Obama and the issues

Abortion
o Pro-choice
o Obama strongly supports a woman's right to have an abortion and stated in May 2007, "A woman's ability to decide how many children to have and when, without interference from the government, is one of the most fundamental rights we possess. It is not just an issue of choice, but equality and opportunity for all women.”
o He is a strong supporter of the Roe v. Wade decision of 1973 and stated, “I have been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women's rights under Roe v. Wade a priority as President. I oppose any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in that case."
o In the Illinois Senate, he voted against a bill to ban late-term abortions because it did not contain a clause to protect the life of the mother.
o Obama strongly opposes restrictions on medical procedures used during late term abortions.
o http://www.obama-mccain.info/
Budget/Economy
o When Bush came in, we had a surplus; now we have a deficit. (Oct 2008)
o Middle class needs a rescue package with tax cuts. (Oct 2008)
o Bailout will unfreeze credit & allow businesses to function. (Oct 2008)
o Can't do anything at home with $12 billion a month on Iraq. (Feb 2008)
o Protect consumers with Credit Card Bill of Rights. (Feb 2008)
o Bush stimulus plan leaves out seniors & unemployed. (Jan 2008)
o Lack of an energy policy is a financial burden. (Jan 2008)
o Release people in bankruptcy due to health care problems. (Jan 2008)
o Bush & GOP dug budget hole; need years to dig out. (Dec 2007)
o Save $150 billion in tax cuts for people who don't need them. (Dec 2007)
o Rejects free market vision of government. (Oct 2007)
o http://www.ontheissues.org/Barack_Obama.htm
Civil Rights
o Senator Obama worked with civil rights leaders to help secure the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. Also, working with such civil rights stalwarts as Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, Senator Obama has been a leading Senate opponent of onerous photo ID provisions that disproportionately disenfranchise the poor, disabled and minority voters who are less likely to have a drivers license or other government-issued forms of identification.
o http://www.nationalplatforms.com
Defense/Homeland Security
o Senator Obama is a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and has supported efforts to base homeland security spending on risk rather than pork-barrel politics. He has also introduced legislation to strengthen chemical plant and drinking water security and to enhance disaster preparedness.
o http://www.nationalplatforms.com
Education
o Barack Obama is committed to strengthening our public schools to maximize our country's greatest natural resource - the American people. However, right now, six million middle and high school students read at levels significantly below their grade level. A full third of high school graduates do not immediately go on to a community college or university. America now has one of the highest high school dropout rates in the industrialized world. Obama believes that we must equip poor and struggling districts, both rural and urban, with the support and resources they need to provide disadvantaged students with an opportunity to reach their full potential.The very first bill Barack Obama introduced in the U.S. Senate was a bill to help make college more affordable by increasing the maximum Pell Grant amount to $5,100. Barack Obama will also eliminate wasteful subsidies to private banks under the federal student loan program. Reforming this program will save taxpayers billions of dollars each year -- money that Obama will direct to fund need-based grants, such as the Pell Grant.
o http://www.nationalplatforms.com
Energy/Oil
o Barack Obama has proposed bold initiatives to put America on the path to a clean and secure energy future. Obama supports implementation of a bold market-based cap-and-trade system to reduce dependence on foreign oil and nonrenewable, polluting sources of energy. Obama will also dramatically increase federal investment in advanced clean-energy technologies and energy efficiency. The Obama plan to create an energy independent America will cut U.S. oil consumption by 2.5 million barrels of oil per day, take 50 million cars worth of pollution off the road, and save American consumers more than $50 billion at the gas pump.
o http://www.nationalplatforms.com
Enviroment
o Barack Obama believes that we have a responsibility to our children to leave this Earth better than we found it. He has a plan to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to turn the global warming crisis into a moment of opportunity for innovation and job creation. And as president, he will restore America's promise of a clean and beautiful environment by cleaning up our air and water, building healthier communities with fewer toxins, and preserving our forests and other national treasures. In doing so, Obama will make sure that our environmental laws and policies balance America's need for a healthy, sustainable environment with economic growth.
o http://www.nationalplatforms.com
Gay Marriage
o Opposes CA Prop. 8, one-man-one-woman marriage. (Jul 2008)
o Decisions about marriage should be left to the states. (Oct 2007)
o http://www.ontheissues.org/Barack_Obama.htm
Gun Control
o Ok for states & cities to determine local gun laws. (Apr 2008)
o FactCheck: Yes, Obama endorsed Illinois handgun ban. (Apr 2008)
o Respect 2nd Amendment, but local gun bans ok. (Feb 2008)
o Provide some common-sense enforcement on gun licensing. (Jan 2008)
o 2000: cosponsored bill to limit purchases to 1 gun per month. (Oct 2007)
o Concealed carry OK for retired police officers. (Aug 2007)
o Stop unscrupulous gun dealers dumping guns in cities. (Jul 2007)
o http://www.ontheissues.org/Barack_Obama.htm
Health Care
o Barack Obama believes we live in the greatest country in the world and that when it comes to health care, America can and must do better. The Obama plan will save a typical American family up to $2,500 every year on premiums. The Obama plan both builds upon and improves our current insurance system, upon which most Americans continue to rely, and leaves Medicare intact for older and disabled Americans.Barack Obama believes that protecting and promoting health and wellness in this nation is a shared responsibility among individuals and families, school systems, employers, the medical and public health workforce, and federal, state, and local governments.
