Poll: 74 percent support offshore oil drilling in U.S.

[Wndrtch]

Zogby International
11:42 a.m., Thursday, June 26, 2008

Three in four likely voters – 74 percent – support offshore drilling for oil in U.S. coastal waters and more than half (59 percent) also favor drilling for oil in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, a new Zogby International telephone poll shows.

A majority of likely voters across the political spectrum support offshore oil drilling, with vast majorities of Republicans (90 percent) and independents (75 percent) in favor of drilling for oil off U.S. coastal waters more than half of Democrats (58 percent) also said they favor offshore drilling. Republicans (80 percent) and political independents (57 percent) are much more likely to favor drilling for oil in ANWR than Democrats (40 percent).

The telephone survey of 1,113 likely voters nationwide was conducted June 12-14, and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.0 percentage points

McCain benefits from offshore drilling stance with undecideds

One in four likely voters (25 percent) said they would be more likely to vote for McCain if they knew that as president he would support offshore drilling in U.S. coastal waters just 4 percent said McCain's support for offshore drilling would make him less likely to win their vote, while 57 percent said it made no difference and 15 percent were unsure.

When undecided likely voters were asked about how likely they would be to support McCain if he favored drilling in ANWR, 23 percent would be more likely, while nearly as many (21 percent) said it would make them less likely to vote for McCain. Another 43 percent of likely voters said it would make no difference if McCain supported drilling in ANWR while 14 percent were undecided. McCain recently restated his opposition to drilling in ANWR, but has dropped his opposition to lifting the moratorium on offshore drilling along America's coasts.

Among undecided likely voters, 78 percent support offshore drilling and 58 percent support drilling in ANWR. The vast majority of those likely voters who intend to vote for Republican John McCain in November support both drilling offshore for oil in U.S. coastal waters (91 percent) and drilling for oil in ANWR (82 percent). While just over a third (37 percent) of those who plan to vote for Democrat Barack Obama support drilling in ANWR, more than half (58 percent) of likely voters who favor Obama said they support offshore drilling.

Can we PLEEEEEEASE start drilling now? Dems don't do noth'n without polling data, so here ya go.

[potter]

Hey..it beats invading other countries.... :peace:

[micfranklin]

Yeah, fuck the environment, its not like its important to anyone:rolleyes:

[Wndrtch]

Hey..it beats invading other countries.... :peace:

LOL!

I guess that means I can start blaming Liberal enviromental policies, for our dependance on ME oil, and therfore the blame for the war.

After all, if we had our own oil, we wouldn't care if the Arabs tore themselves apart, and we could be spectators instead of participants.

[AnnEsthesia]

64% of all americans polled would like the new president to bring most of the troops home from Iraq within a few months of taking office. Are you also willing to go with mob rule on that one too?-

[Wndrtch]

64% of all americans polled would like the new president to bring most of the troops home from Iraq within a few months of taking office. Are you also willing to go with mob rule on that one too?-


Of course not. I guess I should be glad neither candidate is going to do that. :nana:

[AnnEsthesia]

Then why would you think mob rule should be used in this situation?

[DamnYankee]

Even if support for the new prez is there for more drilling, the leftist congress will still obstruct, thus screwing the middle class and poor even more so than they already are.

Like I said. Just wait until all those northeast libs can't pay their heating bills this winter. That's when it will really get interesting.

[Wndrtch]

Then why would you think mob rule should be used in this situation?

Because in this case, the mob is right! :thumbsup:

[AnnEsthesia]

*rolls eyes* Yea... ok. So really it is just your bias talking. Gotcha.

[IndieVisible]

Offshore drilling is not solution, we need to get going on alternative fuel systems and fast! Cut our dependency of oil. Is like drug addiction. Will only keep getting more expensive.

That said, I am not against offshore drilling, just don't want that to over shadow alternative solutions. Why not a little offshore and more alternative sources?

[DamnYankee]

Offshore drilling is not solution, we need to get going on alternative fuel systems and fast! Cut our dependency of oil. Is like drug addiction. Will only keep getting more expensive.

That said, I am not against offshore drilling, just don't want that to over shadow alternative solutions. Why not a little offshore and more alternative sources?

I agree.

Drill for our own oil. Now. Get us off foreign oil. We can dismantle rigs off our coast later.

Develop our own viable alternatives. Hydrogen fuel cell, solar homes/businesses, nuclear power, and clean burning coal.

The key is doing it now, not later.

[ptif219]

The democrats always follow polls unless it will interfere with the millions of dollars environmentalist give them.

