July 4, 2008
Posted: July 4th, 2008 04:30 PM ET

From

(CNN) - Barack Obama plans to spend the week ahead focused on the nation's economic woes while making stops in several states President Bush carried in 2004.

The Illinois senator begins the week in North Carolina, a state Bush won by 12 points four years ago but one the Illinois senator is hoping to make completive. Obama will also make stops in Georgia, Ohio, and Virginia next week as part of the campaign’s effort to expand the party's electoral battleground beyond the traditionally blue states.

At each stop he'll discuss his plans to strengthen the economy, the campaign announced.

On Thursday, John McCain's campaign announced the Arizona senator will also focus on the economy next week as he travels to several battleground states, including Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.

Filed under: Barack Obama • John McCain


Ron- democrat turned independent via HILLARY then obama   July 4th, 2008 9:31 pm ET

maybe someone should ask sen. obama to find out where all those billions of dollars the big corp.. invested to make their 10% billion dollars profits go i quess all the jobs that created doesn't enter his equations or all the taxes those jobs generated. if he's concerned about big profits why is he giving large amounts of money to students instead of having for profit universities lower their tuition's. did he ever check the enormous amount of profit they make. the reason he is forever flip flopping is that he doesn't understand business, just doesnt see the consequences of his proposal and when they are pointed out to him he as to back track. like reopening NAFTA the Canadians would be ecstatic they were outmaneuvered into having to supply us with 60% percent of all the oil and natural gas they produce regardless of their needs. they'd love to renegotiate. when that was pointed out he had to backtrack. so it really doesn't matter what he says he'll just flip flop so just ignore the first few versions

Independant Thinker   July 4th, 2008 9:06 pm ET

Hey

"Farrell, Houston, Tx July 4th, 2008 5:12 pm ET

Economics is a subject one must know in this failing economic crisis.
Strengthening the economy = A+ for Obama
Strengthening the economy = F- for McCain"
--
How can you give Obama an A+ for strengthing the economy???

His proposed tax rate increases for corporations and increases to the capital gains tax are going the REALLY send the economy of our into a REAL recession.

California Gold   July 4th, 2008 9:04 pm ET

Another week of Senator McCain demonstrating what he doesn't know. Another week of Senator McCain unable to make points on his own so he then turns to bad mouthing Senator Obama, who deftly handles McCain's mini-meltdowns and shows he is a man who can lead, identify problems and present solutions, develop positive rapport with voters, develop more creditibility and trust, and rise above the meaningless minutia of nasty politics.

john   July 4th, 2008 9:01 pm ET

Does anyone know if John McCain. has anything like a human brain, or is this John completely insane, have pity on poor old john McCain

Enough Already!   July 4th, 2008 8:55 pm ET

For all of my fellow Americans tired of politics as usual -– there are 3rd parties.

georgie   July 4th, 2008 8:43 pm ET

and when we all have to pay taxes on all the things obama wants to do, those of you who vote for him will be crying.

Connie   July 4th, 2008 8:33 pm ET

We all know that McBush has spent the last two weeks traveling around talking about the economy, only it was in Canada , Mexico and Columbia. It was their economy not ours. Barack Hussein Obama 08

Connie"Hussein"Sturgeon from Indiana

Dilly WA   July 4th, 2008 8:27 pm ET

McMillionaire owns 7 homes is 4 years behind on taxes on one. He did not support the vet's benefit bill. He wants more US jobs to go to Columbia even though they are still shooting union supporters. Is this a man we want taking care of our finaces?

aware   July 4th, 2008 8:24 pm ET

Right!

Obama's give-a-ways will result in an American deficit of 1 Trillion dollars! They will also encourage victim/dependent thinking instead of victorious thinking! :(

America, the land of the free the founding father's built on a Judeo Christian foundation is a multiracial nation with freedom of religion and speech! :)

It is not a multicultural, divisive, blame others country built on a lack of moral center! :(

McCain 08! :)

No Bush Third Term   July 4th, 2008 8:18 pm ET

All you have to do is ask yourself "Are you better off today than 8 years ago?"

It isn't rocket science. America cannot afford 4 more years of the BUSH REGIME. McCain = Bush's Third Term.

