Obama Vows to Halt Evictions

US Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama has vowed to halt eviction of homeowners defaulting on mortgages, two weeks before the election.

He was speaking in Florida, ahead of a joint appearance with his former rival for the nomination, Hillary Clinton.

Mr Obama also urged his supporters to cast their ballots in early voting which opened on Monday.

Republican John McCain attacked his rival's economic policies, and vowed to take the country in a new direction.

Campaigning in Missouri, another swing state, John McCain accused his Democratic rival of misleading the electorate by plotting to hike taxes.

There's too much at stake in this election to leave this responsibility to the last minute
Steve Schale
Obama's Florida campaign director

"After months of campaign trail eloquence... we finally learned what Senator Obama's economic goal is... he wants to 'spread the wealth' around," Mr McCain said.

"If I'm elected president I won't raise taxes on small businesses, Senator Obama will and that will force them to cut jobs."

Mr Obama accused the Republican camp of "ugly" campaigning but said he would not be "distracted" by it.

He focused his address on the economy and those in Florida who have been hit hard by the mortgage crisis and financial slowdown.

"We have tried it John McCain's way. We have tried it George Bush's way. It hasn't worked. It's time for something new," Mr Obama said.