In Drilling, Right May Find Gold Mine of Support

Insiders warned it was risky for John McCain to reverse himself on offshore drilling, but the issue might yet prove the nucleus for a “right roots” movement to counter MoveOn, Politico reports. In the few weeks since the proposal entered the national conversation, 1.2 million people have signed a Newt Gingrich-sponsored petition favoring drilling, and conservative activists have been closing ranks.

“For the first time in a while, it’s an issue that’s rallying all parts of the right,” notes one such righty, who says Gingrich’s "Drill Now" message has broad appeal. Americans support drilling (if dropped gas prices is the payoff), but support falls when specific locations are involved. One grassroots lefty is unimpressed, however: “The rightroots is pretty much a silly mirage.” (More John McCain stories.)