Comparison of the 2008 United States presidential candidates: Difference between revisions
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|Baldwin has stated that the US's involvement in Iraq is clearly unconstitutional as well as unnecessary, and would begin safely withdrawing troops.<ref name="CB-IfIWerePres" /> |
|Baldwin has stated that the US's involvement in Iraq is clearly unconstitutional as well as unnecessary, and would begin safely withdrawing troops.<ref name="CB-IfIWerePres" /> |
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|Barr considers the invasion and occupation of Iraq to have been mistakes. American presence "emboldens both insurgents and terrorists", and has cost "hundreds of billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars." He supports "withdrawal without undue delay."<ref name="BB-Issues-Iraq_War">{{cite web|title=Bob Barr on: Iraq War|url=http://www.bobbarr2008.com/issues/iraq-war/}}</ref> |
|Barr considers the invasion and occupation of Iraq to have been mistakes. American presence "emboldens both insurgents and terrorists", and has cost "hundreds of billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars." He supports "withdrawal without undue delay."<ref name="BB-Issues-Iraq_War">{{cite web|title=Bob Barr on: Iraq War|url=http://www.bobbarr2008.com/issues/iraq-war/}}</ref> |
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|McCain has stated that he would keep troops in Iraq for as long as needed, dependent on agreement from the Iraqi government. "As long as Americans aren't being injured or harmed or wounded or killed... we maintain a presence in a very volatile part of the world where al Qaeda is training, recruiting, equipping and motivating people every single day."<ref>CNN. [http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/14/mccain.king/ "McCain Defends '100 years in Iraq' Statement"] [[February 15]], [[2008]]</ref> |
|McCain has stated that he would keep troops in Iraq for as long as needed, dependent on agreement from the Iraqi government. "As long as Americans aren't being injured or harmed or wounded or killed... we maintain a presence in a very volatile part of the world where al Qaeda is training, recruiting, equipping and motivating people every single day."<ref>CNN. [http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/14/mccain.king/ "McCain Defends '100 years in Iraq' Statement"] [[February 15]], [[2008]]</ref> |
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|In an interview with '' BBC's HARDtalk'' on March 6, 2008, Obama foreign policy adviser Samantha Power stated that Obama's pledge to "have all [US] combat brigades out of Iraq within 16 months"<ref>[http://www.barackobama.com/issues/iraq/ Barack Obama | Change We Can Believe In | Iraq<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> was a "best case scenario" that "he will revisit when he becomes president." She continued, saying that "what we can take seriously is that he will try to get US forces out of Iraq as quickly and responsibly as possible."<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/7281805.stm][http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsa/n5ctrl/progs/08/hardtalk/power_06mar.ram]</ref> |
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|Obama opposed the Iraq war as early as 2002 and has pledged a responsible phased withdrawal<ref>[http://www.barackobama.com/issues/iraq/ Barack Obama | Change We Can Believe In]</ref> |
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|Nader opposes the [[US occupation of Iraq]] on the grounds that “it’s the occupation that is breeding the resistance.”<ref name="naderiraqvid">{{cite web | url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50W4PL93FQw | title=Ralph Nader on ending the occupation of Iraq (Video) | publisher=YouTube | accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> He supports a “responsible, orderly withdrawal” within six months.<ref name=naderiraqvid/> Following withdrawal, he supports inclusion of an international peacekeeping force under UN auspices, promotion of Iraqi self-rule through independent elections, and the providing of humanitarian aid to stabilize the country.<ref name=nadercounter>{{cite news | first= Maria| last=Recio | title= Nader calls for withdrawal of US troops from Iraq| date= April 19, 2004 | publisher= [[Commondreams]] | url = http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0419-09.htm | accessdate = 2008-06-06 }}</ref> |
|Nader opposes the [[US occupation of Iraq]] on the grounds that “it’s the occupation that is breeding the resistance.”<ref name="naderiraqvid">{{cite web | url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50W4PL93FQw | title=Ralph Nader on ending the occupation of Iraq (Video) | publisher=YouTube | accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> He supports a “responsible, orderly withdrawal” within six months.<ref name=naderiraqvid/> Following withdrawal, he supports inclusion of an international peacekeeping force under UN auspices, promotion of Iraqi self-rule through independent elections, and the providing of humanitarian aid to stabilize the country.<ref name=nadercounter>{{cite news | first= Maria| last=Recio | title= Nader calls for withdrawal of US troops from Iraq| date= April 19, 2004 | publisher= [[Commondreams]] | url = http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0419-09.htm | accessdate = 2008-06-06 }}</ref> |
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Revision as of 02:47, 23 August 2008
This article compares the presidential candidates in the United States' 2008 presidential election. It does not cover previous elections. Note that because of ballot access restrictions in the United States, not all candidates may appear on the ballots in all states.
