...

 JB> Opinion
 JB> Analysis: Democrats absorb a defeat on drilling

 JB> By H. JOSEF HEBERT, Associated Press Writer
 JB> Wed Sep 24, 5:54 PM ET

 JB> WASHINGTON - For Democratic leaders, it's a striking defeat
 JB> as they agree to allow expanded offshore drilling in waters
 JB> they once called sacrosanct, giving Republicans a rare
 JB> victory on energy policy six weeks before the election.

 A political victory only. Unless Bush finds some reason to lease
 the 25% of offshore oil that was covered by the moratorium, when
 he has always had the authority to lease the other 75% of the
 86Bill bbls *suspected* to be offshore. Why hasn't the other 75%
 been leased out?

 www.snipurl.com/offshoreoil

 For the govt report to congress, from the Bush administration.

 The 86bill bbls is in the executive summary. The 75%/25% is
 calculated from the first page of Appendix A.

 JB> "Democrats have finally recognized the significance of this
 JB> energy crisis," gloated Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri, the No.
 JB> 2 ranking Republican.

 No, democrats have recognized the political ploy the republicans
 are pulling off. If Bush follows his usual procedure, not
 leasing off that land, then letting the moratorium expire will
 have no effect.

 JB> Lifting the ban won't produce any more oil for 7 to 10
 JB> years, reflecting accurately the views of many energy
 JB> experts, she argued.

 JB> But Republicans knew they had an issue that was resonating
 JB> with voters when they began their drumbeat for offshore
 JB> drilling last summer — just

 That's just it. No real oil gain, but a political point they can
 score.



BOB KLAHN bob.klahn{at}sev.org   http://home.toltbbs.com/bobklahn

... You're nobunny til somebunny loves you.
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