TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 21, 2008

Obama And McCain On Job Creation

CBS Evening News: How The Candidates' Proposals Would Affect Your Community

  • Play CBS Video Video Where They Stand: Jobs

    With the economy positioned as the top concern among voters, Barack Obama and John McCain try to tackle a rising unemployment rate. Jim Axelrod finds out Where They Stand on job creation.

  •  (CBS)

  • CBS Evening News Presidential Questions

    Katie Couric asks Barack Obama and John McCain questions of politics, policy and character.

  • Blog From The Road

    Get up-to-the-minute news from CBS News reporters on the road with Obama and McCain.

Job Creation
The ninth installment of the series examines where each candidate stands on creating new jobs and helping America's workers.
Obama:
  • Proposes tax relief for small businesses.
  • Would offer a $3,000 tax break to companies for each new job created through 2010.
  • Says his plan to spend $150 billion on clean energy over 10 years would create 5 million new jobs.
McCain:
  • Says his proposals to keep small business taxes at 35% and cut the corporate tax rate to 25% will spur job creation.
  • Estimates that his proposal to build 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030 would create 700,000 new jobs.
  • Wants to reform unemployment insurance to focus more on re-training programs.

(CBS)  To help you make an informed decision in the presidential election, CBS News is devoting a large part of our broadcasts until Nov. 4 to telling you where the candidates stand on major issues - from the war in Iraq to health insurance to education … and a lot more. Each piece will be an in-depth look at the issues facing the 44th president. In this installment, CBS News chief White House correspondent Jim Axelrod reports on how the proposed job creation policies of Barack Obama and John McCain would affect you and your community.

The Issue

Like a lot of guys with a finance career, Peter Halpern was watching the economy and worrying about supporting his wife, Eva, and daughter, Katrina.

To deal with the heat and pressure, Halpern turned … to heat and pressure.

"When the sparks are flying, and the tools are grinding, and you hear the noise," he said. "I love it."

After years in the white-collar world, Halpern is becoming a welder.

"Most of the time, the people I've worked with - our friends have kind of gone, 'huh? You're doing - hold on a second!'" he said.

Unemployed after folding his own investment company, Halpern is now part of a worker-training program in Pinellas County, Fla. And he's not alone.

"We're getting guys from 18 years old to 45 years old," said Lee Middleton, Halpern's welding instructor.

In Florida, three nuclear power plants are currently operating, requiring hundreds of precision welders for maintenance. Two more are in the works.

"All the baby boomers are retiring, and there is nobody to replace them. Now all these people are realizing this and they're coming for the money and the benefits - and the future," Middleton said.

These guys have done the math, and they like the numbers they're seeing.

Graduates leave there in starting jobs that pay close to $30 an hour. That's $60,000 a year base - six figures easy with overtime.

Maybe that's why there's a waiting list there with more than 400 names on it.

"Can you make close to the same amount in welding as you did in finance?" Axelrod asked.

"Oh yeah," Halpern said.

So Halpern, who knows something about life-changing decisions, having enlisted in the Army on 9/11, is changing the color of his collar, because it feels like the safest and most secure thing to do.

"This is my office, that's how I look at it," Halpern said in the welding studio.

"And how do you like your new office?" Axelrod asked.

"I like my office. You know, it doesn't have a window anymore, but I can live with that," he said.

Axelrod and his CBS Evening News crew came to Tampa to talk jobs, because Florida has lost more jobs in the past year than any other state. Tampa has been hit especially hard - and it's full of the swing and independent voters both candidates have been courting heavily - the bloc of voters that may very well decide this election.

The Candidates

"Small businesses provide 16 million jobs in America and Americans know that raising taxes on small business will kill those jobs," Sen. John McCain said in a rally earlier this month.

McCain's plans to create more jobs start with taxes. He's pledged to keep taxes on small businesses capped at 35 percent, and cut the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent. The idea is to free up cash and expand payrolls.

In a Pennsylvania rally, McCain said: "In this economy, raising taxes is the surest way to turn a recession into a depression."

But Sen. Barack Obama also proposes tax relief for small businesses, so they have money to grow. He says he'll end tax breaks for larger companies that send jobs overseas - and he'll offer a $3,000 tax credit for each full-time job a business creates - through 2010.

Obama's linked job creation to ending the Iraq war. He wants to take what's now spent in Iraq - $10 billion a month - and use it to rebuild our crumbling national infrastructure instead, creating 2 million new jobs fixing roads and bridges.

"We've gotta create the jobs of the future by transforming our energy economy," Obama said in Colorado.

But the centerpiece of his job-creation policy is a call to spend $150 billion on clean energy over the next 10 years - creating 5 million more jobs in the process.

