McCain, Obama spar over economy, foreign policy

The presidential candidates did not mince words Friday night as they gathered in Oxford, Miss., for the first of three debates.

They exchanged sharp words in a forum that was first dominated by the current financial crisis before giving way to the planned topic of foreign policy.

{mosads}John McCain, who had talked of skipping the debate unless a solution to the financial crisis was reached, and his rival Barack Obama were put on notice immediately by moderator Jim Leherer, who noted in his opening remarks that foreign affairs, "by definition includes the global financial crisis."

Obama fought throughout the night to paint McCain as a rubber-stamp for the Bush administration while the Arizona senator repeatedly hit back by accusing Obama of calling for pork barrel spending and using words like "naive" and "dangerous" when describing the Illinois senator's position on the Iraq war.

With the economy the dominant issue at this stage in the campaign, the two candidates were asked if they will support the current $700 billion administration proposal.

Obama took aim at McCain's recent statement that the funadmentals of the economy are strong, stating that "I think the funadmentals of the economy have to be measured by whether the middle class is getting a fair shake."

McCain repeatedly said that the solution to many of the country's economic problems was to cut spending, but he did say he hopes he will be able to vote for the bailout plan.

"I still believe, under the right leadership, our best days are ahead of us," McCain said.

The topic switched to foreign policy and Iraq about 40 minutes into the 95 minute debate. Obama tried to portray his original opposition to the war as a sign that he has better judgment than the Arizona Republican, arguing that the troop surge was a "tactic" and not a strategy for winning in Iraq.

"John, you like to pretend like the war started in 2007," Obama said.

McCain responded that what should matter most for the candidate is how they would go forward.

"The next president is going to have to decide when we leave, how we leave and what we leave behind," McCain said. He added: "I'm afraid Sen. Obama doesn't understand the difference between a tactic and a strategy."

As the debate proceeded further into foreign affairs and national security issues — including discussion of Afghanistan, Russia and North Korea — the tone of the debate became more harsh as it moved into what the Obama campaign has been calling "McCain's home turf."

McCain repeatedly sought to portray Obama as inexperienced and "naive" on foreign affairs, but Obama stayed aggressive, criticizing McCain for joining President Bush in what Obama described as taking his eye off the ball in Afghanistan to focus on Iraq.

McCain, in an email to supporters, said shortly after the debate that he was preparing to return to Washington to continue to put focus on finding a solution to the economic crisis.