I have to believe that Americans are not stupid. Don't prove me wrong, America!

Texans for Obama   July 4th, 2008 8:10 pm ET

Good for Obama! I am glad someone is concentrating on the economy since McCain knows not-a-thing. All of the Obama (HATERS) can vote for McCain, who cares. But, they better get ready for (1.) The war raging on. (2) A Future draft (3) Higher food and gas prices. Especially with the war raging on and on. (4) Veterans returning from Iraq and Afhganiston having to beg for their benefits. Last but not least they may lose their jobs! Believe me each day jobs are going overseas to India.

I have never seen so much hate towards a candidate like I have seen in this election. Is it because some people hate to see an African American in charge? John McCain is too old to be president. He is old school and a war monger. Yes, he served the country honorably but my father did also for 21years. America we need a change and a future for our young people. Barack the vote!

joemarsh   July 4th, 2008 7:57 pm ET

John McCain is too old.

Willy   July 4th, 2008 7:53 pm ET

You liberals need to get off your backsides and look. There are jobs a plenty.

Cricket   July 4th, 2008 7:50 pm ET

John McCain needs to ask Lou Dobbs to be his vp LOL. McCain has stolen a page out of Clinton's play book. Keep Obama apologizing for something stupid someone said or done. Any thing to stop Obama from getting his message out across the country. Obama should say one time I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING SAID BY ANYONE OTHER THAN MYSELF. And just stay on message until Nov. OBAMA '08

Dr.Mimi De La Cruz   July 4th, 2008 7:47 pm ET

MIKE IN NYC- YOU RE PARTIALLY CORRECT.

BUT THE REPUBLICAN POLICIES HAVE BEEN IN EFFECT

FOR 7 OUT OF 10 ADMINISTRATIONS. THE EXPENDITURES

OF THE IRAQ WAR GIVE OUR ECONOMY AN APPROXIMATE

7 TRILLION DOLLAR NET LOSS. THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

COMMIT LABOR FOR FAR LESS THAN THEY GET PAID. AND

THAT IS A POSITIVE NET GAIN, MINUS WHAT SERVICES THEY

CONSUME = A GREAT, GREAT DEAL LESS OF AN AFFECT. ITS THE

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING SHOT IN THE FOOT & THE HEART.

IRAQ BEING THE LATTER. YOU HAVE A POINT. ILLEGAL

IMMIGRATION NEEDS TO BE SOLVED.

Texas Trail Dog   July 4th, 2008 7:46 pm ET

BOY! I KNOW THIS IS WHAT THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR. OBAMA HAS A PLAN. I SHUDDER AT THE PLAN TO BOOST THE ECONOMY. WHAT IS HE GOING TO DO TRADE TEXAS WHICH HE KNOWS WILL STAY RED IN NOVEMBER TO MEXICO FOR A COUPLE OF TRUCKLOADS OF TAMALES. I KNOW THAT COULD HELP THE ECONOMY SOME. DOES HE HAVE A BUDGET SET UP YET. IF NOT WHEN DOES HE PLAN ON HAVING A WORKING PLAN FOR THE ECONOMY, SECURITY, DEFENSE, MEDICAL, EMPLOYMENT, HIGHWAYS, DISASTERS. DEFENSE, COUNTRY'S THAT HATE OUR GUTS(PLEASE DON'T GIVE ME THAT I'M GOING TO SET DOWN WITH THEM AND TALK CRAP) THEY'LL TALK TO HIM ALRIGHT AFTER HIS HEAD IS ROLLING DOWN THE STREET. HAS HE GOT ANY PLANS TO HELP THE STARVING CHILDREN HERE IN AMERICA, IN AFRICA, IN ASIA AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. YOU KNOW TO BE THE LEADER OF THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD TAKES MORE THAN SPEECHES. WHEN YOU TAKE OFFICE OBAMA GIVING A GREAT SPEECH THAT SOMEONE WROTE FOR YOU WON'T CUT IT WHEN THE MIDNIGHT OIL KICKS IN AND THE THREE A.M. PHONE RINGS.

