“change we can believe in”. “country first” presidential election 2008 barack obama –...

““Change We Can Believe Change We Can Believe In”In”

““Country First”Country First”

Presidential Election Presidential Election 20082008

Barack Obama – Democratic Candidate

John McCain – Republican Candidate

KEY ISSUEKEY ISSUE

AbortionAbortion Abortion, a perennial issue in

American politics, remains resonant for voters and candidates this election year.

DEMOCRATSDEMOCRATS Barack ObamaBarack Obama

Opposes any constitutional amendment Opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v Wade. Disagreed with decision in Roe v Wade. Disagreed with Supreme Court ruling to uphold the Supreme Court ruling to uphold the "Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act." Did "Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act." Did not cast a vote on Prohibiting Funds for not cast a vote on Prohibiting Funds for Groups that Perform Abortions Groups that Perform Abortions amendment in 2007.amendment in 2007.

REPUBLICANSREPUBLICANS John McCainJohn McCain

Voted for the Prohibit Partial Birth Voted for the Prohibit Partial Birth Abortion bill in 2003 and "yes" for Abortion bill in 2003 and "yes" for Prohibiting Funds for Groups that Prohibiting Funds for Groups that Perform Abortions amendment in 2007. Perform Abortions amendment in 2007. Believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision Believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned. Supports that must be overturned. Supports Supreme Court ruling upholding the Supreme Court ruling upholding the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act.

KEY ISSUEKEY ISSUE

AfghanistanAfghanistan The war in Afghanistan, begun in

late 2001 after the September 11 terrorist attacks, has been ongoing for nearly seven years. An uptick in violence during the summer of 2008 renewed focus on the conflict.


Would send three additional brigades to Would send three additional brigades to Afghanistan and double the size of the Afghanistan and double the size of the Afghan army to 160,000 troops. Proposes Afghan army to 160,000 troops. Proposes to pay for the Afghan troop increase to pay for the Afghan troop increase through an international trust fund through an international trust fund financed by the United States and its financed by the United States and its allies. Would apply the counter-allies. Would apply the counter-insurgency technique being employed in insurgency technique being employed in Iraq to the Afghanistan conflict.Iraq to the Afghanistan conflict.


Says he would send at least two additional Says he would send at least two additional combat brigades to Afghanistan and would combat brigades to Afghanistan and would seek greater contributions -- with fewer seek greater contributions -- with fewer restrictions -- from NATO allies. Says he restrictions -- from NATO allies. Says he would focus on training Afghan security would focus on training Afghan security forces and supporting an Afghan judiciary, forces and supporting an Afghan judiciary, with more resources and incentives for with more resources and incentives for American officers who perform these American officers who perform these missions.missions.

KEY ISSUEKEY ISSUE

EconomyEconomy Market turmoil, a series of bank

failures, rising foreclosures and a tough job market have many Americans feeling antsy about the economy. In early October, Congress passed a $700 billion bailout plan intended to shore up the nation's lenders.


Supported the $700 billion Wall Supported the $700 billion Wall Street bailout package. On October Street bailout package. On October 3, he said: "America is facing one of 3, he said: "America is facing one of the greatest financial crises in the greatest financial crises in history, and today's passage of an history, and today's passage of an emergency rescue plan was emergency rescue plan was absolutely necessary to prevent an absolutely necessary to prevent an economic catastrophe that could economic catastrophe that could have cost millions of jobs and have cost millions of jobs and forced businesses across the forced businesses across the country into bankruptcy." country into bankruptcy."

Supported increasing the federal Supported increasing the federal insurance for money deposited in insurance for money deposited in personal bank accounts to $250,000. personal bank accounts to $250,000.

Advocates a $50 billion emergency Advocates a $50 billion emergency economic stimulus plan. The money economic stimulus plan. The money would go toward 1 million jobs for would go toward 1 million jobs for rebuilding infrastructure and schools, rebuilding infrastructure and schools, and helping local governments avoid and helping local governments avoid budget cuts, the campaign says. budget cuts, the campaign says.


