Apparently, Tom Udall (D) has recently released three television campaign ads that emphasize his "do-it-all" stance on energy policy. The ads express Udall's support for offshore drilling and nuclear power in addition to his former dedication to renewable and alternative energy initiatives.

The Pearce campaign has been quick to jump on the ads' claims in order to point out the Democrat's flip-flop on the energy issue. According to Environment and Energy Daily, the ads "represent something of a message shift for a candidate who is a favorite of environmental groups. Udall has built much of his political profile on being a strong advocate of renewable energy and made that issue one of the key planks of his campaign in its early stage."

However, as election day draws closer and closer, many candidates (particularly Democratic challengers) find themselves compromising their former opposition to lifting the offshore drilling ban or nuclear energy development to better reflect the reported sentiment of the voting public who tend to support any effort to lower gas prices and create an energy independent America.

Out to verify the consistency of his stance against the GOP attack, Udall has gone to extensive efforts to prove his support of three bills behind nuclear energy; a bill (though only ONE - HR 6515) for offshore drilling by domestic oil companies that he favored; and released a disclaimer by way of Marissa Padilla, his spokeswoman, ""Congressman Udall has said these should be looked at on a case-by-case basis. Part of the problem is there haven't been more balanced proposals."

In the game of politics, one of the best strategic moves you can make is push your opposition as far and as long as you can on the defensive side. It seems, according to the quotes in this article, that Pearce has pushed Udall against the wall when it comes to the energy issue.