A non-USan efriend asked what the substantive policy differences between the presidential candidates really are. The relentlessly personality-focused news coverage makes it very hard for her to tell them apart, especially from across the ocean. I gathered some links to make it easier to compare the candidates on various issues.
As usual, the most useful information is the League of Women Voters Presidential Primary Voters Guide (pdf). This guide always has the advantage that all candidates are asked the same questions and have to respond in a limited space, so you can actually line them up and compare apples to apples.
I have made a chart, summarizing each candidate's statements. I left in Ron Paul, because he hadn't withdrawn yet when I made the chart, and John Edwards because I would have voted for him if I had a chance. If anyone can point me to official Huckabee campaign answers to these questions, I'll put them in.
Chart on the flip side.
The biggest downside to the LWV Guide is that the League had to ask the questions back in October (because the first primaries were in early January). Unfortunately, this was before Mike Huckabee had met met the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act’s minimum contribution threshold requirements for qualifying for matching funds, which LWV uses as a gauge for campaign seriousness.
I'm putting this chart up without commentary, so this can be useful to voters across the political spectrum.
candidate |
Fossil Fuels |
Iraq |
Health |
Campaign spending |
Immigration |
Hillary Clinton | - reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% of 1990 levels by 2050
- cut oil imports by 2/3 from projected levels by 2030
- green economy
| - end war in Iraq
- replace troops w/ diplomatic initiative
- renewed Mideast peace process
| - individual tax credit to help pay for premiums
- no discrimination based on pre-existing conditions
- won’t lose coverage if switch or lose job
| meaningful, fair, and comprehensive public financing system. | - strengthen borders
- stronger employer sanctions
- family reunification
- path to earned legalization
|
John Edwards | - reduce carbon emmissions by 80% by 2050
- fund clean energy via fines on greenhouse gas polluters
- ask for conservation
| - immediately draw down 40K-50K troops
- rest out within 9 months
- no permanent bases
- keep forces in nearby countries to ensure no spillover
| - detailed plan guaranteeing true universal health care
- mandatory insurance
- businesses must cover employees
- tax credits
- expanded public programs
| - public financing for congressional candidates
- increase matching funds
- lower contribution limits
| - control borders
- fair path to citizenship
- crack down on employers
|
John McCain | market-based cap-and-trade system to limit on greenhouse gas emissions
| we must not let Iraq become a failed state | plan that addresses the escalating cost of health care | need to have balance to keep special interests from buying influence | secure our borders first |
Barack Obama | - market-based cap-and-trade system to reduce dependence on foreign oil and combat climate change
- increase investment in clean energy technologies and energy efficiency.
- increasing fuel efficiency standards, biofuels, electricity from renewable sources, and a low carbon fuel standard.
| - opposed war from beginning
- withdraw combat troops over 16 months
- new Iraqi constitutional convention
- two-state solution for Israel & Palestine
| universal health legislation by end of first term | voluntary system of full public funding
for candidates who agree to spending limits | - strengthen border security
- fix immigration bureaucracy
- responsible path to citizenship
|
Ron Paul | | - immediate withdrawal
- trade and diplomacy with all Middle Eastern nations
- no interference in other nations' affairs
| - Government health care means long waiting periods, lack of choice, poor quality
- removing federal regulations & encourage competition
| campaign spending limits unconstitutional | - Physically
secure borders
- Enforce visa rules
- No amnesty
- no welfare for illegals
- End birthright citizenship
|
Note: I'm posting this with the table width set at "100%". Let me know if I should change it to some specific width, such as 1000px.
Here are some additional candidate-comparison tools:
A tool to compare candidates on all kinds of issues, but only 2 at a time: from Boston's ABC channel 5
Health Care: from the Kaiser Foundation's health08.org
Foreign policy issues: from Citizens for Global Solutions
Iraq and veterans/military families issues: from Military Spouses for Change
Taxes: from the Tax Foundation
The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life compares the candiates on a variety of issues, especially those with a religious dimension, including:
Update:
Executive Power: article and survey by Charlie Savage, the Last Journalist in American. [link courtesy of slaney_black]