As the first signs of the BP oil gusher in the gulf hit Florida beaches last Friday, the Sunshine State's leaders, Governor Charlie Crist and U.S. Senators Bill Nelson and George LeMieux, hit the Sunday morning public affairs circuit to discuss the latest development in this environmental horror show.

Nelson found himself in the paradoxical situation of decrying the spill and the massive economic stress it's putting on the Gulf states, and then putting on a happy face and emphasizing that very little oil has hit Florida's beaches  and that they're still perfectly fine for the public come to come and visit.

"The bad part is that people think there is oil there and they're canceling their fishing trips, their hotels, they're not going into their restaurants…they're canceling the fish orders ..there is a huge economic impact that is beginning to be felt," Nelson said on CBS's Face the Nation.

But host Bob Schieffer challenged Nelson on something he's said at least twice over the past few weeks – that it's time for the U.S. military to come in and take control of the situation in the Gulf.

Nelson said the Coast Guard is doing a great job, but-

"the Coast Guard is stretched to the limit right now.  These guys are going just as hard as they can go.  They barely have time to get rest and sleep.  And if this thing continues for months in advance, you’re going to have to bring in the best

organization for coordinating assets, command and control, getting information right now."

But the Obama administration's point man for the BP oil gusher in the gulf, Admiral Thad Allan, who did a "Full Ginsberg" yesterday (magically appearing on all of the major Sunday morning public affairs programs), again respectfully disagreed with Florida's senior senator, saying the government has used the military where it's been "appropriate", and that he's "satisfied with the department of Defense's support", and that he is reviewing if more can be done.

One disturbing thing that Nelson did say was how he was getting all types of disparate information from the authorities.  He said that he asked how many skimmer boats were out in Florida, and said one official told him 4, and another 250.

This article appears in Jun 3-9, 2010.