Campaign Tracker – White House – Campaign Promises

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Campaign Promises

UPDATED: 9/08/08

As voters assess the presumptive presidential nominees' competing visions, they must also weigh how likely either candidate would be to follow through on promises. If history is any guide, the answer is very. Yet it's the broken promises that people tend to remember.

Choose a subject area from the drop-down menus below to view what pledges Barack Obama and John McCain have made on the campaign trail and online. For more on presidential promise-keeping, see National Journal's cover story, "Promises To Keep."

Barack Obama (D)

Print Obama's campaign promises.

John McCain (R)

Print McCain's campaign promises.

ABORTION

Support abortion rights: "Obama has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving… women's right to choose under Roe v. Wade a priority as president."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Work to reduced unintended pregnancies: "Obama will work to reduce unintended pregnancy by guaranteeing equity in contraceptive coverage, providing sex education and offering rape victims accurate information about emergency contraception."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

ADMINISTRATION

Hire based on merit: "When it comes to hiring people in my administration, the litmus test that will apply will not be based on party or ideology or who's traded the most favors, but on qualifications and experience. We're going to have experienced, competent people in the White House."—05/19/08 Billings, Mont.
Require new hires to deny cronyism: "Obama will issue an executive order asking all new hires at the agencies to sign a form affirming that no political appointee offered them the job solely on the basis of political affiliation or contribution."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Deliver fireside chats online: "He will personally deliver occasional fireside chats via webcast."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

AGRICULTURE

Improve rural schools and availability of doctors: "He will improve rural schools and attract more doctors to rural areas."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Try to toughen rules on animal feeding operations: "Barack Obama will work for tougher regulations on concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to prevent air and water pollution."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Implement payment limitation to help family farmers: "Obama will implement a $250,000 [farm commodity] payment limitation so that we help family farmers, not large corporate agribusiness. Obama will close the loopholes that allow megafarms to get around the limits by subdividing their operations into multiple paper corporations."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Strengthen anti-monopoly laws: "Obama will strengthen anti-monopoly laws and strengthen producer protections to ensure independent farmers have fair access to markets, control over their production decisions, and fair prices for their goods."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Help organic farmers and promote regional food systems: "Obama will help organic farmers afford to certify their crops and reform crop insurance to not penalize organic farmers. He also will promote regional food systems."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Give new farmers tax incentives: "[Obama] will also provide tax incentives to make it easier for new farmers to afford their first farm. Obama will increase incentives for farmers and private landowners to conduct sustainable agriculture and protect wetlands, grasslands and forests."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Provide farmers capital and help rural small businesses: "Obama will provide capital for farmers to create value-added enterprises, like cooperative marketing initiatives and farmer-owned processing plants. He also will establish a small-business and micro-enterprise initiative for rural America."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Create rural revitalization program: "Obama will create a rural revitalization program to attract and retain young people to rural America."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

CIVIL RIGHTS

Clean up the Justice Department: "I will rid the department of ideologues and political cronies…the Civil Rights Division will actually be staffed with civil rights lawyers who prosecute civil rights violations, and employment discrimination, and hate crimes."—09/28/07, Washington, D.C.
Toughen hate crime laws: "Obama will strengthen federal hate crimes legislation and reinvigorate enforcement at the Department of Justice's Criminal Section."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Work to lift ban on gays serving openly in the military: "Obama will work with military leaders to repeal the current [Don't Ask, Don't Tell] policy and ensure we accomplish our national defense goals."—Barackobama.com
Push to outlaw job discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity: "I will place the weight of my administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes and a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act to outlaw workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity."—02/28/08, Obama letter to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans
Advocate equal treatment of same sex couples: "As your president, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws."—02/28/08, Obama letter to LGBT Americans
Keep commitment to gay rights: "I will never compromise on my commitment to equal rights for all LGBT Americans."—02/28/08, Obama letter to LGBT Americans
Remove discriminatory obstacles to voting: "Obama will remove discriminatory barriers to the right to vote."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Penalize vote fraud: "Obama will sign into law his legislation that establishes harsh penalties for those who have engaged in voter fraud and provides voters who have been misinformed with accurate and full information so they can vote."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Work to overturn Supreme Court's ruling in Ledbetter v. Goodyear: "Obama will work to overturn the Supreme Court's recent ruling that curtails racial minorities' and women's ability to challenge pay discrimination."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Fight age discrimination: "Obama will fight job discrimination for aging employees by strengthening the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and empowering the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to prevent all forms of discrimination."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Ensure equal pay for women: "Obama will also pass the Fair Pay Act to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Create prison-to-work program: "I will create a prison-to-work incentive program modeled on the successful Welfare-to-Work program."—6/5/07, Hampton, Va.
Make criminal justice system trustworthy: "As president, I will also work every day to ensure that this country has a criminal justice system that inspires trust and confidence in every American, regardless of race or background."—9/28/07, Washington, D.C.
Forgive school loans of public defenders: "We'll recruit more public defenders to the profession by forgiving college and law school loans."—9/28/07, Washington, D.C.
End disparity in crack versus powdered cocaine sentencing: "That will end when I am president."—9/28/07, Washington, D.C.
Steer nonviolent offenders into rehab: "We will give first-time, nonviolent drug offenders a chance to serve their sentence, where appropriate, in the type of drug-rehabilitation programs that have proven to work better than a prison term in changing bad behavior."—9/28/07, Washington, D.C.
Not pardon real estate developer Tony Rezko: Attributed to Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt,—6/5/08, Chicago Sun-Times
Fully fund community policing and development programs: "That's why I'll fully fund the COPS [Community Oriented Policing Services] program, restore funding for the Community Development Block Grant program, and recruit more teachers to our cities, pay them more, and give them more support."—6/21/08, Miami
Combat methamphetamine use: "As president, he will continue the fight to rid our communities of meth and offer support to help addicts heal."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Ban racial profiling: "Obama will ban racial profiling by federal law enforcement agencies and provide federal incentives to state and local police departments to prohibit the practice."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

DEFENSE

Safeguard all nuclear material within four years: "I will lead a global effort to secure all nuclear weapons and material at vulnerable sites within four years."—4/23/07, Chicago
Keep nonproliferation commitment: "We will not pursue unilateral disarmament. As long as nuclear weapons exist, we'll retain a strong nuclear deterrent. But we'll keep our commitment under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty on the long road towards eliminating nuclear weapons."—10/2/07, Chicago
Strengthen nonproliferation treaty: "Obama will crack down on nuclear proliferation by strengthening the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty so that countries like North Korea and Iran that break the rules will automatically face strong international sanctions."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Stop development of new nuclear weapons: "He will stop the development of new nuclear weapons; work with Russia to take U.S. and Russian ballistic missiles off hair-trigger alert; seek dramatic reductions in U.S. and Russian stockpiles of nuclear weapons and material; and set a goal to expand the U.S.-Russian ban on intermediate-range missiles so that the agreement is global."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Open "America Houses" in Islamic countries: "We will open 'America Houses' in cities across the Islamic world, with Internet, libraries, English lessons, stories of America's Muslims and the strength they add to our country, and vocational programs."—8/1/07, Washington, D.C.
Support a global education fund: "I will support a $2 billion global education fund to counter the radical madrassas."—8/1/07, Washington, D.C.
Ban torture: "When I am president, America will reject torture, without exception."—8/1/07, Washington, D.C.
Close Guantanamo Bay detention center: "As president, I will close Guantanamo, reject the Military Commissions Act and adhere to the Geneva Conventions."—8/10/07, Washington, D.C.
Establish quadrennial review of homeland security threats: "I will establish a Quadrennial Review at the Department of Homeland Security—just like at the Pentagon—to undertake a top-to-bottom review of the threats we face and our ability to confront them."—8/10/07, Washington, D.C.
Increase funding to train police to gather intelligence: "I will increase funding to help train police to gather information and connect it to the intelligence they receive from the federal government."—8/1/07, Washington, D.C.
Address al Qaeda prison recruitment efforts: "I will address the problem in our prisons, where the most disaffected and disconnected Americans are being explicitly targeted for conversion by al Qaeda and its ideological allies."—8/1/07, Washington, D.C.
Expand Army and Marine Corps: "I will add 65,000 soldiers and 27,000 Marines to relieve the strain on our ground forces."—8/21/07, Kansas City, Mo.
Provide soldiers with necessary equipment: "As president, I will ensure that every service member has what they need to do the job safely and successfully."—8/21/07, Kansas City, Mo.; "Obama will give our troops new equipment, armor, training, and skills like language training."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Set fixed term for director of national intelligence: "I will make the director of national intelligence an official with a fixed term, like the chairman of the Federal Reserve."—10/2/07, Chicago
Consult national security experts in Congress: "I will call for a standing, bipartisan consultative group of congressional leaders on national security. I will meet with this consultative group every month and consult with them before taking major military action."—10/2/07, Chicago
Consult military commanders: "When I am commander in chief, I will seek out, listen to and respect the views of military commanders."—3/12/08, Chicago
Target every source of fear in the Americas: "That is why there will never be true security unless we focus our efforts on targeting every source of fear in the Americas. That's what I'll do as president of the United States."—5/23/08, Miami
Create information declassification center: "He will institute a national declassification center to make declassification secure but routine, efficient and cost-effective."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Ensure military has enough training: "Obama will rebuild trust with those who serve by ensuring that soldiers and Marines have sufficient training time before they are sent into battle."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Strengthen civilian agencies: "He will also strengthen our civilian capacity, so that our civilian agencies have the critical skills and equipment they need to integrate their efforts with our military."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Give National Guard appropriate equipment, rest: "He will permit them adequate time to train and rest between deployments and provide the National Guard with the equipment they need for foreign and domestic emergencies."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Add National Guard chief to Joint Chiefs: "[Obama] will also give the Guard a seat at the table by making the chief of the National Guard a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Combat terrorism: "Obama will fight terrorism and protect America with a comprehensive strategy that finishes the fight in Afghanistan, cracks down on the al Qaeda safe haven in Pakistan, develops new capabilities and international partnerships, engages the world to dry up support for extremism and reaffirms American values."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Require national security officials to hold broadband town halls: "Obama will bring foreign policy decisions directly to the people by requiring his national security officials to have periodic national broadband town hall meetings to discuss foreign policy."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Create international anti-terrorism network: "As president, I will launch an effort across our government to stay ahead of this threat [bio-terrorism].… I've proposed a Shared Security Partnership that invests $5 billion over three years to forge an international intelligence and law enforcement infrastructure to take down terrorist networks." —7/16/08 West Lafayette, Ind.
Make cyber-security a federal priority: "As president, I'll make cyber-security the top priority that it should be in the 21st century. I'll declare our cyber-infrastructure a strategic asset, and appoint a National Cyber Advisor who will report directly to me." —7/16/08 West Lafayette, Ind.