Energy would be a huge source of jobs, according to McCain, as well. He's proposing 45 new nuclear power plants to be built by 2030 nationwide - that's 700,000 new jobs, he says.

"Nuclear power is the most dependable source of zero-emission energy we have," McCain said.

And Obama said in Reno, Nevada: "We can't wait to educate the next generation of Americans with the skills and knowledge they need to compete with any workers, anywhere in the world."

For worker re-training, Obama would expand apprenticeship programs, and offer flexible education accounts for displaced workers. McCain wants to reform unemployment insurance to focus on re-training, emphasizing community colleges and technical training centers.

The Impact

McCain is referring to places just like the one at the Union Hall near Tampa, where Peter Halpern is learning to weld.

"Yeah, the hands are little dirtier and a little more ate up than they used to be," Halpern said.

Axelrod said: "This is not what it looked like coming home from a day at the office when you were in finance."

"No, they were a little more manicured then," he said.

The economic downturn may mean both candidates need to re-consider their job-creation plans.

But for now, both offer something for Halpern. He could directly benefit from McCain's calls for nuclear power plants - as well as Obama's plans to fix our infrastructure. But this undecided voter won't make his choice based on who's got the better "jobs" plan.

"My position was to look at things from a 10-, 15-, 20-year position, and when we're looking at a president we're only looking at a four-year position," Halpern said.

"So there's nothing one of these two guys is going to say on job creation, or job training that's going to sway you one way or other in terms of voting for one of the other?" Axelrod asked.

"No," Halpern said.

He's more concerned with fixing America's reputation abroad. As far as getting a job - Peter Halpern figures he's good to go - no matter who's elected.

Read more on the issue at Couric & Co. Blog.
Check out Where They Stand on other issues.
And if you think he's happy, try his wife.

"He's not quite aware of it yet, but I already have quite a few projects around the house and in the yard," his wife, Eva, said.

"For him to weld?" Axelrod asked.

"Absolutely," she said.

So he gets to use his newly acquired skills. Turns out there's a price for his newfound security after all.


© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Add a Comment See all 134 Comments
by anya136 October 23, 2008 9:55 AM EDT
McCain wants to spread the wealth to the rich. The oil companies the CEOs that are earning millions and millions more than they need to be happy.

Is this the america you want?

McCain would be bad on security because he is impetuous and too ideological. He is erratic in a crisis. Too old now Im afraid. And his running mate is insane she doesnt even know what the job of a VP is and she isnt uncorrupted.

These guys are desperate: they almost called Obama a terrorist, called him a socialist and next week will probably call him a UFO.

It doesnt stick. They have run out of ideas, have weak character, have underestimated the american people.

Time for a change.
Reply to this comment
by t5556661 October 23, 2008 1:25 AM EDT
McCain needs to answer on the story below! Why in the world would he select someone so dangerous to run with him!

Breaking News: The Terrorist Group AKA Alaska Independent party Calling on Russia to help secede from the Union

Extremists Mark Chryson and Steve Stoll former leaders of the Alaska Terrorist group AKA Independence Party and friends of Sarah Palin are calling on Russia to help them gain independence from the United States.

Watch video of Sarah palin addressing The Alaska Terrorist Group also known as The Independence party. They are calling for a civil war against the mainland.

www.chilitoz.com


Oh, nice smear tactic, democommie.
Reply to this comment
by t5556661 October 23, 2008 1:23 AM EDT
Check it out, GunBanObama.com Vote McCain or lose your freedoms.
Reply to this comment
by t5556661 October 23, 2008 1:22 AM EDT
Obama is a pure communist. He will repeal the insurance policy of the constitution, the 2nd amendment, and then What? Hitler did the same thing, a new world order, think about it. Where did his monsterous campaign donations come from? The working man? No, world elitist. NATO. The nation of Freedom is nearly over. After the guns are gone, he is free to control, or be controlled by world aristocrats. No freedom of speech, no bill of rights, pawns at there mercy, and defensless. If you even think of voting for Obama, you should be charged with treason.
Reply to this comment
by listenupf00l October 22, 2008 1:12 PM EDT
McCain needs to answer on the story below! Why in the world would he select someone so dangerous to run with him!

Breaking News: The Terrorist Group AKA Alaska Independent party Calling on Russia to help secede from the Union

Extremists Mark Chryson and Steve Stoll former leaders of the Alaska Terrorist group AKA Independence Party and friends of Sarah Palin are calling on Russia to help them gain independence from the United States.

