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Comparison of Presidential Candidate Positions

An attempt to prepare a comparison table for the different candidates of their position summaries on similar issues, prepared in April 2008 from the candidates campaign websites....

How the presidential candidates prioritize the issues

How they rank their topics:

John McCain Hillary Clinton Barack Husein Obama
  1. McCain Economic Plan
  2. Straight Talk on Health System Reform
  3. Border Security & Immigration Reform
  4. Lobbying & Ethics Reform
  5. Strategy for Victory in Iraq
  6. Human Dignity & the Sanctity of Life
  7. Strict Constructionist Philosophy
  8. Commitment To America's Service Members: Past And Present
  9. Education
  10. National Security
  11. Stewards of Our Nation's Rich Natural Heritage
  12. Protecting Second Amendment Rights
  13. America's Space Program
  1. Strengthening the Middle Class
  2. Providing Affordable and Accessible Health Care
  3. Ending the War in Iraq
  4. Promoting Energy Independence and Fighting Global Warming
  5. Improving Our Schools
  6. Fulfilling Our Promises to Veterans
  7. Supporting Parents and Caring for Children
  8. Restoring America's Standing in the World
  9. A Champion for Women
  10. Comprehensive Government Reform
  11. Strengthening Our Democracy
  12. Reforming Our Immigration System
  13. An Innovation Agenda
  14. Creating Opportunity for Rural America
  1. Civil Rights
  2. Disabilities
  3. Economy
  4. Education
  5. Energy & Environment
  6. Ethics
  7. Faith
  8. Family
  9. Fiscal
  10. Foreign Policy
  11. Healthcare
  12. Homeland Security
  13. Immigration
  14. Iraq
  15. Poverty
  16. Rural
  17. Service
  18. Seniors & Social Security
  19. Technology
  20. Urban Policy
  21. Veterans

Comparison of Presidential Candidate Platform Issues

Ordered approximately according to John McCain's priorities, with unique issues at the end.

Economic policies

Area John McCain Area Hillary Clinton Area Barack Husein Obama
Economic Plan McCain Economic Plan - A Pro-Growth, Pro-Jobs Strategy To Get Our Economy Back On Track. John McCain's strategy includes taking the near-term actions needed to provide immediate help to American families while also taking the longer-term steps necessary to secure America's economic prosperity and leadership in the world.     Economy As president, Barack Obama will implement a 21st century economic agenda to help ensure that America can compete in a global economy, and ensure the middle class is thriving and growing. He will increase investments in infrastructure, energy independence, education, and research and development; modernize and simplify our tax code so it provides greater opportunity and relief to more Americans; and implement trade policies that benefit American workers and increase the export of American goods.
        Fiscal "The cost of our debt is one of the fastest growing expenses in the federal budget. This rising debt is a hidden domestic enemy, robbing our cities and states of critical investments in infrastructure like bridges, ports, and levees; robbing our families and our children of critical investments in education and health care reform; robbing our seniors of the retirement and health security they have counted on ... If Washington were serious about honest tax relief in this country, we'd see an effort to reduce our national debt by returning to responsible fiscal policies." - Barack Obama, Speech in the U.S. Senate, March 13, 2006
    An Innovation Agenda At a time when workers are anxious about the challenges of globalization and there is growing concern that America is losing its competitive edge, Hillary offered her views on how innovation can be the key for creating new jobs, stimulating economic growth, and ensuring American leadership of 21st century industries.
    Creating Opportunity for Rural America Hillary has a vision for rebuilding rural communities to ensure that opportunities are available and people can still achieve the American dream. At the core of Hillary's vision is her strong support for family farms. She believes that there are many opportunities to create good jobs and improve key services in rural areas. Rural "We are at that critical and urgent moment. If Washington continues policies that work against America's family farmers, our rural communities will fall further behind - and so will America. But if we reject the politics that has shut ordinary folks out, we can create a new story for rural America ... The dreams of rural Americans are familiar to all Americans - to make a good living, to raise a healthy and secure family, and to leave our children a future of opportunity. It's time for real leadership for rural America to extend that American dream. That's the dream of opportunity that I've spent my life fighting for. And that's what our rural agenda will do." - Barack Obama, Speech in Fairfax, IA, October 16, 2007
        Urban Policy Barack Obama has had a lifelong commitment to the people and neighborhoods of America?s cities. He understands that cities and metropolitan regions are key drivers of prosperity in the global economy and that opportunities for and contributions from all people and communities are critical to America?s long term success. As president, Obama will implement a regional development agenda that utilizes and strengthens the considerable assets of our urban centers. These investments will bolster America?s long-term competitiveness in a globalizing economy, and ensure long-term prosperity for all Americans.
    Strengthening the Middle Class America's middle class is under siege and ready for change. People are working harder and longer for less and less. For six long years, America's middle class and working families have been invisible to our president. When Hillary is in the White House, no American will be invisible to the president of the United States. Poverty There are 37 million poor Americans. Most poor Americans are in the workforce, yet still cannot afford to make ends meet. And too many poor Americans are single mothers who are raising children. Barack Obama has been a lifelong advocate for the poor – as a young college graduate, he rejected the high salaries of corporate America and moved to the South Side of Chicago to work as a community organizer. As an organizer, Obama worked with churches, Chicago residents and local government to set up job training programs for the unemployed and after school programs for kids.

Health Care

Area John McCain Area Hillary Clinton Area Barack Husein Obama
Straight Talk on Health System Reform John McCain is willing to address the fundamental problem: the rapidly rising cost of U.S. health care. Bringing costs under control is the only way to stop the erosion of affordable health insurance, save Medicare and Medicaid, protect private health benefits for retirees, and allow our companies to effectively compete around the world. Providing Affordable and Accessible Health Care Nearly 47 million Americans – including 9 million children – don't have health insurance. America is ready for universal health care. Hillary has the vision and the experience to make it a reality. This is a battle Hillary has fought before – and she has the scars to prove it. She knows better than anyone how to fight and build the political support to get the job done. Healthcare "I...believe that every American has the right to affordable health care. I believe that the millions of Americans who can't take their children to a doctor when they get sick have that right...We now face an opportunity - and an obligation - to turn the page on the failed politics of yesterday's health care debates. It's time to bring together businesses, the medical community, and members of both parties around a comprehensive solution to this crisis, and it's time to let the drug and insurance industries know that while they'll get a seat at the table, they don't get to buy every chair." -Barack Obama, Speech in Iowa City, IA, 5/27/07

Immigration reform and enforcing America's borders

Area John McCain Area Hillary Clinton Area Barack Husein Obama
Border Security & Immigration Reform I have always believed that our border must be secure and that the federal government has utterly failed in its responsibility to ensure that it is secure. If we have learned anything from the recent immigration debate, it is that Americans have little trust that their government will honor a pledge to do the things necessary to make the border secure. Reforming Our Immigration System Our immigration system is in crisis. The laws we currently have on the books are inadequate and no longer serve our best interests. As a nation, we place a premium on compassion, respect, and policies that help families, but our immigration laws don't reflect that. Hillary has consistently called for comprehensive immigration reform that respects our immigrant heritage and honors the rule of law. Immigration Barack Obama has played a leading role in crafting comprehensive immigration reform. Obama believes the immigration issue has been exploited by politicians to divide the nation rather than find real solutions. This divisiveness has allowed the illegal immigration problem to worsen, with borders that are less secure than ever and an economy that depends on millions of workers living in the shadows.

Election system reform

Area John McCain Area Hillary Clinton Area Barack Husein Obama
Lobbying & Ethics Reform John McCain believes that a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people" must remain ever faithful to that noble charge. America needs leadership devoted to the public interest, not the special interest, and a government that fulfills its duties with unfailing integrity, accountability, and common sense. Those who serve in positions of public trust have a patriotic duty to serve the national interest with integrity and accountability, to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the people we are privileged to serve, and to devote ourselves to America's agenda, not that of narrow special interests.     Ethics Throughout his political career, Barack Obama has been a leader in fighting for open and honest government. As a U.S. Senator, he has spearheaded the effort to clean up Washington in the wake of the Jack Abramoff scandal. In a politically charged election year, Obama acknowledged that corruption was a problem that plagued both political parties. He subsequently enlisted the help of Republican allies to limit lobbyist influence, shine sunlight into the earmarks process and promote open government.
    Strengthening Our Democracy Fair and honest elections are the bedrock of a successful democracy. Yet we have seen abuses in national elections since 2000 that have undermined our democracy and Americans' faith in our electoral system. Hillary is a leading champion of election reform. She has introduced the Count Every Vote Act to avoid repeating the problems of the past and ensure the integrity of our elections. Civil Rights There is no more fundamental American right than the right to vote. Before the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act, barriers such as literacy tests, poll taxes and property requirements disenfranchised many Americans, especially minorities. More than 40 years later, there are still numerous obstacles to ensuring that every citizen has the ability to vote.

