Good news: GOP platform drops drilling in ANWR in deference to McCain
posted at 4:40 pm on August 27, 2008 by Allahpundit
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He told the Standard last week that he would continue to “examine” the issue, which is McCain’s go-to buzzword whenever he’s uncomfortable with a subject and wants to head off being questioned about it. Ah well. Looks like the examination’s over. Guess which special, special lady is getting an extra sympathy write-in vote in New York this year.
Members of the GOP platform committee voted Wednesday to stick with an energy plank that doesn’t mention drilling in the refuge, saying it would only highlight an area where they differ with the Arizona senator. McCain opposes drilling in that protected land, and some committee members said they would rather bring him around on the issue once he’s in the White House than widen their disagreement now.
“He’s not there yet,” said delegate Jeff Grossman of Oregon. “Prudence would dictate that we leave the text as it is until our candidate catches up with us.”…
The platform being debated acknowledges a human role in increased carbon emissions that are warming the atmosphere, while also calling for climate change policies that are “global in nature, based on sound science and technology” and don’t hurt the economy. The document also decries “no-growth radicalism” and says solutions should not “force Americans to sacrifice their way of life or trim their hopes and dreams for their children.”
Committee member Trey Grayson of Kentucky called the document “the greenest platform we’ve ever had.”
A Fox News poll in June showed a five-point improvement in support for drilling in ANWR since 2006; a Pew poll taken a few weeks later showed an eight-point improvement in just four months. Even our favorite liberal, an Alaska native, says it’s high time we put ANWR to use. Exit question: How many GOP bigwigs will mislead America at the convention by falsely suggesting McCain supports opening it up?
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there goes Palin as vp?
idiot
jp on August 27, 2008 at 4:42 PM
Let’s see how many legs Johnny can kick out from under the platform before it collapses.
Can.Utility on August 27, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Ugh.
Still looking for that great Veep choice to keep me wanting to leave the house in November.
Enoxo on August 27, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Well my time at HotAir is done..
Laters.
Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Foolish, But I guess we can try to bring it back later.
allrsn on August 27, 2008 at 4:44 PM
I thought this was ‘good news’? How is pandering to the left at the expense of country good news???
JIMV on August 27, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Idiots.
flyoverland on August 27, 2008 at 4:45 PM
The Democrats are in disarray, reeling from the burden of inner fighting. We have the edge, and this is how stupid we are…we give back what we have won.
What have we done to deserve this?
right2bright on August 27, 2008 at 4:45 PM
.
That statement relies on the premise that the candidate is trying to catch up….
Think_b4_speaking on August 27, 2008 at 4:45 PM
You are judged by the company that you keep.
I choose to leave.
Later HotAir.
Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 4:45 PM
just another reason not to vote for Juan…as if anymore were needed…
right4life on August 27, 2008 at 4:45 PM
They are trying to find a way to loose.
Johan Klaus on August 27, 2008 at 4:46 PM
It always give him the right to go “mavericky” if he gets “talked into it”. Not saying he will/likely he won’t on this, but….
Pianobuff on August 27, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Dropping ANWR.
Adding Global Warming.
WTF?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
catmman on August 27, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Bye Sarah…it was fun flirting with you…
joepub on August 27, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Just when they were getting conservatives’ attention. Global warming based on “sound science” my a$$.
Les in NC on August 27, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Cowards
Elizabetty on August 27, 2008 at 4:47 PM
On the one hand the Dems give us a Marxist and on the other hand the Republicans give us an amnesty-touting Luddite.
What’s a guy to do?
johnsteele on August 27, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Keep making it as difficult as possible for your base, John. Everytime I resign myself to voting for you, you find another way to tick me off. If the world wasn’t such a dangerous place, I would stay home on Election Day. Unfortunately, that’s not an option. I’ll just have to keep thinking of our wonderful Military men and women to get me through it…or maybe I’ll take Ann Coulter’s advice and get drunk first. Ugh!
Dariaanne on August 27, 2008 at 4:50 PM
They’re going to have a tough time swimming upstream on this one. Something involving Iran is going to pop pretty soon, and then you might as well have your paycheck sent diretly to the guys at the gas station. Public clamor for ANWR drilling will explode.
a capella on August 27, 2008 at 4:51 PM
go with the luddite….
he’s old and Luddism is a short term problem.
