Democratic Primary Voter's Guide Hillary Clinton Barack Obama

Democratic Primary Voter’s Guide Editor’s Note: With all the horse race coverage on the news and so many good candidates, it’s hard to make up your mind. If you’re having trouble cutting through the punditry, here’s a fact-based voter’s guide to help you make up your mind. This is compiled from a number of great news and non-partisan, non-profit sources, all duly noted throughout and at the end. This is posted with a Republican and local Atlanta guide at http://www.thereynoldsonline.com/publicfiles/ Hillary Clinton Profile Candidate Video Age Current Residence Place of Birth Education Military Service Religion Elected Office http://www.thehillaryiknow.com/ Barack Obama http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGGIHqIoP2k 60 Chappaqua, New York Chicago, Illinois BA, Wellesley JD, Yale none Methodist 7 years ’06 - Pr ’00 -06 2nd term U.S Senator from New York First Lady Chairwoman, Arkansas Educational Standards Committee Attorney, Rose Law Firm Impeachment Inquiry Staff, Nixon Impeachment 352 Bills National Purple Heart Recognition Day A resolution that Congress feels there should be more research into Hydrocephalus 46 Chicago, Illinois Honolulu, Hawaii BA, Columbia University JD, Harvard Law School none United Church of Christ 11 years ’04 - Pr ’97 -04 ’93 -04 ’89-‘92 ’85 -88 ’84 -85 U.S. Senate Sponsored Actually Passed Senate & House 129 Bills Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act requiring full disclosure of all entities or organizations receiving federal funds on a federal web site U.S. Senator from Illinois Illinois State Senator Attorney, Miner, Barnhill & Garland Harvard Law School – President of the Harvard Law Review Chicago Community Organizer Financial Analyst, Business International Corp. Other Experience ’93 -01 ’82 -92 ’76 -92 ’74 Legislation Source: www.govtrack.us Federal Election Commission) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2008/01/03/AR20080103 03303.html U.S. Senate Sponsored Actually Passed Senate & House Illinois – State Legislature First ethics and campaign finance reform in 25 years First state earned income tax credit Law requiring criminal interrogations be video taped to prevent police abuse Compiled by a real person, not a pundit! - Ross Reynolds, Atlanta, GA - www.thereynoldsonline.com page 1 of 8 Hillary Clinton The Money Funds Raised (as of 9/07) Financial Policy PAC Breakdown $90 million Accepts Lobbyist and PAC Money % of PAC money: Business - $304,408 - 56% Labor - $58,600 - 11% Ideological/Single Issue - $181,484 - 33% Top Donors by Industry (over $1 Million) Barack Obama $80 million Does not accept lobbyist or PAC money, only individual donations. NA. Financial Sources Source: www.opensecrets.org Federal Election Commission Top Donors by Industry (over $1 Million) 10 Se cu He rit La Bu al T ie wy th V s Pr /M M s in & ers M of ov is c es R is In /L c Ed e s i e B s e a v e aw S Fi u s na ca sio /M usi er l Es Re stm F nc tio na us ne vic ta tire e irm e n ls ic ss es te d nt s 8 Se cu He La rit al Bu w TV ie th s ye /M M s& M Pr ine rs ov R is is of s /L In c e s s Ed i e e a c B v a Fi s Se u s/ l us est Re w F na io r ca M Es i na vic ti us ta ne me tir irm nc e ls es on ic te ss nt ed s 5 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 (millions) 5 5 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 (millions) * Individuals, PACs, Lobbyists, and organizations * Individuals only. Compiled by a real person, not a pundit! - Ross Reynolds, Atlanta, GA - www.thereynoldsonline.com page 2 of 8 Hillary Clinton Policy Iraq Quote: “If I had been president, I certainly never would have started this war” Positions Voted to authorize the use of force 2002 2007 2007 Against the surge of U.S. Troops For a partial withdrawal in 2008, but leaving a significant force in place Barack Obama Quote: “I am not opposed to all wars, I am opposed to dumb wars” Positions Publicly opposed the war in Iraq, but 2002 supported the war in Afghanistan; warned Iraq would distract from mission in Afghanistan 2007 2007 Against the surge of U.S. Troops Remove all combat brigades as soon as safely possible The Economy Key programs see links for details. “Strengthening the Middle Class” http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/middleclass/ “Plan to Strenthen the Economy” http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/ Lowering taxes for middle class families. Confronting the growing problems in the housing market with a foreclosure moratorium and by freezing adjustable rates. Making college accessible and affordable. Bolstering retirement security by promoting savings and investment with a federal 401k matching program. Returning to fiscal responsibility and moving towards balanced budgets. Harnessing innovation to create the high-wage jobs of the 21st century. Creating a $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund to jumpstart research and development of alternative energies. Strengthening unions and ensuring our trade laws work for all Americans. Lower taxes for the middle class Address the subprime mortgage issue by creating a federal