Кандидатите за Президент на САЩ – мнения по актуални въпроси

ISSUES	Hillary Clinton	Barack Obama	John McCain
Economy	Balanced budget replaced with rising costs & falling wages. (2007)Use tax dollars to upgrade infrastructure, not for stadium. (2000) The economy creates consumers but cannot create citizens. (1999)	Protect consumers with Credit Card Bill of Rights. Voted against limiting credit to 30%, because 30% too high. (Feb 2008) Regulate financial instruments to protect home mortgages. (Aug 2007) Supports federal programs to protect rural economy. (May 2004)	Will be able to reduce war costs & have a stable Middle East. To avoid recession, stop out-of-control spending. (2008) Congress spends money like a drunken sailor. (May 2007)
Corporate	Corporate elite treat working-class America as invisible. (Apr 2007) Decried 1980s materialism & excesses of corporate America. (Dec 1999)	End tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas. Hold corporations responsible for pensions & work conditions. (Aug 2007) Give Katrina contracts to locals, not to Halliburton. (Jun 2007)	Cut corporate income taxes to keep jobs here. (Jan 2008)
Energy & Oil	Investigate & move toward energy efficiency and conservation. Extensive funding and investment in alternative energy (2007) Voted NO on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (2003)	Reduce the consumption of energy and be more efficient. (Jan 2008) Explore nuclear power as part of alternative energy mix. (Jul 2007) 3-way win: economy, environment, & stop funding terror. Stop sending $800M a day to Mideast dictators for oil. (Mar 2007) Renewable Fuels Standard: require ethanol in fuel supply. Wants Detroit to build more hybrids & use more ethanol. (Oct 2006) Passed tax credit for installing E85 ethanol at gas stations. (Feb 2008) Sponsored legislations that improve energy efficiency. 20% nation’s power supply from renewable sources by 2020. (Sep 2004)	Ethanol doesn’t increase energy independence. Ethanol bad for environment & bad for consumers. (Feb 2008) Climate change is real; nuclear power is solution. Public pressure on oil industry to invest in alternatives. Reinvest oil profits in nuclear power. (Oct 2007) Strength Clean Air & Water Acts; but not Kyoto. (Jan 2000)
Free Trade	Supported NAFTA in 1998; opposed CAFTA since 2005. Smart, pro-American trade: NAFTA has hurt workers. (Aug 2007) End tax breaks for outsourcing jobs. (Jun 2007) Defended outsourcing of US jobs to India. (Oct 2005)	Enforce existing safety laws against Chinese products. Insist on labor and human rights standards for China trade. (Dec 2007) NAFTA needs to be amended. Stand firm against CAFTA for labor & environmental standards. (Dec 2007) Congress subsidizes megafarms & hurts family farmers. (Aug 2007) People don’t want cheaper T-shirts if it costs their job. (Aug 2007)	Every time US went protectionist, we paid heavy price. (Oct 2007) Against foreign sales corporations (offshore tax breaks). (Feb 2000) Admit China to WTO based on their concessions. Free trade with any country except security risks. (Jun 1999) NAFTA has had unambiguously positive impact on US. (Mar 1999)
Jobs	No salary increase for Congress until minimum wage increased. Get tough with China and bring jobs back home. (Feb 2007) The working poor deserve a living wage. (1999) Rated 85% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-union voting record.	Fight attacks on workers’ right to organize & strike. (Feb 2008) Focus farm programs on family farms, not giant corporations. Chicago’s Soldier Field stadium construction created jobs. (Aug 2007) Burdens of globalization are placed on the backs of workers. (Mar 2007) Working full-time should mean enough to support a family. (Oct 2006)	Unions are monopolies; don’t compel people to join. (Oct 2007)Family farms: Crop insurance; reduce inheritance tax. (Jan 2000)Rated 15% by the AFL-CIO, indicating an anti-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
Tax & Social Security	End Bush tax cuts;take things away from rich for common good. (Oct 2006) Cut alternative minimum tax, not billionaire tax cuts. Freeze estate tax at 2009 level (2007) Just Say No to GOP tax plan. (Sep 1999) Rated 21% by NTU, indicating a „Big Spender“ on tax votes. (Dec 2003) Rated 80% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006) Make sure nobody ever tries to privatize Social Security. Social Security protects families, not just retirees. (Aug 2007) Soc.Sec. one of greatest inventions in American democracy. (Oct 2006)	Save $150 billion in tax cuts for people who don’t need them. Bush tax cuts help corporations but not middle class (Dec 2007) The wealthy should pay a bit more on the payroll tax. (Oct 2007) Restore progressive tax; close loopholes; relief to seniors. (Oct 2007) Reduce Bush tax cuts to pay for health care & other programs. (Jun 2007) Estate tax only affects the wealthiest 1/2 of 1%. (Oct 