Excerpts: Comparing Obama, McCain on the issues

On healthcareMcCAIN: We need to put healthcare records online. [Veteran Affairs] does that. That will reduce costs. We need to have more community health centers. We need to have walk-in clinics. The rise of obesity amongst young Americans is one of the most alarming statistics that there is. We should have physical fitness programs and nutrition programs in schools. . . . We need to have employers reward employees who join health clubs and practice wellness and fitness. But I want to give every American family a $5,000 refundable tax credit. Take it and get anywhere in America the healthcare that you wish. OBAMA: If you don't have health insurance, then what we're going to do is to provide you the option of buying into the same kind of federal pool that both Sen. McCain and I enjoy as federal employees, which will give you high-quality care, choice of doctors, at lower costs, because so many people are part of this insured group. We're going to make sure that insurance companies can't discriminate on the basis of preexisting conditions. We'll negotiate with the drug companies for the cheapest available price on drugs. . . . And we are going to make sure that we manage chronic illnesses, like diabetes and heart disease, that cost a huge amount but could be prevented. We've got to put more money into preventive care.On abortion rights