Obama's Decision To Explore More Offshore Drilling Receiving Mixed Reviews

By Justine Rellosa
Talk Radio News Service

President Barack Obama's decision to open up areas in the Gulf of Mexico, parts of Alaska, and the Atlantic coastline for possible oil exploration has sparked swarms of reaction from both supporters and opponents of domestic offshore drilling.

In an interview with Talk Radio News Service, Christina Larson with the New America Foundation in Washington, D.C. said it is too soon to completely grasp the President's new policy, but said it reflects the administration's attempt to shift the debate from health reform to energy.

"This is sort of the opening bell of the discussion. It's not the end of the discussion by any means so it's really hard to say what it means, [or] who's going to be happy [and] who's not going to be happy," said Larson. "The one thing we do know is that the discussion in Washington is shifting from health care towards an environment that focuses on energy and climate issues."

Although Mr. Obama is already taking heat from Republicans who argue that his new initiative doesn't go far enough, he is receiving some bipartisan support. Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.) told Talk Radio News Service on Thursday that he fully embraces the President's decision, calling it a good start toward making the U.S. completely energy independent.

"I think it is a very encouraging first step, I think that we could still do more," said Haridopolos."This should be part of an all-energy solution meaning not just oil, not just natural gas, but a combination of alternative fuels as well, meaning developing solar and bio-diesel and other things. But, I think this is a great first step it will help each of the states with royalties and it should also make sure that we are not dependent on foreign oil."

On Wednesday, two prominent Republicans, House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) and Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) both released statements saying they were wary of Mr. Obama's announcement.

"I'm skeptical," said Brady. "Looking closely at the president's proposal, it will delay more than drill by pushing back leases and delegating drilling decisions in the eastern Gulf of Mexico to a Congress more obsessed with global warming than affordable American-made energy."

However, Haridopolos isn't on an island by himself when it comes to supporting the new initiative. Issac Hayes, a youth Minister from Chicago who is running this fall for the House seat currently occupied by Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.), released a statement on Wednesday echoing Haridopolos's sentiments.

"The President’s announcement to allow drilling along America’s coastline is long welcomed news. The off shore drilling ban has been an unwanted and unneeded moratorium on energy exploration...I am cautiously optimistic that this is not a smoke screen for a soon to come cap-and-trade bill jammed down our throats."

Healthcare Fight Not Over, Say GOP'ers

Although President Barack Obama will soon sign the main health reform bill passed by the House last night, Republican lawmakers aren't convinced that their window of opportunity to 'kill the bill' has closed. Hours after the House passed the Senate's bill, as well as a subsequent reconciliation bill, Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) drafted legislation to repeal them.

“Americans across the country are outraged that liberals have made an unconstitutional bill full of special interest bribes the law of the land. Democrats will pay a price for their overreach. This fight is far from over. Now the work begins to repeal this monstrosity and restore the principles of freedom that made America a great nation," said King in a statement released Monday morning.

King's effort will most likely enjoy support from at least a few on the other side of Capitol Hill.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) has already said he will introduce a repeal measure in the Senate, and during an appearance on ABC this morning Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) vowed "we're going to repeal this."

Realistically, Republicans will more than likely have to win control of both Houses this fall in order to have a shot at repealing the soon-to-be laws. Additionally, without 60 seats in the Senate, Republicans would have to use the same reconciliation process they have assailed Democrats over the past few months for using. However, while attaining a super-majority is out of the question, Republicans are betting on the fact that Obamacare will pay dividends for their candidates later this year.

One such candidate is Rev. Isaac Hayes (R), a youth Minister from Chicago, who sees healthcare as a way to defeat Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) in his race to get re-elected to the House.

"I believe the process by which health insurance reform has been jammed down our throats will be the centerpiece of the November election...America knows this is a government grab of one-sixth of the economy and they are encouraging Republicans to repeal this bill the moment we are sworn in as the 112th Congress," Hayes told Talk Radio News Service on Monday.