(CNN) - CNN's Larry King sat down with President Barack Obama Thursday for an interview airing at 9 p.m. ET.
The highlights:
– Obama said that Israel "has legitimate security concerns" in Gaza, but the Israeli blockade "is preventing people" from pursuing economic opportunities. This week's incident regarding the flotilla is a "tragic situation," he said. We need to "use [it] as an opportunity" to advance the Middle East peace process.
– Obama criticized Arizona's immigration law, warning that, among other things, it
could lead to "50 different laws in 50 different states." Border security is a federal concern.
– Obama said it would be a "wonderful story" if NBA star LeBron James stays in Cleveland, but he needs a team and coach "that he respects." James is a "wonderful young man" and an
"amazing talent," he said.
– Obama said he still supports off-shore oil drilling "if it can be done safely."
– Obama said that the situation in the Gulf of Mexico "is an unprecedented oil spill." But "it could have been even worse" if the federal government hadn't reacted quickly.
– Obama said that "BP caused this spill ... [and] they're responsible" for paying the costs. "My job is to make sure they're being held accountable," he said. But BP has the "best equipment" to stop the spill.
– Obama said he is "furious at this entire situation" in the Gulf of Mexico because "somebody didn't think through the consequences of their actions." Obama said he has not seen enough of a rapid response from BP.
– Obama said that the government was not extending a moratorium on deep-water oil drilling to shallow-water wells.
Read the full story here.
From CNN Politics
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Well then... don't impose laws saying they have to be 5 miles from shore... problem wouldn't have been too bad in say... 90 feet of water... eh?
It can be done safely, but the corporations need to follow all safety rules, regulations and just plain common sense! We're in trouble now in the Gulf because BP didn't even do that much.
Their are always going to be risks. Just like flying, it is safe, but accidents do happen. There needs to be back up plans in place and a president who takes real action sooner and doesn't just talk the talk.
He should continue to support off shore drilling...Where else will we get the oil we need if the tree huggers will not allow drilling in the shallow waters off Alaska.
CNN reports that President Obama still supports off shore drilling.
CNN also reported that MMS just extended the drilling ban to ALL off shore drilling.
DOI denies that there is a shallow water moratorium.
Can someone actually get the story straight?
This might very well be the dumbest thing that he will say while in office. I understand that we will continue to drill off shore but to flat out say that at this point in the game is politically stupid,
he better support it unless he's willing to cut 100k jobs and raise the price of ever single good we buy.....$7/gal gas here we'd come!
WHAT? What will it take to make a change, more devastation? I am beyond saddened.
The right wingers continue to peg President Obama as a socialist, whereas he shows every evidence of actually being "Bush Lite". He's ever-so-slightly left of Bush, and that's not good enough. We needed real single-payer health care. We got "no pre-existing conditions". We needed strict controls on corporations. We got the worst oil spill in history. Now, Obama says he still supports off-shore drilling? Let him come down on all the oil companies with both feet, and then we can talk about where they're allowed to drill, after they pay fully for the spill.
I voted for Mr. Obama the first time around. I donated tons of money to his campaign. But,, because of his stand on this subject alone; he will not get one cent from me for his next term. (Paraphrased from "The American President"): "More than that, Mr. President, you have lost my vote."
The liberals won't like the President's support of drill baby drill! But not to worry this will somehow be spun and spun so hard they will get dizzy!
I'm sure that will be an unbiased line of questioning...
Why not get Michelle to do the interview, she might be tougher on him than Gramps!
– Obama criticized Arizona's immigration law, warning that, among other things, it
could lead to "50 different laws in 50 different states." Border security is a federal concern.
Wow... so show some concern... you and the feds do nothing... a State tries too... and you dog them out for it...
Why the rediculous moritorium? The President is punishing other oil companies, who have employees that need to make a living, for the negligence of one. That is like shutting down all of the auto makers becuase of the problems that Toyota had. You are also cutting out revenue from royalties that would go to the federal government at a time or record deficits. More and more I am regretting voting for the President in 2008.
President Obama and his administration have NO CREDITABILITY and offer NO LEADERSHIP!
After 500 days of Obama's regime, i have finally understood his vision of transparency and it's transparent that he is a pathological liar.
The fact that Larry King would ask a question about a moratorium on shallow water drilling shows that Mr King is as unprepared as the president who had to qualify his comments with "if done safely" which was not needed & seemed to be a clumsy attempt to justify that which did not need it.
Wait, did he actually interview Barry Soetoro Dunham, or just Barry's teleprompter?
What great TV this will be, an old man interviewing the town idiot.
I supported Obama in the election b/c I thought he did NOT support off-shore drilling. This really annoys me!!! What happened to being committed to "CLEAN" energy.
Tony Hayward wants his "life back." Well guess what...the people of the Gulf want their livelihoods back and the sealife, wildlife and birds all of which have been affected by this diaster would like a chance at life. So he needs to think a minute before opening his mouth
As for Obama....man up. Dirty energy is a thing of the past!! Move forward.. be Proactive...it's why we elected you in the first place. It's the only way you will keep my support.
Time for the Palestinian sympathizers to re-evaluate their position.
After 50 yrs. of rejecting every opportunity for peace, the Palestinians no longer are deserving of sympathy from anyone. They are the ones hurting themselves, and they must accept the responsibility, for their own actions.
If they want to see the blockade lifted........they must give up waging war on Israel. Otherwise, they will simply never see any kind of quality of life. That is their choice.
No one should provide any aid to them, until they renounce war. 50 yrs. is long enough to wait, for a resolution, and that is in the hands of the Palestinians, themselves.
The President states that border security is a Federal Concern. Huh, don't guess they are very concerned.
Israel's blockade is for security reasons. The ship they stopped had weapons and was possibly tied to terrorists. And Obama is talking about preventing people from pursuing economic activities?
A lot of Republicans ( and a few mis guided Democrats) think "getting mad" at the problem will help.
Where will they be when it is time to draw up new and better regulations? Or an effective alternative enegy policy? Most of them will be in opposition remember "Drill baby drill" or the ever famous "drill here drill now" (McCain was standing on a boat when he said it..good thing no one listened)
Serious question here, can anyone share what the government did in their quick reaction that prevented the oil spill from being worse? I hadn't heard of this before.