Barack Obama says there's a reason John McCain and Sarah Palin are trying to focus attention on people he's been associated with in the past -- like his former pastor and a 1960s-era radical.

Obama says McCain is trying to shift attention from the economy, because that's a bad issue for McCain.

Obama told reporters in North Carolina that he can't imagine anything more important to talk about than people who are losing their jobs, their health care, their savings and their homes.

Obama says he's going to keep talking about the economy.

McCain continues to talk about economic conditions, but Obama says the Republican needs to offer better and more specific remedies. Obama renewed his call for extending unemployment insurance, and for a second stimulus package.

He's been in Asheville, North Carolina since Saturday, preparing for tomorrow night's debate in neighboring Tennessee.