Nations that start down the marxist path find it is a 35-75 year habit to break and involves bankruptcy and mass murder to get there.
sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 4:52 PM
Goodbye, cruel world!
Ah, don’t let the door hit you…
jaime on August 27, 2008 at 4:52 PM
You know, when your competition presents you with victory on a silver plate, it takes a really big man to look it in the eye and say no thanks.
We are now over 70% wanting offshore drilling in Florida.
tarpon on August 27, 2008 at 4:52 PM
nuf to gag a maggot .. pitiful.
normsrevenge on August 27, 2008 at 4:53 PM
She doesn’t say that we should put ANWR to use, she says that Obama should make putting ANWR to use his position for political reasons:
tneloms on August 27, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Well, we should have seen this coming, we have to be unified going into November and it might seem cheap to have McCain flip flop this close to the election.
Ah, McCain should have flipped on ANWR when he flipped on offshore drilling, it would be a winning issue by now. At least they didn’t adopt a platform that opposes drilling in ANWR.
El_Terrible on August 27, 2008 at 4:54 PM
.
Don’t go away angry. If you lived in New York, and McCain chose a pro-abortion VP, you might do the same.
Think_b4_speaking on August 27, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Absolute WIMPS. Who cares what the citizens of this country think???
mimi1220 on August 27, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Man does our candidate suck.
Zetterson on August 27, 2008 at 4:55 PM
What was the deal with chakra? Pissed off about something I seem to have missed?
Bishop on August 27, 2008 at 4:55 PM
I can hardly wait to see what they draft for immigration! :(
Dariaanne on August 27, 2008 at 4:56 PM
You do understand that they didn’t do this on orders from John McCain, Right?
wise_man on August 27, 2008 at 4:57 PM
seems to be irritated is gonna write in her Majesty as a protest….
*but* not looking at Barry’s new Mugabe vibe.
You have three candidates who deviate on policy by maybe 10% why not go with the local gal?
sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 4:57 PM
Huh…quitting the entire site, as if AP were the only one authoring here seems a bit overblown. but what do I know?
Single malt scotch has a way of evening out the rough edges, I would have gone that route first.
Bishop on August 27, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Who’s our favorite liberal?
jaime on August 27, 2008 at 5:02 PM
(sigh) I’m really going to need a clothes pin on election day.
Star20 on August 27, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Mmmm… that’s one tasty sh!t sandwich the GOP is serving up this year.
Still, could be worse… could be Huckabee.
Laura on August 27, 2008 at 5:03 PM
The lovely and brilliant Kirsten Powers, of course. And she should be your favorite liberal, too!
wise_man on August 27, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Why?
jaime on August 27, 2008 at 5:05 PM
cuz she’s cute
El_Terrible on August 27, 2008 at 5:06 PM
Since NY always goes blue, I guess AP figures it doesn’t really matter who he votes for. I live in Florida, where it could make a difference, even though McCain is up by 7 right now. So I will grudgingly vote for him as the better of the two choices — frankly, I can’t stomach the thought of an Obama presidency, notwithstanding the fact that Maverick is a seriously flawed candidate. I hope in the future, the RNC or individual states (however it works), eliminate open primaries. Then maybe we could avoid this scenario next time around.
Dariaanne on August 27, 2008 at 5:06 PM
…. I dunno. Seems like the safe thing to say.
wise_man on August 27, 2008 at 5:06 PM
I don’t think this has any bearing on the veep decision at all. That being said, signs seem to point to either Romney or Pawlenty. Too bad…I think Palin would create a lot of momentum for the GOP. What a shame.
I think “Good News” was a bit of sarcasm…much like referring to the Greek god’s stadium as a sign of The One’s “humility.”
powerpro on August 27, 2008 at 5:06 PM
Spineless worms!
petefrt on August 27, 2008 at 5:06 PM
The Good News. this almost guarantees there will be drilling in ANWAR by 2012.
tmitsss on August 27, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Wise Man,
I understand that if McCain wasn’t the stubborn fool he is with regard to this matter, it wouldn’t be an issue in the first place.
