I am still so appaled how a conservative candidate can call himself just that and continue to advocate a multi-trillion dollar war. Am I fucking nuts to think this way? What is conservative anymore? Here, let me make this easier on you - here are several positions of the new Conservative:
1. Advocates trillion dollar perpetual war in the name of safety.
2. Votes yes on federally funded stem cell research.
3. Continue to spend billions on the war on drugs
4. Criticize prok barrel spending, yet vote for the spending
5. Continue useless embargos with other nations and add additional requirements to "free trade agreements"
6. For government funded election campaigns
7. Provide amnesty to illegal immigrants
8. Voting no on tax cuts
There, the modern conservative in a snapshot, I'm sick again - good day.
What is conservative anymore?
Debates are abundant, pointless
I certainly never thought this thing on the Democrats' side would take so long, neither did they I'm sure. However, it has, and they will deal with it. My point here is, what the hell do these numerous debates do for their own party? Nothing but destroy them. I'll admit here, as I have before - I am a Republican, not that I agree with the nominee elect (or our current president on anything foreign policy)... but you have to say the Republicans at least knew when enough was enough and how much dragging something out could hurt your own party (See Romney and Huckabee gracefully discontinuing their runs). Personally, at this point I hope a Dem wins because I am so apathetic to the current administration and their attempt to remain on the same path with McCain. But if they keep on this path of destroying each other - the idiot McCain will have an easy run. If only Ron Paul would have made a third party run - not that it would have made much of a difference. I think it's time for one of the two shmucks on the Democratic side to take a bow, for their own dignity and for their party they so love. Them goddam Dems hijacked the antiwar movement - but I would still rather have someone from their side in versus "100 year war" McCain asswipe.
Obama denounces pastor, his religion
The funny thing is that you knew this was coming, you just ask yourself why didn't it happen earlier? It seems so typical of a politician to cut loose from anything deemed crazy by the media - even if those crazy things or people you were associated with helped shape that person into who they've became. It is hilarious to see spectacle continue for so long - until Barack had no other choice in taking a stand against this guy. Personally, I could care less as I think the Pastor is representative of most all candidates still running for President. It's a sad day though, when a man must denounce his pastor for religous association and ideas, considering the man married Obama and baptized his children. Why the hell wouldn't he have cut ties along time ago? My guess is because he still agrees with the man - hell many things he says I agree with, however, I think the guy is a little too bellicose.
The Candidates on the issues
On WAR in Iraq, Afghanistan, Middle East (Foreign Policy):
McCain "Supports Bush's surge, in fact, calls for more additional troops than Bush recommends. Has been quoted as saying he is willing to stay in Iraq for 100 years. Obama,as a state senator, he spoke out against Iraq war, before the war started. Has long favored a phased withdrawal."
On Civil liberties: 
McCain voted for the PATRIOT act and it's revisions. "He generally opposes the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union." Obama voted against and later for bills to reauthorize the PATRIOT Act. "Let me be clear: this compromise is not as good as the Senate version of the bill, nor is it as good as the SAFE Act that I have cosponsored. I suspect the vast majority of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle feel the same way. But, it's still better than what the House originally proposed. This compromise does modestly improve the PATRIOT Act by strengthening civil liberties protections without sacrificing the tools that law enforcement needs to keep us safe." --February 16, 2006 Source. Obama supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 83 percent in 2005-2006. "Senator Obama is a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and has supported efforts to base homeland security spending on risk rather than pork-barrel politics. He has also introduced legislation to strength chemical plant and drinking water security and to enhance disaster preparedness." -Campaign site
Social Security:
McCain would allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage themselves. Senator Obama supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 100 percent in 2005.
Stem cell research: 
Both candidates support federally funded stem cell research.
Same-sex marriage: 
McCain has mixed responses from favoring to opposing same sex marriage, seemingly in favor of legal agreements but not marriage or unions. Obama favors civil unions, but opposes same sex marriage.
Free Trade: 
McCain in favor, Obama mixed voting record.
Abortion: 
MCain mostly pro-life, except in some circumstances. Obama pro-choice.
Capital punishment: 
McCain supports the death penalty, Obama does as well - but questions the legal system.
Medical Marijuana: 
McCain opposes legalization, Obama in favor if proved useful in treatment.
Gun control: 
McCain is mixed with wanting moderate gun control, Obama wants strict gun control.
Health care: 
McCain opposes universal health care, Obama supports it.
Immigration: 
McCain and Obama support amnesty/permanent legalization for illegal aliens and temporary legalization for illegal aiens as guestworkers Source
Education:
MCCain Supports vouchers, Obama opposes them.
Here is basic questionnaire to help you pick if you haven't already, from 2decide.com, rather basic, but it gets the job done.
HERE is a really cool questionnaire where you can select a candidate and whatever issue you want to see their views on.
Hillary Clinton on the issues
Hillary Clinton on Abortion
1974: pro-choice fervency not based on any personal abortion. (Jul 2007)
1993 health plan included RU-486 & widely available abortion. (Jul 2007)
1999: keep abortion safe, legal & rare into next century. (Jul 2007)
Lift ban on stem cell research to cure devastating diseases. (Jun 2007)
1993:Early action on abortion rights ended Right's dominance. (Jun 2007)
Abortion is a sad, tragic choice to many women. (May 2007)
Fought for years to get "Plan B" contraceptive on the market. (Dec 2006)
Respect Roe v. Wade, but make adoptions easier too. (Nov 2006)
Prevention First Act: federal funds for contraception. (Oct 2006)
Alternatives to pro-choice like forced pregnancy in Romania. (Nov 2003)
Must safeguard constitutional rights, including choice. (Oct 2000)
Late term abortion only if life or health are at risk. (Oct 2000)
Remain vigilant on a woman’s right to chose. (Jan 2000)
Keep abortion safe, legal and rare. (Jan 1999)
Being pro-choice is not being pro-abortion. (Jan 1999)
Reach out to teens to reduce teen sex problems. (Jan 1999)
Supports parental notice & family planning. (Feb 1997)
Cairo Document: right to abortion but not as family planning. (Sep 1996)
Voting Record
Voted liberal line on partial birth & harm to fetus. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
Voted NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
Voted NO on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
Voted NO on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)
Recommended by EMILY's List of pro-choice women. (Apr 2001)
Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record. (Dec 2003)
Expand embryonic stem cell research. (Jun 2004)
Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance. (Dec 2006)
Provide emergency contraception at military facilities. (Apr 2007)
Hillary Clinton on Budget & Economy
Look back to 1990s to see how I'd be fiscally responsible. (Dec 2007)
Help people facing foreclosure; don't just bail-out banks. (Aug 2007)
Balanced budget replaced with rising costs & falling wages. (Jun 2007)
Last six years were challenging; let's try a new direction. (Oct 2006)
Co-sponsored bills totaling $502B in spending thru 2005. (Oct 2006)
Use tax dollars to upgrade infrastructure, not for stadium. (Oct 2000)
Pay down debt & cut taxes within balanced budget. (Sep 2000)
Stimulate upstate economy by more local decision-making. (Sep 2000)
Supports Niagara casino, but prefers job creation strategy. (Sep 2000)
Protect next generation by paying off national debt. (Aug 2000)
We have outlived the usefulness of Bretton Woods. (Jun 1999)
The economy creates consumers but cannot create citizens. (Jun 1999)
Invest in people instead of “smokestack chasing”. (Feb 1997)
Voted NO on paying down federal debt by rating programs' effectiveness. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005)
Hillary Clinton on Civil Rights
Click here for 36 full quotes on Civil Rights OR 3 older headlines OR background on Civil Rights.
