The One and Only?

By Julie Stauder

Davis (DE)- During the Democratic debate on Tuesday evening in SOC 118, senator John Edwards claims to be the only candidate with fully thought out plans to guide the United States to change.

All democratic candidates feel similar on many important issues. However, Edwards seemed to attack Obama and Clinton on their slightly different plans. All the candidates addressed their feeling on issues of immigration, the war in Iraq and health care. Although they all have good intentions for our nation, Edwards demanded attention and set his plan away from the others. Is Edward’s planning better than Obama and Clinton? Or are Obama and Hilary’s plans more realistic?

Edwards claimed to be the only candidate whose number one concern is poverty. He said, “We are the richest nation, yet over 37 million Americans live in poverty, and it needs to change.” He also mentioned that he was the only candidate who has a plan to give health care to all Americans; by taxing the rich high, this dream would become a reality. Is it plausible that America will soon be poverty free, and every American will have health care? Although we all vision this way of life, is this a rational dream? This is not only a national problem, but a world wide issue. We have been fighting these problems for years, yet things have got worse. How can these problems really be solved?

Finalizing the debate, Edwards took control once again, pointing out that all the candidates want change, but what sets him apart from the rest is that he has the sources and the plans to actually change the system. Is John Edwards the one and only candidate best to be our president?

The Republicans: The Republican debate took place Tuesday evening after the Democrats. John McCain, Rudy Giulliani, Erica Huckabee, and Ron Paul voiced their opinions on the top issues. All but Ron Paul do not want to back out of the War in Iraq. McCain says if elected, “he has the military experience to gain success. Backing out of Iraq will make our nation look weak.” My question is: What will McCain do differently? And if backing out makes us appear weak, what do we look like for invading their country? We have been in Iraq for five years now, and have spent billions of dollars and lost many soldiers; how can we attain success?

I was interested in having in interview with McCain to address these questions, however after his campaign agreed, they never followed through. I am disappointed not having my questions answered, but McCain really got my attention at the debate voicing his number one issue: the environment. McCain also stated he was the only republican candidate who wants to secure our boarders. McCain, like Edwards, noted his differences, setting him away from the other candidates.

All republican candidates spoke their piece, yet McCain took control and voiced he was the only candidate right for the job. Who do you choose?