Obama heads into Falwell territory as McCain hits N.M.

LYNCHBURG, Va. — Democrat Barack Obama campaigned Wednesday in a conservative stretch of this swing state that's key to his election strategy, telling voters more in line with Republican John McCain on social issues that they should vote for Obama because of their economic woes.

In the hometown of the late televangelist Jerry Falwell and his Liberty University, Obama told a crowd that on the economy, ”John McCain just doesn't get it.“

”Are you better off than you were four years ago? Are you better off than you were eight years ago?“ Obama said. ”Well, then, why the heck would you want to do the same thing?

”You'd think that things are so bad, that the economy's in such bad shape, that we might not even have to campaign,“ Obama said. ”But the truth is that John McCain is a decorated war hero, and the Republican Party hasn't been very good at governing, but they're very good at running negative ads.“

McCain was campaigning in New Mexico, where he once again challenged Obama's qualifications to be president.

”Let me be clear: I am not questioning his patriotism; I am questioning his judgment,“ McCain said at a town hall meeting in Las Cruces. ”Sen. Obama has made it clear that he values withdrawal from Iraq above victory in Iraq, even today with victory in sight.“

McCain said he'd end the war in Iraq ”but when I bring our troops home, they will come home with honor and victory, leaving Iraq secured as a democratic ally in the Arab heartland.“