because to make it happen, you have to mount an effective, relentless communications campaign. and the white house doesn't do that very well. look at the SS reform plan, there was a week of speeches and activity after the SOTU to pump it up - and it seems to be over already.
unless the Dems feel that this issue (or any issue) is going to cost them politically, their votes obstructing all of this stuff will hold.
Bush had an appointment in Europe which pretty much stopped the SS campaign domestically for the time being. The energy bill needs to be passed. If that means stripping ANWR from it temporarily, so be it. ANWR isn't the holy grail, and we'll win in that matter eventually anyway.