President Bush?s plan to expand offshore oil drilling is receiving positive reviews from the Sea Bright community.

Most residents, frustrated by the ever-rising price of gas, want a solution that will alleviate some economic anxiety.

"I see a lot of offshore drilling, I've been down to Venezuela and it doesn't bother me,? says Kathie Bergen-Grove, of Sea Bright.

Gov. Jon Corzine has long been opposed to offshore drilling and says the country needs to maximize the reserves that are already in play. Many bristle at the governor?s position.

"What life does he live, we're not all rich people,? says John Welton, of Middletown. ?We're working people, many of us are retired. We need a break and we're not getting it from our politicians."

Most of the political leadership in New Jersey and nationally is split along party lines on the issue. The state?s Democratic U.S. senators, Frank Lautenberg and Bob Menendez, oppose the idea, as does the party?s presidential nominee, Sen. Barack Obama.

Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain supports the president.