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Obama doesn't stand for anything as far as " the issues " go, while McCain is the man with a plan? That's what the media would have you believe according to diarist Stroszek at DailyKos.
Where Obama's web site boasts a 12 page document on the subject of energy independence alone, McCain simply offers three short paragraphs that outline a vague perspective:
John McCain Will Help Americans Hurting From High Gasoline And Food Costs. Americans need relief right now from high gas prices. John McCain will act immediately to reduce the pain of high gas prices.
John McCain Believes We Should Institute A Summer Gas Tax Holiday. Hard-working American families are suffering from higher gasoline prices. John McCain calls on Congress to suspend the 18.4 cent federal gas tax and 24.4 cent diesel tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
John McCain Will Stop Filling The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) To Reduce Demand. International demand for oil is bolstered by federal purchases for the SPR. There is no reason to fill it when oil is so expensive; the overall SPR is of adequate size, and when it places further upward pressure on prices.
What about other economic issues? Obama's site offers a 48 page PDF dedicated to issues concerning the middle class. He also has separate sections that focus specifically on fiscal responsibility, poverty, rural development, urban policy, and transportion.
McCain offers a little over 2,000 words, about the length of a short answer essay for Poli-Sci 101.
How about education? Obama has a 15 page document on PreK-to-12 education and a separate document on college affordability.
McCain has a page that consists of a few general statements of principle with no specific proposals beyond extending what George W. Bush has already done.
What about Iraq, allegedly McCain's big issue? He has a page, and again, it's mostly just a restatement of his ideological perspective. One of his proposals is, in fact, to "level with the American people." OK John, then level, but don't expect us to accept things like this:
More progress is necessary. The government must improve its ability to serve all Iraqis. A key test for the Iraqi government will be finding jobs in the security services and the civilian sector for the "Sons of Iraq" who have risked so much to battle terrorists.
Iraq will conduct two landmark elections in the near future – one for provincial governments in late 2008 and the other for the national government in 2009. John McCain believes we should welcome a larger United Nations role in supporting the elections. The key condition for successful elections is for American troops to continue to work with brave Iraqis to allow the voting to take place in relative freedom and security. Iraqis need to know that the U.S. will not abandon them, but will continue to press their politicians to show the necessary leadership to help develop their country.
Obama, of course, supports gradual redeployment coupled with implementation of the Biden plan to federalize Iraq. His is an entirely new approach to the problem. McCain's "plan" can be summed up by Bush's 2004 mantra: "Stay the course."
In all the other sections, from Health Care to Veterans Issues, McCain doesn't fare much better. On substance, Obama clearly has him beat, so if there's an "empty suit" in this race, anyone with internet access would have to conclude that it's John McCain.
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