Where they stand: the candidates' proposals on jobs

Among the presidential candidates, Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama have the most detailed proposals for creating jobs. Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, has not yet outlined specifics -- although he has proposed cutting the federal corporate tax rate to make the U.S. more competitive with other countries. That, he says, should keep fewer jobs from going overseas.

The Clinton and Obama plans aim to increase innovation, boost alternative energy and benefit rural areas. The costs of the plans are hard to ascertain because they're part of broader initiatives put forth by the candidates. Here are some of the proposals that could affect North Carolina.

CLINTON

* Create 3 million jobs over a decade by increasing investment in the nation's infrastructure

* Create 5 million "green-collar" jobs by investing more in alternative energy, modernizing low-income homes and retrofitting public buildings

* Raise the minimum wage to $9.50 an hour by 2011

* Overhaul the Research & Development tax credit to make the U.S. more attractive for high-paying jobs

* Provide new job training opportunities for 1.5 million at-risk youth

* Appoint a trade enforcement officer to ensure trade agreements are vigorously enforced.

OBAMA

* Create 5 million jobs over 10 years by investing in alternative energy.

* Create 2 million jobs over a decade by investing in the nation's infrastructure

* Raise the minimum wage and index it to inflation

* Amend the North American Free Trade Agreement so that U.S. workers receive more benefit

* Provide money so farmers can create cooperative marketing initiatives and farmer-owned processing plants that could create jobs

* Establish a small business initiative for rural America

CANDIDATE POSITION PAPERS; N.C. EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION, BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS