Gov. Bush and Kerry squabble over offshore drilling

Posted on Wed, Apr. 21, 2004


Gov. Bush and Kerry squabble over offshore drilling

BRENT KALLESTAD
Associated Press


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Sen. John Kerry and Gov. Jeb Bush became embroiled in a political brouhaha Wednesday after a student newspaper reported the Democratic presidential hopeful favors drilling for oil off the Florida coast.

With a copy of the Independent Florida Alligator in hand, President Bush's brother said he was outraged at Kerry's reported position, saying it shows he has failed to follow efforts by the federal and state government to block drilling to avoid potential environmental damage.

Kerry discussed offshore drilling while campaigning Tuesday in Tampa and his speech was reported by the student-run newspaper that covers the University of Florida. His campaign said the Alligator made "an honest mistake" in reporting the candidate's stand and that Bush seized the opportunity "to distort John Kerry's record and scare Florida voters."

Florida is a key battleground state in the November election and the contest for its 27 electoral votes is heating up. The offshore drilling issue touches two important subjects: Reducing America's reliance on imported oil and protecting the environment.
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/8486444.htm

stupid is as stupid does

* snip *

Drilling off Florida’s coast

Kerry was one of the opponents of Republican-backed efforts in 2001 to drill for oil in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, citing environmental concerns.

But Kerry said he would be in favor of drilling off the coast of Florida.

“I support oil drilling in the right places,” Kerry said.

“There is a capacity to protect what we have today - the protections for the coast of Florida - and still be able to drill in those locations where they’re already permitting, already had the environmental impact study, they’ve already had the leases.”

The Bush administration halted oil company efforts to drill for oil and gas off the coast of the Florida Panhandle in 2002, during Gov. Jeb Bush’s re-election campaign.

America will be dependent on oil and natural gas for at least another 30 years, which will require some drilling, Kerry said.

*end-snip*

Alligator story

sounds a little vague to me. Environmental impact statements never do better than guessing at the effects of oil spills. I would oppose drilling there, impact statements, leases, etc. be damned. We need better answers than drill oil wells all over the planet.

More from the Miami Herald article:

Kerry spokesman Mark Kornblau said the Massachusetts senator "has consistently opposed drilling off the Florida coast. He opposes it today and will oppose it as President."

"What he clearly was referring to yesterday, as anyone there will tell you, was his support for drilling in the western part of the gulf off of Alabama and Louisiana," Kornblau said.

and this:

Meanwhile Wednesday, a report released by an advocacy group criticized President Bush's environmental policies for continuing to pollute Florida waters.

A study by Florida Public Interest Research Group said 712 Florida waterways are too polluted for safe fishing and swimming.