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MONTHLY ARCHIVES
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Obama Attacks McCain as an Economic Risk
September 15, 2008 5:34 PM
In Jacksonville, Fla., this morning, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., repeated a line Democrats have been using against him for months.
"The fundamentals of our economy are strong," he said.
McCain also said that “these are very, very difficult times,” but the window had been opened.
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and his running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., had already planned to attack McCain on the economy, and with the bad Wall Street news about Merrill Lynch and Lehman Brothers, McCain’s remarks provided an easy opportunity to paint the Republican as out of touch.
“We just woke up to news of financial disaster, and this morning he said that the fundamentals of the economy are still strong,” Obama told an estimated crowd of 5,800 at the Cross Orchards Historic Site in Grand Junction, Colo. “Sen. McCain –- what economy are you talking about?
“What’s more fundamental than the ability to find a job that pays the bills and can raise a family?” Obama asked, his voice rising. “What’s more fundamental than knowing that your life savings is secure, and that you can retire with dignity? What’s more fundamental than knowing that you’ll have a roof over your head at the end of the day?”
At a rally at South Lake High School in St. Claire Shores, Mich., Biden chimed in, as well, saying, “just as George Herbert Walker Bush was nicknamed ‘Bush 41’ and his son is known as ‘Bush 43,’ John McCain could easily become known as ‘Bush 44.’” Hammering McCain’s remarks in Jacksonville, Biden said, “Friends, I could walk from here to Lansing, and I wouldn’t run into a single person who thought our economy was doing well, unless I ran into John McCain.”
McCain has been making the same basic argument for months, as in June (watch HERE) or in August, when he told Laura Ingraham on her radio show, “I still believe the fundamentals of our economy are strong. We’ve got terribly big challenges now, whether it be housing or employment or so many of the other -- health care. It’s very, very tough times. It’s very tough. But we’re still the most innovative, the most productive, the greatest exporter, the greatest importer. Every new advancement, literally, in technology that has created this new economy throughout the world, has come from the United States economy. Do we have a lot of things to fix, do we have big challenges? Yes. But I also believe America’s best days are ahead of us.”
Obama often takes the optimistic statement about the economy and extricates it from its myriad qualifiers to suggest that McCain doesn’t know that there are problems economically.
McCain in the past has shrugged off his opponent’s frequent out-of-context use of his quote, but today, McCain quickly tried to revise and extend his statement (as is senatorial prerogative), suggesting some concern, if not panic, by the McCain campaign.
In an Orlando afternoon event, McCain sounded quite a different note on the economy, saying, “The American economy is in crisis, it is in a crisis. People tonight will be sitting around the kitchen table trying to figure out how they’re going to stay in their homes, how they’re going to keep their job, how they’re going to put food on the table. And America is in a crisis today and unemployment is on the rise and our financial markets are in turmoil.”
McCain also offered a new definition of what the “fundamentals” were that he was calling strong; He said he’d been merely referring to the American worker.
“My opponents may disagree, but those fundamentals, the American worker and their innovation, their entrepreneurship, the small business, those are the fundamentals of America, and I think they’re strong,” McCain said. Those fundamentals, he did add, “are being threatened today because of the greed and corruption some engaged in, in Wall Street and we have got to fix it.”
This seemed a different definition than the one McCain offered in April, when he told Bloomberg News “the fundamentals of America's economy are strong. We're the greatest exporter, the greatest importer, the greatest innovator, the greatest producer, still the greatest economic engine in the world. And, by the way, exports and free trade are a key element in economic recovery.”
Obama had already been planning on attacking McCain on the economy, and he today blamed "the most serious financial economic crisis since the Great Depression” on “the economic policies (McCain) subscribes to, ... a philosophy that says even common sense regulations are unnecessary or unwise."
Obama observed that a new TV ad for McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, borrows one of Obama's trademark lines, saying McCain and Palin offer, "leadership, experience, for the change we need."
"Instead of borrowing some of my lines, he needs to borrow some of my ideas," Obama said. "Change isn't about slogans -- it's about substance."
Obama also said that "it's great that (McCain) now wants to talk about putting corporate lobbyists in their place. But he needs to explain why he put seven of them in charge of his campaign."
Listing some of the corporate interests those McCain campaign officials work for, Obama said, "If you think they're working hard to put themselves out of business, then I’ve got a bridge to sell you up in Alaska," a reference to the "Bridge to Nowhere" that Palin has taken credit for killing, though she supported the project before changing her mind on it.
