Was it an energy phone call, as advertised? Or the talent portion of a beauty contest?

That’s what reporters were wondering during the McCain campaign’s conference call today with Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.).

Cantor is the latest known entrant into presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain’s (Ariz.) vice presidential sweepstakes, with campaign aides busily reviewing his résumé as the Old Dominion looks increasingly like a November tossup.

Cantor offered that McCain has a “comprehensive” energy plan and a commitment to drilling, nuclear power and “clean coal” that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) lacks.

Obama additionally should “pick up the phone and tell Pelosi to bring Congress back” in August to vote on energy legislation, Cantor suggested, referring to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Asked about his vice presidential prospects, the Chief Deputy Minority Whip a bit testily reminded a reporter that this phone call was about energy. Ostensibly, at the very least.