1. Political Platforms Election 2008

2. Economy Candidate A Supports the $700 billion economic bailout package; wants more govt oversight, or monitoring, of banks and corporations Supports the $700 billion economic bailout package; wants more govt oversight, or monitoring, of banks and corporations Wants lower overall taxes; would reduce taxes for corporations. Wants lower overall taxes; would reduce taxes for corporations. Candidate B Supports the $700 billion economic bailout package; wants the government to take responsibility for past mistakes. Supports the $700 billion economic bailout package; wants the government to take responsibility for past mistakes. Wants lower overall taxes, but would increase taxes for those with the highest incomes. Wants lower overall taxes, but would increase taxes for those with the highest incomes.

3. Education Candidate A Would offer rewards to top performing teachers; would allow parents to choose their kid’s schools; would provide money to train teacher. Would offer rewards to top performing teachers; would allow parents to choose their kid’s schools; would provide money to train teacher. Candidate B Would reward top teacher; would invest $10 billion a year in early-childhood education; would make math and science education a national priority. Would reward top teacher; would invest $10 billion a year in early-childhood education; would make math and science education a national priority.

4. Environment Candidate A Wants a global solution to the effects of climate change; promotes alternative energy sources, including nuclear power. Wants a global solution to the effects of climate change; promotes alternative energy sources, including nuclear power. Candidate B Wants the U.S. to be a leader in dealing with climate change; would offer rewards to farmers, ranchers and forest owners who protect environment. Wants the U.S. to be a leader in dealing with climate change; would offer rewards to farmers, ranchers and forest owners who protect environment.

5. Health Care Candidate A Opposes federal laws calling for health coverage for everyone; would promote the use of existing children’s health-insurance programs. Opposes federal laws calling for health coverage for everyone; would promote the use of existing children’s health-insurance programs. Candidate B Would create a national health insurance program for anyone who does not have it and wants it; would require insurance for all children. Would create a national health insurance program for anyone who does not have it and wants it; would require insurance for all children.

6. National Security Candidate A Voted in 2002 for use of military force in Iraq; an early backer of sending additional U.S. troops. Voted in 2002 for use of military force in Iraq; an early backer of sending additional U.S. troops. Wants to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan to fight terrorists. Wants to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan to fight terrorists. Does not believe the President should deal directly with the leaders of countries with which the U.S. has major disagreements, including Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Venezuela. Does not believe the President should deal directly with the leaders of countries with which the U.S. has major disagreements, including Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Venezuela. Candidate B Did not vote on the Iraq war in 2002 ( he was not yet a U.S. senator), but opposed it; promises to begin immediate troop withdrawal. Did not vote on the Iraq war in 2002 ( he was not yet a U.S. senator), but opposed it; promises to begin immediate troop withdrawal. Wants to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan. Wants to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan. Willing to meet with leaders of countries with which the U.S. has major disagreements. Willing to meet with leaders of countries with which the U.S. has major disagreements.