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McCain Policies Oddly Short on Specifics

Candidate offers relatively few details on domestic plans

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 1, 2008 12:07 PM CDT

(Newser) – John McCain’s policy cupboards are unusually bare for a presidential candidate, while his rival’s are unusually well stocked, Politico reports. McCain, for example, describes Social Security as "an absolute disgrace" but offers scant details for reforming it. "He has not offered very much in specifics that I have seen," said a budget analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation.

Part of the discrepancy may lie in sheer numbers: Obama's larger staff includes 14 paid policy staffers. In contrast, McCain largely relied on one person to formulate each of his policies during much of the primary campaign. In addition, Obama had to compete on nuances with Hillary Clinton, which made specifics necessary.

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and his wife Cindy.
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and his wife Cindy.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain.
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., takes a question from a member of the audience.
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., takes a question from a member of the audience.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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