McCain, Obama clash on taxes and combating financial crisis

By Steven Thomma
McClatchy Newspapers
(MCT)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. _ Reaching out to an anxious nation, John McCain and Barack Obama vied in a spirited debate Tuesday over who would be the better steward of an economy in crisis.

"Americans are angry, they're upset, and they're a little fearful," McCain said at the outset of a pressure-packed debate. ""It's our job to fix the problem. Now, I have a plan to fix this problem."

"You need somebody in Washington working for you," Obama told voters huddled in a town hall meeting and millions more watching at home.

With stock markets plummeting, the economy dominated questions posed by voters both inside the town hall style session and over the Internet.

Participants in the 90-minute meeting were 80 undecided voters from the Nashville area selected by the Gallup polling organization. The debate, held at Belmont University, was moderated by NBC's Tom Brokaw.

Right from the start, the two men worked to show that they understand voters' worries, to stress that they know how to fix problems on Wall Street and in the federal budget, and to blame the other for contributing to the economic problems or proposing changes that would make problems worse.

McCain said he'd shore up the economy by keeping taxes low, pushing energy independence and ordering the Treasury Department to buy up bad mortgages to stabilize home values.

"It's my proposal," he said. "It's not Sen. Obama's proposal, it's not President Bush's proposal."

Obama called for tax cuts for the middle class, help for homeowners to stay in their homes, and help for local governments to build bridges and other infrastructure improvements to create jobs. Longer term, he said, he would expand health care and improve energy independence.

He called the financial bailout approved by Congress _ with support from both major party candidates _ a first step.

Yet he all but acknowledged some of the fears many Americans have about bailing out Wall Street, noting reports of a $400,000 junket taken by executives of the failed insurance giant AIG just a week after the company was rescued by the government.

"The Treasury should demand that money back and those executives should be fired," Obama said.

McCain said he had tried to rein in mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac two years ago _ saying their home lending policies were "the match that started this forest fire" _ but that Sen. Obama and other Democrats had blocked his efforts. He said Obama got heavy campaign contributions from the two mortgage-lending giants.

Obama said he "never promoted" Fannie and Freddie, then changed the subject by noting that voters don't like the blame game. "You're not interested in hearing politicians point fingers," Obama said.

But he too went on the attack early, blaming McCain and the Republican Party for the crisis, calling it "a final verdict on the failed economic policies of the last eight years."

McCain ripped Obama for proposing to raise some taxes, noting that the last president to raise taxes in the face of a similar economic crisis was Herbert Hoover.

"Let's not raise anybody's taxes," McCain said.

McCain also suggested that Obama would renege on his promise of a middle-class tax cut, saying he promised one as a candidate for the Senate but then never proposed one as a senator.

"Let's be clear," Obama countered. "I want to provide a tax cut for 95 percent of Americans." He stressed that he would cut taxes for those making less than $200,000 a year and raise them only on those making more than $250,000.

Obama also said McCain's plan would give the average Fortune 500 corporate CEO a tax cut of $700,000. "That is not fair and it doesn't work," Obama said.

An Internet question from someone who called herself a "78-year-old child of the Depression" asked what sacrifices each man might ask Americans to make to put the country back on the right track.

"There are some programs we may have to eliminate," McCain said. He added that he'd eliminate pork-barrel spending through earmarked appropriations and freeze federal spending for everything except defense, veterans care and "some other vital programs."

Obama said he'd also cut spending but would use a "scalpel" rather than across-the-board spending freezes. "That's an example of an unfair burden sharing. That's using a hatchet to cut the federal budget," he said.

Pressed to say who they might name as Treasury secretary, McCain said he'd want someone well known and trusted. He mentioned former eBay chief executive Meg Whitman as an example. Obama mentioned billionaire investor Warren Buffett as a possibility, but insisted there are plenty of other possibilities.

Turning to foreign affairs, the two clashed on Pakistan. Obama said that if Pakistani troops wouldn't go after Osama bin Laden, who's believed to be hiding in that country, then if U.S. troops had him "in our sights ... then we will take him out."

McCain said that Obama was threatening to attack Pakistan, and that would hurt relations. He said Theodore Roosevelt, his hero, said "speak softly but carry a big stick" but that "Senator Obama likes to talk loudly."

Obama countered that he wasn't calling for an invasion of Pakistan, but for getting bin Laden. As for speaking softly, he said that McCain was the one who had joked about "bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" to the tune of a Beach Boys song. "That, I don't think is an example of speaking softly," Obama said. McCain said he'd just been joking with an old veteran friend when he said that.

It was the second of three debates. The third and final debate will be Oct. 15 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. It will focus on domestic issues.

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MORE FROM MCCLATCHY

Obama's lead widens to 7 in latest Ipsos/McClatchy poll: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/53604.html

Battleground Ohio, hit hard economically, is up for grabs: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/53335.html

Check out McClatchy's expanded politics coverage: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/election2008/

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© 2008, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Visit the McClatchy Washington Bureau on the World Wide Web at www.mcclatchydc.com.

