A look at where presidential candidates stand on the issues
WASHINGTON — The stands of these 2008 presidential candidates on a selection of issues: New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, Democrats; former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Arizona Sen. John McCain, Republicans.
Abortion
Favor abortion rights?
Clinton: Yes.
Obama: Yes.
Huckabee: No. Favors constitutional amendment banning abortion rights.
McCain: No. Says Roe v. Wade should be overturned.
Economic Stimulus
A $161 billion package worked out by President Bush and lawmakers would provide tax rebates of up to $600 a worker or $1,200 a working couple, plus $300 a child. The package passed the House and is pending in the Senate, where some want to expand it.
Clinton: $110 billion stimulus, including $40 billion in tax rebates of $250 for low- and middle-income taxpayers.
Obama: $250 rebates to low and middle-income earners and $250 bonuses to Social Security recipients.
Huckabee: Supports Washington stimulus plan but questions “whose economy is going to be stimulated the most” if package is financed by foreign lenders and used to buy products made in China.
McCain:Cut corporate tax to 25 percent, let companies expense investments in equipment and technology in year of purchase instead of spread out.
Education
Clinton: $10 billion for universal preschool. More money for special education. Opposes performance-based merit pay for teachers, favors incentives for teachers who work in places and on subjects where shortages exist. Supported No Child Left Behind accountability law but says it has not been properly financed or run, and should be replaced. $10,000 higher education scholarships for all who engage in national service full-time for a year. Raise value of tuition tax credit to a maximum $3,500 from $1,650. :
Obama: Encourage but not require universal pre-kindergarten programs, expand teacher mentoring programs and reward teachers with higher pay not tied to standardized test scores, in $18 billion plan to be paid for in part by delaying elements of moon and Mars missions. Change No Child Left Behind “so that we’re not just teaching to a test and crowding out programs like art and music.” Tax credit to pay up to $4,000 of college expenses for students who perform 100 hours of community service a year.
Huckabee: States are responsible for education and should be given more authority to run it, not Washington.
McCain: Favors parental choice of schools, including vouchers for private schools when approved by local officials, and right of parents to choose home schooling. More money for community college education.
Gay Marriage
Prohibit it with constitutional amendment?
Clinton: No.
Obama: No.
Huckabee: Yes.
McCain: No.
Gun control
Clinton: Voted for ban on assault-type weapons and to require background checks at gun shows. Favored leaving gun-makers and dealers open to civil suits. Also, in 2000 supported proposals for a federal requirement for state-issued photo gun licenses, as well as a national registry for handgun sales.
Obama: Voted to leave gun-makers and dealers open to suit. Also, as Illinois state lawmaker, supported ban on all forms of semiautomatic weapons and tighter state restrictions generally on firearms.
Huckabee: Supports state laws allowing people to carry concealed weapons and a national “right to carry” law that would require states to recognize concealed weapons permits issued by other states.
McCain: Voted against ban on assault-type weapons, but in favor of requiring background checks at gun shows. Voted to shield gun-makers and dealers from civil suits.
Immigration
Support legal status for illegal aliens?
Clinton: Voted for 2006 bill that proposed conditional path to citizenship, and supported border fence.
Obama: Voted for 2006 bill that proposed conditional path to citizenship for illegal aliens; backed border fence.
Huckabee: Has favored allowing illegal aliens who are in the country to apply for legal status if they pay penalties, get guest worker permits, register with authorities and aren’t allowed to jump in line ahead of other applicants. As governor, opposed banning state services for illegal immigrants.
McCain: Sponsored 2006 bill that would have allowed illegal immigrants to stay in the U.S., work and apply to become legal residents after learning English, paying fines and back taxes and clearing a background check. Now says he would secure the border first. Supports border fence.
Iraq
Clinton: Voted for war, opposed troop increase, has not committed to withdrawal timetable.
Obama: “Our combat troops out within 16 months.” Opposed troop increase, spoke against war at start.
