Kansas governor puts faith in Obama to steer economy

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said Friday that presidential hopeful Barack Obama was best positioned to guide the country's economy, including helping ease the home foreclosure crisis.

"We have 22,000 citizens in this state that are precariously close to losing their homes through foreclosures," Sebelius said at a news conference at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh.

The Illinois senator is proposing to create a $10 billion fund to help families renegotiate their loans to avoid losing their homes.

Sebelius' comments were part of an effort by the Obama campaign to stress economic issues in the May 6 Democratic primary.

The trip by the Kansan came as former President Bill Clinton on Friday night began two days of campaigning in Eastern North Carolina.

The Obama campaign announced plans to distribute 10,000 copies of its 47-page economic blueprint next week at its 21 North Carolina campaign offices as well as at community meetings and town halls. The document also is available on the campaign Web site, www.nc.barackobama.com.

Sebelius noted that Obama is proposing a $1,000 tax break for working families, eliminating the income tax for seniors making less than $50,000 a year, and providing a tax credit to make sure the first $4,000 of college costs are free, in return for the student doing a year's worth of public service.

"It is a plan that recognizes that right now we are doing fine by Wall Street but not by Main Street," Sebelius said.

Sebelius conducted a two-day swing through North Carolina, wearing a "Rock Chalk Barack" pin and gently mentioning that the University of Kansas had defeated both Carolina and Davidson on the way to the national championship.

"People have been very kind to me despite the fact that our team has defeated two very impressive North Carolina teams in order to cut down the nets at the Alamodome," Sebelius said.

Obama still undecided about North Carolina debate

THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER

Barack Obama still won't commit to a debate in North Carolina.

In a phone interview with The Charlotte Observer to discuss his economic plan, Obama said he was open to debates but wasn't sure whether the proposed April 27 debate at Raleigh's RBC Center would fit with his schedule.

Hillary Rodham Clinton, his rival for the nomination, has agreed to the debate, and the N.C. Democratic Party has begun taking requests for tickets.

The two candidates have appeared together in 20 debates. A 21st is scheduled Wednesday in Pennsylvania.

"I will tell you, after the 21st debate -- all of which have been nationally televised, and so North Carolinians have had ample opportunity to watch these debates -- I don't know that they are ending up being more informative than the kinds of town hall meetings that we've scheduled," Obama said. "So that's something that we're going to have to take a look at."

Ace Smith, Clinton's state political director, said in a statement that Obama should debate.

"Senator Obama should stop ducking a debate and explain to North Carolinians why they don't deserve to hear directly from the candidates," he said.

Quite a few people in the state apparently would like to see a debate. More than 10,000 people have contacted the state Democratic Party asking for tickets, said Kerra Bolton, the party spokeswoman.

Obama had previously agreed to an April 19 debate in North Carolina. Clinton did not agree. The Pennsylvania primary is three days later, April 22.