Pro-Family Group Offers Presidential Report Card
A pro-family group released a report card Thursday for presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain based on their voting records and public statements.
In the report card, released just ahead of the Democratic and Republican national conventions, California-based Campaign for Children and Families examined the candidates' position on eight key issues important to values voters.
The issues are partial-birth abortion, parental notification of abortion, man-woman marriage on the ballot, pro-homosexual public education, adoption of children by homosexuals, gun ownership, appointment of Supreme Court judges, and taxes.
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For every one of the issues, Obama's position was shown to contrast that of McCain's.
"Let the record show that John McCain and Barack Obama are polar opposites," said Randy Thomasson, president of CCF, listing the topics they differ on.
"No one should base their vote on personality or mere feelings. Our carefully-researched report card shows you exactly where Obama and McCain stand on issues of importance to voters, their families, and our nation's future," he said.
Thomasson noted that his organization does not endorse candidates for public office and the report card is aimed at educating voters.
Based on his Illinois State Senate record and speeches, the report card shows Obama's support for partial-birth abortions.
On the other hand, McCain, co-sponsored a bill and voted for the ban of partial-birth abortions. The Arizona senator even called the procedure "one of the most odious things that I have ever heard of" in a town hall meeting in Portsmouth, Ohio on July 9, 2008.
The candidates also differ on whether to put the issue of defining marriage as between a man and a woman on the ballot.
Obama opposes the November ballot measures in California, Arizona and Florida that will reserve marriage licenses for a man and a woman.
In contrast, McCain endorsed the California Marriage Amendment, Proposition 8, and he also previously endorsed the marriage protection ballot measure in his home state of Arizona.
"I support the efforts of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution between a man and a woman, just as we did in my home state of Arizona. I do not believe judges should be making these decisions," McCain said in an issued statement earlier this year.
Also differing from Obama, McCain does not support using federal funding for schools to promote homosexuality to schoolchildren or raising taxes.
The report card was released days before the Democratic National Convention is scheduled to take place in Denver on Aug. 25-28. A week later, the Republican National Convention will take place in Minneapolis on Sept. 1-4.
On the Web: The complete report card at www.savecalifornia.com
