That's what Bill Beutler asks today in his blog post on TheNextRight.com, noting Virginia Sen. Jim Webb's support for exploring for natural gas off the state's shores.

Better yet, it's an issue where independents side with the GOP, although the margins are not so wide (80% in favor vs. 56%). Overall, Americans favor opening up U.S. coastal waters by a 57% to 41%.

Now, what does this issue remind you of? How about gun control in the late 1990s?