1962: met MLK Jr. preaching a sermon in Chicago. (Jul 2007)
1965: brought black classmates to all-white church. (Jul 2007)
Supports DOMA, which Bill Clinton signed. (Jul 2007)
We've come a long way on race, but we have a long way to go. (Jun 2007)
1995: Politely criticized China's human rights. (Jun 2007)
1988: Instituted gender diversity Report Card within ABA. (Jun 2007)
Developmental thread: tragedy of race must be made right. (Jun 2007)
Pushing for privacy bill of rights. (Jun 2006)
Argued with Bill Clinton about diluting affirmative action. (Oct 2005)
1972: Worked with Edelman on school desegregation in South. (Nov 2003)
Apologize for slavery, but concentrate on civil rights now. (Oct 2000)
Crack down on sex trafficking of women and girls. (Jan 2000)
Human rights are women’s rights. (Jan 2000)
Women’s rights are human rights. (Dec 1999)
Support National Endowment for the Arts. (Feb 1997)
Affirmative living: involve entire village against racism. (Sep 1996)
Sex selection, prostitution & war rape: human rights issues. (Sep 1995)
Gay Rights
Telling kids about gay couples is parental discretion. (Sep 2007)
Positive about civil unions, with full equality of benefits. (Aug 2007)
Let states decide gay marriage; they're ahead of feds. (Aug 2007)
GLBT progress since 2000, when I marched in gay pride parade. (Aug 2007)
Don't ask don't tell was an important transition step. (Jun 2007)
2004:defended traditional marriage; 2006:voted for same-sex. (May 2007)
Federal Marriage Amendment would be terrible step backwards. (Oct 2006)
Gay soldiers need to shoot straight, not be straight. (Nov 2003)
End hate crimes and other intolerance. (Sep 2000)
Gays deserve domestic partnership benefits. (Feb 2000)
Military service based on conduct, not sexual orientation. (Dec 1999)
Voting Record
Op-ed: Voted no on flag-burning to build centrist credential. (May 2006)
Voted NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
Rated 60% by the ACLU, indicating a mixed civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
Rated 89% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
Rated 96% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
Hillary Clinton on Corporations
Bush defanged the Consumer Product Safety Commission. (Dec 2007)
FactCheck: Yes, Bush shrunk CPSC; but it shrank before Bush. (Dec 2007)
Stop bankruptcies to get rid of pension responsibilities. (Aug 2007)
Enough with corporate welfare; enough with golden parachutes. (Jun 2007)
Close lobbyists' revolving door; end no-bid contracts. (Jun 2007)
1976 Rose Law: Fought for industry against electric rate cut. (Jun 2007)
Corporate lawyer at Rose Law while Bill was Attorney General. (Jun 2007)
Corporate elite treat working-class America as invisible. (Apr 2007)
Companies get rewarded with hard-working people left hanging. (Mar 2007)
Businesses play social role in US; gov't oversight required. (Sep 1996)
Voted YES on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore. (Mar 2005)
Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001)
Rated 35% by the US COC, indicating a mixed business voting record. (Dec 2003)
Hillary Clinton on Crime
Address the unacceptable increase in incarceration. (Dec 2007)
Mandatory sentences have been too widely used. (Jun 2007)
Tap into churches to avoid more Louima & Diallo cases. (Mar 2000)
Supports citizen patrols & 3-Strikes-You're-Out. (Sep 1996)
Supports “Three Strikes” and more prison. (Aug 1994)
Voted YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program. (Mar 2007)
More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes. (Apr 2001)
Require DNA testing for all federal executions. (Mar 2001)
Rated 75% by the NCJA, indicating a mixed record on criminal justice. (Dec 2005)
Hillary Clinton on Drugs
Reduce sentencing disparity for crack, but not retroactively. (Dec 2007)
1969: held herself aloof from college drug counterculture. (Jul 2007)
Divert non-violent drug offenders away from prison. (Jun 2007)
Address drug problem with treatment and special drug courts. (Oct 2000)
Hillary Clinton on Education
Get more teachers into hard-to-serve areas. (Nov 2007)
We have not yet reached consensus on education reform. (Sep 2007)
Universal pre-kindergarten; and make family the best school. (Aug 2007)
Working families cannot participate in school between 9 & 3. (Jul 2007)
It takes a village; American village has failed our children. (Jun 2007)
Establish right to education from pre-school thru college. (Jun 2007)
Teacher testing only for new teachers. (Oct 2000)
Testing only new teachers respects professionalism. (Oct 2000)
Hold kids to high standards, starting at home. (Jul 1999)
Address teacher shortage with salary increases. (Jul 1999)
Teachers need more peer consulting & more recognition. (Jul 1999)
Social promotion cheats our children. (Jul 1999)
More after-school; smaller classes. (Jul 1999)
Read to young kids 20-30 minutes daily. (Jul 1999)
Entire school staff should focus on school safety. (Jul 1999)
Metal detectors at school are not much of an intrusion. (Jun 1999)
Arts education is needed in our schools. (Sep 1998)
Give kids after-school activities to prevent gangs. (Apr 1998)
Allow student prayer, but no religious instruction. (Sep 1996)
Supports structured inner-city schools, with uniforms. (May 1996)
Arkansas Ed Reform
AR Ed Reform taught that there is a place for testing. (Sep 2007)
Sent Chelsea to public schools in Arkansas, but not DC. (Jul 2007)
AR Reform plan pushed mandatory teacher testing. (Nov 2003)
Arkansas education: improvement against great odds. (Oct 2000)
Pushed teacher testing in Arkansas. (Dec 1999)
AR ed reform: mandate kindergarten, no social promotion. (Dec 1999)
Passing illiterate students is educational fraud. (Sep 1983)
Education Funding
Incentive pay for school wide performance. (Aug 2007)
Transfer tax cuts from rich & corporations to student aid. (Jun 2006)
Reforms: teacher corps; more federal funding; modernize. (Sep 2000)
Opposes merit pay for individual teachers. (Apr 2000)
Supports merit pay for entire schools. (Apr 2000)
Scholarships for teachers who go to urban schools. (Mar 2000)
Increase resources to meet increased standards. (Mar 2000)
School Choice
Total change in No Child Left Behind. (Aug 2007)
Supports public school choice; but not private nor parochial. (Oct 2006)
More teachers, smaller classes, no vouchers. (Oct 2000)
Vouchers would take money from public schools. (Oct 2000)
Vouchers drain money from public schools. (Sep 2000)
Vouchers will not improve our public schools. (Jul 1999)
Let’s build up our schools-not tear them down. (Jul 1999)
Charter schools provide choice within public system. (Jul 1999)
Charters meet needs of failing public school students. (Aug 1998)
Vouchers siphon off much-needed resources. (Aug 1998)
Parents can choose, but support public schools. (Feb 1997)
Voting Record
Solemn vow never to abandon our public schools. (Jul 1999)
Voted YES on $52M for "21st century community learning centers". (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
Voted YES on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
Voted YES on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
Voted YES on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
Rated 82% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes. (Dec 2003)
Hillary Clinton on Energy & Oil
Investigate & move toward energy efficiency and conservation. (Oct 2007)
Opposes Yucca Mountain; earthquake fault goes under it. (Sep 2007)
Invest in alternative energy; jobs that won't be outsourced. (Aug 2007)
End Big Oil tax break; $50 billion for strategic energy fund. (Jul 2007)
Agnostic about nuclear power until waste & cost issue solved. (Jul 2007)
FactCheck: There was no Big Oil tax break under Bush-Cheney. (Jul 2007)
Energy Independence 2020: $50B for Strategic Energy Fund. (Jun 2007)
Extensive funding into alternative energy. (Jun 2007)
Will make big oil fund alternative energy research. (Feb 2007)
$50B strategic energy fund from taxing oil companies. (Oct 2006)
Remove energy dependence on countries who would harm us. (Jun 2006)
Supports oil reserve release & fund conservation. (Oct 2000)
Voting Record
Ratify Kyoto; more mass transit. (Sep 2000)
Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on making oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning. (May 2007)
Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR. (Nov 2005)
Voted YES on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%). (Jun 2005)
Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005)
Voted NO on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010. (Jun 2003)
Voted YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill. (Mar 2003)
Voted NO on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002)
Voted NO on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002)
Keep efficient air conditioner rule to conserve energy. (Mar 2004)
Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence. (Dec 2006)
Hillary Clinton on Environment
Better track kids' products for exposures to toxic materials. (Dec 2007)
Support green-collar job training. (Aug 2007)
Put someone in charge of Katrina recovery who actually cares. (Aug 2007)
Overcome almost criminal indifference to Katrina rebuilding. (Jun 2007)
Launched EPA study of air quality at Ground Zero. (Jun 2007)
Stands for clean air and funding the EPA. (Sep 2000)
Reduce air pollution to improve children’s health. (Jun 1998)
Voted YES on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations. (Sep 2005)
Voted NO on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
Remove PCBs from Hudson River by dredging 200 miles. (Apr 2001)
Rated 89% by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes. (Dec 2003)
EPA must do better on mercury clean-up. (Apr 2004)
Hillary Clinton on Families & Children
A family is a child's first school. (Oct 2007)
Support new parents to promote healthy child development. (Sep 2007)
Struggling families are invisible to Bush administration. (Aug 2007)
1980s: her church founded largest daycare in Arkansas. (Jul 2007)
For kids, not about birth control, but about self-control. (Jul 2007)
Family planning & child spacing is international human right. (Jul 2007)
1970s: "I want to be a voice for America's children". (Jun 2007)
Caution in treating preschoolers with psychiatric drugs. (Mar 2000)
Parents’ dedication improves kids’ lives. (Jan 2000)
Boycott violent media and products. (Aug 1999)
Send message: It is the job of children to learn. (Jul 1999)
Society is responsible for alienation that causes violence. (Jun 1999)
Help “sandwiched” parents care for elderly plus kids. (Jan 1999)
More funds for after-school programs. (Nov 1998)
Keep kids busy from 2PM to 8 PM to avoid trouble. (Nov 1998)
Spend more time with kids to prevent violence. (Apr 1998)
Change what kids see in the media. (Jun 1995)
Men should be full participants in child-raising. (May 1994)
No tea and cookies for her, but no insult intended. (Jul 1992)
Child Law
1974 article: put abused children into state care. (Nov 2003)
