National Journal – An Energetic Group

7/15/08

Both presumptive presidential nominees say they are concerned with finding ways to resolve rising energy costs, a slumping economy and concerns about climate change. But the question many are asking is how Barack Obama and John McCain intend to pay for their efforts. At a National Journal forum this morning on the issue of energy policy, key advisers for both candidates offered only vague responses.

McCain's top energy adviser, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, said the Arizona senator would reach political compromises, as he's done in the past, to fund his energy initiatives. Elgie Holstein, Obama's senior energy policy adviser, claimed that the Illinois senator already has support from Congress on most of his energy plans.

The two advisers squared off in Washington's Union Station. Margaret Kriz, National Journal's energy and environment reporter, and Atlantic Media Co. political director Ronald Brownstein pressed the two surrogates on climate change, alternative energy and oil -- a day after President Bush lifted the executive ban on offshore drilling.

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