Yeah, it could have been done seven years ago, and it would have accomplished exactly what it accomplishes now, nothing. The only thing he’s done is deprive the Democrats of an excuse for not passing legislation to permit offshore drilling. For the last few months they’ve said, “why should we do something when Bush hasn’t?” Now they’ll have to find something else to hide behind.
And, it probably won’t be the “drilling won’t get us one more barrel in the next ten years” mantra. That one’s getting pretty shop-worn too. Look for some new and innovative excuse for their inaction.