Supported the $700 billion Wall Street Supported the $700 billion Wall Street bailout package. "This rescue bill isn't bailout package. "This rescue bill isn't perfect, and it is an outrage that it's even perfect, and it is an outrage that it's even necessary, but we have to stop the necessary, but we have to stop the damage to our economy done by corrupt damage to our economy done by corrupt and incompetent practices on Wall Street and incompetent practices on Wall Street and in Washington. The action Congress and in Washington. The action Congress took [on October 3] is a tourniquet. It is took [on October 3] is a tourniquet. It is not a permanent solution," he said. not a permanent solution," he said.

Supported increasing the federal Supported increasing the federal insurance for money deposited in insurance for money deposited in personal bank accounts to $250,000 personal bank accounts to $250,000

KEY ISSUEKEY ISSUE

EducationEducation The No Child Left Behind Act, which

requires public schools to meet test standards to receive federal funding, was signed into law in January 2002 and was the first major legislative victory for the Bush administration. It remains controversial as do measures to provide funds for students who want to choose private schools.


Stated during GOP primary debates: "We Stated during GOP primary debates: "We need more charter schools. We need need more charter schools. We need vouchers where it's approved by the local, vouchers where it's approved by the local, state school boards. We need to have, state school boards. We need to have, clearly, home schooling if people want clearly, home schooling if people want that … We need to reward good teachers that … We need to reward good teachers and find bad teachers another line of and find bad teachers another line of work." work."

No Child Left Behind (NCLB): No Child Left Behind (NCLB): Voted for NCLB. The McCain campaign, on Voted for NCLB. The McCain campaign, on its Web site, states: While NCLB has been its Web site, states: While NCLB has been invaluable in providing a clear picture of invaluable in providing a clear picture of which schools and students are struggling, which schools and students are struggling, it is only the beginning of education it is only the beginning of education reform. reform.

Said he would target $500 million in Said he would target $500 million in current federal funds to build new virtual current federal funds to build new virtual schools and support the development of schools and support the development of online course offerings for students. Said online course offerings for students. Said he would allocate $250 million to support he would allocate $250 million to support states that commit to expanding online states that commit to expanding online education opportunities. Proposes education opportunities. Proposes offering $250 million to help students pay offering $250 million to help students pay for online tutors or enroll in virtual for online tutors or enroll in virtual schools. Said low-income students would schools. Said low-income students would be eligible to receive up to $4,000 to be eligible to receive up to $4,000 to enroll in an online course, SAT/ACT prep enroll in an online course, SAT/ACT prep course, credit recovery or tutoring course, credit recovery or tutoring services offered by a virtual provider. services offered by a virtual provider.


Advocates ensuring access to high-quality early Advocates ensuring access to high-quality early childhood education programs and child care childhood education programs and child care opportunities, recruit well-qualified and reward opportunities, recruit well-qualified and reward expert, accomplished teachers. Make science expert, accomplished teachers. Make science and math education a national priority. Reduce and math education a national priority. Reduce the high school dropout rate and empower the high school dropout rate and empower parents to raise healthy and successful parents to raise healthy and successful children by taking a greater role in their children by taking a greater role in their child's education at home and at school. child's education at home and at school.

No Child Left Behind (NCLB): No Child Left Behind (NCLB): Says the overall goal of NCLB "is the right one Says the overall goal of NCLB "is the right one … but the law has significant flaws that need to … but the law has significant flaws that need to be addressed." be addressed."

College tuition:College tuition: Proposes scholarships that will cover four Proposes scholarships that will cover four years of undergraduate or two years of years of undergraduate or two years of graduate teacher education, including high-graduate teacher education, including high-quality alternative programs for mid-career quality alternative programs for mid-career recruits in exchange for teaching for at recruits in exchange for teaching for at least four years in a high-need field or least four years in a high-need field or location. Advocates schools dedicated to location. Advocates schools dedicated to enabling "teachers to learn from expert enabling "teachers to learn from expert practitioners in the field." Says he would practitioners in the field." Says he would provide $1 billion in funding to create provide $1 billion in funding to create mentoring programs for teachers. mentoring programs for teachers.

KEY ISSUEKEY ISSUE

EnergyEnergy While each candidate agrees that

the United States depends far too much on imported oil and gas, opinion varies on how to lessen the burden and how to promote research and development of other energy sources.


