In Florida the biggest objection to offshore drilling comes from the beachfront condo developers who don't want the rigs to mar the view. I say drill a million wells there if it means not having to bring in yet more OPEC oil. I'm sure the condo developers can find new places to build on.

Bush could undo the OCS drilling ban with the stroke of a pen and hasn't?

A long-standing congressional moratorium? So what? This is a Repug dominated-body, isn't it?

Could it be their masters in the oil industry are not exactly wetting themselves over the chance to get at the OCS oil? Who needs expense and captial outlay when you can sit back and ride the fee-exempt federal gravy train for at least 3 more years?

Or could it simply be to keep the heat off the sycophant governors of Florida and California? If this is the case, Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia, consider Virginia Beach toast. But if you don't mind the occasional, ear-splitting noise pollution of low-flying Navy fighters from Oceana NAS, who cares about a view marred by oil rigs?

I don't necessarily have any problems with offshore drilling per se, it's probably not as bad as land-based drilling (such as in the ANWR) and it helps reduce our reliance on imports.

However I don't see why there can't be some sort of compromise that could be made when it comes time to relax these restrictions. Like closing the SUV tax loophole, or implementing the CAFE fuel economy standard for all passenger vehicles (not just cars). Of course Detroit would be bitterly opposed so this will never happen, but a fella can dream can't he?

-Adam in Philly

The headline for this article doesn't make sense to me because there's nothing in the body of the article that cites the supposed conflict that the President is alleged to have. The President's statements on the subject have referenced the importance to reduce reliance on oil from unstable parts of the world. The "oil addiction" in the State of The Union Address was planted firmly in the context of having America own more of its sources of energy. Bush has been consistent in his desire for more offshore drilling because it makes economic and security sense for America to be less dependent on oil from other countries.

There are also national security concerns over drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The area between the Florida Panhandle and Key West is designated as part of the Eglin AFB overwater test range. Parts of that area get very heavy use during training missions by the multiple military bases in the region. The overwater range is also critical for weapons development programs in the region.