Watch video of Sarah palin addressing The Alaska Terrorist Group also known as The Independence party. They are calling for a civil war against the mainland.

www.chilitoz.com

Reply to this comment
by felix53-2009 October 22, 2008 3:31 AM EDT
I cannot be anything good or wholesome or healthy.



Posted by Latrocinor at 12:18 AM : Oct 22, 2008

Now you get it
Reply to this comment
by felix53-2009 October 22, 2008 3:28 AM EDT
The 2008 Elections
--------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
--

Mad Dog Palin
By Matt Taibbi
Sep 27, 2008, 11:36




Sarah Palin is a symbol of everything that is wrong with the modern United States. As a representative of our political system, she''''s a new low in reptilian villainy, the ultimate cynical masterwork of puppeteers like Karl Rove. But more than that, she is a horrifying symbol of how little we ask for in return for the total surrender of our political power.

Not only is Sarah Palin a fraud, she''''s the tawdriest, most half-assed fraud imaginable, 20 floors below the lowest common denominator, a character too dumb even for daytime TV

http://axisoflogic.com/artman/publ
ish/article_28338.shtml
Reply to this comment
by latrocinor-2009 October 22, 2008 3:19 AM EDT
By hater troll(s)
Reply to this comment
by latrocinor-2009 October 22, 2008 3:18 AM EDT
Mad Dog Palin
---Extreme name calling and demonization

Sarah Palin is a symbol of everything that is wrong with the modern United States.
---Extreme name calling and demonization

As a representative of our political system, she''''s a new low in reptilian villainy, the ultimate cynical masterwork of puppeteers like Karl Rove.
---Extreme name calling and demonization

But more than that, she is a horrifying symbol of how little we ask for in return for the total surrender of our political power.
---Child-like black and white representation of what is being asked for. Ridiculous assertion for an adult to even consider unless remarkably ignorant.

Not only is Sarah Palin a fraud, she''''s the tawdriest, most half-assed fraud imaginable, 20 floors below the lowest common denominator, a character too dumb even for daytime TV
---Extreme name calling and demonization

So what possible purpose is behind the posting of such a extreme name calling and demonization example??

I cannot be anything good or wholesome or healthy.
Reply to this comment
by ihunt4trolls October 22, 2008 3:14 AM EDT
"He needs some more ring time before he''''s given the RED phone.

Posted by Latrocinor "


Palin as President

palinaspresident.us - copy into your browser window.


See how Palin handles the Red Phone when you click on it! LOL!!
Reply to this comment
by latrocinor-2009 October 22, 2008 3:11 AM EDT
Obama is a WIMP, in other words.

Here is another case where under pressure he fumbles when he speaks and George Stephanopolous has to help him speak straight.

PLEEEEZE IGNORE the partisan Muslim garbage. We all know Obama is a Christian. Just look at him falls apart with a friendly audience when he doesn''t have a script.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMUgNg7aD8M

Obama is not ready for prime time, maybe in 2012 but not now. He needs some more ring time before he''s given the RED phone.
Reply to this comment
by felix53-2009 October 22, 2008 3:09 AM EDT
Vincent Bugliosi is heard by Congressman John Conyers, Chairman House Judiciary Committee

Inquiry Hearing on Articles of Impeachment

Former L.A. County Prosecutor, Vincent Bugliosi and author of "The Prosecution of George W. Bush For Murder", which details prosecutable evidence of murder by George Bush and *** Cheney and others.

George W Bush knew and purposely lied to America and mislead The Congress about "Saddam Hussein NOT being an IMMINENT threat to the United States by deleting that critical sentence in a declassified report (The White Papers) by his own Intelligence Advisors in order to start the War with Iraq.

And the SAME PATTERN IS BEING PLAYED NOW regarding IRAN. This "President" NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE!

In his book, Bugliosi says he has irrefutable proof to convict both George W Bush and *** Cheney for 1st Degree Murder, a crime for which there is NO Statute of Limitations. Bugliosi is best known for his successful 1970 prosecution of Charles Manson.

http://www.informationclearin


ghouse.info/article21057.htm
Reply to this comment
by felix53-2009 October 22, 2008 3:08 AM EDT
The 2008 Elections
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mad Dog Palin
By Matt Taibbi
Sep 27, 2008, 11:36




Sarah Palin is a symbol of everything that is wrong with the modern United States. As a representative of our political system, she''s a new low in reptilian villainy, the ultimate cynical masterwork of puppeteers like Karl Rove. But more than that, she is a horrifying symbol of how little we ask for in return for the total surrender of our political power.

