Senator Barack Obama softening his stance on offshore drilling?

[Haole Girl]

Aaaaaack.

Noooooooo.

He's blowing it.

:cry:

I fired off this email to the Barack Obama camp... for what it's worth:


I am very worried to hear that Sen. Obama is "softening his stance of offshore drilling," as CNN suggests.

This would be unacceptable. And I will not vote for a candidate who even so much as hints at more offshore drilling, even though I have been a life-long democrat. I simply will not.

I truly hope Sen. Obama thinks through the environmental issues at stake and makes the right decisions regarding them... and does not allow the arificially inflated oil prices to be an excuse to decimate our oceans and wildlife.

Sincerely,

[BlooInBloo]

1. There are no supporters in the world worse than Democratic "supporters".

[Haole Girl]

2. I guess we expect too much from our candidates?

I guess we should expect to be betrayed on the issues important to us?

:shrug:

[BlooInBloo]

Worst. Supporters. EVER....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6576358

[shadowknows69]

27. It's him or McCain

Who do you want? We hold his feet to the fire after the win

[blue52power]

28. No YOU are correct

The other poster is wrong. We have to have principle.

Obama has been folding like a lawn chair, ever since the primaries been over.

That doesn't sound like change to me.

[gateley]

3. I heard an explanation which makes this more palatable to me.

Essentially, he's willing to SOFTEN his stance IF it will help bring about other advancements in alternative energy.

Also, there are stipulations as to where, what areas, etc.

He said (KEY in my mind) that he didn't want to be inflexible to the point where nothing can be accomplished.

This is the real world - compromises need to be made. And it's politics. Sucks, but there you have it. :shrug:

[Haole Girl]

6. Excuses

:cry:

[gateley]

19. Maybe to a point, but I've often felt

that there are some things you just cant view as black and white (although I DID think oil drilling would have qualified for the 'black and white' category.)

In this instance, it's political, but in many cases you have to give something in order to get something.

What flummoxes me is that it DOESN'T HELP OUR SITUATION.

I'm really not inclined to give a pass on stuff like this (I'm still fuming about FISA) but if it helps get Obama in the WH, I'll knuckle under this time.

[G_j]

8. the problem is, the whole debate is bogus, and

they are letting the GOP dictate the discussion.

same old thing...

[gateley]

20. Yeah, agree, but

since it does seem to make a difference to the population (who apparently is NOT listening to the facts), we gotta do what we can to get the votes. We HAVE to get in the WH.

I honestly hate it, too, but we're in a situation of life and death as I see it, so I'm almost to the point of "whatever it takes".

[G_j]

21. yes, but perhaps a better strategy for success

would be to loudly & aggressively challenge and attack bogus arguments?

Call them on their bullshit!

[gateley]

24. IF it would work, I'd much prefer that approach. Not sure it would, though. nt

[Ichingcarpenter]

4. See this link .... that has more on the Palm Beach Story

Link.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3717747&mesg_id=3717833

[Windy]

5. You might want to educate yourself on the compromise bill that he has discussed

instead of jumping at headlines!

From the entire article:

"The so-called Gang of 10 plan would lift drilling bans in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, but retain an environmental buffer zone extending 50 miles off Florida's beaches and in the South Atlantic off Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia, but only if a state agrees to the oil and gas development along its coast. The states would share in revenues from oil and gas development.

Drilling bans along the Pacific coast and the Northeast would remain in place under this compromise.

The plan also includes energy initiatives Obama has endorsed. "It would repeal tax breaks for oil companies so that we can invest billions in fuel-efficient cars, help our automakers re-tool, and make a genuine commitment to renewable sources of energy like wind power, solar power, and the next generation of clean, affordable biofuels," Obama noted.

"Like all compromises, it also includes steps that I haven't always supported," Obama conceded. "I remain skeptical that new offshore drilling will bring down gas prices in the short-term or significantly reduce our oil dependence in the long-term, though I do welcome the establishment of a process that will allow us to make future drilling decisions based on science and fact."

[Haole Girl]

9. I saw it

and it is - just that - a compromise... it is compromising the welfare of our environment for very short term gains.

