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ON THE ISSUES
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A look at where Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain stand on some of the key issues. |
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ECONOMY
| OBAMA ON HOUSING Wants to create a program wherein people could easily covert subprime loans into fixed-rate 30-year loans. Would give "struggling homeowners" a tax credit to use toward their mortgage payment. |
McCAIN ON HOUSING Wants government to help qualified homeowners convert subprime loans into fixed-rate 30-year loans. Would help "legitimate borrowers" (not speculators) facing foreclosure. |
| TAXES According to the Tax Policy Center (an independant, non-partisan organization), Obama's plan would raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans, but those making less than $225,000 would see a break. Would raise corporate taxes and eliminate capital-gains taxes for small businesses and start-ups. Opposed to extending President Bush's tax cuts beyond 2010. |
TAXES According to the Tax Policy Center, McCain's plan would lower taxes for all Americans, but the wealthiest Americans would see the biggest decrease. Would cut corporate tax rate. Would keep current tax rates on capital gains. Would double the child deduction. In favor of making President Bush's tax cuts permanent. |
EDUCATION
| Is against vouchers; says funding for such a program would hurt public schools. Supports charter schools and says he'll double funding for them. Appears to be against teaching intelligent design alongside evolution. "I believe in parents being able to provide children with religious instruction without interference from the state. But I also believe our schools are there to teach worldly knowledge and science," he says. |
Supports vouchers that would allow students to attend any school (public or private), saying it would level the field so that not just wealthy families can send their children to the best schools. Appears to be for teaching intelligent design alongside evolution. Says evolution is "valid" but that "every young American should be exposed to every point of view." |
ENERGY
| Would consider some offshore drilling. Says he would put $150 billion over 10 years toward clean energy. |
Wants to increase offshore drilling and wants to build 45 nuclear power reactors by 2030. |
HEALTH CARE
| Wants to establish a universal health care system by 2012. Under the plan, individuals and businesses could purchase health insurance. Would require that coverage by mandatory for children but not for adults. |
Would establish a tax-credit system in which individuals ($2,500) and families ($5,000) could use the credit to purchase health insurance. Workers could not deduct the credit from their workplace plan. |
IRAQ WAR
| Wants a 16-month withdrawal plan. Says focus should be on Afghanistan. |
Voted for the war. Opposes withdrawal plan, saying it "means al Qaeda wins." |
IRAN NUKES
| Would tighten sanctions and is for direct diplomacy. Military option is on the table. |
Would tighten sanctions and is against direct diplomacy. Military option is on the table. |
GUNS
| Is for Second Amendment but says there should be some restrictions. Voted against the law banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers when their product is used in a crime. Wants to reinnstate assault-weapons ban and voted for restrictions on armor-piercing ammunition. Voted for the child safety lock amendment. |
Is for the Second Amendment and says there should be "no gun control." Voted for the law banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers when their product is used in a crime. Against restrictions on assault weapons and armor-piercing ammunition. Voted for the child safety lock amendment. |
SOCIAL SECURITY
| Is against privatizing Social Security. Wants to strenghten the payroll tax system. |
Wants to supplement Social Security with individual investment accounts. |
WHAT DO THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES BRING TO THE TICKET?
| Joseph Biden |
Sarah Palin |
| One of the keys to Barack Obama's choice of U.S. Sen. Joseph Biden: his foreign policy experience. Biden also comes from the working class. Obama described his as "still that scrappy kid from Scranton who beat the odds." |
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin fought corruption in Alaska, emphasizing John McCain's image as a maverick. She's solid on the Republican social issues, and she's thought to help him win over women and young voters. |
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