Hi John - Yes, there IS another issue with 2/3 approval in the polls that the Democrats oppose—banning gay marriage! It helped the GOP in 2004, I believe.
Madam Poloosi will deny a vote on drilling until after the elections in Nov. Why? Because the dims cannot allow a victory for the GOP on the oil issue. It would cost them the election. She has stepped in it however, because denying the vote could also cost them the election. The dims are counting on winning and if they do the drilling will suddenly start and the price of oil will drop dramatically. They will crow, "See what we did?"
Why doesn't Bush step into this fight? Because I believe that he is purposely keeping a low profile until after the election since he is a lightening rod for the dims. Anything that he does, other than lifting the executive ban on drilling, will give the dims an opening to inject him into the campaign for the WH. Right or wrong, I believe he is trying to do what is best for the party. It's going to be up to the GOP Congress members to fight this issue, and they will need our help.