But for all the talk of McCain borrowing Obama’s slogan, Obama borrowed from McCain, as well.
Whereas McCain constantly paints Obama as a risk on national security issues, Obama said McCain was a risk, economically, for the nation.
“We know if we go down that path, then the next four years will look exactly like the last eight,” Obama said. “So, when you walk into that voting booth in 50 days, ask yourself: can your family afford to take a chance on an economic policy that offers $200 billion in tax breaks to the biggest corporations, including the oil companies, but not one penny of relief to more than 100 million Americans? ... Can you afford to take a chance on a health care plan that would tax your benefits for the first time in American history? Or an education plan that does nothing to help your kids pay for college? Or a retirement plan that will privatize social security and gamble your life savings on the stock market? Because those are his plans, those are his ideas.
“That’s not a risk I’m willing to take,” Obama said.
-- Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller
September 15, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (155)
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"You'll get your chance to see McCain and Obama debating in 3 televised debates."
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Who'll be manning the input to Obama's wireless ear implants on THOSE fake occasions?
Posted by: Belle Starr | Sep 15, 2008 7:32:13 PM
congress rick. congress.
Posted by: tim | Sep 15, 2008 7:30:20 PM
"Barack has received 100Ks in campaign money in just a few years"
Obama got maybe $100,000 total from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac employees.
But hey right wingers have to lie.
Telling the truth causes them to break out in hives or something.
Posted by: Ryan C | Sep 15, 2008 7:29:41 PM
Wanna know who to vote for? Look at your 401k...mine is down by 20% this year. The Republicans claim to be friendly to business. But why does the market suck so bad under GOP (Bush, Paulson) control?
A vote for McCain is a vote for bank failures, bailouts, and depression.
Posted by: Rick | Sep 15, 2008 7:29:13 PM
"Change isn't about slogans -- it's about substance." - Barack Obama
Okay, Mr.Obama where then is that comprehensive economic reform package that you "reached across the isle" in the senate to produce. What's that? The sound of crickets chirping?
Posted by: b | Sep 15, 2008 7:25:54 PM
Why can't McCain and Obama get together in a Town Hall meeting and just simply answer the questions that need to be answered instead of all this "back and forth"? Can Obama debate without his teleprompter? I heard he even took it to the Rodeo today so he could set it up for his speech.
Posted by: susie | Sep 15, 2008 7:15:20 PM
Can McCain tell the truth, Susie? Can McCain remember details without Joe Lieberman whispering into his ear? Can McCain hold fast to one position without flipflopping? The answer to those questions is a resounding NO. I encourage all here to research McCain's voting record on our troops, our veterans, women's issues, the environment, the economy, etc. Research the issues and what you'll learn about McCain will anger you, sadden you, and disgust you all at the same time. John McCain does NOT put country first. He puts it dead last. All McCain wants to do before he dies is to be the president. Smart people won't give him that wish. Smart people will vote for Obama -- based on the issues, not lies.
You'll get your chance to see McCain and Obama debating in 3 televised debates. You need "townhall" meetings too?
If you really put country first, you'll vote on the issues, and you'll vote for Obama. A vote for McCain is a vote for destroying the United States.
Posted by: Russell4America | Sep 15, 2008 7:25:13 PM
jason...
where is the proof on that? what makes you say that?
Posted by: tim | Sep 15, 2008 7:23:18 PM
Obama is a hypocrite. His economic team is headed by two individuals who bilked Americans for millions in compenstation through Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and Obama himself is Number 3 in receiving contributions from both of these guys. Barack has received 100Ks in campaign money in just a few years. He's simply on the take from these guys and his faux outrage is nonsense. Freddie and Fannie started this mess here and Obama is only lashing out now because he knows he's apart of the problem.
Posted by: b | Sep 15, 2008 7:23:06 PM
"Why can't McCain and Obama get together in a Town Hall meeting and just simply answer the questions that need to be answered instead of all this "back and forth""
Because John McCain is not interested in town halls anymore.
His interest stemmed from the free publicity they would generate.
His campaign has basically stated that if they had town halls meetings and McCain was getting the attention he deserved they would not have gone negative this summer.
So basically because Obama would not play their game they feel justified in villifying him to get attention.
That's how psychopathic this McCain campaign is.
Posted by: Ryan C | Sep 15, 2008 7:22:16 PM
russel4america...
simple question for you: what is she lying about and give me your proof?
