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Clinton, Obama mostly the
same on policy
Washington—Democrats just can’t decide whether Barack Obama or
Hillary Rodham Clinton would make a better presidential nominee, and
there’s some good reason for that. When it comes to policy, they are
closely aligned.
“The differences between Barack and I pale in comparison to the
differences that we have with Republicans,” Clinton said at a debate
earlier this year.
Even on one of their most frequently debated policies, Obama once
said: “Ninety-five percent of our health care plan is similar.”
Stephen Hess, a presidential scholar at the Brookings Institution,
said their policy agreements ironically have added to the tension in
their campaign.
“There is simply no doubt that when two candidates virtually agree,
you have to find other reasons to find an argument about why you
should be for one rather than the other,” he said. “That’s why
suddenly the issues in this campaign are issues of character rather
than position. And once they are issues of character, they can get
very personal.”
Both want to provide health care for all and end the Iraq war. They
want to increase tax credits for college tuition, protect abortion
rights and renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement to
strengthen labor and environmental standards.
They want to reform immigration in largely the same way and both
have energy plans that would cost $150 billion over 10 years.
Here are some of the most significant points of contention that may
help voters in the 10 contests choose between Clinton and Obama.
Both say they have a goal of providing universal coverage and will
try to lower costs to make it more affordable. The biggest
difference is that Clinton would require everyone to get health
insurance while Obama would not. Clinton says her plan is the only
one that is truly universal because people won’t get coverage unless
they are required to, similar to auto insurance. Obama says people
will get insurance only if they can afford it.
Both want to help homeowners facing foreclosure, but Clinton’s plan
includes a five-year freeze on interest rates for all subprime
mortgages, which often go to borrowers with the poorest credit.
Obama disagrees with the proposed freeze, saying it will drive up
interest rates and keep other people from getting
mortgages.—Agencies
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