Republicans in S.C., Democrats in Nevada Tout Economic Plans
NEW YORK — Hillary Rodham Clinton reached out to poor black voters as she and other U.S. presidential candidates tapped into Americans’ recession fears ahead of important races in South Carolina and Nevada.
Both Democratic and Republican races were extremely tight going into the Saturday contests. The Republicans, after three major earlier races that netted three separate winners, lacked a clear front-runner. Polls in Nevada showed Clinton and fellow Democrat Barack Obama locked in a statistical dead heat with rival John Edwards, but Obama could get a boost from a favorable court ruling Thursday.
Campaigning Thursday in the crime-ridden, largely-black city of Compton, California, Clinton pledged that as president she would improve the economic lot of blacks. Days after she and Obama declared a truce on racial matters, Clinton, who wants to be the first female U.S. president, is seeking support from blacks, who were a key constituency for her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
On Thursday, Clinton outlined a so-called “green collar” jobs program she said she will create to develop alternative sources of energy, and said she would spend $200 million (euro136 million) over five years to help ex-offenders transition from prison.
She promised to assist the troubled city’s mayor with his goal of “birthing” a new Compton.
“I know something about birthing,” Clinton said. “You need a president who will be a partner. Who says, ‘What is it I can do to make sure this birth is easy and successful?”‘
Clinton’s comments on economics came as Americans increasingly worry about a possible recession, rising gas prices, falling stock prices and a staggering housing market. A recent CNN-Opinion Research Corp. poll found six in 10 Americans believe a recession has already started.
President George W. Bush and congressional leaders are trying to work out an economic stimulus plan likely to include personal tax rebates, tax breaks for businesses and more benefits for the poor. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, joined in calls for an economic stimulus package Thursday, but said it had to be quick and temporary.
The Republican candidates seized on the economy issue as they campaigned in South Carolina, which has been losing textile and steel jobs. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney had touted a similar message in his native Michigan, and it helped propel him to his first win.
With the race so close for the Republicans, the contenders each hope a win in the southern state will provide necessary momentum for the biggest day of the race on Feb. 5, when 22 states hold contests.
Republican John McCain, who won in New Hampshire, has led polls in South Carolina, but has consistently failed to win over conservative and religious party voters who will dominate most of the upcoming Republican contests.
He proposed an economic stimulus plan Thursday that would lower the corporate income tax rate to 25 percent from 35 percent, and provide other tax breaks aimed at making U.S. businesses more competitive. Rival Rudy Giuliani, who has focused most of his effort on the Jan. 29 vote in Florida, has also proposed cutting the corporate tax rate to 25 percent.
Romney, a Mormon and millionaire businessman, used an optimistic economic pledge to win in his native state of Michigan, but according to polls has not been able to take the lead on the issue. He said Thursday in South Carolina that Congress should take immediate action on an economic stimulus plan that includes a tax rebate.
Mike Huckabee, the preacher-turned politician who is running on a message of economic populism, put the blame for economic worries on Washington while seeking the votes of South Carolina steel workers.
Republican Fred Thompson, the former “Law and Order” actor who has failed to muster much support in the early nomination contests, was making what could be his last stand in South Carolina. A former senator from the southern state of Tennessee, Thompson is battling Huckabee for the evangelical vote. That group gave Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, his coveted win in Iowa.
Thompson on Thursday made light of Bernanke’s call for a quick economic stimulus and said it might be best to leave the economy alone for now.
In the Democratic contest, race could play a role in breaking the virtual deadlock between Obama, the winner in Iowa who hopes to become the first black U.S. president, and Clinton, who rebounded with her own victory in New Hampshire.
Neither state has large black populations, so the major test of Clinton’s popularity with black voters will come in the Democratic race in South Carolina on Jan. 26, where blacks make up about half of Democratic voters.
Clinton paved the way on Thursday, praising the Rev. Martin Luther King in California in an effort to reconnect with the black community after comments that appeared to downplay the revered civil rights icon’s influence.
Obama and Clinton later called a truce in the controversy, and Clinton offered another olive branch Thursday when asked whether she would consider choosing Obama as her vice presidential running mate.
