Poll Results Show Increased Support for Offshore Drilling

Jane Van Ryan
Posted April 6, 2010

A new Rasmussen poll shows voters support offshore drilling more than ever.

The national Rasmussen Reports telephone survey found that 72 percent of registered voters favor offshore drilling, and only 12 percent are opposed. Rasmussen says this is the highest level of support for offshore drilling in the past three years.

The poll was conducted Wednesday and Thursday after President Obama announced plans to permit drilling in certain areas along U.S. coastlines. Interestingly, 59 percent of the voters polled said drilling also should be allowed off the coast of California and New England, which will remain closed under the president's plan.

Rasmussen reports that there is a huge division of opinion between "Mainstream" voters and what it terms the "Political Class." According to the poll, 82 percent of Mainstream voters support offshore drilling, compared to 34 percent of the Political Class.

Additionally, a majority of voters (55 percent) believe it's more important to find additional sources of energy, as compared to 32 percent who believe reducing energy consumption is more important.

Today, I'll be on Washington's National Mall asking people where they stand on offshore drilling. We'll post the results in a video soon.