Issues guide

Find out the positions of US presidential candidates Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain on key election issues.

ECONOMY

John McCain would cut taxes on middle class families by abolishing the Alternative Minimum tax. He would keep Bush tax cuts but says he would decrease government spending. He wants to reform social security and healthcare.

Barack Obama wants to use targeted tax relief to help middle-class families cope with rising costs and stagnant pay. He would repeal Bush tax cuts for rich households and wants to reform healthcare and renegotiate free trade deals.

IRAQ

John McCain voted for 2003 invasion and backed Bush troop escalation. He had said US forces should remain until Iraq is able to defend itself, but now predicts under his presidency most would have withdrawn by 2013.

Barack Obama opposed the war in Iraq from the outset and says there is "no military solution". He opposed the "surge" strategy and backs a phased withdrawal of US forces - with all troops out of combat operations within 16 months of taking office.

IRAN

John McCain would focus on trying to get a league of democracies to escalate economic sanctions against Iran. He refuses to rule out military solution if necessary to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran and says there should be no unconditional diplomacy.

Barack Obama favours "aggressive personal diplomacy" and would meet Iranian leaders without preconditions. He says they would change their behaviour if given incentives to do so. Military option not off the table.

NATIONAL SECURITY

John McCain is a former US Navy pilot who was a POW in Vietnam. He has sought to prevent the CIA resorting to "cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment of prisoners". However, in February 2008 he voted against a bill that would have banned water-boarding.

Barack Obama wants increased national security funding to be allocated to areas most at risk of attack. He has criticised the Patriot Act but voted to re-authorise it in 2006.

CLIMATE CHANGE

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

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

HEALTHCARE

John McCain has highlighted his record on supporting healthcare for military veterans. He favours tax incentives to encourage people to get personal health insurance.

Barack Obama backs universal coverage but would not make insurance compulsory, except for children. Subsidies would be provided to make cover more affordable and insurers would be unable to refuse coverage because of pre-existing conditions.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

John McCain was co-sponsor of a bill which offered an amnesty to illegal immigrants as well as tougher border controls. He says undocumented workers already in the US should be put on path to citizenship.

Barack Obama wants US-Mexico border better policed and backs stricter penalties for employers who hire undocumented workers. He argues that giving illegal immigrants a path to citizenship is not an amnesty if they pay a fine.

ABORTION

John McCain says the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling that legalised abortions - Roe v Wade - should be overturned, but was supportive in the past. He would aid state efforts to boost adoption and backed a 2007 ruling banning late-term abortions.

Barack Obama trusts women to make their own choices on abortion "in conjunction with their doctors and their families and their clergy". He criticised the Supreme Court decision to uphold ban on late-term abortion.

This at-a-glance guide is intended to give an overview of the candidates' stances and policies only. More detailed information on the election issues is available on the BBC News website.