McCain: Obama’s Like Bush — On Energy Bill Handouts

John McCain threw a Democratic attack back at Barack Obama in a speech defending his call for more offshore oil drilling Wednesday.

“When I announced this policy the other day, Sen. Obama wasted no time in mischaracterizing it. He described my position as — you guessed it — another example of Bush’s third term,” McCain said in Springfield, Mo. “I guess the senator has changed his position since voting for the 2005 Bush energy bill — a grab-bag of corporate handouts that I opposed. Come to think of it, that energy bill was the only time we’ve ever seen Sen. Obama vote in favor of any tax break — and it was a tax break for the oil companies.”

McCain also highlighted differences between him and Obama over nuclear energy; McCain supports more of it, Obama doesn’t. The Republican called for 45 new nuclear reactors by 2030 and 100 new plants altogether.

“The next president must be willing to break with the energy policies not just of the current administration, but the administrations that preceded it, and lead a great national campaign to achieve energy security for America,” McCain said.

The Obama campaign has been contacted for a response. The Briefing Room will put it up when it hears back.