Well, well, well....
It didn't take much digging to discover yet another I-want-to-be-elected-so-I'll-spew-the-current-party-line Republican flip-flop.
It seems Sarah Palin, who is NOW for drilling in ANWR, was previously AGAINST more drilling.
A search of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman's archives brings us this choice quote from soon after she was appointed to the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in Feb. 2003:
(jump the fold)
"Anything that would have an impact on the amount of oil being developed from state leases," Palin said. "Their bottom line is, for more money to be put in the permanent fund, it is going to take more money coming in."
One way to make sure more money is coming in, Palin said, is to hold oil developers to their leases.
"Make sure the oil companies are taking all the oil out of the ground," Palin said. "And make sure they're not just sitting on [their leases]."LINK bold mine
But, oh how political ambitions cloud the mind. In 2006 when campaigning for governor, the wind begins to shift:
I believe in protecting Alaska's environment through fair enforcement of our environmental laws. Having a clean record on environmental regulation is critical to getting ANWR open and maintaining our fisheries mining, timber, and tourism industries. I would also revisit the change in regulations on the Alaska Coastal Zone Management program in which the past administration by eliminating the rights of local districts to write specific local enforceable policies on important issues like subsistence. LINK bold mine
Notice that the emphasis is cleverly placed on "having a clean record" on the environment, whereas "getting ANWR open" is the pay off (supposedly down the road).
Two short months later, now Governor Palin's political feather (a compass in her ambitious little brain) has completed its 180 degree turn:
I'm keenly aware of sharply declining production from North Slope fields. The amount of oil currently flowing through the Pipeline is less than half of what it was at its peak. We must look to responsible development throughout the state--from the Slope all the way down to Southeast--every region participating! From further oil and gas development, to fishing, mining, timber, and tourism, these developments remain the core of our state. We provide stability in regulations for our developers.
...
The standard should be no different for industry. Ironically, we're trying to convince the rest of the nation to open ANWR, but we can't even get our own Pt. Thomson, which is right on the edge of ANWR, developed! We are ready for that gas to be tapped so we can fill a natural gas pipeline. I promise to vigorously defend Alaska's rights, as resource owners, to develop and receive appropriate value for our resources.LINK bold mine
"Alaska's rights"? "Receive appropriate value of our resources"?
There you have it folks. No mention about a national energy shortage. No mention about prices at the pump. No mention about energy prices dragging down the economy. No more mention of using up existing leases.
Sarah Palin doesn't give a rat's arse about gas prices. She wants more money FOR ALASKANS! A narrative that fits well with her previous ties to Alaska secessionists.
Of course she NOW knows the party talking points for drill, drill, drill. I'm sure we'll hear them again IF she makes it to the podium during the convention this week.
Poor, Sarah. She was born with an British Petroleum foot in her mouth.
Or perhaps I give her too little credit:
"I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw." --Hamlet, Act II, scene ii.
She might by crazy like a fox.