WASHINGTON— Every four years, the national Democrataic and Republican conventions provide an opportunity for Jewish politicos and communal figures to flex some political muscle and mingle among the political elite.

The Democrats are meeting in Denver from Aug. 24 to 29.

The Republicans are in St. Paul, Minn., from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4.

The Democratic National Committee is launching the convention with an interfaith gathering featuring Jewish, Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim clerics.

The Jewish speaker is Rabbi Tzvi Weinreb, the executive vice president of the Orthodox Union.

WASHINGTON — For Jews, the energy debate is a case where tough-minded hawks and feel-good liberals are in agreement.

Whether one views the presidential candidates’ ideas to solve America’s energy problems through the lens of national security or the environment, Jewish organizational leaders say, neither aspirant’s proposals look very good.

National security hawks say the quick fixes touted by the campaigns of US Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), the presumptive Democratic nominee, and his Republican rival, US Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), miss the bigger picture: America needs a comprehensive plan to wean itself from Middle Eastern oil, and fast.