Obama, McCain on bailout plan

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Source: CCTV.com | 10-02-2008 13:51

It's just a month to go to the US presidential elections. And with the economy now lurching from crisis to crisis, votes will be looking hard at how candidates propose to turn the economy around and restore confidence to markets and investors.

Speaking before the Senate approved a revised bailout bill, presidential candidates Barack Obama and John  McCain called for bipartisan cooperation.(CCTV.com)

Speaking before the Senate approved a revised bailout bill, presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain called for bipartisan cooperation.

They're rivals in the US presidential election.

But during this time of crisis in the global credit markets, they stand united on one issue.

Ahead of the Senate's vote on the revised financial bailout bill on Wednesday evening, Barack Obama and John McCain stopped in swing states along their way to Washington.

Both men declared lawmakers must set aside party loyalty to get behind the measure.

In Wisconsin, Obama said although the multi-billion dollar plan was not perfect, it was imperative it was passed to prevent a crisis from turning into a catastrophe.

Barack Obama, Democrat Presidential Nominee, said, "To the Democrats and Republicans who oppose this plan, I say this: step up to the plate, do what's right for the country even if it's not popular, because the time to act is now."

In Missouri, McCain called for bipartisan cooperation to pass the bailout bill, citing a precedent from seven years ago.

John McCain, Republican Presidential Nominee, said, "Following September 11, our national leaders came together at a time of crisis. Now, with this measure, we have another chance to come together to prove that Washington is once again capable of leading this country."

But former President Bill Clinton insisted only Obama knows what it will take to get the US back on track. Clinton campaigned for Obama in the largest swing state of Florida on Wednesday. It was Clinton's first campaign appearance for Obama since he was officially nominated at the Democratic Convention in August.

Bill Clinton, Former US President, said, "Here's why you ought to be for Barack Obama. Number one, he's got the right philosophy. He knows you've got to grow an economy from the ground up, not from the top down. Number two, he's got better answers, better answers for the economy, for energy, for health care, for education."

The most recent new poll has given Obama supporters reason to be optimistic.

A Quinnipiac University survey over the weekend showed Obama pulling ahead of McCain in the key swing states of Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania.

No president since 1960 has been elected without winning two of those three states.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei