Senators Barack Obama and John McCain both mentioned
billionaire investor Warren Buffett as a qualified person to head the US
Treasury Department in the next administration, dpa reported.
The Democratic and Republican presidential candidates faced off at Belmont
University in Nashville, Tennessee, in their second debate amid what Obama
called "the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression."
They were surrounded by 80 undecided voters who had submitted written
questions, which were screened by the moderator in a so- called town hall
meeting format.
With global stock markets continuing their downward spiral this week, one
questioner wanted to know who both candidates would choose for their secretary
of the treasury to lead the country out of the finance crisis.
McCain immediately cited Buffett, 78, chief of Berkshire Hathaway, an insurance
conglomerate and holding company with investments across numerous industries.
The low-key Buffett, whose investment decisions are closely followed on Wall
Street, is often referred to as the Oracle of Omaha, the Nebraska city where he
was born and still lives.
Forbes magazine this year estimated Buffett as the richest man in the world
with a net worth of 62 billion dollars. Buffett has announced plans to donate
30 billion dollars to charity.
Last month, Berkshire Hathaway bought at 5-billion-dollar stake in top
investment bank Goldman Sachs. The action was seen as Buffett's endorsement of
the firm as it tries to stabilize itself during the ongoing credit crisis that
has already claimed several top US financial firms.
Buffett is a strong supporter of Obama, who agreed Tuesday night that Buffett
would be a strong treasury secretary.
McCain also named Meg Whitman, former chief executive of online auction site
eBay, as a possible treasury secretary. She is a McCain supporter and campaign
advisor.