Drilling The Coasts

The alleged commie-Muslim adopts "drill, baby drill" and nuclear energy on top of climate control. In other words, Obama's position is now indistinguishable from McCain's "all of the above" approach in the campaign. As long as exploring domestic energy does not send the wrong signal and inhibit a shift to post-carbon energy, I'm not opposed. Drum shrugs:

I guess this makes me a bad environmentalist, but I've never really had a big problem with opening up these offshore tracts as long as (a) the affected states are OK with it and (b) oil companies don't get sweetheart deals. But here's what I don't get. When it comes to energy, conservatives are crazy about two things: nuclear power and offshore drilling. Now Obama has agreed to both. But does he seriously think this will "help win political support for comprehensive energy and climate legislation"? Wouldn't he be better off holding this stuff in reserve and negotiating it away in return for actual support, not just hoped-for support?

Yglesias and Benen have the same question.