Dariaanne on August 27, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Hmmm…. seems like the standard political subterfuge to me. Keep the voters guessing…
Lawrence on August 27, 2008 at 5:08 PM
McCainites mount a lame defense of their candidate in 5-4-3-2…
Valiant on August 27, 2008 at 5:08 PM
Just when McCain was catching and pulling ahead of Obama, the Republicans have to toss in the handicap to even the race? If McCain and RNC keep the pressure on, this will grow into positives for the House and Senate as well. Does this mean if Obama flops and fails to get a bounce after Thursday night that McCain will do something silly like nominate Lieberman or a pro-choice VP? (Just to even the race and keep it interesting?)
jerseyman on August 27, 2008 at 5:08 PM
Nevaherddaher.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on August 27, 2008 at 5:09 PM
So let me get this straight, they want to open up the OCS, which faces threats from hurricanes disrupting supplies (at least 80% of activity in the gulf will be shuddered ahead of Gustav) but keep ANWR (which is safe from such threats) barren. ANWR could provide a buffer to those supply disruptions in our current tight hydrocarbon market that tend to occur every year. This position makes no sense.
rslancer14 on August 27, 2008 at 5:09 PM
It sure sucks that the the stubborn old fool won the republican primary. The mouth breathers at the GOP didn’t have to leave drilling in ANWR out. Maybe they should have been slightly more stubborn as well.
wise_man on August 27, 2008 at 5:09 PM
Well, I’ll give you that. At least she’s cute on TV (lame, but cute), but she probably looks different in person.
jaime on August 27, 2008 at 5:11 PM
This is why I want Palin on the ticket. So she can knock some sense into McCain.
Maybe she will call him out when she gives her speech in the Convention next week.
jencab on August 27, 2008 at 5:11 PM
Oh yeah, and the logical question.
WHY???
Seriously, what does this gain them? Bueller?
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on August 27, 2008 at 5:11 PM
Just as I thought I could vote for Johnnie the RNC turns a hard LEFT!
grapeknutz on August 27, 2008 at 5:11 PM
I don’t know exactly what the wording will be but I and Maria and our 10 ninos expect to be muy satisfecho. If not then senor Juan will fix it buena when he becomes our el Presidente.
NoBordersJose on August 27, 2008 at 5:11 PM
The Grand Moderate Party
IrishMcPundit on August 27, 2008 at 5:12 PM
Will someone in the GOP, reach down b/w their legs and check to see if they have a sac? I grow tired of trying to figure out which one they have. If it is not a sac, can we shove them under the bus please?
Enough is enough with this.
TheHat on August 27, 2008 at 5:13 PM
Hey nostradamus, do you think you want to actually wait until one of CAPTAIN AMNESTY’S supporters actually makes a comment defending CAPTAIN AMNESTY’S demand that the spineless GOP drop ANWR from their platform, eh??
No, of course not.
wise_man on August 27, 2008 at 5:13 PM
They need some gumballs, obviously.
Dariaanne on August 27, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Could they be preparing to say, “this weeks hurricane makes it clear that OCS is not enough. We’re glad to report that there has been no spills, but this highlights a pressing concern; production has been disrupted. We need to protect ourselves from these events. We support drilling ANWR”
El_Terrible on August 27, 2008 at 5:14 PM
So let me get this straight, they want to open up the OCS, which faces threats from hurricanes disrupting supplies (at least 80% of activity in the gulf will be shuddered ahead of Gustav) but keep ANWR (which is safe from such threats) barren. ANWR could provide a buffer to those supply disruptions in our current tight hydrocarbon market that tend to occur every year. This position makes no sense.
rslancer14 on August 27, 2008 at 5:09 PM
welcome to policy by Queeg….
50% of donk views at 66% of the price.
sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Couldn’t agree more. Escaping the obvious is becoming the norm for our elected officials.
Les in NC on August 27, 2008 at 5:15 PM
That would be outstanding, Dariaanne.
*begins to search for some 12 year old scotch – as so I can attempt to even out a few of these rough edges, thanks to the GOP* My weakened heart can’t take much more of this cr*p.
wise_man on August 27, 2008 at 5:16 PM
The Grand Moderate Party
IrishMcPundit on August 27, 2008 at 5:12 PM
The GRAND INCLUSIVE MODERATE PARTY!
or gimp for short.
sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 5:16 PM
The politics of the pragmatic. Drilling in ANWR is about as likely as getting Roe v. Wade overturned with legislation. The things that can be accomplished should be. The things that can’t be accomplished (yet) should be put off until the forces are there to get the job done.