mortgage fraud law and other measures Strengthen america's workforce by improving education for early childhood, and math and science Strengthen & enforce international trade agreements Support small businesses by strengthening healthcare, eliminating self employment taxation and capital gains taxes for small business Invest in American innovation by maintaining fair and competitive industry; reform Sarbanes Oxley to be less burdensome to small business Level the playing field for american businesses; eliminate tax loopholes that benefit large businesses over small ones Help low-income workers; fund transitional jobs that get the chronically unemployed working again, and raise the minimum wage Compiled by a real person, not a pundit! - Ross Reynolds, Atlanta, GA - www.thereynoldsonline.com page 3 of 8 Hillary Clinton Immigration Voted for the Bush plan Strengthen borders New enforcement laws Provide a path to citizenship for current illegals Difference: Waffled slightly on giving illegal immigrants drivers licenses but stated in last debate that she was against it, and that we would deal with that after current laws enforced http://www.hillaryclinton.com/feature/healthcareplan/ Barack Obama Voted for the Bush plan Strengthen borders New enforcement laws Provide a path to citizenship for current illegals Difference: For drivers licenses on the basis that it has worked for border states to reduce “hit and run” accidents, but agrees other laws need to be enforced http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/ Healthcare Cost: Paid by: 110 Billion Eliminating parts of the Bush Tax Cuts for incomes over $250,000 Requiring insurance for all Americans and distributing savings from the many healthy uninsured. Eliminating waste and inefficiency in the system Cost: Paid by: 50-65 Billion Eliminating Bush Tax Cuts for incomes over $250,000 Increasing competition in insurance markets Lower drug costs: open drug market to imports; allow U.S. government to negotiate; prevent drug companies from blocking generics Offers: Insurance for anyone who applies No higher premiums for pre-existing conditions Tax credits to limit premiums to a certain percent of family income Expands Medicaid and children’s healthcare Offers: Guaranteed eligibility. A public plan with benefits on par with those of Congress, affordable premiums, co-pays and deductibles, and subsidies for the financially needy For private insurance, a national health exchange to ensure a fair and open competition among providers Main Criticism Costs more than any other health plan Revealed months after other candidates Main Criticism Does not require health insurance for everyone Compiled by a real person, not a pundit! - Ross Reynolds, Atlanta, GA - www.thereynoldsonline.com page 4 of 8 Hillary Clinton Taxes Voted against GOP tax cuts For repealing Bush tax cuts for incomes over $250,000, but not entirely Barack Obama Against extending the Bush tax cuts Supports eliminating the marriage penalty Wants to extend child tax credit Supports scaling back capital gains and dividend tax cuts Will re-examine cuts for top 1% of earners http://www.barackobama.com/issues/fiscal/ Fiscal Responsibility [no page; pulled from different plans] Reinstate PAYGO Rules Eliminate Bush Tax Cuts for the Wealthy Ensure competitive bid on contracts Publishing budgets for every government agency. Implementing Results America Initiative to track government effectiveness. Tracking and eliminating corporate welfare. Reinstate PAYGO Rules Eliminate Bush Tax Cuts for the Wealthy Cut Pork Barrel Spending; publish all earmarks on the Internet and cut to pre-2001 levels Ensure competitive bid on contracts End government waste Make the Tax System More Fair and Efficient End tax haven abuse and close the $350bn gap in taxes owed and taxes paid Close special interest loopholes such as tax subsidies for oil companies http://www.barackobama.com/issues/energy/ The Environment Key programs see links for details. http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/energy/ A cap-and-trade program Reduce electricity consumption 20 percent by 2020 through efficiency standards An increase in fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon by 2030, and $20 billion of "Green Vehicle Bonds" Double federal investment in energy research; a $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund, paid for in part by oil companies Lots of green programs! Reduce Carbon Emissions 80 Percent by 2050 Invest in a Clean Energy Future Support Next Generation Biofuels Set America on Path to Oil Independence by doubling fuel economy standards in 18 years Improve Energy Efficiency 50 Percent by 2030 Restore U.S. Leadership on Climate Change by reengaging with the U.N. and other global initiatives Compiled by a real person, not a pundit! - Ross Reynolds, Atlanta, GA - www.thereynoldsonline.com page 5 of 8 Hillary Clinton Technology Key programs see links for details. http://www.hillaryclinton.com/feature/innovation/ Barack Obama http://www.barackobama.com/issues/technology/ Supports mandating net neutrality Advance broadband penetration throughout the U.S. through tax subsidies Invest in the