Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has called for the U.S. to dip into its strategic oil reserves to lower fuel prices in the short-term. Senator Obama's call, a reversal of his earlier stance, came as he unveiled an energy plan designed, he said, to reduce American dependence on foreign oil. Both Obama and his Republican rival, John McCain, are focusing on ways of tackling the high cost of energy. It is a key issue as campaigning for November's election intensifies.
Senator Obama, speaking on his 47th birthday, put forward plans to reduce US dependence on foreign oil in 10 years.
"Breaking our oil addiction is one of the greatest challenges our generation will ever face," Mr Obama said as he visited Michigan, home to the ailing US car industry and set to be a key battleground state in the election. "It will take nothing less than a complete transformation of our economy."
Video: excerpt of Obama's speech
Barack Obama's energy plan in detail