The Iraq Issue

Area John McCain Area Hillary Clinton Area Barack Husein Obama
Strategy for Victory in Iraq John McCain believes that we must not fail in Iraq. Succeeding in the cause of helping the Iraqi people build a stable, secure, representative state is essential to achieving an enduring peace in a region of the world central to American prosperity and national security. Failure in Iraq will endanger America for generations to come. America has a vital interest in a secure, democratic Iraq, at peace with its neighbors, to help stabilize a dangerous and critical region.
    Ending the War in Iraq America is ready for a leader who will end the war in Iraq. Hillary's roadmap out of Iraq, the Iraq Troop Protection and Reduction Act of 2007, is a plan to end the war before the next president takes the oath of office. But if the Bush administration won't end the war, as president and commander in chief, Hillary will. Iraq Before the war in Iraq ever started, Senator Obama said that it was wrong in its conception. In 2002, then Illinois State Senator Obama said Saddam Hussein posed no imminent threat to the United States and that invasion would lead to an occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences. Since then, Senator Obama has laid out a plan on the way forward in Iraq that has largely been affirmed by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group led by James Baker and Lee Hamilton.

Judicial Reforms and Government Reform

Area John McCain Area Hillary Clinton Area Barack Husein Obama
Strict Constructionist Philosophy John McCain believes that one of the greatest threats to our liberty and the Constitutional framework that safeguards our freedoms are willful judges who usurp the role of the people and their representatives and legislate from the bench. As President, John McCain will nominate judges who understand that their role is to faithfully apply the law as written, not impose their opinions through judicial fiat.
    Comprehensive Government Reform Americans are ready for a government that puts competency ahead of cronyism. For the past six years, we've had an administration that has contempt for government. And because they view it with contempt, they treat it with contempt. We need a return to transparency and a system of checks and balances, and a 21st century government to meet our 21st century challenges.

Veterans Issues

Area John McCain Area Hillary Clinton Area Barack Husein Obama
Commitment To America's Service Members: Past And Present America owes its liberty, its prosperity, and its future to our veterans who have dedicated their lives to protecting our great country. John McCain has fought to honor our national commitment to our veterans who have given their careers and livelihoods to ensuring our freedom. He believes we must provide for service members and their families while they serve, we must help those who return from combat to adjust to civilian life, and we must honor and never forget the service of those who do not return. Fulfilling Our Promises to Veterans Hillary will ensure that all those who sacrifice on behalf of our country receive the help and care they need. They not only deserve our country's gratitude and support; they deserve the gold standard in health care and benefits when they return home. That is our most solemn obligation to those who have put their lives on the line for our country. Veterans As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Obama is committed to helping the heroes who defend our nation today and the veterans who fought in years past. A grandson of a World War II veteran who went to college on the G.I. Bill, Senator Obama has reached out to Republicans and Democrats in order to honor our commitment to America's veterans.

Education

Area John McCain Area Hillary Clinton Area Barack Husein Obama
Education Excellence, Choice, and Competition in American Education     Education Throughout America's history, education has been the vehicle for social and economic mobility, giving hope and opportunity to millions of young people. Our schools must prepare students not only to meet the demands of the global economy, but also help students take their place as committed and engaged citizens. It must ensure that all students have a quality education regardless of race, class, or background. Barack Obama is committed to strengthening our public schools to maximize our country's greatest natural resource - the American people. Obama believes that we must equip poor and struggling districts, both rural and urban, with the support and resources they need to provide disadvantaged students with an opportunity to reach their full potential. Too often, our leaders present this issue as an either - or debate, divided between giving our schools more funding, or demanding more accountability. Obama believes that we have to do both, and has offered innovative ideas to break through the political stalemate in Washington.
    Improving Our Schools Hillary has long been a passionate advocate for providing greater educational opportunities to all children. She knows that parents are our children's first teachers, and the early years have a tremendous impact on their lives. She also knows that we have to improve our K-12 system in order to ensure that every child is prepared to compete, and has a plan to make college affordable for all. Technology "Let us be the generation that reshapes our economy to compete in the digital age. Let's set high standards for our schools and give them the resources they need to succeed. Let's recruit a new army of teachers, and give them better pay and more support in exchange for more accountability. Let's make college more affordable, and let's invest in scientific research, and let's lay down broadband lines through the heart of inner cities and rural towns all across America."
    Supporting Parents and Caring for Children America is ready for a president who fights for our children. From her first job out of law school at the Children's Defense Fund to her time as First Lady of Arkansas and of the United States to her service in the Senate, helping children has been at the center of Hillary's public life.
        Family Strong families raise successful children and keep communities together. While Senator Obama does not believe that we can simply legislate healthy families, good parenting skills or economic success, he does believe we can eliminate roadblocks that parents face and provide tools to help them succeed. A husband and father of two, Senator Obama has promoted strong families in the Senate.

