Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS) doesn’t seem to think the disastrous Gulf Coast oil spill is that bad.
The AP reports:
Oil has not started washing up on shore in any large quantities, and Barbour likened much of the spill to the gasoline sheen commonly found around ski boats.
“We don’t wash our face in it, but it doesn’t stop us from jumping off the boat to ski,” Barbour said.
Barbour also suggested that it was “possible that what happens here will be manageable and of moderate and even minimal impact.”
The Republican governor also said media coverage of the spill has hurt his state’s tourism industry, and made a pitch for more visitors.
“Come on down here and play golf, enjoy the beach, catch a fish and pay a little sales tax while you’re here,” he said.
Barbour’s not the only one trying to downplay the spill. BP CEO Tony Hayward told the Guardian that the spill is “tiny” compared to the “very big ocean.”
Editor’s Note: This post originally incorrectly identified the state Barbour is governor of. We regret the error.