Leave politics out of Elian decision. (Apr 2000)
Governments can’t love child; but it can help families. (Apr 2000)
Decide Elian’s fate via ongoing INS legal process. (Apr 2000)
Treat kids as “child citizens” not “minors” under the law. (Dec 1999)
No dividing line between government vs. parents & children. (Dec 1999)
Early-warning hotlines for homicidal & suicidal students. (Jul 1999)
Expand Family and Medical Leave Act. (Aug 1998)
It Takes a Village
Hillary's "village" criticized as Big Government. (May 2007)
Leave no child behind; it still takes a village. (Aug 2000)
Community support is key to valuing families. (Dec 1999)
“It Takes a Village” is about relationships, not geography. (Oct 1996)
Children are not rugged individualists. (Sep 1996)
Rated 0% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record. (Dec 2003)
Hillary Clinton on Foreign Policy
Establish coherent diplomatic approach toward China. (Dec 2007)
Establish leadership & moral authority via multilateralism. (Dec 2007)
China respects us if we call them on human rights breaches. (Dec 2007)
Deeply involved with Bill Clinton's foreign policy team. (Dec 2007)
FactCheck: Chinese did black out Hillary, but DID invite her. (Dec 2007)
Cuba deserves peaceful transition to freedom & democracy. (Sep 2007)
Should not telegraph our adversaries about preconditions. (Aug 2007)
Our fiscal responsibility undercuts Chinese power over us. (Aug 2007)
US support & no-fly zone, but UN troops on ground in Darfur. (Jul 2007)
Arabic and Muslim countries take women leaders seriously. (Jul 2007)
Diplomacy yes; propaganda no; when meeting enemy leaders. (Jul 2007)
Allegedly pro-PLO in 1960; but pro-Israel by 1981. (Jul 2007)
NATO-enforced no-fly zone to end Darfur genocide. (Jun 2007)
Supported Palestine in 1998, before Bill officially did. (May 2007)
Dems believe in fighting terror with cooperation. (Jun 2006)
Engage in world affairs, including human rights. (Oct 2000)
Human rights are central to our objectives abroad. (Oct 2000)
Keep Cuban embargo; pay UN bills. (Oct 2000)
Smartest strategic choice is peace. (Nov 1999)
Puerto Rico: Stop using live ammo at Vieques. (Oct 1999)
Foreign aid spending is only 1%; lead by remaining engaged. (Feb 1997)
Supports micro-loans to third-world women. (Sep 1995)
China: criticized authoritarianism with women & children. (Dec 1999)
Voted YES on enlarging NATO to include Eastern Europe. (May 2002)
Hillary Clinton on Free Trade
FactCheck: for NAFTA while First Lady; now against CAFTA. (Oct 2007)
Export from big agribusiness, but also from small farmers. (Aug 2007)
Smart, pro-American trade: NAFTA has hurt workers. (Aug 2007)
No fast-track authority for this president. (Aug 2007)
Better approach: real trade adjustment assistance. (Aug 2007)
End tax breaks for outsourcing jobs. (Jun 2007)
Defended outsourcing of US jobs to India. (Oct 2005)
Globalization should not substitute for humanization. (Jun 1999)
Supports MFN for China, despite concerns over human rights. (Oct 2000)
Voting Record
Voted against CAFTA despite Bill Clinton's pushing NAFTA. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
Voted YES on establishing free trade between US & Singapore. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on establishing free trade between the US and Chile. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
Rated 17% by CATO, indicating a pro-fair trade voting record. (Dec 2002)
Hillary Clinton on Government Reform
Public financing would fix campaign donor problems. (Sep 2007)
Presidents should reveal donations to their foundations. (Sep 2007)
Move to public election financing, not banning lobbyists. (Aug 2007)
End no-bid contracts, end revolving door in government. (Aug 2007)
1978: chaired Legal Services Corp. while at Rose Law Firm. (Jul 2007)
Same-day voter registration; no oppressive ID requirements. (Jul 2007)
Create a public service academy, like military academy. (Jun 2007)
1970s: Worked on 18-year-old voting Amendment. (Jun 2007)
Cut gov't contractors and end privatization of government. (Feb 2007)
Verified paper ballot for every electronic voting machines. (Nov 2006)
$5M in New York state "pork barrel" bills thru 2004. (Oct 2006)
Whitewater investigation ends; Hillary questions $52M spent. (Sep 2000)
Soft money ban & independent ad ban for Senate campaign. (Feb 2000)
New Democrat: Government is not the solution to all problems. (Feb 2000)
Give big states a big slice of federal pie. (Aug 1999)
We need strong and efficient governments. (Jun 1999)
Government should help people, not support bureaucracy. (Feb 1997)
Voting Record
Count Every Vote Act: end voting discrimination by race. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007)
Voted NO on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections. (Jul 2007)
Voted NO on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)
Voted NO on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity. (Mar 2006)
Voted YES on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002)
Voted NO on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration. (Feb 2002)
Voted YES on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations. (Apr 2001)
Establish the United States Public Service Academy. (Mar 2007)
Prohibit voter intimidation in federal elections. (Mar 2007)
Hillary Clinton on Gun Control
Get assault weapons & guns off the street. (Jul 2007)
Background check system could prevent Virginia Tech massacre. (Apr 2007)
FactCheck: VA Tech shooter not declared a danger to others. (Apr 2007)
Congress' failure at Littleton response inspired Senate run. (Nov 2003)
Keep guns away from people who shouldn’t have them. (Sep 2000)
Limit access to weapons; look for early warning signs. (Sep 2000)
License and register all handgun sales. (Jun 2000)
Tough gun control keeps guns out of wrong hands. (Jul 1999)
Gun control protects our children. (Jul 1999)
Don’t water down sensible gun control legislation. (Jul 1999)
Lock up guns; store ammo separately. (Jun 1999)
Ban kids’ unsupervised access to guns. (Jun 1999)
Get weapons off the streets; zero tolerance for weapons. (Sep 1996)
Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
Hillary Clinton on Health Care
Pledges to support $50B for AIDS relief in US and world. (Dec 2007)
Health care tax credit ensures affordability. (Nov 2007)
Insurance companies cannot deny people coverage. (Oct 2007)
Restore National Institutes of Health funding. (Oct 2007)
No parent should be told 'no' for healthcare for their kids. (Sep 2007)
Local smoking bans ok, but no national ban. (Sep 2007)
Passion for healthcare rooted in Jesus' teachings. (Jul 2007)
Outcry if AIDS were leading disease of young whites. (Jun 2007)
FactCheck: Yes, AIDS is leading disease of young black women. (Jun 2007)
Lower costs and improve quality and cover everybody. (Jun 2007)
Electronic medical records save $120 billion in health care. (Jun 2007)
Insurers must fund prevention without preexisting conditions. (Mar 2007)
Require electronic medical record for all federal healthcare. (Mar 2007)
Increase America's commitment against Global AIDS. (Nov 2006)
FDA should compare drug effectiveness--not just safety. (Oct 2006)
Supply more medical needs of families, & insure all children. (Jun 2006)
Fought for pediatric rule: new drugs tested for child safety. (Oct 2005)
Health goal is affordable coverage for all. (Oct 2000)
Fund teaching hospitals federally because market fails. (Sep 2000)
Regulate tobacco; fine of $3000 for every underage smoker. (Apr 2000)
Be prepared with defenses against infectious disease. (Oct 1999)
Medicare should be strengthened today. (Sep 1999)
Smaller steps to progress on health care. (Jan 2000)
1990s Hillarycare
Hillary appointed 8 days after inauguration to health cmte. (Oct 2007)
A plan is necessary; but consensus is more necessary. (Sep 2007)
1993:Ambitious role plagued from start by secrecy complaints. (Jun 2007)
1990s plan failed after big pharma & insurance worked on it. (Apr 2007)
1990s healthcare reforms laid groundwork for today's reforms. (Mar 2007)
Still scarred from 1990s reform, but now doing it better. (Feb 2007)
1997: Helped found State Children's Health Insurance Program. (Dec 2006)
1990s reform called "secretive" but had 600 in working group. (Nov 2003)
Learned lessons on health care; but hasn’t given up goal. (Aug 2000)
2007 HillaryCare
American Health Choices Plan: keep yours or pick Congress'. (Sep 2007)
Pay for health plan by $52B tax repeal & $77B efficiencies. (Sep 2007)
Mandated responsibility by individuals, industry & employers. (Sep 2007)
Since 1993, new consensus developed on need for healthcare. (Sep 2007)
Include insurance industry in discussions, but rein them in. (Sep 2007)
I want to be the health care president. (Sep 2007)
Universal health care coverage by the end of my second term. (Feb 2007)
I have the expertise to achieve universal healthcare for all. (Feb 2007)
We need a uniquely American solution to health care. (Oct 2006)
Voting Record
Health care initiatives are her first priority in Senate. (Feb 2001)
Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Apr 2007)
Voted NO on limiting medical liability lawsuits to $250,000. (May 2006)
Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005)
Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005)
Voted NO on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Jun 2003)
Voted YES on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
Voted NO on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
Invest funds to alleviate the nursing shortage. (Apr 2001)
Let states make bulk Rx purchases, and other innovations. (May 2003)
Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003)
End government propaganda on Medicare bill. (Mar 2004)
Improve services for people with autism & their families. (Apr 2007)
Hillary Clinton on Homeland Security
Examine registering 18-year-old women for selective service. (Dec 2007)
National security is more important than human rights. (Nov 2007)
FactCheck: Yes, in 2006 condoned exceptions on torture. (Oct 2007)
Torture cannot be American policy, period. (Sep 2007)
Wants to repeal don't-ask-don't-tell, but not until 2009. (Aug 2007)
Should have criticized JCC for calling homosexuality immoral. (Aug 2007)
Opposed to draft, but register women for draft. (Jul 2007)
Forgive student loans for universal national service. (Jul 2007)
1999: overturn don't-ask-don't-tell so gays can serve openly. (Jul 2007)
Administration secrecy shreds the Constitution. (Jun 2007)
9/11: Got $20B to rebuild lower Manhattan. (Jun 2007)
Served on Armed Services Committee & was always prepared. (Jun 2007)
Big disconnect between rhetoric and reality on security. (Apr 2007)
Fund first responders with extra $1.7 billion. (Mar 2007)
Change our Secretary of Defense: he's not credible. (Oct 2006)
Homeland security not simply about reorganizing bureaucracy. (Oct 2006)
Consistently supported tough anti-terrorism measures. (Oct 2005)
Hillary hugs hawkish line on terrorism. (Oct 2005)
