The Second Presidential Debate

The Second Presidential Debate

The second debate for our presidential candidates was in Belmont University in Tennessee. It was conducted in a more informal format. It was a town hall meeting with about eighty uncommitted voters in the audience that personally asked questions to our potential presidential candidates. The debate mainly focused on domestic policies, especially concerning our present economic crisis which has been called the worst financial crisis since the Depression. When asked how the 700 billion dollar bailout plan would be the solution for our economic ruin, Obama responded that it would crack down big CEOs, promising to make sure that big CEOs wouldn’t receive any share of the 700 billion dollar bailout while directing attention to the middle class. McCain responded with an emphasis on decrease energy dependency on other nations, and no raises in taxes. However, it appeared to me that they agreed on the majority of what they would do with the 700 billion dollar bailout i.e. drill and look for alternatives in energy sources, buy out bad loans, and decrease taxes.

The major difference between the two candidates is spending. Obama plans to increase spending in some areas focusing on taxing upper class Americans. McCain plans to “freeze on spending” on all social and economic classes on areas of the government except national defense (which would be cut). Obama claims that his taxes would only affect 5% of America’s population, and would be a 95% tax cut for working Americans. Obama argued that a “freeze on spending” was unfair for the middle working class. McCain said that his proposed increased in taxes would affect 50% of small business, thus creating an unfair burden on small businesses. Both candidates are in an agreement that Congress needs to be crack down on special interest groups and lobbyists.

When asked about priorities of the nation. McCain responded that he could tackle energy, healthcare, and other issues at the same time. Obama said his first priority was energy, and promised a plan within ten years to eliminate our dependency on foreign oil which would also strengthen our national defense. Obama second priority was health care, and his third priority was education.

Healthcare is also a point of disagreement between the two presidential candidates. McCain views healthcare a responsible. Obama views healthcare as a right. McCain claims with tax cut each American would receive 5,000 dollars to perhaps pay for healthcare. Obama claims that he would work with health care insurances to decrease premiums and lower co-pay costs, and he would make sure that everyone would have a health care policy.

The war in Iraq was also an issue of difference between the two candidates. McCain would stay in Iraq until we have significantly stabilized the country and increase morale and legitimacy globally. Obama said he would have a definite plan to withdraw troops, and refocus on energies on Afghanistan and terrorists.

Overall the debate didn’t change my view on the candidates. It only reinforced my idea of the candidate that I will vote for. However, I do have a question. Is it the middle class of America, like Obama says the key to economic stability?