Wednesday, August 27, 2008

GOP platform backs off Arctic oil to help McCain

MINNEAPOLIS - Republicans are putting John McCain's presidential prospects above their wish to drill for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Members of the GOP platform committee voted Wednesday to stick with an energy plank that doesn't mention drilling in the refuge, saying it would only highlight an area where they differ with the Arizona senator. McCain opposes drilling in that protected land, and some committee members said they would rather bring him around on the issue once he's in the White House than widen their disagreement now.

"He's not there yet," said delegate Jeff Grossman of Oregon. "Prudence would dictate that we leave the text as it is until our candidate catches up with us."

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