GOP Platform Omits Arctic Oil in Effort to Boost McCain’s Prospects

MINNEAPOLIS — Republicans are putting John McCain’s presidential prospects above their wish to drill for oil in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Members of the Republican platform committee voted Wednesday to stick with an energy plank that doesn’t mention drilling in the refuge, saying it would only highlight an area where they differ with the Arizona senator. McCain opposes drilling in that protected land, and some committee members said they would rather bring him around on the issue once he’s in the White House than widen their disagreement now. “He’s not there yet,” said delegate Jeff Grossman of Oregon. “Prudence would dictate that we leave the text as it is until our candidate catches up with us.” Delegates endorsed expanded drilling generally, both offshore and in Alaska, North Dakota and Montana, and declared that the Alaskan refuge should not be put off limits to the oil industry permanently. McCain doesn’t ... (link)