Clinton vs. McCain

I will start by saying that it's important for the Democratic Party to stay unified, and understand that the Democratic Party is the party best positioned and most willing to protect the USA from threats, dealing with current foreign affairs in a proper manner, provide adequate health care to its' citizens, safeguard Social Security, protect the environment, provide adequate economic recovery and stability, and fix the illegal immigration crisis. When it's all said and done, any Democratic candidate would be better to do that, than any Republican.

However, there are differences, as always among our Democratic candidates.

Why I think Hillary Clinton is the best positioned to compete against John McCain:

When the general election is in full gear, and John McCain is touting his record as a war hero, claims the surge is working and felt the Iraq War was mismanaged:

-Hillary will be the one who can best remind voters that John McCain has said he has no problem continuing this war for 100+ yrs, and while he was a war hero in the military, he has made irresponsible foreign policy choices in his time in the Senate.

-Our troops have made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq, and are greatly commended for that - John McCain should understand that commitment well, considering his service. How does John McCain commend them? By Voting NO on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months. Hillary voted YES.


When John McCain claims the problem with health care in the USA is inflation (which he has said), Hillary Clinton will be the best standing next to him to remind voters that inflation or not, health care in the USA has always suffered.
She will remind voters that have children on SCHIP, that she championed the creation of SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) with Senator Kennedy. Even after her tough fight in the 90s for universal health care that was ultimately lost, she was still able to come back and get low income children access to health care on a bipartisan basis.

-How will John McCain justify to those parents who rely on SCHIP for their children that he voted against the reauthorization of SCHIP? How will they decide when faced with a candidate who helped create it (Hillary) and a candidate who tried to dismantle it (John McCain)?

John McCain is a senior citizen himself (71 yrs old); but how will he rectify to older voters that he voted against including prescription drugs under Medicare in 2000 and Voted NO on $40 billion per year for a limited Medicare prescription drug benefit - while Hillary Clinton spoke out in September of 1999 about the need for strengthening Medicare and getting seniors access to prescriptions under Medicare?

How will they compare when voters see that John McCain voted NO on expanding the enrollment period for Medicare Part D. This proposed expanded enrollment period was a *bi-partisan* effort by Senators to extend the deadline for the new Medicare prescription drug program (Part D) from its original May 15, 2006, deadline to the end of the year.
- The new program was confusing to many seniors, and more time was crucial in making sure seniors were educated and aware about enrollment.
- Senator Clinton joined the bipartisan group in voted YES on this enrollment expansion bill in 2006 and
John McCain turned his back on seniors and voted NO.


How will voters feel when they see John McCain pandering to the top 2% wage earners of the US. How will the remaining 98% of Americans feel?

Hillary Clinton voted YES on reducing the marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates.
-John McCain also agreed with Hillary that the "Bush tax cuts" were too much in favor of the wealthiest Americans and voted against them in 2001 and 2003. Now that John McCain is running for President and trying to court disappointed conservatives, he is advocating making those very tax cuts he voted against--permanent.


How will college students feel when they discover that John McCain voted NO on increasing tax deductions for college tuition, while Hillary Clinton voted YES? Who will they feel is looking out for their interests more?

How will those worried about protecting our environment and national security feel when they discover that Hillary Clinton has received a 100% rating from the CAF (Campaign for America's Future) indicating a perfect record for support of energy independence - and John McCain received a 17%, indicating a lack of support for energy independence?


How will worried mothers and fathers feel when they discover that John McCain supports people owning assault weapons? Really John, do people REALLY NEED *assault* weapons?

-John McCain voted against the Brady Bill & assault weapon ban. John McCain voted NO on background checks at gun shows. John McCain supports guns being sold without trigger locks.

-Hillary Clinton voted to get assault weapons out of the streets, and her husband President Clinton was a champion of the Brady Bill. Hillary Clinton has advocated for background checks, even at gun shows.


Americans know that illegal immigration is an issue that is imperative to the national security of our nation, and reforming illegal immigration at the federal level should be a comprehensive plan to secure the borders, and offer a fair path to citizenship.
-Hillary and John have had very similar records in the Senate in regards to immigration reform. However, yet again, now that McCain is running for President and pandering to the right, he is now no longer supporting the bipartisan immigration reform plan.


When voters hear of Hillary Clinton's knowledge on the economy and the challenges it faces, who will the voters trust best to handle this very issue that most Americans have put at #1 as the most important issue facing our country in this election?

-John McCain has admitted that he needs to be better educated on the economy, and just doesn't know that much about it. Voters will be reminded of the great economic triumphs of the Clinton administration, while McCain gets "educated."

Voters will see when McCain and Clinton are side-by-side that Hillary voted to increase the minimum wage to $7.25 in 2005 and 2007 (when it ultimately passed). John McCain voted against it in 2005, and for it in 2007. Interesting how that worked out, considering he wasn't running for president when he voted against it in 2005, but was when he voted for it in 2007.



Where does John McCain stand? Only God knows, because he changes based on what election he is running in. Senator Clinton has been side by side with Senator McCain in the US Senate for years, often casting contrasting votes to that of John McCain. *Sometimes* they voted similarly, but now that McCain is running for President, he's hiding from that record--at least for now!

When Senator Clinton has a chance to stand next to Senator McCain on a debate stage, and let Americans all over know about the real differences she and McCain have had on issues, the selection should be easy for most Americans. Americans who support getting guns out of the hands of criminals, getting seniors their needed prescriptions, securing the borders and offering a path to legalization for illegal immigrants, getting out of Iraq responsibly, ensuring that all Americans have access to health care, protecting the environment, stabilizing and protecting the economy, and so much more---the choice will be VERY CLEAR. They will support Senator Clinton over Senator McCain.

-CHRIS MCLEOD-