A federal budget deficit approaching $1 trillion would not prevent a Barack Obama administration from being able to cut taxes and increase spending for initiatives for clean energy, health care and education, the campaign's economic adviser Jason Furman told West Virginia reporters Thursday.

"Given the possibility of a very deep recession, it's absolutely critical we take whatever steps we can to create jobs and provide tax relief for families," Furman said during a teleconference with state Delegate Mike Caputo, D-Marion.

He noted that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernake is advocating another round of tax stimulus payments to jump-start the economy in the short-term.

"Over the medium- to long-term, it's essential to pay for these tax cuts," Furman said.

He said an Obama administration would be able to reduce spending and create savings through a number of avenues, including eliminating Bush-era tax cuts and credits for big business, and phasing out spending on the war in Iraq.

Caputo, a United Mine Workers representative, said he believes Obama has a better plan for developing clean coal technologies that would capture and store carbons produced by coal-burning power plants.

"I've been studying these candidates for quite some time, and I think there's no doubt who is best for West Virginia, and that's the Obama-Biden ticket," he said.

He said clean coal technology would be a major part of Obama's 10-year, $150 billion clean energy program. Republican John McCain also promotes clean coal as part of his $2 billion a year energy plan, but Caputo said McCain's plan also emphasizes increased reliance on nuclear power.

A federal budget deficit approaching $1 trillion would not prevent a Barack Obama administration from being able to cut taxes and increase spending for initiatives for clean energy, health care and education, the campaign's economic adviser Jason Furman told West Virginia reporters Thursday.

"Given the possibility of a very deep recession, it's absolutely critical we take whatever steps we can to create jobs and provide tax relief for families," Furman said during a teleconference with state Delegate Mike Caputo, D-Marion.

He noted that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernake is advocating another round of tax stimulus payments to jump-start the economy in the short-term.

"Over the medium- to long-term, it's essential to pay for these tax cuts," Furman said.

He said an Obama administration would be able to reduce spending and create savings through a number of avenues, including eliminating Bush-era tax cuts and credits for big business, and phasing out spending on the war in Iraq.

Caputo, a United Mine Workers representative, said he believes Obama has a better plan for developing clean coal technologies that would capture and store carbons produced by coal-burning power plants.

"I've been studying these candidates for quite some time, and I think there's no doubt who is best for West Virginia, and that's the Obama-Biden ticket," he said.

He said clean coal technology would be a major part of Obama's 10-year, $150 billion clean energy program. Republican John McCain also promotes clean coal as part of his $2 billion a year energy plan, but Caputo said McCain's plan also emphasizes increased reliance on nuclear power.

"I don't see what one nuclear plant does for coal miners here in West Virginia," he said.

Added Furman, "Our economy will only be strong if we make these investments in energy."

Meanwhile, Ben Beakes, state director for the McCain-Palin campaign, argued that Obama's tax plans would hurt small businesses that are the backbone of the West Virginia economy.

"There are many 'Joe the plumbers' in the state of West Virginia," he said.

He also noted that Obama's advocacy for coal and clean coal technologies is at odds with statements by many high-ranking Democrats in Congress, including Sen. Joe Biden, Obama's running mate, who will speak in Charleston today.

"The fact is, he has a vice presidential running mate who said 'no more coal plants in America,'" Beakes said.

Reach Phil Kabler at ph...@wvgazette.com or 348-1220.