President vs. NYC

McCain: What are New Yorkers in for?

Joan Malin: Anticipated to be the Mini-Me of Bush, Senator McCain has trouble articulating how he feels about insurance companies paying for birth control. Where does that leave the women of NYC? Also, the appointment of one more conservative judge to the federal bench would have a disastrous impact—that is, the dismantling of Roe v. Wade.

Carney: John McCain spells trouble for New York. His reckless foreign policy of rolling back rogue regimes is likely to incite more evil terrorist attacks against the United States. I don’t have to tell you that New York is a prime target for almost every terrorist who hates America. And his enthusiasm for regulating energy in the name of global warming will make living in the suburbs more expensive, encouraging more people to relocate back to New York City. That means higher home prices, and a redistribution of wealth from renters to home owners.

Krogh: McCain’s plans to eliminate the alternative minimum tax and reduce corporate tax rates will benefit Wall Street and the overall economy. He will continue to enact strong policies on national security that will help keep our city safe. And McCain’s free-market approach to health-care reform will lower costs and open up the market to more price competition.

Goodman: Well, since he’s embraced Bush, I think by looking back you can look forward. The deficit spending on the war has bankrupted the country.He’s said 100 more years in Iraq; he wants 100 more nuclear power plants. I’m not sure what his obsession with 100 is—maybe it’s related to his age, I don’t know.

And with Obama?

Quinn: I think Barack Obama’s views and vision on civil rights and equal rights are much more in line with those of the five boroughs. And obviously, he is someone I’ve heard speak about the need to expand and preserve affordable housing, and he is very committed to growing jobs in this country. Not just any jobs, but manufacturing and entry-level jobs, where people can grow up the ladder and support a family.

Carney: Obama is as bad as McCain when it comes to greenwashed views of global warming—if not worse. Expect a boom-bust cycle for green energy.

Krogh: Obama’s plans to raise taxes on businesses and individuals will have a negative impact on the city and the economy, and many economists do not believe the tax increases will lead to much, if any, of an increase in revenue. Obama’s naive plan of engaging in conversation with our enemies and retreating from Iraq will leave our nation and our city appearing weak and vulnerable. His plan for national health care will come at a great cost to our government and will ultimately lead to rationing of care, as has recently been seen more and more in Britain.

NEXT: What national issue will affect us most? »

Donna Lieberman Executive director, New York Civil Liberties Union; “staunch civil libertarian”

Joan Malin President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of NYC Action Fund, a nonpartisan, nonprofit political arm of PPNYC

Lynn Krogh President, New York Young Republican Club; “conservative libertarian”

Gregory Wright Chairman, Log Cabin Republicans, NYC caucus

John Carney Editor in Chief, Dealbreaker; “reactionary libertarian”

Christine Quinn City Council Speaker, Democrat

Amy Goodman Host, executive producer of the radio and television news program Democracy Now!; “independent journalist”

Follow our conventional wisdom and check out these election-related happenings.

• With nydems.org, Neighborhood Volunteers canvass the streets for Obama.
• Every night of the DNC (Mon 25–Aug 28) and RNC (Sept 1–4), Living Liberally (livingliberally.org) hosts free convention-viewing parties at the Tank’s new home at DCTV (87 Lafayette St between Walker and White Sts).
• Election Protection, a nonpartisan coalition, encourages attorneys and law students to serve as call-station operators, answering voters’ questions, or poll monitors on Election Day (866ourvote.org).

Their First Time... | TONY elections 2008 | In your backyard | Drafting legislation