Last week, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) reversed his longstanding opposition to offshore drilling, just before cozying up to energy industry leaders in Houston. McCain claimed his flip-flop would “address the concerns of Americans, who are struggling right now to pay for gasoline.” At a townhall event in Fresno, CA, yesterday, McCain admitted that it wouldn’t provide any “immediate relief” but said there would be “psychological” benefits:
I don’t see an immediate relief, but I do see that exploitation of existing reserves that may exist — and in view of many experts that do exist off our coasts — is also a way that we need to provide relief. Even though it may take some years, the fact that we are exploiting those reserves would have a psychological impact that I think is beneficial.
Watch it:
In April, McCain told Neil Cavuto that his gas tax “holiday” would give people “a little psychological boost.” Go to the Wonk Room for more.
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