George Allen visits New Orleans, dreams of more offshore drilling

[Louisiana Senators Mary Landrieu] and [David] Vitter toured the Lower 9th Ward [in New Orleans] as part of their continuing effort to give fellow senators an up-close view of the devastation wrought by Katrina.

Getting the tour Wednesday were Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., a former governor of that state, and Sen. George Allen, a Republican from Virginia . . .

Both voiced support for efforts by Landrieu and Vitter to get Louisiana a share of the government's royalty income from oil and gas exploration off its coast. Louisiana wants those funds to help restore marshlands that can lessen the effects of hurricanes.

Moreover, Bayh and Allen said they would favor letting all coastal states share in the federal royalty money. Allen said that could encourage more deep sea oil production off the nation's coasts . . . .

While Louisiana is thinking about using royalty money for rebuilding efforts, while Allen is thinking about building up Big Oil profits.

Virginia voters in Hampton Roads (the Second District) should take special notice.  Right now, they have a Representative (Drake) and Senator (Allen) that show persistent interest in more offshore drilling, especially off of the Second District's coastline.

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