Senator Nelson has been steadfast against oil drilling off our coast. I would hope, even if for drilling before, that they would have changed their position in light of the massive amount of oil pouring into the Gulf. Here are the current positions of the Senate Candidates for the other seat, from the Florida Tribune:
Marco Rubio:
"I'm a believer that the technology today is advanced enough to be able to explore for our domestic sources of energy without being damaging to our environment." during an interview with reporters on Jan. 27, 2010.
"Clearly, no one wants to see this ever happen again. And I've not heard anyone say you cannot safely drill for oil because there are thousands of rigs drilling even as we speak, that are not leaking, that are not causing this ecological disaster. Clearly this was caused by something that went wrong and the question is what went wrong…" May 4, 2010. Miami Herald (Me: Bad Answer.)
U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek:
"The bar for drilling off Florida’s coast needs to be raised higher than for other states. Ending our reliance on foreign oil, researching alternative green energy sources, and exploring domestic supplies of oil and natural gas is critical, but the cost for error in Florida is greater than it is for our neighbors." March 31, 2010. Miami Herald.
"It's time to put an end to any and every misguided attempt to drill offshore and put Florida's coasts and economy at risk...Any effort to revive offshore drilling needs to be stopped dead in its tracks.'' May 6, 2010. Miami Herald. (Me: Good Answer).
Gov. Charlie Crist
Gov. Charlie Crist wants lawmakers to come back to Tallahassee and put on the fall ballot a constitutional amendment that would ban oil drilling in Florida waters. But so far Crist has been unable to get House Republicans to go along. Crist this past week said he talked about a special session with incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon.
“I wish it would have gone a little better, but I haven’t given up hope yet,’’ said Crist.
Crist, however, is among those who just a short while ago was open to the idea of drilling.
Crist was considered an opponent of oil drilling, but then when John McCain was the GOP nominee for President and gas prices shot up he took a different stance.
"We have to be sympathetic to the pocketbooks of the people of Florida and what they're paying at the pump for gas, and balance that with: Is there any way that our state might be able to contribute in terms of resources to have greater supply and therefore lower prices?" said Crist,.
"If that's possible, through good technology or whatever it might be, I think an open-minded person understands that we ought to at least study it,’’ said Crist. June 17, 2008. Palm Beach Post.
"I grew up in Tampa Bay. I'm a Gulf Coast guy, and I believe in protecting our beaches. I also believe in us being energy independent, so long as we can do it in a way that is safe and protects Florida's beaches. But if there is a way that we can participate in having more fuel domestically produced so that we are less dependent on foreign oil so we can manage to keep the cost down as opposed to the $4 a gallon we had last year, then I think it's worth looking at." Oct. 8, 2009, Capitol News Service
"I think the impact that it could potentially have on Florida has to give us all a pause … I think only being prudent, wanting to protect our people in this state, is appropriate." April 29, The Florida Current. (Me: What was the question?)
I think Meek wins this one but the only one still steadfast in favor of oil drilling is Marco Rubio. Tell him at the polls that he is wrong!
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