Obama May Back Off Opposition to Offshore Drilling

Amy Chozick reports on the presidential race. Barack Obama signaled Friday that he may back off his fervent opposition to expanding offshore drilling. Obama told a Florida newspaper that he would be willing to support limited drilling if it was required in order to enact a comprehensive alternative energy plan. “My interest is in making sure we’ve got the kind of comprehensive energy policy that can bring down gas prices,” Obama said in an interview with The Palm Beach Post. “If, in order to get that passed, we have to compromise in terms of a careful, well thought-out drilling strategy that was carefully circumscribed to avoid significant environmental damage — I don’t want to be so rigid that we can’t get something done.” The statement comes after Obama has spent weeks criticizing John McCain over his vow to expand drilling. Obama has said further drilling would not relieve Americans from record-high gas prices or help cut down on ... (link)