Cracks Appear in Dem No Drilling Wall

Today a "gang of 10" senators showed up in the news putting together a plan that puts conservation together with, yes, drilling offshore. Here's Neil Abercrombie, a Democratic Senator from Hawaii:

"If we're going to go to talk to the American worker and say we're looking out for their interests, to automatically dismiss the idea that it's possible to drill in the OCS in a way that will be environmentally safe...I think that will harm us politically," Abercrombie said in an interview.

Speaking on this proposal, Barack Obama himself appears to be at least preparing to throw his environmentalist buddies (and Al Gore) under the Jeremiah Wright bus:

"My attitude is that we can find some sort of compromise," Obama told the Times shortly after talking with voters at Gibbs High School. "If it is part of an overarching package, then I am not going to be rigid in preventing an energy package that goes forward that is really thoughtful and is going to really solve the problem."

Translated: 'Hell if you're going to trap me into voting against this in an election year." Message to Reid and Pelosi: Don't let this get near a real vote, because I won't be able to help you. And helloooo new offshore drilling.

To dismayed Democrats who think that drilling won't make a difference: What did you expect. Polls are polls and they speak louder than money or grassroots activists in an election year. The politicians first responsibility is to get and stay elected. The American people overwhelmingly support new drilling as a part of an overall energy program and the Republicans have been relentless.

And it appears that the best case scenario is unfolding for the GOP. The Democratic cave in will occur, but it will occur only after it is apparent that the Democrats had to be dragged kicking and screaming. The GOP gets their preferred policy enacted, but also will be able to wring maximum political effect from it during a presidential election.