sciences, education, and the R&D tax credit Supports mandating net neutrality Advance broadband penetration throughout the U.S. through regulation reform and unleashing wireless spectrum Invest in the sciences, education, and the R&D tax credit Publish all government data in universally accepted formats on the Internet Track and publish on the Internet all online federal grants, contracts, earmarks, and lobbyist contacts with government officials. Open public meetings to more than lobbyists: stream them over the Internet and archive for public comment http://www.barackobama.com/issues/ethics/ Ethics/Campaign Finance http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/reform/ Publishing budgets for government agencies online Banning cabinet officials from lobbying a Hillary Clinton administration. Ending abuse of no-bid government contracts and posting all contracts online. Strengthening whistleblower protections. Track results of government programs through high-tech data collection Tracking and eliminating corporate welfare. “Google Government”: Open government data, discussions, and monetary influence to the public on the Internet (see above) Close revolving door between administration and lobbyist industry End no-bid contracts and pork barrel spending and post online Bring americans back into their government by requiring cabinet members to hold more townhall chats Sunlight before signing: open those last minute pork-laden bills for public comment 5-days before signing Compiled by a real person, not a pundit! - Ross Reynolds, Atlanta, GA - www.thereynoldsonline.com page 6 of 8 Hillary Clinton Electoral Reform http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/voting/ Barack Obama http://www.barackobama.com/issues/civilrights/ (voting rights page was archived) Provide a paper trail for every vote cast. Designates Election Day as a national holiday. Supports renewal of the voting rights act End deceptive voting practices (like distributing flyers with incorrect information about voter eligibility) Provide a paper trail for every vote cast Designates election day on a weekend Supports renewal of the voting rights act End deceptive voting practices (like distributing flyers with incorrect information about voter eligibility) Education Key programs see links for details. http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/education/ http://www.barackobama.com/issues/education/ End No Child Left Behind Create Green Schools Provide $1 billion to intervention at high risk schools $3,500 college tax credit. Increase the maximum Pell Grant. Reform No Child Left Behind by funding it, modifying the testing regime, and supporting problem schools rather than punishing them Encourage states to establish universal pre-school with challenge grants Establish affordable, High-Quality Child Care Make Math and Science a National Priority Create federal program to Recruit, Prepare, Retain, and Reward teachers $4,000 college tax credit. Wedge Issues Abortion Guns http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/ Pro-choice Favors limited gun control. In favor of assault weapon bans and background checks. Opposes same-sex marriage but supports civil unions. Says states should ultimately decide the issue. Opposes a constitutional amendment banning samesex marriage. In favor. Supports expanding federal funding for embryonic stem cell research Pro-choice Favors limited gun control. In favor of assault weapon bans and background checks. In favor of banning concealed weapons nationwide. Opposes same-sex marriage, but also opposes a constitutional ban. Supports civil unions Same Sex Marriage Stem Cell Research In favor. Supports expanding federal funding for embryonic stem cell research Compiled by a real person, not a pundit! - Ross Reynolds, Atlanta, GA - www.thereynoldsonline.com page 7 of 8 Hillary Clinton Polls Source: www.realclearpolitics.com (average of several polls) Barack Obama Barack Obama Hillary Clinton Vs. McCain Romney Huckabee Rep 48% 44.7% 40.8% HC 40% 43.2% 50.7% Winner McCain +1.8% Clinton +12.4% Clinton +9.9% Vs. McCain Romney Huckabee Rep 44.7% 34.2% 36.2% HC 43.2% 51.2% 52.8% Winner McCain +1.5% Obama +17.0% Obama +16.6% Note: Hillary was ahead of McCain in the polls in the summer and fall. McCain surged ahead of Clinton after winning in New Hampshire. As of this week, they are in a statistical dead heat. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/general_el ection_mccain_vs_clinton-224.html#charts Note: Obama has been ahead of the Republicans for longer and by wider margins than Clinton. He has been ahead of McCain for 9 months of 2007 and at a statistical dead heat since New Hampshire. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/general_el ection_mccain_vs_obama-225.html#charts Sources Candidate’s Web Sites o www.hillaryclinton.com o www.barackobama.com Foer, Franklin. A Voter’s Guide, 2007. Project Vote Smart - www.vote-smart.org Wikipedia - www.wikipedia.com CNN Politics - www.cnnpolitics.com GovTrack - www.govtrack.com Thomas.gov - www.thomas.gov Compiled by a real person, not a pundit! - Ross Reynolds, Atlanta, GA - www.thereynoldsonline.com page 8 of 8