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TIGHT TIMES: Recent reports show the flailing economy as a more pressing issue for Latino voters than immigration. John McCain's HOME plan would allow families to apply for new 30-year fixed rate mortgages. He also wants to continue many of the George W. Bush tax cuts and free trade plans. Barack Obama supports more accountability with subprime mortgages and wants to reform mortgage rules to prevent foreclosures and bankruptcy. Additionally, he plans to provide $1,000 of tax relief to 95 percent of Americans, while reigning in tax breaks for oil companies and the wealthiest Americans.
Best Bet: I think both candidates' plans will be whittled down and compromised as analysts determine what is feasible given the high defense appropriations.

WAR & PEACE: In January 2007, a study by the Pew Hispanic Center concluded that two out of every three Latinos in America believe the troops should be brought home from Iraq as soon as possible. McCain wants to continue this war; believing the troop surge worked and setting a timetable for withdrawal would signal the U.S.' surrender. On the flip side, campaigning as the candidate who never supported the war in Iraq from the get-go, Obama believes it has done nothing but undermine our national security and reputation abroad. Having recently visited the Middle East, Obama welcomes Iraqi leaders' call for a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. However, both candidates support increasing resources expended for the war in Afghanistan.
Best Bet: We should establish a timetable for withdrawal to give Iraq back to its people, but I'm not necessarily supportive of expanding the war in Afghanistan.

TO YOUR HEALTH: Healthcare is another key concern for Latinos, especially since our community has higher rates of diabetes and routinely encounters problems with quality of care. McCain doesn't support mandated universal healthcare and wants to harness market competition to create comprehensive healthcare reform. Obama supports a national health plan to cover all Americans with comprehensive benefits, affordable premiums, guaranteed eligibility and subsidies for people who do not qualify for Medicaid but need help purchasing their own insurance. Obama's health plan is not mandated because he believes if people can afford coverage, they will buy it. He also plans to alleviate illnesses in urban areas by promoting education and preventative care.
Best Bet: I would welcome McCain's plan to have more market competition so Americans had more options, but I don't see this happening. We have witnessed companies in various sectors merge in recent years and offer consumers fewer choices.

BORDERTOWN: Immigration has been a contentious issue that both Obama and McCain have danced around in order to appeal to the Latino voter. Latin American immigrants are blamed for many social and economic ills, giving immigration broad implications on our community in terms of perceptions and racial profiling. A group of pro-migrant bloggers, calling themselves The Sanctuary, recently sent out a comprehensive questionnaire asking both presidential candidates substantive policy questions about Latinos and immigration. At press time, the Obama campaign has answered, and the group is still awaiting McCain's response. In 2007, McCain supported a comprehensive immigration reform plan called McCain-Kennedy, which would've increased border security and given a new class of visas to undocumented immigrants and undocumented youth a path to citizenship through college or military service (THE DREAM Act). McCain now says he would not support the bill he was behind just a year ago, citing a need to secure the borders first. Obama supports comprehensive immigration reform, securing the border with local community input and a combination of technologies. He believes mass deportation is ridiculous and is not good use of law enforcement resources.
Best Bet: Obama's solution not only benefits the Latino community, but the country as a whole. Fair trade with our southern neighbor will sustain their citizens and cut down on mass migrations.