Treasury Secretary:

McCain:
In the next treasury secretary, McCain wants the following traits: somebody who Americans may immediately identify with, a trustful individual, and ultimately somebody who inspires trust and confidence because Americans are no longer confident about government leaders and their relationships with Wall Street leaders who have been full of corruption and greed. Specifically, he’d like to see Meg Whitman fill the coveted cabinet position because “she knows what it's like to be out there in the marketplace. She knows how to create jobs. McCain would order the secretary of the treasury to immediately buy up the bad home loan mortgages in America and renegotiate

Obama:
In the next treasury secretary, Obama wants that the next treasury secretary share his values, which are fundamentally different from Bush and McCain: that prosperity is not just going to trickle down. He wants a treasurer who will help the middle class. He also says that the next treasurer must have a goal that has Americans become better homeowners and consumers. Specifically, he’d like to see Warren Buffett in the treasurer position, who has previously given advice and headed decision-making to stabilize the markets and corporations in trouble today.

Economy:

Obama:
Obama pledges to increased regulation in every economic avenue. In terms of taxes, he promises those making more than 250,000 a year increased taxes to an amount no larger than they saw under Reagan, tax cut for those making less than 200,000 a year, and no change in taxes for those making between 200,000 dollars and 250,000 dollars.
    
McCain:
McCain’s first initiative would be to stop excessive government spending and cut out wasteful government programs. McCain would make it a priority to have the US invest in new energy technology such as nuclear energy to create jobs that stay in America. He’d also continue the Bush tax cuts which would equal to roughly 300 billion dollars to large corporations and CEOs.



Bailout Package:

Obama:
Obama would require strong oversight in how the bailout money is used to make sure the money goes back to taxpayers. With that oversight, he’d make sure CEOs are not given anything extra such as bonuses while the crisis is in action. Obama reiterated that he has always been for regulation, unlike McCain, and feels that the rampant deregulation of Wall Street brought the US down. Obama wants to make ways to strengthen home owners.

McCain:
McCain wants to buy up the bad home loan mortgages and somehow renegotiate them. In addition, he would have protection for tax payers, and have oversight. McCain reasoned that risky loans were the problem. In general, his main objective is to stabilize the economy while still maintaining a sense of deregulation he‘s always supported.

Energy Policy:

McCain:
McCain would promote an approach to energy to would encourage and encompass every feasible way of obtaining energy in order to be self-reliant in the future. This includes drilling off shore for more oil, something Obama vehemently opposes.

Obama:
Obama wants to see, and as such is dedicated to, energy independence in 10 years. He would do this by investing in solar, wind, safe nuclear, bio fuels, and clean coal. He does not want to see offshore drilling for reasons that weren’t specifically discussed during he debate.

Environmental Policy:

Obama:
Obama sees the environmental policy-making as an opportunity to make new opportunities for the future in terms of jobs and prosperity. Obama wants to invest in energy that would not deplete the environment, such as solar, wind, and geothermal - a new technology that uses the heat of the earth to make energy. Obama states that whatever environmental policy is made, it must be backed up by the president to actually make an impact. Obama also believes we need to find a source of energy to export to other countries in order to begin profiting in energy instead of building a debt.

McCain:
McCain touted his environmental record during the debate, saying he introduced the first legislation on the environment with Joe Lieberman. McCain stated that nuclear power is the best way to obtain clean energy, and has the most benefits, stating that it’s safe, clean, and created American-based jobs that cannot be exported. Though McCain says he’s environmentally-conscientious, he states that American has to drill offshore for economic reasons.

Entitlement Programs:

McCain:
McCain believes it’s very important to reform entitlement programs. McCain acknowledged that the next administration will not be able to provide the same benefit for present-day workers that present-day retirees have today. Ultimately, he says this is must become a non-partisan issue, and that democrats and republicans are going to have to sit down together and figure out entitlement programs together

Obama:
Obama similarly acknowledges that the government is going to have to prioritize what they really need and want. He wants to eliminate some entitlement programs funded by the government that prove ineffective and comb over the programs with a fine-tooth comb.

Healthcare:

McCain:
McCain reiterated his healthcare plan: to create a tax credit for healthcare valued at 2,500 dollars for individuals and 5,000 dollars for families. This would be paid by income tax.  

