Black MBA - Summer 2008 - (Page 24)

COVER STORY Politics of Change 2008 he announced the broad plan for how he will end the war as president, which included a phased removal of troops from Iraq with all combat brigades removed within 16 months. He also advocates pressuring Iraq’s leaders to take responsibility for the country’s future, using the United Nations in a central role in seeking a new accord on the Iraqi Constitution. His plan includes provisions for regional diplomacy to assist in regional stabilization and to provide fi nancial support for Iraqi reconstruction, as well as a humanitarian initiative formed by an international working group that will provide at least $2 billion to expand services Iraqis, both at home and to refugees.. Ron Walters says McCain’s emphasis on his military service is not surprising. “That’s all he has,” the political scientist says. “If you look at all of the factors, they favor Democrats this fall. Obama is leading McCain in the swing states. They were talking about his inability to win swing states like Florida and Ohio and he’s leading there, too.” ECONOMIC PLANS One of Obama’s major goals will be to link McCain to the fi nancial woes dogging the Bush Administration. Under eight years of George W. Bush, a $236 billion surplus has turned into a $408 billion deficit. Obama is also hoping that the price of gas, now above $4 per gallon, will serve as a daily reminder of the need for new leadership. Political scientists recall that Jimmy Carter failed to win re-election because of motorists waiting in long lines who directed their anger at the person occupying the White House. Obama’s economic thrust includes tax cuts for the middle class, reforming bankruptcy laws, protecting home ownership, cracking down on mortgage fraud and offering universal mortgage credit for those who don’t itemize, strengthening workers’ rights to organize and expanding the Medical Leave Act. McCain’s plan would maintain the current tax cuts, add additional cuts for corporations to encourage job growth and “eliminate broken government programs.” He and Obama have a major policy disagreement over universal health care, with Obama favoring it and McCain preferring a more market-oriented approach to health care. Walters remains confident that Obama will defeat McCain in the November. He says, “It will be hard for any Democrat to lose this fall. And even if race is injected into the campaign, Obama can get past that because the public is in agreement with him on so many issues.” But, as we’ve seen in the recent past, we won’t know for sure until Election Day – or beyond. mba For more information about the candidates, visit their Web sites: www.barackobama.com or www.johnmccain.com. The League of Women Voters (www.lwv.org) also offers non-partisan voter information at www.vote411.org. 24 BlackMBA • Summer 2008 • www.nbmbaa.org 2008 Political Poll I pay close attention to the fall presidential election. Sometimes 21% Follow it daily 79% “ If Barack wins, then MAYBE the way this country thinks about race is STARTING to change. ” Yes 86% The fall election will have a elec significant impact on my life. No 14% “ In the short-term, U.S. foreign policy will clearly improve as we rejoin the community of nations and pursue rational, humane and coalition-driven peace and stability initiatives. Longer-term, the election of a democratic candidate would indicate a sea change in the American psyche as we would finally be electing a president based on qualifications and vision, rather than fearmongering. ” http://www.barackobama.com http://www.johnmccain.com http://www.lwv.org http://www.vote411.org http://www.nbmbaa.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Black MBA - Summer 2008

Black MBA- Summer 2008 Contents Mailbag Up Front From the President & CEO Politics of Change Catalyst for Change: Results of our 2008 Political Poll Know Whose Shoulders You Stand On: The Legacy of H. Naylor Fitzhugh Howard University: Changing With the Times Straight Talk: CEO to CEO Creating Your Own Sandbox Dual Threats Avoiding the Faux Pa Invest in Your MBA Everything You Need to Know About...Estate Planning On Campus Plan Ahead The Big Show What's in a Name? On the Move Market Forecast Jeff Friday Keith Wyche Life Lessons On the Ground Real Biz A Golden Opportunity Entrepreneurial Institute Tech Tools Read for Success Stacey Tisdale Advertiser Index

Black MBA - Summer 2008

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