Obama ridicules McCain’s ‘change’ message

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama on Monday mocked rival John McCain and accused him of seeking to hijack his “change” message. 

“For the last 19 months, he has argued that what qualifies him to be president is the quarter-century he’s spent in Washington, the experience that comes from decades of walking the halls of power,” Obama said in Colorado. “But now, suddenly, John McCain says he’s about change, too. He’s even started using some of my lines.”

{mosads}The Illinois senator said of Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.) that “instead of borrowing my lines, he needs to borrow some of our ideas.”

Obama blasted his GOP rival for saying earlier Monday that the fundamentals of the U.S. economy were sound.

“Sen. McCain, what economy are you talking about?” Obama asked. “What's more fundamental than the ability to find a job that pays the bills and that can raise a family? What's more fundamental than knowing that your life savings is secure and that you can retire with dignity? What's more fundamental than knowing that you'll have a roof over your head at the end of the day? What’s more fundamental than that?”

The Obama campaign has been fighting back more aggressively against the surging McCain-Palin ticket.

The Democratic standard-bearer indicated Monday that he is ready to be engaged in a political brawl.

“We’ve seen [the other side] turn an entire campaign into a debate about Swift Boats and wind surfing,” Obama said. “And what do you get when it’s over? Iraq and Katrina and a meltdown on Wall Street and millions without jobs or homes or healthcare. Pain at the pump. Enough. Enough of this. Not this time.”

Obama added that the election is about the future of the country, and not about himself or any other candidate.

“It’s not about Paris or Britney,” he added. “It’s not about lipstick. It’s not about pigs. It’s about you.”