Biographical data
Economic issues
| Chuck Baldwin | Bob Barr | John McCain | Barack Obama | Ralph Nader | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trade | Baldwin would lead the US out of the North American and the Central America Free Trade Agreements.[7] Impose a revenue tariff on all foreign goods to keep jobs in America.[8] | McCain is a strong proponent of free trade.[9] He supports the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the existing General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and U.S. participation in the World Trade Organization (WTO).[9] He opposes including labor and environmental conditions to trade agreements.[9] | Obama supports expanding trade only if the United States' trade partners place labor and environmental standards on their industries to "level the playing field" for the American worker. As President, Obama plans to renegotiate NAFTA to include stricter labor and environmental standards for Canada and Mexico. He has criticized the current agreement for not including such standards, and he also voted against and criticized the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) for similar reasons.[10] | Nader views the NAFTA and the WTO as subverting national regulatory agencies. He blames them for diminishing standards of living (i.e. race to the bottom). Nader supports a constitutional amendment asserting the "sovereignty of people over the power of corporations."[11] | |
| Health Care | Believes in supplying better health care to America's veterans.[7] Supports freedom of choice, opposes compulsory vaccination.[8] | Wants to cut costs by reducing controls and regulations. Believes Medicare and Medicaid are financially unstable, and "need to be transformed to emphasize patient choice, focus on the truly needy, and add cost-saving incentives."[12] | McCain favors tax credits of up to $5,000 for families that get health insurance.[13] "We do not believe in coercion and the use of state power to mandate care, coverage or costs."[13] | Obama's health care plan includes implementing guaranteed eligibility for affordable health care for all Americans.[14] | Nader supports a universal single-payer health care system and full Medicare for everyone.[15] |
| NASA | "As president, Obama will support the development of this vital new platform Crew Exploration Vehicle to ensure that the United States' reliance on foreign space capabilities is limited to the minimum possible time period."[16][17] | ||||
| Taxation and Budget Deficit | Baldwin would work to repeal the Sixteenth Amendment (income tax), inheritance taxes, and property taxes. "We are bankrupting our country with this incessant and burdensome tax system."[7] | Barr supports repealing the Sixteenth Amendment. Mentions the Fair Tax as a possible alternative. "Meaningful tax reform begins with reining in government spending."[18] | While McCain has historically opposed tax cuts in favor of deficit reduction,[19][20] he now favors tax cuts in combination with reduced spending.[21][22][23] McCain believes that lower taxes will stimulate the economy, and that the current deficit is caused by overspending rather than tax cuts.[24] McCain plans to balance the budget by the end of his first term.[22] | Obama advocates responding to the "precarious budget situation" by eliminating "tax credits that have outlived their usefulness", closing corporate tax loopholes, and restoring the PAYGO policy that prohibits increases in federal spending without a way to compensate for the lost revenue.[25] | Nader opposes corporate welfare and seeks to end corporate loopholes, exemptions, credits, accelerated depreciation schedules, deductions, and targeted exceptions.[26] He would balance the national budget by cutting military spending by $100 billion, or about a third, and instituting progressive taxation. "I’d really put meat in the process of progressive taxation," he says. "The richer people are, the more the percentage you pay."[27] |
| Social Security | Phase out Social Security.[8] | Social security is not sustainable.[28] Social Security should be changed to an "individualized system of private accounts."[29] | In June 1999, McCain said "The only way to increase the yield on Social Security dollars is by allowing workers to make investment decisions for themselves; by empowering American families to invest, in most robust portfolios, a portion of their earnings for Social Security that they would otherwise pay in taxes to Social Security."[30] In January 2000, he repeated his strong support for creating private Social Security accounts.