Both candidates for president are trying to reach speak to voters about their plans for the ailing economy with new national TV ads; meanwhile, several of the candidates' spouses have been stumping for their respective tickets.

Highlighting a commitment to economic issues, the new Obama ad chalks the current crisis up to the failed economic policies of the last eight years. Meanwhile, appearing at a General Motors plant in Michigan, John McCain (web|news|bio) promised to stand by workers facing tough economic times.

While Barack and John released new ads, Michelle, Cindy and Jill were busy on the campaign trail as well. Michelle Obama tapped into a message of economic equality in a joint appearance with Jill Biden at the University of Virginia, telling the crowds, "We want to make sure that when these young women graduate, when they go out into the workforce and they start looking for jobs and they're ready to compete ... they get the pay that they deserve."

On the Republican side, Cindy McCain honored the former Soviet dissident receiving the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award, Natan Sharanksy, noting similarities he shares with her husband: "They both were prisoners, John for serving his country, Natan for serving his conscience. Their hard experiences strengthened both men."

Cindy McCain's appearance with Nancy Reagan at the event works as part of the McCain strategy to align McCain with President Ronald Reagan's legacy of rallying conservatives while appealing to cross-over Democrats.

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