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WSJ CEO COUNCIL: McCain Urges Help For Small Businesses



By Jon Kamp, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) urged a group of chief executives on Tuesday to think of ways to help small businesses and extend credit to help heal the economy.

The Arizona Republican acknowledged that these aren't the responsibilities of big businesses, but he talked about how angry Americans are about financial institutions getting bailed out while they are struggling, and said access to credit is a big issue.

"My urgent plea to you is think of the small-business person who is the engine of the economy," McCain said.

He spoke to the annual WSJ CEO Council meeting where nearly 100 chief executives gathered Monday and Tuesday to discuss business and political issues and meet with top policy makers.

McCain said he sees a need for both financial-institution reforms and lower corporate taxes. He also said he's worried about a rise in protectionism that he thinks will be abetted by President Barack Obama's administration.

Meantime, the senator talked about the disconnect between what's happening on Wall Street, where the stock market has surged since March, and in a broader economy where Americans are still struggling.

"They love to pick up the paper and see that the recession's over," McCain said.

- By Jon Kamp, Dow Jones Newswires; 617-654-6728; jon.kamp@dowjones.com


  (END) Dow Jones Newswires
  11-17-091706ET
  Copyright (c) 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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