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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 9, 2008

Energy And Economy, Intertwined

On energy and climate change, Barack Obama's focus has shifted markedly over the course of the year as the economy has weakened.

An earlier proposal put an economy-wide cap on greenhouse gases, requiring industry and utilities to buy credits from the government to emit carbon dioxide. That plan would produce hundreds of billions of dollars in government revenue and drive up the cost of energy for everyone.

Obama is now emphasizing a program to spend $150 billion over 10 years to develop renewable sources of energy, such as wind, solar and biofuel energy, and to encourage energy conservation in homes, offices and public buildings. He would also provide substantial financial help to the auto industry to develop high-mileage and electric cars.

Tax Breaks, Old And New

Obama pledged to extend the Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 past 2010, when they would expire, for taxpayers making less than $250,000 a year. He would repeal the cuts for taxpayers making more than that, effective Jan. 1, 2010.

Obama considers the extension for those making under $250,000 a continuation of current policy, not a tax cut.

But he promises a new break for taxpayers making less than $200,000 - an annual tax credit of $500 a worker, or $1,000 per working couple. It would be a refundable credit, so those who do not earn enough to pay income taxes but pay payroll taxes would benefit.

Reaching The 45 Million Uninsured

Obama has said that "every American has a right to affordable health care," but he has not said exactly how he would finance coverage for the 45 million people who are uninsured. The economic slump and the bailout for the financial industry may reduce the amounts available to cover the uninsured.

On his Web site, Obama says his health plan "will lower health care costs by $2,500 for a typical family by investing in health information technology, prevention and care coordination." Health policy experts endorse those goals, but say they are unlikely to produce such large savings.

Beyond 'No Child Left Behind'

Obama's education plan outlined some $8 billion for recruiting, performance pay and other initiatives that represent his approach to updating the education law known as No Child Left Behind. But his plan also offered grand proposals for every level of education, including a $4,000 tuition tax credit that would make college more affordable for millions of students and a $10 billion expansion of early childhood programs.

Security And Citizenship

As a senator, Barack Obama supported comprehensive immigration overhaul, and in the campaign he pledged to enhance border security and provide a path to citizenship for millions in the country illegally. And while he said he favored a guest-worker program, he also advocated tougher penalties for employers that hired illegal immigrants.

Working With Iran

Obama initially raised expectations that he would meet with Iran's leaders; he said during the campaign that the notion of not talking to foes was "ridiculous." Since then, he has tempered his words somewhat, indicating that he would send envoys initially and would meet personally with Iranian leaders only if he thought he could advance the American agenda.

Withdrawing From Iraq

Obama has said repeatedly that he would set a 16-month timetable for troop withdrawal. Some military experts think that could lead to a reversal of the gains from the surge in troops during the past 18 months.

Obama appears to have the Iraqi government on his side. Iraqi leaders say his timetable is closer to theirs, which they put at 2010.

Interrogations And Guantanamo

As president, Obama could simply declare an end to practices that have been widely condemned as torture. He could revoke President Bush's executive order, disclosed in 2007, allowing the Central Intelligence Agency to use more severe interrogation techniques than allowed under the Army Field Manual.

To do so, however, he would have to overrule at least some intelligence professionals who have argued that they need more aggressive methods. His pledge to close the detention camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, would require finding a place to imprison dozens of detainees. Federal officials have drafted plans to move them to centers in the United States, but even supporters of that acknowledge the potential consequences, including the release of suspects for lack of evidence.

Negotiating NAFTA

No legal hurdle would prevent Obama from pulling out of the North American Free Trade Agreement but trade experts say the political and economic costs of scuttling the deal would be enormous.

Even opening it up to renegotiate labor and environmental standards carries risks: Canada might seize the opportunity to renegotiate provisions on energy, while Mexico might push for U.S. access for its trucks.

Obama's union supporters have not put changing NAFTA at the top of their agenda.

The New York Times

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