Says he would invest $150 billion Says he would invest $150 billion over 10 years in clean energy. over 10 years in clean energy. Proposes increasing fuel economy Proposes increasing fuel economy standards and would require that 25 standards and would require that 25 percent of electricity consumed in percent of electricity consumed in the U.S. is derived from clean, the U.S. is derived from clean, sustainable energy sources by 2025. sustainable energy sources by 2025.

Gas tax holidayGas tax holidaySaid he does not support a federal Said he does not support a federal gas tax holiday and called it a gas tax holiday and called it a "classic Washington gimmick." Voted "classic Washington gimmick." Voted for an Illinois gas tax holiday while for an Illinois gas tax holiday while in the Illinois State Senate. "Six in the Illinois State Senate. "Six months later we took a look, and months later we took a look, and consumers had not benefited at all, consumers had not benefited at all, but we had lost revenue. I learned but we had lost revenue. I learned from a mistake." from a mistake."

Renewable energyRenewable energySays he would require that 10 percent Says he would require that 10 percent of U.S. energy come from renewable of U.S. energy come from renewable sources by the end of his first sources by the end of his first presidential term. Says he would extend presidential term. Says he would extend the Production Tax Credit for five years the Production Tax Credit for five years to encourage the production of to encourage the production of renewable energy like wind power, solar renewable energy like wind power, solar power and geothermal energy. power and geothermal energy.


Proposes a national energy strategy that Proposes a national energy strategy that will rely on the technological prowess of will rely on the technological prowess of American industry and science. Would not American industry and science. Would not support subsidizing every alternative or support subsidizing every alternative or tariffs that restrict the competition that tariffs that restrict the competition that stimulates innovation and lower cost. Says stimulates innovation and lower cost. Says he would work to reduce carbon emissions he would work to reduce carbon emissions 60 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. 60 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Gas tax holidayGas tax holidayHas called for the suspension of the Has called for the suspension of the 18.4-cent-a-gallon federal gas tax 18.4-cent-a-gallon federal gas tax and 24.4-cent-a-gallon diesel tax and 24.4-cent-a-gallon diesel tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day. from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The McCain campaign has said the The McCain campaign has said the lost revenue would be paid for by lost revenue would be paid for by money from the general fund. money from the general fund.

Renewable energyRenewable energySays he would promote market for Says he would promote market for alternative, low carbon fuels such as alternative, low carbon fuels such as wind, hydro and solar power and wind, hydro and solar power and would work to create a system of tax would work to create a system of tax credits to develop such sources. credits to develop such sources.

KEY ISSUEKEY ISSUE

Health careHealth care Democratic and Republican

presidential hopefuls propose solutions to deal with one of the most critical issues facing millions of Americans.


Would create a national health insurance Would create a national health insurance program for individuals who do not have program for individuals who do not have employer-provided health care and who do employer-provided health care and who do not qualify for other existing federal not qualify for other existing federal programs. Does not mandate individual programs. Does not mandate individual coverage for all Americans, but requires coverage for all Americans, but requires coverage for all children. Allows coverage for all children. Allows individuals below age 25 to be covered individuals below age 25 to be covered through their parents' plans. through their parents' plans.


Opposes federally mandated universal Opposes federally mandated universal coverage. Believes competition will improve the coverage. Believes competition will improve the quality of health insurance. quality of health insurance.

Supports health care tax dividends for low-Supports health care tax dividends for low-income Americans, medical malpractice reform, income Americans, medical malpractice reform, improving electronic record-keeping, improving electronic record-keeping, expanding health savings accounts, and expanding health savings accounts, and encouraging small businesses to band together encouraging small businesses to band together to negotiate lower rates with health care to negotiate lower rates with health care providers providers

McCain campaign Web site states, "Families McCain campaign Web site states, "Families should be able to purchase health insurance should be able to purchase health insurance nationwide, across state lines, and their policy nationwide, across state lines, and their policy should follow them from job to job." should follow them from job to job."

KEY ISSUEKEY ISSUE

Homeland securityHomeland security Candidates have proposed different

ways to conduct the war on terror, especially in the areas of gathering intelligence to prevent domestic attacks and how to keep terrorists from entering the country.


