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Political Play of the Week

Play of the Week: Democrats spike Alaskan oil plans

Play of the Week: Democrats spike Alaskan oil plans


From Bill Schneider
CNN Senior Political Analyst

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Democrats need an issue, the commentators have been saying -- something where they can take a stand against President Bush's domestic agenda, something to define the Democratic Party.

Well, this week, they got their issue and the Political Play of the Week besides.

Drill we must, the Bush administration said. Why? Democrats asked. According to Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, "The vast majority of Americans understand the energy future of the United States is not in oil."

President Bush gave a lot of reasons to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Here's one: Saddam Hussein.

"In order to make sure he doesn't hold us hostage, we better figure out a way to explore for more energy at home," Bush said.

Oh come on, Democrats said. Sen. Joe Lieberman says "Next thing you know, they'll be saying drilling in the Arctic refuge is the only way to bring back Oprah's book club.''

On Thursday, the Senate voted. Drill we must not, they said, 54 to 46. Not only did the president fail to get the 60 votes he needed to break a filibuster, he couldn't even get a majority. Environmentalists were ecstatic.

The Democrats have their issue. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle promised that they were "just not going to allow Republicans to destroy the environment.''

Notice something interesting about the three Democrats leading the fight? Republicans did.

The Alaska wildlife refuge
The Alaska wildlife refuge  

"You had, if you will, potential Democratic presidential people involved very heavily. You had John Kerry, Joe Lieberman and of course you had the Senate majority leader, Senator Daschle,'' Alaska Sen. Frank Murkowski said.

Aha! Potential Democratic challengers have been drilling for an issue and coming up dry. Until this week, when they hit a gusher -- and it's coming out green. That's the color of this week's political Play of the Week.

Wait a minute. What about Al Gore, the green giant of the Democratic Party? Don't count him out on this issue. He's delivering a major environmental speech on Monday -- which happens to be Earth Day.



 
 
 
 







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