Title: Prominent Presidential Candidates
1Prominent Presidential Candidates
Democrat Republican Green Party
Constitution Party
Barack Obama John McCain Cynthia
McKinney Chuck Baldwin
- On IN pg. 12, Answer the following questions.
- Which one of the candidates above do you think
you would vote for in the election? Why? - Which candidates do you know you wouldnt vote
for at this point? Why? - Which candidates do you hear the most about?
- Who do you think your family and friends support
and why?
2Voter Cheat Sheet
front back
Mock Election Voter Guide President Barack
Obama (D) John McCain (R) Other
_____________ U.S. Senator Mark Udall (D) Bob
Schaffer (R) Other _____________ U.S. Rep. D2
Jared Polis (D) Scott Starin (R) Other
______________
Issues 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
3Issue 1 Education
All teaching is related to basic assumptions
about God and man. Education as a whole,
therefore, cannot be separated from religious
faith. The law of our Creator assigns the
authority and responsibility of educating
children to their parents. Education should be
free from all federal government interference.
Voted for the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.
NCLB requires public schools to achieve certain
test standards before receiving federal dollars.
Wants to reward top teachers with bonuses and
supports using federal money to build new virtual
schools.
A universal, federally funded childcare program
or pre-school and young schoolchildren should be
developed. We advocate a diverse system of
education that and would cultivate the wisdom of
eco-education, eco -economics, eco-politics, and
eco-culture. We seek to protect our children from
the corrosive effects of mass culture that trains
them to regard themselves first and foremost as
consumers.
Wants to reform the NCLB. Would reward
high-achieving teachers. Would make science and
math top educational priorities. Proposes
increasing the number of children who are
eligible for early-childhood education programs.
4Issue 2 Iraq
We should not interfere in the internal affairs
of other countries. We are opposed to alliances -
via treaties, or any other form of commitment -
which compromise our independence or commit us to
intervention in foreign wars. The U.S. should
withdraw itself from the United Nations. No
further funds should be appropriated for any kind
of foreign aid program.
We believe that the illegal actions of the U.S.
administration have unnecessarily put our troops
in harm's way. The war in Iraq is overly
dangerous and unnecessary war. Reducing
militarism and reliance on arms policies is the
key to progress toward collective security.
Opposed the 2003 military invasion of Iraq. Voted
for a war-spending bill that would have withdrawn
most U.S. troops from Iraq by March 2008. Opposed
Bushs plan to increase troops in Iraq. Supports
removing most American troops from Iraq by the
summer of 2010.
Voted in favor of using military force in Iraq.
Backed President Bushs veto of a war-spending
bill that called for pulling most U.S. troops out
of Iraq by March 2008. Supported last years
increase of American troops in Iraq.
5Issue 3 Climate Change
The most authoritative assessment to date
concludes that a worldwide carbon dioxide
emissions reduction of 50-70 percent is necessary
to contain climate change. The Kyoto
Climate Protocol in 1998 falls far short, calling
for only a five percent reduction. Nonetheless,
the agreement is an important first step that all
partiesespecially the U.S.should ratify as soon
as possible.
Supports reducing greenhouse gases. Wants to make
the U.S. a global leader in fighting climate
change by creating an international global
warming partnership. Would reward forest owners,
farmers, and ranchers who plant trees and restore
grasslands.
Introduced legislation last year that was aimed
at significantly reducing the countrys
greenhouse gases. Most scientists believe that
greenhouse gases are responsible for global
warming. Supports the use of alternative energy
sources, and nuclear energy.
Wholeheartedly support realistic efforts to
preserve the environment and reduce pollution -
air, water, and land. We reject, however, the
argument of the perceived threat of man-made
global warming.
6Issue 4 Health Care
Wants to reform health care to make insurance
more affordable for individuals and families.
Would offer tax credits to help Americans pay for
health insurance. Proposes lowering the cost of
drugs and expanding community health care
centers.
Would create a national health insurance program
that would cover uninsured individuals. The
program would require that all children be
covered and would permit young people under the
age of 25 to be covered under their parents
plans. Would fund program by eliminating Bush tax
cuts for people who earn more than 250,000 a
year.
Health care is a human right, not a privilege. We
support a publicly funded health care insurance
program, administered at the state and local
levels, lifetime benefits for everyone. No one
will lose coverage for any reason. Everyone
should have the freedom to choose the type of
health care provider, with a wide range of health
care choices.
We oppose government involvement in American
medicine. Government regulation is a threat to
both the quality and availability of
patient-oriented health care and treatment. We
support the de-regulation of the medical industry
in the U.S., such as the elimination of the
federal Food and Drug Administration.
7Issue 5 National Security
Proposes strengthening our nations military
power by increasing the number of U.S. troops.
Would advance military training, weapons, and
technologies. Would create national missile
defenses to protect America from missile attacks.
We call for an approach to politics that
acknowledges our endangered planet and habitat.
International cooperation and communication that
nurtures cultural diversity and recognizes our
interconnectedness is the best national security
plan. We suggest the U.S. strongly support the
United Nations.
Introduced legislation that would require U.S.
chemical plants to improve security. Would
appoint a senior official in charge of domestic
intelligence gathering. Would provide better
technical assistance for local and state first
responders and expand funding for communications
systems.
It is a primary obligation of the federal
government to provide to be vigilant regarding
potential threats and perceived intentions of
potential enemies. We support military build-up.
8Issue 8 Economy
Would allow families affected by the current
housing crisis to trade their existing mortgages
for more affordable loans. Supports tax cuts for
middle-class families and corporations. Vows to
eliminate wasteful government spending.
Would provide tax relief for working families,
middle class Americans, and senior citizens.
Would address current housing crisis by creating
a fund aimed at helping families refinance their
mortgages or sell their homes.
9Whos Views Do You Share?
- On your next right-hand page (pg. 17), write down
the number, issue, and the candidates name you
chose. - Issue 1 Education FL McCain(R), BL
Obama(D) - FR Baldwin(C), BR McKinney(G)
- Issue 2 Iraq FL McKinney(G),BL
Obama(D) - FR Baldwin(C),
BR McCain(R) - Issue 3 Climate FL Obama(D), BL Baldwin
(C) FR
McKinney(G), BR McCain(R) - Issue 4 Health Care FL McCain(R), BL
McKinney(G) FR
Obama(D), BR Baldwin(C) - Issue 5 National FL McKinney(G), BL
Baldwin(C) Security FR
McCain(R), BR Obama(D) - Issue 6 Economy L McCain(R), R Obama(D)