Jul 9, 2008 12:02 pm US/Eastern
Florida Will Be Focus Of Offshore Oil Debate
KEY BISCAYNE (CBS4) ―
The sparks are flying over energy policy--and talk of lifting a ban on offshore drilling in Florida will be a key theme of debate between presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama.
Florida's chief attraction - the coastline – which has been at center stage in their campaigns.
Sen. Obama's new political TV ads call Sen. McCain part of the problem on gas prices.
An excerpt from the Obama political ad: "McCain and Bush support a drilling plan that won't produce a drop of oil for seven years. McCain will give more tax breaks to big oil."
However, Sen. McCain voted against President Bush's tax breaks for big oil in 2005. Even so, Sen. McCain's support for more domestic offshore oil drilling - now supported by vice presidential hopeful, Florida Governor Charlie Crist - will face stiff opposition in the Sunshine state.
The Sierra Club has called it bad environmental and economic policy.
"This is not going to lower gas prices," said Jonathan Ullman of the Sierra Club. "This is a giveaway to the oil companies that got us into this situation."
The Sierra Club supports Sen. Obama and his emphasis on alternative fuels and higher mileage standards. But a Republican political ad calls it a do-nothing plan.
An excerpt from a GOP TV ad: "Barack Obama says 'no' to lower gas taxes, 'no to nuclear, 'no' to more production..."
On a Key Biscayne beach, one can find people whose views are mixed. Marta Larrauri said she likes McCain but says' no' to offshore drilling.
"How about the environment. That is the problem - you don't know the end result of it," she told CBS4 Reporter Michael Williams.
Michele Mendes, on the other hand, is no fan of McCain's, but does like his idea for offshore drilling.
She said, 'I think it's a good idea. The gas is way too expensive. The prices are over $4 a gallon, and most can't afford it."
It's an energy debate being fueled by pocketbook worries that could decide the presidential race.
Despite the embrace of Obama by the Sierra Club - among others - McCain's arguments may be finding new support. A recent poll by the Pew Research Center found that nearly one of every two Americans now rate energy exploration, drilling and building new power plants as a top priority.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Zoo Babies: Cuteness Unleashed
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