“I can’t think that far ahead because it’s bad luck, I’m very superstitious, and I don’t want to be presumptuous,” she said. “But he is an extraordinary man and has so much to give our country. I hope however this works out he will be a major figure in American politics for years and years to come.”
In linking economic and racial themes, Clinton appeared to be targeting a group that was among the hardest hit by the mortgage crisis and ensuing credit crunch that has both sparked and fueled U.S. economic woes.
Earlier, she jabbed at Obama, accusing the young Illinois senator in a mailer to voters, of proposing a $1 trillion tax increase with a plan to require high income earners to pay more taxes for Social Security — the national retirement plan that is a touchy subject for the powerful senior citizens lobby.
Obama said in a Las Vegas stop that the worst part about the mailer is that Clinton has said she would consider doing the same thing he wants to do.
Separately, Obama got a boost when a judge in Nevada ruled to allow casino workers from meeting for votes at Las Vegas Strip hotels. Obama has been endorsed by the union representing many of the casino shift workers, and the ruling means those working Saturday would not have to go all the way back to the neighborhoods they live in to be able to attend caucus meetings.
Meanwhile, Obama took a break from campaigning Thursday night to celebrate his wife’s birthday by taking her out to dinner. Advisers declined to say where they would eat, except to say it would just be the two of them.
The Mormon Romney is a trillion times more palatable as a possible commander in chief of this Judeo-Christian nation than a Muslim, and yet the core-rotten liberal media never, ever dare mention Obama’s faith whilst incessantly reminding the viewers of Mitt’s. It will have the opposite effect on the American citizenry, though, as we are wise to the leanings of our castrated leftist media. I will vote for Mitt Romney should he be the Republican nominee, and to HELL with the pitiable liberal agenda.
Whether Mitt can turn around the US Economy is partly up to Congress, citizens & industries. As a business manager he has successfully guided companies in thier recovery. That’s proven. With a business you may be required to take a pay cut, close some stores, restructure the company or lose your livelyhood if you don’t change. What some people should ask is if Congress would step up to the plate and follow Mitt’s guidance - focusing on what’s best for the country and not their next election, voting block, lobbyists & special interests. I’m hopeful they will move past the gender, race or religion cards that define us individually and collectively.
I think Mitt can lay a solid foundation of economic recovery and direction for our country, but a Democratic Congress, States and Citizens need to make it happen. We all like our money, top-quality health care, being world military power, free parks, etc., but someone has to pay for this. We make some tough choices as a country on whether to fund a terrorist type war or raise taxes to balance the budget. Sometimes there are war’s we will need to fight and fund, other times we need to save.
I’m a realist. The president must make tough, unpopular choices that will make some citizens grumpy. Sure, we like our cheap fuel and free lunches, but someone has to pay sooner or later. Sadly, our politicians have laid a lot of that debt on our children.
Mitt Romney is capable to lay a solid foundation for our future, but it will take more than 4 years and partisan support in Congress to make it happen. I don’t paint him or any other candidate as a panacea. Mitt just has the best qualifications and proven business background. It’s really up to us to defeat our own future by superficial divisions this artical seems to promote.
What is up with this Religion bit? It’s off limits to speak of Demarcates faiths, but its no-holds-bar when it comes to the Republicans faith. STOP WITH THE TWO FACE REDERIC. Either lay it all out on the table or stop it!
Rachel (79), “There is NO FEDERAL LAW requiring us to pay federal income tax.” Tell that to Wesley Snipes.
JRDF, can you honestly say George Soros is not getting wads of money to Billary or Obama? He probably has a committee of 100 lawyers trying to find loop holes to push his money through (moveon.org, etc..). Resonponding to Romney has money and the other candidates don’t, which Republican candidate would you rather have go up against Billary or Obama?? Would you rather have someone that can’t even come close to the resources as the Democratic(new socialist) party, or someone that has a fighting chance? Every candidate has had over a year to raise funds. If they didn’t raise enough, that only means they are not supported enough. Capitalism works. Romney’s ability to finance some of his campaign should not be held against him. Unlike Kerry (married well) Romney worked for and earned his money the good old fashioned American way.
