Obama advocates more oversight of investment banks, and proposes an "economic rescue plan" which would include tax cuts to households earning less than $250,000. In wake of the recent economic downturn, he has also proposed measures such as temporary tax credits for firms that create jobs in the US and a 90-day moratorium on foreclosure for homeowners who are making "good faith" efforts to keep up their payments. As for long term plans, Senator Obama plans to invest $15 billion a year in renewable energy and the rebuilding of infrastructure, which would create seven million new jobs.

Senator McCain calls for a spending freeze on everything but defense, veteran affairs and entitlement programs. To help homeowners in crisis, McCain has proposed to buy up distressed mortgages and refinance them at lower values as well as tax-free unemployment benefits for two years. For a long-term economic recovery, McCain plans to keep taxes low, retaining the tax cuts made by President Bush and increasing tax breaks for companies to encourage investment.