I despise terrorism and the nihilism it represents. (Nov 2003)
Supports funding research on missile defense. (Oct 2000)
Nixon should have been impeached for bombing Cambodia. (Dec 1999)
A safe world needs the nuclear test ban treaty. (Sep 1999)
Voting Record
Proposed Federal Interoperable Communication & Safety Act. (Oct 2006)
Voted NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
Voted YES on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months. (Jul 2007)
Voted YES on implementing the 9/11 Commission report. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on preserving habeus corpus for Guantanamo detainees. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006)
Voted NO on extending the PATRIOT Act's wiretap provision. (Dec 2005)
Voted YES on restricting business with entities linked to terrorism. (Jul 2005)
Voted YES on restoring $565M for states' and ports' first responders. (Mar 2005)
Federalize aviation security. (Nov 2001)
Rated 100% by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record. (Dec 2003)
Hillary Clinton on Immigration
Crack down on employers who exploit undocumented workers. (Dec 2007)
Oppose granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. (Nov 2007)
FactCheck: Denied saying licensing illegals "made sense". (Oct 2007)
Immigrant license issue needs federal action on reform. (Oct 2007)
More border patrolling on both Mexican AND Canadian borders. (Sep 2007)
Immigration reform needs family unification as one goal. (Sep 2007)
Anti-immigrant bill would have criminalized Jesus Christ. (Sep 2007)
Sanctuary cities ok; local police can't enforce immigration. (Sep 2007)
Opposes illegal immigration, but doesn't vote to follow up. (Jun 2007)
Making English official imperils crises needing translators. (Jun 2007)
Comprehensive reform to get 12 million out of shadows. (Apr 2007)
Keep New York-Ontario border passport-free for tourism. (Oct 2006)
Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on eliminating the "Y" nonimmigrant guestworker program. (May 2007)
Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)
Hillary Clinton on Jobs
No salary increase for Congress until minimum wage increased. (Jul 2007)
Would accept minimum wage as president. (Jul 2007)
Stand up for unions; organize for fair wages. (Jun 2007)
Get tough with China and bring jobs back home. (Feb 2007)
Passed 2 planks of 7-plank platform, "New Jobs for New York". (Oct 2006)
Minimum wage should be tied to congressional salaries. (Jun 2006)
The working poor deserve a living wage. (Oct 1999)
America can afford to raise the minimum wage. (Sep 1999)
Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Feb 2007)
Voted YES on raising the minimum wage to $7.25 rather than $6.25. (Mar 2005)
Voted NO on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001)
Protect overtime pay protections. (Jun 2003)
Rated 85% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
Hillary Clinton on Principles & Values
Owes opportunity for presidency to generations of women. (Aug 2007)
Sought pastoral guidance on doubts about capital punishment. (Jul 2007)
Strong identification with Eleanor Roosevelt. (Jul 2007)
1963: called Saul Alinsky "great seducer" of young minds. (Jul 2007)
DC home, "Whitehaven", became center of "Hillaryland". (Jun 2007)
1974: Studied Nixon's White House for impeachment committee. (Jun 2007)
Despite critics, fervent believer in public service. (Jun 2007)
Reaches out to conservatives but voting record is liberal. (May 2007)
Prefers role as knowledgeable expert to role of visionary. (May 2007)
At her core, Hillary is an idealistic activist. (May 2007)
Biggest mistakes: mishandling healthcare; believing in WMDs. (Apr 2007)
Op-Ed: positioning herself as voice of reason & centrism. (Oct 2005)
Supported teacher tests & China women despite unpopularity. (Oct 2000)
1969: Humanness goes beyond acquisitiveness. (May 1969)
Opposed numerous Bush cabinet & court appointees. (Oct 2006)
Decried 1980s materialism & excesses of corporate America. (Dec 1999)
Bill Clinton
I thought Bill was a pretty good president; now I'm running. (Sep 2007)
Bill & I started a conversation 36 years ago & never stopped. (Sep 2007)
Judge me on my merits, not as Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton. (Jul 2007)
Dealt with Bill's infidelity with counseling& Book of Psalms. (Jul 2007)
Endured Monicagate through faith and inward spirituality. (Jul 2007)
Secret "20-Year Project" with Bill to revolutionize Dems. (Jun 2007)
1986: Attacked for accepting state fee with Bill as governor. (Jun 2007)
1998: "Conspiracy" infuriated Starr; resonated with public. (Jun 2007)
Whitewater deal: the only "stupid dumb thing we ever did". (Jun 2007)
Changed name from Rodham because many were offended. (Jun 2007)
Tolerating Bill's foibles echoes mom's Methodist forgiveness. (Jun 2007)
1978: "Name issue" of Rodham raised in Bill's first race. (Jun 2007)
1980: Synthesized basic principles into "New Dem" concept. (Jun 2007)
1982 campaign: served as Bill's de facto campaign director. (Jun 2007)
Whitewater deal: maybe conflict-of-interest; but not illegal. (Jun 2007)
In Arkansas and Washington, subject to unprecedented vitriol. (Jun 2007)
Replay of "2 for price of 1" has big pluses & big minuses. (May 2007)
Proud of Bill Clinton's record as president. (Feb 2007)
Case for Bill's impeachment was unjustified constitutionally. (Nov 2003)
Monica investigation abused process to undermine presidency. (Nov 2003)
Loves Bill despite affairs; not just "Stand By Your Man". (Nov 2003)
1992: Meant "active partner" with "buy one get one free". (Nov 2003)
Meant "women work conflict" with "stay home & bake cookies". (Nov 2003)
Hillaryland meant active & influential First Lady staff. (Nov 2003)
Vince Foster's suicide spurred conspiracy theories galore. (Nov 2003)
Not involved in pardons, neither with husband nor brother. (Feb 2001)
“Vast right wing conspiracy”. (Dec 1999)
Stands by her man despite “pain in marriage”. (Dec 1999)
Hillary’s choice: Co-president or White House wife? (Dec 1999)
Never left Bill because they were a team. (Dec 1999)
Not some little woman standing by her man. (Jul 1992)
Campaign Themes
Running to continue work I've done for 35 years. (Dec 2007)
Bring your brooms & vacuum cleaners; we got to clean up DC. (Aug 2007)
If you want a winner to take on right wing, I'm your girl. (Aug 2007)
After 35 years of experience, ready to lead on day one. (Jul 2007)
I consider myself a modern American progressive. (Jul 2007)
Maybe, finally, break that hardest of all glass ceilings. (Jul 2007)
The politics of meaning: individuality is part of society. (Jul 2007)
Amalgam politics: make labels irrelevant. (Jul 2007)
New progressive vision for the 21st century. (Jun 2007)
A mind conservative and a heart liberal. (Jun 2007)
Message of candidacy: hardworking experienced collaborator. (Oct 2005)
New Democrat: individual responsibility and community. (Apr 2000)
Past Elections
1998: Unforeseen turning point when Moynihan resigned. (Oct 2007)
Rove is obsessed with me because I take them on & beat them. (Aug 2007)
2000: campaigned heavily in African-American churches. (Jul 2007)
1996: Enthusiastic crowd at DNC got her "bitten by the bug". (Jun 2007)
Critics call it "extreme makeover" but admit its success. (May 2007)
HILLPAC donated to 30 Senate & Governor candidates. (Nov 2006)
HILLPAC focus: electing Congressional Democratic majority. (Nov 2006)
Fined $35,000 for under-reporting expenses in 2000. (Oct 2006)
House of Representatives has been run like a plantation. (Jan 2006)
Experience and choices as a woman will make me good senator. (Oct 2000)
National experience & ability to get along will serve NY. (Feb 2000)
End divisional politics. (Feb 2000)
Personal Background
I believe in prayer; I'm dependent on my faith. (Aug 2007)
Sincere Christian & lifelong member of religious left. (Jul 2007)
Early character development: standing up to a bully. (Jul 2007)
Old-fashioned Methodist; reads Book of Resolutions & Bible. (Jul 2007)
Pre-Wellesley, confident her conservatism wouldn't change. (Jun 2007)
1969: Entered law school as "vehicle for social change". (Jun 2007)
As Goldwater Girl in 1960s, canvassed Chicago slums. (Jun 2007)
Childhood of parsimonious parents; favored equal opportunity. (Jun 2007)
Father a rock-ribbed Republican but ran for office as Dem. (Jun 2007)
Has a Jewish step-grandfather. (Jun 2007)
Staff attorney on Watergate/Nixon impeachment investigation. (Jun 2007)
Taught at AR Law School using "all business" style. (Jun 2007)
Suffers from endometriosis; Chelsea's conception difficult. (Jun 2007)
Family myth: named after Everest's Sir Edmund Hillary. (May 2007)
Has one Jewish step-grandfather. (Oct 2005)
My mom could not live my life; father could not imagine it. (Nov 2003)
Mother, Dorothy, offended by mistreatment of any human being. (Nov 2003)
Father, Hugh, focused on self-reliance & personal initiative. (Nov 2003)
AuH2O: Supported Goldwater on basis of individual rights. (Nov 2003)
1976: Organized Indiana for Carter-Mondale campaign. (Nov 2003)
1980: Bill practiced Lamaze, but Chelsea delivered Caesarian. (Nov 2003)
Voting Record
Voted with Democratic Party 96.7% of 304 votes. (Sep 2007)
Hillary's paradox: she's not as liberal as people think. (May 2006)
Voted NO on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice. (Jan 2006)
Voted NO on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Sep 2005)
Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation. (Dec 2006)
Member of Democratic Leadership Council. (Nov 2007)
Hillary Clinton on Social Security
FactCheck: Yes, removing $97,500 cap affects middle-class. (Nov 2007)
Have a bipartisan commission on Social Security and its tax. (Oct 2007)
$1000 matching tax credit for first $1000 in 401(k) deposit. (Oct 2007)
Solvent until 2055 under Bill Clinton; now has lost 14 years. (Sep 2007)
Nothing else on table until fiscal responsibility returns. (Sep 2007)
Make sure nobody ever tries to privatize Social Security. (Aug 2007)
Soc.Sec. one of greatest inventions in American democracy. (Oct 2006)
Social Security protects families, not just retirees. (Feb 1999)
All should join the debate now to preserve future solvency. (Feb 1999)
Voted NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security. (Mar 2007)
Rated 100% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)
Hillary Clinton on Tax Reform
Freeze estate tax at 2009 level of $7 million per couple. (Oct 2007)
Why cut off payroll contribution at $95,000? (Jun 2007)
Cut alternative minimum tax, not billionaire tax cuts. (Mar 2007)
End Bush tax cuts;take things away from rich for common good. (Oct 2006)
NY share of federal taxes is too high. (Feb 2000)
Just Say No to GOP tax plan. (Sep 1999)
GOP tax plan would hurt New York’s students. (Aug 1999)
Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 2003)
Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
Voted YES on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
