07.08.08

Dems' New Gas Price Strategy: "Drive Small Cars And Wait For The Wind"

Americans Increasingly Demand A ‘Find More, Use Less’ Energy Policy
 

DEMOCRATIC AIDE: “Right now, our strategy on gas prices is ‘Drive small cars and wait for the wind.’” (Energy bill out of gas, The Hill, 07/08/08)


RECENT POLLS SHOWS SUPPORT FOR DEEP SEA EXPLORATION OVER 73%

CNN/OPINION RESEARCH POLL: “Still, 73% of the more than 1,000 Americans surveyed from June 26 to 29 said they favored an expansion of offshore drilling for oil and natural gas in protected U.S. waters, even though many environmental advocacy groups have deemed offshore drilling as hazardous to the environment.” (“Environmental support dips vs. economy – poll,” CNN.com, 07/03/08)

FOX NEWS/OPINION DYNAMICS: “For example, just over three-quarters (76 percent) support immediately increasing oil drilling in the United States — a position recently espoused by presumptive Republican nominee John McCain. More than seven in 10 Democrats (71 percent) also hold this view.” (“FOX News Poll: Americans 'Energized' for Action,” Foxnews.com, 06/21/08)


POLLING SHOWS AMERICANS’ SUPPORT IS TRENDING RAPIDLY TOWARD DOMESTIC PRODUCTION

PEW RESEARCH CENTER POLL: “[T]he percentage of liberals who said expanding energy exploration was their most important priority doubled from 22 percent in February to 45 percent.” (“Gas prices change views on energy,” Associated Press, 07/01/08)

PEW RESEARCH CENTER POLL: “[T]he number of people favoring drilling there increased to 50 percent, compared to 42 percent last February.” (“Gas prices change views on energy,” Associated Press, 07/01/08)

GALLUP ENERGY POLL: A majority (57-41) of Americans support “drilling in U.S. coastal and wilderness areas now off limits.” (NOTE: By comparison, in a more specific Gallup poll taken in March 2005, a majority (53 percent) was opposed to opening ANWR “for oil exploration”). (“Majority of Americans Support Price Controls on Gas,” www.gallup.com, 05/28/08)