The Issues at a Glance

Obama

McCain

Veterans

Voted for the 21st Century GI Bill to "provide every returning veteran with a real chance to afford a college education."

Co-sponsored a bill that increased veterans' health care funding by $1.5 billion.

Sponsored the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act to improve care at military hospitals, saying, "the deterioration of the conditions at Walter Reed is both appalling and unacceptable."

Requested assignment to Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Opposed the bipartisan 21st Century GI Bill, saying its

educational benefits would "encourage more people to leave the military."

In 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, voted against increased funding for veterans' health care.

Voted against establishing a trust fund to improve military health facilities because it would have been paid for by repealing some of the Bush tax cuts for people making more than $1 million a year.

Never served on Veterans' Affairs Committee in his 26 years in the Senate.

Economic Crisis

Has called consistently for federal mortgage and banking

regulations that will protect consumers and avert a future economic catastrophe.

Says any deal to restore America's financial sector with public funds must include  independent accountability and oversight and be structured in a way that taxpayers will recoup their investment.

Embraced banking deregulation his entire Senate career

until September's Wall Street meltdown. One of his closest economic advisors is former Texas Sen. Phil Gramm, architect of the deregulation that led to the crisis.

Is now calling for more transparency and accountability on Wall Street, contrary to his Senate record.

Family & Education

Wants to expand the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover workers at businesses with 25 workers (current limit is 50 workers). Also wants FMLA to cover elder care and allow 24 hours a year leave for children's school activities.

Will fully fund "No Child Left Behind" and fix its flaws, saying "teachers should not be forced to spend the academic year preparing students to fill in bubbles in standarized tests."

Will expand Head Start and Early Head Start, quadrupling

the number of at-risk infants and toddlers with access to the program.

Supported the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to ensure that women who discover they have been paid less for equal work have recourse in the courts.

Proposes a $4,000 tax credit and proposals to streamline the financial aid process to help families pay for college.

Voted for the original FMLA bill in 1993 after trying to gut many of its provisions.  Opposes expansion of coverage.

On campaign trail, now says he will fully fund "No Child Left Behind" but in the Senate has repeatedly voted against funding it, leaving schools with strict requirements to meet but no resources.

Has repeatedly voted against increased funding for Head Start programs.

Opposed the Fair Pay Act, saying it  "opens us up for lawsuits, for all kinds of problems and difficulties."

Has repeatedly voted against changes in student aid and loan programs to make it easier for students to attend college. In 2007, voted against the College Cost Education and Access Act, which increased access to Pell Grants, lowered interest rates on Stafford loans and provided grants for teachers.