Rated 21% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 80% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)
Hillary Clinton on Technology
Infrastructure investment creates jobs AND improves security. (Aug 2007)
Fight for interoperable communications for first responders. (Mar 2007)
Introduced CAMRA to study how sex in media affects teens. (Dec 2006)
Balance Internet freedom of speech against defamation. (Oct 2006)
Against charging for e-mail. (Oct 2000)
Details of “Bill 602P” hoax. (Oct 2000)
Increase spending for libraries. (Mar 2000)
Equal opportunity will bridge the digital divide. (Jan 2000)
We can do more for New York’s biotechnology industry. (Nov 1999)
Train teachers to use technology in classrooms. (Jul 1999)
Voted NO on restoring $550M in funding for Amtrak for 2007. (Mar 2006)
Voted YES on disallowing FCC approval of larger media conglomerates. (Sep 2003)
Fund nanotechnology research & development. (Dec 2003)
Facilitate nationwide 2-1-1 phone line for human services. (Jan 2007)
Hillary Clinton on War & Peace
Continue diplomatic engagement with Iran. (Dec 2007)
Believed, with others, that Iran was pursuing nuclear weapon. (Dec 2007)
Pledge that Iran will not develop a nuclear bomb. (Oct 2007)
Rushing to war with Iran vs. doing nothing is a false choice. (Oct 2007)
No funding that does not move us toward withdrawal. (Sep 2007)
Protect troops with body armor then & bringing them home now. (Sep 2007)
Patraeus report requires willing suspension of disbelief. (Sep 2007)
Iran's Revolutionary Guard promotes terrorism. (Sep 2007)
Prevent Iran from becoming nuclear power by diplomacy first. (Sep 2007)
Rule out nukes against Iran. (Aug 2007)
After 9/11:Those helping terrorists would feel "wrath" of US. (Jun 2007)
1960s conversion to liberalism based on opposing Vietnam. (Jun 2007)
2006 election: voters desperately want a new course. (Jun 2007)
Phased redeployment, not irresponsible immediate withdrawal. (Jun 2007)
At Wellesley in '68, steered anti-war movement within system. (Jun 2007)
I have seen firsthand terrorists' terrible damage. (Jun 2007)
Iran having a nuclear weapon is absolutely unacceptable. (Jun 2007)
Supports border security fence in Israel. (Oct 2006)
Cut off US aid if Palestine declares a state unilaterally. (Oct 2000)
Focuses on increasing relationship between US and Israel. (Oct 2000)
Support Israel in finding a safe and secure peace. (May 2000)
Extend peace treaties to Palestinians, Syrians & Lebanese. (Nov 1999)
Strategizing about Pakistan destabilizes a nuclear power. (Aug 2007)
Iraq War
Absolutely oppose the war in Iraq. (Oct 2007)
Bring out as many combat troops as quickly as possible. (Oct 2007)
Goal to remove all troops from Iraq by 2013, but no pledge. (Sep 2007)
Leave combat troops in Iraq only for conterterrorism. (Sep 2007)
Defunding war is the only way to force Bush to change course. (Sep 2007)
Push Pentagon to start planning for Iraq withdrawal. (Aug 2007)
Redeploy responsibly, with regional diplomatic effort. (Aug 2007)
Pentagon calls her unpatriotic for asking about exit plan. (Jul 2007)
FactCheck: Correct that DoD has no plan to remove all troops. (Jul 2007)
Deauthorize Iraq war, and don't grant new war authority. (Jun 2007)
Bush misused authorization for war. (Jun 2007)
The Iraq war is Bush's war. (Jun 2007)
Iraq war wouldn't have happened had the inspectors been sent. (Jun 2007)
It was a mistake to trust Bush on his judgment to wage war. (Jun 2007)
This war is up to Iraqi people to win or lose, not the US. (Apr 2007)
Begin re-deployment out of Iraq in 90 days. (Apr 2007)
America elected this Congress to bring our troops home. (Apr 2007)
No permanent bases, but continuing residual force in Iraq. (Apr 2007)
Online petition to pressure Bush & GOP for redeployment. (Apr 2007)
If Bush doesn't end Iraq war, when I'm president, I will. (Mar 2007)
Require Bush to redeploy or seek additional authority. (Feb 2007)
Takes responsibility for Iraq war vote, but not a mistake. (Feb 2007)
Cap troops in Iraq and no more blank check for war. (Feb 2007)
Cut off funds for Iraqi use, but not for troops. (Jan 2007)
Phased redeployment out of Iraq, beginning immediately. (Oct 2006)
Agrees with Newt Gingrich that Iraq policy is a mess. (Dec 2003)
Voting Record
Voted for Iraq war based on available info; now would not. (Apr 2007)
Critic of Iraq war, but won't recant 2002 vote in its favor. (Nov 2006)
Regrets Bush's handling of war, but not her war vote. (Oct 2006)
Voted YES on designating Iran's Revolutionary Guards as terrorists. (Sep 2007)
Voted YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on investigating contract awards in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Nov 2005)
Voted YES on requiring on-budget funding for Iraq, not emergency funding. (Apr 2005)
Voted YES on $86 billion for military operations in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Oct 2003)
Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002)
Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism. (Oct 2001)
Hillary Clinton on Welfare & Poverty
Partner with faith based community in empowerment zones. (Dec 2007)
Considered idea of $5000 at birth to pay for future college. (Oct 2007)
Time-out for mortgage companies on march toward foreclosure. (Sep 2007)
Wellesley thesis: Saul Alinsky & people over bureaucrats. (Jun 2007)
Hedge funds incentivize risk, but need regulation. (Apr 2007)
Lazio weakened housing standards and limited public housing. (Oct 2000)
Lazio fought against FHA on low-interest housing loans. (Oct 2000)
Equal access to capital and jobs. (Jan 2000)
Working should mean no poverty. (Jan 2000)
Community involvement helps, but only in short term. (Dec 1999)
Don’t criminalize the homeless. (Dec 1999)
Microcredit is an invaluable tool in alleviating poverty. (Feb 1997)
Link payments to good parenting behavior. (Feb 1997)
Establish a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund. (Jul 2003)
Tax credits to promite home ownership in distressed areas. (Apr 2003)
Fully fund AmeriCorps. (Jun 2003)
VoteMatch Responses
Strongly Favors topic 1:
Abortion is a woman's right
(+5 points on Social scale) Lift ban on stem cell research to cure devastating diseases: Favors topic 1
Respect Roe v. Wade, but make adoptions easier too: Favors topic 1
Alternatives to pro-choice like forced pregnancy in Romania: Strongly Favors topic 1
Must safeguard constitutional rights, including choice: Favors topic 1
Remain vigilant on a woman’s right to chose: Favors topic 1
Keep abortion safe, legal and rare: Favors topic 1
Being pro-choice is not being pro-abortion: Favors topic 1
Supports parental notice & family planning: Opposes topic 1
Voted liberal line on partial birth & harm to fetus: Favors topic 1
Recommended by EMILY's List of pro-choice women: Favors topic 1
Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record: Strongly Favors topic 1
Expand embryonic stem cell research: Favors topic 1
Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance: Strongly Favors topic 1
Provide emergency contraception at military facilities: Favors topic 1
NO on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life: Strongly Favors topic 1
NO on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime: Favors topic 1
YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives: Favors topic 1
NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions: Favors topic 1
YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines: Favors topic 1
Favors topic 2:
Require hiring more women & minorities
(-3 points on Economic scale) We've come a long way on race, but we have a long way to go: Strongly Favors topic 2
1988: Instituted gender diversity Report Card within ABA: Strongly Opposes topic 2
Argued with Bill Clinton about diluting affirmative action: Strongly Favors topic 2
Apologize for slavery, but concentrate on civil rights now: Favors topic 2
Human rights are women’s rights: Neutral on topic 2
Women’s rights are human rights: Favors topic 2
Rated 96% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance: Strongly Favors topic 2
Strongly Favors topic 3:
Same-sex domestic partnership benefits
(+5 points on Social scale) Increase America's commitment against Global AIDS: Favors topic 3
Federal Marriage Amendment would be terrible step backwards: Favors topic 3
Gays deserve domestic partnership benefits: Strongly Favors topic 3
Military service based on conduct, not sexual orientation: Favors topic 3
More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes: Strongly Favors topic 3
Rated 89% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance: Strongly Favors topic 3
YES on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes: Strongly Favors topic 3
NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage: Strongly Favors topic 3
Opposes topic 4:
Teacher-led prayer in public schools
(+2 points on Social scale) Allow student prayer, but no religious instruction: Opposes topic 4
Change what kids see in the media: Favors topic 4
Rated 0% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 4
Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation: Strongly Opposes topic 4
NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration: Opposes topic 4
Favors topic 5:
More federal funding for health coverage
(-3 points on Economic scale) Outcry if AIDS were leading disease of young whites: Favors topic 5
Supply more medical needs of families, & insure all children: Strongly Favors topic 5
Medicare should be strengthened today: Favors topic 5
Smaller steps to progress on health care: Favors topic 5
Guaranteed benefits & focus on prevention: Neutral on topic 5
We need a uniquely American solution to health care: Favors topic 5
Health care initiatives are her first priority in Senate: Strongly Favors topic 5
Invest funds to alleviate the nursing shortage: Favors topic 5
Let states make bulk Rx purchases, and other innovations: Opposes topic 5
Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record: Strongly Favors topic 5
NO on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit: Favors topic 5
NO on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit: Opposes topic 5
YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics: Favors topic 5
YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug: Strongly Favors topic 5
YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D: Favors topic 5
NO on limiting medical liability lawsuits to $250,000: Opposes topic 5
YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D: Favors topic 5
Strongly Opposes topic 6:
Privatize Social Security
(-5 points on Economic scale) Soc.Sec. one of greatest inventions in American democracy: Strongly Opposes topic 6
Social Security protects families, not just retirees: Strongly Opposes topic 6
All should join the debate now to preserve future solvency: Opposes topic 6
Rated 100% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 6
NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security: Opposes topic 6
Strongly Opposes topic 7:
Parents choose schools via vouchers
