Posted January 7 2008 by Rachel Krich
So who should I pick?
After my last post, someone asked if there was a web site with a basic breakdown of everyone running for president. I looked, and either there is none or my Googling skills are not up to par. In either case, I figured I would step up to the plate. I don’t have the time right now to get everything in order in time for people to actually vote. However, I will start by posting info on the major candidates one or two at a time and letting everyone know when the primaries are coming up in their state. If you are in CA, NY or NJ you still have a few days to register for February 5th, if you are not registered already. If you voted in the last presidential election you’re good to go. Every state is different with its primary rules. In NY you can only vote for the party you are registered in and you must change your party close to a year before the primary to vote in a different party than you originally registered under. If you have questions on a particular state, let me know and I will find out the info for you.
Anyway- here is the info on Barack Obama. I will do Huckabee and Giuliani next. I have put basic info on Foreign Policy, Economy and Health Care. I took everything from the BarackObama.com web site. There are many more details and issues on that site. This is just to give you a taste.
(FYI: Saturday was the Wyoming Republican Caucus and Mitt Romney won; however, Wyoming will only get half its delegates because they voted before February 5th.)
Barack Obama- (D) Jr. Senator from Illinois, winner of Iowa Caucus.
Foreign Policy- Obama’s plan if he is elected president is to start withdrawing troops from Iraq. He plans to take one to two brigades out each month until all Americans are out. He plans to have all of the Americans out within 16 months (that would be May of 2010). However, he does understand the threat of terrorists and Al Queda, and plans to strategically attack areas in which Al Queda is working in.
Regarding Iran, Obama believes that there are many diplomatic paths that have yet to be taken in regard to the situation of possible nuclear weapons and feels that diplomacy is the best means to an end.
Regarding Israel- According to his website, Obama wants to make the Israel issue his priority and his goal is to hatch out a two state solution.
Domestic Policy- Economy- Obama plans to help the Middle Class by creating new tax cuts for the middle class (that would help about about 10 million Americans) and creating a pre-printed tax form. It will be sent to each home to be verified and signed, then sent back to the IRS. This could save close to $2 billion in federal spending according to the Obama campaign web site. He also wants to create a national broadband system so everyone in America can have Internet access. He feels that this is a step in helping create new and higher paying jobs for Americans. Obama is also pro union and pro raising the minimum wage. Obama plans on reforming the Family Medical Leave Act to include more time to help people who need to take time to attend ill relatives and also give time so parents can attend their children’s school functions (i.e. plays, basketball games etc.). He also hopes to stop workplace discrimination toward pregnant women and working parents.
Health Care- Obama wants to create a national health plan that any American can buy into if their job does not offer insurance. It would work similarly to the program that the US Congress buys into each year. People could pick between the Federal program or a private company.
The next primary it tomorrow in New Hampshire, then next Tuessday, Jan 15 in MI. You can see the schedules on NYT.com in their politics section.
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7 Comments currently posted. 
Zechariah Mehler says:
Seth Jacobson says:
Great, Zee. I’m a Republicrat! I didn’t get a single answer - I got 3 candidates whom I don’t support (and one who’s dropped out of the race!) - Giuliani, Dodd and Romney. So confused….. 
Zechariah Mehler says:
Whats actually a lot of fun to do is take the quiz but give all the answers that are totally against your views and see who pops up.
Benji Rosenzweig says:
Seth,
Turns out I am republican as well. Do you have the same guilty feeling I do??
Rachel Krich says:
Dear Gd I got Roomney! I feel so dirty….here I am thinking I am a good dem.
Seth Jacobson says:
Benji, I didn’t say I’m a Republican. I said, according to the quiz I’m a Republicrat (my newly invented word) - hybrid Republican and Democrat, with more emphasis on Republican, b/c it suggested I vote for 2 Republicans and 1 Democrat. And no, I don’t feel guilty. I just think the quiz is very flawed, or else I’m totally confused about who stands for what!
Moshe Glasser says:
I got Romney! I feel dirty, too. There were no questions about an foreign policy besides Iraq, and none about character or religion. Bad poll, bad!
If you want to take the easy way out in deciding who to vote for you can go to http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/candidate-match-game.htm and take this quiz. After I took it I was told that my guy is Rudy which is the direction I tend to lean in anyway so it seems to be pretty accurate.