Obama, McCain Clash On Troubled Economy

Candidates Trade Barbs Over Causes, Cures For Worst Economic Crisis In 80 Years In Town Hall Debate

(CBS/ AP)  Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama engaged in sharp exchanges on the faltering U.S. economy Tuesday night in the second presidential debate.

Neither man landed a knockout punch and neither man committed a major gaffe.

"This one was as close to being a draw as I've seen," said CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer. "I don't think anybody won on substance. It was a very civil debate."

Added CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs: "Both candidates were well-prepared to talk about the overwhelming issue concerning voters - the economy - but between the finger-pointing and platitudes, there was no knockout winner in tonight's event, something that bodes well for the front-running Obama." (Read more analysis from Ververs)

A CBS News instant poll of uncommitted voters gave the nod to Obama by a margin of 40-26 percent. Thirty-four percent thought the debate to be a draw. Seventy percent of these voters remain uncommitted. Twelve percent have decided to support McCain, and 15 percent Obama. (Read more from the poll)

The 90-minute encounter at Belmont University was moderated by NBC's Tom Brokaw and included questions on both foreign and domestic policy raised by the audience and voters participating through the Internet.

As the debate began, McCain called for a sweeping $300 billion program to shield homeowners from mortgage foreclosure.

"It's my proposal. It's not Sen. Obama's proposal," McCain said at the outset of a debate he hoped could revive his fortunes in a presidential race trending toward his rival.

In one pointed confrontation on foreign policy, Obama bluntly challenged McCain's steadiness. "This is a guy who sang bomb, bomb, bomb Iran, who called for the annihilation of North Korea - that I don't think is an example of speaking softly."

He spoke after McCain accused him of foolishly threatening to invade Pakistan and said, "I'm not going to telegraph my punches which is what Sen. Obama did." (Read a full transcript of the debate.)

The debate was the second of three between the two major party rivals, and the only one to feature a format in which voters seated a few feet away posed questions to the candidates.

"It's good to be with you at a town hall meeting," McCain jabbed at his rival, who has spurned the Republican's calls for numerous such joint appearances across the fall campaign.

They debated on a stage at Belmont University four weeks before Election Day in a race that has lately favored Obama, both in national polls and in surveys in pivotal battleground states.

Not surprisingly, many of the questions dealt with an economy in trouble.

Obama said the current crisis was the "final verdict on the failed economic policies of the last eight years" that President Bush pursued and were "supported by Sen. McCain."

He contended that Bush, McCain and others had favored deregulation of the financial industry, predicting that would "let markets run wild and prosperity would rain down on all of us. It didn't happen."

McCain's pledge to have the government help individual homeowners avoid foreclosure went considerably beyond the $700 billion bailout that recently cleared Congress.

"I would order the secretary of the Treasury to immediately buy up the bad home loan mortgages in America and renegotiate at the new value of those homes at the diminished value of those homes and let people be able to make those payments and stay in their homes," he said.

"Is it expensive? Yes. But we all know, my friends, until we stabilize home values in America, we're never going to start turning around and creating jobs and fixing our economy, and we've got to get some trust and confidence back to America."

McCain also said it was important to reform the giant benefit programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

"My friends, we are not going to be able to provide the same benefit for present-day workers that present-day retirees have today," he said, although he did not elaborate.

The two men also competed to demonstrate their qualifications as reformers at a time voters are clamoring for change.

McCain accused Obama of being the Senate's second-highest recipient of donations from individuals at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two now-disgraced mortgage industry giants.

"There were some of us who stood up against this," McCain said of the lead-up to the financial crisis. "There were others who took a hike."

Obama shot back that McCain's campaign manager, Rick Davis, has a stake in a Washington lobbying firm that received thousands of dollars a month from Freddie Mac until recently.

Pivoting quickly to show his concern with members of the audience listening from a few feet away, he said, "You're not interested in politicians pointing fingers. You're interested in the impact on you."

But that didn't stop the two men from criticizing one another repeatedly as the topics turned to energy, spending, taxes and health care.

They were polite, but the strain of the campaign showed. At one point, McCain referred to Obama as "that one," rather than speaking his name.

Obama said McCain was going to require taxes on the health benefits workers receive from their employers at the same time his plan would wipe out the ability of states to enforce their own regulations to require tests such as mammograms.

