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Clinton says economy needs experience

Section: Politics

Beth Fouhy, Associated Press Writer

The economy needs help and fast, Hillary Rodham Clinton declared Monday, claiming the experience for the job and saying the nation can't afford to break in a newcomer.

In speech excerpts provided by the Clinton campaign, the New York senator suggested Democratic rival Barack Obama and other candidates lack the experience necessary to address the nation's fiscal challenges.

"There is one job we can't afford on-the-job training for — our next president. That could be the costliest job training in history," Clinton said. "Every day spent learning the ropes is another day of rising costs, mounting deficits and growing anxiety for our families. And they cannot afford to keep waiting."

Clinton delivered the speech on the first day of a two-day visit to Iowa, the first voting state. Polls show her locked in a tight race with first-term Illinois Sen. Obama and one-term former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards just over six weeks before the state holds its caucuses Jan. 3.

For months, Clinton has hinted that Obama, less than three years into his first term, lacks the preparation to deal with U.S. foreign policy challenges. In Monday's address, she suggested the nation's budget deficit, income inequality and lack of comprehensive health coverage also required a more experienced steward.

"We need a president who understands the magnitude and complexity of the challenges we face and has the strength and experience to address them from day one," she said.

Speaking with reporters in Iowa, Obama was asked about Clinton's comments — and offered a sharp response.

"My understanding is she wasn't Treasury secretary in the Clinton administration. I don't know exactly what experience she's claiming," he said. "Rather than just assert experience, if she has specific differences with me in regard to economic policy then let's have that debate."

Clinton's speech also tackled the issue of Social Security.

In recent weeks, Clinton and Obama have traded barbs over the retirement program for seniors, which is forecast to run out of money around 2041 Presently, the first $97,500 in individual income is subject to the Social Security tax — a level Obama has said must be increased in order to keep the program solvent.

Clinton has refused to say what she would do as president to preserve Social Security but has insisted such a tax increase would place an undue burden on middle class families.

She reiterated that point Monday, even suggesting that Social Security is not under imminent threat.

"We don't need more Republican scare tactics about a 'Social Security crisis,'" Clinton said. "And we don't need a trillion-dollar tax increase that will hit families already facing higher energy, health care and college costs. What we need is to focus on the real crises of health care and Medicare, and on expanding opportunities for poor, working and middle class families who are struggling now. "

Clinton's campaign on Monday also began airing a new ad in New Hampshire and Iowa that confronts questions about her trustworthiness with a testimonial from a New York constituent whose son received a bone marrow transplant with the help of her Senate office.

The man, Joe Ward, says in the 30-second television spot that his family's insurance wouldn't cover the transplant. "We called Senator Clinton and asked for help," Ward says. "Her office called the next day letting us know the hospital was going to absorb the cost of the transplant. Now, her opponents are saying that Hillary can't be trusted. I trusted this woman to save my son's life. And she did."

The ad comes as polls show that one of Clinton's vulnerabilities is the public's view of her as insincere.

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