Oregon Public Broadcasting

Leading Oregon Democrats said Thursday that Barack Obama’s economic plan would help the state’s working families. But as Kristian Foden-Vencil reports, they also reacted to news that congressional leaders have reached agreement on a Wall Street bail-out.

Pointing to rising unemployment and high gas prices, State Treasurer Randall Edwards, told Oregonians they can’t afford four more years of the same failed economic policies.

He said it’s time to adopt Senator Obama’s economic plan --  featuring energy relief, tax relief and help for people facing home foreclosures. But a lot of people wanted to know what he thought about the new $700 billion bail-out agreement.

Randall Edwards: “I’m extremely please that we’re moving forward quickly. There are signals from the marketplace, I’m experiencing as treasurer that are suggesting we are on a very large cliff and we are potentially going to fall over it.”

Republican, John McCain, has temporarily halted his campaign, saying he wants to focus on the market turmoil.

He says his economic plan will create millions of American jobs, ensure the nation's energy security and bring relief to American consumers.