It seems that all the republicans are always described as the mormon, the former preacher, the actor? Why these labels? What about the Democrats? Why is Hillary never described as The Former First Lady? Or Obama as the former state congressman? Or Edwards as the former lawyer (ambulance chasser)? Why??? Please stop!!! These people are who they are, we don’t need these types of discriptions!!
Once again, Fox loses. You are so biased. You do not even have Ron Paul at the top of this article the way you have listed all the other candidates. Get a life. He will continue to beat your favorites Guiliani and Thompson. This spin on leaving very good candidates out just because you do not like them is wrong, wrong, wrong. I hope Ron Paul wins the election. I am for a Huckabee/Paul ticket or a Clinton/Obama ticket. Either one of them will do. No one that Fox picks do I ever want to be a President of our Country. I wish Fox would shut down during the elections. Same for all the others. You must be fair to each candidate and give them all the same time. Vote Ron Paul. He is an economist expert and wants to run the country for the people not big Business. VOTE RON PAUL!!!!
Mitt Romney is the only candidate who understands the economy because he has actually worked in it.
He doesn’t theorize about it, he does it.
Mitt has helped create tens of thousands of jobs–and to those here on this post and elsewhere who want to write off the American worker and the American economy, you’ve got another thing coming.
We can compete with anyone–if given a level playing field. McCain doesn’t know what to do. Hillary and Obama are arguing over who is more black, not discussing what ISSUES exist or how they can fix the economy. Sorry, Obama, taxing the rich will just take money out of circulation. It doesn’t fix the economy.
Mitt Romney knows what is necessary looking down the road–not just short term bumps in poll numbers, but real fixes.
Mitt is presidential and he will be an excellent president.
Bill–tax cuts do work. We also need to slash federal programs–and reduce spending.
Having Fun Out West? Real shoot out in Nevada!
Clintoon Stepping all over themselves Too!
If this get’s any Better? John Wayne, sez:
I Don’t think so, Pard-ner! Your Fault, My Fault , Nobody’s Fault! I’m Commin After “YOU
So without further Adue’ :
From my perspective,
There are two contests; the one for the Legal Vote! And the one for the Illegal Vote!
These conditions will prevail throughout the Primary’s too!
In each state and county around the country until the borders are SECURED!
American’s can Count on that and The Run on the Bank in Reality Check’s Just got HOT!
So, go ahead and get the Cash out NOW, while it is still there!
The UNION Of “Stock’s and Gamble’s” , Are having a “FIRE SALE!”
I Say we should Fire the Union! And Get these Carpetbagger’s Out Of Office!,
VOTE THEM OUT! “IN A NOW” VERY” PUBLIC?” BALLOT!
“EMPLOYEE?” –“FREE?” – “CHOICE?” - “ACT?”
INDEED? Call your State representative! BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!
And The manipulation and Dirty Trick’s Squad,
Of the M.O.B. RUN, “DEMOCRATIC GOON’S And LOON’S!”
WAKE UP AMERICA! THE END OF THE REPUBLIC IS AT HAND!
IF YOU GIVE OVER CONTROL TO THESE:
Whining backstabbing (Ma and Pa BARKER”S!)
Who are NO Better, than, or more like,
“Just Gangster’s” Wrapped up in SHEEPS Clothing!
If you think they are there for YOU?
“YOU” are sadly Mistaken! And that’s my take away from this:
Farcical fundamentally Flawed Fiasco!
Logic, and Reason make my Choice and that is: FRED THOMPNSON!
The GREEN MOUNTAIN BOY’S! From: THE LOST STATE OF FRANKLIN!
SUPPORT YOU! OUR TROOPS AND A SAFE AND SECURE NATION!
FROM: THIS NIGHTMARE HORSE CRAP THEY ARE DISHING OUT!
GOP! GO! FRED……! With Some, Sense: OF, CLEAN COOL WATER!
MUCK OUT THESE STALL”S
Fox news, what is up with this naming the faith of Romney. You guys are a joke lately and you’re really starting to make a lot people wonder if you’re really fair and balanced network.
You don’t mention any of the other candidate’s religion. KNOCK IT OFF!!!!
We all know Mitt is a Mormon, you don’t have to remind us; but like me and many others who have common sense, his faith means nothing to us and we look at his abilities, his talents, and his outstanding family values.
GO MITT!!!!!!!!