America's next president will have to offer some answers on energy, a subject that has been on people's minds in recent weeks.

A recent USA Today/Gallup Poll shows that Americans will expect their next president to ask them to sacrifice for the sake of conserving energy.

Both candidates have offered proposals worth considering, the poll said. But Democrat Barack Obama's views drew the most support — 41 percent to Republican John McCain's 28 percent. Some 21 percent said neither would do a very good job.

When asked what is extremely important in choosing a candidate, voters cite energy and gasoline prices.

The most popular idea in the realm of energy is tax incentives for conservation, according to the poll. Nearly seven in 10 said they would support a candidate who offered such incentives. Both candidates are doing so.

Two of Mr. Obama's other ideas were nearly as popular: improving fuel-mileage standards on cars and investing $150 billion in clean energy and biofuels.

Sen. McCain's plan to remove restrictions on offshore drilling drew 57 percent support. The windfall profits tax that would reduce oil companies' profits from high oil prices was also popular — an idea favored by Sen. Obama but not Mr. McCain.

Mr. McCain wants to build more nuclear plants and temporarily suspend the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon. Those ideas drew middling support — 47 percent or thereabouts.

But the next president will be able to ask Americans to sacrifice. That has not happened since Jimmy Carter's effort in the 1970s, USA Today points out.

Energy is expected to remain an important concern no matter who is elected president. The ideas of both candidates are sure to grab much attention.