Republican Sen. John McCain called for a clean break from Bush administration energy policies on Tuesday, then promptly pivoted to accuse campaign rival Barack Obama of supporting recycled measures that failed in the past.

McCain’s bid to chart a middle course on a major issue hit a bump, though, when he criticized Obama for proposing a windfall profits tax despite saying last month he would consider the same proposal.

In a speech in energy-producing Texas, McCain said the United States needs more oil than during the Arab oil embargo of the 1970s, yet produces less. Now, he warned, a single successful terrorist attack at an oil installation could plunge the country into an “economic crisis of monumental proportions.”

With President Bush’s poll ratings at historically low levels, McCain often emphasizes his differences with the current administration, and he coupled his speech with the release of a new television commercial stressing an issue that appeals to environmentalists.

“John McCain stood up to the president and sounded the alarm on global warming — five years ago,” the ad states. “Today, he has a realistic plan that will curb greenhouse gas emissions. A plan that will help grow our economy and protect our environment.” Aides said the commercial would run in several battleground states and on cable television over the next several days.

Democrats immediately said McCain was not credible on the issue.

“How can we trust John McCain to confront soaring gas prices or break America’s dependence on foreign oil when he caved in to Big Oil on drilling and tax breaks … and he has repeatedly opposed incentives for green jobs and renewable energy?” said Karen Finney, a spokeswoman at the Democratic National Committee.

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