DIVERSITY

Have a senior Native American policy adviser: "I'll appoint an American Indian policy adviser to my senior White House staff to work with tribes. I'll host an annual summit at the White House with tribal leaders to come up with an agenda that works for tribal communities." —5/19/08, Crow Agency, Mont.

ECONOMY

Advocate free market: "I will always be a strong advocate for a market that is free and open."—9/17/07, New York City
Add consumer credit protections: "I'll institute a five-star rating system to inform consumers about the level of risk involved in every credit card. And we'll establish a credit card bill of rights that will ban unilateral changes to a credit card agreement, ban rate changes to debt that's already incurred and ban interest fees on late fees."—11/7/07, Bettendorf, Iowa
Reform bankruptcy laws: "Obama will reform our bankruptcy laws to protect working people, ban executive bonuses for bankrupt companies and require disclosure of all pension investments."—Obama's Blueprint for Change; "We'll make sure that if you can demonstrate that you went bankrupt because of medical expenses, then you can relieve that debt and get back on your feet."—2/13/07, Janesville, Wis.; "Obama will work to eliminate the provision that prevents bankruptcy courts from modifying an individual's mortgage payments."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Ensure economy works for everyone: Obama promised to "make sure our economy is working for everybody."—6/2/08, Droy, Mich., Associated Press
Help community and small business development agencies: "Obama will provide additional resources to the federal Community Development Financial Institution Fund, the Small Business Administration and other federal agencies, especially to their local branch offices, to address community needs."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

EDUCATION

Improve high school graduation rates: "When I'm president, we'll fight to make sure we're once again first in the world when it comes to high school graduation rates."—9/9/08, Dayton, Ohio
Double the number of high school students taking college level courses: "And we'll also set a goal of increasing the number of high school students taking college-level or AP courses by 50 percent in the coming years."—9/9/08, Dayton, Ohio
Double charter school funding: "That is why as president, I'll double the funding for responsible charter schools."—9/9/08, Dayton, Ohio
Issue annual education progress report: "I will lead a new era of accountability in education. But I don't just want to hold our teachers accountable. I want you to hold our government accountable. I want you to hold me accountable. That's why every year I'm president, I will report back to you on the progress our schools are making."—9/9/08, Dayton, Ohio
Create online report cards for parents to view: "That's why I'll create a parent report card that will show you whether your kid is on the path to college."—9/9/08, Dayton, Ohio
Support programs that work; improve those that don't: "When I'm president, programs that work will get more money. Programs that don't will get less. And we'll send a team to fix bad programs by replacing bad managers."—9/9/08, Dayton, Ohio
Include more technology in public schools: "We'll help schools integrate technology into their curriculum so we can make sure public school students are fluent in the digital language of the 21st-century economy."—9/9/08, Dayton, Ohio
Provide tuition assistance to students who perform community service: "And we will keep our promise to every young American -- if you commit to serving your community or your country, we will make sure you can afford a college education."—8/28/08, Denver
Recruit teachers and principals: "As president, I will recruit hundreds of thousands of new teachers and principals."—5/5/07, Baton Rouge, La.
Recruit science and technology teachers: "As president, I will recruit a new generation of science and technology leaders to teach our children the skills they will need to be competitive."—5/5/07, Baton Rouge, La.
Provide pay raises for teachers and principals: "Let's make a promise right now that if you're a teacher or a principal doing the hard work of educating our children, we will reward that work with the salary increase that you deserve."—7/5/07, Philadelphia
Pay tuition for students going into teaching: "I will make this pledge as president: If you commit your life to teaching, America will commit to paying for your college education."—11/20/07, Manchester, Iowa
Require schools of education to be accredited: "To prepare our new teachers, we'll require that all schools of education are accredited, and we'll evaluate their outcomes so that we know which ones are doing the best job at preparing new teachers."—11/20/07, Manchester, Iowa
Create voluntary teacher performance gauge: "We'll also create a voluntary national performance assessment that actually looks at how prospective teachers can plan, teach, and support student learning."—11/20/07, Manchester, Iowa
Boost teacher mentoring programs: "To support our teachers, we will expand mentoring programs that pair experienced, successful teachers with new recruits."—11/20/07, Manchester, Iowa
Boost Head Start funds; create Presidential Earning Learning Council: "We'll increase Head Start funding and quadruple Early Start to include a quarter of a million at-risk children. I will create a Presidential Early Learning Council to coordinate this effort across all levels of government and ensure that we're providing these children and families with the highest-quality programs."—11/20/07, Manchester, Iowa
Create Classroom Corps: "To help every American receive a world-class education, I will create a new Classroom Corps."—12/5/07, Mt. Vernon, Iowa
Encourage community service by students: "So when I'm president, I will set a goal for all American middle and high school students to perform 50 hours of community service a year, and for all college students to perform 100 hours of service a year."—12/5/07, Mt. Vernon, Iowa
Improve education: "When I'm president, we'll rally this country to the cause of world-class education."—1/30/08, Denver
Coordinate with local officials to improve education: "As president, I will work with our nation's governors and educators to create and use assessments that can improve achievement all across America by including the kinds of research, scientific investigation, and problem-solving that our children will need to compete in a 21st-century knowledge economy."—5/28/08, Thornton, Colo.
Steer work-study funds to public service jobs: "Obama will ensure that at least 25 percent of college work-study funds are used to support public service opportunities instead of jobs in dining halls and libraries."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Launch childhood initiative: "Obama will launch a Children's First Agenda that provides care, learning and support to families with children from birth up to 5 years old."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Double funding for after-school programs: "Obama will double funding for the main federal support for afterschool programs, the 21st Century Learning Centers program, to serve a million more children."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Improve No Child Left Behind: "Obama will fund No Child Left Behind and improve its assessments and accountability systems."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Lower dropout rate: "Obama also will reduce the high school dropout rate and close the achievement gap by investing in proven intervention strategies in the middle grades and in summer learning and after-school opportunities."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Provide incentives for rural teachers: "Obama will provide incentives for talented individuals to enter the teaching profession, including increased pay for teachers who work in rural areas."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Increase assistance to land-grant colleges: "Obama will increase research and educational funding for land-grant colleges."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

EDUCATION

Improve high school graduation rates: "When I'm president, we'll fight to make sure we're once again first in the world when it comes to high school graduation rates."—9/9/08, Dayton, Ohio
Double the number of high school students taking college level courses: "And we'll also set a goal of increasing the number of high school students taking college-level or AP courses by 50 percent in the coming years."—9/9/08, Dayton, Ohio
Double charter school funding: "That is why as president, I'll double the funding for responsible charter schools."—9/9/08, Dayton, Ohio
Issue annual education progress report: "I will lead a new era of accountability in education. But I don't just want to hold our teachers accountable. I want you to hold our government accountable. I want you to hold me accountable. That's why every year I'm president, I will report back to you on the progress our schools are making."—9/9/08, Dayton, Ohio
Create online report cards for parents to view: "That's why I'll create a parent report card that will show you whether your kid is on the path to college."—9/9/08, Dayton, Ohio
Support programs that work; improve those that don't: "When I'm president, programs that work will get more money. Programs that don't will get less. And we'll send a team to fix bad programs by replacing bad managers."—9/9/08, Dayton, Ohio
Include more technology in public schools: "We'll help schools integrate technology into their curriculum so we can make sure public school students are fluent in the digital language of the 21st-century economy."—9/9/08, Dayton, Ohio
Provide tuition assistance to students who perform community service: "And we will keep our promise to every young American -- if you commit to serving your community or your country, we will make sure you can afford a college education."—8/28/08, Denver
Recruit teachers and principals: "As president, I will recruit hundreds of thousands of new teachers and principals."—5/5/07, Baton Rouge, La.
Recruit science and technology teachers: "As president, I will recruit a new generation of science and technology leaders to teach our children the skills they will need to be competitive."—5/5/07, Baton Rouge, La.
Provide pay raises for teachers and principals: "Let's make a promise right now that if you're a teacher or a principal doing the hard work of educating our children, we will reward that work with the salary increase that you deserve."—7/5/07, Philadelphia
Pay tuition for students going into teaching: "I will make this pledge as president: If you commit your life to teaching, America will commit to paying for your college education."—11/20/07, Manchester, Iowa
Require schools of education to be accredited: "To prepare our new teachers, we'll require that all schools of education are accredited, and we'll evaluate their outcomes so that we know which ones are doing the best job at preparing new teachers."—11/20/07, Manchester, Iowa
Create voluntary teacher performance gauge: "We'll also create a voluntary national performance assessment that actually looks at how prospective teachers can plan, teach, and support student learning."—11/20/07, Manchester, Iowa
Boost teacher mentoring programs: "To support our teachers, we will expand mentoring programs that pair experienced, successful teachers with new recruits."—11/20/07, Manchester, Iowa
Boost Head Start funds; create Presidential Earning Learning Council: "We'll increase Head Start funding and quadruple Early Start to include a quarter of a million at-risk children. I will create a Presidential Early Learning Council to coordinate this effort across all levels of government and ensure that we're providing these children and families with the highest-quality programs."—11/20/07, Manchester, Iowa
Create Classroom Corps: "To help every American receive a world-class education, I will create a new Classroom Corps."—12/5/07, Mt. Vernon, Iowa
Encourage community service by students: "So when I'm president, I will set a goal for all American middle and high school students to perform 50 hours of community service a year, and for all college students to perform 100 hours of service a year."—12/5/07, Mt. Vernon, Iowa
Improve education: "When I'm president, we'll rally this country to the cause of world-class education."—1/30/08, Denver
Coordinate with local officials to improve education: "As president, I will work with our nation's governors and educators to create and use assessments that can improve achievement all across America by including the kinds of research, scientific investigation, and problem-solving that our children will need to compete in a 21st-century knowledge economy."—5/28/08, Thornton, Colo.
Steer work-study funds to public service jobs: "Obama will ensure that at least 25 percent of college work-study funds are used to support public service opportunities instead of jobs in dining halls and libraries."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Launch childhood initiative: "Obama will launch a Children's First Agenda that provides care, learning and support to families with children from birth up to 5 years old."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Double funding for after-school programs: "Obama will double funding for the main federal support for afterschool programs, the 21st Century Learning Centers program, to serve a million more children."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Improve No Child Left Behind: "Obama will fund No Child Left Behind and improve its assessments and accountability systems."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Lower dropout rate: "Obama also will reduce the high school dropout rate and close the achievement gap by investing in proven intervention strategies in the middle grades and in summer learning and after-school opportunities."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Provide incentives for rural teachers: "Obama will provide incentives for talented individuals to enter the teaching profession, including increased pay for teachers who work in rural areas."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Increase assistance to land-grant colleges: "Obama will increase research and educational funding for land-grant colleges."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT

End American dependence on foreign oil in ten years: "And that's why if I am president, I will put the full resources of the federal government and the full energy of the private sector behind a single, overarching goal -- in ten years, we will eliminate the need for oil from the entire Middle East and Venezuela."—8/6/08, Elkhart, Ind.
Increase number of plug-in hybrid cars: "First, we'll commit ourselves to getting one million 150 mile-per-gallon plug-in hybrid cars on our roads within six years."—8/6/08, Elkhart, Ind.
Double renewable energy within four years: "Second, we'll double the amount of energy that comes from renewable sources by the end of my first term."—8/6/08, Elkhart, Ind.
Reduce electricity demand by 15 percent in ten years: "Third, I will call on businesses, government, and the American people to meet the goal of reducing our demand for electricity by 15 percent by the end of the next decade."—8/6/08, Elkhart, Ind.
Cap carbon emissions: "As president, I will set a hard cap on all carbon emissions at a level that scientists say is necessary to curb global warming -- an 80 percent reduction by 2050."—10/8/07, Portsmouth, N.H.
Require government vehicles to have flexible-fuel tanks: "When I'm president, I will make sure that every vehicle purchased by the federal government does [have a flexible-fuel tank]."—5/7/07, Detroit
Give annual energy speech: "I will report to the American people every year on the state of our energy future."—10/8/07, Portsmouth, N.H.
Sign law to phase out incandescent light bulbs: "I will immediately sign a law that begins to phase out all incandescent light bulbs."—10/8/07, Portsmouth, N.H.
Create new green-collar jobs: "My energy plan will put $150 billion over 10 years into establishing a green energy sector that will create up to 5 million new jobs over the next two decades, including jobs right here in Ohio that pay well and can't be outsourced. We'll also provide funding to help manufacturers convert to green technology and help workers learn the skills they need for these jobs."—2/24/08, Lorain, Ohio
Consider Al Gore for Cabinet-level climate change position: "Not only will I, but I will make a commitment that Al Gore will be at the table and play a central part in us figuring out how we solve this problem."—4/2/08, Philadelphia
(In response to question)
Take steps to lower oil prices: "We'll also take steps to reduce the price of oil and increase transparency in how prices are set so we can ensure that energy companies aren't bending the rules."—4/25/08, Indianapolis
Work to solve energy crisis: "As president, I'll work to solve this energy crisis once and for all." —4/25/08, Indianapolis
Help U.S. automaker adapt: "I'll be a president who finally keeps the promise that's made year after year after year by providing domestic automakers with the funding they need to retool their factories and make fuel-efficient and alternative fuel cars."—5/14/08, Warren, Mich.
Foster international relationships to protect the environment: "We'll establish a program for the Department of Energy and our laboratories to share technology with countries across the region."—5/23/08, Miami
Reduce oil consumption: "Obama will reduce oil consumption overall by at least 35 percent, or 10 million barrels of oil, by 2030."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Help manufacturers go green: "Obama will establish a federal investment program to help manufacturing centers modernize and Americans learn the new skills they need to produce green products."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Double clean-energy funding: "Obama will double science and research funding for clean-energy projects, including those that make use of our biomass, solar and wind resources."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Create Green Jobs Corps: "Obama will also create an energy-focused Green Jobs Corps to connect disconnected and disadvantaged youth with job skills for a high-growth industry."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Invest $10 billion per year in clean technologies fund: "Obama will create a Clean Technologies Venture Capital Fund to fill a critical gap in U.S. technology development. Obama will invest $10 billion per year into this fund for five years."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Require 25 percent of electricity to come from renewable resources: "Obama will establish a 25 percent federal renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to require that 25 percent of electricity consumed in the U.S. is derived from clean, sustainable energy sources, like solar, wind and geothermal by 2025."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Increase money for low-carbon coal technologies: "Obama will significantly increase the resources devoted to the commercialization and deployment of low-carbon coal technologies."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Push cellulosic ethanol: "Obama will invest federal resources, including tax incentives, cash prizes and government contracts into developing the most promising technologies with the goal of getting the first 2 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol into the system by 2013."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Boost renewable fuel requirements: "Obama will require 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels to be included in the fuel supply by 2022 and will increase that to at least 60 billion gallons of advanced biofuels like cellulosic ethanol by 2030."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Double fuel economy standards: "Obama will double fuel economy standards within 18 years."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Set goal of making new buildings carbon neutral: "Barack Obama will establish a goal of making all new buildings carbon neutral (that is, producing zero emissions) by 2030."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Create energy-efficiency grant program: "Obama will create a competitive grant program to award those states and localities that take the first steps to implement new building codes that prioritize energy efficiency."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Create Global Energy Forum: "Obama will create a Global Energy Forum that includes all G-8 members, plus Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

ETHICS REFORM

Stop misuse of no-bid contracts: "I will end the abuse of no-bid contracts in my administration."—6/22/07, Manchester, N.H.
Be open with American people: "But I can promise you this: I will always tell you what I think and where I stand."—9/3/07, Manchester, N.H.
Restrict lobbyists: "When you walk into my administration, you will not be able to work on regulations or contracts directly related to your former employer for two years. And when you leave, you will not be able to lobby the administration throughout the remainder of my term in office."—6/22/07, Manchester, N.H.
Put agency meetings with lobbyists online: "When there are meetings between lobbyists and a government agency, we won't be going to the Supreme Court to keep it secret like Dick Cheney and his energy task force. We'll be putting them up on the Internet for every American to watch. And instead of allowing lobbyists to slip big corporate tax breaks into bills during the dead of night, we will make sure every single tax break and earmark is available to every American online."—6/22/07, Manchester, N.H.
Disclose contractor lobbying: "Obama will create a 'contracts and influence' database that will disclose how much federal contractors spend on lobbying, and what contracts they are getting and how well they complete them."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Put federal spending information online: "We'll put government data online and use technology to shine a light on spending."—6/16/08, Flint, Mich.
Post bills online before signing them: "When there is a bill that ends up on my desk as president, you will have five days to look online and find out what's in it before I sign it."—6/22/07, Manchester, N.H.
Fight for independent oversight of congressional ethics violations: "Obama will use the power of the presidency to fight for an independent watchdog agency to oversee the investigation of congressional ethics violations so that the public can be assured that ethics complaints will be investigated."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Require Cabinet members to hold broadband town hall meetings: "Obama will bring democracy and public policy directly to the people by requiring his Cabinet officials to have periodic national broadband town hall meetings to discuss issues before their agencies."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Disclose regulatory conversations between officials and outsiders: "Obama will amend executive orders to ensure that communications about regulatory policymaking between persons outside government and all White House staff are disclosed to the public."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Require public meetings: "Obama will require his appointees who lead the executive branch departments and rulemaking agencies to conduct the significant business of the agency in public, so that any citizen can watch these debates in person or on the Internet."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

FOREIGN POLICY

Withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq: "I will begin to remove our troops from Iraq immediately. I will remove one or two brigades a month and get all of our combat troops out of Iraq within 16 months. The only troops I will keep in Iraq will perform the limited missions of protecting our diplomats and carrying out targeted strikes on al-Qaida."—10/02/07, Chicago
Not build permanent bases in Iraq: "Obama will make it clear that we will not build any permanent bases in Iraq."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Expand Iraq refugee services: "He will provide at least $2 billion to expand services to Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, and ensure that Iraqis inside their own country can find a safe haven."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Expand U.S. forces in Afghanistan: "As president, I would deploy at least two additional brigades to Afghanistan to reinforce our counterterrorism operations and support NATO's efforts against the Taliban."—8/1/07, Washington
Provide more non-military aid to Afghanistan: "We will start with an additional $1 billion in non-military assistance each year, aid that is focused on reaching ordinary Afghans."—3/19/08, Fayetteville, N.C.
Expand diplomatic relations: "I will challenge the conventional thinking that we can't conduct diplomacy with leaders we don't like."—1/13/08, Denver "Obama will set up an America's Voice Initiative to send Americans who are fluent speakers of local languages to expand our public diplomacy."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Tie strings to aid to Pakistan: "As president, I would make the hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. military aid to Pakistan conditional. And I would make our conditions clear: Pakistan must make substantial progress in closing down the training camps, evicting foreign fighters, and preventing the Taliban from using Pakistan as a staging area for attacks in Afghanistan."—8/1/07, Washington
Give "State of the World" addresses: "I'll give an annual 'State of the World' address to the American people in which I lay out our national security policy."—10/2/07, Chicago
Boost U.S. humanitarian efforts: "I will invest in our civilian capacity to operate alongside our troops in post-conflict zones and on humanitarian and stabilization missions."—3/19/08, Fayetteville, N.C.
Increase aid to the Americas: "I will substantially increase our aid to the Americas and embrace the Millennium Development Goals of halving global poverty by 2015. We'll target support to bottom-up growth through micro-financing, vocational training and small enterprise development."—5/23/08, Miami
Reinstate special envoy for Americas: "I will reinstate a special envoy for the Americas in my White House who will work with my full support."—5/23/08, Miami
End restrictions on Cuban-Americans: "I will immediately allow unlimited family travel and remittances to the island [of Cuba]."—5/23/08, Miami
Maintain Cuban embargo: "I will maintain the embargo."—5/23/08, Miami
Continue anti-drug efforts abroad: "When I am president, we will continue the Andean Counter-Drug Program and update it to meet evolving challenges. We will fully support Colombia's fight against the FARC. We'll work with the government to end the reign of terror from right-wing paramilitaries. We will support Colombia's right to strike terrorists who seek safe haven across its borders."—5/23/08, Miami
Defend Israel: "Let there be no doubt: I will always keep the threat of military action on the table to defend our security and our ally Israel."—6/4/08, Washington, D.C.
Provide $30 billion to Israel: "As president, I will implement a memorandum of understanding that provides $30 billion in assistance to Israel over the next decade, investments to Israel's security that will not be tied to any other nation."—6/4/08, Washington, D.C.
Pursue diplomacy with Iran: "He will lead tough diplomacy with the Iranian regime and offer Iran the choice of increased international pressure or incentives if it stops its disturbing behavior."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Work for two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict: "He will make a sustained push -- working with Israelis and Palestinians -- to achieve the goal of two states, a Jewish state in Israel and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Open new consulates in challenging places: "To make diplomacy a priority, Obama will stop shuttering consulates and start opening them in the tough and hopeless corners of the world, particularly in Africa. He will expand our Foreign Service and develop the capacity of our civilian aid workers to work alongside the military."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Work to halve poverty worldwide: "Obama will embrace the Millennium Development Goal of cutting extreme poverty around the world in half by 2015, and he will double our foreign assistance to $50 billion to achieve that goal."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Push for NATO changes: "Obama will rally NATO members to contribute troops to collective security operations, urging them to invest more in reconstruction and stabilization operations, streamlining the decision-making processes and giving NATO commanders in the field more flexibility."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Work to make China play by the rules: "He will maintain strong ties with allies like Japan, South Korea and Australia; work to build an infrastructure with countries in East Asia that can promote stability and prosperity; and work to ensure that China plays by international rules."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Encourage investment relationships between American and Africa: "Obama will also strengthen the African Growth and Opportunity Act to ensure that African producers can access the U.S. market and will encourage more American companies to invest on the continent."—BarackObama.com
Help African countries access green technology: "He will launch the Global Energy and Environment Initiative to ensure African counties have access to low carbon energy technology and can profitably participate in the new global carbon market..."—BarackObama.com
Stop genocide in Darfur: "As president, Obama will take immediate steps to end the genocide in Darfur by increasing pressure on the Sudanese and pressure the government to halt the killing and stop impeding the deployment of a robust international force."—BarackObama.com
Launch agriculture initiative and reform the World Bank and International Monetary Fund: "Obama will expand prosperity by establishing an Add Value to Agriculture Initiative, creating a fund that will extend seed capital and technical assistance to small and medium enterprises, and reforming the World Bank and International Monetary Fund."—BarackObama.com

GOVERNMENT SPENDING

Cut waste in federal budget: "I will also go through the federal budget, line by line, eliminating programs that no longer work and making the ones we do need work better and cost less..."—8/28/08, Denver
Pay for job programs by cutting spending elsewhere: "I'll pay for every part of this job-creation agenda by ending this war in Iraq that's costing us billions, closing tax loopholes for corporations, putting a price on carbon pollution, and ending George Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans."—2/24/08, Lorain, Ohio
Reinstate PAYGO: "Obama will reinstate pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget rules, so that new spending or tax cuts are paid for by spending cuts or new revenue elsewhere."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

HEALTH CARE

Provide universal health care: "I have made a solemn pledge that I will sign a universal health care bill into law by the end of my first term as president that will cover every American and cut the cost of a typical family's premium by up to $2,500 a year."—6/23/07, Hartford, Conn.
Prosecute insurance monopolies: "We'll investigate and prosecute the monopolization of the insurance industry. And where we do find places where insurance companies aren't competitive, we will make them pay a reasonable share of their profits on the patients they should be caring for in the first place."—5/29/07, Iowa City, Iowa
Expand nurse-family partnership program: "Obama will expand the highly successful Nurse-Family Partnership to all 570,000 low-income, first-time mothers each year."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Help individuals purchase private health insurance: "The Obama plan will create a National Health Insurance Exchange to help individuals who wish to purchase a private insurance plan."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Require children to be insured: "Obama will require that all children have health care coverage."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Expand eligibility for Medicaid and SCHIP: "Obama will expand eligibility for the Medicaid and SCHIP programs and ensure that these programs continue to serve as a critical safety net."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Address women's health issues: "Obama will invest in research to examine gender and health disparities. Obama will also establish community-outreach programs in underserved areas to help make sure women have health care and maintain healthy lifestyles."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Appoint adviser to address violence against women: "Obama will appoint a special adviser who will report to him regularly on issues related to violence against women. Obama will also pass legislation that provides job security to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Establish loan forgiveness program for rural doctors and nurses: "He will attract providers to rural America by creating a loan forgiveness program for doctors and nurses who work in underserved rural areas."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

HOUSING

Crack down on mortgage fraud: "We will crack down on mortgage professionals found guilty of fraud by increasing enforcement and creating new criminal penalties."—7/18/07, Washington
Change bankruptcy laws: "I'll close the loophole that allows investors with multiple homes to renegotiate their mortgage in bankruptcy court, but not victims of predatory lending."—2/13/08, Janesville, Wis.
Make mortgage information clearer: "Obama will create a Homeowner Obligations Made Explicit (HOME) score, which will provide potential borrowers with a simplified, standardized borrower metric (similar to APR) for home mortgages."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Help homeowners
Replicate Harlem Children's Zone: "When I'm President, the first part of my plan to combat urban poverty will be to replicate the Harlem Children's Zone in 20 cities across the country."—7/18/07, Washington, D.C.
Help communities encourage businesses: "When I'm president, I'll make sure that every community has the access to the capital and resources it needs to create a stronger business climate."—7/18/07, Washington, D.C.
Help revitalize inner cities: "Obama will help local entrepreneurs revitalize inner cities."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Create an affordable-housing trust: "As president, I'll create an Affordable Housing Trust Fund that would add as many as 112,000 new affordable units in mixed-income neighborhoods."—7/18/07, Washington, D.C.
Appoint director of urban policy: "I will also appoint a new director of urban policy, who will cut through the disorganized bureaucracy that currently exists and report directly to me on how these efforts are going."—7/18/07, Washington, D.C.

IMMIGRATION

Secure borders but implement process for illegal immigrants to become citizens: "But we cannot deport 12 million people. Instead, we'll require them to pay a fine, learn English, and go to the back of the line for citizenship -- behind those who came here legally. At the same time, we'll secure our borders and crack down on employers who hire undocumented workers."—9/10/08, Washington, D.C.
Overhaul immigration laws: "When I'm president, I will put comprehensive immigration reform back on the nation's agenda. And I will not rest until it is passed once and for all."—7/22/07, Miami
Crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants: "Obama will remove incentives to enter the country illegally by cracking down on employers who hire undocumented immigrants."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

INFRASTRUCTURE

Protect New Orleans: "When I am president, we will finish building a system of levees that can withstand a 100-year storm by 2011, with the goal of expanding that protection to defend against a Category 5 storm."—2/7/08, New Orleans
Hire qualified Federal Emergency Management Agency director with a fixed term: "He or she will have the highest qualifications in emergency management. And I won't just tell you that I'll insulate that office from politics. I'll guarantee it by giving my FEMA director a fixed term like the director of the Federal Reserve."—2/7/08, New Orleans
Require New Orleans' rebuilding coordinator to report to him: "When I am president, the federal rebuilding coordinator [for the Gulf Coast] will report directly to me, and we will ensure that resources show results."—2/7/08, New Orleans
Give New Orleans' residents first dibs on local contacts: "When I am president, if there is a job that can be done by a New Orleans resident, the contract will go to a resident of New Orleans. And we'll provide tax incentives to businesses that choose to set up shop in the hardest hit areas."—2/7/08, New Orleans
Invest $60 billion in infrastructure: "I've proposed a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank that will invest $60 billion over 10 years. This will multiply into almost half a trillion dollars of additional infrastructure spending and generate nearly 2 million new jobs -- many of them in the construction industry that's been hard hit by the housing crisis we're facing"—2/24/08, Lorain, Ohio
Invest in rural infrastructure: "Obama will invest in the core infrastructure -- roads, bridges, locks, dams, water systems and essential air service -- that rural communities need."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

LABOR

Increase minimum wage every year: "I won't wait 10 years to raise the minimum wage. I'll guarantee that it goes up every single year."—11/7/07, Bettendorf, Iowa
Support unions: "If American workers are being denied their right to organize when I'm in the White House, I will put on a comfortable pair of shoes and I will walk on that picket line with you as president of the United States."—11.3/07, Spartanburg, S.C.
Try to ban permanent replacement of strikers: "He will work to ban the permanent replacement of striking workers, so workers can stand up for themselves without worrying about losing their livelihoods."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Invest $1 billion in transitional jobs programs: "I will invest $1 billion over five years in innovative transitional jobs programs that have been highly successful at placing the unemployed into temporary jobs and then training them for permanent ones."—7/18/07, Washington, D.C.
Stand up for working parents: "I'll be a president who stands up for working parents."—11/7/07, Bettendorf, Iowa
Require automatic retirement savings plans: "When I'm president, employers will be required to enroll every worker in a direct deposit retirement account that places a small percentage of every paycheck into savings."—1/29/08, El Dorado, Kan.
Expand Family Medical Leave Act: "I'll expand the Family Medical Leave Act to include more businesses and millions more workers"—11/7/07, Bettendorf, Iowa
Won't sign trade pacts lacking labor and environmental standards: "It's because of this longstanding commitment to working families that I will not sign any trade agreement as president that does not have protections for our environment and protections for American workers."—2/24/08, Lorain, Ohio
Sign the Employee Free Choice Act: "That [union right to organize] is why I'll fight for and why I intend to sign the Employee Free Choice Act when it lands on my desk in the White House."—4/15/08, Washington, D.C.
Revise tax laws to encourage U.S. job creation: "We'll pass the Patriot Employer Act that I've been fighting for ever since I ran for the Senate, so we can end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas and give them to companies that create good jobs with decent wages right here in America.."—4/2/08, Philadelphia
Enforce Equal Pay Act: "Barack Obama will better enforce the Equal Pay Act, fight job discrimination, and improve child care options and family medical leave to give women equal footing in the workplace."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Help states adopt paid-leave systems: "Obama will initiate a strategy to encourage all 50 states to adopt paid-leave systems. Obama will provide a $1.5 billion fund to assist states with startup costs and to help states offset the costs for employees and employers."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Promote workplace flexibility: "Obama will create a program to inform businesses about the benefits of flexible work schedules; help businesses create flexible work opportunities; and increase federal incentives for telecommuting."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Require paid sick leave: "Obama will require that employers provide seven paid sick days per year to their employees."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

MISCELLANEOUS

Encourage fathers to be responsible: "I'll pass the plan I outlined last year that will provide more financial support to fathers who make the responsible choice to help raise their children and crack down on the fathers who don't."—7/18/07, Washington, D.C.

