Washington, Jan 24, SPA -- As the U.S. economy moves dangerously close to a recession, the 2008 presidential campaign is beginning to turn towards the candidates’ economic plans. Some candidates, such as former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, may be poised to champion their experience in business, while Democrats look to lay much of the blame on President George W. Bush and the Republicans. Barack Obama said that “Washington looked the other way” as the mortgage crisis was unfolding, calling it predictable and preventable. Hillary Clinton urged the White House to take action, and John Edwards declared that “we’re already in [a recession].” Romney said that only he, a former businessman, could fix the mess. He released anew ad on Tuesday, in which he said “Today our economy is slowing. Many feel anxious about the future. I know how America works because I spent my life in the real economy. I ran a business, turned around the Olympics and led a state. My plan will make our economy strong. We need to invest in people and business with tax cuts.”Meanwhile, the other Republican candidates are now in an awkward situation, as they have largely supported President George W. Bush’s economic policies. Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has been emphasizing his fiscal stewardship of New York City, as he campaigns across Florida. In an interview with NPR, he said that he agreed with President Bush's short-term economic stimulus plans, but said he would also focus on long-term strategies. “I would emphasize some of the long-term, permanent changes because I believe that affects investment. I believe it affects who puts more money in the U.S., as opposed to putting money somewhere else,” he said. Arizona Sen. John McCain, who, like every other campaign, has a stimulus package of his own, told a mostly military audience in Florida that the economy is in tough shape. “I believe that we have to do a lot of things. We have to cut spending. We have to cut the corporate tax rate from 35 to 25. We need to make these tax cuts permanent,” McCain said. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/520608