Phil   July 4th, 2008 7:45 pm ET

Dont vote for a Texas politician for President.....Lyndon B. Johnson....Vietnam
King George W. Bush Afganistan, Iraq and Iran..........

true Democrat   July 4th, 2008 7:40 pm ET

When faced with two undesirable choices like this election, I prefer to go with the better known quantity, and trust that Congress will provide a lethargic counterbalance to anything imprudent he might have in mind.

Crush Rush   July 4th, 2008 7:36 pm ET

French Papers are reporting McCain will step down in August.

true Democrat   July 4th, 2008 7:36 pm ET

This is WAAAAAY bigger than Obama or Hillary.

This is about saying NO, when a democratic candidate is treated hatefully and unfairly and disrespected.

It is about saying NO to strong-arm tactics to secure a nomination.

It is about saving the party from future corruption by tacidly approving the corruption that occurred this year.

If it costs the democrats the election in a year when a democrat CAN'T lose, then the new democrats will think twice before they try to sway, influence and coerce the vote to their candidate by using division, hate and race baiting.

Dirty tactics deserve to back fire.

Sorry for the young women if Roe vs Wade gets overturned… Us bigoted, racist, stupid old women secured that right for you. Now we will turn the fight over to you. I would not recommend using insults and denigration to win your point in the future.

Sorry to the young men who might be drafted- again maybe it will show you the price of hatred (Bro over Ho), and (redneck inbred cousins who are nothing but dirty trailor trash morons). Maybe serving your country will teach you some respect for others who disagree with you.

I marched for civil rights, against the vietnam war, for women's rights, i burned my bra in NYC and I marched against the Iraq war.

Old and racist and stupid and ignorant as I am- I will march against the hatred and bigotry that has infiltrated the once democratic party.

INDEPENDENT WHITE WOMAN FOR OBAMA   July 4th, 2008 7:28 pm ET

Rob........what I find odd is why a woman would vote for McBush.. Their giving up hard earned rights- – Rowe V Wade will be gone. I'm sorry , but thats just stupid. Bush Has infringed on our rights –so why would they just give over more. So when you've lost them don't cry–you won't get them back anytime soon........IT IS NOT ABOUT THE ISSUES ......
IT IS ABOUT RACE (OBAMA IS A BLACK MAN .......SOME PEOPLE CAN NOT ACCEPT THAT........THEY USE EXPERENCE FLAG PIN
HIS WIFE HIS KIDS HIS SMILE.... IF YOU HAVE NOT LIVED IT YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT IT IS TO BE BLACK!!!!!! ....They are not READY but the SPRIT IS ALL UP IN THIS RACE!!!!!

CNN PLZ POST 2ND TRY

Drew NJ   July 4th, 2008 7:26 pm ET

...McCain supporters:
I honestly wouldn't be commenting on Obama's plan for the economy. McCain's own ideas are flimsy at best, Obama's are at the very least slightly better. There is not really that much of a debate about that.

bk   July 4th, 2008 7:24 pm ET

Obama knows nothing about the economy. He has never ran anything. He justs talks and talks and reads prepared speeches. I thought the people that are voting for Obama are supposed to be smart. How stupid can you be?

Rob indetroit   July 4th, 2008 7:18 pm ET

IF, people voted bush out in 2004 our country would be safer.

Rob indetroit   July 4th, 2008 7:13 pm ET

john mccain does'nt know anything about economics, he should get his prostate checked.

RJ, CA   July 4th, 2008 7:11 pm ET

Obama talking about the economy. That should be a hoot and be followed by more flip-flopping. Like:
• Stating that his upcoming trip to Iraq might lead him to refine his promise to quickly remove U.S. troops from the war.
• Now supporting broader authority for the government's eavesdropping program and legal immunity for telecommunications companies, after opposing a similar bill last year
• After being for handgun control, he now favors an individual's right to own a gun
• Being the first major-party candidate to reject public financing for the general election, after earlier promising to accept it.
• Now suddenly embracing and promising to expand Bush's program to give more anti-poverty grants to religious groups
• Objecting to the Supreme Court's decision outlawing the death penalty for child rapists, even though he's been against capital punishment.

Louise   July 4th, 2008 7:09 pm ET

Thanks for noticing the economy. Now can we voters do basic math and draw conclusions? What's the war cost? What's the national debt? Has the government run up a credit charge so large the nation could go bankrupt?

