WSJ Unbelievable.......Public Still Backs Offshore Drilling

[KansasVoter]

Public support for expanding the offshore hunt for energy is sturdy, a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll suggests, even as a damaged well continues to gush crude into the Gulf of Mexico.

Meanwhile, the spill has taken a toll on support for offshore drilling among Senate Democrats, further hobbling the chances for climate-change legislation, which was unveiled by two senators Wednesday.

Six in 10 respondents to a survey carried out from May 6 to May 10 said they backed more drilling for oil off the U.S. coast. Some 34% said they "strongly" supported it, and 26% said they supported it "somewhat."

More than half of respondents —53%—also said they agreed with the statement that "the potential benefits to the economy outweigh the potential harm to the environment." Respondents in Gulf states were slightly more likely to support additional drilling offshore, with 63% of them saying they would approve of more rigs. The poll has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703339304575240513356154980.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines

[Xipe Totec]

1. Let's just see how they feel three months from now

especially in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

[jwirr]

3. You are so correct. I talked with a lady who had just bought a vacation

home on the Gulf in Texas. She said, "I guess I bought at the wrong time." I am also wondering what will happen if we get a hurricane in the Gulf any time soon. We may get oil spill up the river and inland.

[maxsolomon]

2. serfs

economic survival for the working class in the gulf is dependent on oil extraction and seafood extraction. the disconnection betwixt the 2 is not yet evident.

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. Where was the polling done?

I'll bet smack in the middle of the country, hundreds, if not thousands, of miles from any coastline.

[skeptical cynic]

5. Time and the consequences of this spill may change things

But as a general rule concern for the environment is a luxury of those with confidence in their circumstances. As the affluence of the working class is reduced, their confidence in their security is erroded and their instinct for survival will prevail. Long-term concern about the environment will be eclipsed by short-term concern about feeding their children.

I believe this simultaneous attack on both the working class and the environment is orchestrated.

[jenmito]

6. Rachel Maddow just showed a CBS News Poll 5/6-5/9 which shows support for offshore drilling

dropped from 64% in July '08 to 46% now.

[HughMoran]

7. I was going to point that out

Weird that an NBC person is using a CBS poll - lol

[TomCADem]

8. Nice avatar/graphic BTW (eom)