Durbin Supports Offshore Drilling, Ventura To Run For Senate
Published by Al Adomite on July 9th, 2008
I’ve been critical of Durbin’s lack of attention to the supply side of the oil problem, so this should get some notice as a step in the right direction:
A top U.S. Democratic senator said in a newspaper interview published Wednesday that he would consider supporting opening up new areas for offshore oil and gas drilling.
“I’m open to drilling and responsible production,” Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin told The Wall Street Journal, adding that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid could also support the move.
Too bad there wasn’t bipartisan movement on this five years ago.
It what could turn into an entertaining race in Minnesota that could have effects upon the Presidential race, former Governor and professional wrestler Jesse “The Body” Ventura will join the race for US Senate. Ventura defeated incumbent Republican Senator Norm Coleman for Governor in 1998. Al Franken, the goofy former Saturday Night Live star and comedian is the Democrat in the race. Ventura takes the opening swing:
Ventura called Franken an opportunist and a carpetbagger. “He hasn’t lived here in 30 years, and he’s only coming back to Minnesota for the convenience of his own political agenda. Why didn’t he run in the states he was living in? Clearly, for being a Harvard graduate, he’s not too smart on taxes, is he? Everybody laughs, saying I came from wrestling. But at least I knew when I wrestled in 40 states, I had to pay taxes in those 40 states.
Initial polling shows Ventura takes support equally from both candidates:
A recent state poll has Coleman leading with 52 percent of the vote and Franken with 40 percent.
A hypothetical race with Ventura shows Coleman with 41 percent, Franken with 31 percent and Ventura with 23 percent.
Should be a fun race to watch.
Filed under National Issues
July 9th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Al, correction. To bad there wasn’t Demcratic movement on this issue 10 years ago. The democrats have been the ones dragging their feet for 10 years.
Let’s see, if Reid and Durbin actually propose meaniful drilling legislation and let it be voted on or just make political rhetoric.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
I think McCain really capitilized politically by coming out and supporting the off-shore drilling. Obama came out and strongly opposed it, and at the time, he had more public support in his favor. Now, polling shows that 55-60% of Americans are on board with expanded drilling offshore and in Alaska. People vote with their wallets, and McCain seized on this.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Obama reverse course on this issue as well. It’ll start with a softening on the position and then gradually shift his position.