McCain Debates McCain on Impact of Offshore Drilling

John McCain, June 16:

Providing additional incentives for states to permit [oil] exploration off their coasts would be very helpful in the short term resolving our energy crisis.

John McCain, May 29:

But I also have to tell you, with those resources, which would take years to develop, it would only postpone or temporarily relieve our dependency on fossil fuels.

The St. Petersburg Times resolves the dispute between the two McCains:

Short-term help? Leave aside that current oil prices are being driven more by escalating world demand and speculative market trading. Oil doesn't just squirt out of the sea and fuel up gas tanks. Under the best of circumstances, new oil resources take a decade to bring to the market.

(Courtesy of the Jed report)