SEN. JOHN MCCAIN
In these waning days of Sen. John McCain's quest for the White House, he has returned in his speeches to a time-honored Republican attack line against Democrats: the evils of taxes.
ON THE ECONOMY
"This is the fundamental difference between Senator Obama and me: He thinks taxes are too low, and I think that spending is too high."
"The problem with Senator Obama's approach to our economy: He is more interested in controlling wealth than in creating it, in redistributing money instead of spreading opportunity. I'm going to create wealth for all Americans, by creating opportunities for all Americans."
"Senator Obama is running to be redistributionist in chief. I'm running to be commander in chief. Senator Obama is running to spread the wealth. I'm running to create more wealth. Senator Obama is running to punish the successful. I'm running to make everyone successful."
ON NATIONAL SECURITY
"If we are going to change Washington, we need a president who has actually fought for change and made it happen. The next president won't have time to get used to the office. We face many challenges here at home, and many enemies abroad in this dangerous world.
FINAL PLEA
"Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight! America is worth fighting for. Nothing is inevitable here. We never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history. Now, let's go win this election and get this country moving again!"
SEN. BARACK OBAMA
As he races across the country in the climax of a marathon campaign, Sen. Barack Obama has honed a final message calling on America to "turn the page" on an era of "greed and irresponsibility," tapping into populist sentiment while reassuring voters that he is no radical.
ON THE ECONOMY
"We've tried it John McCain's way, we've tried it George Bush's way, and it hasn't worked. That's why I'm running for president. Now, deep down, John McCain knows his economic theories don't work. That's why his campaign says, 'If we keep talking about the economy, we're going to lose.' That's why I keep on talking about the economy."
"Because he knows his economic theories don't work, he's been spending these last few days calling me every name in the book. Lately, he's called me a socialist for wanting to roll back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans so we can finally give tax relief to the middle class. By the end of the week, he'll be accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in kindergarten."
ON FINANCIAL CRISIS
"John McCain wants to give more to billionaires, more to corporations that ship jobs overseas, more to the same people whose greed and irresponsibility got us into this crisis in the first place. We're here because we know they shouldn't get away with it any more."
"I know that my opponent is worried about losing an election, but I'm worried about Americans who are losing their homes, and losing their jobs, and losing their life savings. I'm worried about the middle class. And I won't just fight for your vote in the final days of the election, I will fight for you every single day that I'm in the White House."
new york times