2006) Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation.Stop any efforts to privatize Social Security. (Feb 2008) Privatization puts retirement at whim of stock market. Stock market risk is OK, but not for Social Security. Cutting benefits & raising retirement age are wrong answers. (Nov 2007)	Veto any tax increase; worst thing now is to raise taxes. (Mar 2008) Against Bush tax cuts in 2003; for them in 2006. Supported Reagan tax cuts because matched by spending cuts. Tax system is fair; wealthy pay bulk of taxes. Supports flat tax; stop complexity by special interests. (Oct 1999) Cut marriage tax, inheritance tax, & earnings test. (Sep 1999) Rated 72% by NTU, indicating „Satisfactory“ on tax votes. (Dec 2003) Rated 50% by CTJ, indicating a mixed record on progressive taxation.We need personal savings accounts. (Oct 2007) More believe in Elvis than in getting Social Security check. (Jan 2000) Allow workers to invest privately. (Jun 1999)
War & Peace	Prevent Iran from becoming nuclear power by diplomacy first. Rushing to war with Iran vs. doing nothing is a false choice. (Sep 2007) Supports border security fence in Israel. (Oct 2006) Cut off US aid if Palestine declares a state unilaterally. Focuses on increasing relationship between US and Israel. (2000)IRAQ: Absolutely oppose the war in Iraq. Bring out as many combat troops as quickly as possible. Bush misused authorization for war. No permanent bases, but continuing residual force in Iraq. (2007)	Open dialogue with both Syria and Iran. (Apr 2007) No action against Iran without Congressional authorization. Meet directly for diplomacy with the leadership in Iran. (Dec 2007) Two-state solution: Israel & Palestine side-by-side in peace. Use moral authority to work towards Middle East peace. (Feb 2008) Al Qaida is based in northwest Pakistan; strike if needed. FactCheck: Yes, Obama said invade Pakistan to get al Qaeda. (Jan 2008) Problems with current Israeli policy. (Jul 2004)IRAQ: $2 trillion and the loss of life in Iraq are not sustainable. Get our troops out by the end of 2009. No permanent bases in Iraq. (Jan 2008) I don’t oppose all war; I do oppose dumb war. (Oct 2007) We live in a more dangerous world because of Bush’s actions. (Jun 2007)	Not a matter of how long in Iraq, but a matter of casualties. (Mar 2008) Follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell. Prefers not to take troops out of Afghanistan. (May 2007) McCain Principle: Committing troops means completing mission. (Jan 2007) The War on Terror is the overriding and transcendent issue. (Oct 2004) Keep military option open against Iran, even if no nukes. (Dec 2007) Iran is state sponsor of terrorism; no more evidence needed. (Nov 2007) IRAQ: Timetable for withdrawal is a white flag of surrender. Staying for 100 years OK, if US casualties are low. (Jan 2008) Strategy in Iraq: defeat al-Qaeda; limit Iran’s influence. In hindsight, Iraq invasion was still justified. (Sep 2007) Democrats proposing failure in Iraq by withdrawing. (Sep 2007) Send in a heavy wave of troops to Iraq to establish order. (Nov 2006)
Foreign Policy	Establish coherent diplomatic approach toward China. China respects us if we call them on human rights breaches. (2007) Cuba deserves peaceful transition to freedom & democracy. (2007) Allegedly pro-PLO in 1960; but pro-Israel by 1981; Supported Palestine in 1998 (Jul 2007) Voted YES on enlarging NATO to include Eastern Europe. (May 2002)	President must abide by international human rights treaties. (Dec 2007) Obama Doctrine: ideology has overridden facts and reality. (Dec 2007) Pakistan crisis: secure nukes; continue with elections. (Dec 2007) China is a competitor but not an enemy. (Dec 2007) Willing to meet with Fidel Castro, Kim Jung Il & Hugo Chavez. (Nov 2007) Invest in our relationship with Mexico. (Sep 2007) Focus on corruption to improve African development. Wrote 2006 law stabilizing Congo with $52M. (Oct 2006) Supports Israel’s self-defense; but distrusted by Israelis. (Oct 2006) US policy should promote democracy and human rights. (Jul 2004)	Overthrow “rogue” governments to keep Americans safe. (Feb 2000)Maintain Cuban embargo; indict Castro. (Dec 2007) Africa: Money for AIDS would be lost to corruption. (Jan 2000) Russia: Sanctions until Putin exits Chechnya. (Jan 2000)Support the One-China policy, don’t weaken it. (Mar 2000) Engage with China as they become a great power. (Apr 1999)Palestine: Against declaration of statehood. (Feb 1999) March 18, 2008 „I support Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,“ McCain said in Jordan before visit in Israel
