WASHINGTON â?? John McCain called Monday for lifting a federal moratorium on offshore drilling for oil and gas â?? a politically sensitive issue in such key states as Florida.
States should decide for themselves whether to permit drilling, McCain said, but they should be given the option to combat what he called an "energy crisis" that saw gas prices reach an average of $4.08 a gallon on Monday.

McCain's plan represents a shift for the presumptive Republican nominee, who supported the offshore drilling ban during his 2000 presidential campaign. Tucker Bounds, a spokesman for the Arizona senator, said McCain understands that voters want action to meet new problems.

McCain previewed a speech he'll give Tuesday in Houston. He told reporters at a campaign office outside of Washington that he continues to oppose drilling in some areas, including the Alaskan wilderness. "But I certainly think that there are areas off our coasts that should be open to exploration and exploitation," he added.

The senator has also endorsed efforts by congressional Republicans to expand oil and gas drilling in the face of rapidly rising fuel prices. Florida's Republican and Democratic lawmakers â?? led by Gov. Charlie Crist, a prominent McCain supporter â?? have pushed back on those efforts.

Democrat Barack Obama's campaign and environmental groups said McCain's proposal threatens U.S. coastlines and doeslittle to reduce American dependence on foreign oil. Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan said McCain's hope to "simply drill our way out of our energy crisis" mimics the approach of the Bush administration.

Tiernan Sittenfeld, legislative director with the League of Conservation Voters, said McCain should stress alternative fuel sources. "We need to be focused more on increased energy efficiency and on renewable energy sources like wind and solar power."

McCain does supportdevelopment of alternative energy sources, which he'll outline in depth Tuesday and in upcoming energy speeches. "I'll be talking about our dependency on foreign oil, how we can reduce and eventually eliminate it," he said.

Congress imposed a moratorium on new offshore oil and gas drilling in 1981.
McCain calls to lift U.S. oil drilling ban - USATODAY.com

Even though Hurricane Katrina came through the Gulf Coast, not one of the hundreds of oil rigs leaked, despite significant damage to their structures. That means we have the technology to drill safely in the gulf, and we should.
Too dependent on foreign oil? Simple solution: Drill 'er up

The Interior Department estimates that the Outer Continental Shelf has more than 115 billion barrels of oil and 633 trillion cubic feet of natural gas available for extraction. At current levels of consumption, that would satisfy the nation's oil needs for about 16 years and its natural gas needs for about 25 years.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/09/wa...n/09drill.html

And yet we have Canada, China, and India going after the same oil reserves thanks to Cuba. What would happen to oil speculation if the U.S. openly committed itself to drill in these areas not to mention others in the U.S.? Obama-Gore may have visions of a world of "green" but fact is that our truckers, industry, middle and lower class need help NOW! When gas hits $5.00 during the fall election this WILL be a key issue.

Have a good one!:s4:
Psycho4Bud Reviewed by Psycho4Bud on . McCain calls to lift U.S. oil drilling ban WASHINGTON â?? John McCain called Monday for lifting a federal moratorium on offshore drilling for oil and gas â?? a politically sensitive issue in such key states as Florida. States should decide for themselves whether to permit drilling, McCain said, but they should be given the option to combat what he called an "energy crisis" that saw gas prices reach an average of $4.08 a gallon on Monday. McCain's plan represents a shift for the presumptive Republican nominee, who supported the Rating: 5