Issues in the Mexican election of interest to the United States

Positions of the three main candidates in Mexico's presidential election on issues of importance to the United States:\nIMMIGRATION\nFelipe Calderon of the conservative, ruling National Action Party: Espouses temporary guest work programs and job creation in Mexico so people will not have to leave.\nAndres Manuel Lopez Obrador of the leftist Democratic Revolution Party: Promises to use Mexican consulates to defend immigrants' rights in the United States and wants the U.S. government to contribute to job creation in Mexico.\nRoberto Madrazo of the Institutional Revolutionary Party: Promises to reduce migration by helping more Mexicans survive on their farms through subsidies and aid programs.\nCRIME\nCalderon: Advocates U.S.-style trials, extraditing criminals to face charges abroad and life sentences for kidnappers.\nLopez Obrador: Says poverty is the root cause of crime, advocates more education and social programs for youths and favors using the army to fight drug traffickers.\nMadrazo: Calls for tougher sentencing and more coordination and intelligence work among police agencies.\nTRADE AND ECONOMY\nCalderon: Favors trade and economic stability and proposes reducing tax burdens to stimulate private investment.\nLopez Obrador: Favors protecting Mexican industries and agricultural sector and boosting Mexico's oil and construction industries; says he will not obey North American Free Trade Agreement clause requiring Mexico to lift tariffs on U.S. corn and beans in 2008.\nMadrazo: Takes a middle ground, proposing more private investment but also increased state support to farmers.