| There is certainly no shortage of resource information and editorial opinions about the issues raised by both presidential candidates. As I recall from our last meeting, our assignment for the upcoming discussion is to compare and contrast the candidates' positions on major issues.
One suggestion for a resource that might be of interest to you is from the current July/August issue of Atlantic Magazine. There is an article by James Fallows titled "When George Meets John", about the anticipated debate between the two candidates. According to Fallows, neither has ever lost a debate, which is quite surprising considering George W's obvious, but deceptive, lack of grammatical skills. Fallows refers to the likely debate dynamics as "asymmetrical warfare" since the skills that they both enjoy are so different. Not that the debates are all that critical in deciding elections, but in such a close race they could be a significant factor.
A short summary of the candidates' positions on major issues may be found below along with links to other articles.
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WASHINGTON - These are some of the central issues expected to dominate what is the 2004 campaign between Republican President Bush and his Democratic challenger, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts: ECONOMY & JOB GROWTH: BUSH - The president has repeatedly called on Congress to make his tax cuts permanent, saying failure to do so would amount to a tax hike and threaten prospects for a robust economic recovery capable of generating new jobs. Congressional analysts say that making the tax cuts permanent would cost about $1.3 trillion over the next 10 years. KERRY - Kerry has called for repeal of the Bush tax cuts for Americans earning more than $200,000 a year, in order to pay for broad health care reform. However, he would retain the tax cuts for the middle class. He says he can halve the record half-trillion dollar budget deficit by the end of one four-year term, even while spending $72 billion a year to extend health care to 27 million of the 40-plus million uninsured. His campaign has provided no details. ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT: BUSH - Bush, who pulled the United States out of the Kyoto protocol on greenhouse gas emissions, believes the threat of global warming should be addressed through new economic growth and efficiency. He also favors oil exploration in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and backs legislation that would seek to reduce air pollution and acid rain by offering major polluters access to market-based incentives to reduce harmful emissions. KERRY - Kerry favors U.S. participation in an international climate change program to curb global warming and would cut mercury emissions by American utilities and plants. To encourage more renewable energy sources, Kerry wants to create a renewable energy trust fund to reduce oil consumption by 2 million barrels per day, which is roughly the amount imported from the Middle East. Kerry also backed Senate legislation to impose stricter mileage standards on gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles and automobiles. FOREIGN POLICY: BUSH - After straining relations with major European allies and the United Nations over war in Iraq, Bush has shifted his foreign policy focus to the spread of democracy by pushing a Greater Middle East Initiative that would aim to resolve the region's political, economic and social problems through democratic reform. The president, criticized for the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, is also pursuing a policy that seeks to unravel the black market in nuclear components and block programs in North Korea and Iran, countries he has labeled an "axis of evil" along with prewar Iraq. KERRY - While insisting he would never cede U.S. security to any other nation and would use force when required, Kerry envisions "a new era of alliances" to replace what he sees as the White House's go-it-alone approach to foreign policy. He has pledged to restore diplomacy as a tool of U.S. foreign policy, treat the United Nations as a "full partner" and pursue collective security arrangements. His inner circle of foreign policy advisers features prominent Democratic veterans, including some figures from the Clinton days.
IRAQ:
BUSH - After seeing his plan to bring democracy to Iraq through regional caucuses scuttled by a leading Shi'ite cleric, Bush has succeeded in brokering an interim constitution for the oil-rich Arab nation and pledged to work with Iraqi leaders and the United Nations to prepare for full Iraqi sovereignty by June 30. The administration expects U.S. troops to remain in Iraq indefinitely as a security measure against insurgents and sectarian violence. KERRY - Kerry voted in 2002 in favor of the war against Iraq, but has since attacked the administration for misrepresenting the military threat posed by Baghdad and for mismanaging the post-war occupation. He later voted against the appropriation of $87 billion for the U.S.-led effort, a move that has led some critics, including some in his own party, to accuse him of hypocrisy.
TRADE:
BUSH - Bush, an avowed free trader, has embarked on a series of trade agreements with countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa. But his administration has also faced charges of protectionism over steel tariffs that the World Trade Organization ruled illegal, and its reluctance to trim import barriers that protect U.S. sugar, dairy and beef industries. KERRY - Kerry has promised a 120-day review of all existing U.S. trade agreements upon taking office, and favors using the World Trade Organization to challenge China's currency practices. He also has pressed for stronger labor and environmental language than Bush has required in growing collection of bilateral free trade agreements with countries around the world.
ISRAEL/PALESTINE:
BUSH - Bush, a staunch defender of Israel, backs the stalled "road map" to Middle East peace that calls for creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel by next year. The White House has also expressed concern about Israel's construction of a security barrier through Palestinian territory, ostracized Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and cautiously embraced Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's proposal to dismantle Jewish settlements in Gaza. KERRY - Kerry says he would breath new life into the moribund Middle East peace process and name a special presidential envoy to the Muslim world, who would seek to encourage moderate elements. http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/24130/story.htm
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Understanding Politics - comparing the candidates (*very good) http://www.understandingpolitics.com/elections.html
How to compare candidates http://www.brookings.edu/comm/policybriefs/pb134.htm
The Nader Factor
http://www.aaiusa.org/wwatch/031504.htm
Health Plan comparison http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/healthcare/Families_Plan.html
AFL-CIO comparison questionaire http://www.fightforthefuture.org/candidates/
Cautious Kerry and Bull-Headed Bush -
The presidential candidates are radically different in both style and substance. http://www.alternet.org/election04/18853/
Kerry Offers Middle-Class Three Times as Much Tax Relief;
Tax Day Brings More Evidence that Bush Doesn't Understand Middle-Class Misery http://www.aiada.org/article.asp?id=9289
Early life time-line comparison http://www.motherjones.com/news/update/2004/02/02_400.html
Bush - Kerry service comparison: http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/001663.html |
