Both candidates for U.S. Senate support offshore drilling.
The Associated Press reports that Democrat Kay Hagan and Republican U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole have both stated in recent months they would support drilling, a reversal of both of their earlier positions against it.
In a new TV ad, the Dole campaign says that Hagan opposes drilling:
Dole has long supported a federal moratorium on such exploration off the North Carolina coast, saying it was necessary to protect the state tourism industry and marine habitat. She changed her mind in June, also citing high gas prices.
At that time, Hagan, a veteran state senator, slammed Dole for the decision, saying "empty rhetoric and false promises won't lower gas prices." But a month later, Hagan softened her stance by signing on to a bipartisan proposal offered by a small group of U.S. senators that included drilling, saying she was willing to approve such exploration as part of a compromise.
Flanagan said Wednesday that Hagan supports the idea of drilling as a solution and called Dole’s ad a "lie."
Dole spokesman Dan McLagan said the campaign was under the impression that Hagan opposed offshore drilling, saying she's repeated the mantra in interview after interview.
"I don't think Hagan can keep track of what she has flip-flopped on anymore," McLagan said.
Hagan backs the bipartisan Gang of 16 legislation, which would open up spots in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and allow North Carolina and other states to decide whether to allow drilling.
Dole also supports giving states the option.
