[Wphile]

There is no way and no how someone who favored drilling off the coast of California could ever get elected. That's the fact of the matter, period. And since this is a representative republic, those representatitives must listen to the wishes of their constituents.

California is currently being run into the ground by a near completely controlled Democratic government. If Simon can get into the Governor's office and he has to oppose offshore drilling, then so be it. Again, 75% (if not more) of the people of CA oppose offshore drilling. To run against the wishes of the overwhelming majority would be folly.

Seems to me it makes more sense appeasing the 70 to 80 percenters than it does the 5 to 20 percenters.

And this doesn't equate to not drilling in Alaska where 75 to 80% of the locals do favor drilling up there. It's called local politics and I welcome the federal government respecting it.

[hchutch]

Excellent point. The sad fact is that the folks in Florida and California aren't desperate enough to accept it, so we must re-group and try again elsewhere.