Sebelius: Obama will guide economy

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said Friday that presidential hopeful Barack Obama was best positioned to guide the country’s economy, including helping ease the home foreclosure crisis.

"We have 22,000 citizens in this state that are precariously close to losing their homes through foreclosures," Sebelius said at a news conference at Wake Tech.

The Illinois senator is proposing to create a $10 billion fund to help families renegotiate their loans to avoid losing their homes.

Sebelius' comments were part of an effort by the Obama campaign to stress economic issues in the May 6th Democratic primary.

The trip by the Kansan came as President Bill Clinton was scheduled Friday night to begin two days of campaigning in Eastern North Carolina.

More after the jump.

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The Obama campaign announced plans to distribute 10,000 copies of its 47-page economic blue print next week, at their 21 North Carolina campaign offices, as well as at community meetings and town halls. The Obama document is also available on the campaign website.

Sebelius noted that Obama is proposing a $1,000 tax break for working families, eliminating the income tax for seniors making then than $50,000 a year, providing a tax credit to make sure the first $4,000 of college costs are free, in return for the student doing a year's of public service.

"It is a plan that recognizes that right now we are doing fine by Wall Street but not by Main Street," Sebelius said.

Sebelius conducted a two-day swing through North Carolina, wearing a "Rock Chalk Barack" pin, and gently mentioning that the University of Kansas had defeated both Carolina and Davidson on the way to the national championship.

People have been very kind to me despite the fact that our team has defeated two very impressive North Carolina teams in order to cut down the nets at the Alamo Dome,” Sebelius said.

Sebelius noted that Obama has strong support among women. Three of the five women Democratic governors support Obama, one supports Clinton and one is neutral, Sebelius said.