In the past 48 hours, both Senator Obama and John McCain have visited Michigan to talk about the energy crisis and what they intend to do about. Simply put, the differences couldn't be starker.

On Monday in Lansing, Senator Obama laid out a comprehensive energy plan that will help Americans cope with the energy crisis in the short term, putting money in their pockets right away, while making the long-term investments needed to free us from our dependence on foreign oil. He also discussed the steps he will take to make sure that the energy solutions of tomorrow mean good paying jobs right here in Michigan. I found it reassuring that Senator Obama demonstrated that he understands the tremendous pressure that our domestic automakers are under, and he has shown that he is going to lead the way to ensure that the next generation of automobiles are built in Michigan, by Michigan workers.

Barack Obama is looking ahead while John McCain is offering more of the same failed policies that have gotten us into this mess. He supports the broken Bush proposals that have given us four dollar a gallon gas and he has even proposed $4 billion more in giveaways to the big oil companies that are reaping in record profits. American drivers paying more and more at the pump while oil companies reap record profits might make sense to John McCain, but it doesn't make sense in Michigan.

Michigan families just can't afford four more years of the Bush/McCain energy policies. The American people need real change that will provide real relief from skyrocketing gas prices in the short and long term energy solution – and that's exactly what Senator Obama's plan offers.