ARLINGTON, Va. -- John McCain announced today that in the coming weeks he will be addressing the country's "energy crisis," including rising gas prices and the country's need to end its dependency on foreign oil. McCain said that the first step to solving some of the country's energy problems is to lift the federal moratorium on gas exploration off the country's coasts, allowing states to decide whether or not they want to do so.

When questioned, McCain also addressed the controversial statements made in 1990 by Texas oilman Clayton Williams, who had been set to host a McCain fundraiser at his Midland home until the Washington Post and ABC brought up the comments to the campaign last week. It was reported yesterday that the campaign would hold a separate fundraiser in Midland later in the summer for those that had already given close to $300,000 to attend the canceled event.

McCain said today that the campaign had not been aware of Williams's comments and confirmed that he would indeed still hold an event later in the summer because they are "contributers and supporters of mine, not his," and noted that Williams would not be in attendance.

Speaking at his campaign headquarters just across the Potomac River from Washington, McCain was questioned about Virginia's newfound status as a potential swing state in the general election. Barack Obama opened his general election campaign here less than two weeks ago, a clear indication that he sees an opportunity to win the state, despite the fact that it has voted Republican in the last 10 presidential elections.

"I'll be campaigning here a lot," McCain said, noting that he already has a large presence of campaign workers around the state. "I do have a lot of work to do."

McCain added that Virginia is not the only state that he cannot take for granted. "I consider myself an underdog," he said. "We really have a great deal of work to do."