Gulf oil spill: President Obama is now in a sticky situation politically
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There’s a dark cloud stretching across the Gulf of Mexico that may have already made its way to Washington, D.C. -- politically. According to our colleague Michael Muskal, even the president’s own party is looking at the black spill as a black eye on the administration.
Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, said there was a risk of a potential “environmental and economic disaster” from the spill, and added that he was filing legislation to temporarily prohibit the Obama administration from expanding offshore drilling. “Until we learn what happened, I’m asking that you also call for an immediate halt to test wells and all other exploratory operations in coastal waters,” Nelson said in a letter to Obama.
Within the post, Muskal explains how crossing the aisle to appease those who recently chanted “Drill baby, drill” has now landed the president in a sticky situation.
-- Tony Pierce
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Photos: Oil spill spreads in the Gulf of Mexico
Efforts to fight Gulf of Mexico oil spill are ramped up
Interactive: Burning spilled oil
Associated Press