Obama talks business as polls put him in front

US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has outlined his economic rescue plan in a major speech in Toledo, Ohio.

The Illinois Senator proposed four steps to create jobs and cushion Americans from the effects of the economic downturn: “Today I’m proposing a number of steps that we should take immediately to stabilise our financial system, provide relief to families and communities, and help struggling homeowners. It’s a plan that begins with one word that’s on everyone’s mind and it’s spelled J-O-B-S.”

Meanwhile his Republican rival John McCain, on the stump in Virginia, is trying to claw back support as his campaign shows signs of faltering: “I have the plan to rebuild the retirement savings of every worker. I have a plan to hold the line on taxes and cut them, to make America more competitive.” Despite the cheers from the Republican faithful most opinion polls put Obama out in front.