Daily Kos diarist Kagro X is saying what many informed liberals are thinking, but have been slow to acknowledge: Republicans have essentially "won" the debate over offshore drilling. For Democrats, environmentalists and alternative energy proponents, the real fight is over which version of a comprehensive energy plan becomes law. Kagro X highlights the recent policy shifts by Nancy Pelosi and Mark Udall (thought no mention of Obama's own pivot) and declares:

The floodgates will open because they have to open. There's no way on God's green earth to find veto-proof majorities to re-up that ban, and no bill George W. Bush won't veto to stop it. ... So it's either flip now and do what you can to save face, or stick it out to the bitter end and lose.

Still, there's a potential upside for Democrats: Embrace a truly comprehensive plan and then call the Republicans' bluff. Rather than meekly acknowledging that drilling is one component of energy independence, embrace drilling as as a necessary evil to pry us from the skyrocketing energy costs brought on by two wars and an administration that has so far refused to embrace an all-encompassing plan. Although the realist in me thinks it's far more likely that both sides will continue their respective turf wars. Drilling has been a rare popular issue for Republicans in the current political environment, and Democrats don't want to risk alienating the enviro lobby, or the sincere reservations of many in their own caucus.

UPDATE: The DNC is now sending journalists McCain stress balls shaped like oil drums.

Several House GOP leaders met with conservative bloggers this afternoon in John Boehner's office to discuss their floor protest over energy legislation. Near the end of the hour long meeting, Arizona Rep. John Shadegg discussed the possibility of presumptive Republican nominee John McCain joining the Republicans on the House floor.

'I would welcome him here," Shadegg said, noting that the only way McCain can be prevented from crossing over to the other chamber is if Nancy Pelosi returns to Washington and declares the House to be in session.

Shadegg was joined by RSC Chairman Jeb Hensarling, former presidential candidate and retiring California Rep. Duncan Hunter, Mike Pence, Marilyn Musgrave and Louie Gohmert.

Sen. Tom Coburn took part in a blogger conference call today organized through the Senate Republican Communications Senator. The call covered topics including Coburn's showdown with Harry Reid and the housing bill. But Coburn opened his remarks talking about Republican efforts on energy, specifically their desire to open up more offshore drilling.


Corburn returned to the topic when answering a question on "Reid's attempt to push through bills Sen. Coburn objected to," by saying he and other Republicans were pushing a stalemate. "I don't think Republicans will be ready to move on anything until we have energy," he said. Coburn added, "If we don't, we will have failed the American people." 

I have a story on the CQ Politics main site today looking at Republican efforts to make the energy debate their new signature issue, along the lines of gun rights, abortion, taxes and the judiciary:

That belief is based on a series of recent polls showing newfound support for offshore oil drilling and a dip in support for conservation.

"There's been a monumental shift towards exploration," said Josh Holmes, a spokesman for the Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

A Pew Research Center study found support for increased energy exploration had risen from 35 percent in February to 47 percent in June. Likewise, those citing increased energy conservation as a priority dropped 10 points, from 55 percent to 45 percent. The same study also shows 50 percent of respondents favor drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), including 36 percent of Democrats and 48 percent of Independents.