[31] | Obama has said that Social Security's funding problem is "real but manageable." He has proposed to fund Social Security by applying payroll taxes to individual income above $250,000 per year, and says that these high-income earners should "pay their fair share." When asked if he would consider raising the retirement age or cutting benefits, Obama did not rule these approaches out entirely, saying, "everything should be on the table." However, he has said that he would not push for either of those approaches, and says that an increase in tax revenue is necessary to stabilize the system. Obama opposes adding personal accounts to Social Security.[32] | Nader views Social Security as "government as it should work -- a coming together of society to ensure that we, as a community, take care of each other as we age or suffer from disabilities."[33] Nader opposes a privatized system that would replace "systemic tranquility with an enforced anxiety". He says people are already able to take risk in the stock market through IRAs, 401Ks and other tax-subsidized private retirement devices.[33] |
| Network Neutrality | McCain is against government regulation of network neutrality unless evidence of abuse exists. He is quoted in May 2007 as saying, "let's see how this thing all turns out, rather than anticipate a problem that so far has not arisen in any significant way,"[34] and, "When you control the pipe you should be able to get profit from your investment."[35][36] | ||||
| Lobbying | Barack Obama does not take lobbyist or PAC contributions. | At the beginning of his campaign, Nader stated that he "will receive no money from commercial interests, no money from political action committees, only from individuals."[15] He sees Washington D.C. as "corporate-occupied territory, every department agency controlled by overwhelming presence of corporate lobbyists, corporate executives in high government positions."[15] He supports public financing of campaigns and free TV and radio time for ballot qualified candidates.[37] | |||
| Transportation | McCain is opposed to federal funding of Amtrak. He considers it to be a "pork barrel project", particularly as far as longer distance trains are concerned.[38][39]
He has also argued for more stringent safety standards with respect to cars.[40] |
Nader was instrumental in the unanimous passage of the 1966 National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.[41] | |||
| Labor | Impose a revenue tariff on all foreign goods to keep jobs in America.[8] | Nader promises to repeal the Taft-Hartley Act.[15] He supports an increase in the minimum wage to $10 an hour to give low-wage workers "a fair return for their work".[42][43] Nader supports family farms and opposes large agribusiness.[44] He is credited with helping pass the Mine Health and Safety Act (1977), Whistleblower Protection Act (1989), and OSHA (1970) - all three are fundamental to modern labor protection.[41] | |||
| Money | Baldwin would eliminate the Federal Reserve and move the US from fiat currency back to hard money.[7] | "Congress must insist on accountability and transparency in the Federal Reserve’s operation, while reconsidering the Fed’s almost total control over the money supply."[45] |
Foreign policy
| Chuck Baldwin | Bob Barr | John McCain | Barack Obama | Ralph Nader | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arab-Israeli Conflict | In a speech to AIPAC on April 23, 2002, McCain said that "no American leader should be expected to sell a false peace to our ally, consider Israel's right to self-defense less legitimate than ours, or insist that Israel negotiate a political settlement while terrorism remains the Palestinians' preferred bargaining tool."[46] | Referring to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in January 2006, Obama denounced Hamas while praising former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. At a meeting with then Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom on the eve of Hamas' sweeping election victory,[47] Obama stated that Sharon's role in the conflict had always been "absolutely important and constructive."[48] | Nader supports the Israeli peace movement and views resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as central to national security.[49][50] Nader was critical of the US-supported bombing of Lebanon in 2006, seeing it as collective punishment.[49] Nader wants enforcement of UN resolutions concerning Israel and a peaceful two-state solution.[49] | ||
