Gov. Charlie Crist's call for a special session on oil drilling has put some coastal Republican lawmakers in a tough spot.

House leaders are generally cool to adding a proposed constitutional amendment banning oil drilling to the ballot. They point out that Florida law already bans drilling in state waters. They call the governor's move a political stunt.

"It's not productive to talk about rebanning something that's already illegal," said Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Fort Walton Beach.

But lawmakers also know that banning drilling is a political slam-dunk in an election year with images of oiled pelicans, tar balls and empty beachfront hotels on voters' minds. (story here)