Obama's baby step on oil exploration

President Obama's announcement about off-shore oil exploration is not the big deal he's making it out to be. If oil is discovered in the limited areas he approved for exploration, will we be allowed to drill there? Based upon Obama's past rhetoric on this issue, and that of his party--I have my doubts.

Meanwhile, it's believed that there is plenty of oil within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Nothing about ANWR from Obama.

Back in Obama's hometown of Chicago, gasoline costs over $3.00 a gallon.

Here's what Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has to say:

Senate Republicans have long supported efforts to find more American energy, and use less; we believe we must do both. While supporting conservation, electric cars, clean coal and nuclear energy, we also pushed for lifting the Congressional ban on offshore exploration, which was removed more than a year ago. Since then, we have been waiting to see whether the administration would follow through and open more areas for the development of American energy.

Today's announcement is a step in the right direction, but a small one that leaves enormous amounts of American energy off limits. And the proof of the administration's announcement will be in the implementation: will the administration actually take concrete steps to finish the studies, approve the necessary permits, and open these areas for production? Will they stand by as their allies act to delay the implementation in the courts?

The American people believe that to strengthen our national and energy security we should rely more on America's energy resources, and less on those of the Middle East. It's time to put America's energy to work for the American people, without the threat of a new national energy tax.

Obama will be the president for the next three years--he will certainly appoint as many left-wing judges, Sonia Sotomayor types, to the federal bench as possible--the type of jurists who will likely side with inflexible environmentalists over the vast majority of Americans who support a "Drill here, drill now, pay less" approach to our energy needs.

UPDATE 1:15pm CDT: American Solutions has more on Obama's False Promise on Offshore Drilling.

UPDATE 3:30pm CDT: Clarification: Obama's plan includes some off-shore exploration in Alaska, but not inside ANWR.

Related post:

Gas a buck higher since Obama took office

Gasoline over $3 a gallon in Chicago area

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