Bush Nixes Drilling Ban

Bout time.

President Bush intends to lift a presidential moratorium on drilling for oil and natural gas on the Outer Continental Shelf, the White House said on Monday, hoping to prod Congress to act to clear the way for exploration along the country’s coastline in response to soaring energy prices.

The executive order he's unwinding was signed by his father 18 years ago (and later renewed by Clinton), though the offshore drilling kibosh itself dates back to 1982, when Congress enacted its moratorium.  So while the Presidential move doesn't actually change anything, it does put Congress in the hot seat, pressuring resistant Democratic members (and anyone who simply prefers imported oil to domestic brands) to now turn their key.

Allah laments the suboptimal timing.

This is one of the few gimmes McCain has right now; putting the ball in the Democrats’ court forces them to defend an unpopular position. By waiting so long, though, Bush has timed this so that it’s going to get eaten up by Obama’s trip to Europe and Iraq next week, when foreign policy will be front and center.