McCain countered that under his rival's plan "Sen. Obama will fine you" if parents fail to obtain coverage for their children but had yet to say what the fine would be. "Perhaps we will find that out tonight," he said.

Obama quickly followed up, saying that McCain "voted against the expansion" of the children's health care program the government runs.

The two men prefer dramatically different approaches to easing the problem of millions of uninsured Americans. McCain favors a $5,000 tax credit that he says would allow families to find and afford health care on their own.

Obama wants to build on the current system, in which millions receive coverage through the workplace, with government funding to help uninsured families obtain coverage.

The debate also veered into foreign policy, and the disputes were as intense as on the economy and domestic matters.

McCain said his rival "was wrong about Iraq and the surge. He was wrong about Russia when they committed aggression against Georgia. And in his short career he does not understand our national security challenges. We don't have time for on the job training."

Obama countered with a trace of sarcasm that he didn't understand some things - like how the United States could face the challenge in does in Afghanistan after spending years and hundreds of billions of dollars in Iraq.

The debate was being held at a time most Americans have a dismal view of the country's direction.

A Gallup Poll released Tuesday showed just 9 percent say they're satisfied with the way things are going, the lowest ever recorded in the 29 years Gallup has asked the question. Asked to name the country's major problem, 69 percent said the economy. Next closest: 11 percent cited the Iraq war.

[xmanborg]

Grandpa McMunster had better say something tonight besides tell us about him being a Viet-Nam Vet or being a Mavrick we have all heard that 5000+ times and its OLD NEWS John McCain.

Tell us how your going to fix things and what distances your from George W. Bushies policies and administration. American Does not WANT another 8 or 4 years of Bush and is disasterous mess ups.

[sly_64]

Although I don''t agree on Obama nor McCain on many issues, I cannot vote for another 8 years of Bush. He has been a complete disaster. I don''t see any differences between Bush and McCain.

[armydog2]

mccain and palin start mudslinging while our country is in a financial meltdown. I thought you said Country first John, seems to me you would rather win an election than put Country first. Tell us what you will do to fix this mess that your buddy bush created with your help.

[harrydoghiny]

I''m sure old Tom "I love me some Republicans" Brokaw will host a fair-and-balanced debate. Where''s Russert when you need him?

[joker1944-2009]

McCain recent mudsling bonanza will likely turn more people off to him than turn against Obama.

Generally, the last few weeks of an election like this very few people ''flip'' and movement in the polls is minimal.

I''m sure McCain will do well tonight, but so will Obama. I predict nothing much will change and the polls will continue to show Obama holding respectable leads in the critical swing states.

[joker1944-2009]

I heard a rumor that at a recent event McCain''s left side of his face starting twitching, and he kinda lost it and had to be led off the stage.

Anyone else heard that?

[redbds]

Although I don''''t agree on Obama nor McCain on many issues, I cannot vote for another 8 years of Bush. He has been a complete disaster. I don''''t see any differences between Bush and McCain.

Posted by sly_64 at 11:03 AM : Oct 07, 2008

That is because you are not looking. I cannot bring myself to support a man who will not come clean about his past. A man who we really don''t know anything about. A man whose past and present is filled with radicals and criminals. A man who without a teleprompter and speech writer does not know what his message is.

[pirmin3]

McCain can''t contribute anything on substantive issues so mud slinging is all he has left. Unfortunately that strikes a chord with brain dead voters.

[gangesdak]

Barack Obama%u2019s mantra: John McCain will be more of the same of the failed Bush economic policies of the last eight years.
Posted by bellschotsch at 11:20 AM

It is an appopriate mantra. Plus, from the recent commercials from McCain, I found that "war hero" McCain is no gentleman- much like a sleezee balll. we have enough of that. We don''t need a loser. Thank you.

[irmcvet97]

McCain has already LOST! He''s lost the Debate and he''s lost the Election. When he surrendered his HONOR to those who ONCE trashed him, like he''s trying to trash Obama, he Surrendered his HONOR and all you have to do is look at George Bush to understand where that leads. We MUST think about our families and THEIR future. McCain had EVERY chance just as did Obama, to step up and show America what he could do. He completely FAILED... HE FAILED when he refused and continues to refuse to admit that "Trickle Down" does not work and the De-Regulation is a failure.

[ibzjem]

McCain''s health care plan will increase overall medical coverage by 21 million people, but it will decrease medical coverage by 20 million people. It''s a net gain of only 1 million people, all while those who get to keep their employer sponsored health care will PAY TAXES on that benefit.

