Open Intelligencer: June 2008

2008/06/24

McCain Intelligencer 2008 June 24

Vice-Presidential Speculation

Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney have been mentioned as potential veeps (Campbell). Florida Governor Charlie Crist has also drawn speculation about his vice-presidential aspirations (Bender).

Resources

Bender, M. (2008 June 21). Crist risks gree, bipartisan monikers with drilling stance. Palm Beach Post. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/storm/content/state/epaper/2008/06/21/m1a_oil_0622.html, accessed 2008 June 24.

Campbell, B. (2008, June 15). McCain reschedules Midland visit with $1.5 million already collected. Midland Reporter-Telegram. http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2008/06/15/news/top_stories/doc4855134f3c4c5977465576.txt, accessed June 23, 2008.

Obama Intelligencer 2008 June 24

Endorsements
Several Florida mayors recently endorsed Obama: Frank Ortis, Pembroke Pines; Joy Cooper, Hallandale Beach; Lori Moseley, Miramar; and John Marks, Tallahassee. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles, California, also stated his endorsement of Obama at a conference in Florida (Reinhart).

Endorsements: Unusual
Donna Versace dedicated her spring/summer 2008 line to Obama (Venkataraman).

Socialist Connections
RNC officials have openly spoke of questioning some of Obama’s associations during the campaign (Thomma).

Most of the information on this topic appears in the blogs and on editorial pages. OI prefers not to use these sources, particularly obviously partisan blogs. OI is looking into how we may appropriately treat such sources.

Resources
Reinhart, B. (2008 June 22). Obama meets with U.S. mayors, touts housing bill. Miami Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/579132.html, accessed 2008 June 24.

Thomma, S. (2008, June 12). GOP chief scrutinizes Obama’s relationship with controversial figures. Boston Herald. http://news.bostonherald.com/news/national/politics/2008/view/2008_06_12_GOP_chief_scrutinizes_Obama_s_relationship_with_controversial_figures/srvc=home&position=recent, accessed June 15, 2008.

Venkataraman, N. (2008 June 23). Political radar: Versace dedicates fashion line to Obama. ABC News. http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/06/versace-dedicat.html, accessed 2008 June 24.

2008/06/12

Major Candidate Comparison

(Updated 2008 Oct. 30)

Abortion

McCain
-Opposes with limited exceptions.

Obama
-Favors.

Energy

McCain
-Generally opposes subsidy and tax credit programs, seeing them mainly as favors to special interests
-Favors allowing market solutions to energy problems
-Favors development of nuclear power
--Called for construction of 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030
--Favors Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage plan
-Has supported allowing new offshore drilling for oil, but has not been consistent in this position

Obama
-Favors federal government investment in alternative fuels and energy technologies
--Has close ties to ethanol producers, particularly corn ethanol
-Proposes funding of alternative fuels programs
-Favors development of nuclear power contingent on development of safer ways to dispose of waste
--Opposes Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage plan
-Initally opposed offshore drilling for oil, but later made provisions for it in energy plan

Environment

McCain
-Air & Climate
--Long supported climate change measures
--Favors 60 percent reduction in emissions by 2050
--Supports nuclear power development as part of climate change response
--Favors incentives for development of hybrid and other low-emissions automobiles

Obama
-Air & Climate
--Favors 80 percent reduction in emissions by 2050
--Favors cap and trade proposals
--Favors incentives for development of hybrid and other low-emissions automobiles

Health Care

McCain
-Proposes tax credit for health care for individuals and families.

Obama
-Aims for universal coverage through employer supplemented programs providing benefits similar to those received by federal employees.
-Proposes a tax credit for small businesses for up to 50 percent of the premiums they pay on behalf of their employees.

Iran

McCain:
-Opposes direct talks.
-Supports sanctions.

Obama:
-Supports direct diplomatic contact; scaled back from early position of face-to-face talks with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Taxes

McCain
-Previously opposed Bush tax cuts, now proposes to make them permanent.
-Calls for 25 percent cut in corporate taxes.
-Calls for balanced federal budget.

Obama
-Calls for increased taxes for some, tax breaks for others.

Trade

McCain
-Free trade supporter.
-Supports free trade agreement with Colombia.

Obama
-Proposes to renegotiate NAFTA to include environmental and labor standards.
-Opposes proposed free trade agreement with Colombia,

War in Iraq

McCain:
-Supported war.
-Critical of Bush handling.
-Opposes troop withdrawal.
-Early proponent of surge.
-Anticipates long-term American presence in Iraq, eventually as peacekeepers.

