As the nation faces an economic downturn, the certain GOP presidential nominee was focusing on the turmoil in home financing in a session with local business leaders south of Los Angeles as he tried to rebut Democratic criticism of his economic credentials. In the short term, he called for the country’s accounting experts to meet to discuss current accounting systems and said the country’s top mortgage lenders should pledge do everything possible to help their cash-strapped but creditworthy customers. In the midst of a weeklong western fundraising swing, the GOP’s next standard-bearer was using the event in the Republican stronghold of Orange County to showcase his grasp of the country’s economic troubles — and counter the notion that he’s not up to the task of leading a nation on the brink of recession. In recent weeks, Democrats have sought to portray McCain as in lockstep with President Bush on the economy, out of touch with challenges facing working families, and lacking a plan to help families struggling to stay in their homes. read more

Filed in: Cash Lenders