Zichal contends politics are not driving White House outreach to Big Oil

President Barack Obama's top energy aide on Monday sought to downplay the appearance that the White House has decided to cozy up to the oil and gas industry as part of his re-election strategy.

"This isn't about election-year politics, it isn't about, you know, it happens to be an even-numbered year, so let's have a conversation," said Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Heather Zichal at a natural gas fracturing workshop held by the American Petroleum Institute.