Jim Davis: 'I fought against oil drilling, yet Charlie wouldn't stand up to the Governor.'

[seafan]

Candidates give views on oil exploration off Florida coast

By MELISSA NELSON
October 26, 2006

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Gas prices are down and Congress went home without passing legislation allowing oil drilling off Florida beaches, but the issue hasn't slipped from voters' minds.
It's an issue in the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races and in several congressional districts. The debate is over how close is too close when it comes to building oil rigs off Florida's shores, the lifeblood of its almost $60 billion tourism industry.

A bill passed in the Senate last August would create a "zone of protection" for Florida that would stretch 125 to 300 miles from the state's beaches at various points. The House has approved a less restrictive bill that also would protect a military area 235 miles off Florida's west coast but allow drilling 50 miles or less from shore everywhere else. The state Legislature would have the option of increasing the no-drilling buffer to 100 miles or reducing or eliminating it.

U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, lashed out at Gov. Jeb Bush for his support of the House bill and accused his Republican opponent, Attorney General Charlie Crist, of doing nothing to prevent offshore drilling. Davis voted against the House bill and says he does not want drilling off the state's beaches. Davis said he worked in Congress to keep a coalition together to fight drilling legislation.

"My job got a lot tougher when Gov. Bush started negotiating with Texas and Louisiana to move drilling perilously closer to our beaches," Davis said. "I fought the governor on that, Charlie Crist stood silent and he wouldn't stand up to the governor."

But Crist spokesman Erin Issac said Crist, like Davis, opposes expanding offshore drilling and would work as governor to convince Congress and President Bush to approve a permanent moratorium.

snip

What Charlie has to offer as a serious candidate is not inspiring much confidence as the voters scrutinize his record of taking action, or lack thereof.

Where's the beef with this candidate??

[seasat]

1. I did some research on oil platforms.

Apparently, they only report large spills and it is left up to the operator of the platform to report it. There is apparently no real watchdog for these operations. Unless it is a super major spill, it never really gets reported. The real problem with drilling close to shore is that during a large spill, the oil could get caught in the Florida Loop current, swept around the Keys and smear beaches along SE Florida where the Gulf Stream comes near shore. It is a very real danger. Jim has really taken the lead for years in opposing this. While Charlie will listen to those that bought him (LINK).

[seafan]

2. It is a serious risk. One that should never be taken.

And ol' Charlie just bobs along on the tide, like a piece of styrofoam from WalMart.

[seasat]

3. Yep.

"Wally World" is part of that group supporting Crist. Someone who is really good with animation ought to run an ad with Charlie's face replaced by the Walmart smiley and all these special interests lining up to buy him cheap.