In the wake of troubles at Lehman Brothers forcing the investment bank to file for bankruptcy, Americans are keeping a close eye on Wall Street. Fully aware of the fact that the economy is Americans’ top concern, the presidential candidates have been quick to comment on the crisis.

In a statement, Democrat Barack Obama called this the “most serious financial crisis since the Great Depression” and said “this turmoil is a major threat to our economy and its ability to create good-paying jobs and help working Americans pay their bills.”

Obama laid blame on the current administration, saying, “It’s a philosophy we’ve had for the last eight years – one that says we should give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else. Obama said that he has “consistently called for modernizing the rules of the road to suit a 21st century market – rules that would protect American investors and consumers.”

Republican John McCain issued a statement as well, saying “the crisis in our financial markets has taken an enormous toll on our economy and the American people.”

“It is essential for us to make sure that the U.S. remains the pre-eminent financial market of the world. This will be a highest priority of my administration. In order to do this, major reform must be made in Washington and on Wall Street,” McCain said. McCain also released a new ad emphasizing his plans to reform Wall Street.

At a campaign rally in Jacksonville, Florida, McCain began the event with some comments on the situation. “People are frightened by these events…these are very difficult times,” McCain said. “We will never put America in this position again. We will clean up Wall Street.” Obama will likely be discussing these events on the campaign trail this week as well.