Getting to the resources in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the OCS will be dogfights themselves. Why throw in ANWR and fight a two-front war?
I believe that if we have the resources, we should exploit them. But I’m also pragmatic enough to know what battles my opponent is likely to lose. ANWR is not one of them.
Yet.
GulfCoastBamaFan on August 27, 2008 at 5:16 PM
I think that if my friend Albert were still alive today he would say that the two must abundant things in the universe are hydrogen and lame defenses of John McCain.
Sigmund on August 27, 2008 at 5:16 PM
During the primaries I said that McCain posed a serious danger of moving the Republican Party to the left- perhaps permanently- and thus I wouldn’t vote for him should he be nominated. I’ve since wondered whether I shouldn’t down a few shots, hold my nose and vote for not-Obama.
Looks like I’ll be sticking to my original stance, even if MN is starting to look like a battleground state. Screw it- writing in Zombie Reagan.
Hollowpoint on August 27, 2008 at 5:17 PM
You may be giving them too much credit – but I sure hope there’s some truth to that statement!
Dariaanne on August 27, 2008 at 5:17 PM
I say we hit back and take Zasa OUT!
The Ugly American on August 27, 2008 at 5:18 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3jnbiHAMuY&feature=related
Conservative_SAHM on August 27, 2008 at 5:20 PM
This is a generic party unity line to get through the convention, sans hordes of sobbing geeks and fake Grecian monuments. Time to settle down for a moment and let it play out before deciding its time to rush into the cellar while Obama cruises to victory.
Bishop on August 27, 2008 at 5:20 PM
I’ve never been a drinker, but I may be joining you in a glass of scotch if this continues! I guess there’s always hope as we await the VP choice….
Dariaanne on August 27, 2008 at 5:21 PM
You mean I finally got you to write in the boss?
steveegg on August 27, 2008 at 5:22 PM
I am not sure why this didn’t make the MSM news here in the US.
A US federal appeals court ruled yesterday that 11 oil and gas companies should receive more than $1bn awarded to them in 2006 after the government effectively changed the terms of leases to drill off the California coast.
The US Court of Appeals was upholding a 2006 ruling that the government had breached the leases when federal law changes interfered with the companies’ efforts to develop the oil and gas reserves off California.
and you can read the rest of the article.
JeffinSac on August 27, 2008 at 5:22 PM
There goes another soda. Nice timing.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on August 27, 2008 at 5:23 PM
The democrats would want us to keep being hysterical about this. And write in Zombie Reagan. Anything as long as their guy wins. Because that’s what they want. Even Kirsten Powers wants Barack Obama to be the next president. Despite his supporting of infanticide. I guess we’ll see in a few short weeks who has the gumballs and who has the spines that are made of pudding.
wise_man on August 27, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Allah, you are going to end up re-wiring my brain with all this horrible “good news”!
WisCon on August 27, 2008 at 5:24 PM
And lame defense of John McCain further increases it’s lead over hydrogen.
Sigmund on August 27, 2008 at 5:25 PM
This combined with the Union thing apparently broke Glenn Beck’s brain just now.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on August 27, 2008 at 5:26 PM
Sh*t!
Don’t relinquish ANWR until McCain relinquishes any immigration REFORM that would enable amnesty and the loss of rule of law.
Besides, DON’T RELINQUISH ANWR EVER.
Get the permission slip to drill.
Use it when deemed best.
Do not forfeit the permission slip before McCain’s elected! That’s capitulation without honor and without recourse. The point is, ANWR is ripe for drilling and America needs immediate production of domestic everywhere possible.
Every POTUS election disrupts Wallstreet and the economy goes wobbly as doubt exists exactly what to expect of the unknown future.
But THIS year is the crux of war and economic aggression looms from Russia, and from China as well. A hailstorm of tornadic proportion looms from N.Korea, and from radical Muslim states, and from communist and fascist threats from South America, and from terrorists domestic, immigrant, and foreign.
We don’t have our borders secure. We are not enforcing the full extent of the law against invading illegal aliens.
When trouble hits, it will break the dam and the flood of upheaval will be incomprehensible. We need to get ourselves in gear NOW drilling and producing all kinds of energy, nuclear as strongly emphasized as fossil fuel. As yet, we are a residual comfort zone populace with all sorts of warm and fuzzy good intentions that bind us further as an inept populace, lacking self sufficiency and secure productivity.