[DamnYankee]

The democrats always follow polls unless it will interfere with the millions of dollars environmentalist give them.

It all about the party, power, and money. Country comes last.

[AnnEsthesia]

Please link to your source, ptif.

[apdst]

Yeah, fuck the environment, its not like its important to anyone

Oil drilling isn't environmentally hazardous.

we need to get going on alternative fuel systems and fast! Cut our dependency of oil. Is like drug addiction. Will only keep getting more expensive.

There are no viable alternatives, yet. Without oil, the economy tanks. If the economy tanks, there won't be any R&D on alternate fuels.

[ptif219]

It all about the party, power, and money. Country comes last.

Sad isn't it.

[ptif219]

Please link to your source, ptif.

What source?Why are DEMS against drilling and building refineries?

[Elrathin]

74% huh? Well why didn't the REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED CONGRESS with a REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT do it then?

[DamnYankee]

What source?Why are DEMS against drilling and building refineries?

They are frightened the country will grow and prosper even more so than it already has. Heavens forbid if we develop a power house viable alternative.

[DamnYankee]

74% huh? Well why didn't the REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED CONGRESS with a REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT do it then?

Do it when?

When gas was 2 bucks a gallon? Or when the left obstructed any attempt at lifting the ban?

[Wndrtch]

74% huh? Well why didn't the REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED CONGRESS with a REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT do it then?

Lawsuits and Liberal Judges. :thumbsup:

[Wndrtch]

They are frightened the country will grow and prosper even more so than it already has. Heavens forbid if we develop a power house viable alternative.

No problem.

...but in the meantime, while you take the next twenty years to develop something, can we please drill?

[Elrathin]

Do it when?

When gas was 2 bucks a gallon? Or when the left obstructed any attempt at lifting the ban?

Oh so the Republicans are all of a sudden helpless, yet they got every bit of funding that they wanted for the IRaq war. Gimme a break, cry a river elsewhere to someone who might believe it.

If Republicans wanted to change it they could have, they didn't!

[Elrathin]

Lawsuits and Liberal Judges. :thumbsup:

Gimme a break, excuses, you guys CONTROLLED CONGRESS. Now you whine and cry cause your ilk didn't do anything about it. EXCUSES.

[DamnYankee]

Oh so the Republicans are all of a sudden helpless, yet they got every bit of funding that they wanted for the IRaq war. Gimme a break, cry a river elsewhere to someone who might believe it.

If Republicans wanted to change it they could have, they didn't!

And libs are doing what NOW!

[DamnYankee]

Gimme a break, excuses, you guys CONTROLLED CONGRESS. Now you whine and cry cause your ilk didn't do anything about it. EXCUSES.

Because of obstructionist leftists.

[ptif219]

74% huh? Well why didn't the REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED CONGRESS with a REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT do it then?

Show the numbers that shows how big their majority was.You never post that because you know it was small. This is more liberal spin and garbage.

[Wndrtch]

Gimme a break, excuses, you guys CONTROLLED CONGRESS. Now you whine and cry cause your ilk didn't do anything about it. EXCUSES.

LMAO:lmao:, ROTF:roflmao:!!

Oh, you mean like how we are now listening to the Dem CONTROLLED CONGRESS make excuses? Like that you mean?

It's going to be a hoot, listening to the DNC winers when Obama the Great does his 180 on Iraq soon. There will be all KINDS of excuses made to help re-invent him as a Hawk.

[Truth_and_Power]

Can we PLEEEEEEASE start drilling now? Dems don't do noth'n without polling data, so here ya go.


What % of residents of coastal areas support coastal drilling?

Personally I support drilling for oil right next to YOUR house.

[Hurricane]

It's interesting how the economy can make politicians 180 and completely alter their policies. Here in Florida, I remember when Charlie Crist was running in the gubernatorial election.. He said he was unconditionally against drilling off the Florida coast. Now that it's become a much higher priority (and some argue, a neccesity), a majority of Floridians have now changed their minds along with the governor.

[DANG]

Who says Big Oil will not use our military to steal oil from the middle east... just because we have off shore drilling?

Big Oil has thousands of ON SHORE leases they arent even developing!!

I suppose you think gasoline will be cheaper if we let them drill offshore? Is that why you want it? Because they are still going to charge as much as they can get away with.... no matter where they get it.

Its all about CONTROL. As long as it isnt getting drilled and refined... they get to set the value at the spigot.

Its all about long term leases....and the greedy bastards who control the OPEC NWO Monopoly.

We have anti trust laws that are being neglected by a malevolent AG.