Huckabee: Now faults Bush for not sending enough troops to Iraq at the start. Supported the 2007 troop increase and would not withdraw forces any faster than recommended by commanders.
McCain: Opposes scheduling a troop withdrawal, saying latest strategy is succeeding. Supported decision to go to war, but was early critic of the manner in which administration prosecuted it. Key backer of the troop increase.
Taxes
Clinton: Raise income taxes on wealthiest and keep estate tax on them. Higher tax breaks for college. Also, would tax a portion of health insurance benefits provided to workers making more than $250,000. $1 billion paid family leave program to be financed by eliminating some tax shelters.
Obama: Raise income taxes on wealthiest and their capital gains and dividends taxes. Raise corporate taxes. $80 billion in tax breaks mainly for poor workers and elderly, including tripling Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credit for larger families. Eliminate tax-filing requirement for older workers making under $50,000. A mortgage-interest credit could be used by lower-income homeowners who do not take the mortgage interest deduction because they do not itemize their taxes.
Huckabee: Replace income and investment taxes with national sales tax, sheltering purchases up to poverty line.
McCain: Twice opposed Bush’s tax cuts, at first because he said they were tilted to the wealthiest and again because of the unknown costs of Iraq war. Now says those tax cuts, expiring in 2010, should be permanent. Proposes cutting corporate tax rate to 25 percent.
Feb 18, 2008 at 7:27 p.m.
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Seems like Ron Paul is being totally ignored. Guess the New World Order bunch doesn't want him to have a voice.
Feb 18, 2008 at 8:27 a.m.
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What about Ron Paul?
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/
Feb 18, 2008 at 1:33 a.m.
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2008 WorldNetDaily
WASHINGTON – The electrifying presidential campaign of Barack Obama faces a new challenge – a Minnesota man who claims he took cocaine in 1999 with the then-Illinois legislator and participated in homosexual acts with him.
When his story was ignored by the news media, Larry Sinclair made his case last month in a YouTube video, which has now been viewed more than a quarter-million times. And when it was still ignored by the media, Sinclair filed a suit in Minnesota District Court, alleging threats and intimidation by Obama’s staff.
Sinclair, who says he is willing to submit to a polygraph test to validate his claims, will now get his chance – thanks to a website offering $10,000 for the right to record it and $100,000 to Sinclair if he passes.
“My motivation for making this public is my desire for a presidential candidate to be honest,” Sinclair told WND by telephone. “I didn’t want the sex thing to come out. But I think it is important for the candidate to be honest about his drug use as late as 1999.”
Sinclair, who lives in Duluth and describes himself as “gay,” claims he “personally engaged in sexual activity and personally used illegal drugs in November 1999″ with the man who is now the leading Democratic presidential candidate. He claims the activity took place in the back of Sinclair’s limousine and occurred again, later, in his hotel. Sinclair also says he personally no longer uses drugs.
In his lawsuit, filed last week, he charges his civil rights have been violated by Obama and the Democratic Party. Named as defendants in the case are the presidential candidate, David Axelrod of AKP Message and Media in Chicago and the Democratic National Committee.
Sinclair charges Obama smoked crack cocaine in the limo while Sinclair snorted powdered cocaine provided by the legislator. He says the two met in an upscale Chicago lounge before leaving in Sinclair’s limousine where the drug use and sex took place for the first time.
Sinclair says he is a registered Democrat but has never voted for any candidate. He is 46 and claims to be physically disabled.
He says he was not physically impaired in 1999 when the alleged incidents with Obama took place.
Calls placed to the Obama campaign were not returned.
When his story was ignored by the news media, Larry Sinclair made his case last month in a YouTube video, which has now been viewed more than a quarter-million times. And when it was still ignored by the media, Sinclair filed a suit in Minnesota District Court, alleging threats and intimidation by Obama's staff.
this is the link copy it to your search
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVeFVtcdS... url=http:%2F%2Fwww.anorak.co.uk%2Fpoliticians%2F 179725.html
See Larry Sinclair's allegations:
Larry Sinclair lawsuit, pages1-2-3
http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&am... =56627
http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&am... =56628
http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&am... =566
Feb 17, 2008 at 8:48 p.m.
