McCain's First Moves Would Target Energy, Social Security

So you want details? Well we've got some on just what Sen. John McCain would do in his first year of office: Seek approval of his drill and conservation energy plan and right Social Security. However, said his policy director Douglas Holtz-Eakin, McCain is not looking to make a "grand deal" with Democrats like former President Bush did to reduce the deficit by raising taxes. "What is the best route forward?" Holtz-Eakin asked reporters at a luncheon this week. "The grand deal might not be the best way." Instead, McCain still plans to build bipartisan support for an energy plan, but would likely also use his political capital in the first months to move his energy plan forward. Holtz-Eakin said that the first project would be a three-part energy plan. He said the senator wants a plan that would reduce the use of fossil fuels, develop cleaner coal, and turn the focus on new technologies like solar and wind. Then he plans to push through a program to expand nuclear plants and oil drilling. Should he succeed, then McCain would use that victory to tap more bipartisan support to jump into the Social Security debate. Holtz-Eakin said that while McCain supports some kind of private accounts, he is ready to listen to any idea on how to make the system solvent. However, the only idea he suggested was to slow the growth of benefits for high wage earners.