[K]now-nothingism -- the insistence that there are simple, brute-force, instant-gratification answers to every problem, and that there's something effeminate and weak about anyone who suggests otherwise -- has become the core of Republican policy and political strategy. The party's de facto slogan has become: "Real men don't think things through."
Sigh.

Comments (3)
Why can't we just take the issue off the table, by voting for drilling but with real environmental protections built in? We could just fix it after the election.
Isn't that what Obama suggested?
Still, I'd like to see the Democratic Party take on the Republican Party on this policy. They're wrong; it won't change the price of gas. So why not say so?
Yeah, Obama basically let them have their toy for now. Like jac says, may as well. It will take six months just for the permits to go through ... and you could always re-apply the ban afterwards.
Of course, the whole conservation thing has already had some effect. Hopefully, it will keep up as our national fleet mix is changed (people trading in SUVs for passenger cars).
Also of course, you'd be branded a communist for going down to the local Ford dealer and telling the SUV folks that $4 / gallon gas is essentially their fault.