Obama, McCain clash in final debate
Thursday, 16 Oct 2008 17:45
Barack Obama and John McCain clash on domestic issues in final presidential debate
Barack Obama and John McCain have drawn a line under their presidential debates after the third and final session was held in New York.
The White House hopefuls frequently clashed in a debate focused on domestic policy issues.
Delivering on a pledge to go after his opponent more aggressively, Mr McCain – trailing in the polls – repeatedly linked Mr Obama to 1960s radical William Ayers and warned voters to watch out for his "eloquence".
Mr Obama never appeared ruffled by his Republican rival's line of attacks in the most even debate of the campaign season.
Mr McCain, 72, had gone into the final debate trailing the Democratic nominee by up to ten points according to some opinion polls.
The Arizona senator, 25 years senior to Mr Obama, began by admitting that Americans had become the "innocent victims of greed and excess on Wall Street and Washington".
Mr Obama, senator for Illinois, said that the United States was facing its worst financial challenge since the Great Depression after the Dow Jones fell eight per cent earlier today.
"My friends, as I said in my opening remarks these are very difficult challenges and times for America, graphically demonstrated today," Mr McCain added.
But amid accusations Mr McCain would represent a continuation of the Bush administration's economic polices, the senator hit back: "Senator Obama - I am not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush you should have run four years ago."
Mr Obama remained unperturbed however, maintaining that his rival was proposing "eight more years of the same thing and it hasn't worked and I think the American people realise it hasn't worked".
On their respective running-mates, Mr Obama hailed Joe Biden's experience and record, while Mr McCain said Sarah Palin was a role model for the women of America.
In his closing statement, Mr McCain told voters he could be trusted to spend their tax dollars carefully and said he would be privileged to be given the opportunity to "serve again".
Mr Obama added: "Fundamental change is needed in this country and that's what I want to bring.
"[But] it will not be easy and it will not be quick... and it will require all of us to renew a spirit of sacrifice and responsibility."
American voters go to the polls to elect a replacement for George Bush on November 4th.