Clinton Jabs McCain on Economy, No Mention of Obama
RALEIGH, N.C. -- During a speech on the current state of the economy, Hillary Clinton took swings at John McCain, but made no mention of her Democratic rival, Barack Obama, by name.
Clinton used her now trademark reference to the 3 a.m. phone call to say she is the most capable person to deal with an economic crisis.
"It is time for a president who is ready on day one to be commander in chief of our economy. Sometimes the phone rings at 3 a.m. at the White House and it's an economic crisis and we need a president who is ready, willing and able to answer that call," said Clinton at Wake Tech Community College.
In the past few days, both McCain and Obama have delivered speeches on the current status of the economy, but Clinton only referenced McCain's plan saying that his plan falls short of helping Americans in the face of higher credit rates and the current housing crunch.
"I read the speech that Senator McCain gave the other day that set forth his plan. It said virtually nothing to ease the credit crisis or the housing crisis. It seems like if the phone were ringing he would just let it ring and ring."
"We've had enough of a president who didn't know enough about economics, and didn't do enough for the middle class. I don't think we can afford four more years," Clinton added.
In recent speeches, Clinton has avoided any direct mention of Obama, perhaps in light of news stories pointing to a potential divide in the party as a result of an already highly contentious and drawn out nomination process.
At one point Clinton took a veiled jab at Obama by implying that her economic proposals are rooted in policy and are more specific, suggesting Obama's proposals are based soley on rhetoric.
"You need to know what you are voting for, what it is you will get, because this is one of the most important elections that our country has had in a very long time. The stakes are huge, the challenges are serious," said Clinton.
The one problem Clinton may face in her economic argument is the lack of evidence that she has the right amount of economic experience to answer that ringing telephone.