Is Senator John McCain backing offshore drilling to make insure America’s energy future and low gas prices? The senator’s supporters praised him for his forward thinking announcement. So did the oil industry, but their praise was, how should I put it, a bit more substantial than warm fuzzy words. How about cold cash in campaign contributions?

Yes those chubby guys wallowing at the trough, you know the oil industry executives, ponied up 1.1 million dollars to the Bush Administration Heir Wannabe right his high-profile split with environmentalists, when he flip-flopped on the federal ban on offshore drilling.

Oil and gas industry executives and employees donated $1.1 million to McCain last month — three-quarters of which came after his June 16 speech calling for an end to the ban — compared with $116,000 in March, $283,000 in April and $208,000 in May.

McCain announced his flip-flop before heading to Texas for a series of fundraisers with energy industry executives. It must have worked since the day after the speech he raised $1.3 million at a private luncheon and reception at the San Antonio Country Club.

That he would flip-flop to raise big bucks is just “completely absurd” says Brian Rogers, a McCain Campaign spokesman. “John McCain takes positions because he thinks it’s the right thing to do for America,” Rogers went on to say, “He has a long track record of doing that. And he’s often made decisions that hurt with his fundraising base.” Not this time Mr. Roberts.

Oil and gas executives have not traditionally been a major source of campaign money for McCain. A breakdown of giving by the Center for Responsive Politics shows the industry falls 12th on a list of top donors, well behind securities firms, lawyers, banks, and real estate and health professionals.

One of the advisers for the oil industry said it was the right thing for McCain to do, that the industry appreciated his flip-flop.

1.3 million and rising, that is a lot of appreciation!