Election 2008: The Issues

Proposes cutting the corporate tax rate from 35% to 25% and reigning in government spending. Has called for a one-year freeze on all non-defense or non-veterans related spending. Did not vote for 2002 Bush tax cuts, but says he is opposed to repealing them now, because he fears a recessionary effect of doing so. Is an ardent free trader who voted for the North American Free Trade Agreement and supports it without reservation, saying it has been an "unambiguously ... positive impact on the U.S. economy."

Proposed a windfall profit tax on oil companies and a $50 billion federal stimulus package, $20 billion of it for immediate rebates to taxpayers. Calls for creation of a "National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank with a $60 billion infusion of federal money, for, bridge-repair, road-building and other capital projects. Wants to eliminate income taxes for seniors making less than $50,000 a year. On trade, he threatened during the primary season, to "opt-out" of NAFTA if Mexico and Canada wouldn't renegotiate its terms.