SPECIAL SERIES

Presidential Candidates & The Issues

Thursday, July 31, 2008


Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images

National Journal examines the differences between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain in a 10-part series looking at their policy records and proposals concerning the major issues in the presidential race. The magazine will also host a series of policy discussions in conjunction with this series. Multimedia from the forums will be made available here after each event.

Interactive GraphicWhere They Stand

• The Economy: Sharp Contrast
Both men back tax cuts, but tax cuts of very different kinds. Tighter financial regulation is more likely with Obama than McCain. How the economy looks in 2009 may be more important than what they say today.

• Iraq: The Fulcrum
McCain and Obama may be running for president, but they are also auditioning for the job of wartime commander-in-chief. Both have staked their claim to that job largely on the issue of Iraq are each betting that it plays to his strengths.

• Energy & The Environment: Shades Of Green
Both John McCain and Barack Obama say that addressing the rising costs of gasoline and the environmental impact of climate change are among their top priorities. But McCain favors market-based approaches, while Obama tends to opt for federal mandates. VIDEO National Journal hosted a policy discussion on energy with representatives from the McCain and Obama camps.

• Health Care: Divergent Paths
The most fundamental difference between McCain and Obama in this policy area is over the scope of government involvement in America's health care system.

AUDIO Special Event Audio file playback requires Flash player. Download here. Policy Briefing: Health Care (Jun. 25) - National Journal hosted a policy discussion with representatives from the McCain and Obama camps. Listen to the event here.

• Immigration: Shifting Borders
McCain's immigration stance got him into trouble with his party's base. Now, while calling illegal immigrants "God's children," he's careful to say that border security comes first. Obama has reached out to business as he woos Hispanic votes.

• Ethics & Lobbying: Being Mr. Clean
McCain's name is on landmark bipartisan campaign reform legislation. Obama helped to pass a sweeping lobbying reform law. Both say they'll clean up Washington.

• National Security & Defense: Beyond Iraq
McCain and Obama are both talking about new arms control initiatives and a future free of nuclear weapons. On defense spending, McCain's bark has often been tougher than his bite. Both contenders want more troops in uniform.

• Abortion & Gay Rights: Social Schisms
Despite McCain's anti-abortion voting record, social conservatives don't quite trust him. Obama personally opposes same-sex marriage and talks in nuances about abortion, but gay- and abortion-rights groups back him strongly.

• Trade: Trading Gibes
Obama and McCain disagree about NAFTA and pending agreements with Colombia and South Korea. Both want to avoid a war with China. But the economy's larger ills may take primacy this fall.

• Education: Class President
Obama and McCain accept the basic concept of the No Child Left Behind law--setting high standards in the classroom and holding schools accountable for educating all children. Both say they would reform the law rather than rewrite it.

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