ANWR split gives GOP 2 platforms

The official platform of the Republican Party this year may contrast with Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) position on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

Differences between the party platforms and the policies of presidential nominees are rare, but this year they could be unavoidable on the Republican side because McCain has broken with the GOP on high-profile issues in recent years.

{mosads}Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), co-chairman of the Republican Platform Committee, pointed out on Tuesday that McCain is open to having two platforms — one for the party and one for his campaign.

House Republicans have called for an “all of the above” solution to the energy crisis, a broad plan that includes drilling in ANWR.

McCain opposes drilling in ANWR, which he has called “a pristine place.”

McCarthy, who returned from a recent House GOP trip to the ANWR region on Monday, said most of the party’s positions would reflect those of the nominee.

“It’s not going to be 100 percent different,” he said.

Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) is the other co-chair of the Republican Platform Committee.

A Republican National Committee (RNC) official said, “We’re confident this process will produce a platform that all Republicans will enthusiastically support.”

A McCain spokesman referred platform inquiries to the RNC.

McCain recently changed his position on oil exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf, advocating for drilling there. That position is consistent with most Republicans on Capitol Hill.

But despite high gas prices, McCain has refused to alter his position on ANWR and global warming.

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), who also was on the House GOP trip to ANWR, lamented McCain’s opposition to drilling in Alaska.

“It’s difficult when our nominee is not on the same page with us,” said Bachmann in an interview with Townhall.com.

“I believe if Sen. McCain could come to the area and listen to the people who live there — I believe that he might likely change his mind,” Bachmann said.

Differences between congressional Republicans and McCain, while politically awkward, could help the senator this fall because polls show that the GOP brand is suffering.

In recent campaign ads, the McCain campaign has referred to the Arizona senator as a “maverick” who has been willing to take on “presidents, partisans and public opinion.”

McCain has broken with President Bush and many GOP lawmakers on the 2003 Medicare prescription drug benefit bill, stem cell legislation and earmarks.

Meanwhile, Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (Fla.) said House Republicans would introduce an “all of the above” energy bill this week in an effort to put pressure on Democrats to address the energy crisis.

“The immediate goal is to force a vote on energy policy; the goal is to become less dependent,” Putnam said.

According to an internal memo sent to House members on Tuesday from Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Putnam and Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the American Energy Act “will increase the supply of American-made energy, improve conservation and efficiency, and promote renewable and alternative energy technologies.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has said repeatedly that votes on drilling in protected areas would not be held, calling the idea that it would lower gasoline prices “a hoax.”

“They may call it an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy plan, but it looks like the ‘all-too-familiar’ Bush/Cheney failed energy policies that got us to the $4-a-gallon gas prices today,” said Drew Hammill, a spokesman for Pelosi. “This plan fails to include a key short-term tool to reduce prices in two weeks rather than two decades — calling to free our oil by releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.”

A group of members led by Reps. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) and John Peterson (R-Pa.) is considering language in a yet-to-be-introduced bill ordering a release of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and reining in speculation in oil markets. The group has said it will not call for drilling in ANWR because it is too controversial.

Putnam called the bipartisan group “telling” and further evidence that Democratic leadership is the only obstacle to moving a comprehensive energy plan.

Walter Alarkon contributed to this article.