Obama:
Obama restated his healthcare plan, which includes a mandate for all children to have a plan, and plans to also reduce the cost of healthcare for those who already have it. Obama spoke of an incentive  for adults to have health care- a 50 percent tax credit to small businesses willing to provide healthcare for its workers.

Peacemaker Role:

McCain:
McCain states that the challenge American will face now is where to utilize its resources and when to decide it’s not worth the use of America’s valuable resources. He states that we can’t just use our resources freely and blindly as we have been doing. McCain nobly states it’s America‘s duty to help when it is feasible or morally necessary, such as in preventing genocide, or in preventing the spread of terrorism. He also pointed out that his record proves a balance between what causes are worthy and which causes are a lost battle for the US, and added that because of his extensive record and previous experience, he knows when he sees something worth fighting for in other countries- peace, no genocide, etc.


Obama:
Obama spins McCain’s record as a negative point by saying that states McCain was wrong about our place in foreign affairs, and thus it means we‘d see comparatively less US resources being used on peace efforts that we see now in the Bush administration. Obama says America’s peacemaking efforts have become too expensive and have exhausted our resources, implying that he’d ultimately have to reject some calls for help from other nations and instead focus on the US. He added that because of the mistakes of the last 8 years that we do not have the same influence or resources we used to have in order to do what we should and ought to do.  Morally, he argues the US has an obligation to make sure certain affairs that promote human cruelty and human rights violations do not go on. However, he also cautions that because of the amount of cruelty in the world, there is no way the US can help in everything, so alliances must be rekindled and used to create a greater global reach.

Russia:
McCain:
McCain was highly critical of Russia, saying that Russia’s behavior is not normal, and not called for. He believes we should help Georgia and Ukraine because there is reason to believe Russia may hurt those countries. To prevent Russia from continuing its aggressive behavior, McCain believes we should implement punishments and penalties, which include pressuring Russia to stop with the help of other nations. Ultimately, he states our relationship with Russia must be cared for because they are a valuable energy recourses.  

Obama:
Obama believes there is trouble brewing in Russia, and that we must stay vigilant and be prepared for Russia’s antics. To support this, Obama states the US must become more strategic and actively thinking about ways to deal with Russia. Obama also states that energy independence is necessary in order to not be as reliant on Russia and the outcome of its affairs.

Pakistan:
Obama:
Obama believes if Pakistan is not going to be proactive about catching bin Laden, then we should take it upon ourselves to nudge them. He believes that part of the reason we have a difficult situation in Pakistan is because we made a bad judgment going into Iraq in the first place and allocating resources in Pakistani territory. Obama wants to make sure our policy with  Pakistan needs to change and democracy must be promoted.

McCain:
McCain offered similar reasons for Pakistan not welcoming Americans and also says that the reason Pakistan doesn’t support us is because the US was supporting a dictator, Musharraf, and not promoting democracy. McCain states that our relations with Pakistan are critical, because the border areas are used by terrorist groups, something the US cannot let continue. A plan of action for making goo relations would be promoting democracy, similar to Obama’s stance.













Iraq:
McCain:
McCain believes that setting up an exact date and plan for withdrawal would be very dangerous. McCain states that he would bring victory to the US, whereas Obama would cry defeat. The army is McCain’s first priority and he states that he is very aware of the sacrifices troops are making daily. McCain also adds that Obama was wrong for not supporting the surge in Iraq, and that those types of decisions are detrimental to the US

Obama:
Obama first says that the fundamentals of the Iraq war are not there and thus the war is unjustified. He states that the war is costing Americans to much money and lives, and that the money we spend daily in Iraq should be used in America on American ground. Exhausting our resources and alliances with other countries are now affecting causes we should be involved in, such as Darfur.

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Obama won the debate because he was more articulate, and elaborated more on key issues such as the economy. Admittedly, neither candidate really stepped up to the plate, but Obama doesn’t have to do that right now. McCain on the other hand needed to make a pivotal move to stay competitive, and he did not deliver. McCain had to be strong and be assertive, especially in his supposed strength - town hall debates. Even at his most comfortable it seems he cannot deliver. Both fumbled on occasion, but something that will surely be a sound byte of the campaign season to be replayed is McCain referring to Obama as “that one.” Some may call it racist, but it’s not really that; it’s just rude.