Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois) criticized rival presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) for claiming that offshore drilling will have a "psychological impact" on Americans.

McCain is pushing to end a federal moratorium on offshore drilling. "Even though it may take some years, the fact that we are exploiting those reserves would have a psychological impact that I think is beneficial," he said in a speech on Monday.

In response, Obama said McCain was playing political games with Americans .“In case you’re wondering, that’s Washington-speak for ‘It polls well,’" he said in a speech yesterday.

Offshore drilling in Alaska is opposed by Inpuiat Eskimos who fear development will hurt their subsistence whaling.

Get the Story:
Obama Assails Remarks by McCain on Offshore Oil Drilling (The New York Times 6/25)
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