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Schwarzenegger Slams Offshore Drilling 'Politicians'
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ShareJune 26, 2008 3:26 PM
ABC News' Tahman Bradley and Bret Hovell Report: In a strong rebuke Thursday of lifting the ban on U.S. offshore oil drilling, California Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger seemed to knock the standard-bearers of his party: President Bush and Arizona Sen. John McCain.
Schwarzenegger, a long critic of his party on the environment, used surprisingly frank language to buck politicians who support lifting the 27-year-old ban of offshore drilling.
"Politicians have been throwing around all kinds of ideas in response to the skyrocketing energy prices, from the rethinking of nuclear power to pushing biofuels and more renewables and ending the ban on offshore drilling, it goes on and on the list," Schwarzenegger said, per The Saint Petersburg Times.
"But, anyone who tells you this will lower our gas prices anytime soon is blowing smoke."
Mr. Schwarzenegger made his remarks in Florida at Gov. Charlie Crist's climate change summit. Crist may as well consider himself one of the politicians that Schwarzenegger was broadly referring to. An enthusiastic McCain ally, Crist too favors lifting the drilling ban.
In a reversal of his early position on the issue, presumptive GOP presidential nominee McCain last week joined with President Bush in expressing support for lifting the offshore ban, hoping that expanding domestic energy production will help lower the cost of energy. McCain qualifies his support for lifting the ban; he wants individual states to decide if drilling possibilities work for them. Democrats and their soon-to-be presidential nominee Illinois Sen. Barack Obama have called the move a gimmick.
Schwarzenegger's remarks are perhaps even more noteworthy because the California governor did not take the same opportunity to swipe at "politicians" when he campaigned for McCain in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Tuesday.
"He knows it's time to get serious about global warming," Schwarzenegger said of McCain.
McCain alluded to the fact that Schwarzenegger disagreed with him on offshore drilling, but the two left it at that.
Schwarzenegger did not criticize anyone by name, and the governor's office insists he was not knocking McCain or Crist because Schwarzenegger's understanding of both men's position is that they do not believe off shore oil drilling will have an immediate impact on gas prices.
Schwarzenegger press secretary Aaron McLear reached out to ABC News in an effort to clarify the governor's remarks. "When he was saying that people who think drilling will have an impact are just blowing smoke, he was not referring to McCain or Crist," said McLear. He did, however, confirm that Schwarzenegger was accurately quoted by the St. Petersburg Times and that he opposes offshore drilling.
June 26, 2008 in Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (126)
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Maybe Ahnold will call McCain and Crist Girly Men next time.
Posted by: The Commander Guy | Jun 26, 2008 3:41:14 PM
but i thought mccain didnt belive in global warming oh know he does that mr mcflip does he even know what global warming is or any of the other issuses like the economy healthcare education energry crisis well listening to his speeches and his town hall meetings im truly convinced the man is an IDIOT!!!!!
Posted by: angie | Jun 26, 2008 3:44:04 PM
What a smackdown of McCain! Arnold is seen as a bipartisan GOP model, so McCain has really migrated right if the almighty Ahnold is telling him off. No hope in California now.
Posted by: matt | Jun 26, 2008 3:56:50 PM
California is the blueprint for catastrophe. Check out "Martial Law 911" on Google to see what blueprint Arnold really is following...
Posted by: pity | Jun 26, 2008 3:57:03 PM
No off shore drilling on California coast and no cars, truck, buses on California roads and highways. That seems logical and fair to me.
Posted by: Mai | Jun 26, 2008 3:57:14 PM
McCain and Crist, the Terminator has you in his sights.
Posted by: Dan | Jun 26, 2008 4:00:01 PM
i suddenly like arnold!
Posted by: bhrandon | Jun 26, 2008 4:01:59 PM
Thumbs up to Arnold, thumbs down to McCain.
Posted by: Drew Hoffman | Jun 26, 2008 4:05:16 PM
McCain is down 28 points in California. Too bad. I had hoped he would be close enough in the polls to sink a bus load of futile cash into that state. I will write it now for the record: McCain will not win a single state Kerry won in 2004. Obama will win Colorado, New Mexico, Iowa, Virginia, Ohio, and Maine.
Posted by: Kevin | Jun 26, 2008 4:06:04 PM
don't want to drill oil off the USA coast arnold maybe don't need electricity shipped from the midwest or water from the colorado river
Posted by: jake | Jun 26, 2008 4:15:22 PM
Lifting the ban on U.S. offshore oil drilling would cause oil prices higher, the criminal well always fine a reason to drive prices higher. The only way to lower the prices is to lock up the criminal and the politicians that take kickbacks from the oil companies!
Posted by: Stephen | Jun 26, 2008 4:17:33 PM
HIDING geevill?
Posted by: proamerica | Jun 26, 2008 4:18:51 PM
This is a clear indication that McSame is a 3rd WBush term, thanks to people like Arnold who are thinking clearly and who are not confused as McSame thing will getter better for America and Americans.
Posted by: BKMC | Jun 26, 2008 4:23:38 PM
Right. Exactly. Respect Arnold, Bush Admin... Respect also the EPA!
Check out a different, comedic take on the situation. Today it's pretty funny.
http://www.236.com/news/2008/06/25/the_white_house_is_rubber_ever_7365.php
Posted by: Morgan Walker | Jun 26, 2008 4:23:42 PM
The governator is right again. McCain, you are wrong and I will NOT vote for you.
Posted by: Mark | Jun 26, 2008 4:25:00 PM
I have to agree, drilling is not the answer, finding new energy sources is.
Posted by: Nunya.Beesness | Jun 26, 2008 4:26:43 PM
"...anyone who tells you [offshore drilling] will lower our gas prices anytime soon is blowing smoke." -- Schwarzenegger
He said this in Florida at Crist's climate summit? Crist won't be inviting Schwarzenegger to the sunshine state anytime soon. I'm sure Crist would much rather Schwarzenegger go where the sun DON'T SHINE. :p
I love it. Go terminator.
Posted by: Whys | Jun 26, 2008 4:29:10 PM
At least all republicans aren't stupid.
Posted by: Joe | Jun 26, 2008 4:31:44 PM
Worldwide food shortage, liberal answer,"Need more farmers producing more food so prices will go down." -- Worldwide oil shortage, liberal answer, "More oil production will not drive prices down." ?????? Crazy. --- Folks fuel prices are rising all over the world - it is called supply & demand
Posted by: T | Jun 26, 2008 4:35:26 PM
McCain said it perfectly: leave it up to the states. If Arnold doesn't want drilling in CA, then he can talk to those of us in California about it.
Obama on the other hand wants to bring the heavy hand of government into every facet of our lives with a blank-check mentality funded by our tax dollars. Prepare to surrender your wallets if Obama gets elected.
Posted by: Jared | Jun 26, 2008 4:37:24 PM
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