Eight months. When is comes to a presidential campaign, that’s a couple of eternities. But that’s how long this year’s will last, with the front-loaded Democratic primary system already having yielded a winner.
The good news is that it allows plenty of time for a full airing of the issues. And much attention figures to be paid by the candidates to Washington, considered a battleground state by both major parties.
It’s just as well that the debate is beginning early, because there’s plenty for voters to weigh. Serious voters should start paying attention now.
Perhaps it’s wishful thinking, but we hope President Bush and Sen. John Kerry will deliver thoughtful, detailed positions on the significant issues facing our country:
Economic growth. Recovery continues slowly, without new jobs. Some 2.2 million U.S. jobs have been lost in the past three years, and 8.2 million Americans were unemployed in February. The next eight months will put Bush’s job-growth efforts to the test, and offer Kerry plenty of time to tell voters what he would do differently.
The deficit. Even members of Congress are beginning to admit it’s too big. The president says he’ll cut it in half in five years, but doesn’t include costs for Iraq or other global crises in the equation. Kerry says he’ll halve the deficit in four years, and use the proceeds to pay for new initiatives. Neither approach is comforting, especially with the impending retirement of baby boomers and the demand they’ll put on Social Security and Medicare. Could we see a meaningful plan, please?
Health care. Costs are skyrocketing and access is shrinking. How can we best guarantee care for all without bankrupting ourselves?
Our role in the world. As the globe’s lone superpower, we can pretty much have our way. But should we? Kerry says he would have worked harder to gain the support of key allies before invading Iraq; Bush insists America must do what it feels it must when it feels threatened. Kerry would re-enter discussions over the Kyoto treaty on climate change, which Bush walked away from. And what about North Korea and its nukes? Let’s have a full discussion.
Homeland security. How safe is safe enough? How much are we willing to pay to feel safe?
The environment, education, poverty, energy and our dependence on foreign oil are other key issues on the national agenda. Voters, especially independent-minded ones, should pay close attention to the candidates’ views on them, starting now. Polls indicate this may be a close election. When that happens, it’s independent voters who make the difference.
