| I appreciate flexibility in a position, especially if it reflects an honest attempt to reach a middle ground - but what if that middle ground doesn't help? More harm than good? From CNN ORLANDO, Florida (CNN) – Barack Obama said Friday that he would be willing to compromise on his position against offshore oil drilling if it were part of a more overarching strategy to lower energy costs. "My interest is in making sure we've got the kind of comprehensive energy policy that can bring down gas prices...If, in order to get that passed, we have to compromise in terms of a careful, well thought-out drilling strategy that was carefully circumscribed to avoid significant environmental damage - I don't want to be so rigid that we can't get something done," Obama said. From the Daily Kos Other critics charge the oil companies with deliberately restricting production in an attempt to keep prices high. The industry says it's investing as much as it can in finding new oil, but is having a hard time given the shortage of workers and equipment in the sector. Notice that Exxon's complaint is a lack of workers and equipment, not a shortage of places to drill as the GOP would have you believe. The fact is, they're producing all that they can, and aiming their platforms at the most likely locations. Neither tax breaks nor scads of new leases would have any significant effect. and in case you wonder what that looks like offshore? http://www.cruisebruise.com/gulf_of_mexico_oil_platorms.jpg  |
