Lunsford’s camp asserts pro-drilling stance after McConnell attacks on issue again

The campaign of Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville) is asserting their candidate has "consistently supported" expanded drilling shortly after a new television advertisement from opponent and U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) claims Lunsford "would not open a single new acre for offshore drilling." In support of its position, Lunsford's campaign cites recent statements where the candidate attempts to define his stance on drilling, though those may contrast with earlier sentiment from Lunsford.

McConnell's camp supports its initial claim by citing an August 4 editorial penned by Lunsford in which the candidate does not mention off-shore drilling as part of his energy plan.

Lunsford's campaign, however, points to a slew of recent evidence that indicates Lunsford has been advocating for some expanded domestic drilling - including offshore and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

"Well, I think that we have plenty of places offshore and ANWR as spots that we could, but I think that it needs to be done judiciously," remarked Lunsford at a July 24 press conference announcing his eight-point energy plan. "I've said that before and I still believe that now, but I think that we do need to drill for oil."

In that eight-point plan, Lunsford included support for legislation that would require oil companies to drill on lands upon which they currently hold leases. In other statements since revealing his plan, Lunsford has said he supports drilling as "part of a policy," though drilling in either ANWR or offshore areas is not among his eight points.

Lunsford has been on the receiving in of a good deal of attacks from McConnell and other Republicans, who allege the Democrat is not a supporter of drilling.

While recent statements appear to indicate Lunsford now supports drilling in some fashion, even in ANWR, earlier sentiment found the Democrat hesitant on exploration in the Arctic.

During a June 13 press conference, the candidate remarked that he was in favor of using "our reserves" to correct a supply and demand imbalance on the energy market. Lunsford was then asked by PolitickerKY.com if he supported drilling in ANWR.

"If you look at how little impact that has, that has become a political football. It has almost no effect on price," said Lunsford. "If you look at it in a study and look at what it does over the next ten years, it will have almost no effect on price. It almost does nothing about our consumption, because we consume 30 percent of the world's production, nearly, and we only make 3 percent. So it can't do it."

"Would someone in Kentucky want to see our environment destroyed like we are asking to do in Alaska? I don't think so. I think Kentuckians are much more environmentally conscious than that," added Lunsford. "Especially in this case, it's a hoax."

When asked if Lunsford's recent support of drilling in ANWR represents a change in position for the candidate, a campaign spokesman said the following.

"Bruce supports drilling wherever it can be done in an environmentally sound way," said Cary Stemle. "It's interesting that Republicans have tried to use ANWR as a wedge issue, as a political football, for many years. If ANWR was the golden nugget, then McConnell would have it in his plan."

In May, McConnell introduced an amendment on the U.S. Senate floor that would open parts of ANWR to drilling. Since then, McConnell has pushed the Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008 as a principle plank of his campaign, which would give states the option to allow offshore drilling on their coastal waters, but does not reference ANWR.

Lunsford has advocated for a gas tax holiday, opening up part of the strategic petroleum reserve, and government investment in alternative energy technology during campaign stops, often arguing the United States is "addicted to oil."

In addition to the slap on drilling, McConnell's latest thirty-second ad argues Lunsford "supports new energy taxes." Such a statement references Lunsford's support of a windfall profit tax placed directly on oil companies, a stance he has vocally favored.

McConnell opposes such a tax.