This is NOT a great plan. It''s barely a plan at all.
Don''t fall for it.

[irmcvet97]

That is because you are not looking. I cannot bring myself to support a man who will not come clean about his past. A man who we really don''''t know anything about. A man whose past and present is filled with radicals and criminals. A man who without a teleprompter and speech writer does not know what his message is.

Posted by redbds at 11:19 AM : Oct 07, 2008


Oh PLEASE! Those of us who LIVE in Chicago knows these Sleazy Stories and have heard them all... YEARS ago. All you had to do was google the Trib or Sun Times and you could have read all about it. The truth is you don''t care!! That''s right YOU DON''T care, anything to scare people into voting for McCain is OKAY with you... NO lie is to low to tell no deception is to out of bounds. You see WE know you people... YOU gave us GEORGE W. BUSH!!

[irmcvet97]

If we follow the plans outline by Barack Obama%u2019s with higher taxes and more federal spending, Obama will lead us back to the failed policies of Jimmy Carter, where we had 12% Inflation, with 16% Unemployment and 18% interest rates along with the highest rational tax rate system in American History.

Posted by bellschotsch at 11:24 AM : Oct 07, 2008

That''s all this is to you isn''t it? It isn''t about FAIRNESS or INCOMPETENCE?? It''s about GREED plain and simple. Me? My Family? We can starve to death that doesn''t bother you does it?? Any fool can see we MUST change direction or we are most certainly headed for Third World Status. Me? I don''t want to leave that to my Grand Kids. There are only 2 Candidates, ONE will change NOTHING! Frankly Sparky I''d gladly trade Jimmy Carter for George W. Bush... ANYDAY!! At least under Carter MOST of those Good Paying jobs... you know we lost over 100,000 more last month, those are HERE!!

[downtowner97]

When I think of McCain, I think of his wife. She saw him in a bar, and thought "This guy wants to be president, and I want to be the first lady. It''s a long shot, but he''s looking at me like he''d like to take me to a hotel. I think I''ll go for it." Meanwhile, his wife, who had done nothing wrong, was wondering when he''d be home.

[irmcvet97]

Barack Obama = Jimmy Carter failed economy

Posted by bellschotsch at 11:28 AM : Oct 07, 2008

John McCain = George Bush DEPRESSION!!

[irmcvet97]

If Barack Obama carries out his plan for this "failed" economy with Higher Taxes and more government spending from Washington DC, Obama will return us back to the "Failed" economical policies of Jimmy Carter.

Posted by bellschotsch at 11:33 AM : Oct 07, 2008

You are just LYING and you know it. Obama''s Economic Team is made up of Clinton Administration People... his PLAN is almost identical to Clinton''s. Thanks but I''ll have to trust the Democrats on this one... I haven''t seen "Trickle Down" work yet... not the FIRST time and we can''t afford to HOPE that finally and at last it will. Time for new blood and a NEW direction.

[martin9p2]

Colorado and Missouri went Blue (for Obama) since the Biden/Palin debate, and Blue is solidifying in FL and VA. NC can still go Blue if we pull hard. Fellow Dems, there is light at the end of this 8-year tunnel, but don''t give up until about 3 pm on Election Day. And don''t forget your local and state races -- they''re important too.

[arlt1627]

If Barack Obama carries out his plan for this "failed" economy with Higher Taxes and more government spending from Washington DC, Obama will return us back to the "Failed" economical policies of Jimmy Carter.

Posted by bellschotsch

Back at it again today I see!!! Why don''t you just come out and say that you''re being paid by McCain to be on here!

[joker1944-2009]

Don''t be fooled by his charm, and if you vote for this elitist fool,this empty suit, then you will get what you deserve.

Posted by denny1233 at 11:37 AM : Oct 07, 2008

Oh, if only people had listened to the people who said this about GW Bush in 2000 and 2004. This nation would likely not be a f*cked up as it is.

[midvale3]

McCain is an empty suit with ties to very radical people. How do you think this idiot got so far , so fast.Powerful right wing dangerous people and organizations are behind this sorry excuse for a leader.He is just another elitist, with powerful right wing loons backing him. He is dangerous to this country, the people behind him, that will control him, are dangerous to this country. His and their radical strategy will be a disater to our country. Don''''t be fooled by his charm, and if you vote for this elitist fool,this empty suit, then you will get what you deserve.


