Obama focuses on economy

In the state with the nation's highest unemployment rate, Democrat Barack Obama said this afternoon that his likely Republican foe John McCain just wants to talk about Iraq "instead of offering real solutions" to the nation's economic woes.

Obama reminded a rally in Troy, Mich., of McCain's comments earlier in the campaign that economics wasn't his strong suit, then declared, "It will be my interest and my priority when I am president of the United States of America."

The Illinois senator said the choice in this election is whether to continue the Bush administration's failed economic policies and to stay mired in a war in Iraq costing $10 billion a year that could be better spent a home.

"I believe strongly we're on the wrong path," Obama said. "....Few understand the need for change more than the people in Michigan."

UPDATE: Tucker Bounds, a McCain spokesman, responded: “In Michigan, a state he’s largely ignored, Barack Obama appears desperate to divert attention from his weak judgment on foreign policy. Barack Obama failed to support the ‘surge’ strategy that drastically reduced violence in Iraq, he’s failed to meet with General Petraeus, and failed to see the conditions first-hand in Iraq for 875 days. With a miserable absence of dealing with the on-going issues in Iraq, Barack Obama’s shift in focus amounts to little more than damage control.”

Obama, who is on the verge of clinching the Democratic nomination, only mentioned his rival Hillary Clinton in passing, saying that she had run an "outstanding race" and calling her an outstanding public servant, and reassuring those who fear a divided party.

"She and I will be working together in November," Obama said.