama for having principles and not take a position only because it seems to be the popular choice. You are definitely the man I want as my president and we will be honored to have you in office. Finally a man with principles!!!
I think he should hammer this reasoning / logic down bush and mcbush's throats over and over again! The word "scheme" is particularly perfect!
OBAMA '08
If we drilled for oil today and we would not be able to process it into gas because we don't have enough refineries. We stopped building those about 30 years ago and the ones we have left are at full capacity. So ... first you have to build the refineries here in our country or we will pump the oil from the ground in the "good ole USA" and then send it off to Nigeria or some other foreign country for processing....therefore....still paying a kings ransom for our fuel. Have we totally forgotten what the process is for being self sufficient??
In 2006 when the Republicans control Congress gas was $2.50, since the Democrates took over gas is over $4.00.
This is a fact...who gets the blame?
Just yesterday, California, Oregon and Washington states' governers stood together to oppose off shore drilling. It's time for the Atlantic Coast states to stand up.
We all know off shore drilling is the lamest "solution" we can come up with. It's a political trap set by the republicans. See the truth, folks. Do you're homework and see the real answers for yourself.
Every time he opens his mouth without a teleprompter in front of him, he shows how much of an idiot he truly is. 10 years? BS! They can have it within 2-3 years. And it's not OIL at $12/gal, it's GAS at $12/gal. And this economic wizard has it all figgered out to the PENNIES we would only save. Whataloadofcrap! My God, the arrogance and ignorance of this man shines as beacon to all on the left!
no one responded to my question, so i did my own research.Obama said in 04 he is for decriminalizing it, in 08 he mistakenly said he was against it( misunderstood a question)his campaign said he is still for it.
McCain is for legalizing pot and taxing it like we do with alcohol and smokes.
just posted this info encase anyone els was wondering.
He and the democrats are dumber than a bag of rocks. They DO NOT WANT to lower gasoline prices. Increasing supply always puts downward pressure on prices. The last issue of Parade Magazine (not exactly a political rag) said that oil companies were making around 7-8 % profit – less than most american companies. Taxing the oil companies more WILL NOT increase supplies, WILL NOT LOWER the cost of oil, and WILL NOT curtail inflation. It will just inflate the government's coffers at OUR EXPENSE.
'concerned in alabama' is gutter snipe. grow up and leave the mcmaggot name out of the conversation.
bob July 30th, 2008 1:55 pm ET
this guy is completely out of touch…does he realize we have to do it at some point! if clinton would have done it 8 yrs ago we would be seeing the effects already! obama wants to do nothing to fix anything ..just likes to hear and see himself
____________________________________
hmmm.... are you so lacking of substance that you resort to the slinging of b.s.?
If CLINTON did it eight years ago, we would be seeing the effects already! And what about your cowboy?? Oh, I SEE he is off limits because you voted for him two times.
Didn't Obama vote no to all of the recent bills trying to explore alternate energies? Now he is saying this is what we need? Why the change> Oh I forgot, he needs our vote now. FIipFLOP
Just what would be Husseins plan? I mean he has so much experience dealing with the issue and all. He has taken so many votes and presented so much debate on the issue during his extensive time in the senate--NOT
Just more talk from a man who has no record to back it up.
PUMA.
Mc 08
Hillary 12
For those of you who think drilling, by anyone, in this country is going to offset gasoline prices...you're a complete idiot. Your failure to understand how crude oil is processed is without comparison, please, for the love of all that is holy, shut your mouth.
Yeah, Obama, supplying Americans with more domestically produced oil is a scheme, but apparently withholding oil from America so they will have to go out and buy a new government mandated car to help bail out your union buddies in Detroit is not a scheme???
Obama is so freaking crooked, I cannot believe 40% of American's are supporting him.
Biodiesel is a big lie. The US only has so much farm land, and if you are growing corn for fuel you are not growing it for food. The price of fuel and food will both go up.
Polls show that 2/3rds of Americans want off-shore drilling that will help stop our dependance on foreign oil. To this Obama says no! Okay Senator Obama what is your answer because you seem to spend a lot of time saying no and I seem to be spending more and more money for gas and with winter coming in Boston, I can't afford to have a President with no ideas.
At least Sen. McCain is putting out ideas and again based on the polls 2/3rds of the people seem to agree with him and not you.
Laura, Boston, MA
I don't care if gas goes down to $2.00 a gal. I have permanently changed my driving. I sick and tired of giving the big oil companies my money!!!! My extra money has gone to Obama's campaign to fight the smears and pandering of McCain's campaign.
It's oo simple people....supply and demand...supply and demand. Once American realize that we don't need to drive as much...and stop driving as much...gas will stabilize.
Bush and the republicans started pushing the issue of drilling a few weeks ago and just the talk of it has lowered the price of gas nearly .50 cents on the gallon in alabama. Wake up Obama what you really fear is the fact of when you agree to drill and the price goes down You will look like once again you made the wrong call again. Won't even admit now that the surge worked.