WSJ Misleading About Democratic Plans On Energy

When I read this Wall Street Journal article about the Democrats possibly caving on oil exploration, my immediate thought was "I give up!" But there appears to be much ado about nothing here, and when you consider the source of Murdoch's new toy, you have to be skeptical.

Much of the headline is made out of this quote by Dick Durbin:

"Sen. Durbin said any compromise on drilling, however, would be contingent at a minimum on a requirement that oil and gas companies sitting on existing acreage either produce oil on those areas within a specified period or return the leases to the government."

This is pretty much what the Democrats have been saying on this issue all along. It's perfectly consistent with the "Use It Or Lose It" plan, and the Obama campaign's dismissal of this as another stunt by a party addicted to oil. Nancy Pelosi went even further in a news conference today.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Thursday shut the door on expanding oil and gas drilling beyond areas that have already been approved for energy exploration, drawing a clear distinction from her counterparts in charge of the Senate.
“This call for drilling in areas that are protected is a hoax, it’s an absolute hoax on the part of the Republicans and this administration” Pelosi said at her weekly press conference. “It’s a decoy to punt your attention away from the fact that their policies have produced $4-a-gallon gasoline.”

There may be some Bush Dogs with loose lips talking to the WSJ, with the media all too happy to sow discord, but from the standpoint of the leadership, I don't think they're backing off of their pledge... for now.