peak production at ANWR would contribute about 3% to the US consumption. ( 15 years from now )
it would have almost 0 effect of oil prices and energy self-reliance.
We are better off investing in next-generation energy resources.
oil prices went down NOT because of us talking, but because the reason it peaked was pure speculation. At some point 92% of all oil futures were held by speculators.
Right now we have so much oil we don't know what to do with it.. we have tankers full of oil floating in the ocean..

Few points
1. Speculation - are not they based on the events/plans that are taking place in the present time?
2. Investment in alternative energy - investing or subsidizing?...so far none has made economical sense...
3. What is the alternative source of energy available right now and used successfully by other countries? (France uses nuclear power for 70% of all their energy needs). And who has been blocking it in this country?

and what is the point you are trying to make?

That Mac, after inistially consolidating base by Palin's nomination and moving ahead, reverted to his usual "friends", "accross the aisle" nonsense. He promised (in the email to supporters) to vote against stimulus than "for the sake of the country" changed the position.
Basically a lot of conservatives decided that he is Obama-light (no pun intended), he will not let Palin to play her roleand he will promote socialism slowly w/o triggering an immune reaction.
They voted for the country to be innoculated once and for all, so to say - they hold their noses and voted for Obama. Mac lost.

agree...Mac has been Obama light - not better than him on the bailout - one of the reasons he lost even the independents - public didn't favor bailouts...
dunno about the e-mail...do you have a link?

on alternative sources - the most promising once are Nuclear, Solar, Wind.
Nuclear is of course the key for now.
Solar and Wind have been improving efficiency over the last 20 years greatly, and especially last 4-5 years.
There was an announcement from Dow chemical just yesterday about solar elements built into roof shingles.
They do need some government help ( tax breaks for the customers ) in order to accelerate deployment and encourage development.
Speculation is sometimes just for the sale of speculation.. if i buy up 92% of all oil supply futures the prices will go up due to perceived shortage. This is what pushed prices to $150

anyway, the point is she only knew the "drill, drill, drill" chant that idiots like Kudlow keep advocating.
energy policy is a lot more then just drilling.

Natural gas pipelineIn June 2008, Palin stated that she would work to create jobs bybuilding a pipeline to bring North Slope natural gas to North Americanmarkets.[70] In her acceptance speech at the GOP in September 2008, Palin stated: "I fought to bring about the largest private-sector infrastructure project in North Americanhistory," "And when that deal was struck, we began a nearly $40 billiondollar natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energyindependence." TransCanada projects the pipeline to be operational bylate 2018, barring unforeseen obstacles.[71]

Nuclear EnergyPalin has made multiple statments in support of domestic nuclear energy.[72]This includes new model nuclear reactors, such as those developed byHyperion Power Generation, such as the deployment of a 225MW reactorfor Alaska [73].Furthermore, she supportsthe overhaul of nuclear regulatory regime toallow the ready deploymentof these new, smaller, nuclear reactors.

yeah.. natural gas.. another resource where we have a total overproduction.. prices have collapsed to multi-year low and it's very hard to store ( unlike oil which we can dump into strategic reserve ).
all we need is more natural gas coming on-line.. brrr

***********.adn.com/opinion/view/story/553653.html
this is an article on her full record...anyway, that was her plans some time ago...things and supply change...she did promote investments in alternative energy by oil companies by giving them tax breaks for it...don't forget - she was a governor of one state and had limited abilities...although her record on energy is much more extensive and sound than many's...