The Dems are just laying a trap. If Bush rescinded the executive order they would have a ready made political club with which they could beat the Republican party the whole election cycle. Bush is doing it the right way, letting the public put pressure on their representatives in congress to do something.
No he needs to rescind it. Any decisions of that magnitude should never be left to an EO. Let Congress pass laws and the President sign or veto as it should be so accountability can be traced.
You are right the President is using the right strategery by letting the public become the political club to beat the Rats with all the way to the election. Expect to see Rat numbers drop in the polls significantly and soon.
Nonsense. The people are already telling everyone, including the President, what side they're on. Bush is too dense to listen to the people and do what's right and lead, for a change. This "I'll do what's right if the Congress does" attitude is childish and displays his weakness.
Another major opportunity missed.
Not much of a trap. If the President did it and then took the public position that the RATS do not deserve to be in control of Congress since they stonewall our energy independence and let Joe Q continue to be at the mercy of foreiners, he could win on the issue.
He should hammer them every day in every way. There really is very little downside.
Ah, finally a straight thinker. If Bush first rescinds the ban, then the Democrat-controlled Congress most likely would not lift the moratorium and nothing would be accomplished. Hopefully, in our Representative Republic we can pressure (election on a stick) our reps to lift the moratorium. At that point, drilling would be just a pen stroke away from our President.