Hat tip to Pejman Yousefzadeh for the link to this story at The Hill:
Reid plan splits DemsHeh -- as Pejman says:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has split the Democratic front opposed to drilling with a plan that would open new areas for exploration.
Reid�s proposal was meant to insulate Senate Democratic candidates from public anger over gas prices. Instead, it has created a divide with liberal colleagues and drawn fire from senior House Democrats.
A group of influential Senate and House Democrats has sided with environmental groups against Reid to call exploration in new areas unnecessary.
The legislation, drafted by Reid and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), would open nearly a billion new acres off the coast of Alaska to study for drilling. It would also dramatically accelerate oil leases in the western and central Gulf of Mexico.
This is a win-win situation for Republicans. If a package passes, Republicans--who have been most associated with offshore exploration for oil--will easily take the credit since they worked the hardest to push for new exploration to take place. If a package does not pass, Republicans will be able to continue the pressure on Democrats throughout the election cycle.What is the public approval rating for the Senate these days?
