U.S. presidential hopefuls trade barbs on economy

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain (R-AZ) speaks to business owners as he campaigns in Santa Ana, California March 25, 2008. McCain said  Tuesday that the U.S. government should not bail out  mortgage lenders or speculative home buyers, and  assistance must be accompanied by changes to prevent  future housing crisis. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, outlined his plan to address the housing situation earlier this week.

His campaign released a statement Thursday calling the housing crisis a "complex problem that deserves a careful, balanced approach that helps the homeowners in trouble, not big banks and speculators that acted irresponsibly."

"However, what is not necessary is a multibillion dollar bailout for big banks and speculators, as Sens. Clinton and Obama have proposed. There is a tendency for liberals to seek big government programs that sock it to American taxpayers while failing to solve the very real problems we face," it said.

Clinton's campaign also accused Obama of copying her plan, calling for an additional stimulus package one week after Clinton did.

But Obama's senior economic adviser Daniel Tarullo said Obama has laid out a plan for financial regulation that is more comprehensive than any other candidate.

Polls show that the economic slowdown caused by the credit crunch has become a top concern for U.S. voters.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei