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
- Increase oversight of financial institutions
- "On my watch, the rules will be enforced, and violations will be prosecuted. And there will be new rules to shrink, sell, and clean house at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac."—10/1/08, Independence, Mo.
- Investigate mortgage crisis and publicize the names of those responsible
- "... the same people that are now claiming credit for this rescue are the same ones that were willing co-conspirators causing these problems we are in. And you know their names. You will know more of their names. Congressman Barney Frank and Senator Chris Dodd are two of them."—10/9/08, Waukesha, Wis.
- 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
- Order Treasury Secretary to renegotiate bad home mortgages
- "As president of the United States, Alan, I would order the secretary of the Treasury to immediately buy up the bad home loan mortgages in America and renegotiate at the new value of those homes -- at the diminished value of those homes and let people be able to make those payments and stay in their homes."—10/8/08, Nashville, Tenn.
- 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 millions of American families are forced to devote even more of their hard-earned money to paying for the spending largesse in Washington."—10/9/07, Detroit
- Cut corporate tax rate
- "We have to cut that corporate tax rate from 35 [percent] to 25 [percent], so that businesses will stay in America and will keep jobs in America, and we will bring this country back."—2/1/08, Chicago
- Reduce restrictions on corporations
- "I will not burden [corporations] with regulations, with higher taxes, and with laws that prevent them from doing the things that they're doing so well for so long."—2/8/08, Seattle
- Won't enact new taxes
- "No new taxes."—2/17/08, on ABC TV's This Week
- Keep tax rates on income, investments low
- "I intend to keep the current low income and investment tax rates. And I will pursue tax reform that supports the wage earners and job creators who make this economy run, and help them to succeed in a global economy." 6/10/08, Washington
- Propose new tax system
- "As president, I will propose an alternative tax system."—6/10/08, Washington
- Double tax exemption for dependents
- "John McCain will double the personal exemption for dependents. He proposes to raise the personal exemption for each dependent from $3,500 to $7,000."—JohnMcCain.com
- Establish 10 percent tax credit on wages of R&D workers
- "John McCain will establish permanent tax credit equal to 10 percent of wages spent on R&D. This reform will simplify the tax code, reward activity in the U.S. and make us more competitive with other countries."—JohnMcCain.com
- Ban Internet taxes
- "John McCain will ban Internet taxes."—JohnMcCain.com
- Ban new cell phone taxes
- "John McCain will ban new cell phone taxes."—JohnMcCain.com
- Make it harder to raise taxes
- "John McCain will make it harder to raise taxes. John McCain believes it should require a three-fifths majority vote in Congress to raise taxes."—JohnMcCain.com
- Keep current tax rates on dividends, capital gains
- "John McCain will keep the current rates on dividends and capital gains, and fight anti-growth efforts by Democrats."—JohnMcCain.com
- Repeal tax on imported sugar-based ethanol
- "John McCain will repeal the 54-cents-per-gallon tax on imported sugar-based ethanol, increasing competition and lowering prices of gasoline at the pump."—JohnMcCain.com
VETERANS
- Provide injured or poor veterans with insurance card
- "My administration will create a Veterans' Care Access Card to be used by veterans with illness or injury incurred during their military service, and by those with lower incomes."—8/26/08, Phoenix
- Ensure that Congress adequately funds VA
- "I will make sure that Congress funds the VA health care budget in a sufficient, timely, and predictable manner. But I will say that every increase in funding must be matched by increases in accountability, both at the VA and in Congress."—8/26/08, Phoenix
- Provide high-quality health care to veterans
- "As president, I will do everything in my power to ensure that those who serve today and those who have served in the past have access to the highest-quality health, mental health and rehabilitative care in the world."—5/26/08, Albuquerque, N.M.
- Be an advocate for military retirees and their families
- "[McCain] will remain an unwavering champion for the rights of military retirees and their families."—JohnMcCain.com
- Fight for equal treatment of disabled vets
- "John McCain will continue to fight for equal treatment of disabled veterans under the retirement system."—JohnMcCain.com
• Return to main promises page
Denotes subscriber-only content