Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) took aim at Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) energy policy today in his first speech before a Democratic convention since becoming Majority Leader in 2007.

Suggesting that Republican solutions to the nation’s energy crisis amount to “quack nostrums and phony remedies,” Reid zeroed in on the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, likening McCain’s push to expand drilling off the coast of the United States to a snake-oil salesman.

“Even if Doc McCain’s magic offshore elixir won’t work, will it do any harm?” Reid asked. “The answer is, we just don’t know and neither does he. It might not destroy vital fisheries. It might not pollute our waterways. Nobody really knows. But kindly old Doc McCain would like to sell it to you anyway.”

Reid also accused President Bush of “snooz[ing] at his desk … while his vice president conspired with oil industry cronies” to enhance their soaring profits.

Though Reid threw that red meat at delegates in Denver, he is facing a tough task in September in addressing energy issues on the floor of the Senate. While legislation is likely to be considered, Reid has not revealed what bill he is likely to bring to the floor.

However, Republicans have been threatening to force a government shutdown if Democrats try to renew a longstanding moratorium on offshore drilling. The provision is usually included in an annual appropriations bill and is likely to be included in any continuing resolution intended to keep the government running until all spending bills have been passed.