Don’t give up the ANWR ship because a RINO feels uncomfortable at the helm.
maverick muse on August 27, 2008 at 5:26 PM
Yeah, how dare that guy ask you to settle down! You tell him!!!
wise_man on August 27, 2008 at 5:27 PM
And lame defense of John McCain scores over hydrogen again. This may be a blow out.
Sigmund on August 27, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Those two issues aren’t remotely similar. With higher gas prices and increasing public support for drilling, getting the OK to drill in ANWR isn’t unthinkable. Roe v Wade could only be overturned by the Supreme Court- something that could very well happen with the addition of another constructionist judge or two.
Hollowpoint on August 27, 2008 at 5:27 PM
You do realize I’m the unofficial organizer of the Malkin/See-Dubya ticket, don’t you?
steveegg on August 27, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Pretty unreal…
Remember folks, this is the PARTY platform, not the PRESIDENT’s Platform…. this is the platform the whole stinking Republocrat party is supposed to follow…
And then they wonder why so many of us are now registerd independent.
Romeo13 on August 27, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Changed your mind, did you, AP? You originally said:
Palinitis?
Buy Danish on August 27, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Sigmund, dl you think you want to take a breath and just chill for one second-
wise_man on August 27, 2008 at 5:29 PM
And the RNC played right into their hands by playing to the moderates like McCain rather than stick to their principles, which guarantees further division in the Republican party.
Hollowpoint on August 27, 2008 at 5:29 PM
I really really do not like McCain
DerKrieger on August 27, 2008 at 5:30 PM
McCain said he would keep his hands off the party platform.
This wasn’t his decision.
McCain wants to drill in the destin dome 25 miles off pensacola where 2.6 trillion acres of natural gas are located.
Obama is against drilling in the destin dome. Leases that have been in moratorium come up in 2011. McCain will let them expire while Obama won’t.
McCain is for allowing blm to drill in the u.s. Obama isn’t.
McCain is for drilling all over alaska while Obama isn’t.
McCain will allow drilling in the oil shales of colarado obama won’t.
McCain did vote for anwr 2 years ago. He voted for it with military benefits.
McCain I believe is for it now because of the energy situation.
But to change now would look like he was changing for votes and he would look weak.
McCain purposefully said he wouldn’t make any demands about the platform that the party is bigger than him.
The platform committee made a dumb move and AP is having a field day with it.
It has no effect on anything.
ryandan on August 27, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Someone remind me, why did the government get ANWR?
Les in NC on August 27, 2008 at 5:31 PM
I’m not yet from ’round these parts.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on August 27, 2008 at 5:32 PM
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar and another lame defense of John McCain is just another lame defense of John McCain. The main difference is that a cigar has more substance and another lame defense of John McCain has more smoke.
Sigmund on August 27, 2008 at 5:33 PM
McCain’s an ass for not being in favor of ANWR. The GOP platform writing people are asses for doing this without being asked. And the democrats won’t ever change their minds to never drill in ANWR. Sucks to be a conservative. And I know that given enough pressure, republicans might help to press this in the future. Especially of the oil crisis spikes again. And theres no way in hell that pelosi and the democrats will ever allow drilling in ANWR. Who do you want to bet on? The roulette wheel spins on nov 5th.
wise_man on August 27, 2008 at 5:33 PM
That’s exactly how I read it too when it was originally posted in the headlines.
Buy Danish on August 27, 2008 at 5:33 PM
Good luck attempting to interject logic into this page. I wish you luck.
wise_man on August 27, 2008 at 5:35 PM
And lame defense of John McCain further increases it’s lead over hydrogen.
Sigmund on August 27, 2008 at 5:25 PM
I know I know, I’m supposed to wring my hands in despair and hide in the basement while waiting for Reagan II to show up in the GOP, though no one seems to be able to point out which person we currently have who fits that bill. How long should I plan on waiting?
I’m pragmatic about this. Mac is willing to drill off the coast and get busy building reactors, for now that is good enough for me because the alternative would have me burning my furniture to stay warm. In time anything can happen.
Bishop on August 27, 2008 at 5:35 PM
AND MOAR HYDROGEN!
wise_man on August 27, 2008 at 5:36 PM
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