Sink 'stunned' by Crist's shift on drilling
Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink Wednesday came out forcefully against Gov. Charlie Crist's support for studying drilling off the Florida coast. The only Democrat on the Cabinet, who has worked cooperatively with Crist, described becoming "angrier and angrier" as she listened to radio newscasts (which featured Crist's support for studying the need for offshore drilling to bring down gas prices, after years of firmly opposing any drilling).
"Floridians have to realize that this is not the answer, and I am stunned by this turn of opinion from people who have been very strong advocates against oil drilling off our coast," Sink said. She cited the bi-partisan deal in Congress in 2005 that stipulated no drilling within 125 miles of the Florida coast in exchange for opening up 8-million acres of dormant drilling leases. "We've already compromised," Sink said.
"This proposal would do nothing to reduce the pain we're feeling today," said Sink, who estimated it would take 10 years for the first drop of oil to appear off Florida. The answer, she said, is conservation, not more oil.
Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer rose to Crist's defense, insisting that he did not endorse drilling, only "a re-evaluation of public policy." Crist endorsed John McCain's view that the Congressional moratorium on oil drilling off Florida should be lifted, and that states should decide on a case-by-case basis how to proceed.
"I'd rather have a leader who is seeking out solutions and getting information than one who does not have an open mind to solving the economic problems that citizens face," Greer said. "Governor Crist is focused on results."
From the writers of the St. Petersburg Times, The Buzz offers the latest news in Florida politics. This is a public forum sponsored and maintained by the St. Petersburg Times. When you post comments here, what you say becomes public and could appear in the newspaper. You are not engaging in private communication with candidates or Times staffers.
2:23 - Wow!! What is wrong with people? The Bakken Formation geological study came out over a month ago stating that there are less than 4billion barrels of "technically recoverable oil". Do you need help figuring out how LITTLE oil that is? Are you aware of the expense involved to recover oil from Bakken? I take it you didn't read the study?
It's getting very tiring keeping you rubes in check.
Posted by: | June 19, 2008 at 02:39 PM
The U.S. has probably 10 times middle east's oil reserves if you count all these:
Oil shales in Colorado & Utah, Gulf oil, offshore oil on FL & CA coast, ANWAR in Alaska.
Posted by: | June 19, 2008 at 05:35 PM
Latest polls shows Floridian favor more drilling.
I'm against drilling with 100 miles of our coasts, but it should be left to the states to decide.
LIFT THE BAN.
Posted by: | June 19, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Alex Sink, Barack Obama & democrats don't mind $5.00 gas. They may even want it to go to $10/gal.
It helps the democrat's environmental stance.
Obama & the democrats are out of touch with middle-class Americans
Posted by: | June 19, 2008 at 05:41 PM