The Big Issue This Fall May Be Energy

A year ago everyone expected Iraq to be the defining issue of the 2008 campaign. However, since then the surge has worked and a new crisis is getting everyone's attention: energy. This is an area in which the Democrats are very vulnerable, though McCain doesn't help them by being opposed to drilling in ANWR. Look at this list from Gateway Pundit:

Over the past 30 years:

Which party blocked the development of new sources of petroleum?-- Democrat
Which party blocked drilling in ANWR?-- Democrat
Which party blocked drilling off the coast of Florida?-- Democrat
Which party blocked drilling off of the east coast?-- Democrat
Which party blocked drilling off of the west coast?-- Democrat
Which party blocked drilling off the Alaskan coast?-- Democrat
Which party blocked building oil refineries?-- Democrat
Which party blocked clean nuclear energy production?-- Democrat
Which party blocked clean coal production?-- Democrat

And Rush Limbaugh gives us a little factoid that should concern all of us:

Pearl of Wisdom: "According to the Department of Energy, US oil production has fallen approximately 40% since 1985, while US consumption has grown more than 30%. There is enough oil in the areas that we have placed off limits, 112 billion barrels, to power more than 60 million cars for 60 years without importing a drop."

I posted this graphic awhile ago. Wouldn't it be fun is some journalist were to sit down with the candidates and start pointing to each "No" area and ask them why we can't drill there?


McCain has been doing various "theme" tours lately, and Jim Geraghty has an idea for a tour that would attract some attention to the energy issue:

Since clinching the nomination, McCain's campaign has been a series of tours - the foreign tour, the bio tour, the forgotten parts of America tour, the health care tour, the "see, I like conservatives" tour. May I recommend the "where gasoline comes from" tour?

Day one, an area off-limits to drilling because of federal regulations. Day two, a refinery — one of those important structures that we haven't built in this country since 1976. Day three, a distribution plant, observing the Byzantine system of blend requirements in each state. Day four, the gas stations themselves, noting that 18 states don't have any oil refineries, meaning that all of their supply has to be transported from out of state.

This should be an important issue for Republicans, and it's one that every American who drives a car will be reminded of every time they hit the gas station.