|
 The key issues in the US election
Here are some of the key issues in the Democratic and Republican presidential campaigns.
IRAQ:
Democrats
Despite voting to authorise the invasion of Iraq, Hillary Clinton has vowed to end the Iraq war and start withdrawing troops immediately, but possibly leave a reduced force for a period of time. Barack Obama has opposed the war in Iraq and voted against it ahead of the invasion. He would also end the war and withdraw US troops, but supports the phased redeployment of US troops.
Republicans
John McCain has supported the war in Iraq and wants to keep US troops in the country as long as is necessary. He supported the apparently successful US troop surge in Iraq.
ECONOMY:
Democrats
Both Clinton and Obama have vowed to stave off recession, create a fund to prevent housing foreclosures, and repeal the Bush administration's tax cuts for the rich, but keep those benefiting the middle class. They have both adopted the fight against poverty highlighted by former rival John Edwards.
Republicans
Even though McCain at one point voted against Bush administration tax cuts, the Republican economic programme is based largely on cutting taxes and getting out of national debt. McCain would cut corporate tax rates, reform social security and cut government spending.
HEALTH:
Democrats
Clinton proposes compulsory universal health care and lowering health care costs. Obama proposes a voluntary health care system with incentives and cost reductions, but at the same time making it compulsory for parents to buy health insurance for children.
Republicans
McCain proposes making healthcare more accessible to Americans, and preventing insurance and pharmaceutical companies making massive profits at the expense of consumers. He also seeks a bipartisan agreement on healthcare reform.
IMMIGRATION:
Democrats
Both Clinton and Obama want immigration reform, to provide legal status for the estimated 12m illegal aliens in the US, and also to strengthen border control. They voted for Bush-backed immigration reform legislation and to construct a fence along the Mexican border. Clinton would seek penalties for employers who hire undocumented workers.
Republicans
McCain supports securing the border and then reforming immigration policies, and co-sponsored a bill offering amnesty to illegal immigrants.
ENVIRONMENT:
Democrats
Clinton proposes tougher energy and car efficiency standards, and would develop a new treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol, agreeing to limiting US carbon emissions. She would seek long-term energy independence with a focus on renewable energy. Obama would aim for an 80% cut in US greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and would invest in clean energy, trying to make the US a world leader in combating climate change.
Republicans
McCain acknowledges the effects of climate change and says US should join the rest of the world in reducing greenhouse gas emissions - as long as China and India join in. He introduced an act to reduce greenhouse gases.
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE:
Democrats
Both Clinton and Obama oppose same-sex marriage but support civil unions and oppose a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages. Clinton says states should decide for themselves.
Republicans
McCain supports legal benefits for same-sex partners and sees the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, but opposes a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
ABORTION:
Democrats
Clinton has focused on the role of values and education in preventing unwanted pregnancies, but says a woman's right to choose is a fundamental right. She would sign into law the Freedom of Choice Act. Obama says he trusts women to make their own choices, and would oppose a constitutional amendment to overturn the 1973 Supreme Court Roe v Wade decision that legalised abortion.
Republicans
McCain seeks to overturn the 1973 Supreme Court ruling, and would aid efforts to boost adoption.
| 
