How do the candidates for President line up on the issues that matter to you?

Over the last few weeks and months, we have heard a lot from Senators Obama and McCain about their plans for our country. NEA wants you to be informed on where Obama and McCain stand on the issues impacting our jobs, our students and our communities. We have reviewed the records of both candidates and compared them to the positions held by NEA members.

See the table below and be on the look-out for additional communications that outline the important differences between the two candidates.

NEA

BARACK OBAMA (D)

JOHN MCCAIN (R)

Expand Health care, create Universal Health insurance

Supports

Supports

Supports Expanding Health Care, Opposes Universal Insurance

Protect Employees' Rights to Organize (EFcA)

Supports

Supports

Opposes

Increase Minimum Wage

Supports

Supports

Opposes

Pay Teachers a Starting Salary of $40,000 and Education Support Professionals a Living Wage

Supports

Supports

No Public Information Found Did Not Return NEA Questionnaire

Increase Student Aid for college
(Pell Grants)

Supports

Supports

Opposes

Increase Federal Education Funding

Supports

Supports

Opposed Bills to Increase Funding, but Says He Supports Adequate Funding

No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

Overhaul

Overhaul

Tweak

Private School Vouchers

Opposes

Opposes

Supports

Pay for Test Scores

Opposes Pay for Test Scores, but Supports Some Forms of Enhanced Compensation

Opposes Pay for Test Scores, but Supports Some Forms of Enhanced Compensation

Supports Pay for Test Scores

Reduce Class Sizes

Supports

Supports

Opposes

Expand Early Childhood Education

Supports

Supports

Opposes Expansion, Supports Better Coordination

Sponsor Bill to Repeal GPO/WEP

Supports Bill

Yes

No

Privatize Social Security

Opposes

Opposes

Partially Supports

Protect Women from Pay Discrimination (Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act)

Supports

Supports

Opposes

Get the facts. Decide for yourself.