Primary front-runners' positions
by Laura Jones, Reporter
Hillary Clinton
The war in Iraq: Voted for the invasion in 2002, but is now opposed to it. She will start a phased withdrawal from Iraq within 60 days of taking office, according to CNN.com. She would organize a multi-billion dollar Iraqi refugee fund after withdrawal, as stated on her official website.
Immigration: Would legalize illegal immigrants by having them learn English and pay fines. She would make it more difficult for businesses to hire illegal immigrants. She voted for a fence along the Mexican border. She also seeks to reunite families separated by immigration policies.
Education: She wants to reform the No Child Left Behind Act, increase access to Early Head Start. She wants to cut the minority drop out rate in half and make college more affordable and accessible.
Mike Huckabee
The war in Iraq: Supported the invasion, and was slightly in favor of troop increase. He will not create a timetable for troop withdrawal because he believes that America needs to win the war.
Immigration: Would allow 120 days for illegal immigrants to register and leave, whereupon they could apply to become legal citizens. Voted to finish the border fence by 2010 and still supports it along with a surveillance system. He believes that we should increase border patrol, not give amnesty, enforce immigration laws on employers, and discourage dual citizenship.
Education: Believes that the states deserve more power to construct their own educational programs and standards. He would encourage the development of the arts as well as the sciences in public schools.
John McCain
The war in Iraq: Voted for the invasion in 2002, and is in favor of troop increase. He will not create a timetable for troop withdrawal because he believes we can win the war by further training the Iraqis in security, accelerating reconstruction, and pressuring Syria and Iran to stop harboring insurgents.
Immigration: Would accept illegal immigrants by having them learn English, U.S. history, and civics and go to the back of the line to become legal citizens. Voted for a fence along the U.S./Mexico border.
Education: Believes that states should have the power to develop and enforce their standards without federal regulation. Wants to enlist retirees for tutoring and thinks that good teachers should earn more than bad lawyers. He wants to create tax-free savings accounts for college, and to focus educational resources on those with the greatest needs.
Barack Obama
The war in Iraq: He was opposed to the invasion since the beginning and to any further troop increase. He will withdraw one to two brigades a month to finish within 16 months. He will also give humanitarian aid to refugees and diplomacy for Iraq.
Immigration: Voted for the Mexican border fence. Would have illegal immigrants learn English, pay fines, and go to the back of the line to become legal citizens. He wants to help promote the Mexican economy in order to discourage illegal immigration.
Education: Would reform the No Child Left Behind Act by further funding it, expand the Head Start program, make math and science a priority, address the drop-out crisis, expand afterschool opportunities, summer learning opportunities, college outreach programs, and English Language Learners.