Both OBAMA and McCAIN issued emergency economic plans as the financial crisis worsened and the U.S. entered a deeper recession.

McCAIN and OBAMA both voted for the emergency legislation giving the Treasury secretary authority to buy up to $700 billion in risky debt from financial institutions. Both said they did so reluctantly and only because they thought intervention was necessary to keep the economy from a deep recession. Both are also calling for regulatory fixes goings forward, but each has a different approach on long-range strategy.

McCAIN says he'd keep troops in Iraq as long as necessary.

OBAMA wants to require large employers to offer insurance or else pay fees to help finance subsidies.

McCAIN would move away from employer-based plans and use tax credits instead.

OBAMA plans to eliminate capital gains taxes on small and start-up businesses, but he would raise taxes on household incomes over $250,000 a year, which would hit some small business owners.

McCAIN proposes an expansion of first-year expensing of equipment and technology, which would be of particular use to smaller businesses.

McCAIN would try to restrain congressional spending.

OBAMA sees more domestic spending as an investment.

McCAIN favors more drilling, especially offshore, more nuclear plants and a bigger push from the private sector to encourage development of alternative energy sources.

OBAMA would spend $150 billion in tax increntives and grants over 10 years to develop more alternative energy, including second and third-generation biofuels.

OBAMA would try to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement.

McCAIN would aggressively pursue more free trade deals.

OBAMA and McCAIN have similar stands, but there are differences in emphasis.