PUBLIC SERVICE

Create youth service corps: "I am also going to create a 5-E Youth Service Corps."—6/5/07, Hampton, Va.
Expand civilian service corps: "Today, AmeriCorps—our nation's network of local, state and national service programs—has 75,000 slots. As president, I will increase that to 250,000."; "We'll expand USA Freedom Corps to create an online network where Americans can browse opportunities to volunteer."; "We will grow the Foreign Service to renew our commitment to diplomacy. We will double the size of the Peace Corps by its 50th anniversary in 2011."; "Today, there are 8,000 YouthBuild slots. We'll expand that to 50,000."—12/5/07, Mt. Vernon, Iowa
Expand Senior Corps: "Obama will engage more interested seniors into public service opportunities by expanding and improving programs like Senior Corps to connect seniors with quality volunteer opportunities."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Nurture innovation among nonprofits: "By leveraging federal dollars, Obama will foster the use of best practices of the private sector to nurture innovation in the nonprofit sector."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Encourage nonprofits: "Barack Obama will a create an agency within the Corporation for National and Community Service dedicated to building the capacity and effectiveness of the nonprofit sector." —Obama's Blueprint for Change

SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY

Provide every American broadband access: "As president, I will set a simple goal: Every American should have the highest-speed broadband access—no matter where you live or how much money you have."—6/16/08, Flint, Mich. Boost R&D funding; "I'll double federal funding for basic research and make the R&D tax credit permanent."—6/16/08, Flint, Mich.
Expand high-speed Internet access in rural area: "Barack Obama will ensure that rural Americans have access to a modern communications infrastructure. He will modernize an FCC program that supports rural phone service so that it promotes affordable broadband coverage across rural America as well."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE

Work to lower drug costs: "In addition, I will allow the government to negotiate with drug companies to lower costs for seniors, and we'll allow reimportation of drugs from other countries and ensure their safety, lowering costs for all consumers."—9/6/08, Washington, D.C.
Preserve Social Security, block privatization: "Obama will preserve Social Security by stopping any efforts to privatize it and working in a bipartisan way to preserve it for future generations."—Obama's Blueprint for Change Reduce Medicare waste; "[Obama] will reduce waste in the Medicare system, including eliminating subsidies to the private insurance Medicare Advantage program."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

TAXES

Ensure taxes don't go up for families with incomes lower than $250,000: "And I can make a firm pledge: Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 will see their taxes increase -- not your income taxes, not your payroll taxes, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes."—9/12/08, Dover, N.H.
Remove capital gains taxes for small businesses: "I will eliminate capital gains taxes for the small businesses and the start-ups that will create the high-wage, high-tech jobs of tomorrow."—8/28/08, Denver
Cut taxes for 95 percent of working families: "I will cut taxes -- cut taxes -- for 95 percent of all working families."—8/28/08, Denver
Provide $4,000 education tax credit: "I'll create a new and refundable tax credit worth $4,000 for tuition and fees every year."—11/7/07, Bettendorf, Iowa
Simplify student aid application process: "I'll also simplify the financial aid application process so that we don't have a million students who aren't applying for financial aid because it's too difficult. I will start by eliminating the current student aid form altogether. We'll use tax data instead."—11/7/07, Bettendorf, Iowa
Triple earned income tax credit: "To make work pay, I will also triple the Earned Income Tax Credit for full-time workers making the minimum wage."—7/18/07, Washington
Crack down on tax evasion: "We'll create a list of countries where tax evaders hide their income and cost America untold billions of dollars every year. We'll lead the international community to new standards of information sharing. And we'll penalize companies and individuals who use those havens and illegally evade their tax obligations."—9/18/07, Washington
Provide homeowners tax credit: "We'll provide struggling homeowners some relief by giving them a tax credit that would cover 10 percent of a family's mortgage interest payment every year."—1/29/08, El Dorado, Kan.
Tax fewer retirees: "When I'm president, we'll work to see that no retiree making less than $50,000 each year has to pay income tax."—9/18/07, Washington
Cut taxes on the middle class: "I have not only pledged not to raise their taxes, I've been the first candidate in this race to specifically say I would cut their taxes."—4/16/08, Philadelphia; "We will provide real tax relief for the middle class by cutting taxes for 150 million Americans."—6/12/08, Kaukauna, Wis.
Tax windfall oil profits: "I'll put a windfall profits tax on oil companies and use it to help Indiana families pay their heating and cooling bills and reduce energy costs."—4/25/08, Indianapolis
Simplify income tax filing: "When I'm president, we'll put in place a system where 40 million Americans with a job and a bank account who take the standard deduction can do their taxes in less than five minutes."—6/12/08, Kaukauna, Wis.
Cut income taxes $1,000 for working families: "Obama will cut income taxes by $1,000 for working families to offset the payroll tax they pay."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Change child tax credit: "Obama will reform the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit by making it refundable and allowing low-income families to receive up to a 50 percent credit for their child care expenses."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Provide $500 tax credit to low- and middle-income workers: "Obama will provide all low- and middle-income workers a $500 Making Work Pay tax credit to offset the payroll tax those workers pay in every paycheck."—Obama's Blueprint for Change Repeal Bush tax cuts for the very rich; "Obama is committed to repealing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

VETERANS

Update Veterans Affairs hospital system: "I've pledged to build a 21st-century VA as president. It means no more red tape. It's time to give every service member electronic copies of medical and service records upon discharge."—5/12/08, Charleston, W.Va.
Pass VA budget on time: "I'm going to work with leaders of Congress for a must-pass veterans budget."—5/26/08, Las Cruces, N.M.
Ensure all veterans are covered: "I think it is important for all veterans to be eligible for the VA. And that is something that I'm going to reverse when I'm president of the United States."—5/26/08, Las Cruces, N.M.
Ensure adequate number of VA clinics: "What we can make sure of is that there are enough clinics out there that for basic checkups, you know, problems that are outpatient situations, that people don't have to drive two or three hours. And that's something that I'm going to make sure is budgeted when I'm president of the United States."—5/26/08, Las Cruces, N.M.
Increase housing assistance: "I'll expand housing vouchers, and I'll launch a new supportive services housing program to prevent at-risk veterans and their families from sliding into homelessness."—8/21/07, Kansas City, Mo. Improve VA administrative systems; "Obama will hire additional claims workers and improve training and accountability so that VA benefit decisions are rated fairly and consistently. He also will make the paper benefit claims process an electronic one to reduce errors and improve timeliness."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Fully fund VA: "Barack Obama will fully fund the VA so it has all the resources it needs to serve the veterans who need it when they need it. Obama will establish a world-class VA planning division to avoid future budget shortfalls."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Improve military's mental health screening and care: "Obama will improve mental health care at every stage of military service. He will recruit more health professionals, improve screening, offer more support to families and make PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] benefits claims fairer."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Establish standards for caring for brain-injured veterans: "Obama will establish standards of care for traumatic brain injury, the signature injury of the Iraq war."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Improve care for various injuries and women's health through VA: "He will improve care for polytrauma vision impairment, prosthetics, spinal cord injury, aging and women's health."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Demand VA eases transition to civilian life: "Obama will demand that the military and the VA coordinate to provide a seamless transition from active duty to civilian life."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Reverse 2003 ban on enrolling low-income veterans: "One of Obama's first acts will be reversing the 2003 ban on enrolling modest-income veterans, which has denied care to a million veterans."—Obama's Blueprint for Change
Fight job discrimination against guardsmen and reservists: "Obama will crack down on employers who commit job discrimination against guardsmen and reservists."—Obama's Blueprint for Change

ABORTION

Remain "pro-life": "I am pro-life and an advocate for the Rights of Man everywhere in the world…I will never waver in that conviction, I promise you."—2/7/08, Washington

ADMINISTRATION

Put nation ahead of party: "I will always put my nation ahead of my party. That's my obligation to you."—1/26/08, Fort Myers, Fla.
Work with Democrats, include them in his administration: "As president of the United States, I will preserve my proud conservative Republican credentials, but I will reach across the aisle to the Democrats and work together for the good of this country."—2/4/08, Boston; "I'll have Democrats in my administration who want to make this country a better place and cure our economic ills and make this nation strong again."—5/7/08, Rochester, Mich.