| Iraq | Baldwin has stated that the US's involvement in Iraq is clearly unconstitutional as well as unnecessary, and would begin safely withdrawing troops.[7] | Barr considers the invasion and occupation of Iraq to have been mistakes. American presence "emboldens both insurgents and terrorists", and has cost "hundreds of billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars." He supports "withdrawal without undue delay."[51] | McCain has stated that he would keep troops in Iraq for as long as needed, dependent on agreement from the Iraqi government. "As long as Americans aren't being injured or harmed or wounded or killed... we maintain a presence in a very volatile part of the world where al Qaeda is training, recruiting, equipping and motivating people every single day."[52] | Obama opposed the Iraq war as early as 2002 and has pledged a responsible phased withdrawal[53] | Nader opposes the US occupation of Iraq on the grounds that “it’s the occupation that is breeding the resistance.”[54] He supports a “responsible, orderly withdrawal” within six months.[54] Following withdrawal, he supports inclusion of an international peacekeeping force under UN auspices, promotion of Iraqi self-rule through independent elections, and the providing of humanitarian aid to stabilize the country.[55] |
| Iran | John McCain has called the crisis with Iran "the most serious crisis we have faced - outside of the entire war on terror - since the end of the Cold War." "Nuclear capability in Iran is unacceptable," said McCain. McCain has criticized Russia and China for causing "gridlock" in the UN Security Council and preventing the sanctioning of Iran as well as other areas of conflict such as Darfur and Burma. If elected, McCain pledges to create a "league of democracies" with the purpose of addressing those conflicts without the approval of China and Russia. [56][57] | Speaking to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee on 2 March 2007, Obama stated that he regards Iran's government as "a threat to all of us," stating that the US "should take no option, including military action, off the table. Sustained and aggressive diplomacy combined with tough sanctions should be our primary means to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons."[58] | Nader believes the US must stop “saber rattling” with Iran and take up Iran's proposal in 2003 to negotiate all outstanding issues between the US and Iran.[50] | ||
| Darfur | In a December 2005 Washington Post opinion column, and at the Save Darfur rally in April 2006, Obama called for more assertive action to oppose genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan.[59] He has divested $180,000 in personal holdings of Sudan-related stock, and has urged divestment from companies doing business in Iran.[60] | Nader believes the US could do more to end the genocide in Darfur. He would refuse normalized relations with the Government of Sudan “until the Sudanese government removes all obstacles to the full deployment of the multilateral UNAMID, fully implements the CPA, and engages in good faith in a comprehensive, open and inclusive peace process.”[61] | |||
| Nuclear Weapons | McCain voted in favor of the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction in 1991.[62] He voted to ratify the START II strategic arms limitation treaty in 1996.[63] McCain voted against the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in 1999.[64] In March 2008, McCain said that United States should reduce its nuclear arsenal to encourage other nations to reduce their arsenals. | Obama has spoken out against nuclear proliferation. According to his campaign website, Obama will "crack down on nuclear proliferation by strengthening the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty."[65] Obama has also vowed to stop the development of new American nuclear arms, pursuing an ultimate goal of "a world without nuclear weapons."[65] | Nader describes nuclear weapons as “horrifying” and supports the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He would adopt a no-first use policy, take all nuclear missiles off “hair-trigger” alert, and push for ratification of the START II and Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.[66] | ||
| North Korea | In October 2006, McCain said that he believed the former President Bill Clinton and his administration were to blame for the North Korea's weapons of mass destruction. He said that the U.S. had "concluded an unenforceable and untransparent agreement", allowing North Korea to keep plutonium rods in a reactor. [67] | ||||
| Pakistan | McCain maintains a relatively moderate stance concerning Pakistan, although he has recognized the South Asian nation as an important part of US Foreign Policy. In the aftermath of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination (in December 2007) McCain appeared to rule out the option of US forces entering Pakistan, saying that it was not an appropriate time to "threaten" Pakistan.[68] | On August 1, 2007 Obama declared in a foreign policy speech that the United States must be willing to strike al Qaeda targets inside Pakistan, with or without the consent of the Pakistani government. He claimed that if elected, "If we have actionable intelligence about high value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won't act, we will".[69] | Nader has said that military action against Pakistan is off the table. | ||
