Issues Only

A friend of mine recently engaged me in an issues only debate for President. We used for our discussion the New York Times Election Guide (Here).

Here are my responses, with (based on this guide) a few surprises:

Abortion: Obama and Clinton, similar positions. Fed government should stay out of a woman’s personal life whenever possible.

C- Supports Roe v. Wade; opposes ban on partial-birth abortions; judges should protect women’s rights.

O- Supports Roe v. Wade; criticized Supreme Court decision that upheld ban on partial-birth abortions.

M- Wants to overturn Roe v. Wade, but has been supportive in the past; supported Supreme Court decision that upheld ban on partial-birth abortions; "strict constructionist judges."


Climate Change: No preference (they all say the same thing) though in my personal opinion, these plans are FAR from sufficient. I will give a nod to Obama for proposing Al Gore as an appointed position for dealing with this issue.

C- Supports a mandatory cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

O- Supports a mandatory cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

M- Supports a mandatory cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions.


Economy: Clinton. Clinton’s package is more well-rounded offering multiple levels of stimulation, while not falling into the standard Democratic trap of being a crutch. More like medicinal shots than a permanent hospital bed. (Obama is close on this one)

C- $70 billion plan to "jump start" the economy; repeal the Bush tax cuts for households earning more than $250,000. (The plan is outlines on NY Times).

O- Said his plan for tax relief to middle and working classes would help stabilize the economy; repeal the Bush tax cuts for households earning more than $250,000.

M- Short-term plan is long-term plan: make the Bush tax cuts permanent; eliminate alternative minimum tax.


Healthcare: Clinton. Healthcare goes towards a basic standard of living for people. In fact a small amount spent on preventative care through insurance would save billions in care down the road. Very few things should be provided by government, Healthcare is one of them. (Obama is close on this one)

C- Require everyone to get health insurance, subsidized by employers and the government; pay for it by rolling back tax cuts for households earning over $250,000 and savings in the existing system.

O- Require that all children have health insurance; pay for it by rolling back President Bush’s tax cuts for households earning over $250,000; aims for universal coverage.

M- For free-market, consumer-based system; has pledged affordable health care for every American without a mandate; says universal health care is possible without a tax increase.


Housing: Clinton. Clinton’s plan offers the most flexibility and with our current situation, affects the most people. Obama’s plan is too tightly focused to make enough of an impact, and McCain’s plan doesn’t take into account that housing is a constant and long-term issue.

C- Extend at least $30 billion to states to help homeowners; extend F.H.A.’s capacity to guarantee restructured mortgages; 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and freeze subprime rates for at least 5 years.

O- Create new F.H.A. program to make it easier to convert subprime loans to fixed-rate, 30-year loans; create a fund to help people avoid foreclosures; require better disclosure from lenders.

M- Opposes large-scale federal assistance; any assistance "should be temporary" and "focused on homeowners"; opposes lower down payment on F.H.A. mortgages; lenders should help borrowers.


Immigration: No preference. All adhere to same plan. It is far too difficult for legitimate immigrants to be here, and that should be addressed foremost.

C- Supports a path to legalization for illegal immigrants that includes learning English and paying fines; toughen penalties for hiring illegal immigrants; voted for fence along Mexican border.

O- Supports a path to legalization for illegal immigrants that includes learning English and paying fines; toughen penalties for hiring illegal immigrants; voted for fence along Mexican border.

M- Supports a path to legalization for illegal immigrants that includes learning English and paying fines; voted for fence along Mexican border.


Iran: McCain. I know, surprising, but he is the most likely to use international support, which is what we constantly fail to do. Both the Democratic plans are very "Big Brother" whereas McCain is at least attempting a more "whole family" approach.

C- Direct diplomacy without preconditions; use economic sanctions; would not meet with the Iranian president; military option not off the table, but would not consider without congressional approval.

O- Engage in direct diplomacy; tighten economic sanctions with international cooperation; would meet with the Iranian president with no preconditions; military option not off the table.

M- Form an alliance with European countries to put economic and diplomatic pressure on Iran; no unconditional diplomacy; military option not off the table, but would consult with leaders of Congress.


Iraq: Obama (Clinton close second). Note that they have similar positions, but Obama’s plan is faster and more immediate, and I am NOT holding Clinton’s vote against her, as given the amount of false information presented to congress, many votes went different than they would have otherwise.

C- Voted in 2002 to authorize invasion, now opposed; opposed troop increase; start phased withdrawal within 60 days of taking office, with the goal to have most troops out by the end of 2013.
O- Opposed invasion from the beginning; opposed troop increase; withdraw one or two brigades a month to finish within 16 months.

M- Voted in 2002 to authorize invasion, still supportive; in favor of troop increase; against a timetable for troop withdrawal.

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