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1446 days ago

Obama: Give economy $50 billion boost

CNN

Watch Sen. Obama discuss the economic policies of Pres. Bush and Sen. John McCain.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - On the first day of what is to be a two-week economic tour around the country, Barack Obama said Monday he thinks lawmakers need to inject another $50 billion immediately into the sluggish U.S. economy.

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee cited the largest monthly increase in the unemployment rate in over 20 years, and record highs in oil prices, food prices and foreclosures.

"Such relief can't wait until the next president takes office. ... That's why I've called for another round of fiscal stimulus, an immediate $50 billion to help those who've been hit hardest by this economic downturn," Obama told a crowd in Raleigh, NC.

He said specifically that he supports expanding and extending unemployment benefits, as well as a second round of tax rebate checks.

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Filed under: Candidate Barack Obama
soundoff (219 Responses)
  1. Cindy

    The day's of cheap gas is over. This is reality. A gas holiday is not the answer. A change in attitude towards energy consumption is. We need more energy efficient cars, not artifically cheaper gas. And we need those oil companies who are experiencing windfall profits at our expense, to cough up the money for this transition.

    It's so obvious. There's more to conservation than recycling cans. Even a non-college educated person like myself can see it.

    June 9, 2008 05:08 pm at 5:08 pm |
  2. HILLARY WAS FORCED OUT BY SEXISM!!!

    ANOTHER IDEA OF HILLARY'S!

    MAN THIS DUDE IS CHEESY!!!!!!!!

    NO VOTE FROM ME!!!!!!

    June 9, 2008 05:09 pm at 5:09 pm |
  3. The Austrian

    Jackson:

    I should expect such a response from an Obama zealot. You either misunderstood or ingored my concerns, and instead of offering anything substantial to the discussion, you bring in a cute little cheer for your demigod: "He's bringing more than change, man. He's bringing dollars!"

    Where do you think these dollars will come from? They will either be from huge tax hikes or from Fed Reserve lowereing rates (in the form of printing currency out of thin air) or both. Both of these options are bad for the economy, so how can we fix a bad economy by implementing bad economic practices?

    Think before you vote! Don't just line up behind Obama because he's charismatic! LOOK AT HIM! LOOK AT HIS STANCES! He represents just as much change as McCain.

    June 9, 2008 05:12 pm at 5:12 pm |
  4. antibama

    obama, ur just one of those terrorists lookalike that most people can't stand to look at. im a lifetime democrat but just look at ur face makes me angry. not this time dude, and never.

    June 9, 2008 05:20 pm at 5:20 pm |
  5. baljeet

    Clinton is the best candidate. Obama has no chance against Mccain.
    DNc will be sorry for what they did. Mccain 2008. Hillary 2012.

    June 9, 2008 05:33 pm at 5:33 pm |
  6. Jack from Texas

    Well this isn't exactly change from the Bush policies the Senator is so against and goes to great efforts to challenge. Yet his many of his supporters think it's a brilliant plan. $50B is hardly a large enough sum either.

    Printing extra money will do nothing but weaken the dollar even more, which is the main reason the economy is struggling. Prices will go up and you're right back where you started. Economies go through growths and contractions. Letting them work themselves out is usually the best course of action. Live within your means and save for contraction periods and you'll do just fine.

    Bill, don't blame the auto execs. The market (consumers – you, me, him, her) did not ask for better fuel efficient cars until now. You want the government to know what you want? Keep the interest groups and PACs alive, don't kick them out like Sen. Obama wants. They are your voice. Without them, there would never be change.

    Nader 2008

    June 9, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |
  7. What if?

    To Angus McDugan June 9th, 2008 1:56 pm ET
    Gues where this money is really comming from???
    ---------------------------–
    I guess he will do like Bush, money that did not exsist, right?

    also........antibama June 9th, 2008 5:20 pm ET
    obama, ur just one of those terrorists lookalike that most people can't stand to look at. im a lifetime democrat but just look at ur face makes me angry. not this time dude, and never.

    All I can say to you that prejudice and ignorance have no play in America, we are trying to move on and vote for someone who do care about ALL OF US!

