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Politics : View from the Center and Left

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To: Dale Baker who wrote (54641)3/20/2008 1:31:33 PM
From: slacker711  Read Replies (1) of 542655
 
Can his supporters outline what you expect him to accomplish in four years with a presumably Democratic Congress?

One key to looking at any of the candidates is to realize that regardless of who wins the Presidency we are going to have a Democratic congress.

Just some random thoughts that come to mind...

- Strong control on spending. It isnt just earmarks, McCain has voted down new programs as well. We wont see any new Prescription Drug Benefit type of programs. OTOH, we wont see much in the way of new infrastructure spending either. He is also likely to be the least creative in addressing the current credit crisis.

- We would see tax increases due to compromises with the Congress, but dramatically less than under Obama or Clinton.

- Some movement around the edges of healthcare but definitely not a dramatic overhaul.

- A continuation of free trade policies but no new accords are likely to get through Congress.

- Bipartisan agreement on some sort of cap and trade program for greenhouse gases.

- Increased spending on the wall along the border but ultimately a compromise on immigration that recognises we arent going to send 12 million people home.

- I think McCain is actually the most likely to get some sort of SS reform done. He has stated that all proposals are on the table (including benefit cuts or increasing the cap) and if he isnt likely to run in '12, I can see some sort of bipartisan compromise on the issue.

- A continuation of the current policy in Iraq but I think the ultimate endgame of US troops in bases in Iraq will take longer to achieve than under Hillary or Obama.

He obviously isnt going to be a revolutionary President...OTOH, those who dismiss him as a 3rd term of Bush are ignoring the large number of times he crossed the aisle to work with Democrats. I dont see that changing if he is in the White House (which will drive conservatives nuts).

FWIW, I am probably a McCain lean but Obama definitely has a chance to win my vote. It will depend on which way he tacks in the general election. Under most circumstances, I am unlikely to vote for Hillary.

Slacker
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