Barack Obama Fact Sheet Democrat
Running Mate ~ Joe Biden
The Facts:
Born: Honolulu, Hawaii Age: 47 years old Religion: Christian Family: ~ Father was born in Kenya (he is black) ~ Mother was born in Kansas (she is white) ~ Wife Michelle ~ Daughters Malia, 10 and Sasha, 7 Education: ~ Columbia University ~ Harvard law school Political Experience: ~ Illinois Senator, 1996-2004 ~ US Senate, 2004-present
The Issues:
Military: Wants to get out of Iraq with a phased withdrawal (a little at a time) o Goal is to be out by summer 2010 (7 years after start of war) o Believes that as troops gradually withdrawal the Iraqi government with pick up the slack and the Iraqi security force will take over security. Supports expansion of army and marines Wants to stop “stop-loss” (extending a persons active duty in the military without Wants to get troops the equipment they need Education: Plans to reform “No Child Left Behind” o Wants to better fund the program (give more money to schools) o Wants to try to change the state tests (make them better) Wants to make college more affordable Health Care: 47 million Americans lack health care (9 million of those are children) Wants to provide national health care plan that is affordable for all Americans o Wants government to give money to families (government subsidiaries) that can not afford health care (based on salary) Economy: Plans to increase the minimum wage (make it equal to inflation) o It went 10 years without increasing Wants to provide tax cut for working families
Continued on back
Immigration: Wants to keep the borders secure Plans to crack down on employees who hire illegal immigrants Wants to increase the number of legal immigrants and try to keep immigrant families together Supports a system that allows undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens. Wants to work with Mexico to promote economic development in Mexico Energy and Environment: Supports taxing the oil companies on their windfall profits (really high profits) and give each family a $1,000 tax refund Supports the use of some of the United States reserved oil Wants to reduce the Unites States need of Middle East and Venezuela oil in 10 years o Wants 1 million hybrid cars on the road by 2015 (and make sure they are built in America) Goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050 Other: Opposes a constitutional ban on same sex marriages Supports full civil and federal rights for same sex couples (does not say he supports same sex marriage, just the same legal rights that married couples get). Also expand adoption rights to same sex couples.
All information was taken from Barack Obama’s official website ~ barackobama.com
John McCain Fact Sheet Republican
Running Mate ~ Sarah Palin
The Facts:
Born: Panama Canal Zone Age: 72 years old Religion: Christian Family: ~ Wife Cindy ~ Has seven children Political Experience: ~ House of Representatives 1982-86 ~ U.S. Senator 1986-present Education: ~ U.S. Naval Academy ~ National War College Military Service: ~ 22 years in the Navy ~ Fought in Vietnam ~ Prisoner of war for 5 ½ years in Vietnam
The Issues:
Military: Has no plan to get out of Iraq Believes the U.S. cannot withdraw until Al Qaeda in Iraq is defeated Believes the U.S. cannot withdraw until there is a well trained, competent Iraqi security force in place Education: Plans on keeping “No Child Left Behind” o Agrees with the way state tests currently are Wants parents to be able to choose the school their children attend (and their tax dollars will follow them) Health Care: 47 million Americans lack health care (9 million of those are children) Wants to use competition to improve the quality of health insurance, give people more choice and lower prices Supports a government tax credit to go towards health insurance (same amount for all families) Economy: Wants to provide tax cuts for corporations Wants to ban internet and new cell phone taxes
Continued on back
Immigration: Wants to keep secure borders Plans to crack down on employees who continually hire illegal immigrants Wants to start “temporary worker programs” that allow immigrants that will fill job needs to enter the United States on a temporary basis and wants to try to keep families together Supports a system that allows undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine, learn English, and eventually get a green card (after those who followed the process legally). Energy and Environment: Plans to reduce demand on foreign oil Wants to use America’s oil reserve Wants to reform U.S. transportation (create more Flex Fuel vehicles) Encourages development and use of alternative power o Would give temporary tax credits to those who try to find alternative sources Wants to reduce greenhouse gas admission by 60 Percent by 2050 (by giving money back to corporations that use less than their share) Other: Opposes a constitutional ban on same sex marriages o Says constitutionally states have the right to regulate marriage
All information was taken from John McCain’s official website ~ johnmccain.com