[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/08/04/art.obama.press.gi.jpg caption="Obama said he will not “support a plan that suggests this drilling is the answer to our energy problems.”"]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Barack Obama has changed his tune on offshore drilling.
In a reversal, he now says he'd be willing to compromise on his position against offshore drilling if it is part of a more comprehensive energy strategy that can lower gas prices. He praised a Senate bipartisan energy plan that combines alternative energy, nuclear energy and drilling. Obama insists his position is nothing new, and that he won't settle for a plan that suggests drilling is the only answer to our energy needs.
But, the fact of the matter is Obama has been speaking out against offshore drilling since John McCain made his own reversal in June – when he suggested we do away with the federal ban. In June, Obama told Florida voters that he intended to keep the moratorium in place to protect the coastline. Even as recently as Thursday, Obama called McCain's proposal "a strategy designed to get politicians through an election".
Polls show that most Americans support an increase in offshore oil drilling, 69% to 30%... although the public is split as to whether drilling would mean lower gas prices next year.
Meanwhile, another flip-flop from Obama on energy matters came today when he proposed the government sell 70 million barrels of oil from the strategic petroleum stockpile. He says this could help lower gas prices in the short term. But, in the past, Obama was against tapping into the reserve. His campaign says he reconsidered because "Americans are suffering".
Here’s my question to you: Why has Barack Obama changed his tune when it comes to offshore drilling?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Thomas from Bridgeport, Connecticut writes:
Jack, I don't understand all of this talk that Obama has changed his position. He has kept his same position which is against off-shore drilling. The only difference is that he does not want to stop a bipartisan compromise that includes steps to make America more energy independent from being passed in the Congress. I think that is a very presidential thing to do. Her can either settle or achieve nothing.
Diane writes:
Both Obama and McCain have 'shifted ground' on this and other issues. Can you spell P-A-N-D-E-R? By continually changing to appease an unhappy electorate, Obama will triangulate himself right out of the Oval Office.
Bryan from Greenville, North Carolina writes:
Jack, I think too much emphasis is placed on "flip-flopping". Apparently only the general public is allowed to adjust their view on subjects when they are presented with additional information or the situation changes. Let's try and focus on whether the view he espouses is good or bad for the country, not if it matches something he said last year or when he was a state
Bruce writes:
Jack, Sen. Obama hasn’t just changed his tune. He is rewriting the entire musical score. Just stay tuned.
Kay writes:
This race has deteriorated into a man who is listening and getting hammered for listening and a man who is talking with disdain for the man who is listening. Offshore drilling increases will not impact the next 5 years of oil speculation. As an upper income bracket Republican, I would rather pay for a few social programs with Obama than pay big oil on the backend with no foreseeable end to the Iraq conflict. America needs to go down a new path.
Amitola from Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania writes:
Jack, He changed his mind and is willing to "compromise" to allow big oil to get their way and plunder our shorelines because Dick Cheney called him up and asked him nicely.