This post is part of a series in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked financial experts to name their top stock pick if McCain or if Obama wins the election.

"If John McCain becomes president, look to Elbit Systems (NASDAQ: ESLT); this company is one of Israel's top defense companies," explains high-technology and science-focused sector stock specialist Gregg Early in his The Real Nanotech Investor.

"Elbit is well respected throughout the world for its skilled work in a variety of defense sectors. It has significant operations in North America, Europe and, of course, the Middle East and the sub-continent of Asia.

"Its big growth sectors now are UAVs for defense/intelligence work and hardware and software upgrades for aircraft and helicopters, the latter being a core to the company's business for years.

"With the global economy slowing down, many nations prefer to hang on to their aging equipment rather than buy new, expensive fleets, train pilots and retrain all the service and maintenance workers.

"This company is already growing but a President McCain, who's a former military man and who sees the strategic value of our close ties with Israel as a fulcrum in the Middle East, would likely find key companies in the region to reward as an example of what cooperation with the U.S. can do. And defense is the best place to start."

Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers a daily look at the latest market commentary and favorite stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Cisco Systems, Virgin Mobile and Polo Ralph Lauren were today's noteworthy downgrades:

• JP Morgan downgraded shares of Cisco Systems Inc (NASDAQ: CSCO) to Neutral from Overweight following its Q2 results, as they believe the company's international exposure is not enough to offset slowing in North America and Europe. Shares were also downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Baird, citing the meaningful slowdown in fundamentals.
• Lehman downgraded Virgin Mobile USA Inc (NYSE: VM) to Equal Weight from Overweight based on reduced visibility following its Q4 report.
• Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) was lowered to Hold from Buy at Citigroup, as they believe the company is facing fundamental challenges in key markets and a lack of visibility on the Japanese market. They see more upsideelsewhere.

OTHER DOWNGRADES:

• Bear Stearns downgraded BT Group Plc (NYSE: BT) to Peer Perform from Outperform.
• Think Equity lowered Napster Inc (NASDAQ: NAPS) to Accumulate from Buy.
• UBS downgraded Elbit Systems Ltd (NASDAQ: ESLT) to Neutral from Buy.

The news today the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems (NASDAQ: ESLT) signed a $40 million deal with the Royal Netherlands Army (RNLA) is not just the latest in a string of new deals for Elbit, but could help the company penetrate the NATO countries as well.

Elbit Systems will supply systems to the RNLA's ground forces that will include enhanced tactical computers (ETCs), incorporating tactical communication devices, and data communication software. The systems will be installed in more then 1,800 of the RNLA's vehicles, including tanks, armoured vehicles, and others. The project involves extensive cooperation with the Netherlands MoD's C2 Support Centre.

Commenting on the deal, Bezhalel Machlis, Corporate VP & General Manager Land Systems & C4I Division, Elbit Systems said: "Winning the tender to supply Battlefield Management Systems to the Netherlands MoD constitutes another step in establishing our position as leader in the C4I fast growing and developing market. Elbit Systems' BMS systems are in use today by over 20 militaries worldwide and we view this contract awarded by the Netherlands MoD, a leading country in NATO, as a springboard to potential future business in this market."

Elbit has been signing deals all over the place, but if they can crack NATO member countries defense budgets, this stock will soar higher.

Aaron Katsman is the lead Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. and Senior Editor of IsraelNewsletter.com. DISCLOSURE: Writer has a position and is long ESLT. He has no positions in any other stock mentioned as of 1/27/08

With former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula, re-visiting the New England Patriots spying scandal and bringing up the issue whether an asterisk should be added if they successfully run the table and go undefeated, I found it interesting that a very successful Israeli defense company's subsidiary was also found guilty of espionage.The Patriots were guilty of spying against the NY Jets and having seen the Jets play, I can't imagine that the spying made any difference whatsoever. The same can't be said of Elbit Systems (NASDAQ: ESLT) subsidiary Kollsman Inc.

Kollsman Inc., was found guilty of misappropriation of trade secrets relating to commercial air data computers. The jury ruled in favor of the plaintiff Innovative Solutions & Support Inc. (NASDAQ: ISSC) and found that IS&S had suffered damages of just over $4.4 million in lost profits and $1.6 million in defendants' net profits, for a total of over $6 million. The verdict also opens up the possibility of imposition of exemplary damages and other costs against the defendants based on willful conduct.

"Defense companies are in a growth market of the highest order," says Gregg Early in Personal Finance. But rather than buy industry giants, he suggest looking at lower-tier companies that are "either primed for the big leagues or will be acquired by a first- or second-tier company for a big premium in coming years."

One such play is Harris Corp. (NYSE: HRS), which Early notes represents the globalization of the defense industry. According to the advisor, "Special forces in Afghanistan, army units in Iraq and astronauts rely on Harris equipment."

Now, he says, Harris is making a move into Eastern Europe. He explains, "Because these nations are small and need to be unified on a communications level, the company will have myriad contracts with new nations for years to come. Harris Corp is a buy below 56."

Also a global play, the advisor looks to Israel-based Elbit Systems (NASDAQ: ESLT). He notes, "It's difficult to overstate the breadth of the company's client list. From India to the US to Saudi Arabia, everyone has a contract with this diversified defense conglomerate."