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“But The GOP Is Positioning Itself As The Party Willing To Do Whatever It Takes To Lower Gas Prices”
THE NEW YORK TIMES: “Democrats, worried about defections in the ranks, are scrambling to avoid votes on expanded drilling and this week canceled a series of Senate committee sessions that could have provided an opening for Republicans.” (“Spotlight on Gas Prices, and Parties in Stalemate,” The New York Times, 07/24/08)
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: “Majority Leader Reid has decided that deliberation is too taxing for "the world's greatest deliberative body." This week he cut off serious energy amendments to his antispeculation bill.” (Editorial, “Democrats Against Drilling,” The Wall Street Journal, 07/24/08)
DOW JONES: “While U.S. Democrats consider a bill that seeks to rein in speculation in the petroleum markets, they've suddenly found themselves on the defensive from an orchestrated Republican attack pushing the majority to ‘Drill More, Use Less.’” (“Dems On The Defensive Over GOP Push For More Oil,” Dow Jones, 07/24/08)
CQ: “Democratic leaders have tried to stave off a floor vote on the issue, in part, GOP leaders say, out of fear that some Democrats may cast pro-drilling votes.” (“Republicans Refuse to Discuss Futures Bill Without Coastal Drilling Vote,” CQ Today, 07/24/08)
THE HILL: “But the GOP is positioning itself as the party willing to do whatever it takes to lower gas prices. The Republicans say Democrats are scared to cast votes on new drilling in the face of voter anger over high gasoline prices, and they point to the majority's decision to scrap appropriations bills to avoid a debate over lifting the congressional ban on drilling along the Outer Continental Shelf.” (“Senate GOP issues ultimatum to expand oil drilling,” The Hill, 07/24/08)
POLITICO: “Democratic leaders, caught off guard by a swing in public opinion and undermined by some of their own members, are scrambling to run down the clock on calls to lift the ban on offshore oil drilling.” (“‘Gang Of 10’ Fights For Increased Drilling,” Politico, 07/23/08)
Meanwhile…13 Democrats Tell Their Constituents “We Have To Do Some Drilling”
SEN. KENT CONRAD (D-ND): “We Have Got To Deal With Conserving, Using Less. We Also Have To Produce More.” “Well, I think we all know there are several elements to this. We have got to deal with conserving, using less. We also have to produce more. Those are the two sides of the equation in terms of the supply/demand relationship.” (CNN’s “American Morning,” 07/15/08)
SEN. MAX BAUCUS (D-MT): “There Should Be Offshore Drilling, If Appropriate … All The Measures Should Be There On The Table.” (“‘Gang Of 10’ Fights For Increased Drilling,” Politico, 07/23/08)
SEN. MARY LANDRIEU (D-LA): “There’s Going To Be Substantially More Drilling.” “‘There’s going to be substantially more drilling and substantially more conservation,’ Sen. Mary L. Landrieu (D-La.) said of the plan her moderate colleagues are hoping to cobble together.” (“‘Gang Of 10’ Fights For Increased Drilling,” Politico, 07/23/08)
SEN. JEFF BINGAMAN (D-NM): “I've Supported Increased Production Of Domestic Oil And Gas. And I Also Think It Makes Sense To Look At Whether Or Not There Are Some Areas In The Outer Continental Shelf That Could Be Opened For Production.” “First of all, as all of you know, I'm from an oil producing state, oil and gas producing state, and I've supported increased production of domestic oil and gas. And I also think it makes sense to look at whether or not there are some areas in the outer continental shelf that could be opened for production in addition to what's already open.” (Sen. Bingaman, Press Conference, 07/14/08)
SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): “I’m Open To Drilling And Responsible Production.” (“Top Democrat May Back New Offshore Drilling: Report,” Reuters, 07/09/08)
SEN. BEN NELSON (D-NE): “We Have To Do Some Drilling. Let’s Accept The Fact That We Have To Do Some Drilling.” (Fox News’ “Your World With Neil Cavuto,” 07/07/08)
SEN. BLANCHE LINCOLN (D-AR): “I Think You Would Find A Lot Of Support For Offshore Drilling.” “I think you would find a lot of support for offshore drilling if it was tied to other things like -- renewable fuels, wind energy, solar energy & other renewable transportation fuels.” (“Offshore Drilling?” KNWA, 06/24/08)
SEN. BYRON DORGAN (D-ND): “I Support Drilling Offshore.” (Sen. Dorgan, Congressional Record, S.6351-2, 07/07/08)
SEN. TOM CARPER (D-DE): “Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) Said He Sensed There Were Enough Votes From His Democratic Colleagues To Expand Offshore Drilling Into New Areas…” (“Dems Searching Their Souls On Drilling,” Politico, 07/10/08)
SEN. JOHN TESTER (D-MT): “[W]e Must Take Advantage Of Our Untapped Oil resources In Places Where It Makes Sense.” “Although our country cannot simply drill our way out of this energy crisis, we must take advantage of our untapped oil resources in places where it makes sense.” (“Guest Column From Senator Tester: Energy Independence This Independence Day,” 06/30/08)
SEN. SHERROD BROWN (D-OH): “Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, Who Had Adamantly Opposed Such Drilling, Is Among Those Warming To The Idea. He says any exploration would have to be far from the coast and that the oil produced would be used in the United States, not abroad.” (“Do We Lift The Ban On Offshore Drilling?” The Columbus Dispatch, 07/11/08)
SEN. JIM WEBB (D-VA): “We Need To Look At All Our Assets.” “Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), fresh from his GI Bill victory, said that he is now making energy a major priority. ‘We need to look at all our assets,’ he said, suggesting a large package including expanded offshore drilling, alternative energy, nuclear power and technology to make coal cleaner.” (“Dems Searching Their Souls On Drilling,” Politico, 07/10/08)
SEN. MARK PRYOR (D-AR): “We Need To Really Sit Down And Talk About All The Options On The Table.” “Partisan bickering will not lower gas prices or put us on a course toward energy independence. … We need to really sit down and talk about all the options on the table, evaluate their merits and move full speed ahead on meaningful reform.” (Sen. Mark Pryor, Letter To Senators Harry Reid And Mitch McConnell, 06/26/08)
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