Obama vs McCain

It's looking more and more like it isn't it?

Obama has won 8 states in a row now and he even topped out at 75% of the DC poll yesterday, quite a phenomenal winning score, though the 64% and 60% for Virginia and Maryland were rather impressive too.

So even if Hillary wasn't expecting to win these states, the fact she got a good old-fashioned pasting means that Obama definitely has the momentum and time is rapidly running out for Clinton.

And, well, with McCain having pretty much sewn up the Republican nomination things are beginning to look a bit clearer. So here's a run-down of what choices American voters will have on their hands as the rest of look on impotently from far-off shores:

Economy:

With a trillion dollar deficit during the Bush era, this is one the next President simply cannot afford to get wrong.

Obama - Wants to help-middle class families struggling with rising costs and stagnant pay. Wants to reform healthcare and education, and invest in scientific research to boost productivity and growth

McCain - Would cut taxes on middle class families by abolishing the Alternative Minimum tax. Would keep Bush tax cuts, but decrease government spending. Wants to reform social security.

Well I take the same approach to governance as Gordon Ramsay does to menus: strip it down and keep things simple. So for that reason I have to say I prefer John McCain's take on things.

McCain 1 - Obama 0

Healthcare:

If you've seen Michael Moore's Sicko then you'll know how big a mess the US Healthcare system is.

Obama - Backs universal coverage but will start by requiring all children to have insurance, underwritten by subsidy. Insurers would be unable to refuse coverage because of pre-existing conditions.

McCain - Has highlighted his record on supporting health care for military veterans. Wants bipartisan agreement on long-term health care reform before the costs become unsustainable.

McCain sounds like he's not too sure of what his healthcare plan actually is, using it to get the military vote at times rather than tackle the big issue itself. I think Obama's ideas have a better chance of tackling the problems. The US needs to smack the insurers into place a bit more and it looks like that's Obama's plan.

McCain 1 - Obama 1

Environment:

The one a lot of us having been waiting for. While Bush has had his fingers in his ears on Global Warming the rest of the world is doing something about it. Hopefully the next President will get on board.

Obama - Wants an 80% cut in US greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Wants US to lead global effort to combat climate change. Would invest $150bn over 10 years in clean energy.

McCain - Says climate change is real and devastating. Says US should consider joining with every other nation in the world to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, if China and India join in.

It's nice to see a Republican admit the problem exists but all this "consider" and "we will if you will" nonsense is too little to late. Obama looks set to jump in with two feet and take the lead on climate change so he'd get my vote on this one.

McCain 1 - Obama 2

Iraq:

Perhaps no longer such a big issue given the relative success in the past year or so.

Obama - Opposed the war in Iraq from the outset and says there is "no military solution". Backs phased withdrawal of troops, and a UN convention to achieve national reconciliation.

McCain - Voted for 2003 invasion and says US forces should remain until Iraq is able to defend itself. Backed Mr Bush's troop escalation. Says withdrawal plans could trigger genocide in the region.

I never fancied this war at any point at all so Obama is already a few marks up. The US can't leave too early but I think they have always been part of the problem so UN agreements on Iraq's future sounds sensible.

McCain 1 - Obama 3

No surprises for me then, Obama would get my vote now and he'd get it in November 2008.