Posted by: tim | Sep 15, 2008 7:22:05 PM
Tim, the world agreed with the Bush representation fo the intel we had. He did lie, in that he denied the actual facts he was given and substituted his own.
Posted by: Jason | Sep 15, 2008 7:21:39 PM
mack...
thats not what i was saying.. lol you jumped issues on me. you made it seem like you were doubtful that the intel the bush admin. gave to the congress to vote on was not credible. i simply said that the rest of the world agreed with the intel. i said nothing about the rest of the worlds response if we were to go into iraq. you made a typical "bush lied" statement and i just wanted to correct you that if he lied, he did a pretty good job seeing that the rest of the world agreed with the intel we had.
Posted by: tim | Sep 15, 2008 7:16:56 PM
As if Obama knows anything about the economy to be criticising MCCain.
Obama is a KNOW-NOTHING with even LESS EXPERIENCE than Palin and he dares criticise Palin or MCCAIN.
And Palin is only running for VP...
Obama is not only a know-nothing, he is also a DO-NOTHING ... has not brought about a SINGLE reform in the State Senate or US Senate but has somehow found time to write 2 memoirs.
Palin has brought about much reform and done MUCH in the state of Alaska ... What the hell has Obama ever done, except write memoirs, to even dare criticise Palin or MCCAIN.
Obama is the greatest POLITICAL CONMAN OR FRAUD TO DESCEND ON AMERICAN POLITICS ...
The Presidency is NOT A JOURNEY FOR SELF DISCOVERY ... AND OBAMA IS USING CHANGE TO PROMOTE HIS CAREER ... THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.
OBAMA CARES NOTHING ABOUT CHANGE AS SHOWN BY HIS RECORD OF NOT HAVING BROUGHT ANY CHANGE ANYWHERE ANYTIME ...
Posted by: NOOBAMA08 | Sep 15, 2008 7:16:50 PM
You've got to be kidding, Belle. Sarah Palin is a proven liar time and time again. The only conviction she's shown any courage in is telling the same lies over and over again until she thinks people will be dumb enough to believe she's telling the truth.
Posted by: Russell4America | Sep 15, 2008 7:15:42 PM
Why can't McCain and Obama get together in a Town Hall meeting and just simply answer the questions that need to be answered instead of all this "back and forth"?
Can Obama debate without his teleprompter? I heard he even took it to the Rodeo today so he could set it up for his speech.
Posted by: susie | Sep 15, 2008 7:15:20 PM
"Trusting Republicans to put in place strong regulation is insane. It is the antithesis of everything they believe."
Well put JohnTx
Posted by: Ryan C | Sep 15, 2008 7:14:12 PM
Furthermore, the idea that the laws for regulation are outdated is insane. The truth is that there is plenty of regulation on the books. The Bush Administration's SEC, FDIC and Fed essentially fell asleep the switch.
Bush is so against regulation that the SEC essentially let the banks ignore Sarbanes Oaxley which led to a lot of this mess.
Make no mistake. The Bush Administration - the Executive branch of this government, is directly responsible for this mess.
Posted by: johnTX | Sep 15, 2008 7:13:05 PM
dan...
you dont get it man!! obama is the man!!! once he gets in there, im totally confident he can fix our economy, get us out of the "republican" debt, and find money to pay for everything he wants to do... oh wait, THAT COULD NEVER POSSIBLY HAPPEN. so which is it for those on the left? do you want to REALLY fix our economic crisis (stop the spending) or spend more to get what he wants? your choice apparently...
Posted by: tim | Sep 15, 2008 7:13:05 PM
tell me briefly, what is the truth on sarah palin? im one of tose who dont know...
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The important thing about Palin is that she has a working-class background, the courage of her convictions, and -- like McCain -- didn't actually buy or extort her way into the presidential contest.
Posted by: Belle Starr | Sep 15, 2008 7:11:29 PM
What happened to Barack the optimist? The uniter? Too bad, I would have voted for that guy....but not this guy.
Posted by: Jeremy | Sep 15, 2008 5:47:28 PM
What happened to McCain the "maverick?" Answer that question, Jeremy. Answer it now. And while you're answering it, please give specifics about what exactly it is that McCain did to earn the title of "maverick." While you're at it, give us all the details of what exactly it is that makes Sarah Palin a "maverick." I'm betting there will be zero response from you because you have nothing to offer other than tired republican talking points.
Posted by: Russell4America | Sep 15, 2008 7:10:52 PM
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