I'll work my way in reverse this time.
His old views haven't changed. They're still Bush's views. They're still the views that are sending the country down the toilet. He's obviously aware of the crisis now, after having it pointed out to him, but his plans don't help anyone but big companies and the rich. If he were elected president, I would no longer be able to afford the medical bills due to my disability because my medical insurance would be gone. Many many people are in the same boat.
Whether he addressed the economic issue very well during the debate or not is, well, debatable. However I would go as far as to say he handled it better than he has thus far, but that isn't saying much. His statement on understanding economics could be taken the way you have said, and maybe that's what he wanted people to think, but I doubt that that is (or was) the truth. That was also not something he said over a year ago, it was earlier this year. February I think?
And I wasn't implying you aren't aware of the situation or that you weren't in the same position, but the stress of making ends meet doesn't fall on your shoulders. Selling homes is not the best job to have right now, and that's unfortunate for you and your mother, but it will only get worse with McCain and that's all there is to it.
God I hate debates, especially political ones. I never should have posted here.