Barack Obama campaigned today in Española, New Mexico.
At a rally there, he responded to McCain's weak call to fire Christopher Cox, SEC chairman, and former Republican congressman from California.
Reuters reports, Obama implies McCain is ranting:
"You can't erase 26 years of support for the very policies and people who helped bring on this disaster with one week of rants," Obama said.
Why just stop at firing Cox as one symbolic scapegoat?
In response to McCain's call for getting rid of the SEC chairman, Obama said: "Here's what I say -- in 47 days you can fire the whole trickle-down, on-your-own, look-the-other-way crowd in Washington who have led us down this disastrous path. Don't just get rid of one guy."
Yeah! Obama is spot on here. It is the conservatives' failed ideas and failed policies that have gotten our economy in this mess.
The AP has more:
"Don't just get rid of one guy. Get rid of this administration. Get rid of this philosophy. Get rid of the do-nothing approach to our economic problem and put somebody in there who's going to fight for you."
John McCain has been puffing his chest saying if he were president, he'd fire Cox. Of course, what McCain doesn't seem to get is the president cannot fire the SEC chair.
From ABC News, McCain Flub? Republican Says He'd Fire SEC Chair as President.
while the president nominates and the Senate confirms the SEC chair, a commissioner of an independent regulatory commission cannot be removed by the president.
From time to time, presidents have attempted to remove commissioners who have proven "uncooperative." However, the courts have general upheld the independence of commissioners.
"The president does not have the formal power to fire the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission".
So, two-for-one. Hard hitting words from Obama while McCain continues to rant and make gaffes.
From the Boston Globe, Obama continues Hispanics push:
The crowd of 9,500 people was greeted warmly by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who assured the audience "that Obama believed in family and in religion."
Obama drifted from his prepared remarks to appeal directly to the Hispanic community:
"To The Hispanic community, I want you to start actually voting your numbers," he said. "Right here in New Mexico, you'll be the difference-maker. Don't stay home. Just remind yourself: Si se puede! Si se puede!"
After his speech, Obama greeted his supporters gathered in the Plaza de Española.
Cross-posted from Docudharma.