Energy has proved to be a growing area of concern for Americans this presidential election. Voters expect the candidates to have a vision for America's energy future.

But what do voters want? A recent poll indicates they want the country to explore a variety of energy options.

Traditionally, Democrats have favored developing alternative energy sources and opposed expanding offshore drilling. Republicans have promoted extending oil exploration to areas that are off limits.

Both parties appear to be searching for middle ground in this debate, which is where most of the voters are on energy issues.

For instance, 72 percent of Americans believe developing alternative energy could "accomplish a great deal," according to a recent Wall Street Journal-NBC survey. Some 61 percent said that "developing alternative energy sources" should be emphasized most by policymakers.

Twenty-five percent viewed "exploring and drilling for oil" in the United States as the top priority, and 12 percent chose "having Americans conserve and use less oil."

Would drilling off the coastal United States be a step in the right direction? Yes, said 63 percent of respondents, with 44 percent agreeing it would accomplish "a great deal." Some 27 percent viewed such drilling as a step in "the wrong direction." Fifty-three percent said building more nuclear plants was a positive step; 31 percent disagreeed, pronouncing it a step in "the wrong direction."

Less than half of those polled thought releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve was a good idea — one advanced by Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama. Nor did voters care much for suspending the federal gas tax, suggested by Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain.

Translating the poll to common themes, Neil Newhouse, a Republican who conducted it with Democrat Peter D. Hart, told the Journal: "Voters are telling us they want everything." Mr. Hart said the current energy debate "is not the fight that the American public cares about."

People want practical ideas that will produce solutions. We stand on the verge of a new era in energy production and use. The next administration will be expected to lead in this area. Congressional leadership will be important, too.