Data from CNN/Public Opinion Research
surveys, 2008-2011
Although there was substantial support for increased offshore oil and gas drilling at the height of the BP disaster, there was a noticeable decline in support—particularly from those who had intensely supported increased drilling. Now, one year after the accident that caused the disaster, it's almost as if nothing had ever happened.
Americans may not like being addicted to oil, particularly to foreign oil, but the thing about addiction is that the only thing worse than craving a fix is not getting it. We can talk until we're blue in the face about how little sense increased drilling makes as a serious energy strategy, but if the energy debates we have are mainly focused on things like offshore drilling, we're doomed. Ultimately, one of two things will stop offshore drilling: either we'll deplete resources so much that there isn't anything left that can be practically extracted, or we'll have an alternative source of energy to fuel our economy that renders offshore drilling moot.
I'm not saying we should roll over and play dead when it comes to drilling. What I'm saying is that there's a reason that Republicans want drilling to dominate the energy debate, and the reason is in the chart above. It's no mistake that Bobby Jindal celebrated today's anniversary by blasting the Obama administration's drilling policies. Darrell Issa joined the party, thumping his chest for more deepwater drilling. That's a debate Republicans think they can win.
But the real issue here isn't whether or not there will continue to be offshore drilling. The real issue is whether we are going to be serious about breaking our addiction to oil and other fossil fuels. And while Republicans may have an edge if the debate is about resource extraction, they don't have a leg to stand on if the debate is about moving America and the world beyond fossil fuels. The challenge for Democrats is to not be afraid of offering real solutions that will actually take us there.