Would create an Army Adviser Corps Would create an Army Adviser Corps with 20,000 soldiers who would work with 20,000 soldiers who would work with friendly militaries abroad. Would with friendly militaries abroad. Would increase the number of personnel in increase the number of personnel in information operations, Special Forces, information operations, Special Forces, civil affairs, military policing, military civil affairs, military policing, military intelligence and other disciplines. intelligence and other disciplines. Would increase numbers in Army and Would increase numbers in Army and Marines and spend more on defense Marines and spend more on defense budget. budget.


Will implement the 9/11 Will implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations. Commission recommendations. Provide greater technical assistance Provide greater technical assistance to local and state first responders to local and state first responders and increase funding for reliable, and increase funding for reliable, interoperable communications interoperable communications systems. Develop a meaningful systems. Develop a meaningful critical infrastructure protection critical infrastructure protection plan. Will secure chemical plants plan. Will secure chemical plants and ensure safe, secure disposal of and ensure safe, secure disposal of nuclear waste. nuclear waste.

KEY ISSUEKEY ISSUE

ImmigrationImmigration The battle over illegal immigration

promises to rage on until Election Day and beyond.


Co-sponsored Bush-backed immigration Co-sponsored Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.


Supported Bush-backed immigration Supported Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border increased funding and improved border security technology, improved security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border. fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.

KEY ISSUEKEY ISSUE

IraqIraq The Iraq war looms as, perhaps, the

most important foreign policy issue during the 2008 election. With thousands of U.S. troops stationed there and sectarian violence always threatening to engulf the country, candidates will have to grapple with the day-to-day events taking place more than 6,000 miles away.


Voted in 2002 for use of military force in Iraq. Voted in 2002 for use of military force in Iraq. Supported Bush veto of war spending bill that Supported Bush veto of war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Was one of the earliest proponents March 2008. Was one of the earliest proponents of sending additional American troops to Iraq. of sending additional American troops to Iraq.

On withdrawal On withdrawal Does not believe in setting a withdrawal Does not believe in setting a withdrawal timetable. During a July interview, McCain said, timetable. During a July interview, McCain said, "anything is a good timetable that is dictated by "anything is a good timetable that is dictated by conditions on the ground. Anything is good. But conditions on the ground. Anything is good. But the timetable is dictated not by an artificial date the timetable is dictated not by an artificial date but by the conditions on the ground." but by the conditions on the ground."

States on campaign Web site, "I do not States on campaign Web site, "I do not want to keep our troops in Iraq a want to keep our troops in Iraq a minute longer than necessary to secure minute longer than necessary to secure our interests there. Our goal is an Iraq our interests there. Our goal is an Iraq that can stand on its own as a that can stand on its own as a democratic ally and a responsible force democratic ally and a responsible force for peace in its neighborhood. Our goal for peace in its neighborhood. Our goal is an Iraq that no longer needs is an Iraq that no longer needs American troops." American troops."


Opposed use of military force in Iraq. In Opposed use of military force in Iraq. In October 2002, when he was an Illinois state October 2002, when he was an Illinois state senator, Obama said, "I know that invasion of senator, Obama said, "I know that invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East and encourage the flames of the Middle East and encourage the worst rather than best impulses in the Arab worst rather than best impulses in the Arab world and strengthen the recruitment arm of al world and strengthen the recruitment arm of al Qaeda. I am not opposed to all wars; I am Qaeda. I am not opposed to all wars; I am opposed to dumb wars." Voted for war spending opposed to dumb wars." Voted for war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Had once called for troop by March 2008. Had once called for troop withdrawal to begin by the end of 2006. withdrawal to begin by the end of 2006.

On withdrawalOn withdrawal Would redeploy U.S. troops at a pace of one Would redeploy U.S. troops at a pace of one to two brigades a month. The Obama to two brigades a month. The Obama campaign says the proposed schedule would campaign says the proposed schedule would remove them from Iraq within 16 months remove them from Iraq within 16 months and be complete by summer 2010. and be complete by summer 2010.

Would maintain residual force to perform Would maintain residual force to perform specific missions in Iraq, like targeting specific missions in Iraq, like targeting remnants of al Qaeda, protecting U.S. remnants of al Qaeda, protecting U.S. service members and diplomats, and service members and diplomats, and supporting Iraq's security forces. supporting Iraq's security forces.

KEY ISSUEKEY ISSUE

Taxes Taxes

Along with the Iraq war, economic issues promise to dominate the race for the White House, including the always heated issue of taxes.


