BARACK OBAMA

DANIEL KERLAKIAN - Volunteer for theStudents for Obama Campaign

   As college students, we should be the most concerned about who our next president is going to be. We will soon be entering into the real world and will have to be completely self sufficient. This is going to be more difficult for us to accomplish than any previous generation since those in the Great Depression. Our economy is in shambles, unemployment is skyrocketing, and there is no telling how bad it is going to get. Our national deficit is at an all time high, and our popularity in the international community is at an all time low. We need a leader that is willing and able to turn these negatives into positives, and that person is Barack Obama.

   Obama will make college education affordable for all Americans through raising the student grant level by $1,000 and simplifying the financial aid application process. He will create millions of jobs to boost our economy and provide tax cuts for 95 percent of Americans. He will also introduce new and affordable healthcare, which is a vital issue for graduating students. Most importantly, Obama will restore our respect in the world. He will act responsibly and diplomatically on foreign policy issues and find logical solutions to our problems. We can not afford to have more of the same failed policies we have endured for the past eight years. It is time for real positive change in this country and Obama is the candidate that will bring it.

   Don’t wait till the 4th. If you are registered on campus you can vote all day every day until 6pm at the Board of Elections at 451 W Third St. in downtown Dayton. On Election Day, long lines, bad weather, and faulty machines could keep many from voting, so vote early! Obama can use all the help he can get on the Big Day. If you want to help, please contact me at kerlakdm@notes.udayton.edu. We have a lot to lose and a lot to win in this election, so please get out and use your right to vote for the candidate that will change this country for the better: Barack Obama.

BIO

Born:	August 4, 1961 (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Hometown:	Jakarta, India; Honolulu, Hawaii
Family:	Wife Michelle Robinson Obama and two daughters
Education:	Occidential College/Columbia University, B.A. Harvard Law School, J.D., 1991
Government Experience:	Senator, US Senate, 2005-Present Senator, Illinois State Senate, 1997-2004

ISSUES

Energy Policy
• Reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.
• Explore alternate sources of energy.
• Americans will have to change behavior to cut back on oil usage.
• Supports more nuclear power if it is cost efficient and safe.

Defense Policy
• Called for expansion of military manpower and modernization.
• Wants to cut overall defense spending.

Iraq
• Move beyond Iraq and focus attention on Middle East more broadly.
• Wants to end the war and by the end of 2009 and begin taking out troops.

Climate Change
• Lead an international coalition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Invest $150 million over 10 years to advance clean energy technology.

Immigration
• Increase number of Customs and Border Protection personnel.
• Favors illegal immigrants in good standing to be allowed to pay a fine then be given chance to become citizen.
• Supports granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.

Financial Policy
• Voted in favor of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
• Supports plan to directly inject money into struggling banks.
• Six point plan to improve government regulation of financial institutions.
• Thinks that the SEC should crack down on market manipulation.

JOHN McCAIN

Colleen O'Kane - President, Young Republicans

   The best candidate to entrust with my future is Senator John McCain.

   A president is not someone you vote for because it’s the trendy thing to do, because he or she looks a certain way or can deliver a great speech. You elect a President because you have faith in that individual and his or her policies.

   There isn’t candidate you will agree with 100 percent, but for me, McCain is as good as it gets. He possesses core conservative values; a pro-life platform, smaller government, and a distinct belief in the individual and the greatness of our county and the individual freedoms. He has shown time and again he has the experience and leadership to follow through on what he promises to deliver.

   The most important thing to me about McCain is his priority of principle over politics. His experience, demonstrated in his service to his country as a U.S. Naval Aviator in Vietnam or a servant of the people in Congress, is proof.

   In these trying times, we need someone with experience. We need someone who is selfless; whose main objective is keeping the America the greatest country in the world, a shining city on a hill.

   McCain is the candidate to take us into the future and reestablish our country’s greatness - a true American hero who loves his country and seeks to continue a lifetime of service in the White House.

   This campaign is not about hyperbolic, rhetorically charged speeches- it is about character, experience and the demonstrated ability of sound leadership. How we vote will determine a course affecting not only the next four to eight years, but generations to come.

   When you go to the polls Nov. 4, hold faith in the candidate who has your interest at heart. Believe in the one who has proven experience, the one who has put country first and above all. Believe in the man who has spent a lifetime in service and proven leadership. Believe in John McCain.

BIO

Born:	August 29, 1936 (Panama Canal Zone)
Hometown:	Alexandria, Va.
Family:	Wife Cindy Hensley McCain with seven kids
Education:	Naval Academy, 1958 National War College, 1973
Military Service	US Navy 1958-1981 POW in Vietnam 1967-1973
Government Experience:	Senator 1987- Present House Representative 1983-1987

ISSUES

Energy Policy
• Break from old energy policies and work for America’s energy security.
• Increase use of domestice oil supply.
• Strong proponent of nuclear energy.

Defense Policy
• Increase size of military.
• Modernization of military and making it a more mobile force.
• Favors overall cuts in defense spending.

Iraq
• Stay in Iraq until job is done.
• Envisions Iraq as functioning democracy by 2013.
• Feels Bush administration mismanaged the war.

Climate Change
• Cosponsored Climate Stewardship Act to cut down on greenhouse gases.
• Outspoken members of Congress on need for legislation on climate change.

Immigration
• Supports increased border security and citizenship for illegal immigrants.
• Institute a temporary worker program.
• Reinforce our border and through a bipartisan solution.

Financial Policy
• Voted in favor of Emergency Economic Stabilization Act in 2008.
• Called for regulation and investigation of Wall Street executives.

JOE BIDEN

PROS

• Veteran of the US Senate.
   (6th longest serving member and Chairman of Foreign R Relations Committee)
• Foreign policy ace and knows legislative process.
• Greatly respected by Democrats.
• Could pull conservative democrats back to Obama who were worried about his foreign policy and experience.
• Strong advocate of U.S. action in Darfur.

CONS

• No executive experience.
• Doubtful Biden will help in most swing states.
• Originally said he wasn’t interested in the VP job.
• Won’t generate extra enthusiasm, but is a safe pick that won’t hurt the ticket.

SARAH PALIN

PROS

• History of combating corruption, overspending, and promoting ethics.
• Strong social base.
• Pro-life, mother of five.
• Outsider from Washington’s perspective which can gain some independent vote.
• Brings diversity to the Republican ticket.

CONS

• Inexperienced on national stage.
• Inexperienced on Foreign Policy.
• Undermines one of McCain’s strongest arguments against Obama… he is too green.
• Starts from low expectations
• Mistakes will be magnified by the media more than usual because of her obscurity.


Images courtesy of the Dayton Daily News