S'town Woman Goes Shopping with Stolen Credit Cards

Wanted for Grand Larceny:


Crime Stoppers and the Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad Detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating the woman who used a stolen credit card.

On Sept 3, 2008 a Smithtown woman was at Boomers, 655 Long Island Ave.,
Medford when her wallet was stolen. The wallet contained several credit cards.

On Sept 4, 2008 the suspect who used the credit cards was caught on surveillance
cameras as she shopped at the Stop and Shop in E.Islip.

The suspect is a white female with brown hair, she was wearing black shorts and a
black shirt.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at
1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential and the caller will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $5000.00 for information that leads to an arrest.

King and Queen are...

Well that's up for you to decide.

Voting for Homecoming King and Queen 2008 is now open to all seniors! Click Here to cast your vote!

Find out who makes it through this primary round at Pep Rally on Friday the 17th!!!

Polls: Biden won debate, though Palin did well

By David Lightman
McClatchy Newspapers
MCT)

ST. LOUIS, Mo. _ Joe Biden won Thursday night's vice presidential debate, according to two national polls, giving the Democrats fresh, important momentum Friday as the campaign for the White House enters its final month.

A CBS News/Knowledge Networks survey of 500 uncommitted voters taken after the debate Thursday night found that 46 percent thought Biden won, while 21 percent gave Republican Sarah Palin the victory. While two-thirds found Palin knowledgeable about important issues, 98 percent said the same about Biden.

A separate CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey found similar views, with 51 percent saying Biden did better, to 36 percent favoring Palin.

Perhaps most significant, the CNN survey found that 87 percent thought the Delaware senator was qualified to be president, while 42 percent saw Palin that way.

"He didn't ramble and he wasn't patronizing. He stayed on message and linked McCain to President Bush in a very effective way," said Douglas Koopman, a professor of political science at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Particularly impressive, Koopman said, was how Biden dealt with Palin's repeated reference to John McCain as a "maverick."

"I love him," Biden said of McCain, his longtime Senate colleague. "He's been a maverick on some issues, but he has been no maverick on the things that matter to people's lives," such as the economy, health care and education.

Even so, reviews for Palin, whose approval numbers had been tumbling in recent weeks, were generally favorable too.

"Had Palin blown it, it probably would have been the end of McCain's candidacy, but she dug in her heels and enhanced her credibility," said Wayne Lesperance, associate professor of political science at New England College in Henniker, N.H.

But at this stage of the campaign, with Americans weary of war and anxious about the declining economy, the Republican ticket faces a hostile environment since it represents the incumbent party at a time when voters are seeking change. Palin had to do more than merely hold her own to shift the campaign's overall dynamic. But there's no evidence she did that, even if she exceeded expectations for her performance.

Obama led by an average of 5.8 points in national surveys over the past week before the Biden-Palin debate, according to RealClearPolitics.

"Every day that goes by with Barack Obama about 5 to 8 points ahead is not a good day for John McCain," said vice presidential expert Timothy Walch.

"Every day of the next month is important," said Obama campaign manager David Plouffe.

Nevertheless, Republicans claimed new momentum.

Palin, who has been unavailable to most of the press corps ever since she joined the GOP ticket, will "be available to the press, and she'll talk to every American voter. She'll be out 24/7," vowed McCain senior adviser Steve Schmidt.

Some experts agreed that Palin's folksy style could resonate, particularly with women in the Midwest and West, a trend that may not show up right away.

"People listen to what the neighbors say, what their favorite pundit says and sometimes there's a disconnect between that and what the media are saying now," said Wayne Fields, a professor of English and American culture studies at Washington University in St. Louis.

Ultimately, he said, people base their opinions on their intuition, and "they really don't know specifically what they're basing their judgment on."

Yet Palin probably won't have much more opportunity to be widely heard. Public attention tends to focus most on presidential candidates, especially in the final weeks of a campaign, and there are no more vice presidential debates. With a crush of other big news stories _ including the House of Representatives' passage of the financial-rescue plan on Friday and the second McCain-Obama debate coming up on Tuesday _ the Biden-Palin encounter is likely to fade quickly.

"The vice presidential story is essentially over now," Walch said. "By Monday, we'll be on to another topic."
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ON THE WEB

The CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/03/debate.poll/

The CBS News/Knowledge Networks poll: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/03/politics/2008debates/main4497138.shtml

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MORE FROM MCCLATCHY

Excited about VP picks? In November, they rarely matter: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/226/story/46166.html

Latest Ipsos-McClatchy poll: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/327/story/53334.html

For More McClatchy politics coverage: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/election2008/

___

© 2008, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Visit the McClatchy Washington Bureau on the World Wide Web at www.mcclatchydc.com.