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This article does not reflect Governor Huckabee's stand on illegal immigration! Please use this link to visit his website:
http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=...
Illegal immigration is an extremely important issue, and millions support Huckabee because of his tough stand and excellent plan to fully address it.
Feb 17, 2008 at 4:10 p.m.
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I think the real interesting question is, how longcan our political system sustain itself before the house comes crashing down? I give it another century, tops.
Feb 17, 2008 at 3:58 p.m.
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I think we should have a politician cage match, and then have them sing and dance and we can all text our vote in at the end of the show.
Feb 17, 2008 at 10:41 a.m.
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Man I'm sick of the choices I will just vote for myself!
Feb 17, 2008 at 9:45 a.m.
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It bothers me a little that everyone assumes that they can predict what a politician will do by examining their voting records. Events do not occur in a vacuum (other than quantum events) and politicians rule by the will of the people. You can look to their campaign promises, but these are not to be taken too seriously. Congress and special interests will have a lot to say about when or how these will be implemented, as will citizens who are opposed to your favorite gimme. If you think consistency is a virtue, then take Bush, please. In the beginning he was for the war, later he was for the war, then he was for the war, and now he is for the war.
Feb 17, 2008 at 9:16 a.m.
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Rhonda:
Dont forget factcheck.org
Feb 17, 2008 at 9:01 a.m.
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Other than Huckabee, if it moves, tax it, abort all babies and open our borders to all illegals.
Feb 17, 2008 at 8:07 a.m.
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The quizzes listed are somewhat entertaining, but the glassbooth.org website lets you explore the candidates views on issues, quotes they've made, and their voting history. The website 2008electionprocon.org allows you to explore candidate's views as well as watch previous debates, speeches, videos and how to contact them. It also gives background on presidential elections in general.
I'm not saying base your vote on these websites, but I think that people need to be informed before voting. Many times people vote a particular party or vote based on someone else's view instead of knowing any issues and where the candidates stand.
A great example of this is people who vote the way their parents or spouse always have or employees who vote based on what their employers or unions suggest, but when you ask them why they voted for a particular candidate, all they can say is because that's the way they always vote which is based on someone else's opinion. And when you ask them where their particular candidate stands on an issue and how it affects them, they don't have a clue.
I was taught in school to take elections seriously and do your research before making a decision and don't let others make your decision for you, but a lot of people do and that is why I suggested the candidate quiz websites, so people can answer questions about their viewpoints and then find out which candidate seems to best represent them. Then they can follow up with researching the particular candidates further to see if they are the best choice for them.
I also agree that if you are just going to let a quiz decide for you then just stay home, but more so if you are going to let an employer, organization, or family history decide your vote the same holds true.
Exercise your right to vote on all levels of government and if you don't then you have no business complaining about the way things are.
Feb 17, 2008 at 1:51 a.m.
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These sites are so skewed that if you really count on them to make the choice for you, you should stay home on election day.
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I will admit, they are entertaining but that's all they're good for. If people can't read, watch and listen to make informed decisions on their own, without resorting to filling in the blanks, they really should not vote.
Feb 17, 2008 at 1:25 a.m.
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Here is a list of some of the interactive websites that help with deciding which 2008 presidential candidate most resembles your values and issues. The nice thing about taking these various tests is to find out who truly is right for you based on what you believe in rather than voting by party, family tradition, or what one person or organization suggests. Take the test you might be surprised. I hope these links work and if not just copy them into your browser:
http://www.vajoe.com/candidate_calculato...
http://glassbooth.org/
http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=25...
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/el...
Feb 17, 2008 at 12:27 a.m.
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Thank you Janesville Gazette.
We've watched portions of several debates and I still didn't have as much infomation about the issues as you offered in this article today.
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