o http://www.nationalplatforms.com/
Immigration
o Barack Obama believes the immigration issue has been exploited by politicians to divide the nation rather than find real solutions. This divisiveness has allowed the illegal immigration problem to worsen, with borders that are less secure than ever and an economy that depends on millions of workers living in the shadows. Obama believes we must rise above divisive politics and act in the interests of our national and economic security. Obama has played a leading role in crafting comprehensive immigration reform and believes that our broken immigration system can only be fixed by putting politics aside and offering a solution that strengthens our security while reaffirming our heritage as a nation of immigrants.
o http://www.nationalplatforms.com/
Social Security
o Opposes privatization of the social security system
o He believes the system is faulted but can be fixed with relatively minor changes
o http://www.obama-mccain.info/
Taxes
o Wants to allow the Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 to expire as scheduled for Americans earning more than $250,000 a year
o Would raise taxes on capital gains dividends and give tax breaks for low and middle- income Americans.
o Supports a universal mortgage tax credit of 10 percent
o Obama advocates the elimination of income taxes for seniors making less than $50,000 and would simplify their tax filing process.
o He wants to close corporate tax loopholes and end deductions for industries such as oil and gas.
o He plans to introduce tax penalties for US companies that keep their profits overseas. http://www.obama-mccain.info/
War
o More aid to Pakistan; but pursue bin Laden over their border. (Oct 2008)
o Prevent Iran from attacking Israel, but keep military option. (Oct 2008)
o Afghanistan needs more troops and resources. (Sep 2008)
o Engaging in tough diplomacy with Iran is a sign of strength. (Jul 2008)
o Iran is biggest strategic beneficiary of invasion of Iraq. (May 2008)
o Military surge in Afghanistan to eliminate the Taliban. (May 2008)
o Take no options off the table if Iran attacks Israel. (Apr 2008)
o Committed to Iran not having nuclear weapons. (Oct 2007)
o Deal with al Qaeda on Pakistan border, but not with nukes. (Aug 2007)
o FactCheck: Yes, Obama said invade Pakistan to get al Qaeda. (Aug 2007)
o Focus on battle in Afghanistan and root out al Qaeda. (Jun 2007)
o Iraq has distracted us from Taliban in Afghanistan. (Apr 2007)
o Iran with nuclear weapons is a profound security threat. (Apr 2007)
o We did the right thing in Afghanistan. (Mar 2007)
o Iraq War
oFactCheck: Opposes surge--hasn't produced political solution. (Sep 2008)
Unwise war in Iraq distracted us from catching Bin Laden. (Sep 2008)
The surge is a tactic to contain 4 years of mismanaged war. (Sep 2008)
FactCheck: Promised 16-month exit; now 16-month reduction. (Sep 2008)
I will only send our troops into harm's way when necessary. (Aug 2008)
Situation has improved in Iraq; but it's still fragile. (Jul 2008)
Surge reduced violence; but distracts us from long-term goal. (Jul 2008)
$10 billion a month spent in Iraq should be spent in the US. (Jul 2008)
$2.7 billion each week of Iraq spending is unsustainable. (Feb 2008)
The Iraq war has undermined our security. (Jan 2008)
Iraq is distracting us from a host of global threats. (Jan 2008)
End the war, and end the mindset that got us into war. (Jan 2008)
The Iraq war was conceptually flawed from the start. (Jan 2008)
Get our troops out by the end of 2009. (Jan 2008)
Surge strategy has made a difference in Iraq but failed. (Nov 2007)
Leave troops for protection of Americans & counterterrorism. (Sep 2007)
Hopes to remove all troops from Iraq by 2013, but no pledge. (Sep 2007)
Be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in. (Jul 2007)
We live in a more dangerous world because of Bush's actions. (Jun 2007)
War in Iraq is "dumb" but troops still need equipment. (Apr 2007)
Open-ended Iraq occupation must end: no military solution. (Apr 2007) http://www.ontheissues.org/Barack_Obama.htm
Welfare
o Barack Obama has been a lifelong advocate for the poor -- as a young college graduate, he rejected the high salaries of corporate America and moved to the South Side of Chicago to work as a community organizer. As an organizer, Obama worked with churches, Chicago residents and local government to set up job training programs for the unemployed and after-school programs for kids.Barack Obama believes that all Americans who want to work should not only be able to gain meaningful employment, but should also be able to move up the career ladder to further support their families.
o http://www.nationalplatforms.com/