| Extrajudical Prisioners | In October 2005, McCain, a former POW, introduced the McCain Detainee Amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill for 2005. That month, the U.S. Senate voted 90-9 to support the amendment.[70]In October 2007, McCain said of waterboarding that, "They [other presidential candidates] should know what it is. It is not a complicated procedure. It is torture."[71] However, in February 2008 he voted against HR 2082, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which included provisions that would have prevented the CIA from waterboarding prisoners. | Obama voted against the Military Commissions Act of 2006[72] and later voted to restore habeas corpus to those detained by the U.S. (which had been stripped by the Military Commissions Act).[73] He has advocated closing the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, but has not supported two specific bills that would have done so.[74] Obama opposes the use of torture[75] | Nader views CIA kidnapping and extraordinary rendition as leading to diminished respect around the world.[61] "Constitutional crimes against due process, probable cause, habeas corpus, together with torture and indefinite imprisonment... will worsen and erode American jurisprudence with serious consequences for both the nation's security and its liberties."[76] | ||
| Armenian Genocide | At a town hall meeting January 6, 2008 McCain was reported to have answered a question on the Armenian Genocide by noting that he recognizes the Armenian Genocide, but opposes the
Armenian Genocide Resolution due to the Turkish government's sensitivities.[77] |
On January 19, 2008 Obama announced that as a U.S. Senator, he has stood with the Armenian American community in calling for Turkey's acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide, and supports its recognition. In 2006, Obama criticized Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for firing United States Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he used the term "genocide" to describe Turkey's killing of hundreds of thousands of Armenians.[78] On June, 2008 Obama restated his commitment to U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide in a letter to ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.[79]. | |||
| China | China is a potential military threat, and economic policies toward her weaken key America industries.[7] | ||||
| Foreign Aid | Baldwin believes that the US is not the world's policeman, and would end all foreign aid and interventionist policies.[7] | "[F]oreign aid has proved to be a drain on the U.S. economy while doing little good for the recipients. Aid is routinely used by corrupt foreign governments to oppress their people and enrich powerful elites. Foreign aid almost always discourages economic and political reform, while subsidizing nations which often work against U.S. interests."[80] | |||
| United Nations | Baldwin would withdraw the US from the United Nations, perceiving it to be a threat to American sovereignty.[7] |
Social issues
Energy and environment
| Chuck Baldwin | Bob Barr | John McCain | Cynthia McKinney | Barack Obama | Ralph Nader | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environment | McCain's stances on global warming and other environmental issues have often put him at odds with the Bush administration and other Republicans. For example, he has generally opposed drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.[81] According to the League of Conservation Voters' 2006 National Environmental Scorecard, McCain took an "anti-environment" stance on four of seven environmental resolutions during the second session of the 109th congress. The four resolutions dealt with issues such as offshore drilling, an Arctic national wildlife refuge, low-income energy assistance, and environmental funding. [82] McCain's measures to lower auto emissions include higher fines for not complying with CAFE standards, calling for a level playing field for all alcohol-based biofuels, issuing a Clean Car Challenge to automakers (a US$5,000 dollar tax credit for each and every customer who buys a zero-emissions car) and awarding a substantial prize to the auto company that develops a next-generation car battery.[83] | McKinney plans to create a cap on production and consumption as well as add organic farming, sustainability, and GM to the current Farm Bill. She also plans to assess toxic levels after Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. She voted yes on further AMTRAK funding and no on changing the Endangered Species Act of 1973. She also voted down a bill that allowed commercial logging on public land.[84] | Obama has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 by creating a market-based cap-and-trade system.[citation needed] Obama also has plans for improving air and water quality through reduced carbon emissions.[citation needed] Obama worked as a member of the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works during the 109th Congress.[85] | Nader is credited with helping the Clean Air Act (1970) and Safe Drinking Water Act (1974).[41] He was one of the first public figures to advocate renewable energy during the 1970s.[86] Nader supports mandatory standards for recycling and precycling, especially in areas of government control.[87] | ||