    June 9, 2008 05:46 pm at 5:46 pm |
  8. Daniel, VA

    Obama wants to increase taxes and then give the boost to the economy. Obama has no sense of economics. He is a big mouth. He wants Government to take care of eveyrthing. raise taxes... enjoy your life as President.

    June 9, 2008 05:48 pm at 5:48 pm |
  9. F.W.J. in Nashville , Tn.

    All you Hillary suporters who are on the fence about Obama , ask yourself this question. Do you really want McCain to be the one to appoint the next Supreme Court Judges ?

    Please think about this !

    June 9, 2008 05:49 pm at 5:49 pm |
  10. What if?

    To mikky from grand rapids, michigan June 9th, 2008 2:02 pm ET
    I can't not bring myself to vote for Obama. I just cant see any good he has done. At least with McCain I know what Im getting. Besides, I vote for the person, not the party.
    I cant wait for Obama to lose and ALL of us Hillary supporters can yell…NO YOU DIDN'T!!!!
    --------------------
    You are so pathetic, Be honest, the reason why you can't bring yourself to vote for Obama is because he is biracial, educated, caring and offer hope and positive change for EVERYONE. Because of people like you we will..................................We are suffering from the Bush administration are getting tired of you voters who think it's all about YOU, when it should be about ALL of US. Some of us voters have suffered enough, we finally have a chance to get help from a demarcated president, and all you can think about is your selfish self, when you vote sometimes you are suppose to care about OTHERS, it’s not about what you can‘t do.

    June 9, 2008 05:51 pm at 5:51 pm |
  11. Loretta from California

    This is proof that he and Senator Clinton are working together, as they should be. DEMOCRATS UNITE!!!

    June 9, 2008 05:55 pm at 5:55 pm |
  12. Felly

    All you McCain folks:

    With McSame, you get a soon to be 72 year old grumpy man that can't even remember what he said yesterday.

    Obama is the real deal!

    June 9, 2008 05:59 pm at 5:59 pm |
  13. A.J. in Fla

    The Great Impostor strikes again...!!!!

    June 9, 2008 06:02 pm at 6:02 pm |
  14. Obama 2008

    Yes we can.

    June 9, 2008 06:02 pm at 6:02 pm |
  15. Gillis

    That's how to do it. Gas tax rebate can do nothing, 50 Billion can go farther.

    June 9, 2008 06:04 pm at 6:04 pm |
  16. Kelly Mix

    It is simple – really simple – Barrack Obama is dangerous for the country! He really is all fluff and NO stuff – and this rediculousus idea is just an example. I'm no fan of McCain, but at least we would have an inklingWe've gone to long with a dumb bell as Presidnet – lets not continue it with Obama. Sorry to think this is the best the Democrtas could come up with.

    June 9, 2008 06:04 pm at 6:04 pm |
  17. axt113

    Tax the rich and give rebates to the middle and poor, I like it

    June 9, 2008 06:07 pm at 6:07 pm |
  18. Americans for america

    Democrats Beware!

    Republicans have launched a blogosphere campaign where they claim to be Democrats who will vote for Senator McCain since Senator Clinton is not the democratic nominee!

    Do not be fooled!

    This is nothing more than republican tricknology, Karl Rovian VODOO; Of course all real democrats would NEVER vote for George W. Bush’s third term, ENDLESS war, overturning of Roe V. Wade, or more record profits and tax breaks for oil companies while the average American spending power continues to thin.

    Be Brave Democrats and be watchful!

    With a majority Democratic legislature and a Democratic President we can see real change not gridlock! Wake up Dems do not be fooled.

    June 9, 2008 06:08 pm at 6:08 pm |
  19. David Goldman for OBAMA

    YOU HAVE TO BE OUT OF YOUR MIND TO THINK THAT

    LOOSING MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLAR A DAY IN

    IRAQ DOESN'T DESTROY OUR ECONOMY. THINK

    WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THAT KIND OF MONEY IN

    OUR COUNTRY.

    June 9, 2008 06:16 pm at 6:16 pm |
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