National Security and America's Place In The World

Area John McCain Area Hillary Clinton Area Barack Husein Obama
National Security The most sacred responsibility vested in a president - the commander in chief - is to "preserve and protect" American citizens. John McCain has the necessary vision and unrivaled experience to command the United States armed forces and adapt our nation's defenses to the demands of a changing and dangerous world.     Homeland Security Five years after 9/11, our country is still unprepared for a terrorist attack. From improving security for our transit systems and chemical plants, to increasing cargo screening in our airports and seaports, the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission have been underfunded and ignored. The 9/11 Commission gave the government five F's and 12 D's on the implementation of its recommendations. Senator Obama is a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and has supported efforts to base homeland security spending on risk rather than pork-barrel politics. He has also introduced legislation to strengthen chemical plant and drinking water security and to enhance disaster preparedness.
    Restoring America's Standing in the World The next president's most urgent task will be to restore America's standing in the world to promote our interests, ensure our security, and advance our values. America is stronger when we lead the world through alliances. As president, Hillary will lead by the words of the Declaration of Independence, which pledged "a decent respect to the opinions of mankind." Foreign Policy As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Obama has fought to strengthen America's position in the world. Reaching across the aisle, Obama has tackled problems such as preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction and stopping the genocide in Darfur.

The Environment and Energy

Area John McCain Area Hillary Clinton Area Barack Husein Obama
Stewards of Our Nation's Rich Natural Heritage John McCain has a proud record of common sense stewardship. Along with his commitment to clean air and water, and to conserving open space, he has been a leader on the issue of global warming with the courage to call the nation to action on an issue we can no longer afford to ignore.
    Promoting Energy Independence and Fighting Global Warming The choices we make about energy touch nearly every aspect of our lives. Our economy, our national security, our health, and the future of our planet are all at stake as we make a choice between energy independence and dependence on foreign sources of oil. Hillary has proposed an Apollo Project-like program dedicated to achieving energy independence.
        Energy & Environment Senator Obama has been a leader in the Senate in pushing for a comprehensive national energy policy and has introduced a number of bills to get us closer to the goal of energy independence. By putting aside partisan battles, he has found common ground on CAFE, renewable fuels, and clean coal.

Unique Issues

Area John McCain Area Hillary Clinton Area Barack Husein Obama
Human Dignity & the Sanctity of Life During more than five years as a POW in Vietnam, John McCain experienced the worst assaults on human dignity imaginable. Yet each day he also saw in his fellow prisoners the power of human compassion and the will to prevail against unimaginable evil. It is this experience, and a life dedicated to public service, that has imbued in John McCain a fundamental commitment to the protection of human dignity that will shape his presidency.
Protecting Second Amendment Rights John McCain believes that the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, individual Constitutional right that we have a sacred duty to protect. We have a responsibility to ensure that criminals who violate the law are prosecuted to the fullest, rather than restricting the rights of law abiding citizens. Gun control is a proven failure in fighting crime. Law abiding citizens should not be asked to give up their rights because of criminals - criminals who ignore gun control laws anyway.   MIA
America's Space Program "Let us now embark upon this great journey into the stars to find whatever may await us."
    A Champion for Women Hillary's historic statement in 1995 that "women's rights are human rights" still echoes worldwide. As a lawyer, advocate, First Lady, and senator, Hillary has fought for issues important to women here at home and around the world for decades. Hillary will continue her lifelong fight to ensure that all Americans are treated with respect and dignity.    
        Faith In June of 2006, Senator Obama delivered what was called the most important speech on religion and politics in 40 years. Speaking before an evangelical audience, Senator Obama candidly discussed his own religious conversion and doubts, and the need for a deeper, more substantive discussion about the role of faith in American life.
        Disabilities "We must build a world free of unnecessary barriers, stereotypes, and discrimination .... policies must be developed, attitudes must be shaped, and buildings and organizations must be designed to ensure that everyone has a chance to get the education they need and live independently as full citizens in their communities."
        Service "Your own story and the American story are not separate - they are shared. And they will both be enriched if we stand up together, and answer a new call to service to meet the challenges of our new century ... I won't just ask for your vote as a candidate; I will ask for your service and your active citizenship when I am president of the United States. This will not be a call issued in one speech or program; this will be a cause of my presidency." - Barack Obama, Speech in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, December 5, 2007
        Seniors & Social Security Americans turning 65 this year have grown our economy by 4.5 times over the course of their working lives. They have tilled our soil, defended our country, taught our children, worked in our factories, and raised a new generation to build upon their successes. And yet, many struggle to get by. Threats to Social Security and Medicare, skyrocketing health costs, and abuse and neglect of seniors all jeopardize our unspoken covenant: our seniors worked hard to take care of us, and now we must be here for them.

