Another day, another bizarre press release by the Moran campaign. Today, the Moran campaign is out with an immediate rebuttal (aka, "attack") against Terry McAuliffe's new, pro-renewable-energy TV ad. What, you ask? The Moran campaign is rebutting Terry McAuliffe for being IN FAVOR OF renewable energy?!? Believe it or not, the answer is "yes." Why on earth are the Moran people doing this? Because, they erroneously claim, "drilling rigs...are part of [Terry McAuliffe's] vision." The Moran press release goes on to brag (once again, erroneously) that "Brian Moran is the only candidate for Governor standing firm against offshore drilling."So...just a couple of
1. From a pure political perspective, the Moran campaign's attack on Terry McAuliffe is problematic, as McAuliffe's position on this issue is very similar, actually even more pro-environment, than Tim Kaine's or Mark Warner's. McAuliffe's position, as explained in Terry's energy plan, is: "Be open to off-shore exploration for natural gas so long as it takes place 50 miles or more from the coast, consistent with state law." Now, here is what Tim Kaine believes: "the state is in favor of exploration for natural gas only, outside the 50-mile mark off Virginia's coastline." Sound familiar? Finally, here is Mark Warner on this issue: "Warner has said he would be in favor of allowing states to explore the possibility of drilling off their shores" and believes "we need more drilling off the coast." What next, is Brian Moran going to attack Mark Warner for believing that "we need more drilling off the coast?"
2. More substantively, Brian Moran himself not only BELIEVES in drilling for natural gas off Virginia's coast, he VOTED FOR IT! That's right: in April 2006, Moran voted for final passage of SB 262. Among other things, that bill encouraged the exploration for natural gas off Virginia's coast. In addition, the bill urged the President and Congress to lift the moratoria on natural gas exploration in the Outer Continental Shelf.
The bottom line here is that Terry McAuliffe holds the same position - open to exploration for natural gas offshore - as Tim Kaine, Mark Warner, and...yes, Brian Moran himself. Apparently, Brian Moran is so rattled these days he has decided to start attacking himself! Ha. :)
P.S. Just to be absolutely clear, I am personally against offshore drilling, for natural gas or oil, period end. That position puts me to the pro-environment "left" (why it's "left" I'm not sure) of Brian Moran, Terry McAuliffe, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner on this issue. Take this as my own personal "press release" attacking ALL of them - not to mention Bob McDonnell and Bill Bolling - on this issue. :)