Not only is Sarah Palin a fraud, she''s the tawdriest, most half-assed fraud imaginable, 20 floors below the lowest common denominator, a character too dumb even for daytime TV

http://axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_28338.shtml
Reply to this comment
by latrocinor-2009 October 22, 2008 3:06 AM EDT
New York Times

Jennifer Rubin at Commentary doesn%u2019t understand why John McCain hasn%u2019t made this an issue:

This isn%u2019t %u201Ctoo complicated%u201D as some have claimed. It is true. And it is, one would think, a politically smart thing to look for your opponent%u2019s weak spot on the most important issue of the day. Instead we have got a mish-mash of %u201CWall Street greed%u201D and other assorted populist arguments and attacks on Obama, none of which really ever took hold.

It remains a mystery why the argument outlined by Wallison wasn%u2019t driven home forcefully. Granted, it might not have turned the tide. But it would have been a substantive, intellectually honest and even conservative message. It had the benefit of being consistent with other themes %u2014 lack of political courage and fidelity to the party machine %u2014 which characterize Obama%u2019s political record. Perhaps at the eleventh hour, in the last debate we%u2019ll see some of it. But it would have come in handy a month ago.
Reply to this comment
by latrocinor-2009 October 22, 2008 3:05 AM EDT
October 15, 2008, 4:45 pm

%u2018Present%u2019 at the Fall?
By Tobin Harshaw New York Times

In the summer of 2005, a bill emerged from the Senate Banking Committee that considerably tightened regulations on Fannie and Freddie, including controls over their capital and their ability to hold portfolios of mortgages or mortgage-backed securities. All the Republicans voted for the bill in committee; all the Democrats voted against it. To get the bill to a vote in the Senate, a few Democratic votes were necessary to limit debate. This was a time for the leadership Sen. Obama says he can offer, but neither he nor any other Democrat stepped forward.
Reply to this comment
by latrocinor-2009 October 22, 2008 3:02 AM EDT
China Buying U.S. Computers, Raising Arms Fears

NEW YORK TIMES

By JEFF GERTH Published: June 10, 1997

Since President Clinton deregulated the export of computers in 1995, China has gone on a shopping spree, buying 46 American-made supercomputers and many more that are nearly as powerful, according to Government officials.
Reply to this comment
by ihunt4trolls October 22, 2008 3:02 AM EDT
"I think the deregulation was probably helpful to the growth of our economy."

Sen. John McCain said that on 60 Minutes less than one month month ago. Seriously.


September 22, 2008 on 60 Minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=vUJ_Qn0AHTU
(take out the space and copy into your search field)
Reply to this comment
by felix53-2009 October 22, 2008 3:01 AM EDT
Vincent Bugliosi is heard by Congressman John Conyers, Chairman House Judiciary Committee

Inquiry Hearing on Articles of Impeachment

Former L.A. County Prosecutor, Vincent Bugliosi and author of "The Prosecution of George W. Bush For Murder", which details prosecutable evidence of murder by George Bush and *** Cheney and others.

George W Bush knew and purposely lied to America and mislead The Congress about "Saddam Hussein NOT being an IMMINENT threat to the United States by deleting that critical sentence in a declassified report (The White Papers) by his own Intelligence Advisors in order to start the War with Iraq.

And the SAME PATTERN IS BEING PLAYED NOW regarding IRAN. This "President" NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE!

In his book, Bugliosi says he has irrefutable proof to convict both George W Bush and *** Cheney for 1st Degree Murder, a crime for which there is NO Statute of Limitations. Bugliosi is best known for his successful 1970 prosecution of Charles Manson.

http://www.informationclearin

ghouse.info/article21057.htm
Reply to this comment
by felix53-2009 October 22, 2008 2:59 AM EDT
General Powell went on to say

McCain''s choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as the vice presidential nominee.

"Now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don''t believe she''s ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president," Powell said. "And so that raised some question in my mind as to the judgment that Senator McCain made."

Reply to this comment
by latrocinor-2009 October 22, 2008 2:59 AM EDT
George W Bush knew and purposely lied to America and mislead The Congress about "Saddam Hussein NOT being an IMMINENT threat to the United States by deleting that critical sentence in a declassified report (The White Papers) by his own Intelligence Advisors in order to start the War with Iraq.

felix53

"In the next century, the community of nations may see more and more the very kind of threat Iraq poses now -- a rogue state with weapons of mass destruction ready to use them or provide them to terrorists, drug traffickers or organized criminals who travel the world among us unnoticed.

If we fail to respond today, Saddam and all those who would follow in his footsteps will be emboldened tomorrow by the knowledge that they can act with impunity, even in the face of a clear message from the United Nations Security Council and clear evidence of a weapons of mass destruction program."

President Clinton
Address to Joint Chiefs of Staff and Pentagon staff
February 17, 1998
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