I noted yesterday that the effort by the Democratic candidates for Governor to out-green one another is a clear indication of the changing nature of Virginia political culture.
Well, the link was hardly up in cyberspace before Brian Moran upped the ante.
Moran came out against all off shore drilling on the Virginia coast for oil and natural gas.
No ifs. No ands. No buts.
Just NO!
It’s a distinction with a difference.
With the help of Julian Walker and Scott Harper’s fine work at the Virginian-Pilot, we can now array the positions of all four gubernatorial candidates.
Bob McDonnell- SUPPPORTS off-shore drilling as a component of a larger energy plan
Creigh Deeds- SUPPORTS with IFS- must be environmentally sound, revenue producing and not conflicting with military, tourism or fishing needs
Terry McAuliffe- SUPPORTS natural gas EXPLORATION ONLY. NO to both oil exploration or drilling.
Brian Moran- NO
In the upcoming Democratic primary, all the candidates are trying to position themselves as the clear choice of the highly motivated groups that are likely to turn out in a June election.
Brian Moran is making a strong pitch to environmental voters on off-shore drilling. His position may not be all that different from Terry McAuliffe’s, but by refusing to support any off-shore exploration and drilling, Moran is telling environmental voters that he’s the greenest of them all.
This may be smart positioning for a Democratic Party primary.
Yet if Moran wins in June, he’ll probably be hoping that we aren’t paying $4 for a gallon of gas when the general election rolls around in November.
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