Richmond, Va. (AP) - Barack Obama brushed aside Republican charges Wednesday that his tax proposals amount to socialism, and said he wants nothing more than to reverse the cuts for wealthy Americans that John McCain opposed when they were enacted.
 
"Was John McCain a socialist back in 2000," when he opposed President Bush's proposals? Obama asked at a news conference.
 
"It's not a very plausible argument," he said of the late-campaign allegations launched daily by McCain and Republican running mate Sarah Palin.
 
Obama made his remarks at a news conference after meeting with national security advisers.
 
Regardless of the winner of the Nov. 4 election, he said a smooth transition is essential "so that others don't take advantage of us."
 
He also sidestepped a question of whether he would attend a summit of world leaders the Bush administration has called for Nov. 15 to discuss the global economic crisis.
 
"We have one president at a time," he said.