Immigration	Oppose granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. (Nov 2007) Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)	Illegals shouldn’t work; but should have path to citizenship. (Dec 2007) Support granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. (Nov 2007) Illegal immigrants’ lack of ID is a public safety concern. (Oct 2007) Reform must include more border security, and border wall. (Sep 2007) Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)	Certify border is secure; only then allow guest workers. Round up and deport two million aliens who committed crimes. (Jan 2008) Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Crimes	Unacceptable increase in incarceration; mandatory sentences have been too widely used. (2007) Supports “3-Strikes-You’re-Out” and more prison. (1994) Require DNA testing for all federal executions. (Mar 2001)	Reduce recidivism by providing ex-offender supports. Ban racial profiling & eliminate disparities in sentencing. (Feb 2008) Pushed Illinois bill to videotape all capital interrogations. (Oct 2007) Battles legislatively against the death penalty. (Jul 2004) Supports alternative sentencing and rehabilitation. (Jul 1998)	More death penalty; stricter sentencing. (Jan 2000) Prosecute youths as adults, but separately; explore sources. (Jan 2000) Pro-death penalty; more prisons; increased penalties. (Jul 1998)
Gun Control	Backed off a national licensing registration plan on guns. (Jan 2008) Get assault weapons & guns off the street. (Jul 2007) License and register all handgun sales. (Jun 2000) Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)	Provide some common-sense enforcement on gun licensing. (Jan 2008) 2000: cosponsored bill to limit purchases to 1 gun per month. Ban semi-automatics, and more possession restrictions. (Jul 1998) Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)	Opposes restrictions on assault weapons and ammunition types. Prosecute criminals, not citizens for gun ownership. (Sep 2007)Guns are a problem, but so are violent web sites & videos. (Aug 1999) Repeal existing gun restrictions; penalize criminal use. (Jul 1998) Voted YES on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
Education	Get more teachers into hard-to-serve areas. (Nov 2007)Universal pre-kindergarten; and make family the best school. (Aug 2007) Address teacher shortage with salary increases. (Jul 1999) Arts education is needed in our schools. (Sep 1998) Allow student prayer, but no religious instruction. (Sep 1996) More teachers, smaller classes, no vouchers. Vouchers would take money from public schools. (Oct 2000) Charters meet needs of failing public school students. (Aug 1998)	Put billions of dollars into early childhood education. (Jan 2008) Get parents re-engaged in educating the children. Pay teachers more money & treat them like professionals. (Jun 2007) Guarantee affordable life-long, top-notch education. (Jun 2006) Supports charter schools and private investment in schools. (Jul 1998)	Against nationally imposed standards & funding strings. (Feb 2000) Teach virtues in all schools. Good teachers should earn more than bad lawyers. Help unqualified teachers find other lines of work. ( (1999) Supports at-risk programs; homeless ed.; anti-drop-out ed. (Jul 1999) Charters, homeschooling, & vouchers are key to success. (Dec 2007)
Health Care	Universal health care coverage by the end of my second term. (Feb 2007) Insurance companies cannot deny people coverage. (Oct 2007) Lower costs and improve quality and cover everybody. (2007) I want to be the health care president. (Sep 2007) Health care initiatives are her first priority in Senate. (2001)Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003)	Subsidies to people who can’t afford care. (Jan 2008) Take on insurance companies; drive down health care costs. (Jun 2007) Health care tied to balancing costs and taxes nation wide. (Jun 2006) Against enforcement mechanism for mandating insurance. Punishing uninsured families doesn’t make sense. (Jan 2008) National Health Insurance Exchange for private coverage. (Aug 2007)	Preserve quality of health care by individual responsibility. (Dec 2007) No mandated universal system; no mandated insurance coverage. (Jun 2006) We should be able to reimport drugs from Canada. The problem with health care in America is inflation. (2006)Expand health insurance to 11 million uninsured children. (Dec 1999) Rated 25% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)
Families & Children	A family is a child’s first school. Family planning & child spacing is international human right. (2007) 1980s: her church founded largest daycare in Arkansas. Boycott violent media and products. (1999) Rated 0% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record	Expand flex-work & Family and Medical Leave Act. (Feb 2008) ‘Sex Ed for Kindergarten’ means ‘age-appropriate’. (Jul 2007)	Supports flex-time & unpaid family leave. (Nov 2004) Unfiltered Internet robs our children of their innocence. (Dec 1999) Violence in media caused Littleton shootings. Label violent media products like we label cigarettes. (Jun 1999) Rated 83% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-family voting record.
