Part 3. Profile of a Candidate
Barack Obama
Abortion – Pro-choice.
Budget & Economy – Supports government spending, Doesn’t support Bush’s economic policies.
Civil Rights – Supports class-based affirmative action along with race-based, States decide laws on gay marriage.
Corporations – Against tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas, Supports tax incentives for corporate responsibility.
Crime – Against the death penalty, Supports alternative sentencing and rehabilitation.
Drugs – Not first candidate to use drugs, but first honest about it, questions harsh penalties for drug dealing.
Education – Supports charter schools, Supports increase in teacher salaries, Increase teacher accountability for increased pay, Supports free public college with B-average.
Energy & Oil – Directive to reduce Carbon emissions by 80%, Supports reduction in consumption and energy efficiency, Supports exploration of nuclear power, Supports cap-and-trade, Against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Favors government investment in alternative energy solutions.
Environment – Supports increasing standards in mercury regulation.
Foreign Policy – Supports promotion of democracy and human rights.
Free Trade – Supports fair trade with regulation and standards.
Healthcare – Emphasis on reduction in healthcare costs and subsidies, Supports policies for healthcare for everyone.
Homeland Security – Against sanctioning torture, Supports re-building the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Favors support of Veterans, Against extending wire tap provision in PATRIOT Act.
Immigration – Supports path to citizenship, Supports granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, Favors increased border security and wall.
Jobs – Favors unions, Against tax cuts for rich to support creation of jobs.
Social Security – Against privatization of social security, Favors raising the cap on the payroll tax on wealthy individuals.
Tax Reform – Supports increase in taxes for wealthy, Supports reduction of Bush tax cuts, Supports repealing capital gains tax cut for military support, Supports progressive taxation.
War & Peace – Supports troop withdrawal from Iraq, Against permanent bases, Congress decides exit strategy from Iraq, Supports two-state solution with Israel and Palestine, Supports diplomacy with Iranian leadership, Supports troop action in Pakistan if needed for war against terror.