Politics & Gov / Campaigns & Elections / Presidential Candidates

U.S. Presidential Candidate Links & SMS Positions

Biography
Barack Hussein Obama Jr. Democrat U.S. Senator from Illinois DOB: August 4,1961- 47 years old Married to Michelle Robinson since 1992 2 Daughters: Malia and Sasha		John Sidney McCain Republican U.S. Senator from Arizona DOB: August 29,1936- 72 years old Married to Cindy Hensley since 1980 (2nd wife) 7 Children: Sydney McCain, Doug Shepp, Andy Shepp, Meghan McCain, John Sidney McCain IV, James McCain, Bridget McCain
Resume
Harvard Law School, J.D., 1991 Columbia University, B.A., 1983	Education	National War College, attended courses, 1973-4 United States Naval Academy, B.S., 1958
U.S. Senator from Illinois, 2005-present Illinois State Senator, 1997-2004	Political Experience	U.S. Senator from Arizona, 1987-present U.S. Representative from Arizona, 1983-1987
Christian; previously attended Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago before he disavowed Rev. Wright	Religion	Raised Episcopalian. Attends Baptist church but has not formally joined

Running Mates
Joseph Biden		Sarah Palin
Campaign
Barack Obama for President site Obama Senate site	Web Sites	John McCain for President site McCain Senate site
Current Campaign Funding 2006 Congressional Disclosure (web) 2007 Congressional Disclosure (pdf)	Finances	Current Campaign Funding 2006 Congressional Disclosure (web) 2007 Congressional Disclosure (pdf)
New York Times Google News	Latest News	New York Times Google News
Obama upcoming events	Calendar	McCain upcoming events
Statements made on Issues Sen. Obama's Voting Record	On The Issues	Statements made on Issues Sen. McCain's Voting Record
Favorable/Unfavorable	Polls Head-to-Head	Favorable/Unfavorable

Campaign Priorities
SMS Quick Answer: Obama: Reform national politics, end the war in Iraq, end foreign energy dependence, and provide a national system for health care.		SMS Quick Answer: McCain: Keeping the nation safe and stressing national security, secure the border, bring spending under control, veto pork-barrel spending bills, and keep taxes low.

Economy
Obama argues that the current economy is a "winner-take-all" system where benefits from economic growth mostly go to the wealthy. He says that the position of workers is too weak, and that "the American Dream is slipping out of reach for many families whose paychecks aren't meeting the increased costs of their medical bills and tuition payments." Obama says he believes in the natural efficacy of free markets, but argues that an appropriate government response is necessary for a successful transition. On the current financial market crisis, Obama says "we need a more institutional response" to the current problems with failing institutions. He says he "fully supports" the Fed and Treasury's efforts to deal with the financial crisis, but in the long term he calls for better leadership and regulation of financial markets. (Chicago Tribune)		McCain has said that the economy is "of great concern right now." He believes that low tax rates and business-friendly policies help promote growth and keep the economy strong. He generally supports less government involvement in the economy. Regarding the current financial market crisis, McCain said he would order the secretary of the treasury to buy up bad mortgages and renegotiate them so homeowners could make the payments and stay in their homes. The senator has not publicly disagreed with any Fed or Treasury decisions, and he supported the bailouts of Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and AIG. But he says that the Treasury needs to articulate and follow consistent policies on what sort of companies get bailed out, and that the Fed "needs to get out of the business of bailouts." (Chicago Tribune)
SMS Quick Answer: Economy and tax code are too skewed toward wealthy; supports more regulation of financial institutions and tax cuts for the middle class.		SMS Quick Answer: Wants Gov't to buy up bad mortgages. Proposes budget freeze, tax cuts for wealthy and corporations to fix the economy.


Taxes
Sen. Obama has plans to restore fairness to the tax code. Here are some of his ideas: Obama wants to limit the Bush tax cuts to households who earn under $250,000 a year. He also wants to adjust the AMT (Alternative Minimum Tax) so that it does not affect most middle-income taxpayers. To help pay for the tax cut costs, Obama would like to raise the capital gains tax to somewhere between 20%-28%. Obama would also like to close corporate tax loopholes.		McCain would like to extend the Bush tax cuts permanently for every household. He also wants to eliminate the AMT (Alternative Minimum Tax) for everyone, including the wealthy taxpayers it was aimed at. Unlike Obama, he would keep the capital gains tax where it is but he would also cut the corporate tax. McCain would like to double exemptions for dependents to $7000 as well as simplify the tax rules and rates.
SMS Quick Answer: Plans tax cuts for lower- and middle-income people, financed through capital gains tax increases and closing corporate tax loopholes.		SMS Quick Answer: Now supports Bush's tax plans. Proposes tax cuts aimed at upper-income and corporate targets. Plans gov't spending cuts to finance tax cuts.

