"GOP defers to McCain on Alaska oil drilling
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 GOP platform committee voted yesterday to stick with an energy plank that does not 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 after he is 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."
How the fuck this guy won the nomination is beyond me!
Delegates endorsed expanded drilling generally, both offshore and in Alaska, North Dakota, and Montana, and declared that the Alaskan refuge should not be off limits to the oil industry permanently.
McCain does not have to follow the platform and it is unclear whether he will give it much weight; presidential candidates often don't. But the 112-member committee working on the statement of party principles is trying not to stray too far from McCain's views, while also satisfying the conservative base (AP August 28, 2008)."
Hey, look, GOP BACK-FLIPS!!!! Don't hurt yourselves!!!!
