John McCain
Would revitalize U.S. public diplomacy and work to recreate an independent agency with the sole purpose of getting America's message to the world. Would set up a new civil-military agency patterned after the Office of Strategic Services in World War II. McCain said: "The State Department and other agencies need to enhance their ability to send more experts to rebuild war-torn lands -- or, better still, bolster peaceful development to reduce the chances of war breaking out in the first place." Would create an Army Adviser Corps with 20,000 soldiers who would work with friendly militaries abroad. Would increase the number of personnel in information operations, Special Forces, civil affairs, military policing, military intelligence and other disciplines. Would increase numbers in Army and Marines and spend more on defense budget.

On the Patriot Act:
Voted for the Patriot Act in 2001 and for its reauthorization in 2006.

On the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA:
Did not attend the July 2008 vote to update the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA. Supports FISA and immunity for the telecommunications corporations. Voted for the FISA Amendments Act of 2007 in February 2008.

On Guantanamo Bay:
Would close the controversial prison at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which holds hundreds of suspected terrorists and other detainees. Voted for the Military Commissions Act of 2006, which authorized trial by military commissions for detainees at the prison. Opposes the Supreme Court decision granting foreign terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay a right to challenge their detention in civilian courts.  Watch McCain speak about homeland security

Barack Obama
Will implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations. Provide greater technical assistance to local and state first responders and increase funding for reliable, interoperable communications systems. Develop a meaningful critical infrastructure protection plan. Will secure chemical plants and ensure safe, secure disposal of nuclear waste. Will improve U.S. intelligence system by creating a senior position to coordinate domestic intelligence gathering, establish a grant program to support thousands more state and local level intelligence analysts and increase U.S. capacity to share intelligence across all levels of government.

On the Patriot Act:
Voted to reauthorize Patriot Act in 2006, but would revise it.

On the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA:
Voted for legislation overhauling the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, in July 2008. The bill, formally known as the FISA Amendments Act, effectively shields telephone companies from lawsuits for participating in a government eavesdropping program. "I made a judgment that at this point it was important for us to go ahead and get that program in place," Obama said about his vote. "It represents an assessment of a compromise that was the best that could be done right now, and whether it was more important for us to have that program in place." Previously opposed the bill and opposed giving retroactive immunity to telecommunications firms. Did not attend the February 2008 vote on the FISA Amendments Act of 2007.

On Guantanamo Bay:
Would close the controversial prison at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which holds hundreds of suspected terrorists and other detainees. Voted against the Military Commissions Act of 2006, which authorized trial by military commissions for detainees at the prison. Supports the Supreme Court decision granting foreign terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay a right to challenge their detention in civilian courts.
 Watch Obama speak about homeland security