Opposed extending 2003 Bush tax cut law Opposed extending 2003 Bush tax cut law through 2010. Supports eliminating through 2010. Supports eliminating marriage penalty and extending child tax marriage penalty and extending child tax credit. Proposes a "making work pay" tax credit. Proposes a "making work pay" tax credit of up to $500 per person, or $1,000 credit of up to $500 per person, or $1,000 per working family. Proposes eliminating per working family. Proposes eliminating income taxes for seniors making less than income taxes for seniors making less than $50,000 per year. Favors tax cuts for $50,000 per year. Favors tax cuts for middle-class workers and tax increases for middle-class workers and tax increases for top earners. Proposes to create an top earners. Proposes to create an "American opportunity tax credit," which "American opportunity tax credit," which the Obama campaign describes as "a fully the Obama campaign describes as "a fully refundable credit" that "will ensure that refundable credit" that "will ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans and completely free for most Americans and would cover two-thirds the cost of tuition would cover two-thirds the cost of tuition at the average public college or at the average public college or university." university."


Voted against 2001 and 2003 Bush Voted against 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cut laws, but later voted in favor tax cut laws, but later voted in favor of extending tax cuts through 2010. of extending tax cuts through 2010. Says he would keep the current rates Says he would keep the current rates on dividends and capital gains, and on dividends and capital gains, and maintain the current income and maintain the current income and investment tax rates. Says he would investment tax rates. Says he would double the child deduction from double the child deduction from $3,500 to $7,000 and permanently $3,500 to $7,000 and permanently repeal the alternative minimum tax. repeal the alternative minimum tax. Says he would reduce the corporate Says he would reduce the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent.percent.

John McCainJohn McCain

BiographyBiography PERSONALPERSONAL Birthdate: August 29, 1936 (Panama Canal Birthdate: August 29, 1936 (Panama Canal

Zone)Zone) Hometown: Alexandria, Va.Hometown: Alexandria, Va. Spouse: Cindy Hensley McCainSpouse: Cindy Hensley McCain Children: Sydney McCain, Doug Shepp, Children: Sydney McCain, Doug Shepp,

Andy Shepp, Meghan McCain, John Sidney Andy Shepp, Meghan McCain, John Sidney McCain IV, James McCain, Bridget McCainMcCain IV, James McCain, Bridget McCain

Religion: EpiscopalReligion: Episcopal

John McCainJohn McCainPublic Service / Elected Offices:•Senator, United States Senate, 1987-present •Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 1995-2001, 2003-2005 •Chair, Committee on Indian Affairs, 1995- 1997, 2005-2007 •Representative, United States House of Representatives, 1983-1987 •Republican presidential candidate, 2000

John McCainJohn McCain

Military Service:Military Service: United States Navy 1958-1981 with United States Navy 1958-1981 with

service in Vietnam service in Vietnam Prisoner of war in Vietnam, 1967-Prisoner of war in Vietnam, 1967-

1973 1973 Awards: Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Awards: Silver Star, Legion of Merit,

Purple Heart and Distinguished Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying CrossFlying Cross

Barack ObamaBarack Obama BiographyBiography PERSONALPERSONAL Birthdate:Birthdate: August 4, 1961 (Honolulu, August 4, 1961 (Honolulu,

Hawaii)Hawaii) Hometown:Hometown: Jakarta, Indonesia; Jakarta, Indonesia;

Honolulu, HawaiiHonolulu, Hawaii Spouse:Spouse: Michelle Robinson Obama Michelle Robinson Obama Children:Children: Malia Ann Obama, Sasha Malia Ann Obama, Sasha

ObamaObama Religion:Religion: United Church of Christ United Church of Christ

Barack ObamaBarack Obama

Public Service / Elected Offices:Public Service / Elected Offices: Senator, United States Senate, 2005-Senator, United States Senate, 2005-

present present Senator, Illinois State Senate, 1997-Senator, Illinois State Senate, 1997-

2004 2004

“change we can believe in”. “country first” presidential election 2008 barack obama –...

Documents

john mccain john mccain

afghanistan conflict

partial birth abortion

partial birth abortion

abortions amendment

afghan troop

afghan army

supreme court ruling