Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who has taken pains to distance herself from President Bush, says she strongly supports keeping the two-decade old ban that prevents drilling offshore -- putting her at odds with both Bush and John McCain, whom she backs for president.
But the high-profile McCain supporter didn't mention McCain, nor the president in a statement. She did, however, note that her district includes the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
"We must continue to protect and preserve our economic interests by safeguarding against near-shore drilling," she said. "Our energy policy should not completely disregard the importance of protecting our natural resources and environment."
Her stance on the ban also differs with that of fellow Miami Republicans, Reps. Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart. They -- and a number of other Florida Republicans -- began to argue for compromise when the then-GOP led Congress began to push aggressively for drilling off Florida's shores in 2006.
They both voted in favor of legislation that lifts the ban, but gives Florida beaches a buffer. And they said that's where they stand now.
"We've argued for some permanent protection for Florida, while allowing states that want to drill some flexibility," Mario Diaz-Balart said.
He said the stance earned him brickbats (from the Miami Herald's editorial board) in 2006, but that he warned the Gulf of Mexico's resources were being eyed eagerly.
"I said then, 'This is not going away," he said.
All three GOP'ers face their first significant challenges and Mario Diaz-Balart's Democratic opponent, Joe Garcia, said the lawmaker had "caved in to pressure from his party's leadership and turned his back on South Florida again."
"Voters will have a clear choice in this election, we can have a congressman that takes orders from his party bosses, or we can have an independent voice in Washington that is accountable to no one except the voters of South Florida," Garcia said.
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