"Crist Rethinks Support of Offshore Drilling"

"The oil spill spreading across the Gulf of Mexico is sending ripples through Florida and national politics, giving Gov. Charlie Crist a reason to withdraw his support for offshore drilling.

After a 90-minute plane flight Tuesday above the spill, which was spreading in an 80-by-42-mile blob, Crist said, ``Clearly it could be devastating to Florida if something like that were to occur. It's the last thing in the world I would want to see happen in our beautiful state.''

He said there is no question now that lawmakers should give up on the idea of drilling off Florida's coast this year and in coming years. He had said previously that he would support drilling if it was far enough from shore, safe enough and clean enough. He said the spill is proof that that is not possible."

Marc Caputo, Mary Ellen Klas and Craig Pittman report for the Miami Herald April 28, 2010.

See Also:

"Florida Democrat Seeks Offshore Oil Hiatus" (Dot Earth)

"Pelosi: Oil Spill Must Be Considered When Judging Obama's Drilling Plan" (E2Wire)

"McDonnell To Press U.S. on Oil Drilling Despite Spill" (Culpeper Star-Exponent