Position Changes on Offshore Drilling Has Campaign Surrogates Sparring

WASHINGTON — The different paths John McCain and Barack Obama have taken to support expanded offshore drilling for oil demonstrate how each would govern as president, their supporters said Sunday. McCain surrogates contended on the Sunday news programs that the Arizona Republican’s turn toward drilling, which he had once opposed, showed how McCain would respond decisively to a crisis. Obama’s supporters argued that his willingness to consider a bipartisan proposal including more drilling showed how the Illinois Democrat would pursue compromise to achieve results. Sen. Joe Lieberman, a Connecticut independent and ex-Democrat backing McCain, was skeptical of Obama’s support of 10 senators, half of them Republicans and half Democrats, promoting compromise legislation including drilling and other energy-related initiatives. “John McCain sees the crisis,” said Lieberman, who also once opposed more offshore drilling. “Barack Obama says this weekend, ... (link)