Today on the presidential campaign trail

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IN THE HEADLINES

McCain restates support for offshore oil drilling, taunts Obama as 'Dr. No' on energy ... Obama promises to move 'rapidly and vigorously' to improve the economy ... Melanoma survivor McCain has spot of skin removed from face and biopsied as precaution

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McCain promotes drilling for oil off US coast

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) — Republican John McCain said Monday that drilling for oil off the U.S. coast is an essential part of any plan to lower gas prices and reduce dependence on foreign sources, and he criticized Democrat Barack Obama for opposing it.

"We all know that a comprehensive solution is wind, tide, solar, all the other things all of us believe in," McCain told reporters after touring San Joaquin Facilities Management, an oil company in the California desert that yields 1,100 barrels a day. "In the meantime, as we develop all of these alternate sources of energy, it will be vital that we continue oil production at a high level, including offshore drilling."

McCain called Obama the "Dr. No" of energy. But McCain once was too.

Just last month, McCain reversed himself after years of opposition and called for lifting the federal ban on oil drilling off the U.S. coast. The Arizona senator promotes energy development as a way to boost the economy, and a recent poll found many voters are open to offshore drilling as a way to ease gasoline prices.

But McCain's views could be troublesome in California, which has seen its share of catastrophic offshore oil spills. Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a McCain ally, opposes such drilling and in a television interview indicated he would be open one day to serving as the "energy czar" in an Obama administration.

Obama opposes drilling in U.S. coastal waters, and says allowing exploration now wouldn't affect gasoline prices for at least five years. Spokesman Hari Sevugan said Obama's energy program would, among other things, force oil companies to drill in areas they've already leased from the government.

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Obama promises efforts to revive economy

WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama on Monday blamed "irresponsible decisions" by the Bush administration and Wall Street for the country's economic woes as the White House said the budget deficit would soar to record heights next year.

Turning to domestic problems after a week's tour of the Middle East and Europe, Obama met with more than a dozen economic advisers, appearing with them briefly before retreating for a two-hour closed meeting. The new deficit numbers were the latest sign of an economy in decline, with foreclosures rising, home prices falling, energy prices soaring and nearly a half-million job losses since January.

"It was not an accident or a normal part of the business cycle that led us to this situation," Obama said. "There were some irresponsible decisions that were made on Wall Street and in Washington."

Obama said the economy needs both short- and long-term fixes, including another "stimulus" from Congress, and a longer-term focus on renewable energy to curb high gas prices and on universal health care to trim costs. He said he would move "rapidly and vigorously" to respond.

"We are also going to have to provide some short-term relief," Obama said. "People are hurting right now. We need to respond rapidly and vigorously to problems, and to anticipate the problems that may be on the horizon."

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McCain has spot of skin removed from face

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) — John McCain said Monday he had had a small patch of skin removed from his face and biopsied as part of a regular checkup with his dermatologist.

"She said that I was doing fine," McCain, who has survived four bouts with melanoma, or skin cancer, told reporters on a presidential campaign visit to an oil rig. "She took a small little nick from my cheek, as she does regularly, and that will be biopsied just to make sure that everything is fine."

The Arizona senator had the procedure performed near Phoenix during a checkup he undergoes every three months. He sported a small bandage on his upper right cheek on his campaign plane but had removed it by the time he spoke with reporters. A small, dark spot stood out on his face.

The campaign also issued a statement from Michael Yardley, chair of public affairs at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., who said the biopsy was ordered "as a precaution" and "is a routine minor procedure."

McCain urged people to stay out of the sun and to wear sunscreen, particularly during the summer.

"If you ever have any slight discoloration please go to your dermatologist or your doctor and get it checked out as soon as possible," he said.

McCain said he could get the biopsy results Tuesday.

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THE DEMOCRATS

Barack Obama campaigns in Washington.

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THE REPUBLICANS

John McCain meets with voters in Sparks, Nev.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"This is an emergency we feel not only when reading The Wall Street Journal, but when we travel across Ohio and Michigan, New Mexico, no matter where you meet people day after day who are one foreclosure, one illness, one pink slip away from economic disaster." — Barack Obama, on the economy

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STAT OF THE DAY:

Republican John McCain's top fundraising states in June were Texas at $1.17 million, California at $1.1 million and Florida at $870,600. Democrat Barack Obama's top donor states were California at $4.3 million, New York at $2.5 million and Illinois at $1.2 million.

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Compiled by Lou Kesten and Ann Sanner.

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