Britain’s Telegraph quotes a McCain campaign official as saying Sarah Palin will be the public face of “energy independence” in John McCain ‘s government due to her experience dealing with oil company bosses in Alaska.

The Telegraph article reports: “[McCain] believes that her record of taking on oil company chiefs will help convince the public that his government would not be in the pocket of energy fat cats, a perception that has damaged George W.Bush’s poll ratings.

“The move would give Mr McCain political cover to resume widespread domestic drilling for oil, even in areas of environmental fragility.

“Mrs Palin backs drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), which Mr McCain has previously opposed. Should he decide to reverse that position he will use Mrs Palin to make the case that it is necessary.”

Read the full story at the Telegraph here.