| Energy | Would dissolve the Department of Energy. Believes in American energy independence by repealing prohibitions on domestic oil drilling, oil refineries, and nuclear plants.[7] | Says the free market needs to be the foundation of the United States' energy policy. Supports drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.[88] | McCain gave a major speech on his energy policy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He connected energy independence with national security, climate change, and the environment.[89][90] McCain proposed increasing ethanol imports and moving from exploration to production of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. He said that US dependence on foreign oil is "a major strategic vulnerability, a serious threat to our security, our economy and the well being of our planet." He is co-sponsor of a Senate cap-and-trade bill designed to limit greenhouse gas emissions,[91] and is seen as a bipartisan leader on the issue.
McCain supports the increased use of nuclear energy in the US and reduce renewable sources to produce electricity. He has promoted the expanded use of nuclear power, calling for 45 new nuclear reactors to be built by 2030. [92] |
McKinney wants to leave Alaskan oil in the ground, declare the U.S. carbon-free and nuclear-free, and implement the Kyoto Treaty. She has voted no on scheduling permitting for new oil refineries and authorizing construction of new oil refineries. She has voted yes on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore, raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels, prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR, and starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. [93] | Obama proposes to reduce overall U.S. oil consumption by at least 35%, or 10 million barrels per day, by 2030 to offset imports from OPEC nations.[94][95] Obama and other Senators introduced the BioFuels Security Act in 2006. Regarding the domestic use of nuclear power, about McCain´s plans for 45 new plants, Obama said that it's not serious, it's not new, it's not the kind of energy policy that will give families the relief they need. [96]Barack Obama declared himself flatly opposed to building a nuclear waste repository in Nevada and has called for the facility's closure [97] [98]. Obama and other Senators introduced a bill in 2007 to promote the development of commercially viable plug-in hybrids and other electric-drive vehicles in order to shift away from petroleum fuels and "toward much cleaner – and cheaper – electricity for transportation".[99] | Nader is a strong supporter of solar energy and wants to end government subsidies for the fossil fuel and nuclear energy industries.[87] He says "technologies are way ahead of the political framework" and envisions a "massive conversion from a hydrocarbon-based economy to a carbohydrate-based economy" within 20 to 25 years.[87][86] He opposes corn ethanol "which has a very poor net energy and water-usage characteristic" in favor of cellulosic ethanol.[86] He says that cap-and-trade programs "can be easily manipulated" and wants to tax inefficient technology and pollution at the production source.[86] |
Other social issues
| Chuck Baldwin | Bob Barr | John McCain | Cynthia McKinney | Barack Obama | Ralph Nader | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LGBT Issues | Barr opposes any federal definition of marriage, whether by statute or constitutional amendment. He believes the states should be free to determine what constitutes marriage.[100] | In 2004, McCain voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment, arguing that each state should be able to choose whether to recognize same-sex marriage.[101][102] He supported the failed 2006 Arizona initiative to ban gay marriage.[103] | Supports gay adoption and has a HRC 80# pro-gay-status rating.[104] | Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment which would have defined marriage as between one man and one woman, but personally believes that marriage is defined as a religious bond between a man and a woman. He supports civil unions that would carry equal legal standing to that of marriage for same-sex couples, but believes that decisions about the title of marriage should be left to the states.[105][106][107] | Nader opposes DOMA and the miltary's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy.[108] He says, "We've got to get rid of this discrimination, this chilling, this bigotry toward gays and lesbians that are reflected in literally hundreds and hundreds of statutes and regulations in this country."[109] | |
