Spring Break
Before you vote, learn the issues
Megan Lynch
Issue date: 11/3/08 Section: Election Special
The next big issue would be the war in Iraq. At this point, it is impossible for the U.S. to pull out the troops without causing Iraq's wobbly government to collapse. Whether Americans should be in Iraq is no longer the issue - the government should be focusing on how we can complete the mission we started while protecting the soldiers. Voters need to decide which candidate is best prepared to finish this war.
Obama blames the Bush administration not only for getting the U.S. involved with Iraq, but also for ignoring other pressing foreign policy issues in the process. Obama told The New York Times, "I will focus this strategy on five goals essential to making America safer: ending the war in Iraq responsibly; finishing the fight against al-Qaida and the Taliban; securing all nuclear weapons and materials from terrorists and rogue states; achieving true energy security; and rebuilding our alliances to meet the challenges of the 21st century." Obama also added that he would make the war the top priority that it should be once he is in office.
In response to Obama's plans, McCain took a few shots at the backwardness of Obama's research for Iraq. "First you assess the facts on the ground, then you present a new strategy," McCain said, to criticize Obama's plans to take a trip to Iraq and Afghanistan without first talking to the officials in charge and without know exactly what's going on.
Another important issue is the future state of the Supreme Court. In the next few years there could be between one and three Justices stepping down, leaving the president to appoint new ones. In the third presidential debate, the candidates were asked how they plan to choose new justices. McCain answered that he would find capable judges who have a strong history of adhering to the words of the Constitution. Obama answered that he would find judges who have ideals similar to his own. The Supreme Court is now roughly half liberal and half conservative. Whomever the president chooses will likely sway the Court to one side, affecting the outcomes of countless cases in the future.
Obama blames the Bush administration not only for getting the U.S. involved with Iraq, but also for ignoring other pressing foreign policy issues in the process. Obama told The New York Times, "I will focus this strategy on five goals essential to making America safer: ending the war in Iraq responsibly; finishing the fight against al-Qaida and the Taliban; securing all nuclear weapons and materials from terrorists and rogue states; achieving true energy security; and rebuilding our alliances to meet the challenges of the 21st century." Obama also added that he would make the war the top priority that it should be once he is in office.
In response to Obama's plans, McCain took a few shots at the backwardness of Obama's research for Iraq. "First you assess the facts on the ground, then you present a new strategy," McCain said, to criticize Obama's plans to take a trip to Iraq and Afghanistan without first talking to the officials in charge and without know exactly what's going on.
Another important issue is the future state of the Supreme Court. In the next few years there could be between one and three Justices stepping down, leaving the president to appoint new ones. In the third presidential debate, the candidates were asked how they plan to choose new justices. McCain answered that he would find capable judges who have a strong history of adhering to the words of the Constitution. Obama answered that he would find judges who have ideals similar to his own. The Supreme Court is now roughly half liberal and half conservative. Whomever the president chooses will likely sway the Court to one side, affecting the outcomes of countless cases in the future.
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