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Posted by denny1233 at 11:37 AM : Oct 07, 2008

[gangesdak]

In the end it will be Arizona, Texas and Nevada who will vote for mcCain. Mcgovern will be avenged.

[demsdebreaks]

I guess having ethics investigations on your record for your actual INVOLVEMENT in crimes makes you a ''real'' American. McCain''s in the clear with a verdict of ''poor judgement,'' even though he took major campaign contributions and lavish vacations from Keating to help bilk taxpayers out of $120 BILLION. Let''s hope Ms. Palin''s abuse of power investigation is concluded before we vote to put her into an even higher office to abuse.

[demsdebreaks]

Mudslinging? Ask Hillary how well the Ayers story worked out for her team.

Right now it''s ALL about the economy. We need the best and brightest in our highest offices. Not the Grumpy Old Man who graduated at the bottom of his class after his dad and grandfather got him a free ride at the Naval Academy, and Carol Brady who took 6 years at 5 colleges to graduate with a 4 year degree in journalism from a state college. I''m thinking the elitist guy who graduated at the top of his class from Columbia and Harvard Law, and his running mate who has a law degree from Syracuse are a better choice for what faces us.

Here''s the $850 Billion Dollar Question: Which team do you put at the helm in the midst of a financial crisis that involves advanced economics?

Obama / Biden might actually come up with a workable plan.

McCain / Palin would probably suggest putting our National Parks on eBay.

[arlt1627]

arlt1627 at 11:39 AM ...former Hillary Clinton Support voting for John McCain...there I said it, are you happy?

Posted by bellschotsch

sure....are you? I liked McCain in 2000 when he actually was a moderate and "maverick".....he''s anything but that in 2008 because he had to swing way right to garner the $ and support needed to win the nomination.....now he can''t go back nor will he. He gave in to get the chance at the Presidency. And I''m tired of right-wingers in office that don''t live up to their word. I like moderation and think we need a tip back the other way and politics will eventually balance back out.....we''re in a terrible rut and stretch and McCain will not fix it. Sorry.

[midvale3]

So, the road for the next four years is very clear for the American Voters this November. Taking this failed economy of George Bush and keeping taxes low and end the out-of-control spending we have in Congress and turn this country around and running again. Or, follow a higher tax plan and higher spending by Washington DC and take this economy back to the failed policies of Jimmy Carter.



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Posted by bellschotsch at 11:46 AM : Oct 07, 2008

You are an idiot. So the only reason W''s economic plan didn''t work is because of an out of control spending Congress. Iraq 10 billion a month ring a bell? McCain wants to continue that little dollar drain. Repugs were in control for 6 of the last 8 years so McCain''s party was the wasteful spenders (which McCain was a part of) and he is a strong deregulator which is why these Banks are failing. "You can trust them to manage themselves",l talk about putting the fox in charge of guarding the hen house. Take you spinning bunch of BS to Fox where they drink the Kool-Aid your serving.

[martin9p2]

If you study the numbers at electoral-vote.com, you see Obama had a 301-to-224 lead on Sept. 5, his greatest lead before McCain unveiled Sarah Palin. McCain pulled ahead by two, 270 to 268. Then The people discovered Sarah to be ... what she is ... and Obama now leads 349 to 174. So I''d say these numbers explain why the GOP is resorting to desperate acts like biting and hair-pulling.

[citizenusa-2009]

This is 2008. The racists are in the minority (no pun intended). Bigots do nothing but impede the progress of a free society. Thankfully, most of you are unable to process information in an intelligent fashion and therefore did not register to vote. That leaves the rest of us to decide what''s best for this country. Obama 08''!!! Yes!!!!

[buttonjockey]

I rather like the name "Straight Talk." I have for a long time. You see, "Straight Talk" was the name of a local television show that ran in the Phoenix area for a dozen years. It was hosted by a well-spoken, retired army colonel with some pretty hard hitting straight talk about a variety of political and social topics.

John McCain was well aware of the show and its name. He appeared at least once on Straight Talk. I guess imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It would be nice, however, if he''d give credit where it''s due.

[midvale3]

Hey denny1233, very cute switching names around. Typical right wing idiot tactic. You are a moron, at best.


