Democrats talk economy...Bush on Iraq...McCain, Romney unite

NEW YORK (AP) Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham CLinton are offering competing plans to tackle U.S. economic challenges.

Clinton has proposed a 2.5 billion-dollar job retraining program, while Obama is seeking greater oversight of U.S. financial markets.

Obama's plan to help the economy also involves an additional 30 billion-dollar stimulus package.

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) President Bush says calls from Congress for troop withdrawals or deadlines so that the military could focus more on the anti-terror battle elsewhere make no sense. Bush, speaking today in Ohio, said Iraqi leaders are dealing with an enormous task by trying to reach agreement on political, security and economic goals.

BAGHDAD (AP) Iraq's prime minister is vowing to continue operations against the militias dominated by a radical cleric in Basra despite protests by tens of thousands of people. The Iraqi leader made his pledge to tribal leaders in the Basra area as military operations continued for a fourth day with stiff resistance.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) John McCain is getting some fundraising help from his former rival. Mitt Romney and McCain are on their first campaign swing as allies as McCain continues his western fundraising trip. Romney has suggested that he'd accept the number-two spot on this year's ticket, but some Republicans speculate that he's looking ahead for a possible repeat run in 2012.

DALLAS (AP) American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are canceling hundreds more flights today as they continue to inspect wiring bundles on some of their planes. American says it canceled 132 of its estimated 2,300 flights. Meanwhile, a Delta spokeswoman says it expects about 275 cancellations through early tomorrow.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 03-27-08 1343CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list