2008 Presidential Campaign

Where do the 2008 Presidential candidates stand on education policy and community colleges? The information compiled below provides a brief summary of each candidate's views and statements regarding community colleges. It is not intended to be a comprehensive overview of each campaign. For additional information on each candidate, please visit their Web site using the links provided below.

Senator Barack Obama
www.barackobama.com

Senator Joe Biden
www.barackobama.com/learn/meet_joe.php

Key Higher-Education Stances (from the Chronicle of Higher Education's Campaign U. blog): raise the maximum Pell Grant to $5,400, cut private banks out of the federal student-loan system and have students borrow directly from the U.S. Education Department, allow the use of race in college-admissions decisions. Click here to view the education page on the Obama Web site.

2008 Democratic Party Platform:
"We believe that the nation’s universities, community colleges, and other institutions of higher learning must foster among their graduates the skills needed to enhance economic competitiveness. We will work with institutions of higher learning to produce highly skilled graduates in science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines who will become innovative workers prepared for the 21st century economy.

At community colleges and training programs across the country, we will invest in short-term accelerated training and technical certifications for the unemployed and under-employed to speed their transition to careers in high-demand occupations and emerging industries. We will reward successful community colleges with grants so they can continue their good work. We support education delivery that makes it possible for non-traditional students to receive support and encouragement to obtain a college education, including Internet, distance education, and night and weekend programs."

Click here to view the Democratic Party's platform on Higher Education. To view the entire platform, click here.

Articles/Resources:
August 28, 2008 - - Capella Univesity Blog "The Other 85 Percent", Where do Obama and McCain Stand on Education?, by Michael J. Offerman, EdD
June 17, 2008 -- Associated Press, Obama promises tuition tax credit, by Nedra Pickler
May 28, 2008 -- Obama remarks in Denver, CO
April 8, 2008 -- The Higher Ed Watch Blog, Where They Stand: Barack Obama on Higher Ed, by Christina Satkowski

Statements About Community Colleges:
November 7, 2007 -- Obama remarks in Bettendorf, IA, Reclaiming the American Dream

Community Colleges Visited:

Obama:
Bellevue Community College, Seattle, WA
Butler County Community College, El Dorado, IA
Clinton Community College, Clinton, IA
Community College of Beaver County, Beaver County, PA
Danville Area Community College, Danville, IL
Des Moines Area Community College, Anken, IA
Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville, NC
Hocking College, Nelsonville, OH
Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge, IA
Iowa Lakes Community College, Emmetsburg, IA
Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, IA
Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA
Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville, PA
Lewis and Clark Community College, Decatur, IL
Marshalltown Community College, Marshalltown, IA
Miami Dade College, Miami, FL
Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell, PA
NorthcentralTechnical College, Wausau, WI
Northeast Iowa Community College, Calmar & Peosta, IA campuses
Richland Community College, Dallas, TX
Santa Barbara Community College, Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
Southeastern Community College (West Burlington campus), Burlington, IA
Wallace Community College Selma, Selma, AL
Wayne County Community College, Wayne, MI
 
Biden:
Nashua Community College, Nashua, NH

Senator John McCain
www.johnmccain.com

Governor Sarah Palin
www.johnmccain.com/about/governorpalin.htm

Key Higher-Education Stances (from the Chronicle of Higher Education's Campaign U. blog): require more disclosure of academic earmarks in federal appropriations bills, expand educational benefits for military veterans, allow federal money for research on human embryonic stem cells. Click here to view the education page on the McCain Web site.

2008 Republican Party Platform:
"Community colleges are central to the future of higher education, especially as they build bridges between the world of work and the classroom. Many of our returning veterans find community colleges to be welcoming environments where they can develop specific skills for use in the civilian workforce. As the first responders to economic development and retraining of workers, these schools fulfill our national commitment of an affordable and readily accessible education for all."

Click here to view the Republican Party's platform on Higher Education. To view the entire platform, click here.

Articles/Resources:
August 28, 2008 - - Capella Univesity Blog "The Other 85 Percent", Where do Obama and McCain Stand on Education?, by Michael J. Offerman, EdD
June 3, 2008 -- McCain remarks in New Orleans, LA
April 15, 2008 -- The Chronicle of Higher Education's Campaign U. blog, McCain Advocates Student-Loan Protections, Ending Earmarks in Economic Plan

Statements About Community Colleges:
April 15, 2008 -- McCain economic plan, Bolstering Job Security and Assisting Displaced Workers

Community Colleges Visited:

McCain:
Alabama Southern Community College (Thomasville campus), Thomasville, AL
Austin Community College, Austin, TX
Big Sandy Community and Technical College, Paintsville, KY
Burlington County College, Pemberton, NJ
East Mississippi Community College, SCooba, MS
Florida Community College at Jacksonville, Open Campus, Jacksonville, FL
Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, MI
Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville, PA
Marshalltown Community College, Marshalltown, IA
Miami Dade College, Miami, FL
Mid-Plains Community College, North Platte, NE
Pitt Community College, Greenville, NC

Palin:
Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, MI