US:BARACK OBAMA and John McCain have clashed over energy policy, accusing one another of pandering to voters as rising fuel prices have become a leading issue in the American election.
Nine out of 10 Americans identify energy policy as very or extremely important in deciding their presidential vote in November, making it the top election issue, along with the economy.
Mr McCain yesterday criticised the Bush administration for failing to promote technological innovation that could ease the United States' dependence on foreign oil.
"In the quest for alternatives to oil, our government has thrown around enough money subsidising special interests and excusing failure. From now on, we will encourage heroic efforts in engineering, and we will reward the greatest success," he told an audience in Fresno, California.
Mr McCain wants to lift a ban on offshore oil drilling and to build 45 new nuclear power plants and he called yesterday for a $300 million (€193 million) prize to whoever can develop a better car battery.
Mr Obama's campaign yesterday accused Mr McCain of flip-flopping on energy policy, pointing out that the Republican used to oppose offshore oil drilling. "The question is whether we are going to offer the American people real answers and genuine relief or the same, tired Washington gimmicks and special interest favours that have failed our families and country for too long," the Obama campaign said in a memo. Mr Obama wants to crack down on oil market speculators and to introduce big subsidies for solar, wind, ethanol and other alternative-energy projects.
The clash over energy policy came as a Gallup/ USA Today poll shows Mr Obama six points ahead of Mr McCain but finds that 54 per cent of voters are concerned that the Democrat lacks the experience to be an effective president.
Voters prefer Mr Obama's approach to all the major issues except terrorism and security, and he is rated more highly than Mr McCain in nine out of 10 "personal characteristics" categories - the exception being as a "strong and decisive leader". Two out of three voters say they are concerned that Mr McCain would pursue policies too similar to those of president George Bush, whose job-approval rating is 28 per cent.
Mr Obama will campaign with former rival Hillary Clinton on Friday in New Hampshire, the first joint public appearance since Mrs Clinton withdrew from the race.
A day earlier, Mrs Clinton will introduce Mr Obama to her top fundraisers, many of whom have said privately that they are unwilling to support him. In a letter to leading donors yesterday, Mrs Clinton's finance director, Jonathan Mantz, urged them to contribute up to the permitted maximum of $2,300 to Mr Obama this week.
"Hillary ran for president because she wants to put this country on the right track. She continues to fight and stand strong for our values and priorities and will do everything she can to unify the party and to elect Barack Obama the next president of the United States," he wrote.