In a letter to McCain, Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Chicago asks McCain to "clarify" his position on drilling in the Great Lakes, which, Emanuel points out, are bordered by "Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin."

"As you are undoubtedly aware, in 2005 a bipartisan majority in Congress enacted a permanent ban on drilling for oil and gas in the Great Lakes," Emanuel wrote. "Drilling in the Great Lakes would adversely affect millions of Americans in the eight states that border these lakes, further endanger the ecological web and threaten the beauty of our shores."

He continues: "Seeing as you signed a pledge to preserve and restore the Great Lakes during your primary campaign, I hope your newfound stance on offshore drilling will not be followed by support for drilling in the Great Lakes."

In an interview, Emanuel said that he listed the states that surround the Great Lakes because "I just want to help, in case geography wasn't where he got an 'A.'" He said that 30 million people get their drinking water from the Great Lakes, and said that public
opinion is firmly against drilling.