Jeb Bush Now Supports Offshore Oil Drilling--- surprise, surprise.

[seafan]

Jeb Bush rallies to the defense of John McCain, Charlie Crist



Jeb Bush


By Don Frederick
June 20, 2008

John McCain and his main ally in Florida, Gov. Charlie Crist, on Thursday received what could prove some crucial cover from the man who dominated the state's political scene until term limits prevented him from seeking a third term as its chief executive -- Jeb Bush.

Bush, like most Florida politicians from both parties, long opposed oil drilling off the state’s tourism-friendly coastlines. But during a conference call with reporters including The Times' Peter Wallsten, he rose to the defense of McCain, who earlier this week endorsed such exploration as one answer to skyrocketing gasoline prices, and Crist, who in turn backed off his previous opposition to the proposal (and took some grief as a result).Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush believes presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain made the right move in calling for an end to the federal ban on offshore oil drilling

“You can protect the natural resources and the coastline of the state and also be part of national effort to deal with a national security crisis that our country faces right now,” he said. “It’s a huge economic problem for a lot of Americans, which is four-plus dollars a gallon gasoline. It’s a burden that was never anticipated when we were discussing drilling policy 20 years ago, 10 years ago, five years ago, two years ago.

“So I think you’ve got to give people in public life a little bit of room when the context changes for them to also adjust their views.”

Pundits are wondering whether McCain, who had been viewed as the favorite to win Florida's 27 electoral votes in November, damaged his chances to do so with his call for an end to the federal ban on offshore oil drilling (he would let states decide for themselves).

Bush scoffed at such speculation.

“I don’t think it's going to hurt Sen. McCain,” he said. “I think the knee-jerk reaction, just to say 'no' without an alternative, you know, it may work when times are good but when times are tough and people are hurting, they’re not going to tolerate that.”

“My guess is if you did a poll … people support drilling in a reasonable way off Florida’s coast,” said the former governor, whose brother, President Bush, also had a change of heart this week on the issue (and who recently reminded folks that Jeb should not be written off as White House material).

Funny how all that works.

[Barack_America]

1. Term limits will do funny things to people.

That's one thing that I respect about Cheney, he's at least been up-front that he doesn't give a flying fuck about all of us from the get-go.

[PM7nj]

2. McCain is such a panderer. Offshore drilling will do nothing about gas prices!

It won't do anything for 20 years and even then it will only lower the price of oil a few cents! God, I have gotten myself so worked up over this because it is such a scam. They are once again trying to deceive people. Ugh.

[seafan]

3. George, Jeb, John and Charlie; the snake oil salesmen.

"What we need to do is not drink the Kool-Aid of this short-run, ill-founded proposal," Graham said. "There have been more politicians who went to the graveyard because they thought their voters were stupid and could be sold a bogus bill of goods."

---Bob Graham

Did Crist back oil drilling due to VP quest?



Charlie Crist


By Anthony Man
June 19, 2008

Gov. Charlie Crist's decision to abandon the nearly universal, bipartisan opposition to oil and gas drilling in coastal waters off Florida is leaving people wondering if he was attempting to kiss up to John McCain in hopes of landing a spot on the national ticket as his running mate.

Prompting the frenzy of speculation: McCain's proposal Tuesday to lift the ban on oil and gas production off Florida and other environmentally sensitive areas, immediately backed by Crist only a week after saying he opposed coastal drilling.

"He seems to be willing to do anything to help the presumptive Republican nominee, John McCain. He has shown that he's willing to backtrack against his promises," said Daniel Smith, associate professor of political science at the University of Florida. "It's somewhat surprising. Maybe he thinks he has enough political capital to expend, to help out John McCain."

Smith thinks it may have been a rare misstep for Crist, who's been masterful at gauging public opinion and almost always placing himself on the winning side of an issue.

"This ultimately may hurt not only Charlie Crist, but John McCain's chances in Florida," he said.

Democrat Barack Obama's presidential campaign was quick to pounce on McCain, charging him with flip-flopping. And Florida Democrats pounded Crist on Wednesday.

.....

Floridians now see the self-named *People's Governor* for the craven opportunist that he is.