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| Obama outlines economic package | Obama outlines economic package |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Democratic US presidential candidate Barack Obama has unveiled an "economic rescue plan for the middle class" at a campaign event in Ohio. | Democratic US presidential candidate Barack Obama has unveiled an "economic rescue plan for the middle class" at a campaign event in Ohio. |
| Senator Obama outlined a series of measures, including tax credits for job-creating firms and a moratorium on some home foreclosures. | Senator Obama outlined a series of measures, including tax credits for job-creating firms and a moratorium on some home foreclosures. |
| He has a double-digit poll lead over his Republican rival John McCain, a new ABC/Washington Post poll suggests. | He has a double-digit poll lead over his Republican rival John McCain, a new ABC/Washington Post poll suggests. |
| Senator McCain dismissed the polls at a rally in the key state of Virginia. | Senator McCain dismissed the polls at a rally in the key state of Virginia. |
| "We're six points down," he told supporters. | "We're six points down," he told supporters. |
| "The national media has written us off... But they forgot to let you decide. My friends, we've got them just where we want them." | "The national media has written us off... But they forgot to let you decide. My friends, we've got them just where we want them." |
| Mr McCain did not make any new economic proposals in his speech, despite an earlier suggestion from economic adviser Senator Lindsey Graham that the Republican candidate was considering a reduction in capital gains tax. | |
| But McCain aides now say that any such plan would not be unveiled until later this week. | But McCain aides now say that any such plan would not be unveiled until later this week. |
| He reiterated previous pledges to "buy up bad mortgages" and to allow retirees and people nearing retirement to "keep their money in their retirement accounts longer". | |
| Thelma Drake has just said, 'Sarah Palin is a breath of fresh air' - the crowd loves it Matthew Price: Campaign Trail | Thelma Drake has just said, 'Sarah Palin is a breath of fresh air' - the crowd loves it Matthew Price: Campaign Trail |
| Mr Obama's economic rescue plan consisted of four main proposals. | Mr Obama's economic rescue plan consisted of four main proposals. |
| He said he would suspend home foreclosures by some banks for 90 days and give firms a $3,000 (£1,735) tax credit for every job they create. | He said he would suspend home foreclosures by some banks for 90 days and give firms a $3,000 (£1,735) tax credit for every job they create. |
| He also pledged to let people withdraw up to 15% of their pension plans (or $10,000) without tax penalties and to create a federal fund that would lend to city and state governments. | He also pledged to let people withdraw up to 15% of their pension plans (or $10,000) without tax penalties and to create a federal fund that would lend to city and state governments. |
| "It's a plan that begins with one word that's on everyone's mind, and it's spelled J-O-B-S," he told the crowd. | "It's a plan that begins with one word that's on everyone's mind, and it's spelled J-O-B-S," he told the crowd. |
| John McCain on his plans to strengthen the US economy | |
| Since the recent economic turmoil began, Mr Obama, 47, has seen his poll ratings surge. | Since the recent economic turmoil began, Mr Obama, 47, has seen his poll ratings surge. |
| According to the ABC News/Washington Post poll, of those voters who rate the economy as their most important issue, 62% favour Mr Obama, while 33% prefer Mr McCain. | According to the ABC News/Washington Post poll, of those voters who rate the economy as their most important issue, 62% favour Mr Obama, while 33% prefer Mr McCain. |
| Mr McCain's team has indicated a change of tack after a series of personal attacks on Mr Obama. | Mr McCain's team has indicated a change of tack after a series of personal attacks on Mr Obama. |
| You can sense the optimism of the Democrats. Much as they try, they can't disguise it. Gavin Hewitt: Campaign Trail | You can sense the optimism of the Democrats. Much as they try, they can't disguise it. Gavin Hewitt: Campaign Trail |
| Among all voters, Mr Obama leads Mr McCain by 53% to 43%. | Among all voters, Mr Obama leads Mr McCain by 53% to 43%. |
| Over the weekend, the Republican candidate became embroiled in a war of words after clashing with a civil rights icon. | Over the weekend, the Republican candidate became embroiled in a war of words after clashing with a civil rights icon. |
| Democratic congressman John Lewis accused Mr McCain's campaign of "sowing hatred" against his opponent and said he had been reminded of 1960s segregationist George Wallace. | Democratic congressman John Lewis accused Mr McCain's campaign of "sowing hatred" against his opponent and said he had been reminded of 1960s segregationist George Wallace. |
| Arizona Senator McCain, 72, who recently said Mr Lewis was one of his most admired Americans, called the reference "beyond the pale". | Arizona Senator McCain, 72, who recently said Mr Lewis was one of his most admired Americans, called the reference "beyond the pale". |
| Mr McCain has won praise from Mr Obama for trying to cool ill feeling among his supporters towards the Democrat. | Mr McCain has won praise from Mr Obama for trying to cool ill feeling among his supporters towards the Democrat. |
| In Minnesota on Friday, Mr McCain defended Mr Obama after some at the town hall meeting labelled him a "terrorist", "an Arab", a "traitor" and a candidate who inspired fear. | In Minnesota on Friday, Mr McCain defended Mr Obama after some at the town hall meeting labelled him a "terrorist", "an Arab", a "traitor" and a candidate who inspired fear. |