By AARON APPLEGATE By Aaron Applegate The Virginian-Pilot U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake, in her role as part of a Republican group created to counter criticisms of vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, has lashed out at Sen.

By AARON APPLEGATE By Aaron Applegate The Virginian-Pilot Virginia Beach While debate over offshore drilling swells at the national level, city leaders are starting to sort out their positions on the politically loaded and still-speculative issue.

By AARON APPLEGATE By Aaron Applegate The Virginian-Pilot Virginia Beach A trio of Republican leaders touted Sen. John McCain's energy plan Wednesday , the latest local effort to gain political traction by talking about high energy prices. George Allen, a former governor and U.S. senator, U.S.

By AARON APPLEGATE By Aaron Applegate The Virginian-Pilot Virginia Beach U.S. c ongressional candidate Glenn Nye, who's challenging Rep. Thelma Drake in the 2nd District, has outlined an energy plan he said would help lower gas prices.

By Aaron Applegate, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va. Aug. 3--VIRGINIA BEACH -- U.S. c ongressional candidate Glenn Nye, who's challenging Rep. Thelma Drake in the 2nd District, has outlined an energy plan he said would help lower gas prices.