McCain Recalls Iraq, Pushes For "Economic Surge"

August 7, 2008 9:45 a.m. EST

Jackson, OH (AHN) - Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) attempted to lend some of the his success in military issues to his economic proposals on Wednesday, proposing an "economic surge," a reference to the controversial surge in Iraq.

"What we need today is an economic surge. Our surge has succeeded in Iraq militarily, now we need an economic surge to keep jobs here at home and create new ones," McCain told workers at Merillat cabinet factory, according to Fox.

"We need to reduce the tax burden on businesses that choose to make their home in the United States of America. We need to open new markets to U.S. products and we need to reduce the cost of health care and we need to end the out-of-control spending in Washington that is putting our debt on the backs of our children," he added.

McCain, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, is viewed by some voters as the better candidate when it comes to issues on the war in Iraq and terrorism. The Republican has trailed Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) closely in recent overall polls, however consistently led in surveys that asked voters about who they believe was the best commander in chief.

Time released a poll on Thursday saying 51 percent of voters nationwide believe McCain would do a better job of managing the war in Iraq, while only 36 percent chose Obama. But, conversely, the Arizona senator has also been viewed as less adept than his rival when it comes to the economy. Time's poll had him behind Obama, 43-39 percent on the issue.

McCain has repeatedly said the gains made so far in the war were due to the surge in troops in Iraq last year. His "economic surge" is not a shift in policy, according to pundits, but a new label to use to push his tax proposals.

McCain's economic policy includes increased tax incentives for small businesses. The presumptive Republican nominee also wants the Bush tax cuts to remain permanent and has accused Obama of "isolationist" policies for opposing free trade agreements such as the one with Colombia.

Campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds was asked Wednesday by MSNBC about McCain's "economic surge." He said it meant, "More money in family jobs, more money in family budgets, and growing jobs and small businesses."