Health Care
Ideally, Obama would like all Americans to have free health insurance. He would set up a marketplace where families and individuals can choose between private plans and government-run plans like Medicare. Insurance companies would be required to insure people regardless of whether they were sick or not. Parents would be required to insure their children. Large companies would be required to either offer acceptable insurance plans, or pay into the government's health fund.		McCain's health care reform would begin with opening up the insurance market. He would like to allow insurers to sell across state lines and create a more competitive and efficient insurance arena that gives people more options. He would extend a tax credit of $5,000 to families and $2,500 to individuals to subsidize insurance costs and would increase this subsidy at the rate of inflation.
SMS Quick Answer: Employers either provide insurance under new rules or contribute to a new gov't. fund. Mandated coverage for children under 25.		SMS Quick Answer: Decrease regulations to promote competition, allow insurers to sell across state lines, extend tax credit to subsidize new insurance costs.

War in Iraq
Obama still believes that Iraq posed no immediate threat and that the Iraq war could have and should have been avoided. Obama would like to have the troops out of Iraq by 2010, at a pace of 2 brigades per month. Obama does agree that a residual force is needed in Iraq to protect embassy and points of interest to strike against Al Qaeda bases. Obama would like to strike a balance between force and diplomacy when dealing with either friends or foes. Stresses less unilateral action, and more cooperation and collaboration.		Believes the invasion of Iraq was necessary and that we could be there 100 years if it means the nation is both stable and peaceful. However, McCain envisions a 2013 exit from Iraq. He feels that a continued presence of U.S. troops should help Iraq obtain national security and stabilize the region.
SMS Quick Answer: Targets 2010 date for clearing troops from Iraq. Promotes diplomacy over force. Wants limited force to protect embassy's & interests.		SMS Quick Answer: Continued U.S presence helps Iraq retain national security and stabilizes the region. Feels war was necessary. Envisions a 2013 exit.

Education
At the first levels, Obama would like to increase the quality and availability of pre-school so all children can benefit from the schooling. Next, he would like create incentives to attract and keep the best teachers possible. He would also like to tweak the 'No Child Left Behind' act so that it better measures school progress and alter some of the punishments for failing schools. At the collegiate level Obama has proposed tax credits to offset the cost of tuition (up to $4000) if students agree to participate in community service programs.		McCain has proposed tougher standards for early education (Head start and Preschool). McCain has been a strong supporter of allowing families to pull tax dollars from schools to be used in charter or private schools if they see fit. At the collegiate level McCain has yet to state any plans but has mentioned a need for extra funding for research initiatives in critical areas such as energy.
SMS Quick Answer: Boost preschool quality. Merit based teacher incentives. Overhaul No Child Left Behind program. Higher-ed comm. service based tax credits.		SMS Quick Answer: Increase preschool/head start standards. Supports taxes for charter and private schools. Likes higher-ed research initiatives.

Abortion
Obama supports abortion rights and opposes bans and restrictions except for late-term abortions and when pregnancy threatens the life of the mother. Opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v Wade.		Opposes abortion rights. Would appoint Supreme Court Justices that would likely overturn Roe v. Wade if given the chance. He strongly believes that Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned.
SMS Quick Answer: Pro-Choice. Supports right to choose. Does not support late-term abortions, except when it threatens the mothers health.		SMS Quick Answer: Opposes abortion rights. Would likely appoint pro-life Supreme Court Justices to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Gay Rights
Opposes same-sex marriage, but also opposes a constitutional ban. Supports civil unions. Would defer to the states to decide same-sex laws but wants states to recognize each others' decisions on the issue.		Supports definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, but opposes a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Says individual states should decide the issue. Says a federal same-sex marriage ban might be appropriate if courts overturned state marriage laws. Supports legal benefits for same-sex partners.
SMS Quick Answer: Supports unions. Personally opposes gay marriages. Let each state make gay marriage decision but asks they recognize each others unions.		SMS Quick Answer:Opposes same-sex marriages and unions. Defers to states for ultimate decision. Opposes job discrimination legislation.

Gun Rights
Supports extending the assault weapons ban. Supports national law against carrying concealed weapons, with exceptions for retired police and military personnel. Supports limiting gun sales to one per month.		Sponsored legislation requiring background checks at gun shows. Voted against a 10-year extension of the assault weapons ban. Opposed legislation requiring trigger locks for handguns. Opposed 1994 crime bill, which contained the assault weapons ban. Has a C+ rating from the NRA.
SMS Quick Answer: Supports strong gun laws especially background checks.		SMS Quick Answer: Opposes strong gun regulations, especially on assault weapons.

