In the face of withering criticism from right-wing Republicans, John McCain is now signaling his willingness to get behind another key element of George Bush's energy policy: oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Just six months ago McCain's opposition to drilling in ANWR was unequivocal:
I believe that ANWR is one of the pristine areas of the world, and I have opposed it. And I also believe that the amount of energy that could be recovered from that area is not that impactful, and I certainly wouldn't want to see another Exxon-Valdez.
And now McCain is pledging that he "will go back and look at it again."
I have opposed drilling there, but as I say, I will look at all policies that I have in light of this changed economic environment and the challenge the United States of America. I will go back and look at it again, and I've looked at it many times, and I will be more than happy to examine it again. But right now, and for a long period of time, that's been my position.
So the question is: will John McCain cave in to his party's right-wing and embrace Bush's policy on ANWR, or will he hold on to his principles and attempt to salvage the last vestiges of his brand?
Update: And what would the impact be of drilling in ANWR be on gas prices? $0.02 per gallon. In 2025.
© Jed Lewison