Energy war not running out of gas

The energy policy war of words raged on today in the presidential campaign.

Democrat Barack Obama ridiculed Republican John McCain for telling a town hall meeting Monday in Fresno that while offshore oil drilling wouldn't lower gas prices for years, "the fact that we are exploiting those reserves would have psychological impact that I think is beneficial."

"Psychological impact. In case you were wondering, in Washington-speak what that means is, 'It polls well,' " Obama told supporters in Las Vegas.

McCain's camp responded by trying to give Obama a new moniker -- one made famous by a 1962 James Bond film -- for opposing a gas tax holiday, offshore drilling, and other measures proposed by the Arizona senator.

"John McCain has proposed an energy plan that calls for gas tax relief in the short term, increased exploration and energy development in the near term, and innovation and alternatives for long term energy independence," McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said in a statement. "While John McCain is putting the country first with the best ideas from both parties, Barack Obama has become the ‘Dr. No’ of energy, refusing to accept any idea that will contribute to solving America’s energy crisis."

Obama's campaign retaliated by accusing McCain of gimmickry instead of serious policy.

"During the decades he’s spent in Washington, John McCain has said no to investments in alternative energy and no to higher fuel standards time and time again," Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan said in a statement. "In this campaign, instead of offering a bold, long-term strategy to end our dependence on oil, he’s proposing $4 billion in tax breaks for oil companies and more of the same Washington gimmicks that even he admits will only provide ‘psychological’ relief to Americans struggling with high gas prices. Barack Obama believes the American people need real relief, which is why he’s proposing a second stimulus rebate check and a $1,000 tax cut for 95% of all working families. He’ll also help our automakers raise their fuel standards and invest $150 billion in the alternative sources of energy that will create up to five million new jobs that pay well and can’t be outsourced.”