I'll focus on their comments on two of the Republicans behind this plan who are up for re-election this year.
First, Thelma Drake:
Despite U.S. Rep Thelma Drake's somewhat loopy contention that working around platforms would make Navy training more realistic, she left no doubt that the Navy's concerns should come first.
Let's set aside the fact that Drake's failure to even bother checking with the Pentagon on this issue shows how little concern she really has for the Navy's concerns. I'm still dumbfounded by her "loopy contention" - did she really argue that the Navy should want these oil rigs as some kind of giant ocean obstacle course? And this person is on the Armed Services Committee? Unbelievable.
Also, check out these comments on Sen. George W. Allen:
George Allen, who had done much behind-the-scenes work on offshore drilling, has been strangely silent on the subject.Since he's the one running for re-election, perhaps that's not surprising; offshore drilling engenders passionate and bipartisan opposition, opposition that lawmakers in both Richmond and Washington have been doing their best to ignore. Until now.
Good ol' fashioned political cowardice. Allen has come out in support of opening up Virginia's coasts to drilling, but his lack of courage to fight for his oil drilling dreams isn't surprising as a tough election fight gets tougher.