Candidate Positions

The following information has been taken from each candidate's own campaign web-site.  While many candidates have plans on domestic issues (such as health care), it is important to understand that domestic policy is created by the legislative branch (Congress).  Congress creates the legislation and the President vetoes or signs the legislation once it has passed and been reconciled by both Houses of Congress.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

~Margaret Mead

One of the few things that the President does control, however, is war policy.  The single most important thing you can do as the family member of a service member is be informed about the candidates' positions on the war in Iraq.  MSC encourages you to become familiar with the candidates web sites.  Decide for yourself whether or not you agree with our continued presence in Iraq.  Does it make sense to stay?  Should we have permanent bases in Iraq?  Or does it make sense to leave?  If we leave, should we do so immediately or gradually? 

We have also added the links to the candidates' position pages on Veterans issues.  Please note that at this time we could not locate all candidates policy on Veterans issues because they do not have them listed under their stance on issues.

Become informed.  
Learn about the candidates. 
Trust yourself.

 

JOHN MCCAIN
Link to Veterans policy
Link to Iraq policy

  1. More Troops on the Ground
    A greater military commitment now is necessary. More troops are necessary to: a) clear and hold insurgent strongholds; b) to provide security for rebuilding local institutions and economies; c) to halt sectarian violence in Baghdad and disarm Sunni and Shia militias; d) to dismantle al Qaeda; e) to train the Iraqi Army; and, f) to embed American personnel in Iraqi police units.
  2. Implement New Counterinsurgency Strategy
     Iraqi and American forces must not only use force to clear areas occupied by insurgents but to stay and hold these areas to deny them as a base for insurgent forces.
  3. Strengthen the Iraqi Armed Forces and Police:  we cannot leave until Iraq can govern and protect itself.
  4. Create the security necessary for political progress and stability: by controlling the violence in Iraq can we pave the way for a political settlement. But once the Iraqi government wields greater authority, it will be incumbent upon Iraqi leaders to take significant steps on their own.
  5. Accelerate Political and Economic Reconstruction:  there must be a greater emphasis on non-military components promoting economic development and representative, accountable governance.
  6. Keep Senior Officers in place longer:  Rotating our generals in and out of Iraq is a deeply flawed practice.  If these are, in fact, the best leaders for the task, they should remain on the job as long as possible.
  7. Call for International pressure on Syria and Iran:  Syria and Iran have aided and abetted the violence in Iraq for too long. The answer is for the international community to apply real pressure to Syria and Iran to change their behavior.
  8. Win the Homefront:  If efforts in Iraq do not retain the support of the American people, then the war will be lost as soundly as if our forces were defeated in battle.  Consequently, a renewed effort should be made at home to explain what is at stake in this war.

BARACK OBAMA
Link to Veterans policy
Link to Iraq policy

  1. Bring our troops home.  Will immediately begin to remove troops from Iraq.  He will remove one to two combat brigades each month, and have all of our combat brigades out of Iraq within 16 months.
  2. Press Iraq's Leaders to Reconcile.   The best way to press Iraq's leaders to take responsibility for their future is to make it clear that we are leaving.
  3. Regional Diplomacy.  Will launch an aggressive diplomatic effort to reach a new compact on the stability of Iraq and the Middle East. This effort will include all of Iraq's neighbors — including Iran and Syria.
  4. Humanitarian Initiatives.  Will form an international working group to address Iraq's humanitarian crisis, e.g., the two million Iraqi refugees and the two million more displaced inside their own country.
  5. No permanent bases in Iraq.