Did you ever think that the Off-Shore Drilling is a trap?

I'll admit this one baffles me because I knew this was more of a republican cause than a democratic one. However, it seems that no matter what Obama presents as his next project, the republicans will have a hissy fit and scream "NO WAY". I mean Obama could say his next inititive is free Self-Tanner Lotion for every man, woman and child and you know that Oompa-Loompa himself Boehner will be the first to scream "NO".

And let's face it, it's highly unlikely the dems will let this get out of congress. But it'll be interesting to watch the republicans all start screaming "NO" to this one.

considering that Reagan and G.W. (asshole) Bush both supported the moratorium on commercial whaling.

More than likely this idea will die in congress. But if it does AND if the republicans refuse to support it - it's proof positive that republicans are the obstructionists. They were the ones that always wanted to open the coast up for off-shore drilling. Obama is handing it to them BUT they have to agree with him on it, something that the republicans have vowed NOT to do since Obama has gotten into office.

OMG this is so campaign fodder material - it's oozing of it everywhere.

Every election cycle the republicans scream about how we need to drill more and why can't we open up our coastlines for more oil. Democrats are being obstructionists of all this cheap oil off the Atlantic coastline. Off-shore drilling has ALWAYS been a big campaign issue and one that republicans have used against democrats.

Now Obama just handed it to the republicans so they can't use it anymore AND they have to agree with Obama to get it else there is probably enough objection from democrats to make this die.

Obama just offered them a box for of chocolates but with some heavy duty ick-factor conditions (in the eyes of the republicans) in order to claim it.

Are you really sure about that??? The Ben Nelson types, the Mary Landrieus, the Evan Bayhs?

I think a pretty bad bill could get passed with the GOPers and more than a few of our most conservative Blue Dog/DLCers. :(

We just need one of them to say "NO"

and one day everyone will have to face reality.

And this isn't Bush - Obama has smarts to him that sees 5 moves ahead of anything he does.

Off-Shore Drilling is a huge campaign issue that Republicans have used time and time again - and it's one they support. How can they use this issue now knowing they have to play ball for the first time in a year with Obama. He gave them what they always wanted but the republicans hate him so much they would rather kill the bill than to play ball with him.

Obama walks away prooving that the REpublicans are the obstructionists that even when given something they have clearly been demanding for ages, they'll say "no" just because Obama is the president and not a republican.

What he doesn't understand is the GOP is playing poker. No one cares about him "proving what they are".

And the republican luck is starting to run out.

I mean, just wondern' and all.

Remember Obama isn't up for re-election until 2012 so he has a few more years to work the spin on how he will sell this.

And he has enough democrats against this that more than likely the bill will die in congress. But now democrats up for election have not only the chance to show they are pro-environment (by voting against this) but they aren't lock-step in line with Obama, that they'll think on their own.

This is a massive trap for the republicans and no matter what they do - they'll lose. Either they'll have to suck up to Obama to get this passed (I suspect the house would have the votes to keep this from happening though) or they have to go back on THEIR word about making off-shore drilling happening.

that the repukes care whether or not anyone thinks they are a bunch of hypocrits?
All they give a fuck about is money and power.

it'll be interesting to see how this plays out

But seriously - the only way this bill has a shot in hell of getting passed is if the republicans support Obama on him. Because we all know this bill will die, most likely in the house. But the republicans won't support Obama and he knows it. If the republicans do support him they'll come off as weak - caving into what Obama wants (and the bill go nowhere since the house has the votes to kill it). And if they don't support it, then they can never use "Why won't Obama support off-shore drilling" against the democrats or Obama. They had their shot and they said "no". And it proves that the republicans don't give a shit what Obama tries to pass because they'll say "no" anyways.

The fun about all of this is the fact that no matter what, there are enough people in the house to stop this from happening (senate could feasible pass). it'll be intersting to watch.

but I fear that someone is us.