It will take years for the technologies to mature, the costs to come down and the national fleet to be changed over from its petroleum base. In the interim, we will need crude oil and plenty of it. Since the stability of our present sources of oil cannot be relied upon, our nation's security has been put at considerable risk.

McCain realizes that the U.S. no longer has any choice but to develop its own dependable domestic energy supply and infrastructure. He's also politically astute enough to understand this:

McCain's position is likely to help him solidify support among conservatives, which political analysts say he needs to do to guarantee a strong GOP turnout in November.

His position also puts him in line with Republicans in the House and Senate, who are pushing legislation in Congress to lift the ban.

I heard his spokesperson say today that he is still against dilling in the pristine region of ANWR. I felt like grabbing her and shouting, "IT"S PRISTINE BECAUSE NO ONE WILL GO TO THAT GODFORESAKEN PLACE".