Aug 27, 2008 2:00 pm US/Eastern
GOP Backs Off Arctic Oil Platform To Help McCain
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) ―
Republicans are putting John McCain's presidential prospects above their wish to drill for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Members of the GOP platform committee voted Wednesday to stick with an energy plank that doesn't mention drilling in the refuge, saying it would only highlight an area where they differ with the Arizona senator. McCain opposes drilling in that protected land, and some committee members said they would rather bring him around on the issue once he's in the White House than widen their disagreement now.
"He's not there yet," said delegate Jeff Grossman of Oregon. "Prudence would dictate that we leave the text as it is until our candidate catches up with us."
Delegates endorsed expanded drilling generally, both offshore and in Alaska, North Dakota and Montana, and declared that the Alaskan refuge should not be put off limits to the oil industry permanently.
McCain doesn't have to follow the platform and it's unclear whether he will give it much weight; presidential candidates often don't. But the 112-member committee working on the statement of party principles in Minneapolis is trying not to stray too far from McCain's views, while also satisfying the conservative base.
Republicans are also doing a balancing act on climate change.
The platform being debated acknowledges a human role in increased carbon emissions that are warming the atmosphere, while also calling for climate change policies that are "global in nature, based on sound science and technology" and don't hurt the economy. The document also decries "no-growth radicalism" and says solutions should not "force Americans to sacrifice their way of life or trim their hopes and dreams for their children."
Committee member Trey Grayson of Kentucky called the document "the greenest platform we've ever had."
Debate and votes are also expected on health care, education, national security and government reform before the platform is approved Wednesday and sent to the Republican National Convention next week for adoption.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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