Mankato Free Press looks at the "air war" in the First

In the Mankato Free Press, staff writer Mark Fischenich contrasts the first two television and cable ads in the MN-01 congressional contest:

Both ads focus on energy policy and oil drilling and both show the candidate standing by a fuel pump. But they’re very different in style.

Walz’s ad, after a brief criticism of the “Bush energy plan” working for “the big oil companies”, simply calls for a balanced approach to the nation’s energy problem, including increased oil production, renewable energy and investments in new energy technology. It makes no mention of Davis.

Davis’ ad is a direct attack on Walz and could be seen as misleading in places.

Davis tells viewers Walz is “against drilling for oil in Alaska and off-shore.” Walz opposes drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which makes up less than 2 percent of the total area of Alaska. He also is co-sponsor of a bill that would allow off-shore drilling, although it has restrictions including on how close to shore the drilling can occur. . . .

Some interesting developments in national politics also suggest that Davis's views on energy aren't universally shared by his pachyderm brethren. First, the national GOP platform committee has dropped a plank calling for drilling in ANWR, while adding one that acknowledges that human activity contributes to global warming. From the Washington Post:

While the platform advocates expanded oil and gas drilling to meet the nation's energy needs, the 112-person committee agreed to omit language calling for drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a plank in the party's 2004 platform. McCain has voted both ways on the question of drilling in ANWR, but has said this year he believes it should remain off-limits to energy exploration. . . .

. . .The platform's energy section breaks with the past on several fronts. For the first time, it acknowledges that human activity has contributed to climate change.

Brian Davis does not believe human activity has an impact on climate change.

Photo: Wind turbines near Buffalo Ridge.

Comments

[MinnesotaCentral]

Good post.
I wrote up a commentary last night but then a lightning strike on the neighbor's pole shutting down the power. (Fortunately, I had just hit "save")

In my post, immigration is discussed along with ANWR drilling and the remove of "Global Warming" from the orginal draft.

The platform takes a softer stance on some of the hot button issues ... which makes Bachmann, Kline and Davis out of the GOP mainstream ... which is not a surprise.
Bachmann was on the committee so it is really a slap in her face.

Ollie Ox replies: In a survey of Hill staffers, the Washingtonian just named Michele Bachmann the second most clueless member of the House, so that's no surprise.

http://www.washingtonian.com/blogarticles/people/capitalcomment/9097.html