McCain: The economy is in ‘terrible shape’

Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Wednesday that the U.S. economy is in “terrible shape” and that Americans “are hurting badly right now.”

The Arizona senator, in an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America,” said he is “very strong on the economy.”

{mosads}“I understand it,” he said, adding that he has “a lot more experience than my opponent.”

He touted his economic recovery plan, saying that his remedies would include low taxes, less regulation and beginning to drill off the U.S. coast. McCain also argued that the country needs to “get to work” on nuclear and alternative energy and invest in clean coal technology.

In addition, the GOP standard-bearer said that the country must “stop distorting the market by subsidizing ethanol and preventing sugar cane-based ethanol from coming into the United States.”

McCain spoke to the network from Colombia where he is discussing drug trafficking and a free trade agreement with the U.S.