McCain, whose initial reaction to Wall Street's turmoil was to describe the U.S. economy as fundamentally strong, has, like Obama, supported actions being taken in Washington. McCain has largely avoided offering a detailed remedy of his own, but did propose creation of a new government agency to anticipate similar problems in the future.
Before the friendly audience of military officials, McCain hit Obama again for opposing the Iraq surge, and tied it to a broader attack theme: that Obama's candidacy has been characterized by an overarching ambition.
"Behind all of these claims and positions by Senator Obama lies the ambition to be president. What's missing is the judgment to be commander in chief," said McCain, who was greeted enthusiastically by hundreds of Guards.
"Both candidates in this election pledge to end this war and bring our troops home. The great difference is that I intend to win it first," McCain added, bringing the audience to its feet.
Democratic vice-presidential nominee Joe Biden is to address the Guard convention today .
Obama and McCain will spend much of the week preparing for the first of three debates, devoted, by prior arrangement, to foreign policy. But it is likely to feature, at least in part, the candidates' views on events that have shaken markets around the world.
Obama, describing conditions as "a global crisis," said the United States "must insist that other nations join us in helping secure the financial markets."
Bush administration officials are attempting to orchestrate an international response. Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. said yesterday, for the first time, that some of the $700 billion in emergency aid the administration is requesting could go to foreign financial institutions.
