Election 2008: John McCain (R)

Foreign Policy: Favors NATO. Don’t deal with Cuba. U.N. needs reform. Favors removal of rogue governments. China needs cautious encouragement. Europe needs more focus on defense.

Iraq: Finish the job in Iraq. Dramatically increase troop levels, don’t redeploy them. Increase funding. Iraq war is just, necessary, noble.

War on Terror: Good vs. Evil. More emphasis on counter-terrorism. Spend more on War on Terror (War on Terror does not equate to Iraq).

Taxes: Simplify taxes (flat tax rate). No charitable contribution deductions. Eliminate tax “loopholes”. Eliminate estate tax. Eliminate marriage penalty. No internet tax. Tax off-shore business.

Social Security: Apply budget surplus to Social Security. Lock Box. Favors private accounts for retirement.

Trade: Favors free trade. Favors free trade. Favors free trade.

Government: Reduce government spending. Balance the budget. Enforce limits on spending. Presidential line-item veto for pork. Campaign finance reform crucial. No soft money. Prohibit gifts from lobbyists…but not all lobbyists ($$$). Corporate welfare BAD. Free market GOOD. Favors term limits on congress. Small government is better government.

Immigration: Favors guest worker and path to citizenship programs. Give Social Security to illegal immigrants. No bilingual education. Opposes welfare for immigrants

Homeland Security: Favors Patriot Act. More emphasis on Intelligence. Favors Missile Defense. Opposes nuclear test ban. Military experience is needed in top levels of civilian leadership. Pork should be eliminated from national security.

Economy: Favors off-shore business. Favors limits on personal bankruptcy. Opposes unions.

Education: Favors charter schools and vouchers. No national testing standards - leave it to the states. Corporations over education ($$$). Favors private tutors for failing students. Favors tax-free education savings accounts.

Health Care: Children deserve health care. Limit but allow tax credits for health coverage. Favors re-importation of prescription drugs.

Welfare: Give HUD homes away. Federal aid for food stamps. Tax breaks for homeless. Overhaul welfare system. Jobs are key. Welfare responsibility should be shared between government and faith based groups.

Abortion: Opposes abortion except in the case of Rape or Incest. Favors alternative measures such as adoption

Civil Rights: Favors cell phone wiretapping. Hate crimes should not include sexual orientation. School prayer should be permitted. 50/50 on affirmative action. Favors death penalty. Opposes gay marriage (let the states decide). Supportive of Hispanic culture. Favors national sex-offender registry. Ban assault weapons.

Energy: Reduce greenhouse gasses. Opposes oil drilling in ANWR. Develop alternative sources of energy. Opposes renewable energy. Opposes ethanol. Opposes drastic reduction in oil consumption. Opposes Kyoto Protocol.

Compare John McCain's views with:

Rudy Giuliani
Hillary Clinton
Barack Obama
John Edwards
Mitt Romney
Bill Richardson
Sam Brownback
Newt Gingrich
Joe Biden