Top 10 Tuesday: Top Issues in 2008
June 17th, 2008 | by Scott |Less than five months away from the general election we are now beginning to see the ramp-up to the issues that will be trumpeted ad nauseam in the near future.
Without going into detail on the substance of these issues here are the ones that I think will be hammered into us the most:
10. Abortion/Reproductive Rights–I thought about just retiring this from the list and placing it as the Hall of Fame issue but I left it in because this will be, once again, a major player.
9. Age Vs. Experience–There is no denying that Obama is a new face on the scene and there is no doubt that McCain is old.
8. Immigration–How to treat the “alien” in our midst is a crucial issue.
7. Poverty–With the absence of John Edwards this issue does not get the play that it otherwise will have. However, it must be forever before us that so many have so little.
6. Faith–One of the more interesting wrinkles in this particular campaign is the sheer reversal of 4 years ago. Obama, the Democrat, is much more comfortable speaking about faith than McCain, the Republican. Regardless of what you think of either of their religious views or associations, it is a different game than just 4 years ago.
5. Gay Marriage–I’m actually surprised that this hasn’t been more resonant in light of California. But I suspect that it is simmering below the surface.
4. The Environment–Both acknowledge the reality of climate change. However, they differ greatly on what that means and how to best respond.
3. Health Care–Making sure that all Americans have access to quality and affordable health care is one of the most important issues in this campaign.
2. The Economy/Gas Prices/Housing/Etc–This will, as always, be a major player.
1. War on Terror/Iraq–The War Hero vs. the Neophyte. Who will protect us? Who will get us out of Iraq the quickest?
Regardless of where you stand on each of these issues the overriding question that emerges to me is whether we can have legitimate discussion on any/all of these topics in order to really move forward as a people. We shall see.
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5 Responses to “Top 10 Tuesday: Top Issues in 2008”
By Jeff B. on Jun 17, 2008 | Reply
Abortion — As the greatest moral atrocity our nation has ever committed (IMHO), this one SHOULD be in the forefront. However, I think it will get less play than it has in a long time because (1) its a losing issue for Obama, and (2) it will associate McCain with conservatives, which he seems to be avoiding at all costs.
Age/Experience — who cares?
Immigration — People will WANT this to be a big issue, but I dont’ forsee a big enough difference between McCain and Obama for it to create the fireworks that are necessary to keep it in the headlines.
Poverty — won’t get much play, whether it should or not.
Faith — This one will be interesting, as it is may be Obama’s greatest political strength and his greatest weakness. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Wright thing exploited/explored further.
Gay marriage — see immigration
Environment — the debate over domestic oil production vs. cafe standards will get a lot of play because it touches on such an acutely felt need right now.
Health Care — this one will be big, although they won’t go below the surface on it at all (i.e. discuss the governmental philosophies illustrated by the respective positions on the issues)
Gas Prices/Housing/Economy — I can’t wait to see whose proposals will make the government biggest!! I sure wish they would talk about monetary policy, as its a huge part of the issue.
War on Terror/Iraq — This will be the signature issue of the campaign. McCain’s fate depents to a great degree on what headlines come out of Iraq between now and November.
By justin on Jun 17, 2008 | Reply
Glad I’m not the only person that cares about monetary policy. It should be the forefront of this election, because it is the root cause of the vast majority of our problems, whether it be government spending or inflation. If you fix monetary policy, the other stuff falls into place.
By John on Jun 17, 2008 | Reply
I know that the California move has a lot of people upset but I don’t know if the issue of gay marriage is going to be that big of issue this year. The reason that I feel this way is for several reasons. First off is that in many states this has been used already in 2004 or 2006 to drive out the vote in the form bans on same-sex marriage that were up for approval. This was a tactic that Rove loved.
Secondly it’s that McCain doesn’t seem to want to play the game the way the religious right thinks is correct. So it seems he’s not going to toe the line that Dobson and such want him to. Look at the problems he’s had getting many in the party to actually accept him.
By JTB on Jun 18, 2008 | Reply
why doesn’t #2 include # 7?
By Scott on Jun 18, 2008 | Reply
Good question. I approached this from the perspective of what will be issues not should be. And, although I hate to admit it, the candidates and by extension the voting public are very adept at separating out the economy from issues of abject and systemic poverty.
Edwards was the lone voice that really brought the issue of poverty to the forefront of the collective conscience.