| 
Barack Obama | 
John
McCain |
Abortion | Supports abortion rights. | Opposes abortion rights except for in cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the mother. |
Economy | Opposes extending 2003 Bush tax cuts. Supports extending child tax credits and eliminating marriage penalty. Wants to scale back capitol gains and dividends tax cuts and re-examine tax benefits for the top 1% income bracket. | Originally opposed 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts, but now supports extending the tax cuts into 2010. |
Education | Supports a plan that would give grants to schools to try new teaching methods and award good teachers, as well as to increase the maximum Pell Grant to students entering college. | Opposes nationally imposed standards and believes standards should be regulated by the states. |
Energy Policy/
Environment | Supports a national plan that would require transportation fuels to contain lower carbon levels, as well as a limit on greenhouse gas emissions. | Supports limiting carbon emissions, and encourages nuclear energy prospects. |
Health Care | Supports a national health care plan that would allow the uninsured to buy into private health care and cover all children. | Opposes a socialized healthcare system, and wants to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. |
Immigration | Wants increased border control, employment eligibility verification, and a decrease of incentives for illegal aliens. Supports increasing the number of immigrants allowed into the U.S.; creating a path to citizenship for those that meet set requirements; and expedited citizenship for non-citizens who served in the military overseas. | Opposes amnesty. Supports border security and a stronger citizenry that attracts immigrants with job skills, education, and English proficiency. Voted to allow illegal immigrants to participate in Social Security; to establish a guest worker program; and to give guest workers a path to citizenship. |
Iraq War | Has always opposed use of military force in Iraq. Supports a phased redeployment of U.S. troops. | Voted for use of military force in Iraq. Supports sending additional troops to Iraq. |
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