Candidates Offer Economic Solutions To Voters

WASHINGTON -- The presidential campaign is in the home stretch and both candidates want to reassure voters they can get the economy back on track.

The consensus is the current economic crisis is helping Democrat Sen. Barack Obama stay on top in the polls. But GOP rival Sen. John McCain came out swinging Monday.

As the campaign clock winds down it's all about the economy.

"At this rate, the question isn't just are you better off than you were four years ago, it's are you better off than you were four weeks ago?" Obama said.

On Monday, Obama unveiled proposals he called an "economic rescue plan for the middle class," including some new ideas.

"I propose we allow every family to withdraw up to 15 percent from their IRA or 401k up to a maximum of $10,000 without fine or penalty," Obama said.

New polls suggest Obama is cementing a national lead over McCain. But analysts said that's not the whole story.

"It doesn't matter if Barack Obama is up 30 points in the national polls. We decide presidents by state by state Electoral College," political analyst Marc Sandalow said.

Obama lead in those tallies too. But McCain took a fiery new message to battleground states.

"Fight to get our economy out of the ditch and back in the lead. Fight for the ideals and character of a free people," McCain said.

He also seems to relish his underdog role.

"We have 22 days to go. We're six points down. The national media has written us off," McCain said. "You know what they forgot? They forgot to let you decide."

The McCain camp held rallies Monday in Virginia and North Carolina -- once solidly red states the GOP might now have to defend.

The candidates will have their final debate in New York on Wednesday. The focus is domestic policy and both will be under pressure to show they have fresh ideas for solving the economic crisis.

There's been a lot of attention on crowd behavior at McCain-Palin rallies lately some said the tone has been pretty hostile.

There were several times the crowd broke into chants of "Nobama" and McCain's line about the media writing him off seemed designed to stir up an angry reaction, which it did during a rally Monday. But, McCain has called for these rallies to remain respectful in recent days.

In his speech on the economy Monday, Obama also called for new tax breaks for companies for each worker hired in the United States. McCain sought to distance himself from President George W. Bush and said we can't afford four more years like the last eight.