Both Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), as the presumptive nominees of their respective political parties, have taken off the gloves and plunged full force into the general election campaign. With 119 days (7/8/08) until the November 4th election, defining themselves through the issues if now imperative.

Already, Sen. Obama has changed the rhetoric of his position on the Iraq war, which, in the primary races, he vehemently stated he would without reservation withdraw and end our presence in Iraq withing 16 months of January 20, 2009. Now, with the fact that the surge strategy is actually working, his plans are more in line with those of Sen. Clinton, in that a change in strategy would be based upon the consultation with commanders, etc.

So what are some of the other key issues, and where do the nominees stand (today):

ABORTION:

      McCain:    anti-abortion; conservative values;

      Obama:     supports abortion rights, and even voted for partial-birth abortions.

                       The next President will be essentially defining the Supreme Court for the    next twenty years, so it is important that our conservative values be reflected on the Bench.

IRAQ

       McCain:   We may need a presence in the Persian Gulf region for a long time, just as we have in Japan, Germany, Korea, and so forth. But the ultimate safety of our troops is tantamount.

       Obama:  We need to get out as quick as possible, almost like a “cut the losses and run”.

EXPERIENCE:

     McCain:   He has served in public service since his return from Vietnam, after his years as POW in Hanoi.

      Obama:   Brief time as an Illinois State Senator, and has not yet completed one full term as a United States Senator. Barabck Obama has an attendance record of about 150 days since his term began in January 2005.

SERVICE to COUNTRY:

         McCain:   The military record of Senator McCain is undisputable, and any attack on his service to our country would be without merit. McCain is a graduate of the US Naval Academy, and is a true leader.

        Obama:  Failed to register for the Selective Service as was required of all males upon reaching 18.

FOREIGN POLICY:

        Where McCain has served this country for decades, and has been involved in numerous issues regarding foreign policy, Obama’s extent of foreign policy is centered on his ancestral home in Kenya.

 

     These are just brief snippets of some of the issues, and over the next few weeks, these will be discussed in greater detail. One of the key things to keep in mind and to pay attention to is that Senator Obama campaigned in the primaries on the extreme liberal left, but now as the presumptive nominee, he is “centralizing” his positions.