Issue Post - Bush Continues Push for More Offshore Drilling

U.S. President George Bush wants Congress to allow more offshore oil drilling. Issue Post White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, high energy prices are a big part of this year's presidential campaign.

President Bush says a lot of Americans are wondering why their government is not doing something about the supply of crude oil.

Following a meeting with business leaders, Mr. Bush said opposition Democrats in Congress are to blame for blocking efforts to expand domestic offshore drilling that has been restricted since the early 1980s.

"Last month I acted and I lifted an executive branch restriction on offshore oil exploration," he said. "And then I called on Congress to join me and to lift the legislative ban - to end the legislative ban. Unfortunately, the Democratic leadership in Congress decided to go on a five-week vacation, a recess, rather than act on behalf of the American consumer, the American small business owner."

Democrats say they support more drilling but want oil companies to start by exploring the more than 27 million hectares of offshore land they have already leased from the federal government.

House Speaker Democrat Nancy Pelosi Monday dropped her opposition to a vote on offshore drilling. In an interview on CNN, she said she would consider the measure if it is part of broader legislation that also releases oil from the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

High energy prices are a big part of the campaign for this year's presidential and legislative elections as rising fuel prices and a slowing economy have replaced the war in Iraq as the biggest issues on the minds of voters.

Both the likely Democratic candidate, Illinois Senator Barack Obama, and the presumptive Republican nominee, Arizona Senator John McCain, have spent much of the last month talking about energy prices.

McCain says he backs the president's call for more offshore drilling and, in a campaign commercial, blames Obama for blocking more American production.

"Gas prices: Four dollars, five dollars. No end in sight because some in Washington are still saying no to drilling in America, no to independence from foreign oil. Who can you thank for rising prices at the pump? [Crowds cheering Obama] One man knows we must now drill more in America and rescue our family budgets. Don't hope for more energy, vote for it. McCain. I'm John McCain and I approve this message."

Obama says he is willing to consider a plan for more offshore drilling if it includes more support for alternative fuels. He is running a campaign commercial accusing his opponent of taking millions of dollars in contributions from oil companies.

"On gas prices, John McCain is part of the problem. McCain and Bush support a drilling plan that won't produce a drop of oil for seven years. McCain will give more tax breaks to big oil. He has voted with Bush 95 percent of the time. Barack Obama will make energy independence an urgent priority, raise mileage standards, fast track technology for alternative fuels, $1,000 tax cut to help families as we break the grip of foreign oil. A real plan and new energy. I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message."

A public opinion poll by CBS News earlier this month showed that nearly two-thirds of Americans now favor more offshore drilling for oil and natural gas.

Oil fell to $113 a barrel Tuesday following a U.S. government report that showed the steepest decline in American demand for crude in 26 years.