Offshore Drilling Is Coming to a Vote - Democrats to Offer a Mix of Proposals

Offshore drilling is going to be voted on as early as this week in a proposal that would allow states to open the waters 50-100mi off their coasts to oil companies. This is no surprise given high gas prices and the Democratic congress's low approval rating, which is largely due to the political gridlock which has marked the last two years at the capitol. Moderate Democrats, who's constituencies may lack a strong environmentalist base, are apprehensive about November and see this as an issue that can give them a boost. All of this makes the situation seem like a veritable no-brainer for the Democrats, even the Sierra Club approves of the idea. However, there is one small snag in the plan.

Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden almost literally wrote the book, op-ed really, on why offshore drilling is a useless distraction. He brings up a lot of common-sense points which would appeal to exactly the blue-collar crowd the congress members are so worried about losing over this issue. Though they appear to be moot now. I have to wonder why the democratic party never seems willing to press these issues with the public, trying to change long-held views with some honest speech, instead of just conceding when it seems most politically convenient.