Foreign Policy
Says he would be willing to hold talks with America's adversaries as well as its friends. Cites his membership on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Says as president he might be willing to authorize a unilateral U.S. attack on Al Qaeda in Pakistan if the Pakistani government was "unwilling or unable to strike" against Islamic militants. Favors a phased, responsible timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. (Chicago Tribune)		Says his experience and world travels would make him a strong president on foreign issues. Cites the need to make credible defense commitments to our allies, and says support for a strong military would make that more likely. Was early advocate for the "surge" strategy in Iraq and opposes timetable for withdrawal.(Chicago Tribune)
SMS Quick Answer: Stresses increased diplomacy to reach a balance between policy and power (force). Feels diplomacy is important for friend and foes alike.		SMS Quick Answer: Willing to respect alternative views from allies, but is opposed to diplomacy with foes (i.e. Iran).

Housing
Proposes creating a $10 billion fund to help prevent foreclosures, eliminate some taxes and fees for families who must sell and offer counseling to homeowners. Announced a "credit card bill of rights" to provide disclosure of hidden credit costs. Would provide tax credits to 10 million middle class homeowners who struggle with mortgage costs.		Calls for more accountability and transparency in financial markets. Says it's not the duty of government to bail out banks or borrowers who acted irresponsibly, but does not rule out temporary aid for people to help them stay in their homes. Says the down payment requirement for FHA mortgages should be raised. Calls for overall reform of the system as part of any aid effort.
SMS Quick Answer: Wants Federal Reserve authority over financial institutions such as lenders. Supports the courts ability to alter mortgage terms.		SMS Quick Answer: Plans for federal standards of mortgage brokers and seeks a federal investigation into mortgage lenders.

Immigration
Obama backed Bush-led plan to build a 700-mile long fence at the US-Mexican border. Believes technological advances will greatly aid the US in securing its borders. As for immigrants, he says, "I will work to pass comprehensive reform that protects our security, bolsters our economy, and preserves America's tradition as a nation of immigrants who are welcomed as long as they work hard and play by the rules."(Wash Post)		Co-sponsored Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.
SMS Quick Answer: Secure the borders using better technology. Work to get the 12 million undocumented immigrants in this country in line to become working citizens.		SMS Quick Answer: Secure the borders, work and promote immigrant education and assimilation and utilize the large workforce they represent. No mention of immigrants and becoming citizens.

Energy
Proposes reducing carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050 by using a market-based cap-and-trade system. Would invest $150 billion over 10 years in clean energy. Supports next generation biofuels. Proposes increasing fuel economy standards and would require that 25 percent of electricity consumed in the U.S. be derived from clean, sustainable energy sources by 2025. Would create a Global Energy Forum and re-engage with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.		Proposes a national energy strategy that will rely on the technological prowess of American industry and science. Would not support subsidizing every alternative energy source, or tariffs that restrict the competition that stimulates innovation and lowers cost. Believes barriers to nuclear energy are political not technological. Proposed a bipartisan plan to address the problem of climate change and stimulate the development and use of advanced technologies. It is a market-based approach that would set reasonable caps on carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions, and provide industries with tradable credits.
SMS Quick Answer: Supports alternative energy initiatives (Wind, Solar, Water). Believes gas-tax relief is a political gimmick. Opposes Yucca Mtn. 80% Energy reduction by 2050		SMS Quick Answer: Strongly supports nuclear power initiatives. Supports Yucca Mtn. plans. Backs the one-time gas tax suspension for consumer relief. 60% energy reduction by 2050.
Social Security
Opposes using any portion of payroll taxes to finance private retirement accounts. Would raise the ceiling on the payroll tax that funds Social Security beyond the current $97,500 in effect, a tax increase for those at the top end of the income scale. Vows to work with Congress on long-term policies to keep Social Security solvent.(Chicago Tribune)		Favors using a portion of payroll taxes to finance private retirement accounts, as President Bush has proposed. Opposes increase in Social Security taxes but would be willing to discuss a compromise in which the payroll tax ceiling might be raised. (Currently, Americans pay Social Security payroll tax on their first $97,500 in annual income.) Says no reform to protect Social Security can be successful without bipartisan cooperation.(Chicago Tribune)
SMS Quick Answer: Obama is against payroll taxes being used for private retirement accounts. Would raise the Soc. Sec. ceiling from its current $97,500.		SMS Quick Answer: In favor of payroll taxes for private investments. Against Soc. Sec. tax increase but is open to raising the tax ceiling for Soc. Sec.