Sources:

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Comments (6)

 

  1. Aug 02, 2008

    Anonymous says:

    Barack Obama's middle name is Hussein not Husein and why did you even put it? If...

    Barack Obama's middle name is Hussein not Husein and why did you even put it? If you want full names then it would be John Sidney McCain III, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Barack Hussein Obama II. Clinton isn't running anymore though and there are other candidates so you should update your site.

  2. Sep 03, 2008

    Anonymous says:

    In addition to the previous correction re: Sen Obama's middle name, I was curiou...

    In addition to the previous correction re: Sen Obama's middle name, I was curious how you selected Sen Obama's ranking of issues since clearly his #1 issue is not Civil Rights. With a little research, and thought, I see that the ranking is merely alphabetical. Not a fair comparison, nor accurate representation.

    Barack Obama's middle name is Hussein not Husein and why did you even put it? If you want full names then it would be John Sidney McCain III, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Barack Hussein Obama II. Clinton isn't running anymore though and there are other candidates so you should update your site.

    1. Sep 04, 2008

      garnet says:

      The topic rankings in the first table, "How the presidential candidates prioriti...

      The topic rankings in the first table, "How the presidential candidates prioritize the issues", are in fact how they ranked their positions on their candidate websites on the day when I produced this article. When I started comparing side by side, I made it clear I decided to start with John McCain's list.

      I started this at a time when the media was allowing the battles between Hillary and Barack to entirely monopolize the the news, McCain was getting 5 minutes coverage for every two hours H&B were getting, I almost thought McCain had gone on vacation or something. Wondering if that was true was probably why I started with McCains website, just to see if he was even doing anything. Then I realized I wanted to compare the other websites.

      More in my blogpost about comparing presidential candidate positions

  3. Sep 19, 2008

    Anonymous says:

    By listing Barack's middle name and not the other candidates, I have have to bel...

    By listing Barack's middle name and not the other candidates, I have have to believe that this site is biased and looking to continue the play on many American's ignorance and fear of the Muslim religion and those who practice it WHEN its been proven that he is NOT MUSLIM.

  4. Nov 02, 2008

    Anonymous says:

    I don't trust Obama and neighter should anyone else.

    I don't trust Obama and neighter should anyone else.

    1. Nov 02, 2008

      Anonymous says:

      It is certainly curious the many things that he is refusing to release related t...

      It is certainly curious the many things that he is refusing to release related to possible issues with his citizenship (college applications, loan documents, birth certificate), and with some of the "terrorists" that he has kept company with and recently had meetings with. Others are villified by the main stream press for not releasing things if they are Republicans.

      However, the tapes released from 2001 where Obama claims our Constitution doesn't do enough to redistribute wealth should be a warning to all, instead of a code word to encourage those who want to get their hands on the redistribution of your money. He's nakedly appealing to those who have given up trying to encourage people to get ahead through their own efforts, and instead have decided it's more profitable to fight for more entitlements. If capitalism didn't exist, someone should have been trying to invent it. Those who want to tear it apart through force of the government are not be trusted. The most horrible abuses in the world have happened under the guide of socialist and communist regimes, because those systems don't value the individual.

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