by Jennifer E. Brown

Created on: September 19, 2008

The November election is approaching at full speed as each candidate strives to get the votes of their fellow Americans. Our Republican nomination, John McCain, doesn't have to work as hard as Democrat candidates Barack Obama or Hilliary Clinton. This is because Republican primaries have long since been over, and the Democratic nomination is literally nose-to-nose.

Also, the Republican nomination represents tradition. We have always had a white, older male in Presidential Office. On the other hand, the Democratic nomination represents change. We have a black male and a former first lady whose husband had a sex scandal in office. I can't hold this against her, though. Bill's faults should not affect her election, but there are still people that believe women are not ready for office. Likewise, there are people that believe a black man is not ready for office, and both these groups with probably vote for McCain. So, who do you want to answer the White House phone at 3am? First, let's see where they all stand on the important issues.

1. Iraq

John McCain: He believes we need a better military to achieve a long-term success in Iraq. Also, McCain believes that we don't have enough American forces in Iraq and more are needed to provide security for rebuilding local institutions and economies. We need more troops to stop violence in Baghdad, disarm militias, to dismantle al Qaeda, to train Iraqi army, and to train American personal in Iraqi police units. Our American strategy is to give the Iraqi people the tools they need to govern and secure their own country.

Hillary Clinton: If President Bush refuses to bring our troops home, then Hilliary will bring them home. According to Clinton, we can not let Al Qaeda have a standing ground in Iraq. She plans to put an American Embassy to in Iraq, and perhaps a training mission. She wants the Iraqis themselves to take responsibility, and says that hasn't proven successful.

Barack Obama: He believes our only opportunity to stop the war has been lost. We need to create a place for Iraq's political leaders to end their civil war. The troops have helped reduce violence, but the political leaders have made few efforts to change. In January 2007, he introduced into legislation in the Senate to remove all our troops from Iraq by March 2008. In September 2007, he laid out a detailed plan of how he would end the war as President.

2. Economy

John McCain: He believes spending has gotten out of control, and intends to veto everything that will

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