Do the candidates have an urban agenda?

During recent debates, TV advertisements and public appearances, presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain have largely focused on their plans for the ailing economy.

But beyond tax breaks and mortgage relief, what are their plans for people living in cities like Philadelphia? What would Democrat Obama or Republican McCain do to fight crime, reduce poverty or improve transit and public housing?

While neither candidate is talking much about urban policy, there are stark differences between their proposals.

Obama, a senator from Illinois who worked as a community organizer early in his career, displays an urban plan on his Web site. He has pledged to open an Office of Urban Policy in the White House and has promised more investment in crime-fighting, job programs and housing aid.

"If we can rebuild Baghdad, we can certainly rebuild Philadelphia," Obama said during a rally in Germantown a week ago.

Meanwhile, Sen. McCain, of Arizona, has no visible urban agenda on his Web site. He has stressed throughout his campaign that his tax-cutting plans will aid businesses and spur job creation.

Spokesman Peter Feldman said the campaign has many proposals that aid city residents.

"I think when you're talking about things like infrastructure and public safety and education, these are all things that are placed under the umbrella of urban issues," Feldman said. "These are issues that affect states as well as urban areas and rural areas."

Feldman did not respond to a list of detailed questions on McCain's urban-policy positions.

One expert said cities would fare differently under each candidate.

"John McCain basically has one underlying proposal," said Ed Schwartz, president of the Institute for Civic Values in Philadelphia. "Cut taxes and things will get better. There is no urban policy built into that, because urban policy involves an investment."

Schwartz said Obama's plans are very different.

"You look now at Obama's proposals and they are responsive to the things that cities need," he said. "He talks about community development. He talks about a transition to work and re-entry. He's saying that this is an absolute priority."

Of course, there is the issue of how Obama would pay for his proposals. In the debate last week, Obama was asked if any plans would be put on hold due to the massive investments to get the economy back on track. He didn't answer the question.