| Abortion | Baldwin would use the bully pulpit to encourage Congress to pass Ron Paul's Sanctity of Life Act. Would deny federal funds to abortion clinics.[7] | On February 18, 2007, John McCain stated, "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."[110] | In his write-in response to a 1998 survey, Obama stated his abortion position as: "Abortions should be legally available in accordance with Roe v. Wade."[111] While serving in the Illinois Senate, Obama received a 100 percent rating from the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council[112] While a member of the Illinois Senate Obama twice voted against his state's version of the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act | Nader is pro-choice, "I don't think government has the proper role in forcing a woman to have a child or forcing a woman not to have a child... This is something that should be privately decided with the family, woman, all the other private factors of it, but we should work toward preventing the necessity of abortion."[113] | ||
| Gun Control | Baldwin "would be the best friend that gun owners (and lawful gun dealers) […] ever had in the White House".[7] | Supports the right to bear arms as an individual right. "I oppose any law requiring registration of, or restricting the ownership, manufacture, or transfer or sale of firearms or ammunition to law-abiding citizens."[114] | ||||
| Immigration | Baldwin would enforce visa rules, and does not support a "path to citizenship"/amnesty for aliens currently residing in the US illegally. Employers who knowingly hire illegals would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Would end "birthright citizenship", and thus end the problem of "anchor babies". No federal monies would be used for any services to illegal aliens.[7] | Supports better border security to crack down on illegal immigration while also supporting reforms that will "sharply increase" legal immigration. Supports ending birthright citizenship and ending government benefits and services for illegal immigrants.[115] | McCain has promoted the legislation and eventually the granting of citizenship to the estimated 12–20 million illegal aliens in the United States and the creation of an additional guest worker program with an option for permanent immigration. In his bid for the 2000 Presidential nomination, McCain supported expansion of the H-1B visa program, a temporary visa for skilled workers.[116] In 2005, he co-sponsored a bill with Ted Kennedy that would expand use of guest worker visas.[117] | Obama supports a guest worker program.[118] | Nader does not support open-borders, which he says will create a "cheap-wage policy" for businesses.[119] He supports giving illegal workers, who have their taxes withheld, the same labor standards and benefits as American workers.[120] He says the government should "crack down" on employers and stop "brain draining" Thid World countries with H-1B visas.[120] | |
| Stem Cell Research | McCain is a member of The Republican Main Street Partnership and supports embryonic stem cell research despite his earlier opposition.[121] He states that he believes that stem cell research, and indeed embryonic stem cell research, will continue whether or not the U.S. sanctions it, and so it would be the wisest course of action to support it to the extent that the United States will be able to regulate and monitor the use.[citation needed] | Obama supports embryonic stem cell research and was a co-sponsor[122] of the 2005 Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act which was passed by both houses of Congress but vetoed by President George W. Bush.[citation needed] | Nader supports stem cell research. Through his Consumer Project on Technology, he seeks to ensure that research conducted with public money is freely available to the public, and not held back by corporate and university patents.[50] | |||
| Education | Baldwin "would be the best friend that […] homeschoolers […] ever had in the White House". Would disband the Department of Education.[7] | Would abolish the Department of Education and eliminate federal grants and regulation; also opposes No Child Left Behind. Believes the education should return to the local level. Supports state-level tax credits to parents who use private education or homeschool. "Ultimately, education will best serve the children of America if it occurs within a competitive private system rather than a government system."[123] | McCain supports the use of school vouchers.[124] In 2006 he said, "Should [intelligent design] be taught as a science class? Probably not."[125]On July 29, 2007, McCain voted against increasing federal student loans and Pell grants and expanding eligibility for financial aid.[126][127] | During an October 2004 debate, Obama stated that he opposed education vouchers for use at private schools because he believes they would undermine public schools.[128][129] | ||
