I don't share your pessimism; and I'm 30mi from San Fran, surrounded by LibNuts, so that's really saying something.
I hear enough grousing about the cost of fuel to know that it's NOT a partisan issue; that there are a substantial number of moderate and centrist Democrat voters out there who are also incensed by the antics of the Democrat contingent in Washington D.C.
I really believe that VISIBILITY is crucial to getting this into the forefront of the national conversation as the election looms in November.
IF enough people are out there "takin' it to the streets", there's NO way this issue will get shoved to the back burner, and there's NO way Pelosi, Reid, and their obstructionist cabal will be able to feign either ignorance, or higher knowledge. They WILL have to face the argument head-on, in public, and take a definite stance to either drill or not.
When they do, if this issue is given a high enough profile, they just won't be able to say "No" to drilling without slitting their own throats politically.
But the key is US, and our efforts to keep the fire hot, on this.
Check back with me in Nov. I do believe that most of these pols can obstruct with impunity. BTW, I'm not all negative. If nothing radical changes, I do believe Obama will lose in November.