Abortion	Keep abortion safe, legal and rare. (1999/2007) Respect Roe v. Wade, but make adoptions easier too. (Nov 2006)Lift ban on stem cell research to cure devastating diseases. (Jun 2007) Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record. (Dec 2003)	Expand access to contraception; reduce unintended pregnancy. (Feb 2008) Protect a woman’s right to choose. (May 2004) Supports Roe v. Wade. (Jul 1998) Stem cells hold promise to cure 70 major diseases. (Aug 2007) Rated 100% by NARAL on pro-choice votes in 2005, 2006 & 2007. (Jan 2008)	Restrict abortions; no partial-birth; no public funding. (Jul 1998) Concerned if women undergo illegal dangerous operations. (May 2007) Overturn Roe v. Wade (right of abortion), but keep incest & rape exceptions. (Jan 2000) Supports federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. (May 2007) Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
SSM/Gay Rights	Positive about civil unions, with full equality of benefits. Let states decide gay marriage; marched in gay pride parade. (2007) 2004:defended traditional marriage; 2006:voted for same-sex marriage. Gay soldiers need to shoot straight, not be straight. (Nov 2003) Rated 89% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)	Decisions about marriage should be left to the states. (Oct 2007) Homosexuality no more immoral than heterosexuality. Ok to expose 6-year-olds to gay couples; they know already. (Oct 2007) Opposes gay marriage; supports civil union & gay equality. (Oct 2006) Rated 89% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)	Leave gay marriage to the states. (Jan 2007) Would be “comfortable” with a gay president. (Dec 1999) Rated 33% by the HRC, indicating a mixed record on gay rights. (Dec 2006)
Principles & Religion	Owes opportunity for presidency to generations of women. Strong identification with Eleanor Roosevelt. (Aug 2007) Sincere Christian & lifelong member of religious left. Old-fashioned Methodist; reads Book of Resolutions & Bible. (2007) Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation. Voted with Democratic Party 96.7% of 304 votes. (Sep 2007) Hillary’s paradox: she’s not as liberal as people think. (May 2006) Staff attorney on Watergate/Nixon impeachment investigation. (Jun 2007)	The politics of fear undermines basic civil liberties. (Oct 2007) Turn the page: invite GOP & independents to join in agenda. (Sep 2007) Traces ancestry to Jefferson Davis, President of Confederacy. (Feb 2007) Muslim heritage gives Obama unique influence in Muslim world. (Oct 2006) Attends church with press, to dispel rumors that he’s Muslim. (Dec 2007) Religious concerns ok, if translated into universal values. (Oct 2006) Baptized as an adult in the Trinity United Church of Christ. (Oct 2006) Spent time in both Muslim and Catholic schools. (Aug 1996) I am a proud Christian who believes deeply in Jesus Christ. (Jan 2008) Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation. (Dec 2006)Voted with Democratic Party 96.0% of 251 votes. (Sep 2007)	I didn’t manage for profit, I led for patriotism. (Oct 2007) Looks to Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt, & Eisenhower as models. (Apr 2007) We are indebted to those who shed blood for us. (Apr 2004)Religious Right are „agents of intolerance“. (Feb 2008) Support evangelism but don’t pander to evangelical leaders. (Feb 2000) Teaching creationism should be decided by school districts. Believes in evolution, but sees the hand of God in nature. (2007) Religious affiliation: Episcopalian. Rated 33% by the AU, a mixed record on church-state separation. (Dec 2006) Voted with Republican Party 87.3% of 165 votes. (Sep 2007)
Various	Considered idea of $5000 at birth to pay for future college. (Oct 2007) Time-out for mortgage companies on march toward foreclosure. (Sep 2007) Working should mean no poverty. (Jan 2000) Don’t criminalize the homeless. (Dec 1999) Microcredit is an invaluable tool in alleviating poverty. (Feb 1997) Family myth: named after Everest’s Sir Edmund Hillary. Has one Jewish step-grandfather. I believe in prayer; I’m dependent on my faith. (Aug 2007)	Put the Confederate flag in a museum, not the state house. (Apr 2007) No black or white America–just United States of America. (Oct 2006) Not first candidate to use drugs, but first honest about it. (Oct 2007) Admitted marijuana use in high school & college. (Jan 2007)Father died in car crash before Barack got to know him. Born in Hawaii; lives on Chicago’s South Side. Full name: Barack Hussein Obama; family calls him „Barry“.	Confederate flag on top of capitol was wrong; in front is OK. (May 2007) Career-long history of supporting Indian causes. Indian gambling OK; lottery is not. (Jan 2000) Rated 0% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)Admiral Slew McCain set John’s standard for grit & courage. Born at a Naval Air Station in the Panama Canal Zone. Graduated 5th from bottom of Naval Academy class. „Profligate rake“ during Academy and Junior Officer years. Courage is the capacity for action despite our fears. (Apr 2004) Do the thing you think you cannot do.
VoteMatch (Based on their stances)	Hard-Core Liberal	Hard-Core Liberal	Populist-Leaning Conservative