AGRICULTURE

Try to eliminate tariffs on agricultural imports and cut farm subsidies: "If I am elected president, I will seek an end to all agricultural tariffs and to all farm subsidies that are not based on clear need. I will veto any bill containing special-interest favors and corporate welfare in any form."—5/19/08, Chicago
Open foreign markets to U.S. farmers: "John McCain will expand access for U.S. agricultural producers to foreign markets, providing a great and lasting benefit to American farmers. He will work tirelessly to ensure our farmers receive fair prices for their products."—JohnMcCain.com
Address international food crisis: "John McCain will address the food crisis through reduction of trade barriers and improved world markets."—JohnMcCain.com
Revise crop insurance program: "As president, John McCain will fight on behalf of family farmers to enact reasonable reforms to our crop insurance program and our system of countercyclical and direct payments."—JohnMcCain.com
Help small farmers: "As president, John McCain will base our farm policy on the common good, with policies that help our small farmers to succeed and our rural communities to survive and flourish once again.… He will fight to put an end to flawed government policies that distort the markets, artificially raise prices for consumers and pit producers against consumers." —JohnMcCain.com
Direct Department of Agriculture to research drought-resistant, higher-yield crops: "As president, John McCain will direct the USDA to carry out a comprehensive research approach to help develop more drought resistant higher-yield crops and increase production per acre."—JohnMcCain.com
Promote conservation programs that benefit environment: "[McCain] also will promote conservation programs that encourage maximum environmental stewardship on America's farmlands, vital to assisting farmers in the protection of wildlife and rivers."—JohnMcCain.com
Work to improve rural life: "John McCain will work to restore rural prosperity and improve quality of life."—JohnMcCain.com
Combat hunger in America: "John McCain will combat hunger at home. John McCain supports fully funding food and nutrition programs and carrying out a robust emergency food assistance program at a time when high food prices are hurting the neediest among us. He supports indexing Food Stamps to reflect the current cost of living and he would fill shortfalls in the emergency food assistance program. Senator McCain also supports providing marketing tools for the fruit and vegetable industry focused on promoting healthier American diets."—JohnMcCain.com
Have Environmental Protection Agency reduce or end ethanol mandate: "As president, John McCain will ensure the EPA exercises its authority to waive this mandate or restructure it to ease the unintended consequences it will have on America's economy."—JohnMcCain.com

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Establish task force on human trafficking: "As president, I'll increase cooperation and communication between all agencies of the federal government by establishing an Inter-Agency Task Force on Human Trafficking, whose purpose will be to focus exclusively on the prosecution of human traffickers and the rescue of their victims."—5/7/08, Rochester, Mich.
Work with other countries to catch child pornographers: "As president, I will move to clear obstacles to cooperation between federal agencies and their state and local counterparts to ensure maximum cooperation in the pursuit and prosecution of child predators. At the same time, I will elevate the importance of international cooperation in our relations with other countries to ensure that criminals who traffic in images of child abuse find no haven or quarter in other countries."—5/7/08, Rochester, Mich.
Punish CEOs for corporate misconduct: "Something is seriously wrong when the American people are left to bear the consequences of reckless corporate conduct, while the offenders themselves are packed off with another 40 or 50 million [dollars] for the road. If I am elected president, I intend to see that wrongdoing of this kind is called to account by federal prosecutors."—6/10/08, Washington
Support groups helping ex-convicts: "Ex-convicts need more than a few bucks and a bus ticket out of town. Many will need job training, a place to live, mentors, family counseling and much more. Beyond government, there are churches and community groups all across our country that stand ready to help even more. And these groups will have the committed support of my administration."—7/1/08, Indianapolis
Build communication network for public safety agencies: "So that police, firefighters and other public safety agencies can freely communicate with one another, we will build a long-overdue national, interoperable public safety broadband network."—7/1/08, Indianapolis

DEFENSE

Expand use of fixed-price military contracts: "I will expand the use of fixed-price contracts to enforce discipline in the procurement process and ensure that clearly defined requirements are fulfilled, realistic schedules are kept and costs don't exceed the promised price."—5/21/07, Oklahoma City
Expand Army and Marine Corps: "As president, I would bring the Army and Marines from the currently planned level of roughly 750,000 to 900,000. This will cost real money, some $15 billion annually, but it will not require a draft any more than similar levels did in the 1980s."—7/13/07, Concord, N.H.
Increase military personnel in certain specialties: "I would increase the number of personnel in information operations, Special Forces, civil affairs, military policing, military intelligence and other disciplines."—9/27/07, New York
Create civil military agency: "I would also set up a new civil military agency patterned after the Office of Strategic Services in World War II."—9/27/07, New York
Capture Osama bin Laden: "If I have to follow him to the gates of hell, I will get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice."—2/14/08, Burlington, Vt.
Ensure defense systems cost as little as possible: "I will never, never support any defense system or procurement, whether it be in Arizona or in the state of Washington, that is not a maximum usage of the taxpayers dollars that they worked so hard on."—3/3/08, Phoenix
Put America's security above personal ambition: "I have spent my life in service to my country and I will never, never, never risk her security for the sake of my own ambition."—5/16/08, Louisville, Ky.
Continue moratorium on nuclear testing: "As president, I will pledge to continue America's current moratorium on testing but also begin a dialogue with our allies and with the U.S. Senate to identify ways we can move forward to limit testing in a verifiable manner that does not undermine the security or viability of our nuclear deterrent."—5/27/08, Denver
Strengthen the military, shore up alliances: "As president, John McCain will strengthen the military, shore up our alliances and ensure that the nation is capable of protecting the homeland, deterring potential military challenges, responding to any crisis that endangers American security and prevailing in any conflict we are forced to fight."—JohnMcCain.com
Ensure nation has high-quality intelligence: "As president, John McCain will ensure that America has the quality intelligence necessary to uncover plots before they take root, the resources to protect critical infrastructure and our borders against attack and the capability to respond and recover from a terrorist incident swiftly."-JohnMcCain.com
Fight war on terrorism intelligently: "[McCain] will ensure that the war against terrorists is fought intelligently, with patience and resolve, using all instruments of national power. Moreover, he will lead this fight with the understanding that to impinge on the rights of our own citizens or restrict the freedoms for which our nation stands would be to give terrorists the victory they seek."—JohnMcCain.com

DIVERSITY

Establish a White House position devoted to tribal affairs: 6/3/08, Reno Gazette-Journal
Support legislation to provide aid to persons with disabilities: "I will work to enact legislation that would build on the principles of the Money Follows the Person Initiative, while also keeping my commitment to a responsible budget."—7/26/08, Cottonwood, Ariz.

ECONOMY

Create Mortgage and Financial Institutions trust: "First, to deal with the immediate crisis, I will lead in the creation of the Mortgage and Financial Institutions trust -- the MFI. ... The MFI will restore investor and market confidence, build sound financial institutions, assist troubled institutions and protect our financial system while minimizing taxpayer exposure."—9/19/08, Green Bay, Wis.
Implement laws to hold financial firms accountable: "Second, I will propose and sign into law reforms to prevent financial firms from concealing their bad practices."—9/19/08, Green Bay, Wis.
Double child exemption: "I will double the child exemption from $3,500 to $7,000 to help families pay for the rising cost of living."—9/19/08, Green Bay, Wis.
Balance the budget: "I will propose a balanced budget by the end of my first term, but I cannot tell you that I will do it the first year."—2/15/08, La Crosse, Wis.; "John McCain will balance the budget by the end of his first term."—JohnMcCain.com
Honor the North American Free Trade Agreement: "If I am elected president, this country will honor its international agreements, including NAFTA, and we will expect the same of others."—6/10/08, Washington, D.C.
Ensure trade policies are in accord with trade agreements: "As president, John McCain will fight to ensure that U.S. trade policies are in accord with bilateral and [World Trade Organization] trade agreements.… He will demand the same of our trading partners and will stand up for producers by holding these partners accountable under existing and future trade agreements."—JohnMcCain.com
Lower barriers to trade: "John McCain will lower barriers to trade."—JohnMcCain.com
Support growth of small businesses: "Small businesses are the job engine of America, and I will make it easier for them to grow and create more jobs." —7/7/08, Denver

EDUCATION

Fully fund special education programs: "I would fully fund special education programs, but I would also make sure that teachers do not just put discipline problems into those programs."—5/2/08, Denver
Ensure students have access to excellent schools: "John McCain will fight for the ability of all students to have access to all schools of demonstrated excellence, including their own homes."—JohnMcCain.com
Reform education system: "As president, John McCain will pursue reforms that address the underlying cultural problems in our education system."—JohnMcCain.com
Increase parents' ability to choose children's schools: "John McCain will place parents and children at the center of the education process, empowering parents by greatly expanding the ability of parents to choose among schools for their children."—JohnMcCain.com
Expand Opportunity Scholarships and alternative teacher certification: "If I am elected president, school choice for all who want it, an expansion of Opportunity Scholarships and alternative certification for teachers will all be part of a serious agenda of education reform." —7/16/08, Cincinnati
Reward teachers in troubled schools and teachers whose students excel: "We will pay bonuses to teachers who take on the challenge of working in our most troubled schools.… We will award bonuses as well to our highest-achieving teachers. And no longer will we measure teacher achievement by conformity to process. We will measure it by the success of their students." —7/16/08, Cincinnati
Allow schools to control bonus payment: "Moreover, the funds for these bonuses will not be controlled by faraway officials — in Washington, in a state capital, or even in a district office. Under my reforms, we will entrust both the funds and the responsibilities where they belong — in the office of the school principal." —7/16/08, Cincinnati
Put $500 million toward building virtual schools: "So I propose to direct $500 million in current federal funds to build new virtual schools, and to support the development of online courses for students." —7/16/08, Cincinnati
Allocate $250 million to state programs focused on online education: "Through competitive grants, we will allocate another $250 million to support state programs expanding online education opportunities, including the creation of new public virtual charter schools." —7/16/08, Cincinnati

EDUCATION

Fully fund special education programs: "I would fully fund special education programs, but I would also make sure that teachers do not just put discipline problems into those programs."—5/2/08, Denver
Ensure students have access to excellent schools: "John McCain will fight for the ability of all students to have access to all schools of demonstrated excellence, including their own homes."—JohnMcCain.com
Reform education system: "As president, John McCain will pursue reforms that address the underlying cultural problems in our education system."—JohnMcCain.com
Increase parents' ability to choose children's schools: "John McCain will place parents and children at the center of the education process, empowering parents by greatly expanding the ability of parents to choose among schools for their children."—JohnMcCain.com
Expand Opportunity Scholarships and alternative teacher certification: "If I am elected president, school choice for all who want it, an expansion of Opportunity Scholarships and alternative certification for teachers will all be part of a serious agenda of education reform." —7/16/08, Cincinnati
Reward teachers in troubled schools and teachers whose students excel: "We will pay bonuses to teachers who take on the challenge of working in our most troubled schools.… We will award bonuses as well to our highest-achieving teachers. And no longer will we measure teacher achievement by conformity to process. We will measure it by the success of their students." —7/16/08, Cincinnati
Allow schools to control bonus payment: "Moreover, the funds for these bonuses will not be controlled by faraway officials — in Washington, in a state capital, or even in a district office. Under my reforms, we will entrust both the funds and the responsibilities where they belong — in the office of the school principal." —7/16/08, Cincinnati
Put $500 million toward building virtual schools: "So I propose to direct $500 million in current federal funds to build new virtual schools, and to support the development of online courses for students." —7/16/08, Cincinnati
Allocate $250 million to state programs focused on online education: "Through competitive grants, we will allocate another $250 million to support state programs expanding online education opportunities, including the creation of new public virtual charter schools." —7/16/08, Cincinnati

ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT

Work with China to make coal cleaner: "As president, I will invite a collaborative relationship with China to make coal use cleaner and climate-friendly."—12/10/07, Aiken, S.C.
End dependence on Middle Eastern oil: "I will have an energy policy… which will eliminate our dependence on oil from the Middle East that will… prevent us from having ever to send our young men and women into conflict again in the Middle East."—5/2/08, Denver
Save the Everglades: "We will save the Everglades, not only for the state of Florida but for the nation and the world."—1/26/08, Fort Myers, Fla.
Leave children a cleaner planet: "Governor Schwarzenegger, I commit to you that you and I and all of the others that are committed to the globe, not just our home states but to this planet, to hand our children a cleaner planet than the one we have today."—1/31/08, Los Angeles
Work with international community on combating climate change: "John McCain will engage the international community in a coordinated effort by actively engaging to lead United Nations negotiations, permitting America to lead in innovation, capture the market on low-carbon energy production and export to developing countries-including government incentives and partnerships for sales of clean tech to developing countries. [He will] provide incentives for rapid participation by India and China, while negotiating an agreement with each."—JohnMcCain.com
Hold China and India to U.S. environmental standards: "We will apply the same environmental standards to industries in China, India and elsewhere that we apply to our own industries."—5/12/08, Portland, Ore.)
Fend off special interests, lobbyists in revising energy policy: "As president, I promise to pursue a national energy strategy that won't be another grab bag of handouts and a full-employment act for lobbyists."—4/10/08, New York City
Address global warming: "As president, I will dedicate myself to addressing the issue of climate change globally."—5/9/08, Jersey City, N.J.
Propose cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emissions: "And this is the proposal I will submit to Congress if I am elected president: a cap-and-trade system to change the dynamic of our energy economy."—5/12/08, Portland, Ore.
$5,0000 tax credit for very low emissions autos: "We will issue a Clean Car Challenge to automakers in the form of a tax credit to the American people: For every automaker who can sell a zero-emissions or very-close-to-zero-emissions car, we will commit up to a $5,000 tax credit to each and every consumer who buys that car."—6/24/08, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Boost clean coal R&D: "As president, I will commit $2 billion each year until 2024 to clean-coal research, development and deployment."—6/25/08, Las Vegas
Build additional nuclear power plants: "If I am elected president, I will set this nation on a course to building 45 reactors by the year 2030. And I will set the goal of 100 new plants to power the homes and factories and cities of America."—6/25/08, Las Vegas
Expand domestic drilling: "I will authorize and support new exploration and production of America's own oil and gas reserves because we cannot outsource the solution to America's energy problem."—6/25/08, Las Vegas
Put nation on path to strategic energy independence: "And let it begin today with this commitment: In a world of hostile and unstable suppliers of oil, this nation will achieve strategic independence by 2025."—6/25/08, Las Vegas
Stop filling Strategic Petroleum Reserve: "John McCain will stop filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to reduce demand."—JohnMcCain.com
Establish market-based system to lower greenhouse gas emissions: "John McCain will establish a market-based system to curb greenhouse gas emissions, mobilize innovative technologies and strengthen the economy."—JohnMcCain.com
Promote advanced-energy technology: "John McCain will reform federal government research funding and infrastructure to support the cap-and-trade emissions reduction goals and emphasize the commercialization of low-carbon technologies."—JohnMcCain.com
Foster rapid and clean economic growth: "John McCain will foster rapid and clean economic growth. John McCain will use a portion of [cap-and-trade] auction proceeds to reduce impacts on low-income American families."—JohnMcCain.com
Enforce Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards: "John McCain will effectively enforce existing CAFE standards."—JohnMcCain.com
Encourage alternative fuels: "John McCain will encourage the market for alternative, low-carbon fuels such as wind, hydro and solar power."—JohnMcCain.com
Reduce red tape to encourage upgrading power grid: "John McCain will work to reduce red tape to allow a serious investment to upgrade our national grid to meet the demands of the 21st century, which will include a capacity to charge the electric cars that will one day fill the roads and highways of America."—JohnMcCain.com
Make federal government environmentally friendly: "John McCain will make greening the federal government a priority of his administration."—JohnMcCain.com
Propose $300 million prize for improved battery technology: "John McCain will propose a $300 million prize to improve battery technology for full commercial development of plug-in hybrid and fully electric automobiles."—JohnMcCain.com

ETHICS REFORM

Keep his promises: "I've always kept my promises to my country. I'll keep the ones I make now. And I will keep the ones I make as president."—10/9/07, Detroit
Disclose administration's interactions with lobbyists: "I'll make sure that all officials in my administration have their interactions with lobbyists fully disclosed to public view."—5/21/07, Oklahoma City
Bar closed-door lobbying sessions: "In my administration, there will be no such thing as a closed-door meeting with a lobbyist. If a lobbyist's case is important enough for my administration to hear it, then it will be important enough for the public to know about it, too."—4/24/08, Baton Rouge, La.
Hold appointees to strict ethical standards: "I will not tolerate influence peddling or self-dealing of any kind. No one who wishes to use his or her office for personal gain will have the privilege of holding office in my administration."—5/21/07, Oklahoma City
Hold federal agencies accountable: "Every federal agency is going to have goals set at the beginning of the fiscal year. And they'll have to issue public progress reports at the end of the year on how well or poorly they met them."—5/21/07, Oklahoma City
Restore trust in government: "I'm going to restore trust and confidence in government."—1/26/08, Fort Myers, Fla.
Return for town hall meetings: "If I'm fortunate enough to be president of the United States, I'll come back and do another town hall meeting here because I think it's important to keep touch with the American people."—2/15/08, Oshkosh, Wis.; "If I'm elected, I will come back here in the course of my administration, hold another town hall meeting and invite you to hold me accountable for the decisions I have made and the promises I have sworn to keep."—4/23/08, Inez, Ky.
Won't misuse signing statements: "I… will not issue a signing statement that contradicts either the letter or the intent of legislation that's passed by Congress and signed by the president. If I disagree with the law I will veto it, but I won't use a signing statement as a way of avoiding implementing that law as the law of the land."—2/27/08, San Antonio
Put government purchase information online: "Information on every step of all contracts and grants will be posted on the Internet in plain English, so that anyone can know what their government is buying and how much we're paying."—4/24/08, Baton Rouge, La.
Publicly acknowledge mistakes, take lawmakers' questions: "I will regularly brief the American people on the progress of our policies made and the setbacks we have encountered. When we make errors I will confess them readily and explain what we intend to do to correct them….I will ask Congress to grant me the privilege of coming before both houses to take questions and address criticisms, much the same as the prime minister of Great Britain appears regularly before the House of Commons."—5/15/08, Columbus, Ohio
Take the campaign high road: "I will do everything I can to keep anything that may be that kind of ugliness out of this political campaign. And the best way to do that, I think, is to show, always, respect for your opponent, no matter who that opponent is."—6/5/08, Orlando, Fla.
(In response to question on negative racial undertones in Democratic primary race)
Hold regular press conferences: "I commit to briefing the American people on the conflicts that we're in, and I commit to having press conferences once a week, or once every two weeks, depending on if I'm on foreign travel or something like that, but on a very regular basis."—6/19/08, St. Paul, Minn.
Ensure pillars of democracy are respected: "As president, John McCain will see to it that the institutions of self-government are respected pillars of democracy, not commodities to be bought, bartered or abused."—JohnMcCain.com

FOREIGN POLICY

Repair America's relationship with Russia: "As president, I'll work to establish good relations with Russia so that we need not fear a return to the Cold War."—9/4/08, St. Paul, Minn.
Maintain embargo until Cuba meets U.S. demands: "My administration will press the Cuban regime to release all political prisoners unconditionally; to legalize all political parties, labor unions and free media; and to schedule internationally monitored elections. And the embargo will stay in place until those terms are met."—6/20/07, Palm Beach, Fla.
Provide more support for Cuban activists: "I would provide more material assistance and moral support to the courageous human-rights activists who bravely defy the regime every day, and increase Radio and TV Marti and other means to communicate directly with the Cuban people."—5/20/08, Miami
Prosecute Cuban officials who have committed crimes against Americans: "My Justice Department would vigorously prosecute Cuban officials implicated in the murders of Americans, drug trafficking and other crimes."—5/20/08, Miami
Create global League of Democracies in the Americas: "If elected, I will work to create a new global League of Democracies that would give Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Peru, and other great nations in the region a voice in confronting common problems based a shared values—a voice that they are denied in the United Nations Security Council."—6/20/07, Palm Beach, Fla.
Improve relations with Latin America: "If I am elected president, the United States will forge a new policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean Basin founded on peace and security, shared prosperity, democracy and freedom, and mutual respect."—6/20/07, Palm Beach, Fla.
Maintain military presence in Asia: "We will maintain a military presence in Asia, places like South Korea and Japan, to preserve stability in the region."—1/26/08, Fort Myers, Fla.
Strengthen ties to Brazil, Peru, and Chile: "We will work to prevent Venezuela and Bolivia from taking the same road to failure Castro has paved for Cuba, and we will broaden and strengthen ties with key states like Brazil, Peru and Chile."—5/20/08, Miami
Never surrender in Iraq: "I was astonished recently—not astonished, deeply disappointed—that Senator Clinton said that she would announce a date for withdrawal within 60 days of the time she became president of the United States, wave the white flag and surrender to Al Qaeda in Iraq. That will never happen, I will never surrender as president of the United States."—1/26/08, Fort Myers, Fla.
Win the war in Iraq: "By January 2013, America has welcomed home most of the servicemen and -women.… The Iraq war has been won. Iraq is a functioning democracy.… The United States maintains a military presence there. But a much smaller one. And it does not play a direct combat role. The threat from a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan has been greatly reduced but not eliminated.… There's no longer any place in the world Al Qaeda can consider a safe haven."—5/15/08, Columbus, Ohio
Use savings from military victories to reduce deficit: "The McCain administration would reserve all savings from victory in Iraq and Afghanistan operations in the fight against Islamic extremists for reducing the deficit."—JohnMcCain.com
End harmful toy imports: "If I were president of the United States, the next time a toy comes into this country that endangers the lives of our children, that would be the last toy that came into this country."—2/26/08, West Chester, Ohio
Open up every market in the world: "I, as president, will open up every market in the world to the United States' product of the greatest and most productive worker in the world."—3/7/08, Atlanta
Set goal of ridding Africa of malaria: "I will establish the goal of eradicating malaria on the continent—the No. 1 killer of African children under the age of 5."—3/26/08, Los Angeles
Protect Israel: "I will continue to keep the commitment that I've had for many, many years, that I will do whatever is necessary to preserve the independence and freedom of the state of Israel, our staunchest ally in the Middle East. I will do that without fail, and without faltering, and without changing."—5/2/08, Denver
Increase the importance of religious freedom in international relations: "As president, I intend to make religious freedom a subject of great importance for the United States in our relations with other nations."—5/7/08, Rochester, Mich.
Discourage degrading or harmful customs: "I would insist that our diplomacy actively raise and discourage in our relationships with other countries customs that so degrade and physically threaten people, and [would] explain that the full benefits of friendship with the United States are predicated on a shared respect for the basic right of women and children not to suffer atrocities to their physical and emotional health to protect traditions that should have been ended long ago."—5/7/08, Rochester, Mich.

