HEMPSTEAD, October 16 – With only 20 days to go to the US presidential polls, Democratic candidate Barrack Obama is still in the lead after the final debate held on Wednesday night by a commanding margin of 27, according to polls conducted by CNN.
The final debate saw Mr Obama lead by 58 percent against John McCain’s 31 percent in the debate that mainly centered on the economic meltdown and domestic policies.
Those interviewed said the Democratic candidate was more composed and focused compared to his counterpart who was accused of focusing more on attacking his challenger.
On the economic rescue plan, Mr Obama said his package focused more on the middle income earners since they had been left out for a long time.
“We both agree on cutting taxes but disagree on who it should be,” Mr Obama stated.
Mr McCain had claimed that the proposed tax cut to small businesses that make less than $250 000 would actually affect most of the small scale traders by increasing their taxes.
“Why would you want to increase anyone’s taxes when we have such economic difficulties?” he posed.
Mr McCain argued that the cost of business in America was the second highest in the world and there was need to encourage more business to create jobs.
The 90-minute debate also touched on the media adverts for both contenders which were said to be negative.
“I can stand three more weeks of this but not four more years of failed economic policies,” Mr Obama said on the negative campaigns.
In response to this, Mr McCain said the campaigns “have been tough though the tone could have been different.”
And as it was widely expected the relationship between Mr Obama and a 1970’s radical William Ayers also came out.
Mr Obama said he had no links at all to the man accused of bombing the pentagon in the 1970’s.
“I sat in a board with Ayers 10 years ago but when it comes to seeking political guidance, I have those I go to,” he said.
“I think it should not be politics as usual and we should start focusing on issues. When people shout terrorist at Republican campaigns on the mention of my name, we are not addressing issues,” Mr Obama added.
Both candidates have also promised to reduce the country’s dependence on Middle East and Venezuela for oil increasing local production.
“But what we realise is that we only have three to four percent of world oil reserves and we use 25 percent of worlds oil so we need to invest more on alternative energy like wind and solar,” Mr Obama remarked.
On the issue of abortion, Mr Obama seemed to support it saying it was a moral issue and women should be given a chance to make the decision in consultation with religious leaders, families and doctors.
“We also need to focus on youth education, provide options for adoption and support single mothers to reduce this,” Mr Obama said.
Those interviewed by Capital News in Washington had different views on the debate.
‘McCain’s last comments sort of told the story while Obama’s were hopeful, and more specific,” said one resident.
‘Its hard to say, it’s almost like these issues have been debated over and over but each of the candidates more so Mr Obama has become more specific on what they want to do,” said another resident.
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