FACTBOX: Candidates McCain and Clinton on key issues

Wed Jan 9, 2008 3:24am EST
 
[-] Text [+]

(Reuters) - Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton and Republican Sen. John McCain won their parties' primaries in New Hampshire on Tuesday, the second high-profile battleground in the state-by-state contests to choose candidates for the November presidential election.

Here are McCain's and Clinton's positions on several key issues in the campaign:

IRAQ

McCain has been a staunch supporter of the Iraq war and, particularly, the "surge" in troops there. A Vietnam War veteran and former POW, he has said he would rather lose an election than lose the war.

Clinton has taken heat for her initial vote in favor of authorizing the war. Became a sharp critic of President George W. Bush's handling of the conflict and says as president she would start bringing troops home.

IMMIGRATION

McCain initially supported a temporary guest-worker program for illegal immigrants but has since shifted his position to emphasize border security first.

Clinton supports a guest-worker program for immigrants if it does not undermine U.S. workers' wages and favors giving undocumented workers a way to become legal workers. Supported the building of a border wall. Urges development of an employer verification system and higher penalties for employers who exploit illegal immigrants.

CLIMATE CHANGE

McCain has advocated a system that would cap emissions of carbon dioxide, the main gas blamed for global warming, and allow big polluters to trade rights to emit. He co-authored a bill to cut emissions by 65 percent by 2050.

Clinton supports an 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, 40-mile-per-gallon fuel efficiency standard by 2017 and 10 percent cut in energy consumption by 2020.

TAXES

McCain says taxes should be low, simple and fair. Advocates lower tax rates and spending cuts.

Clinton's health-care plan includes some new tax credits and she says she would roll back some of Bush's tax cuts for top income earners. Also proposes new tax breaks for retirement savings.

(Compiled by Jeff Mason in Manchester, New Hampshire; editing by Eric Beech)

((jeff.mason@reuters.com, +1 202 310 5487, Reuters Messaging: jeff.mason.reuters.com@reuters.net)

 

Interview:

President Barack Obama answers questions during an interview with Reuters in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, November 9, 2009.  REUTERS/Jim Young
Obama warns of China strains

"If we don't solve some of these problems, then I think both economically and politically it will put enormous strains on the relationship," the president tells Reuters.  Full Article | Full Coverage 

Featured Broker sponsored link

Editor's Choice

A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours.  Slideshow 

Most Popular on Reuters

  • Articles
  • Video
Bernd Debusmann
A good war gone bad

In the protracted Washington debate over the war in Afghanistan, the most concise analysis comes from America's top soldier: "If we don't get a level of legitimacy and governance (there), then all the troops in the world aren't going to make any difference."  Commentary