Policy Analysis: Obama v. McCain

[Divinus Arma]

Let me make it clear that this is intended to be an analysis of the contrasting policies of the two American Presidential Candidates, not an analysis of the election process.

I submit a request for those familiar with the candidates' stances to clarify their respective policy agendas.

Thanks.

[Lemur]

Ooh, good idea for a thread. Somebody put together a good analysis of where the two stand on geek issues; I'll try to track that down.

[PanzerJaeger]

Well since no one has been able to state why Barack would be a good president, I visited his website to see what his own propaganda has to say.

Dear Lord.

Iraq is one of, if not the most imporant, issue this election cycle and this is the man's stated plan?

I haven't seen such a naive approach to our situation in Iraq since Paul Bremmor(sp) and Don Rumsfeld took over.

I wonder what General Patraeus thinks of this... obviously Obama is not aware of the current military situation.

Barack Obama's Plan

Bringing Our Troops Home
Obama will immediately begin to remove our troops from Iraq. He will remove one to two combat brigades each month, and have all of our combat brigades out of Iraq within 16 months. Obama will make it clear that we will not build any permanent bases in Iraq. He will keep some troops in Iraq to protect our embassy and diplomats; if al Qaeda attempts to build a base within Iraq, he will keep troops in Iraq or elsewhere in the region to carry out targeted strikes on al Qaeda.

Press Iraq’s Leaders to Reconcile
The best way to press Iraq’s leaders to take responsibility for their future is to make it clear that we are leaving. As we remove our troops, Obama will engage representatives from all levels of Iraqi society – in and out of government – to seek a new accord on Iraq’s Constitution and governance. The United Nations will play a central role in this convention, which should not adjourn until a new national accord is reached addressing tough questions like federalism and oil revenue-sharing.

Regional Diplomacy
Obama will launch the most aggressive diplomatic effort in recent American history to reach a new compact on the stability of Iraq and the Middle East. This effort will include all of Iraq’s neighbors — including Iran and Syria. This compact will aim to secure Iraq’s borders; keep neighboring countries from meddling inside Iraq; isolate al Qaeda; support reconciliation among Iraq’s sectarian groups; and provide financial support for Iraq’s reconstruction.

Humanitarian Initiative
Obama believes that America has a moral and security responsibility to confront Iraq’s humanitarian crisis — two million Iraqis are refugees; two million more are displaced inside their own country. Obama will form an international working group to address this crisis. He will provide at least $2 billion to expand services to Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, and ensure that Iraqis inside their own country can find a safe-haven.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Gentlemen, we already have a thread to discuss the US Elections.

Please keep analysis and commentary in there.