Amid the current energy crisis, voters are receptive to arguments about reducing the country’s dependence on oil; top-testing messages focus on energy independence and fossil fuel companies’ profits. 61% say that America’s continued dependence on oil is a major cause of rising gasoline prices today. 59% say it is very important for the President and Congress to take action to reduce America’s dependence on oil. Voters put a premium on making America more energy independent (71% say it is very important for the President and Congress to act on this). Clean energy advocates can take ownership of this goal by making the case that the best way for America to be truly energy independent is to increase the production of energy in the United States from clean and renewable sources, while reducing our dependence on oil. Seventy-seven (77%) percent of voters favor this approach to energy independence (which is a more meaningful long-term goal for voters than “energy security”), including 44% who strongly favor it.