Candidates Focus on Economy. . .
As gas prices soar, candidates focus on the economy
June 9, 2008— -- As gas prices soar, both John McCain and Barack Obama are spending the first official week of the 2008 general election focusing their attention on economy, with events, interviews and campaign conference calls.
ABC News' Dan Arnall reports that according to the latest government figures, gasoline is now $4.04 a gallon on average in the U.S. That is six cents higher than last week's mark and the first time it has ever topped the $4 milestone. The average price is 31% higher than the price last year ($3.08).
Among all Democratic primary voters this cycle, 51 percent cited the economy as the single most important issue in their vote, nearly twice as many who picked the number two issue, Iraq.
Among Republican primary voters, 40 percent cited the economy as the single most important issue, nearly twice as many who picked the number two issue, illegal immigration.
Voters are speaking loudly and clearly and the candidates are listening and maneuvering to stake their ground on this key issue.
On Tuesday, McCain is the keynote speaker at the NFIB & eBay 2008 National Small Business Summit. Per his campaign, McCain will outline his policies to strengthen the nation's small businesses and get the economy back on track by helping small businesses hire workers, create jobs and raise wages.
On Day Two of an 11-day swing on the economy, Obama will campaign in Missouri, a battleground state this fall. The presumptive Democratic nominee will visit a hospital in St. Louis to discuss the impact of health care costs on economic challenges, ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports.
Miller reports that at his event in Raleigh, NC today, Obama noted that he was joined by John and Elizabeth Edwards and said he will enlist Elizabeth's help in health care policy.
"I'm going to be partnering up with Elizabeth Edwards - we're going to be figuring all this out," Obama said when addressing his proposed reform to the health care system. Miller notes that Mrs. Edwards has stated in the past that she supported Senator Hillary Clinton's health care plan because it mandated people to have health insurance – a requirement that Senator Obama's plan does not include.
The Obama campaign says that formal talks are not yet in the works between the Illinois senator and Mrs. Edwards, but confirm that this is something they will do in the future. "Her presence here speaks volumes," spokeswoman Jen Psaki says, "Senator Obama hopes she will play an active part in his efforts."
In the same remarks in Raleigh, Obama linked McCain's economic policies to George Bush, a refrain that should become quite familiar over the next five months. Speaking of McCain's support for the Bush tax cuts, Obama said "the centerpiece of his economic plan amounts to a full-throated endorsement of George Bush's policies," per ABC News' Jake Tapper.
Adding a boost to Obama's hammering away at McCain on this issue, Democratic leaders will gather at the DNC on Tuesday to hold a press conference and discuss how the economy will be used to contrast their presumptive nominee from the Republican's nominee. DNC Chairman Howard Dean, Senate Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, DGA Chairman Joe Manchin and other Democratic leaders will participate in the press conference.
Economy Tivo Alert! CNBC's John Harwood focuses on the economy in interviews with Obama and McCain, set to air on Tuesday at 8:00 pm ET. McCain will do several cable news interviews focusing on the economy, including one on Bloomberg Television at 2:30 pm ET.
Veepstakes Tivo Alert! Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) stops by "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" tonight.
On the campaign front. . .
BARACK OBAMA
-- Delivers remarks on health care at a hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.
As for the Republicans. . .
JOHN MCCAIN
-- 9:30 am ET: Addresses National Small Business Summit, Washington DC.
At the White House. . .
PRESIDENT BUSH
-- 2:55 am ET: Meets with the President of Slovenia, Krani, Slovenia.
-- 3:40 am ET: Meets with the Prime Minister of Slovenia
-- 5:10 am ET: Meets with European Union leaders, Kranj, Slovenia.
-- 5:55 am ET: Participates In U.S.-European Union summit, Kranj, Slovenia.
-- 8:35 am ET: Joint news availability with EU leaders, Kranj, Slovenia.
-- 9:20 am ET: Views the Lippizzaner Horse Exhibition, Kranj, Slovenia.
-- 1:00 pm ET: Dinner with the Chancellor of Germany and guests, Meseberg, Germany.
POLITICAL NEWS STORIES ON ABCNEWS.COM
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Obama Begins 11-Day Tour On Economic Issues LINK
ABC News' Marcus Baram: How Will Good News In Iraq Affect Obama Vs. McCain LINK
ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf: Blood Thicker Than Party? Cousins Vie for Senate Seats LINK
ABC News' Sunlen Miller: Obama, Elizabeth Edwards to Partner on Healthcare? LINK
ABC News' Jonathan Karl: Laura Bush Praises Clinton, Offers Advice to Michelle Obama LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Off Message Alert! New Democratic Congressman Slams Democratic Budget for Raising Taxes LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Great Moments in Corrections LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Generation J LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: The Perils of John McCain's Open Comments Policy LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: The Perils of Obama's Open Community Blogs Policy LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: Fox News Asks if Michelle and Barack Did a "Terrorist Fist Job" LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: The Huckabee Maneuver LINK
POLITICAL VIDEO ON ABCNEWS.COM
Obama Hits McCain on Economic PlanObama: McCain's economic plan is a "full-throated endorsement" of Bush policies. LINK
First Lady: History Will Vindicate BushLaura Bush discusses '08 politics, Burma and Bush's legacy with ABC's Jon Karl. LINK
Who can cure the economy?
Obama and McCain stump on economic talking points as the general election begins. LINK
Obama, Clinton as Baseball Players
Baseball card company Upper Deck unveils new series of presidential cards. LINK
Laura Bush: I Admire Hillary Clinton
The first lady comments on the presidential race during trip to Afghanistan. LINK
Presidential Candidates Talk Economics
Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama share plans for fixing anemic economy. LINK
The History of Lefty Presidents
Whoever wins the election will be the latest in a long line of lefty leaders. LINK
Sen. Kennedy Goes Home
After intensive brain surgery, the Democratic leader returns to Cape Cod. LINK
Gloria Steinem on Hillary Clinton
The famed feminist discusses Clinton's historic presidential bid. LINK
'Elect Barack Obama the Next President'
Hillary Clinton concedes to Sen. Obama, offering her support for his presidency. LINK