Clinton, Obama clash over economy, Iraq War

Source: Xinhua | 02-03-2008 07:36

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- As Californian voters view economic issues as more important than the Iraq War, Democrat candidates Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama were clashing over economic issues and the Iraq War.

Democratic presidential candidates Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton pose for photographers prior to the CNN/Los Angeles Times Democratic presidential  debate in Hollywood, California Jan. 31, 2008.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards' withdrawal Wednesday means the Democrats are virtually assured of becoming the first major party to nominate a woman -- Clinton -- or a black -- Obama -- for president.

Both candidates will weigh in Tuesday with their preference in their party's precedent-breaking presidential race in California, a stronghold for Democrats.

Both Clinton and Obama were trying to lure support by coming up with economic stimulus packages.

They have proposed stimulus packages in addition to earlier economic plans, basically aimed at aiding the middle class.

Clinton unveiled her five-part, 70 billion-dollar economic stimulus package in Commerce Jan. 11.

Her plan includes a 30 billion-dollar emergency housing crisis fund to assist states and cities to mitigate the effects of mounting foreclosures; a 90-day moratorium on subprime foreclosures; and an automatic rate freeze on subprime mortgages of at least five years.

Clinton also called for 25 billion dollars in emergency energy assistance for families facing rising heating bills; accelerating five billion dollars in energy efficiency and alternative energy investments to stimulate "green collar" job growth; and a 10 billion-dollar increase in extending and broadening unemployment benefits.

She called on Congress to provide an additional 40 billion dollars in direct tax rebates to what she called working and middle-class families if the economy continues to worsen.

"In the face of rising global competition, our children's future is at stake, so we don't need more rhetoric, we need action. We need an immediate strategy to get our economy back on track. I would work with leaders from both parties to pass an aggressive, fast-acting stimulus package to create good new jobs and revitalize our economy," Clinton said.