GOVERNMENT SPENDING

Veto any spending bill with earmarks: "When Congress sends me one of those huge pork-barrel bills… I will veto it, and I will make the authors who wrote it famous. You'll know their names, and you can hold them accountable."—10/20/07, Orlando
Seek line-item veto: "As president, he will seek the line-item veto to reduce waste and eliminate earmarks that have led to corruption.—JohnMcCain.com
Stop wasteful spending: "I want to look you in the eye and tell you that as president of the United States I will stop this spending spree in Washington, which has mortgaged our children's future… and lost us the last election."—1/26/08, Fort Myers, Fla.
Put war funds into regular appropriations bills, not emergency supplementals: "Yes, ma'am. It should be, and it should have been a long time ago."-3/14/08, Springfield, Pa. (In response to question)
End "corporate welfare": "In my administration, there will be no more subsidies for special pleaders, no more corporate welfare, no more throwing around billions of dollars of the people's money on pet projects while the people themselves are struggling to afford their homes, groceries and gas."—4/15/08, Pittsburgh
Temporarily halt discretionary spending: "As president, I will also order a prompt and thorough review of the budgets of every federal program, department and agency. While that top-to-bottom review is under way, we will institute a one-year pause in discretionary spending increases with the necessary exemption of military spending and veterans' benefits."—4/15/08, Pittsburgh
Make federal spending serve the common good: "We will ensure that federal spending serves the common interests, that failed programs are not rewarded but reinvented or ended, and that discretionary spending is going where it belongs—to essential priorities like job training, the security of our citizens, and the care of our veterans."—6/10/08, Washington
Reform budget process: "John McCain will reform budgeting to treat equally spending and taxes and to stop damaging tax hikes."—JohnMcCain.com

HEALTH CARE

Control health care costs: "If we don't get costs under control, the number of uninsured will continue to increase and there won't be enough money to plug the hole. We must address this problem now to assist the growing generation of older Americans increasingly dependent on health care and for generations to come. And, as president, I will."—10/9/07, Detroit
Provide tax credit to individual buying private insurance: "My health care reform will end the unfair bias in the law, helping to make insurance more affordable for every American. We're going to offer every individual and family in America a large tax credit to buy their health care, so that their health insurance is theirs to keep even if they move or change jobs."—6/10/08, Washington; "While still having the option of employer-based coverage, every family will receive a direct refundable tax credit, effectively cash, of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families to offset the cost of insurance."—JohnMcCain.com
Maintain commitment to children's heath insurance programs: "Yes I will."—3/25/08, Santa Ana, Calif.
(In response to question: "Will you continue to make a commitment to the federal programs that help fund health care systems, health care services to your children, the children of our workers here in this factory and this community?")
Consult governors about people denied coverage: "I have also pledged to meet with the governors to solicit their ideas about the best way to provide insurance to those denied coverage under current practices."—5/1/08, Cleveland
Expand benefits of health savings accounts: "John McCain will encourage and expand the benefits of health savings accounts for families."—JohnMcCain.com
Promote safe re-importation of drugs and faster introduction of generic drugs: "John McCain will look to bring greater competition to our drug markets through safe re-importation of drugs and faster introduction of generic drugs."—JohnMcCain.com
Develop strategy for providing long-term care: "John McCain will develop a strategy for meeting the challenge of a population needing greater long-term care."—JohnMcCain.com
Fight autism: "As president, John McCain will work to advance federal research into autism, promote early screening and identify better treatment options while providing support for children with autism so that they may reach their full potential."—JohnMcCain.com
Help smokers quit: "John McCain will promote the availability of smoking-cessation programs."—JohnMcCain.com
Protect responsible doctors from lawsuits: "John McCain will lead the fight for medical liability reform that eliminates lawsuits directed at doctors who follow clinical guidelines and adhere to proven safety controls."—JohnMcCain.com

HOUSING

Boost neighborhood mortgage groups: "John McCain will bolster groups like Neighborworks America that provide mortgage assistance to homeowners in their communities."—JohnMcCain.com

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

Secure borders, deport criminals, prosecute those who hire illegal aliens: "I will work with others and we will secure our borders and then we will round up the 2 million people who have committed crimes here illegally and get them out of this country. We will have a temporary worker program with biometric, tamper-proof documents. And anybody who hires someone without those tamper-proof documents will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."—1/26/08, Fort Myers, Fla.
Control illegal immigration, create new temporary-worker program: "[In a McCain administration], illegal immigration has been finally brought under control and the American people accepted the practical necessity to institute a temporary-worker program and deal humanely with the millions of immigrants who have been in this country illegally."—5/15/08, Columbus, Ohio
Expand the Criminal Alien Program: "As president, I will expand the Criminal Alien Program. We will require that the federal government assume more of the costs to deport and detain criminal aliens because this is a problem of the federal government's own making."—7/1/08, Indianapolis

INFRASTRUCTURE

Develop regional catastrophic insurance program: "I can regionally get the governors, the legislators… and all of the people together, and the insurance companies, and we can sit down and make insurance possible across state lines, establish risk pools and make sure that every homeowner—including insurance reform as a necessary part of it—has the ability to insure their home for the future from a natural disaster. I'm committed to it. I know I can do it."—1/25/08, Miami
Provide insurance for every Florida homeowner: "We will provide insurance for every homeowner in Florida and across this area that is so vulnerable to climate change and the effects of it."—1/26/08, Fort Myers, Fla.
Improve the Federal Emergency Management Agency: "We're going to fix FEMA."—1/26/08, Fort Myers, Fla.

LABOR

Reform unemployment compensation: "If I'm elected president, I'll work with Congress and the states to overhaul unemployment insurance and make it a program for retraining, relocating and assisting workers who have lost a job that's not coming back to find a job that won't go away."—10/9/07, Detroit
Create job-loss buffer accounts for workers: "We will build a new system, using the unemployment-insurance taxes to build for each worker a buffer account against a sudden loss of income—so that in times of need they're not just told to fill out forms and take a number. And we will draw on the great strengths of America's community colleges, applying the funds from federal training accounts to give displaced workers of every age a fresh start with new skills and new opportunities."—4/15/08, Pittsburgh
Train workers for the new economy: "I will have programs that educate and train workers to take part in this new economy and we will not leave them behind."—2/26/08, West Chester, Ohio
Put shareholders in control of CEO pay: "Under my reforms, all aspects of a CEO's pay, including any severance arrangements, must be approved by shareholders."—6/10/08, Washington
Make U.S. workers more competitive: "John McCain will act to make American workers more competitive."—JohnMcCain.com
Assist older workers: "John McCain will provide special, targeted assistance for older workers. Because training is often inefficient for older workers, those 55 years of age and older who have built up an LEB [Lost Earnings Buffer Account] will be eligible for a lost earnings supplement."—JohnMcCain.com

MISCELLANEOUS

Let Great Lakes region control its water: "The people in the states that border on the Great Lakes will be the one that decide what happens to the water in the Great Lakes. I promise you, I promise you that, I promise you."—5/7/08, Rochester, Mich.

PUBLIC SERVICE

Inspire public service: "I will inspire Americans to serve a cause greater than their self-interest because there's nothing nobler, there is nothing nobler than one can do. And I put at the top of that priority list, obviously, service to one's country."—2/18/08, Appleton, Wis.

SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY

Enact first-year tax write-offs for new equipment: "I will propose and sign into law a reform to permit the first-year expensing of new equipment and technology."—6/10/08, Washington
Support funding of adult stem cell research: "As president, John McCain will strongly support funding for promising research programs, including amniotic fluid and adult stem cell research and other types of scientific study that do not involve the use of human embryos."—JohnMcCain.com
Streamline technology adoption: "John McCain will streamline the process for deploying new technologies and requiring more accountability from government programs to meet commercialization goals and deadlines."—JohnMcCain.com; "John McCain will ensure rapid technology introduction, quickly shifting research from the laboratory to the marketplace."—JohnMcCain.com

SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE

Save Social Security and Medicare: "I will fight to save the future of Social Security and Medicare by reaching my hand across the aisle, but if the Democrats won't act, give me the responsibility and I will. If Congress won't act, I will demand an up or down vote on my plan."—10/9/07, Detroit
Save Social Security without raising taxes: "John McCain will reform Social Security. He will fight to save the future of Social Security while meeting our obligations to the retirees of today and the future without raising taxes."—JohnMcCain.com
Reduce Medicare drug subsidies: "[McCain] will propose reforms to reduce the large subsidies in the Medicare drug program."—JohnMcCain.com
Lower Medicare premiums: "John McCain will act to lower Medicare premiums."—JohnMcCain.com
Change Medicare and Medicaid payment systems: "John McCain will reform the payment systems in Medicaid and Medicare to compensate providers for diagnosis, prevention and care coordination."—JohnMcCain.com

SUPREME COURT

Nominate strict constructionists: "I will nominate judges to the United States Supreme Court and other federal courts based on one criteria, and that is that they have a proven record of strict interpretation of the Constitution of the United States, who do not believe in legislating from the bench. And that has to be a proven record, like Justices [John] Roberts and [Samuel] Alito had."—2/15/08, La Crosse, Wis.

TAXES

Preserve Bush tax cuts: "I will not let the Democrats roll back the Bush tax cuts."—10/9/07, Detroit
Abolish the alternative minimum tax: "I am committed to repealing this tax before millio