The former chairman of the Democratic National Committee told Chesterfield County high school students yesterday that Sen. Barack Obama would invest in infrastructure and alternative energy to create jobs and get the country moving again.

Terry McAuliffe, who earlier this year was trying to beat Obama on behalf of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, told students at Cosby High School that President Bush is ultimately responsible for the economic chaos.

McAuliffe was chairman of Clinton's unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. A close ally of former President Bill Clinton, he was chairman of the DNC from 2001 to 2005.

McAuliffe took Obama's side at a presidential forum sponsored by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Chesterfield public schools and the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. Selected seniors from Cosby and other high schools in the county who have been studying the presidential campaigns asked questions of McAuliffe.

Former Gov. and Sen. George Allen represented Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee, at the forum a week ago. Thomas A. Silvestri, president and publisher of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, was moderator for both forums.

Unlike a week ago, when they were mostly silent, the students applauded McAuliffe frequently.

McAuliffe said Obama would raise taxes on people with incomes above $250,000, but lower taxes for 95 percent of taxpayers.

Young people should back Obama because he is proposing doubling the tuition tax credit to $4,000, McAuliffe said.

Asked what he thought the first thing Obama would do if elected president, McAuliffe said he would bring the troops home from Iraq. Obama has said he wants all combat troops out of Iraq in 16 months.

Known as one of the Democratic Party's most successful fundraisers, McAuliffe once wrestled an alligator to raise $15,000 for the party.

He urged the young people to get involved in politics.

"If you want to change the world, you can't sit on the sidelines and complain," he said.

In answer to questions, he said Obama supports affirmative action and, perhaps, would extend it to class as well as race. He said Obama also thinks women should have pay equal to men's and sponsored legislation in the Senate to allow women to challenge court rulings against equal pay for women.

McAuliffe, 51, who lives in McLean, is considering seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in 2009. He said he will make a decision after the Nov. 4 election, but he indicated he likely would run. Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.