Obama:
-Consistently opposed war.
-Opposed surge.
-Calls for withdrawal by end of 2009.

Resources
Bender, M. (2008 June 21). Crist risks gree, bipartisan monikers with drilling stance. Palm Beach Post. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/storm/content/state/epaper/2008/06/21/m1a_oil_0622.html, accessed 2008 June 24.

Chozik, A. (2008 August 4). Obama offers support for offshore drilling. Wall Street Journal, p. A4. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121769917863707497.html?mod=special_page_campaign2008_topbox, accessed 2008 August 5.

Fahys, J. (2008 Oct. 17). McCain and Obama’s environmental policy differences a matter of degree. Salt Lake Tribune. http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_10710346, accessed 2008 Oct. 30.

Hertsgaard, M. (2008, June 8). Taking climate change seriously—finally. CBS News (The Nation). http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/06/opinion/main4160120.shtml, accessed June 9, 2008.

How do McCain and Obama match up? (2008, June 9). Dallas Morning News (Trail blazers blog). http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/06/how-do-mccain-and-obama-match.html, accessed June 9, 2008.

Nasaw, D. (2008 June 23). U.S. elections: McCain plugs in to electric cars. The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jun/23/johnmccain.uselections2008, accessed 2008 June 24.

Nasaw, D. (2008 June 23). U.S. elections: Where McCain and Obama stand on environmental issues. The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jun/23/johnmccain.barackobama, accessed 2008 June 24.

Power, S. (2008, June 9). In energy policy, McCain, Obama, differ on role of government. Wall Street Journal, p. A2. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121296676181055711.html?mod=googlenews_wsj, accessed June 9, 2008.

Rescue the trade deal. (2008 June 5). [Editorial]. Palm Beach Post. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2008/07/05/a10a_colombia_edit_0705.html, accessed 2008 June 7.

Rhee, F. (2008, June 23). Obama, McCain go after each other on energy. Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/06/obama_mccain_go.html, accessed 2008 June 24.

Rohter, L. (2008 June 23). Obama camp closely linked with ethanol. New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/23/us/politics/23ethanol.html?_r=2&th=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&emc=th&adxnnlx=1214215415-yB7fDlhMP0kFgLEGHZ7f8Q&oref=slogin, accessed 2008 June 24.

Rosetta, L. (2008 Oct. 18). Health care: Utahns see good, bad and risky in McCain and Obama plans. Salt Lake Tribune. http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_10710537, accessed 2008 Oct. 30.

Roug, L. (2008 July 14). Obama proposes health care tax credits for small businesses. Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-campaign14-2008jul14,0,7130939.story, accessed 2008 July 15.

Watt, N. (2008, June 9). Globalization needs America. America needs globalization. Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jun/09/economics.useconomy, accessed June 9, 2008.

McCain Intelligencer 2008 June 12

Endorsements: Rejected
McCain has rejected endorsements from Rev. John Hagee and Rev. Rod Parsley due to controversial statements made by the pastors (Luo). Though popular ministers, they hold views that are not necessarily representative of mainstream and evangelical Christians.

Voter Groups: Conservative Christians
McCain has been reaching out to conservative Christian groups, which strongly supported Bush in 2004 but have not warmed up to the senator. He has taken stands on issues important to these voters that sometimes agreed with them and sometimes didn’t (Luo)

War in Iraq
The “surge” in Iraq appears to be having good results: fewer American casualties and greater stability of the government. McCain has long been a promoter of the surge and the results would seem to support his policy and his potential to handle the war in the White House. Even so, a view that things are going badly in Iraq persists, including among independents (Baram).

Resources
Baram, M. (2008, June 9). Will good news in Iraq affect Obama vs. McCain? ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/Story?id=5017532&page=1, accessed June 9, 2008.

Luo, M. (2008, June 9). McCain extends his outreach, but Evangelicals are still wary. New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/09/us/politics/09mccain.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin, accessed June 9, 2008.

Obama Intellegencer 2008 June 12

Clinton Effect and Endorsements
Senator Hillary Clinton suspended her campaign and officially endorsed Obama on June 7, 2008. There is speculation about what level of support, if any, Clinton supporters will provide to Obama (Political bulletin).

Swing States: Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania; Economic Policy and Health Care
Obama launched a tour of 17 swing states on June 9, 2008. He was expected to speak about economic issues including the price of health care and gas prices (Ward & Luce).

Vice-Presidential Speculation
Montana Governor Napolitano and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sibelius have been mentioned as potential running mates for Obama (Bigger battles ahead).

Vote Groups: Moderate and Evangelical Christians
Obama’s campaign plans to add a full-time staffer to concentration on evangelicals. They hope to draw moderates by addressing some of the newer issues of concern to these groups (Luo).

War in Iraq
The “surge” in Iraq appears to be having good results: fewer American casualties and greater stability of the government. This would seem to improve the standing of McCain, who supported the surge. However, it is expected that Obama will emphasize the lack of political progress, even in light of the military successes (Baram).

Obama has consistently opposed the war in Iraq. He made this an issue in the Democratic primaries and caucuses, particularly in contrasting himself with Clinton.

Resources
Baram, M. (2008, June 9). Will good news in Iraq affect Obama vs. McCain? ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/Story?id=5017532&page=1, accessed June 9, 2008.

Bigger battles ahead. (2008, June 9). Economist. http://www.economist.com/world/na/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11524787, accessed June 9, 2008.

Luo, M. (2008, June 9). McCain extends his outreach, but Evangelicals are still wary. New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/09/us/politics/09mccain.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin, accessed June 9, 2008.

Political bulletin. (2008, June 9). U.S. News & World Report. http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_080609.htm, accessed June 9, 2008.

Ward, A., & Luce, E. (2008, June 8). Obama embarks on tour of swing states. Financial Times. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2950b7b4-358d-11dd-998d-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1, accessed June 9, 2008.

2008/06/09

Obama Intelligencer 2008 June 9

Clinton Factor
Senator Hillary Clinton may be out of the presidential race, but her influence may continue. She fiercely campaigned against Obama for the Democratic nomination, and her observations on his shortcomings will be themes the McCain campaign can now pick up. It may also be that Obama can’t rally the Democrats around himself without Clintons active assistance because of her popularity and influence in the party (Esler).

Democratic Party
Obama has called for the Democratic National Committee to stop accepting contributions from federally-registered lobbyists and political action committees. This is an extension of the policy he established for his own campaign during the primaries (Henderson).

Swing States: Michigan
Michigan may not be a lock for Obama in the general election, though there are still factors at play in his favor in this traditionally Democratic state. Obama’s chances in the state may depend on the African-American turn-out, and his campaign is organizing voter registration in communities with large African-American populations (Trowbridge).

Vice-President Speculation
One of the names tossed around for a running mate for Obama, besides the rampant speculation on Sen. Hillary Clinton, is Virginia governor Tim Kaine (Doyle).

Resources
Doyle, L. (2008, June 6). Obama heads for Virginia in attempt to storm Republican stronghold. Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/obama-heads-for-virginia-in-attempt-to-storm-republican-stronghold-841404.html, accessed June 6, 2008.

Esler, G. (2008, June 6). Why Obama can’t become president without Clinton…and McCain needs her just as much. Daily Mail (online). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1024591/Why-Obama-President-Clinton--McCain-needs-just-much.html, accessed June 8, 2006.

Henderson, N. (2008, June 6). Obama starts his race for the White House. Newsday. http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/nation/ny-usobam065715709jun06,0,3988649.story, accessed June 6, 2008.
Trowbridge, G. (2008, June 6). Obama, McCain vie for Michigan swing vote. Detroit News. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080606/POLITICS01/806060372, accessed June 6, 2008.

McCain Intelligencer 2008 June 9

Endorsements
McCain has been endorsed by Florida governor Charlie Crist (Stratton).

Environmental Policy
McCain has recently been leading the polls in Florida, where he stated his commitment to preserving the Everglades on a trip to Orlando. He previously voted a against a federal Everglades protection measure because it was part of a bill he found to be too full of projects he could not support (Stratton).

Swing State: Michigan
Traditionally a state that supports Democratic presidential candidates, Michigan, with its large number of electors, has been identified as state that may go Republican this year. McCain’s strengths in the state include his favorable standing with independent voters and his opponent’s weakness among white workers (Trowbridge).

Resources
Stratton, J. (2008, June 6). John McCain visits Orlando—says he is “committed” to saving Everglades. Orlando Sentinal. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/community/news/lakebuenavista/orl-mmcain0608jun06,0,1925050.story, accessed June 6, 2008.

Trowbridge, G. (2008, June 6). Obama, McCain vie for Michigan swing vote. Detroit News. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080606/POLITICS01/806060372, accessed June 6, 2008.