| Patriot Act | During the Libertarian Convention, Barr said of Patriot Act: "I'd drive a stake through its heart, shoot it, burn it, cut off its head, burn it again, and scatter its ashes to the four corners of the world."[130] | McCain voted to extend the wiretap provision in the Patriot Act. He also voted to reauthorize the Patriot Act in 2006.[131] | Obama called for the repeal of the Patriot Act in 2003.[132] He voted for the reauthorization of the Patriot Act in 2006. [133] He supported recent FISA legislation giving telecommunications corporations immunity for cooperating with warrantless surveilance programs.[134] | Nader has called for the repeal of the Patriot Act. He has stated that it has eroded civil liberties and due process of law, particularly for Muslims and Arab Americans.[135] [136] | ||
| War on Drugs |
Expanded candidate list
See also
- List of candidates in the United States presidential election, 2008
- Democratic Party (United States) presidential candidates, 2008
- Republican Party (United States) presidential candidates, 2008
- Third party (United States) presidential candidates, 2008
References
- ^ "OBAMA, Barack - Biographical Information".
- ^ "Barack Obama - U.S. Senator for Illinois".
- ^ Senate Financial Disclosure Form, OpenSecrets.org (2005). Retrieved 2008-02-21.
- ^ Cynthia A. McKinney: Campaign Finance/Money - Other Data - Congressman 2006 | OpenSecrets
- ^ "Candidates/Ralph Nader". CNN. Retrieved 2008-06-07.
- ^ "CRP: Personal Financial Disclosure Reports".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "If I Were President".
- ^ a b c d "Chuck Baldwin on the issues".
- ^ a b c "John McCain on Free Trade". On the Issues. Retrieved 2008-04-19.
- ^ VoteGopher.com: Barack Obama on Trade & Globalization
- ^ "Ralph Nader on international trade, NAFTA, and the WTO (Video)". YouTube. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
- ^ "Bob Barr on: Healthcare".
- ^ a b McCain's Health Care Proposal WashingtonPost.com, Oct. 10, 2007
- ^ [http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/ BarackObama.com - Healthcare
- ^ a b c d "'Meet the Press' transcript for Feb. 24, 2008: Ralph Nader, David Brooks, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Michele Norris, Chuck Todd". NBC News' Meet the Press. National Broadcasting Company. February 24, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Barack Obama's Plan For American Leadership in Space
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- ^ McCain is the GOP's best choice for president Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Feb. 16, 2008
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- ^ a b "Reforming Washington to Regain the Trust of Taxpayers". JohnMcCain.com. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
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{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - "spending got out of control, and that obviously caused the deficit...our problem that we have today, is spending and not keeping taxes low and stimulating the economy" - ^ "Barack Obama on Budget & Economy"; ontheissues.org
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{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) Obama, Barack (August 30, 2007). "Hit Iran Where It Hurts". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2008-01-14.{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Nader, Ralph (April 11, 2008). "Open letter to George W. Bush (on Darfur)". nader.org. Retrieved 2008-06-06. Cite error: The named reference "naderdarfur" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
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{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "McCain Rebukes Giuliani on Waterboarding Remark". New York Times. October 26, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes". Retrieved 2007-12-10.
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{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Cynthia McKinney on the Issues
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{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Statement of Support for Stem Cell Research, Barack Obama, U.S. Senator for Illinois
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{{citation}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link). - ^ Project Vote Smart. "Senator Barack H. Obama Jr. (IL)". Retrieved 2008-05-14.
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