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ABORTION
Favors abortion rights.
AFGHANISTAN
Would add about 7,000 troops to the U.S. force of 36,000, bringing the reinforcements from Iraq. Has threatened unilateral attack on
high-value terrorist targets in Pakistan as they become exposed, "if Pakistan cannot or will not act" against them.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE
The presidential campaign's fundraising champion has brought in $390 million. He plans to raise private money for his general election, despite
his proposal last year to accept public financing and its spending limits if the Republican nominee does, too. Obama refuses to accept money from
federal lobbyists and has instructed the Democratic National Committee to do the same for its joint victory fund, an account that would benefit the
nominee. Obama does accept money from state lobbyists and from family members of federal lobbyists.
CUBA
Ease restrictions on family-related travel and on money Cuban-Americans want to send to their families in Cuba. Open to meeting new Cuban
leader Raul Castro without preconditions. Ease trade embargo if Havana "begins opening Cuba to meaningful democratic change."
DEATH PENALTY
Supports death penalty for crimes for which the "community is justified in expressing the full measure of its outrage." As Illinois lawmaker, wrote
bill mandating videotaping of interrogations and confessions in capital cases and sought other changes in system
that had produced wrongful convictions.
EDUCATION
Encourage but not require universal pre-kindergarten programs, expand teacher-mentoring programs and reward teachers with higher pay not tied to
standardized test scores, in $18 billion plan to be paid for in part by delaying elements of moon and Mars missions. Change No Child Left Behind law
"so that we're not just teaching to a test and crowding out programs like art and music." Tax credit to pay up to $4,000 of college expenses for
students who perform 100 hours of community service a year.
ENERGY
Now would consider limited increase in offshore drilling. Opposes drilling in Arctic reserve. Proposes windfall-profits tax on largest oil companies
to pay for energy rebate of up to $1,000. Opposed suspension of the gas tax. Open to tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for short-term relief
from high energy costs. Global warming plan would increase energy costs.
GAY MARRIAGE
Opposes constitutional amendment to ban it. Supports civil unions, says states should decide about marriage.
GLOBAL WARMING
Ten-year, $150 billion program to produce "climate friendly" energy supplies that he'd pay for with a carbon auction requiring businesses to bid
competitively for the right to pollute and aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. Joined McCain in sponsoring earlier
legislation that would set mandatory caps on greenhouse gas emissions. Supports tougher fuel-efficiency standards.
GUN CONTROL
Voted to leave gun-makers and dealers open to suit. Also, as Illinois state lawmaker, supported ban on all forms of semiautomatic weapons
and tighter state restrictions generally on firearms.
HEALTH CARE
Mandatory coverage for children, no mandate for adults. Aim for universal coverage by requiring employers to share costs of insuring
workers and by offering coverage similar to that in plan for federal employees. Says package would cost up to $65 billion a year after
unspecified savings from making system more efficient. Raise taxes on wealthier families to pay the cost.
HOUSING
Tax credit covering 10 percent of annual mortgage-interest payments for "struggling homeowners," scoring system for consumers to compare mortgages,
a fund for mortgage-fraud victims, new penalties for mortgage fraud, aid to state and local governments stung by housing crisis,
in $20 billion plan geared to "responsible homeowners."
IMMIGRATION
Voted for 2006 bill offering legal status to illegal immigrants subject to conditions, including English proficiency and payment of back taxes
and fines. Voted for border fence.
IRAN
Initially said he would meet Ahmadinejad without preconditions, now says he's not sure "Ahmadinejad is the right person to meet with right now."
But says direct diplomacy with Iranian leaders would give U.S. more credibility to press for tougher international sanctions. Says he would intensify
diplomatic pressure on Tehran before Israel feels the need to take unilateral military action against Iranian nuclear facilities.
IRAQ
Spoke against war at start, opposed troop increase. Voted against one major military spending bill in May 2007; otherwise voted in favor of
money to support the war. Says his plan would complete withdrawal of combat troops in 16 months. Initially had said a timetable for completing
withdrawal would be irresponsible without knowing what facts he'd face in office.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Would raise payroll tax on wealthiest by applying it to portion of income over $250,000. Now, payroll tax is applied to income up
to $102,000. Rules out raising the retirement age for benefits.
STEM CELL RESEARCH
Supports relaxing federal restrictions on financing of embryonic stem cell research.
TAXES
Raise income taxes on wealthiest and their capital gains and dividends taxes. Raise corporate taxes. $80 billion in tax breaks mainly for poor workers and elderly,
including tripling Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credit for larger families. Eliminate tax-filing requirement for older workers
making under $50,000. A mortgage-interest credit could be used by lower-income homeowners who do not take the mortgage-interest deduction because they do
not itemize their taxes.
TRADE
Seek to reopen North American Free Trade Agreement to strengthen enforcement of labor and environmental standards.
In 2004 Senate campaign, called for "enforcing existing trade agreements," not amending them.
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