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October 9, 2008

Economy Dominates US Election Campaign
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1E9C650:A6F02AD83191E16000326A7A83EBDAC33CF5CDEF8FC051DA&
 
Day after second presidential debate, Obama and Mc Cain were back on
campaign trail, focused on troubled US economy 
The day after their second presidential debate, White House contenders
Barack Obama and John Mc Cain were back on the campaign trail and
focused on the troubled U.S. economy. VOA National correspondent Jim
Malone reports from Washington. Democratic presidential candidate Sen.
Barack Obama speaks at a campaign rally in Indianapolis, Indiana, 8 Oct.
2008Democratic nominee Barack Obama took his campaign to the Midwest
state of Indiana, which has traditionally been a Republican stronghold
in presidential elections. As he did in Tuesday's debate, Obama spent a
lot of time talking about the weakened U.S. economy. But he also
promised leadership if elected in November."I'm here today to tell you
that there are better days ahead," Obama said. "I know these times are
tough and I know that many of you are anxious about the future, but this
isn't the time for fear or for panic. This is time for resolve and
steady leadership." Obama noted that his Republican opponents, Senator
John Mc!
 Cain and his running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, have launched
new attacks on his character in recent days. Obama said it was an
attempt to divert voter attention away from the troubled economy and
that it would not work. "It's about Americans who are losing their jobs,
Americans who are losing their homes, Americans who are losing their
life savings," Obama said. "I can take four more weeks of John Mc Cain's
attacks, but the American people can't take four more years of John Mc
Cain's Bush policies." Republican presidential candidate Sen. John Mc
Cain and running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, left, arrive at a rally
in Allentown, Pennyslvania, 08 Oct. 2008Senator Mc Cain and Governor
Palin campaigned in the northeastern state of Pennsylvania, an important
battleground state in the November 4 election. Mc Cain was greeted by an
enthusiastic crowd that broke into a chant of No-Bama as he questioned
Obama's record during the rally. "You know, we have all heard what he
has said. But it is less clear what he has done or what he will do," Mc
C
ain said. Both campaigns have launched negative campaign ads in recent
weeks. Mc Cain lashed out at what he believes are unfair political ads
coming from the Obama campaign. "He has even questioned my truthfulness,
and let me reply in the plainest terms I know. I don't need lessons
about telling the truth to the American people, and were I ever to need
any improvement in that regard, I probably wouldn't seek advice from a
Chicago politician," Mc Cain said. Both candidates said they were
pleased with their performance in the Tuesday debate. Post-debate polls
by television networks CNN and CBS gave Obama an advantage over Mc Cain.
But supporters of both candidates said they saw something positive in
the debate. "Mc Cain won it. He tells the truth. He's straightforward,"
said one Wisconsin voter. Another responded, "Well, Obama looked very,
very presidential, and I think he will fit the part."Public opinion
polls indicate the focus on the economy continues to help Obama.
University of Virginia analyst Larry Sabato says voters watching the
debates want to know what the candidates will do to help them through
tough economic times."When the candidates addressed the economy, they
were addressing people's real concerns," he said. "Whenever they talked
about other things, they really were getting off the interstate highway
and moving around on dirt roads." Former Bush adviser Dan Bartlett told
CBS television that says Senator Mc Cain may be running out of
opportunities to try and switch the election focus away from the
economy. "Most observers say that this was essentially a tie. Both had
their points on style," he said. "So, we move on to the next day and
again, it comes back to John Mc Cain and these last remaining days of
the campaign to try to change the dynamic." Mc Cain's next and perhaps
last best opportunity to reframe the presidential race will come next
Wednesday in his final debate with Obama at Hofstra University in New
York. 


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