Public Opinion on Drilling

Even with the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Americans still support offshore drilling. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll asked:

Do you support or oppose a proposal to allow more drilling for oil off the coast of the United States? (IF SUPPORT/OPPOSE, THEN ASK) And, do you strongly (support/oppose) or just somewhat (support/oppose) this?

Strongly support ............................................................................ 34

Somewhat support ......................................................................... 26

Somewhat oppose .......................................................................... 12

Strongly oppose .............................................................................. 22

Another question was more deliberative, asking respondents to weigh costs and benefits:

When it comes to oil drilling off U.S. coasts, which of the following statements comes closer to your point of view?

Statement A: The potential harm to the environment outweighs the potential benefits to the economy.

Statement B: The potential benefits to the economy outweigh the potential harm to the environment.

A majority -- 53 percent said that benefits to the economy outweigh potential harm to the environment, with 41 percent saying the reverse.