Candidates Put Economy Centerstage; Outline Competing Economic Visions
Beyond sniping each other, what are the campaigns actually proposing?
Sept. 16, 2008— -- With one of the largest investment firms in the country in bankruptcy and an insurance giant needing a massive government bailout to hang on, presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama have turned their attention to the economy, hoping to win still undecided voters with their plans to cure the nation's economic woes.
The financial crisis of the past few days is the latest in the long list of problems costing Americans their jobs, their homes and their savings.
On the "Straight Talk" Express in Tampa, Fla., McCain struck a populist tone, railing against greed and corruption on Wall Street.
"Our economy is broken," the Arizona Republican told the crowd. "We've seen self-interest, greed, irresponsibility and corruption undermine the hard work of the American people."
McCain announced plans for a commission to explore what he said was corruption in Washington and in corporations that has led to the current turmoil on Wall Street and put people's savings at risk.
"Americans are hurting right now, and there's going to be a ripple effect of this financial crisis because of the greed and corruption and excess, and Wall Street treated the American economy like a casino," he said. "And I know how to fix it, and I know how to get things done."
Tuesday's comments were in a different tone than the day before, where McCain acknowledged the grave state of the nation's economy, but underscored that the "fundamentals" of the U.S. economy were still sound.
The Obama campaign mocked that statement as proof McCain doesn't recognize the gravity of the economic crisis. By contrast, Sen. Barack Obama called this "the most serious financial crisis in generations."
"What we need now is leadership that gets us out," Obama said at a campaign stop today in Colorado. "I'll provide it. John McCain won't."
But beyond sniping at each other, what are the campaigns actually proposing?
In light of the sale of Merrill Lynch, bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers and the possible death throes of insurance giant American International Group, saved only by a last-minute $85 billion bailout by the federal government tonight, both McCain and Obama are now promising tougher regulations for Wall Street.
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