Posted by
Always To The Right on Saturday, August 16, 2008 2:46:00 PM
While the Gang of 10 tries to defuse a potent Republican issue on energy, John McCain keeps the fuse lit
in a Weekly Standard interview. McCain tells Stephen Hayes that he may
rethink his opposition to drilling in ANWR, and promises to consult
with Alaskan governor — and presumed VP short-lister — Sarah Palin on
the issue. His statement appears to cut the ground out from underneath
the Gang of 10 and offer a more expansive view on drilling than first
presumed
Why would McCain risk alienating centrists with environmental
concerns to drift to a pro-ANWR drilling stance? Technically, he
hasn’t done it at all — he’s just held it out as a possibility. If he
intends to send a signal, its intended recipients will be pro-drilling
conservatives … and compromisers in Congress. No compromise with
Democrats would ever include opening ANWR to its original intended
purpose. If McCain threatens to openly support ANWR drilling, it
effectively torpedoes the Gang of 10 compromise.
The ANWR issue should really wait until we address the OCS and shale
formations. Republicans should focus on those two areas, which have
widespread and bipartisan support, rather than get those tangled up
into the more controversial ANWR reserves. McCain knows this as well,
but this rather obvious hint gives the GOP marching orders to keep
fighting, rather than surrendering to a meaningless — and drill-less —
compromise.