(-5 points on Economic scale) Supports public school choice; but not private nor parochial: Opposes topic 7
Fight with Gore for public schools; no voucher “gimmicks”: Strongly Opposes topic 7
Charter schools provide choice within public system: Opposes topic 7
Vouchers siphon off much-needed resources: Strongly Opposes topic 7
Parents can choose, but support public schools: Opposes topic 7
Solemn vow never to abandon our public schools: Strongly Opposes topic 7
Rated 82% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes: Strongly Opposes topic 7
YES on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors: Opposes topic 7
YES on funding student testing instead of private tutors: Opposes topic 7
YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies: Opposes topic 7
Opposes topic 8:
Death Penalty
(+2 points on Social scale) Require DNA testing for all federal executions: Opposes topic 8
Opposes topic 9:
Mandatory Three Strikes sentencing laws
(+2 points on Social scale) Address the unacceptable increase in incarceration: Opposes topic 9
Mandatory sentences have been too widely used: Strongly Opposes topic 9
Give kids after-school activities to prevent gangs: Opposes topic 9
Spend more time with kids to prevent violence: Opposes topic 9
Supports citizen patrols & 3-Strikes-You're-Out: Favors topic 9
Supports “Three Strikes” and more prison: Strongly Favors topic 9
End hate crimes and other intolerance: Favors topic 9
Rated 75% by the NCJA, indicating a mixed record on criminal justice: Neutral on topic 9
YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program: Opposes topic 9
Strongly Opposes topic 10:
Absolute right to gun ownership
(-5 points on Economic scale) Get assault weapons & guns off the street: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Background check system could prevent Virginia Tech massacre: Opposes topic 10
Congress' failure at Littleton response inspired Senate run: Opposes topic 10
Limit access to weapons; look for early warning signs: Opposes topic 10
License and register all handgun sales: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Gun control protects our children: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Don’t water down sensible gun control legislation: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Lock up guns; store ammo separately: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Get weapons off the streets; zero tolerance for weapons: Opposes topic 10
NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence: Strongly Opposes topic 10
NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Strongly Favors topic 11:
Repeal tax cuts on wealthy
(-5 points on Economic scale) End Bush tax cuts;take things away from rich for common good: Strongly Favors topic 11
Pay down debt & cut taxes within balanced budget: Favors topic 11
Just Say No to GOP tax plan: Strongly Favors topic 11
GOP tax plan would hurt New York’s students: Favors topic 11
Rated 21% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes: Strongly Favors topic 11
Rated 80% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation: Strongly Favors topic 11
YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates: Favors topic 11
YES on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction: Favors topic 11
NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years: Strongly Favors topic 11
YES on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends: Strongly Opposes topic 11
YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut: Favors topic 11
YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends: Strongly Opposes topic 11
NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax: Strongly Favors topic 11
Favors topic 12:
Illegal immigrants earn citizenship
(+2 points on Social scale) Oppose granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants: Opposes topic 12
More border patrolling on both Mexican AND Canadian borders: Opposes topic 12
Sanctuary cities ok; local police can't enforce immigration: Favors topic 12
Comprehensive reform to get 12 million out of shadows: Strongly Favors topic 12
Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance: Strongly Favors topic 12
YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security: Strongly Favors topic 12
YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship: Strongly Favors topic 12
YES on establishing a Guest Worker program: Favors topic 12
YES on building a fence along the Mexican border: Strongly Opposes topic 12
YES on eliminating the "Y" nonimmigrant guestworker program: Neutral topic 12
NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government: Strongly Favors topic 12
YES on comprehensive immigration reform: Strongly Favors topic 12
Opposes topic 13:
Support & expand free trade
(-3 points on Economic scale) Smart, pro-American trade: NAFTA has hurt workers: Strongly Opposes topic 13
No fast-track authority for this president: Opposes topic 13
Defended outsourcing of US jobs to India: Favors topic 13
Globalization should not substitute for humanization: Opposes topic 13
Supports MFN for China, despite concerns over human rights: Strongly Favors topic 13
Rated 17% by CATO, indicating a pro-fair trade voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 13
YES on removing common goods from national security export rules: Favors topic 13
YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam: Favors topic 13
NO on extending free trade to Andean nations: Strongly Opposes topic 13
YES on establishing free trade between US & Singapore: Favors topic 13
YES on establishing free trade between the US and Chile: Favors topic 13
NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade: Strongly Opposes topic 13
YES on free trade agreement with Oman: Strongly Favors topic 13
Strongly Favors topic 14:
The Patriot Act harms civil liberties
(+5 points on Social scale) Torture cannot be American policy, period: Strongly Favors topic 14
Administration secrecy shreds the Constitution: Strongly Favors topic 14
NO on extending the PATRIOT Act's wiretap provision: Strongly Favors topic 14
YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act: Opposes topic 14
YES on preserving habeus corpus for Guantanamo detainees: Strongly Favors topic 14
YES on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods: Strongly Favors topic 14
NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad: Strongly Favors topic 14
Strongly Opposes topic 15:
Expand the armed forces
(+5 points on Social scale) Rated 100% by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 15
YES on requiring on-budget funding for Iraq, not emergency funding: Opposes topic 15
YES on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months: Opposes topic 15
Strongly Favors topic 16:
Stricter limits on political campaign funds
(-5 points on Economic scale) Presidents should reveal donations to their foundations: Strongly Favors topic 16
Move to public election financing, not banning lobbyists: Strongly Favors topic 16
Verified paper ballot for every electronic voting machines: Favors topic 16
Called for ban on all soft money in 2000 campaign: Favors topic 16
YES on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations: Favors topic 16
YES on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads: Favors topic 16
NO on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity: Opposes topic 16
NO on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress: Strongly Favors topic 16
Strongly Favors topic 17:
US out of Iraq
(+5 points on Social scale) Smartest strategic choice is peace: Favors topic 17
Extend peace treaties to Palestinians, Syrians & Lebanese: Favors topic 17
Foreign aid spending is only 1%; lead by remaining engaged: Strongly Favors topic 17
Deauthorize Iraq war, and don't grant new war authority: Strongly Favors topic 17
Phased redeployment out of Iraq, beginning immediately: Strongly Favors topic 17
Voted for Iraq war based on available info; now would not: Favors topic 17
NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007: Strongly Opposes topic 17
YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008: Strongly Favors topic 17
Strongly Favors topic 18:
Replace coal & oil with alternatives
(-5 points on Economic scale) Remove energy dependence on countries who would harm us: Strongly Favors topic 18
Supports oil reserve release & fund conservation: Favors topic 18
Stands for clean air and funding the EPA: Favors topic 18
Reduce air pollution to improve children’s health: Favors topic 18
Ratify Kyoto; more mass transit: Strongly Favors topic 18
Rated 89% by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes: Strongly Favors topic 18
Keep efficient air conditioner rule to conserve energy: Strongly Favors topic 18
Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence: Favors topic 18
NO on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill: Favors topic 18
YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%): Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Favors topic 18
YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning: Favors topic 18
YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies: Strongly Favors topic 18
Strongly Opposes topic 19:
Drug use is immoral: enforce laws against it
(+5 points on Social scale) Divert non-violent drug offenders away from prison: Strongly Opposes topic 19
Address drug problem with treatment and special drug courts: Strongly Opposes topic 19
Favors topic 20:
Allow churches to provide welfare services
(+2 points on Economic scale) Partner with faith based community in empowerment zones: Strongly Favors topic 20
Tap into churches to avoid more Louima & Diallo cases: Favors topic 20
Community involvement helps, but only in short term: Favors topic 20
Link payments to good parenting behavior: Opposes topic 20
All of this information and more found at ontheissues.org
Barack Obama on the issues
Barack Obama on Abortion
Voted against banning partial birth abortion. (Oct 2007)
Stem cells hold promise to cure 70 major diseases. (Aug 2007)
Trust women to make own decisions on partial-birth abortion. (Apr 2007)
Extend presumption of good faith to abortion protesters. (Oct 2006)
Constitution is a living document; no strict constructionism. (Oct 2006)
Pass the Stem Cell Research Bill. (Jun 2004)
Protect a woman's right to choose. (May 2004)
Supports Roe v. Wade. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
Voted NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance. (Dec 2006)
Barack Obama on Budget & Economy
Bush & GOP dug budget hole; need 1 or 2 years to dig out. (Dec 2007)
Take China "to the mat" about currency manipulation. (Dec 2007)
Regulate financial instruments to protect home mortgages. (Aug 2007)
Return to PayGo: compensate for all new spending. (Oct 2006)
Bush's economic policies are not working. (May 2004)
Supports federal programs to protect rural economy. (May 2004)
