Barack Obama on the Issues

It's important to vote for a candidate based on the issues, experience, and judgment as opposed to the production values of their television commercials. The candidates do their best to hide their positions on important issues. Here is my effort to try and present where they stand on the issues.

Iraq
Obama proposes removing most U.S. troops by 16 months from when he takes office, beginning as soon as he does so. He would leave troops to protect diplomats and target al Qaeda. Initially, he voted to fund the war, but of late he has voted against funding. With changes in the situation in Iraq, this is not necessarily inconsistent.

Iran and Pakistan
Barack Obama was against the non-binding resolution that named an Iranian military unit a terrorist organization. He did not vote on the resolution, however. Obama favors a policy of diplomacy at all costs towards Iran. This is a good idea, considering the National Intelligence Estimate concluded that Iran had ceased their nuclear program in 2003. Obama has left open the option to go into Pakistan to get al Qaeda. This might gain weight since the Bhutto assassination, but it could potentially create more anti-American militants.

Health Care
Barack Obama proposes mandatory health coverage for all children and catastrophic care for all. He does not believe making health coverage mandatory for all will lower costs and thus, is not in favor of universal health care.

Immigration
Obama would build a barrier on the border with Mexico, which is a waste of resources. As with all Democratic candidates, he favors a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. He is for giving undocumented immigrants a driver's licenses, which is a good idea. They're going to drive anyway, it's better to teach them the laws of the road and have a record of their presence in the country.

Education
I couldn't find what Barack Obama would do with No Child Left Behind, but he is a critic. He is in favor on universal pre-kindergarten. He wants to increase funding for Head Start.

Free Trade
Barack Obama believes NAFTA should be reviewed. He voted against CAFTA. However, he voted for a recent NAFTA-style agreement with Peru.

Environment
Obama cosponsored legislation, along with Sens Boxer and Sanders, to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. He favors the cap-and-trade system, where the right to pollute is auctioned away. He would not freeze on new coal development until clean-coal technologies are commercially available, calling it arbitrary. He is a strong supporter of both corn and cellulosic ethanol.

Other issues
death penalty: For it.
gay rights: against gay marriage, for civil unions. He believes the states should determine gay marriage. He's for the ENDA and cosponsored legislation expanding federal hate crimes laws to include gays and lesbians.
Cuban embargo: He would lift some restrictions, but not lift.

Other stuff
Barack Obama is a first term senator from Illinois and could potentially be the first black party nominee for president and the first black president. He has been accused of being politically inexperienced. Whether this is a play on his race is unknown, but it is a curious accusation. Obama has had more foreign policy experience than Bill Clinton and George W. Bush when they were elected president. Obama is older than Clinton and John Kennedy when they were elected president. Obama lived in Indonesia for a few years when he was young. Barack Obama is a charismatic speaker and has cosponsored some significant liberal legislation including requiring police interrogation to be recorded and those above. But he hasn't shown political courage all the time, which might be a requirement for someone aiming to change the way politics is done.