Democrats cave on offshore drilling ban

The unquotable news agency reports that Democrats have decided not to continue the offshore drilling ban. It is funny what polling showing 75 percent of the country wants the bans lifted will do only weeks before an election. While it is good news, the voters should not trust Democrats on this issue. In their heart of hearts they really want to stop the search for energy.

I was right. Politico has the story.

After months of demanding that Democrats lift the ban on offshore drilling, Republicans have gotten their wish.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dave Obey (D-Wis.) told reporters Tuesday evening that Democrats were removing the ban from the continuing budget resolution because of a White House veto threat.

But they've vowed to fight another day.

"Chairman Obey negotiated the best package he could get with the White House to take a budget standoff off the table so we can address the larger Bush financial crisis,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s spokesman, Drew Hammill “The White House made it clear any new drilling provision was a non-starter. The future resolution of offshore drilling will have to be addressed with a new President.”

If true, said House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), “this capitulation by Democrats following months of Republican pressure is a big victory for Americans struggling with record gasoline prices,”

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By doing it this way the Democrat do give House Republicans a good issue for the November election. Elect enough Republicans and the ban goes away permanently. It will be interesting to see if there is any market reaction to this or whether the Democrat threat will curb enthusiasm for drilling.