Voted NO on paying down federal debt by rating programs' effectiveness. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005)
Barack Obama on Civil Rights
Being gay or lesbian is not a choice. (Nov 2007)
The politics of fear undermines basic civil liberties. (Oct 2007)
Ok to expose 6-year-olds to gay couples; they know already. (Sep 2007)
Better enforce women's pay equity via Equal Pay Act. (Aug 2007)
Strengthen the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Aug 2007)
Has any marriage broken up because two gays hold hands? (Aug 2007)
We need strong civil unions, not just weak civil unions. (Aug 2007)
Legal rights for gays are conferred by state, not by church. (Aug 2007)
Disentangle gay rights from the word "marriage". (Aug 2007)
Gay marriage is less important that equal gay rights. (Aug 2007)
Gay rights movement is somewhat like civil rights movement. (Aug 2007)
Let each denominations decide on recognizing gay marriage. (Jul 2007)
Racial equality good for America as a whole. (Jun 2007)
Put the Confederate flag in a museum, not the state house. (Apr 2007)
Supports health benefits for gay civil partners. (Oct 2006)
Muslim heritage gives Obama unique influence in Muslim world. (Oct 2006)
Opposes gay marriage; supports civil union & gay equality. (Oct 2006)
No black or white America--just United States of America. (Oct 2006)
Marriage not a human right; non-discrimination is. (Oct 2004)
African-Americans vote Democratic because of issue stances. (Jul 2004)
Forthright on racial issues and on his civil rights history. (Jul 2004)
Defend freedom and equality under law. (May 2004)
Politicians: don't use religion to insulate from criticism. (Apr 2004)
Supports affirmative action in colleges and government. (Jul 1998)
Include sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws. (Jul 1998)
Miscegenation a felony in 1960 when Obamas practiced it. (Aug 1996)
The civil rights movement was a success. (Aug 1996)
Voted NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
Rated 89% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
Rated 100% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
Barack Obama on Corporations
End tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas. (Aug 2007)
Hold corporations responsible for pensions & work conditions. (Aug 2007)
Tax incentives for corporate responsibility. (Jun 2004)
Close tax loopholes for US companies relocating abroad. (Jun 2004)
REAL USA Plan: Reward companies that create domestic jobs. (Jun 2004)
Voted YES on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore. (Mar 2005)
Voted NO on reforming bankruptcy to include means-testing & restrictions. (Mar 2005)
Barack Obama on Crime
Lack of enforcement sets tone for more hate crimes. (Dec 2007)
Need justice that is not just us, but is everybody. (Jun 2007)
Some heinous crimes justify the ultimate punishment. (Oct 2006)
Videotape all capital punishment interrogations. (Oct 2006)
Battles legislatively against the death penalty. (Jul 2004)
Supports alternative sentencing and rehabilitation. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program. (Mar 2007)
Rated 75% by the NCJA, indicating a mixed record on criminal justice. (Dec 2005)
Barack Obama on Drugs
2001: questions harsh penalties for drug dealing. (Oct 2007)
Do not lower drinking age from 21 to 18. (Sep 2007)
Smokes cigarettes now; smoked some pot in high school. (Feb 2007)
Admitted marijuana use in high school & college. (Jan 2007)
Deal with street-level drug dealing as minimum-wage affair. (Oct 2006)
Understand why youngsters want to use drugs. (Aug 1996)
Barack Obama on Education
We need a sense of urgency about improving education system. (Sep 2007)
Nationwide program to reconstruct crumbling school buildings. (Sep 2007)
STEP UP: summer learning opportunities for disadvantaged. (Aug 2007)
We left the money behind for No Child Left Behind. (Aug 2007)
Pay "master teachers" extra, but with buy-in from teachers. (Aug 2007)
Sends kids to private school; but wants good schools for all. (Jul 2007)
Supreme Court was wrong on school anti-integration ruling. (Jul 2007)
Incentives to hire a million teachers over next decade. (Jun 2007)
Pay teachers more money & treat them like professionals. (Jun 2007)
Public school system status quo is indefensible. (Oct 2006)
More teacher pay in exchange for more teacher accountability. (Oct 2006)
Guarantee affordable life-long, top-notch education. (Jun 2006)
Provide decent funding and get rid of anti-intellectualism. (Jul 2004)
Address the growing achievement gap between students. (May 2004)
Will add 25,000 teachers in high-need areas. (May 2004)
Supports charter schools and private investment in schools. (Jul 1998)
Free public college for any student with B-average. (Jul 1998)
Voting Record
First Senate bill: increase Pell Grant from $4,050 to $5,100. (Aug 2007)
Sponsored legislations that recruit and reward good teachers. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on $52M for "21st century community learning centers". (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
Barack Obama on Energy & Oil
Fuel efficiency and Middle East stability help on fuel costs. (Oct 2007)
Nuclear power ok if we safeguard against waste & terrorism. (Sep 2007)
Explore nuclear power as part of alternative energy mix. (Jul 2007)
Cheney met environmentalists once; but Big Oil 40 times. (Jul 2007)
Cap-and-trade carbon emissions; raise CAFE standard. (Jun 2007)
Stop sending $800M a day to Mideast dictators for oil. (Mar 2007)
Wants Detroit to build more hybrids & use more ethanol. (Oct 2006)
We cannot drill our way out of our addiction to oil. (Oct 2006)
3-way win: economy, environment, & stop funding terror. (Jun 2006)
Conserve, develop alternative fuels, increase efficiencies. (Oct 2004)
Sponsored legislations that improve energy efficiency. (Sep 2004)
20% nation's power supply from renewable sources by 2020. (Sep 2004)
20% renewable energy by 2020. (Jul 2004)
Invest in alternative energy sources. (Jun 2004)
Increase CAFE to 40 mpg. (Jun 2004)
Tradable credits for renewable energy. (Jun 2004)
Renewable Fuels Standard: require ethanol in fuel supply. (May 2004)
Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on making oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning. (May 2007)
Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR. (Nov 2005)
Voted YES on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%). (Jun 2005)
Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005)
Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence. (Dec 2006)
Barack Obama on Environment
Click here for 5 full quotes on Environment OR background on Environment.
Reduce mercury and lead to protect community health. (Aug 2007)
Protect the Great Lakes & our National Parks and Forests. (Aug 2007)
Give Katrina contracts to locals, not to Halliburton. (Jun 2007)
Three months working on minority students recycling. (Aug 1996)
Voted YES on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations. (Sep 2005)
Barack Obama on Families & Children
Click here for 4 full quotes on Families & Children OR background on Families & Children.
Restore dream of making children's lives better than parents. (Dec 2007)
All kids should learn about sexual abuse. (Jul 2007)
FactCheck: 'Sex Ed for Kindergarten' means 'age-appropriate'. (Jul 2007)
Listening to evangelicals bridges major political fault line. (Oct 2006)
Barack Obama on Foreign Policy
Obama Doctrine: ideology has overridden facts and reality. (Dec 2007)
China is a competitor but not an enemy. (Dec 2007)
Willing to meet with Fidel Castro, Kim Jung Il & Hugo Chavez. (Nov 2007)
Invest in our relationship with Mexico. (Sep 2007)
Strengthen NATO to face 21st-century threats. (Aug 2007)
$50B annually to strengthen weak states at risk of collapse. (Aug 2007)
No "strategic ambiguity" on foreign policy issues. (Aug 2007)
My critics engineered our biggest foreign policy disaster. (Aug 2007)
China is a competitor, but not an enemy. (Aug 2007)
Meet with enemy leaders; it's a disgrace that we have not. (Jul 2007)
No-fly zone in Darfur; but pay attention more in Africa. (Jun 2007)
Europe & Japan are allies, but China is a competitor. (Apr 2007)
Palestinian people suffer-but from not recognizing Israel. (Apr 2007)
FactCheck: Palestinian suffering from stalled peace effort. (Apr 2007)
Protested South African apartheid while at college. (Feb 2007)
Focus on corruption to improve African development. (Oct 2006)
Supports Israel's self-defense; but distrusted by Israelis. (Oct 2006)
Visited Africa in 2006; encouraged HIV testing & research. (Oct 2006)
Never has US had so much power & so little influence to lead. (Jul 2004)
US policy should promote democracy and human rights. (Jul 2004)
Barack Obama on Free Trade
Enforce existing safety laws against Chinese products. (Dec 2007)
Stand firm against CAFTA for labor & environmental standards. (Aug 2007)
Congress subsidizes megafarms & hurts family farmers. (Aug 2007)
People don't want cheaper T-shirts if it costs their job. (Aug 2007)
Amend NAFTA to add labor agreements. (Aug 2007)
Reinvest in communities that are burdened by globalization. (Jun 2007)
Insist on labor and human rights standards for China trade. (Jul 2004)
Fair trade should have tangible benefits for US. (Jun 2004)
Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
Barack Obama on Government Reform
Money is the original sin in politics and I am not sinless. (Nov 2007)
Ok to take $5 donations from drug company employees. (Sep 2007)
Public campaign financing with free television & radio time. (Aug 2007)
Create "Google for Government" to track government spending. (Aug 2007)
Prayer can't prevent disasters; good policy can handle them. (Aug 2007)
No "bundled" money from federal-registered lobbyists. (Aug 2007)
Campaigns last too long & cost too much. (Aug 2007)
Doesn't take PAC money or federal lobbyists' money. (Jul 2007)
People know his "bundlers" because he pushed disclosure law. (Jul 2007)
FactCheck: no lobbyist money; yes from bundlers who lobby. (Jul 2007)
Registered 150,000 new minority voters in Chicago in 1992. (Jul 2007)
Half of us don't vote; time for taking it back. (Jun 2007)
First bill ever passed was campaign finance reform. (Apr 2007)
FactCheck: no lobbyist money, yes from lobbyist spouses. (Apr 2007)
Hopefund PAC pushes government to honor sacred commitments. (Nov 2006)
Sponsored bill to disclose earmarks on Internet. (Oct 2006)
Filibuster has long tradition, but used to harm civil rights. (Oct 2006)
Lobbyist influence comes from access, not money. (Oct 2006)
People are really ready for a message for change. (Jul 2004)
Campaign race baiting works in both directions. (Aug 1996)
Voted YES on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007)
Voted NO on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)
Voted YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity. (Mar 2006)
Prohibit voter intimidation in federal elections. (Mar 2007)
Barack Obama on Gun Control
Click here for 4 full quotes on Gun Control OR background on Gun Control.