M.S. Indiana   July 4th, 2008 7:07 pm ET

Mike in NYC, wow, you are amazing.... Lets just have a police state and fix our problems... So when all those plants closed and moved to China and other countries, it was not because of failed policies from the Republicans and their ohhh godly leader Bush ??

When Bush is not willing to move troops home from a war we are financing with money from China it is not a problem.
When we invade Iraq and make the whole region unstable it is not a problem, even to gas prices are sky rocketing ??? and only solution they give us is oil rigs and more drilling, instead of trying to get away from oil...

When education is getting worse and worse it is fine, because why should we be better the any other countries... After all we are still inventing all the great stuff...

Hail McCain for coming up with nothing new at all, no solutions or help for the people, who are loosing jobs, houses and their future...

A SONGBIRD SANG IN VIETNAM   July 4th, 2008 7:07 pm ET

I'll vote for the one that finished top in Law before the one that finished botttom in Navy any day.

Emma, San Jose, CA   July 4th, 2008 6:51 pm ET

Obama has been doing his homework about the economy. He has been
extremely studious and has researched the economy well, and utilized the minds of great economists to enhance his learning. That does not fit with him only having a thimble's worth of knowledge about economics.

By the way, many of you persist in claiming just the young folks will vote for Obama. That is flawed thinking. My cohorts who are past 70 favor Obama.

Marc PDX   July 4th, 2008 6:39 pm ET

Obama '08 – a fine whine... LOL!

dems be dopes   July 4th, 2008 6:35 pm ET

I wonder which handler will brief this empty suit about the "economy."

I'd really like to know how is really pulling the strings for Obama...

Jesse Abrams   July 4th, 2008 6:33 pm ET

So much hatred directed at McCain. Apparently the liberals don't have anything good to say about their own candidate. Oh wait ... hate-filled trashing of others is the liberal way of life.

Karen-phoenix   July 4th, 2008 6:29 pm ET

McBush will be 4 more years of the same economy. Obama has a different plan. Lets try it!!!! It just might work!!! What we are doing now is NOT working and its just getting worse!!! AND I'm sick and tired of the republican party trying to call Obama a lier!!! What he said yesterday about the war in Iraq is exactly what he has said all along!!!!
!6 months and out but he is open to discussion on time table depending on what the generals on the ground say!!!! He has said this from the beginning BUT he wants us OUT OF IRAQ!!!!! Just think, maybe it will take a month longer to get all the helicopters back or all the jeeps back. People, have a little common sense!!!! With Obama we will get out of Iraq!!!! AND we may have the beginning of a much better economy!!!! I'm a republican for 64 years and I in no way will vote for McCain!!! I DO NOT WANT MORE OF THE SAME THING!!!!!

TEXAN   July 4th, 2008 6:28 pm ET

It does appear that our economy is getting worse every day. I feel that Obama can better relate to the problems and struggles of the average American than Mc Cain. We need to get our country back on the right track...NOT (8 ) more years of the same !!!! Obama is the man who will do this. GO OBAMA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

INDEPENDENT WHITE WOMAN FOR OBAMA   July 4th, 2008 6:18 pm ET

CNN) — Barack Obama plans to spend the week ahead focused on the nation's economic woes while making stops in several states President Bush carried in 2004.
Marc PDX ...........What Barak Obama knows about the economy could almost fill a thimble........Which is the SIZE OF YOUR BRAIN
McSAME ADMITS he doesn't know much about the ECONOMY
Marc PDX .. During the 2000 general election democrats said that if George Bush got elected then they would move to another country
During the 2008 election if Barak Obama gets elected then we'll send the democrats to another country. HA! HA! ......WE ARE going TO SEND YOUR STUPID A_S to MARS!!!!

OBAMA 08

FOR THE USA   July 4th, 2008 6:13 pm ET

McCain needs a quick course in ECONOMY 101. Maybe Jeb Bush gave him some pointers.

JWR   July 4th, 2008 6:09 pm ET

Wow, a whole week on the economy? I'm so very impressed.

Why don't these US Senators go back to Washington and actually do something, instead of just talking about it on TV?

