McCain hammers Obama on taxes

CONCORD, N.C., Oct. 18 (UPI) -- Republican presidential nominee John McCain focused on his Democratic rival's tax plan Saturday, accusing Barack Obama of plotting to redistribute wealth.

McCain pitched his points at rallies in North Carolina and Virginia, The Chicago Tribune reported. He also hammered Obama on taxes in his weekly radio message.

"You might ask: How do you cut income taxes for 95 percent of Americans, when more than 40 percent pay no income taxes right now? How do you reduce the number zero?" McCain told supporters in Concord, N.C. "Well, that's the key to Barack Obama's whole plan: Since you can't reduce taxes on those who pay zero, the government will write them all checks called a tax credit."

McCain is targeting states that once seemed comfortably Republican where recent polls show the vote leaning to Obama or too close to call.

"Joe the Plumber" -- Joe Wurzelbacher of Ohio -- resurfaced in McCain's radio speech. McCain congratulated him for forcing Obama to come clean about his tax plan.

Obama has said he plans to roll back the Bush tax cuts for those with incomes of more than $250,000, while reducing taxes for those making less.