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Posted by denny1233 at 11:54 AM : Oct 07, 2008

[martin9p2]

"Conservative" is losing its meaning. If you want to conserve what we used to have, you gotta vote Democratic. "Liberal" now means return to basics, basic fairness to all citizens in social and economic ways, and American''s return to good standing in the community of nations. But "GOP" is still a bad word.

[midvale3]

fedupwithit1 at 11:47 AM ...Jimmy Carter gave us 12% Inflation, Unemployemnt of 16% and Interest Rates of 18% and the highest rational system of tax rates in American History. Just the FACTS...I lived through it. I took 6 years of tax cutting and spending cuts to get us out of it.


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Posted by bellschotsch at 11:53 AM : Oct 07, 2008

Wasn''t there some kind of a major event that had affected the economy at the time...man it''s right there....Oh yeah, we had spent a buutt load of money on a useless war and the Oil supplies were constricked to raise prices. Boy that sounds familiar.....

[downtowner97]

Note to all the weepy women who are supporting McCain just because he picked a girl to be his VP:

When I think of McCain, I think of his wife. Not Cindy, but the first woman he promised to stay with forever. Cindy saw him in a bar, and thought "This guy wants to be president, and I want to be the first lady. It''s a long shot, but he''s looking at me like he''d like to take me to a hotel. I think I''ll go for it." Meanwhile, his wife, who had done nothing wrong, was wondering when he''d be home.

[midvale3]

midvale3 at 11:50 AM ...I just state the FACTS. John McCains plan with lower taxes and cutting government spending will get us out of this "failed" Bush economy.


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Posted by bellschotsch at 11:56 AM : Oct 07, 2008


Um, lets see. Those are the EXACT same thing W said before and McCain says now, and looky there, it didn''t work. Isn''t there a saying about insanity is doing the same thing over and over hoping for a different result...

[citizenusa-2009]

edupwithit1 at 11:47 AM ...Jimmy Carter gave us 12% Inflation, Unemployemnt of 16% and Interest Rates of 18% and the highest rational system of tax rates in American History. Just the FACTS...I lived through it. I took 6 years of tax cutting and spending cuts to get us out of it.

Posted by bellschotsch at 11:53 AM : Oct 07, 2008

I lived through it too and it was NOTHING compared to the HORRIFIC situation we''ve experienced over the last 8 years. Carter did the best he could with what he was left. HE didn''t start an ILLEGAL war to line his friends pockets and his VP WAS NOT RUNNING THE COUNTRY ..into the GROUND. I''d rather have a Carter administration than have the CORRUPT REPUBLICAN MACHINE robbing us blind!!

[dr_bridgette]

Go obama!

The Constitution Press www.chilitoz.com is reporting that John McCain and Sarah Palin have recieved illegal campaign contributions from a foreign oil dignitary of Iran named Muhahamed Mikhumed Saraji

[briannorwood]

bellschotsch:

Nice try, but I don''t see any difference at all where John McCain would change the failed policies of George Bush.

He has not said anything that would show me that he has any ideas of his own that he would implement.

Enlighten me, if I am wrong, but please do not simply ape gross generalities or talking points. I need specifics.

[midvale3]

midvale3 at 11:57 AM ...no major event, Jimmy Carter was just one of those liberal "tax and spend" democrats that didn''''t understand that economies grow with lower taxes and less government spending.


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Posted by bellschotsch at 12:00 PM : Oct 07, 2008

No major event...THAT explains it. Your one of those Repugs who remembers things they WANTED them to happen, not how they actually happen. I''m sure the Viet Nam vets and people who stook in line to get gas may have a little different version of that time period.

[joker1944-2009]

It''s amusing to watch the rightwing shriek their baseless and false attacks against Obama and it failing so totally and completely.

This year the American people will get it right and put the Dems back in charge. The nation can''t handle another 4 years of misguided and destructive Republican policies.

[downtowner97]

Carter was president at a very tough time. Opec cut off our oil, which caused a recession. Carter responded by imploring all of us to stop using so much gas. When he left office, we were using 25% less oil than when he was elected because of speed limits, smaller cars, and tax credits for solar and other alternative energy sources. Reagan removed the tax credits, removed the solar panels from the roof of the White House, and went on like nothing was wrong. Had we followed Carter''s energy policies, we would not be at war with Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the rest of the world.

[joker1944-2009]

Your one of those Repugs who remembers things they WANTED them to happen, not how they actually happen.