Marc PDX   July 4th, 2008 6:07 pm ET

The dimocrats are working very hard to make us a socialist nation. Let's see, now how's that working out in Europe? 20%+ unemployment. Youth unable to get jobs at all because employers can never fire anyone (so they won't take a chance on hiring in the first place)... 30 hour work weeks (sounds nice, but no one is working, everyone's on strike and no one has any money). And the governments are running out of money... because no one makes any to tax anymore! Healthcare – yeah, it's cheap. But you can't get it. Ask Canada about that. People die waiting for an initial Dr. visit because they have to wait 6 months or more for even a first visit. So Canadians with any money now pay on their own to be able to actually go to a Dr. when they really need to (which is not covered by ANY insurance – it's totally out of pocket). So, yeah, this all seems like a good approach. There's a reason why America is doing much better economically than the socialist free world countries (and way better than former and current communist ones: that economic philosophy doesn't work). Read your history books, people! "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country" for a change!

NObama N'08 (quit voting your wallet and get to work!)

Venus   July 4th, 2008 6:06 pm ET

Go get em' Bam!

Need to let Americans know that spending $850 billion dollars is killing us! You need to tell us about all the jobs that have left this country in the past 8 years!

Can't believe McSame visiting other countries to promote fair trade!

Obama – just stay focus – we know you are clear regarding Iraq – the Republicans don't have any plans so they want to talk about Iraq and nothing else. Don't let them pull you out of your game and off track!

Step it up and hit em HARD!

Marc PDX   July 4th, 2008 5:57 pm ET

Barak knows about as much about the economy as he does about what Reverend Wright was preaching from the pulpit: nothing.

Obama: "Just increase taxes and government programs to fix the problems with the economy"...

Sheesh!

NObama N'08

Mike in NYC   July 4th, 2008 5:29 pm ET

Dr. Mimi De La Cruz wrote:

"THE REPUBLICANS ARE WORKING VERY HARD TO MAKE US A THIRD WORLD NATION."

Both parties were/are complicit in allowing tens of millions of illegal immigrants across our borders.

A third-world population will inevitably result in a third-world country.

David Peter   July 4th, 2008 5:27 pm ET

McBush is never home in America; he is always going to Iraq or Columbia or Mexico and he knows NOTHING about our economy!

Mike   July 4th, 2008 5:26 pm ET

Yes McBush will focus on the economy after returning from Columbia. Where he plans to export millions of American jobs if elected.

john   July 4th, 2008 5:25 pm ET

If being dumb on the economy, lying about previous statements, flip flopping and a memory like a sieve holds water are qualities needed to be President then John McSame has all of them in SPADES.

Marc PDX   July 4th, 2008 5:21 pm ET

What Barak Obama knows about the economy could almost fill a thimble.

Vig   July 4th, 2008 5:12 pm ET

It's George Bush that's the problem and a newly emerging George Bush – Barrack Obama.

Marc PDX   July 4th, 2008 5:12 pm ET

Barakiddie joke for the day:

During the 2000 general election democrats said that if George Bush got elected then they would move to another country.

During the 2008 election if Barak Obama gets elected then we'll send the democrats to another country. LOL!

NObama N'08

Farrell, Houston, Tx   July 4th, 2008 5:12 pm ET

Economics is a subject one must know in this failing economic crisis.
Strengthening the economy = A+ for Obama
Strengthening the economy = F- for McCain

Dr.Mimi De La Cruz   July 4th, 2008 5:05 pm ET

THE REPUBLICANS ARE WORKING VERY

HARD TO MAKE US A THIRD WORLD NATION.

David Goldman   July 4th, 2008 5:03 pm ET

WE HAVE VOTED OURSELVES INTO A CORNER.

LETS VOTE OURSELVES OUT OF IT.

VOTE FOR OUR ECONOMY, NOT MCSLEAZO'S.

CITIZENS FOR AMERICA FIRST   July 4th, 2008 4:59 pm ET

WE KNOW WHAT MCBUSH IS DOING.

HE IS WORKING ON A PLANE TO EXPORT

A FEW MORE OF OUR JOBS. HE HAS CAMPAIGNED

MORE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES THAN OURS.

not important   July 4th, 2008 4:55 pm ET

Good thing that Phil Gramm is not his advisor?

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