Posted by
Tim Blessing on Saturday, July 05, 2008 8:07:33 PM
THE FORTUNE MAGAZINE STANCE-O-METER
July 7, 2008 Issue
Taxes: McCain would slash taxes on corporations from 35% to 25%; Obama favors the status quo, though he is open to a cut if loopholes are closed. McCain would keep long term capital gains rate at 15%; Obama would raise it to about 25% but give start ups a break.
Financial Regulation: Both think CEOs are overpaid, and both want more shareholder input. They agree Sarbanes-Oxley requirements need to be loosened. But Obama backs Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson's proposal for a new market regulator, while McCain is skeptical.
Housing: obama pushed for lending regulation before the crisis and is proposing a $20 Billion package to help families avoid foreclosure. McCain initially balked at a bailout but now favors up to $10 Billion in aid. both would set up task forces to prosecute more fraud cases.
Alternative Energy and the Environment: There's general agreement on climate change, and both propose cap-and-trade plans. But Obama will allocate billions to fund green energy projects, while McCain wants the markets to find winners. McCain also want s to loosen rules on oil drilling and build 45 nuclear plants by 2030.
Health-Care Reform: McCain would shift the burder from employers to individuals to shop and pay for plans, saying tort reform would lower costs. Obama would make insurance mandatory but would pay billions to expand public programs and require coverage for preexisting conditions.
Trade: McCain backs NAFTA and other Free Trade Deals, and he would eliminate most US food tariffs and farm subsidies. Obama has toned down his attacks on NAFTA and is calling for more concessions from trading partners on import restrictions.