Clinton, Edwards, and Obama: What are the MAJOR differences in plan/proposal/position on issues?

[Sparkly]

On major policy issues, I'm not seeing a whole lot of difference between the three candidates of the "top tier." And considering that Congress has a lot to do with shaping what's eventually enacted, I'm not sure finer details much matter.

So please help me out -- what are the MAJOR differences on issues among the three candidates? (Leave the past aside -- I'm referring to their current positions and proposals.) Is there something about their positions on issues that accounts for the staunch pro-one and anti-another feelings seen here?

[MethuenProgressive]

1. Clinton cackles, Edwards has too much money, and Obama lacks experience.

Wait a minnit...
"What are the MAJOR differences in plan/proposal/position on issues?"
I have no idea. I only read DU.

[Sparkly]

2. Heh.

Sad but true.

Maybe there are so MANY major differences, people don't know where to start.

So how about just the MAIN one? How about any one?

[Dawgs]

3. Judgement - Obama is/was/always been against the Iraq war.

Hillary and Edwards pushed it and voted for it.

[Sparkly]

4. Current policy positions and proposals...

Anything?

[Lucinda]

6. I hear crickets :)

[MethuenProgressive]

5. Obama has always voted with Hillary on Iraq.

Every vote, same vote.
So no difference there, Dawgs.

[Dawgs]

8. So. That has nothing to do with what I posted, but I think you already know that.

[MethuenProgressive]

9. Doesn't fit with "is/was/always been against the Iraq war", does it?

There's no "judgement" difference between the two on votes they both faced.
Same record, same judgement.
But, I know you already knew that.

[slick8790]

12. Well he's sure showing it by voting to fund it, eh?

[Kelly Rupert]

14. So against it, in fact,

that he's voted the exact same way as noted warmonger Hillary Clinton on every Iraq-related bill and resolution.

[GreenArrow]

13. or maybe the differences really are that superficial

IMO, there really aren't many substantive differences.

[Adelante]

23. There really aren't a lot of substantive differences

It comes down to who you "like" or who you "can't tolerate" - also, these two: who you can believe and who you think the country will elect. There's maybe a 5% area of play in record or platform, not a whole lot of spread, where you get to pick and choose based on issues. They're your basic Democrats, well within the philosophic range thought of as Democratic, and their platforms reflect their party. Unless you've got a principled objection to something a particular candidate has done or an appreciation for same, or you've found in one of them your political leader, meh, the differences are rather small.

[Trillo]

7. What about 'Corporate Personhood'?

I'd like to know more about the candidates with respect toward 'corporate personhood', their positions on it, what, if anything, they would do about it. Keep as is? Reform? What?

[Milo_Bloom]

10. I think...

Clinton and Edwards both have MANDATORY insurance provisions in their health care plans (on the consumer end) and Obama does not.

On civil unions Obama has stated support for both a federal recognition of civil unions and a requirement for the states to recognize civil unions, but not require churches to preform ceremonies. Edwards has stated support for a state's rights type position. (Not 100% sure of Clinton's plan in this area... she supports them in general, but I haven't seen any specifics.).

They seem nearly identical on Iraq; HOWEVER, Obama did have the judgement to not support and shill for the war in the early going; however, he wasn't exactly a large outspoken critic of it like Wes Clark or Al Gore and one must consider "how we got here" in an equation.

[Sparkly]

11. Thank you for your answer!

1. mandatory insurance vs. optional
2. fed/state recognition of civil unions vs. state recognition vs. general support

These seem like things that Congress would have something to say about anyway, don't they?

It's hard for me to see how these differences might affect the infighting here.

Other supporters of any of the three, please weigh in! Are these differences correct? Are they make-or-break? Are there others?

[Milo_Bloom]

15. For most things, they appear the same... but for Civil Unions...

it is a big difference. It is like the difference for being for or against Roe V Wade.

Remember, removing Roe V Wade doesn't make abortion illegal, it simply leaves the decision to the state. That is basically what Edwards advocated in one of his debates in RE: Civil Unions, while Obama stated that states would have to recognize civil unions.

If this is an important issue for you, it is a huge distinction and leads in two totally different directions.

[Sparkly]

16. Is that more an issue for Congress to decide, or the president?

On the larger issue, both support civil unions. How much would their views on state vs. federal recognition impact legislation?

[Milo_Bloom]

20. ALL issues are for congress.

There is no issue that the president decides on their own. Every decision is vetted through congress and every decision of congress is vetted through the president.

As for the difference, its very simply Roe V Wade. Roe v Wade states that states CANNOT make laws that restrict abortion for women. Remove Roe V Wade and states have the right to make whatever law they want.

In the type of system Edwards' proposed, states would be allowed to descriminate against people on the basis of their sexual preference.

In the type of system Obama proposed, states would NOT be allowed to descriminate against people on the basis of their sexual preference.

[Sparkly]

21. Right. So how much impact would this difference have?

If Congress wanted to go further than Edwards' proposal, is there any doubt he'd approve that?

If Congress did not want to go as far as Obama's proposal, would he veto?

[Milo_Bloom]

24. A lot.

Congress will only go as far as they have to. Edwards, under his own proposal, will not push for full civil rights. Obama would.

[slipslidingaway]

17. Kick, waiting to read some major differences on the issues

between the top three.

[Sparkly]

18. .

:kick:

[Sparkly]

19. One more kick before I go to bed.

:kick:

[mmonk]

22. Hard to tell sometimes but people become mesmerized with

meandering political double speak.