Gelber tells Crist Florida 'coastline is no political chit'

The Democratic pile-on over the oil drilling debate continues, this time with House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber sending a letter to Gov Charlie Crist urging him to reverse his reversal on oil drilling. Here's the letter:

Governor Crist,

You and I have worked together on many, many issues. While we don't always agree, I have always respected you for your willingness to engage an honest debate and avoid the rank partisanship that has defined our state for too long.

So it is in that spirit that I urge you to reconsider your support of Senator McCain and President Bush's position to lift the moratorium on drilling off the shores of Florida. Although I am confident that we will disagree on who to support for President, we both should be able to agree that Florida's pristine coastline should not become just another chit in presidential politics.

What is most distressing has been the argument that we should lift the ban because of the high cost of gasoline. It is simply not fair or accurate to suggest that allowing oil drilling off the Florida coast will do anything to alleviate the currently oppressive cost of fuel. In fact, the Bush administration issued a report saying exactly that just last year, and John McCain himself admitted as recently as three weeks ago that this would not help consumers at the pump.

I think your initial instincts on this were right and I urge you to retreat to your original position that protects our pristine coastlines.

You and I agree that we should not gamble with our state's economic future. So let's protect our coastlines by maintaining the moratorium on drilling off Florida's beaches.

Your friend,
Dan Gelber