Projo Politics Blog

One of the subplots of the Republican National Convention is the plank in the McCain-Palin platform that -- in a departure from GOP presidential nominee John McCain's earlier position -- calls for exploration of domestic oil and gas reserves.

Or as former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele of Maryland said in a speech Wednesday night: "Drill, baby, drill, and drill now!''

Polls show that the American public has also swung to stronger support for petroleum exploration. Small surprise there; nothing focuses the mind on energy issues better then spiraling prices at the gasoline pump. Democratic nominee Barack Obama, without flatly endorsing a particular course on the domestic oil question, has said he is open to supporting a broad package of energy sources. McCain echoes Democratic calls for a wide range of alternate energy sources -- and adds nuclear power.

His running mate, Sarah Palin, is governor of Alaska, the nation's leading oil-producing state, and has collaborated with Democrats to raise more taxes from the petroleum industry. Some Democrats say this is not so far from their call for a windfall profits tax on the industry -- an assertion that Republicans dispute.

In short, energy is a big voting issue this year, it has complexity, and both parties want to grab it.

Still, simplicity is the byword at a national convention, so "Drill, baby, drill'' has become a refrain echoed around the arena after Steele first used it last night.

But one veteran convention-goer from Rhode Island is keeping the message even simpler. Martha Stamp arrived here Sunday with one of her trademark, wide-brim hats. Up above the brim, under the floral arrangement, is a snappy green band that repeats a single word all around the crown. ``Drill. Drill. Drill. Drill. Drill. Drill ... ''

 Tags  McCain Obama Palin Republican Convention Stamp

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