"I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations, which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws of our country."
- Thomas Jefferson

[DANG]

What happened in the last 2 or 3 years, that TRIPLED the price of gas?

The mortgage/investment bankers got bailed out and are flooding the market with your tax dollars. They can buy millions in futures for pennies on the dollar.

Each barrel is sold and resold and resold before it reaches the refinery and the pump.

We are in desperate need for REGULATION.
NOT more oil. MORE REGULATION. The problem isnt how much petrol is available... but how it makes its way to the pump.

Off shore drilling solves NOTHING!

[brien]

It's interesting how the economy can make politicians 180 and completely alter their policies. Here in Florida, I remember when Charlie Crist was running in the gubernatorial election.. He said he was unconditionally against drilling off the Florida coast. Now that it's become a much higher priority (and some argue, a neccesity), a majority of Floridians have now changed their minds along with the governor.

So, who are you going to blame when China drills, at the direction of Cuba, off the Florida coast and they spill which fouls your beautiful Miami & Key West beaches? Cuba? Good luck, Raoul will tell you to go fuck yourself. China? They will ignore your claims and refer you back to Cuba.

Wake up Florida before China extracts all of the oil in your back yard while those who oppose drilling there mire you all down in 40 year old regulations that hardly apply to today's modern drilling technology.

Floridians are changing their minds because they now realize if they don't drill, and regulate that drilling, China is going to beat them to the punch and have Cuba regulate them. So it boils down to who are you going to trust drillling off the coast of Florida; China and Cuba or the USA and Fla. I think the intelligent choice is quite obvious.

[brien]

What happened in the last 2 or 3 years, that TRIPLED the price of gas?

The mortgage/investment bankers got bailed out and are flooding the market with your tax dollars. They can buy millions in futures for pennies on the dollar.

Each barrel is sold and resold and resold before it reaches the refinery and the pump.

We are in desperate need for REGULATION.
NOT more oil. MORE REGULATION. The problem isnt how much petrol is available... but how it makes its way to the pump.

Off shore drilling solves NOTHING!

All more government regulation will do is force the oil companies to explore and drill elsewhere out of the reach of these US regulations you propose. It will do NOTHING to help the situation, and in fact, will contribute to the problem. You can attempt to regulate the traders on the commodities market but they will simply trade elsewhere in foreign markets and it will solve NOTHING.

Opening up new drilling areas in the USA, and off its coasts, will temper the speculation because speculators will understand that in a few short years there will be an increase in the supply allowed to flow into the market that will NOT be controlled by OPEC.

This current "oil crisis" is a two fold problem because it is a combination of the dollar's worth in the world market and the amount of oil flowing into the markets controlled by OPEC. There is no supply problem, just one of too much regulation by the US and OPEC combined in the world markets. Proposing increased regulation when the supply of oil is already regulated beyond sensibility, is as foolish as it is ignorant of the problem.

[ptif219]

Apparently the left wing environmentalist think oil is not high enough



http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=32183



An environmental group on Wednesday filed a lawsuit intended to stop the expansion of a BP oil refinery in Whiting, Indiana. A shortage of oil refining capacity is often mentioned as one reason for soaring gasoline prices.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is challenging air permits granted to the refinery by the State of Indiana. It’s part of the “ongoing fight against excessive pollution in northwest Indiana and Chicago,” the NRDC said in a news release.

The permits granted to BP by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management “simply do not protect the public and do not live up to the law,” said NRDC attorney Ann Alexander. “The failure of Indiana and BP to take the public interest and the law seriously has forced the issue and required that this case be brought before the federal courts.”

The lawsuit argues that BP and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management have not properly accounted for increases in pollution that will result from the refinery expansion.

NRDC said the increased pollution requires the BP refinery to implement more effective pollution controls -- by operating under a more stringent “major source” permit.

Just this week, G8 leaders meeting in Japan called for an increase in oil production and refining capacity to help curb soaring gasoline prices.

According to NRDC, the expansion of the BP refinery in Whiting will add three new flares (torch-like structures used to burn gases and release pressure), but BP’s pollution analysis assumed that these new flares would never even be used.

“Flares are enormous sources of pollution. It’s not an option for BP and IDEM to stick their heads in the sand and pretend that the problem does not exist -- the problem endangers the public and the law requires it be addressed,” Alexander said.

NRDC notes that it recently raised similar objections in a challenge that sent ConocoPhillips’ air permits for the Wood River Refinery in Roxana, Ill., back to the drawing board.