[babylonsister]

7. See this link, too. I wouldn't sweat it; he's just trying to get along and

offers a compromise the rethugs can't pound him on. He's made no determinations and isn't in a position to at this point.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6576146&mesg_id=6576146

[Haole Girl]

10. But I do sweat it...

and I am very concerned. And worried.

[babylonsister]

12. I'm worried we won't win if he doesn't compromise. How 'bout

them apples? Besides, I bet he has no intention of allowing offshore drilling in places that aren't already authorized.

Did you see and actually read this?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6576358

Please quit it with the handwringing; he needs our help, not our daggers.

And finally, these inspired me:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6573678

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6573927

[Haole Girl]

14. Quit with the handwringing?

Ha!

Ok.

[babylonsister]

15. Well, so glad you took the time to read

the threads that were provided for your edification, not mine. :eyes: Why do we bother?

You should have voted for Clinton? Ha! Now I get it.

[still_one]

11. Looks like you won't be voting then. As much as I appreciate your frustration

there should be no doubt on the differences between mccain and Obama

It is really this simple:

If you want a continuation of bush, either don't vote or vote for mccain

Otherwise, vote for Obama

There is no question what we will get with mccain

As for me, if mccain wins, this will be my last election, because I truly believe this is the last chance for a very long time for our republic, and if that happens the country deserves what it gets. It means they have learned nothing from 2000 and 2004

[Haole Girl]

13. Most things can be repaired... the environment? Not so much.

After I calm down I hope I change my mind, but at the moment I fell very angry-- mostly at myself for not voting for Sen. Hillary Clinton

[BlooInBloo]

16. 'Nuff said.

[still_one]

17. I have felt the same way as you, except it was NOT voting for Hillary

if she became the nominee, because I was extremely pissed about her votes on the IWR and the kyle/lieberman ammendment

It took me some time to calm down, and realize that I would be cutting my nose off to spite my face if I did that and Hillary was the nominee

I applaud you for writing your concerns to his campaign, that is the ONLY way they will know how you and others feel

[Genevieve]

25. Yeah, you should have voted for Hillary.

She'll obliterate Iran for you! :)

[Mz Pip]

18. I know my view

probably isn't a popular one but I really don't have a problem with this. I think this is a political issue and that oil companies would rather keep their profits than drill more. They already have lots of oil leases they haven't bothered with.

This has turned into an election year ploy that the GOP is using to its advantage. If the oil companies really wanted to do this they would have pushed it through when the GOP controlled the house and senate. They didn't because they really aren't that interested.

I doubt they really even want to drill in ANWR. It would be a very expensive undertaking to set up.

The GOP can call for this and then claim the Democrats are obstructionists and weak on energy policy. I just don't believe the oil companies really want to drill more. They just say they do because it benefits them politically.

[mitchtv]

22. Let's see....

Retoactive immunity for telcos
compromise on offshore drilling
I heard on 'ring of fire' Obama is willing to consider continued use of mercenaries. I just can't wait to see the VP choice

[GOPBasher]

23. Republicans will still vote for McCain even though he's against drilling ANWR.

Republicans understand the concept that democracy requires compromise; that the only people with whom we agree 100% of the time is ourselves; that in order to win a general election, people need to form coalitions in which each person gives up a little so that they give their candidate the best chance to win.

Democrats don't understand that.

[Pastiche423]

26. I'm right there beside you

By the time my state's primary came along, there were only two candidates to choose from. I wish now that I had not re-registered as a Dem and hadn't voted.

HOPE and CHANGE is circling the toilet now.

[MasonJar]

29. What Obama needs to do is to take control of the situation and tell

America the truth and that is that more drilling will not make a difference in gas prices. It is up to him to school the public, not capitulate time and again. Just like MCCain looks like a grumpy ole man, Barak looks like a waffler. People are desperate. They need to know that drilling is not the answer. Barak, come up with the true answer...alternative fuels...NOW!!!! Also, Barak, you should have never folded on FISA. I am still irritated about that. Will this stop my vote or support...a resounding NO!!!!!!!! McCain is a loose BBBB. Two or three justices for the Supreme Court could come available any day...NO to GOPers forever.