The AP reports that California Governor Arnold Schwarznegger has pulled his support for offshore drilling based on the news coming out of the Gulf of Mexico.
Speaking during a news conference Monday, Schwarzenegger said television images of the oil spill in the Gulf have changed his mind about the safety of ocean-based oil platforms.
The Republican governor had proposed expanding oil drilling off the coast of Santa Barbara to help close the state's $20 billion budget deficit, so withdrawing his support essentially kills the idea since he would have to include it in his May budget revision.
Only if more politicians like Schwarznegger did the right thing. It's good that the governor changed his mind about the merits of offshore drilling, and he should be commended for it.