Larry Kudlow’s column today does a good job of summarizing the politics and the polls with respect to the debate of the expansion of drilling. He goes as far to say that it could affect the fall elections in a way that will benefit the GOP.

As Sen. John McCain and the GOP leadership nationalize the drill, drill, drill message, the Republican party might conceivably be riding a summer political rally. The question of offshore drilling, along with expanded domestic energy production, has suddenly become the biggest political and economic wedge issue of this election. Is there a Republican tsunami in the making?

According to the major polls, Sen. McCain has overcome a big deficit to pull even with Obama. Meanwhile, according to a Rasmussen survey, Democratic party identification has slumped.

Changes in polling dynamics have been striking. Kudlow says that Democrats havent caught on yet.

Polls suggest that two-thirds to three-quarters of the nation wants to drill. To wit, while a just-released Obama campaign ad attacks McCain as a tool of big oil, McCain has taken his first-ever lead in a Rasmussen tracking poll.

There is a voter revolt going on, and it reminds me of the anti-tax rebellion that lifted Ronald Reagan into office twenty-eight years ago. Is the conventional wisdom about to be swept away? As Republicans press home the drill, drill, drill message, might they pick up seats in Congress this year? And might the national clamor for a more realistic and balanced energy policy — one that includes more oil, natural gas, clean coal, nuclear, and the alternatives of wind, solar, and cellulosic — carry John McCain to a convincing victory over Obama?

Carol Platt Liebau points out how big the shift as been.

-Among voters aged 18-29, Obama lost 16 percent and McCain gained 20. Obama still leads, 49-38;

-Among women, McCain gained 10 percentage points. Obama now leads 43-38;

-Among independents, Obama lost an 11 point lead. They’re now tied;

-Among Democrats, Obama’s support dropped from 83 percent to 74 percent;

-Among Catholics, Obama lost the 11 point lead he had in July and now trails McCain by 15.

As reported in my previous link from Congressman John Campbell, Amanda Carpenter confirms this extroidinary improptu meeting that Republicans are having on the floor of the House chambers.

The CSPAN cameras have been turned off and the House Democrats are on their way home, but members of the GOP are staying late.

I’m getting reports from the Hill that House Republicans are gathering on the House floor, in the dark, with no microphones, to talk directly with taxpayers who are visiting the Capitol about gas prices.

Pelosi and her environmentalist pay masters have no intention of allowing more drilling. Today’s extroidinary events on the House floor cements the issue for Republicans. Look for them to exploit in a manner which could turn several seats back to republicans. John McCain has already signaled he is on board with off shore drilling with Obama being steadfastly against it.

This issue more than others may affect who McCain picks as VP. It may move Alaska Govenor Sarah Palin to the front. Palin is an extremely effective advocate for drilling and her presence could additional juice to a ticket which is already gaining some steam.

UPDATES: From Hot Air and the Politico

John Campbell (R), is a US Congressman from California’s 48th District. He has a blog on his official web site. He’s also posted on Townhall’s excellent blog page. Today Campbell writes of Speaker Pelosi’s continued efforts at blocking meaning action on drilling.

Congress has passed no meaningful energy legislation to move us towards lower gas prices and more American energy and now has recessed for a 5 week break. Republicans, including yours truly, wanted to speak more about that on the floor of the House this afternoon. The Pelosi majority took the unusual step of calling for immediate adjournment to prevent these speeches from going forward and turned off the cameras and microphones on the House floor.

It’s one thing to not allow a vote on more energy production. It’s another to not even allow people to speak about it. I and several dozen others are speaking on the House floor right now to a gallery full of cheering people to demand that Speaker Pelosi allow a vote on more American energy production. No TVs. No microphones.

You can turn off the lights, but you cannot silence the will of the American people.

Good for you, Congressman.

THis interview of Newt Gingrich today on Fox demonstrated just how close the Dem party leaders are from giving a win-win to John McCain and the Republicans in the fall on America’s oil crisis.
Reid and Pelosi are unable to allow open drilling and are hopeful that the REPs will acquiece to a face-saving move. It looks like no way for Reid Pelosi and Obama as they will try to argue that they know best as they did all along in Iraq.