[DANG]

I am more addicted to air than I am to oil.
(edit to add: Pollution control is our friend. Google bush texas pollution (http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLL,GGLL:2008-13,GGLL:en&q=bush+texas+pollution) and see what happens)

[Hurricane]

So, who are you going to blame when China drills, at the direction of Cuba, off the Florida coast and they spill which fouls your beautiful Miami & Key West beaches? Cuba? Good luck, Raoul will tell you to go fuck yourself. China? They will ignore your claims and refer you back to Cuba.

Wake up Florida before China extracts all of the oil in your back yard while those who oppose drilling there mire you all down in 40 year old regulations that hardly apply to today's modern drilling technology.

Floridians are changing their minds because they now realize if they don't drill, and regulate that drilling, China is going to beat them to the punch and have Cuba regulate them. So it boils down to who are you going to trust drillling off the coast of Florida; China and Cuba or the USA and Fla. I think the intelligent choice is quite obvious.

I was actually just discussing this with a buddy of mine last night when we went out to a Fridays by here. A lot of people in my generation are increasingly for lifting the embargo on Cuba; the belief is that by exposing the Cuban people to the free market and a free flow of information (Miami television, American trade, etc.) the Castro government will fall (much like Gorbachev ushered the USSR into an era of such monumental change that the Soviet Union crippled apart).

The Cuban government recently lifted the ban on personal computers in May (though many citizens still cannot use the internet unless at school, work, etc..). If it wasn't for the embargo, American companies would have the right to bid on the Cuban oil leases that China may utilize.

[DANG]

Proposing increased regulation when the supply of oil is already regulated beyond sensibility, is as foolish as it is ignorant of the problem.
I was talking about regulating how many times (the same barrel of) oil could be resold and regulating the way oil futures are paid for.

[ptif219]

I am more addicted to air than I am to oil.
(edit to add: Pollution control is our friend. Google bush texas pollution (http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLL,GGLL:2008-13,GGLL:en&q=bush+texas+pollution) and see what happens)

Doesn't matter the air will not be hurt that much.This is just an excuse to stop refineries.They have stopped any new building of refineries for over 30 years now.

[Truth_and_Power]

So, who are you going to blame when China drills, at the direction of Cuba, off the Florida coast and they spill which fouls your beautiful Miami & Key West beaches? Cuba? Good luck, Raoul will tell you to go fuck yourself. China? They will ignore your claims and refer you back to Cuba.

Wake up Florida before China extracts all of the oil in your back yard while those who oppose drilling there mire you all down in 40 year old regulations that hardly apply to today's modern drilling technology.

Floridians are changing their minds because they now realize if they don't drill, and regulate that drilling, China is going to beat them to the punch and have Cuba regulate them. So it boils down to who are you going to trust drillling off the coast of Florida; China and Cuba or the USA and Fla. I think the intelligent choice is quite obvious.

Here's a simple solution. Bring the fleet home that sits off the coast of north korea 365 days a year. Park it off the florida coast and sink any oil platforms china sets up off our coast. Do you think china would sit idly by if we decided to drill in the south china sea with a lease from the phillipines? It's amazing to me that republicans want to be such hardasses 15% of the time, and the rest of the time they throw their hands in the air and say "buh..buh..buhh.....but.. china says..."

[DANG]

Doesn't matter the air will not be hurt that much.You are acting like its a big deal to do something the right way. ferchrissakes

This is just an excuse to stop refineries.They have stopped any new building of refineries for over 30 years now. The oil barons have been shutting down perfectly good refineries so that they could treat every little stubbed toe like it requires a major hike in prices at the pump. They close them voluntarily, dont act like they are being prevented. They just have code enforcement like EVERY OTHER BUSINESS.
Remember before we had Unleaded gas? How BROWN the air was? Wanna go back to that? If you are not old enough to remember... trust me. You dont want to go there.
The EPA used to be our friend.... nowadays they are being censored by your goddamned presitárd. :sick:

[ptif219]

You are acting like its a big deal to do something the right way. ferchrissakes

The oil barons have been shutting down perfectly good refineries so that they could treat every little stubbed toe like it requires a major hike in prices at the pump. They close them voluntarily, dont act like they are being prevented. They just have code enforcement like EVERY OTHER BUSINESS.
Remember before we had Unleaded gas? How BROWN the air was? Wanna go back to that? If you are not old enough to remember... trust me. You dont want to go there.
The EPA used to be our friend.... nowadays they are being censored by your goddamned presitárd. :sick:

No this has been going on for over 30 years no refineries.Now don't expand the ones we got.No drilling.It is non-stop to keep us dependent on foriegn oil.