Which Presidential Candidate is Better for Dads? McCain or Obama?

Two weeks from now we’ll vote for either John McCain or Barack Obama to be our next President. But before you cast your vote, do you know which candidate will be better for dads?

I realize there’s more than one reason to choose who to vote for in an election, but as a dad, I feel it’s important to analyze the candidates from the “dad” perspective. If for no other reason than to gain a better understanding of the candidates before casting my vote.

So here’s my analysis of each candidate’s position on dad-related issues, based on the information they’ve posted on their campaign web sites.

The Issue of Family Itself

Barack Obama has a section on his campaign web site entirely devoted to family issues. The page discusses many topics ranging from education to homeownership.

John McCain’s campaign web site does not have a section devoted specifically to family issues. However his main issues page covers most of the same topics addressed on Obama’s family page, including education and homeownership.

So on the generic family issue, neither candidate has an advantage. While Obama actually acknowledges “family” as an independent issue, both candidates cover the same basic family-related issues.

Advantage: None

Healthcare

When it comes to healthcare, neither candidate specifically addresses children on their web sites. While I’m sure they’re on the record somewhere regarding children’s healthcare, neither candidate felt it worthwhile to specifically address children on their main healthcare page.

Instead both candidates address how their healthcare plans will benefit families, and while we could discuss the minute details of each plan, the point is that both candidates have proposals to increase coverage and make it more affordable.

So again, neither candidate has a clear advantage on paper. But keep in mind this is a very politically charged issue, and so far the Democrats have shown themselves to be much more likely to champion the cause even when it’s unpopular.

Therefore I have to give a slight advantage to Obama, simply because he’s a Democrat.

Advantage: Obama

Fatherhood

John McCain’s web site doesn’t specifically mention anything relating to fatherhood. Barack Obama’s web site does, however.

Obama indicates support for the Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families Act. While the bill is only a start and primarily focuses on issues such as ensuring that deadbeat dads pay their child support (I hope there are no deadbeat dads reading this blog), the bill does attempt to decrease tax penalties on married couples. It also has provisions to fund programs that promote fatherhood in general (whatever that means).

I’m not sure it’s enough, but Obama’s wins this issue because at least he addresses it with ideas for real legislation, whereas McCain doesn’t.

Advantage: Obama

Taxes

Both candidates propose easing the tax burden on families with children.

Obama’s plan would increase the amount of money that can be claimed under the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. He also wants to make it a “refundable” tax credit. Which means that even if you haven’t paid any taxes, you’ll still get a check from the government for the full amount of your credit.

McCain’s plan calls for an increase in the Child Tax Credit, which currently allows parents to deduct up to $1,000 from their taxes for each dependent child.

Obama’s plan is tailored for low-income families that don’t pay taxes. His plan is also tailored for parents who send their kids to daycare while they work.

McCain’s plan is tailored for all parents, regardless of whether or not you send your kids to daycare.

If you are low-income or use daycare, then Obama’s plan might be better for you. However in my opinion, while I don’t have a problem helping out low-income families, I do not agree with any plan that only rewards parents who use daycare.

My wife and I take our daughter Olivia to daycare, so Obama’s plan would help us personally. However I have family members who are stay-at-home moms. I also blogged about stay-at-home dads recently. I don’t feel that they should miss out on additional tax savings when they’ve already made huge financial sacrifices to keep a parent at home.

Advantage: McCain

Conclusion

Again, there are many reasons to choose which candidate you’re going to vote for. Still, if you’re a dad, then you should at least take some of these dad-related issues into consideration before making your final choice.

I realize there are many more issues that you might feel are important to dads. However these are the issues I chose to focus on. Based on them, Obama wins on the issues 2-1.

Full disclaimer: I’m a conservative leaning moderate, registered as in Independent.

What issues do you feel are important for dads? How do you rate the candidates on dad-specific issues? Please share your comments below.

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Tags: Barack Obama, Family, Fatherhood, Heathcare, John McCain, Politics, Taxes

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Oktober Five

Too true. And either one is going to spend more than we can afford, so what's the difference between 900 trillion and 800 trillion? One may simply delay the effect, that's all. But anything that helps me be a dad is good. I think if a candidate came out and said they would reduce the workweek even 10 hours they'd have my vote. Time is what we don't have, moms and dads alike.

Jon

@Oktober Five -
Oh man... you hit the nail on the head there about time! Of course, there are days when I can't wait until it's time for Olivia to go to bed. ;-)

Oktober Five

Interesting perspective. Besides these big issues, there are also things like family values that will be effected by bigger decisions. I too would discourage bills and policies that would give incentive for a parent to leave the home to seek work, when their spouse is already working. I believe it's extremely important for a parent to be home with the kids whenever the kids are home.

Jon

Originally Posted By Oktober Five
Interesting perspective. Besides these big issues, there are also things like family values that will be effected by bigger decisions. I too would discourage bills and policies that would give incentive for a parent to leave the home to seek work, when their spouse is already working. I believe it’s extremely important for a parent to be home with the kids whenever the kids are home.

I agree. My wife and I both work, but we'd love to have one of us stay at home. It just doesn't work in our circumstance. That said, I'd never want to make it harder for someone else to stay at home to raise their kids.

This was a tough post to write. Truth be told, I've been leaning towards voting for McCain. So in no way whatsoever was I trying to ensure Obama won my analysis.

There are other important issues I didn't address. What about the national debt? Obama can say whatever he wants... the Democrats have a proven track record of spending. The Republicans are no better, but McCain has a proven record of fighting both parties to cut spending. So McCain is less likely to saddle our children with a huge national debt.

What about security? All but the most partisan Democrats agree that McCain is more likely to keep our families safe in this dangerous world.

So there are issues that favor both candidates. However on the obvious dad-related issues that I covered in the post, Obama had a slight advantage.