It seems Bush got what he wanted on an energy-related issue today: $235 million in federal funds used by the President to shelter Florida's Everglades and beaches from oil and gas drilling. The settlement buys out nine oil and gas leases to prevent drilling in Gulf of Mexico areas closest to Pensacola, and does not require legislation and will proceed without Congressional approval. Bush has repeatedly said that we need to become less dependent from foreign oil, and yet off the coast of Florida there are potentially vast reserves of oil and natural gas.
Could the rationale for this action possibly be because the President’s brother is Governor of Florida who is running for re-election, or is it “because I don’t understand politics?”
By the way, I am awake, although this administration is beginning to make me feel that it’s all actually a bad dream.
Jeb Bush is running for re-election.
The President is playing pure politics here. It will help out his brother and his 2004 re-election bid. But by backing these Florida interests, Bush is compromising his position, that the US must develop more domestic energy resources. If I'm not mistaken, the President opened up new areas for drilling in the Gulf of Mexico last year.
The agreement does require Congressional approval though.
My remarks, about not understanding politics, wasn't meant for you. But you knew that, right?