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Delegation Declines Talk On Gang Of 10 Drilling Plan

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By BILLY HOUSE and WILLIAM MARCH

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 26, 2008

DENVER - The controversy over new offshore drilling splashed Monday onto the opening day of the Democratic National Convention, with Floridians rejecting a Louisiana senator's request for a chance to talk to them about the idea.

Meanwhile, convention delegations from Virginia, South Carolina and North Carolina have agreed to hear Sen. Mary Landrieu on a so-called Gang of 10 proposal to open new acres in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and end a ban on drilling off their Atlantic coasts.

The snub by Florida comes even as Sen. Barack Obama has said he is "willing to consider" allowing additional drilling in a limited number of offshore areas if it helps Congress end a partisan logjam on energy legislation.

But Florida's senior elected Democrat, Sen. Bill Nelson, remains among those staunchly opposed to expanding offshore drilling.

Landrieu requested the chance to speak about the proposal to state party chairs, both in an e-mail Saturday and letters sent Sunday.

"You are no doubt familiar with the proposal, in which new oil and gas production would be permitted in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and Florida would receive a substantial share of the revenues generated," wrote Landrieu, in the Florida letter, adding she wanted to "discuss our proposal and answer your questions about its potential impact for Florida."

The new drilling proposal by Landrieu, four other Democrats and five Republicans also sets up an opt-in provision so legislatures and governors can allow drilling off their coasts.
Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff confirmed Monday that Landrieu's request was turned down.

"While the Florida delegation has great respect for fellow Southerner U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, we must politely decline her request to speak to our delegation. Unfortunately, for the days that Sen. Landrieu is available, our speaking program schedule is already full," he said

Jotkoff would not comment on whether Nelson's opposition to the proposal affected the decision.

Nelson's chief of staff, Pete Mitchell, said Monday that Nelson did not ask state party officials to rebuff Landrieu's request to speak to the Florida's convention delegates.

Landrieu spokesman Adam Sharp said the senator is not critical of the Florida party leaders' decision, but is happy to have the chance to speak to the delegates from other states.

Reporter Billy House can be reached at (202) 662-7673 or bhouse@tampatrib.com.

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