President Barack Obama is currently riding a wave and is desperately trying to stay on it for as long as possible. The metaphorical wave in question is the sudden rise in his approval ratings and the perception that he has at last achieved something of significance.
The passing of the healthcare bill has been hailed as the savior of a sagging presidency. This has not been lost on Obama. Currently he is doing everything he can to make the moment last and perhaps even the hope of a second term in office. As such he is taking a tough stance on Iran, signing a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with Russia while also looking for oil.
In a move that is obviously designed to pacify the Republicans, who are up in arms over the way the healthcare bill was passed, Obama is ready to go ahead with extensive offshore drilling which will yield the U.S. Oil and Natural Gas. While the move will cause rumblings in the Democratic Party, it is part of several other initiatives that Obama is embracing to appear more aggressive and in-charge.
Wall Street excesses have already been targeted as has the education policy and big corporate money in campaign finance. Immigration reform is in the works and so is a climate change bill. Why the rush? Simply put, it is because of the U.S. Mid-Term elections. Obama needs all the votes he can get in Washington in order to effect the Change he promised during his campaign, so pushing positively and making headway on key issues will definitely help the Democrats win more seats.