S.C. GOP Senator Joins Anti-Drilling Democrats

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, has joined the so-called Senate 'Gang of 10' that is working on an energy bill that will placate anti-drilling Democrats.

The 'Gang' is comprised of 5 Democrats and 5 Republicans. Fair enough. But the Republicans in the Gang have basically sold out to those liberals who are against oil drilling in the very areas that are richest in crude.

GOP Congressmen and Senators who are now demanding that Democrats return to work and join them in 'drill here, drill now' are incensed that these 5 Republicans would go for such a sham, particularly when it would effectively shut down the floor revolt the GOP has mounted on an issue that finds broad support in the electorate--offshore drilling in the areas shown to be rich in crude oil.

Graham is joined by Republican Senators Saxby Chambliss, John Thune, Bob Corker, and Johnny Isakson in this slap in the face of their colleagues who demand action on drilling, and drilling without miles and miles of restrictions and red tape.

The bill that the Gang of 10 supports would not allow drilling within 50 miles of the coastline--the very area where there are some of the richest crude oil fields. Drilling is limited to only 4 coastal states and then only if the state legislatures approve it. ANWR is still off limits. And get this--federal taxes will be raised on oil companies to pay for developing 'alternative fuels.'

Nancy Pelosi and the Sierra Club couldn't have asked for a greater gift.

On the other hand, the bill that House Republicans demand includes provisions for drilling anywhere in the offshore region where there is an ample supply of crude. ANWR is included in the plan. This is key. If we don't get our own oil there, the U.N. has already said it will, and Democrats are ready to give it to them!

In addition, the GOP plan in the House includes development of wind, solar, nuclear, coal, and hydrogen fuel cell technology. And it does not call for more federal taxes on oil companies, which already pay over 50% of their profits in taxes. This is in addition to the cents-per-gallon taxes the government collects at the pump.

In South Carolina politics, Graham is an enigma. When it comes to certain issues he can certainly sound as conservative as any. But on some major key issues he is nothing more than a RINO.

In contrast, S.C.'s other GOP Senator, Jim DeMint, is a stalwart conservative all the way. DeMint is leading the effort in the Senate to get Harry Reid and the Democrats to delete the ban on offshore oil drilling from the 2009 budget resolution.

DeMint has also threatened to shut down the government, i.e., approve no budget at all, unless the ban on offshore drilling is lifted. THAT is leadership.

Graham is in a re-election bid this November with very little serious opposition. But the problem is that he has already created opposition within his own Party in South Carolina by supporting measures that conservatives deplore.

The fact that he is part of this 'Gang of 10' certainly does nothing to improve his image.

Read more about the 'Gang of 10' at dontgomovement.com.