Posted by midvale3 at 12:03 PM : Oct 07, 2008

If they were interested in facts and reality, then they wouldn''t be Republicans.

It''s like a bizarre cult where you make up and believe anything that enters your head, then get indigant when people don''t share in your delusion.

[citizenusa-2009]

CitizenUSA at 12:00 PM ...if it was that bad, why did Ronald Reagan but him in a landslide. Don''''t REVISE HISTORY like the Nazis did when they overran Germany in the 1930s.

Posted by bellschotsch at 12:02 PM : Oct 07, 2008

Nazis? Whose in the White House right now with such an obscene amount of power that Congress has been unable to stop him from escalating the ILLEGAL WAR and driving us into RECESSION. You want to talk about Nazis some more? Huh?

[citizenusa-2009]

Reagan removed the tax credits, removed the solar panels from the roof of the White House, and went on like nothing was wrong. Had we followed Carter''''s energy policies, we would not be at war with Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the rest of the world.

Posted by downtowner97 at 12:04 PM : Oct 07, 2008

Absolutely correct. Finally, someone speaks who has a brain!

[downtowner97]

Ronald Reagan started the deregulation mess that led to the banking collapse we are now witnessing. The banks have known they weren''t being regulated since the eighties, but they didn''t realize until the last couple years how far they could go with their gambling. The CEO''s were rewarded as their banks failed. Even McCain is now crowing for regulation, after a lifetime of pushing for deregulation. We''re sending the arsonist to put out the fire if we elect McCain.

[wwudiver]

This election is a scam, the people you vote for are not elected by you. I was involved with the voting process this year. They are appointed. This election is NOT valid, whomever wins is irrelevant and NOT the president of the US, they are pathetic partisan hacks sucking from the nipple of corporate wellfare. If you believe that denying the will of the people with bail-out plans is patriotic, please move to China and take these scumbags with you.

[whatiknow2]

I as a woman am aphauled at McCain''s choice for a woman VP. His lack of care towards IQ, experience, and basic knowledge tells me that he thinks all women should just be cute and fluffy and sit behind him.
If McCain REALLY wanted to choose a valid woman for VP he had many better to choose from one comes to mind, Ms C Rice. He was not interested in choosing a woman that would represent women. He was only interested in choosing a woman that men would vote for if those men were thinking with the wrong head.

[citizenusa-2009]

midvale3 at 12:03 PM ...I was one of those naive Democrats that voted for Jimmy Carter in 1976, but after I did my bachelor''''s in Business, I later found out that "lower taxes and less spending" it grows economies in American History. John F. Kennedy did it in 1961 and it worked, Franklin D. Roosevelt did it in 1937 and it got us out of the "Great Depression". It will work for John McCain.

Posted by bellschotsch at 12:08 PM : Oct 07, 2008
+ repor

The problem is that McCain can''t lower taxes and keep his war machine running. Wow, you are really out of touch.

[downtowner97]

Joule3 - Obama was born in Hawaii. In the Untited States, you are considered a citizen of the country if you take your first breath here. If you want to change the law, go ahead.

[wwudiver]

"donnie7945 at 12:10 PM ...Iran didn''''t happen until 1980, he had already distroyed the economy before that starting in 1979. "

Actually it was operation Ajax in 1953, nt a four year wonder that got us there...books are good.

[downtowner97]

Ok, so why didn''t the great Ronald Reagan undo that while he was fixing everything else Carter messed up?

[midvale3]

midvale3 at 12:03 PM ...I was one of those naive Democrats that voted for Jimmy Carter in 1976, but after I did my bachelor''''s in Business, I later found out that "lower taxes and less spending" it grows economies in American History. John F. Kennedy did it in 1961 and it worked, Franklin D. Roosevelt did it in 1937 and it got us out of the "Great Depression". It will work for John McCain.


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Posted by bellschotsch at 12:08 PM : Oct 07, 2008

Wow, I didn''t realize you had a BA in Business. Do you think the increased Government spending after 37'' preparing for the war that was on the horizon and the spending for the Vietnam war had a little with helping the economy? FDR also started Social Security, WPA, CPA, etc to get people to work (Oh no, isn''t that Government spending). You seem to have an uncanny ability to look at a time period focusing on 1 item and saying that affected everything. I know that''s a typical conservative weakness, but most events have several underlying issues that influence it, not just lowering taxes.