Money replaces Iraq in voter concerns

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-01-15-EconomyVoters_N.htm

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wages are stagnant, state treasuries are running out of money, and across the United States a growing number of Americans face the prospect of foreclosure as the subprime mortgage crisis deepens.

These are hard times for Americans, who have begun expressing worries about the state of the economy more than the war in Iraq. Candidates have seized upon the shift in the days leading to Tuesday's Republican primary in Michigan, home to the once-dominant but now faltering U.S. automobile industry.

"I think the economy is likely to be the No. 1 issue, but I wouldn't dismiss Iraq," said Thomas E. Mann, an expert on U.S. elections and politics at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank.

Speaking further about the Iraq war, which is close to entering its sixth year, Mann said, "Frankly it's already factored into the public consciousness. It is already there as a serious political factor."

The economy also will not go away. Officially the United States is not in a recession, but many experts expect one. The Federal Reserve bank's interest-setting committee is meeting in two weeks, within days of Super Tuesday on Feb. 5, when more than 20 states have presidential nominating contests. The committee is expected to lower the interest rate, which could indicate concerns about a possible recession, and that move will be fresh in the minds of voters.

[lonestarnot]

1. 10 billion a month, I guess that doesn't count then?

[stillcool]

2. I can't imagine why

I wonder if they read about this?..

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL1069138220080110?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews

U.S. warplanes pound southern Baghdad outskirts
Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:06pm EST
By Peter Graff

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. warplanes launched their biggest air strike in Iraq since at least 2006 on Thursday, bombarding date palm groves on Baghdad's southern outskirts with more than 40,000 pounds of bombs in a matter of minutes.

Two B-1 bombers and four F-16 fighter jets struck more than 40 al Qaeda targets in three zones of Arab Jabour, a lush district just south of the capital that has become a haven for fighters driven out of other areas.

"Thirty-eight bombs were dropped within the first 10 minutes, with a total tonnage of 40,000 pounds," the military said in a statement. "Each bomber passed over twice and the F-16s followed to complete the set."
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL1069138220080110?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews

................Or maybe they just read this?

U.S. troops kill 60 in Iraq al Qaeda offensive
Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD, Jan 14 (Reuters) - The U.S. military said on Monday it had killed 60 militants during a week-long offensive in northern Iraq against al Qaeda which has proved a resilient foe and has resisted previous attempts to drive it from the region.
The offensive in four northern provinces and Baghdad's southern suburbs was launched on Jan. 8 by the U.S. military, which regards al Qaeda as the single greatest threat to Iraq's security and has blamed it for an upsurge in suicide bombings.

In Baghdad, gunmen killed appeals court judge Amir Jawdat al-Naeib as he drove to work on Monday. Naeib's driver was also killed. Militants have frequently targeted judges, academics, other professionals and their families.

The new offensive is seen as part of the U.S. strategy of reducing violence to give Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government time to cement the security gains with political progress towards national reconciliation
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSL1435634720080114?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

what is that...like 3/4 of a bomb per person?