_____

PHOTOS (from MCT Photo Service, 202-383-6099): CAMPAIGN-DEBATE

2nd Annual Smithtown Idol Contest at SHS East

Smithtown East DECA will be hosting their 2nd Annual Smithtown Idol Contest along with Music Idol Entertainment on Friday, October 3rd at 7:00 in the auditorium at Smithtown HS East. There are 25 contestants competing in this semi-final round. The 15 contestants chosen as Finalist will perform on Friday, April 17th. Pre-sale tickets are being sold for $12.00. Tickets at the door are $15.00. Proceeds from this event will be used to fund scholarships and future DECA competitions and a portion will be donated to the HSE Beautification Project. Don’t miss out, purchase your tickets early, last year the show was SOLD OUT! Contact Mrs. LoFrese or Mr. Hennings at Smithtown East High School for additional information (631) 382-5212.

Superintendent Joins in Effort to Break World Record

St. James Elementary students, parents, and staff participated in school wide reading of “Corduroy” as part of a nationwide reading of the book to break the Guinness World Record for the largest shared reading experience. Superintendent of Schools, Ed Ehmann, read Corduroy to the K-2 students while a mystery reader read to the students in grades 3-5.

The reading effort for St. James was coordinated by the St James PTA as part of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record.

Debate presents risks for both candidates, but Palin must prove she's up to the job

By David Lightman
McClatchy Newspapers
(MCT)
WASHINGTON _ Sarah Palin faces a huge problem in Thursday night's vice presidential debate: She's in danger of becoming a national punch line.
As a result, the Republican's 90-minute debate with Democratic rival Joe Biden could be her last big chance to convince voters that she's got what it takes to run the country.
"She has a lot to prove," said James Riddlesperger, a professor of political science at Texas Christian University, "and this is a real opportunity for her to do so."
Biden also faces some risks. "He's like the champion getting into the ring with Rocky Balboa. He can't appear to be a bully," said vice presidential scholar Timothy Walch. The longtime Delaware senator also has a history of putting his foot in his mouth, and a gaffe while debating Palin could cost him.
The debate, though, is largely about Palin, the Alaska governor who was barely known in the Lower 48 until John McCain put her on the ticket just before last month's Republican convention.
She was an instant hit, at least with Republicans, charming the GOP convention with her plainspoken, frontier woman ways and her solid conservative credentials.
Since then, however, the nation has seen another Palin: carefully managed, kept under wraps, often scripted and seemingly out of her depth. A poll released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center reported, "opinions about Sarah Palin have become increasingly negative."
The Sept. 27-29 survey found that 51 percent of the public thinks she's not qualified to be president, and 37 percent think she is qualified. Just after the GOP convention, some 52 percent thought she was ready.
Worse, Palin has become the butt of late night jokes.
On "Saturday Night Live," comedian Tina Fey's dead-on impression of Palin has parodied her as a rambling, perky celebrity unfamiliar with the day's biggest issues.
Experts say Palin has done too little to overcome that image. Her interviews last week with CBS' Katie Couric have been widely ridiculed. Conservative columnist Kathleen Parker led the charge. Palin's TV interviews, she wrote, "revealed an attractive, earnest, confident candidate. Who is Clearly Out of Her League."
Parker urged Palin to leave the ticket, imploring: "Do it for your country."
Couric asked Palin what she thought about the $700 billion Wall Street rescue package pending before Congress.
Palin's reply: "But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health-care reform that is needed to help shore up our economy, helping the _ oh, it's got to be all about job creation, too, shoring up our economy and putting it back on the right track. So health-care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans. And trade, we've got to see trade as opportunity, not as a competitive, um, scary thing. But one in five jobs being created in the trade sector today, we've got to look at that as more opportunity. All those things under the umbrella of job creation. This bailout is part of that."
Pundit jaws also dropped when Palin _ who got her first passport last year _ talked about foreign policy.
"As (Russian leader Vladimir) Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America, where do they go?" she asked on CBS. "It's Alaska ... It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there, they are right next to our state."
However, Biden, a U.S. senator since 1973, knows that he has to be careful to avoid looking like a Washington know-it-all. "It could be very difficult for him to escape looking condescending," Riddlesperger said.
Biden also is gaffe-prone. Last week he told CBS: "When the stock market crashed, Franklin D. Roosevelt got on the television and didn't just talk about the, you know, the princes of greed. He said, 'Look, here's what happened.' "
The stock market crashed in 1929 and Roosevelt didn't become president until 1933. And when FDR spoke to the nation, it was on radio because television wasn't available yet.
"His critics are going to be looking for something like that," Riddlesperger said.
Palin has been practicing for the debate at McCain's Sedona, Ariz., ranch, with campaign officials standing in for Biden. Biden has been in Wilmington, Del., with Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm playing Palin in their mock debates.
One wrong word or convoluted sentence by either candidate will be replayed over and over by the media and on the Internet, and could become the frame by which the debate is most remembered.
Speaking at a rally Monday in Columbus, Ohio, Palin said she was looking forward to Thursday's debate.
"So I guess it's my turn now," she said. "And I do look forward to Thursday night. I look forward to seeing him, too. I've never met him before, but I've been hearin' about his Senate speeches since I was in, like, second grade. He's sounding pretty doggone confident like he's going to win. ... This is the same Senator Biden who said the other day that the University of Delaware would trounce the Ohio State Buckeyes."
Actually, the two schools don't play each other in football.