Stop unscrupulous gun dealers dumping guns in cities. (Jul 2007)
Keep guns out of inner cities--but also problem of morality. (Oct 2006)
Ban semi-automatics, and more possession restrictions. (Jul 1998)
Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
Barack Obama on Health Care
FactCheck: Reducing obesity would save $18B, not $1T. (Dec 2007)
Being poor in this country is hazardous to your health. (Dec 2007)
Problem isn't mandating coverage, but affording it. (Nov 2007)
FactCheck: Coverage plan might leave 8.5 million uninsured. (Nov 2007)
Tackle insurance companies on reimbursement system. (Oct 2007)
Help young people deal with the cost of medical education. (Oct 2007)
Government healthcare like members of Congress have. (Sep 2007)
Morally wrong that terminally ill must consider money. (Sep 2007)
FactCheck: Correct that insurance lobbying cost $1B. (Sep 2007)
National smoking bans only after trying local bans. (Sep 2007)
Increase competition in the insurance and drug markets. (Aug 2007)
National Health Insurance Exchange for private coverage. (Aug 2007)
Reform failed in '90s because of drug company lobbying. (Jul 2007)
Health plan cuts typical family's premium by $2,500 a year. (Jun 2007)
Give people the choice to buy affordable health care. (Jun 2007)
Take on insurance companies; drive down health care costs. (Jun 2007)
National insurance pool & catastrophic insurance. (Apr 2007)
Employers are going to have to pay or play. (Mar 2007)
Need political will to accomplish universal coverage. (Mar 2007)
Address minority health needs by more coverage & targeting. (Mar 2007)
Healthcare system is broken without lifetime employment. (Oct 2006)
The market alone can't solve our health-care woes. (Oct 2006)
Health care tied to balancing costs and taxes nation wide. (Jun 2006)
Allowing seniors to bulk purchase will save taxpayers' money. (Oct 2004)
Crises happen in our lives and healthcare is necessary. (Oct 2004)
Believes health care is a right, not a privilege for the few. (Sep 2004)
Allow prescription drug re-importation. (May 2004)
Will expand health coverage & allow meds to be re-imported. (May 2004)
Ensure access to basic care. (Jul 1998)
AIDS
We need condom distribution to deal with the scourge of AIDS. (Aug 2007)
Homophobia prevents talking about HIV/AIDS. (Jun 2007)
Got tested for AIDS, with wife, in public, in Kenya. (Jun 2007)
Lead global fight against AIDS. (Jul 2004)
Voting Record
No need to mandate coverage; just let people afford it. (Jul 2007)
Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Apr 2007)
Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005)
Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005)
Improve services for people with autism & their families. (Apr 2007)
Barack Obama on Homeland Security
Restore habeas corpus to reach Muslims abroad. (Dec 2007)
Give 18-year-old women opportunity to serve. (Dec 2007)
Human rights and national security are complementary. (Nov 2007)
America cannot sanction torture; no loopholes or exceptions. (Sep 2007)
Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell. (Aug 2007)
Support veterans via the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act. (Aug 2007)
We are no safer now than we were after 9/11. (Aug 2007)
Register women for draft, but not for combat. (Jul 2007)
Close Guantanamo and restore the right of habeas corpus. (Jun 2007)
Address the deficiencies in the VA system. (Jun 2007)
The cost of the Iraq war should not shortchange VA benefits. (Jun 2007)
Make sure the outpatient facilities work for veterans. (Jun 2007)
Get first responders the healthcare and equipment they need. (Mar 2007)
Comprehensive plan for our veterans healthcare. (Mar 2007)
Need to be both strong and smart on national defense. (Oct 2006)
Grow size of military to maintain rotation schedules. (Oct 2006)
Battling terrorism must go beyond belligerence vs. isolation. (Oct 2006)
We are currently inspecting 3% of all incoming cargo. (Oct 2004)
Increase funding to decommission Russian nukes. (Jul 2004)
Give our soldiers the best equipment and training available. (Jul 2004)
Balance domestic intelligence reform with civil liberty risk. (Jul 2004)
Voted NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
Voted YES on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months. (Jul 2007)
Voted YES on implementing the 9/11 Commission report. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on preserving habeus corpus for Guantanamo detainees. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006)
Voted NO on extending the PATRIOT Act's wiretap provision. (Dec 2005)
Voted YES on restricting business with entities linked to terrorism. (Jul 2005)
Voted YES on restoring $565M for states' and ports' first responders. (Mar 2005)
Barack Obama on Immigration
Comprehensive solution includes employers & borders. (Nov 2007)
Undocumented workers come here to work, not to drive. (Nov 2007)
Support granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. (Nov 2007)
FactCheck: Lightning IS likelier than employer prosecution. (Nov 2007)
Illegal immigrants' lack of ID is a public safety concern. (Oct 2007)
Immigration system is broken for legal immigrants. (Sep 2007)
Reform must include more border security, and border wall. (Sep 2007)
Sanctuary cities show that feds are not enforcing law. (Sep 2007)
Pathway to citizenship, but people have to earn it. (Aug 2007)
Let's be a nation of laws AND a nation of immigrants. (Aug 2007)
Do a better job patrolling the Canadian and Mexican borders. (Jun 2007)
Give immigrants who are here a rigorous path to citizenship. (Jun 2007)
Extend welfare and Medicaid to immigrants. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)
Barack Obama on Jobs
Paying more at Wal-Mart is worth it for having US jobs. (Dec 2007)
Give public safety officers collective bargaining rights. (Aug 2007)
Chief co-sponsor of IL ENDA, against gay job discrimination. (Aug 2007)
Chicago's Soldier Field stadium construction created jobs. (Aug 2007)
Pres. candidates can afford minimum wage; most folks can't. (Jul 2007)
Make the minimum wage a living wage. (Jun 2007)
Burdens of globalization are placed on the backs of workers. (Mar 2007)
Owes unions who endorsed him; that's why he's in politics. (Oct 2006)
Working full-time should mean enough to support a family. (Oct 2006)
Overrode federal overtime rules and raised the minimum wage. (Sep 2004)
Make sure that African-American men have access to jobs. (Jul 2004)
Fund Trade Adjustment Assistance for service workers too. (Jun 2004)
Increase IL minimum wage to $6.50 an hour. (Jun 2004)
Tax cuts for the rich do not create jobs. (May 2004)
Obama will strengthen unions and workers' rights. (May 2004)
Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Feb 2007)
Voted YES on raising the minimum wage to $7.25 rather than $6.25. (Mar 2005)
Barack Obama on Principles & Values
Attends church with press, to dispel rumors that he's Muslim. (Dec 2007)
On "inexperience": he wrote policy books that media ignores. (Oct 2007)
Don't know if life beyond earth; focus on life here on earth. (Oct 2007)
Real estate deal with felon was "boneheaded" but ethical. (Oct 2007)
Bradley effect: black candidates poll above actual votes. (Oct 2007)
Madrassa myth perpetuated by false email & fabricated story. (Oct 2007)
Uses prayer to take stock of his moral compass. (Oct 2007)
Reach out to faith community;faith has role in public square. (Sep 2007)
Voted with Democratic Party 96.0% of 251 votes. (Sep 2007)
People have an urgent desire for change in Washington. (Jul 2007)
Replace partisan bickering with politics of hope. (Feb 2007)
Assigned RFK's Senate desk; invokes RFK regularly. (Feb 2007)
Hopefund PAC donated $500K to Democratic Senate candidates. (Nov 2006)
Convention speech understood country yearns for unity. (Oct 2006)
Portrayed as a multiplier instead of a divider. (Oct 2006)
Religious concerns ok, if translated into universal values. (Oct 2006)
Post-1960s politics more about moral attitude than issues. (Oct 2006)
Americans dislike partisanship--not solution like Dems think. (Oct 2006)
Greatness based on Declaration of Independence, not military. (Jul 2004)
Unflinching progressive but ok to downstate conservatives. (Jul 2004)
There's a call to evangelize in politics. (Apr 2004)
I'm a big believer in the separation of church and state. (Apr 2004)
Be strong or be clever and make peace. (Aug 1996)
Guilt is a luxury that not everyone can afford. (Aug 1996)
Lost Congressional primary in 1999 to Bobby Rush. (Feb 2007)
Campaign Themes
If you join me I promise you we can change America. (Dec 2007)
Turn the page: invite GOP & independents to join in agenda. (Sep 2007)
A "hopemonger", having seen the power of hope. (Jun 2007)
Washington can change if we say: Yes we can. (Mar 2007)
Source of his book title "Audacity of Hope" was a sermon. (Feb 2007)
On cover of Time magazine, about his book & presidency. (Oct 2006)
Progressives should recognize common morality with religion. (Oct 2006)
"Audacity of Hope" to change politics to reflect common good. (Oct 2006)
Offer real hope-not blind optimism-to the American people. (Jul 2004)
I'm living my parents' dreams and the American dream. (Jul 2004)
We are one people all defending the United States of America. (Jul 2004)
Want common-sense solutions, not liberal-conservative labels. (Jul 2004)
Personal History
Active in the Trinity faith community. (Aug 2007)
Most decisive moment: transition from high school to college. (Aug 2007)
Traces ancestry to Jefferson Davis, President of Confederacy. (Feb 2007)
Personal story is basis of political desire to unite. (Feb 2007)
Greeted as hero on visit to ancestral Kenya. (Feb 2007)
Father died in car crash before Barack got to know him. (Feb 2007)
Born in Hawaii; lives on Chicago's South Side. (Nov 2006)
Full name: Barack Hussein Obama; family calls him "Barry". (Oct 2006)
Raised secular, but with working knowledge of world religion. (Oct 2006)
Baptized as an adult in the Trinity United Church of Christ. (Oct 2006)
First black president of the Harvard Law Review. (Jul 2004)
Ryan quits Senate race amid sex scandal allegations. (Jun 2004)
Mother attacked for playing with a black girlfriend. (Aug 1996)
Poverty of political organizers was proof of their integrity. (Aug 1996)
Spent time in both Muslim and Catholic schools. (Aug 1996)
Racism & Race
Catching a cab, no one questions he's "authentically black". (Jul 2007)
Candidacy taken seriously despite his race or because of it? (Oct 2006)
Convention keynote speech highlights party's black targeting. (Jul 2004)
America's race and class problems are intertwined. (Aug 1996)
Biracial heritage has caused identity crisis. (Aug 1996)
There is some hope of eventual reconciliation between races. (Aug 1996)
Racism wasn't merely the cruelty involved, but arrogance too. (Aug 1996)
Voting Record
Biggest mistake was intruding in Terri Schiavo case. (Apr 2007)
Voted NO on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice. (Jan 2006)
Voted NO on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Sep 2005)
Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation. (Dec 2006)
Barack Obama on Social Security
FactCheck: Removing $97,500 cap would be $1.3T tax increase. (Nov 2007)
Cutting benefits & raising retirement age are wrong answers. (Nov 2007)
The wealthy should pay a bit more on the payroll tax. (Oct 2007)
Privatization puts retirement at whim of stock market. (Sep 2007)
Stop any efforts to privatize Social Security. (Aug 2007)
No privatization; but consider earning cap over $97,500. (Jul 2007)
Stock market risk is ok, but not for Social Security. (Oct 2006)
$2000 tax credit for Working Families Savings Accounts. (Jul 2004)
Voted NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security. (Mar 2007)
Barack Obama on Tax Reform
Restore progressive tax; close loopholes; relief to seniors. (Oct 2007)
Reduce Bush tax cuts to pay for health care & other programs. (Jun 2007)
Estate tax only affects the wealthiest 1/2 of 1%. (Oct 2006)
Bush tax cuts help corporations but not middle class. (Jun 2004)
Tax incentives to create jobs at home instead of offshore. (Jun 2004)
Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)
Barack Obama on Technology
Increase funding for math and science research & education. (Oct 2007)
Airlines got into trouble after deregulation. (Oct 2007)
JFK inspired with space program; now same with energy R&D. (Sep 2007)
Increase funding for basic research; expand broadband access. (Aug 2007)
$42B more in university-based R&D. (Oct 2006)
Invest on transportation and clean coal technology projects. (Oct 2004)
Voted NO on restoring $550M in funding for Amtrak for 2007. (Mar 2006)
Barack Obama on War & Peace
Iran: Bush does not let facts get in the way of ideology. (Dec 2007)
Iraq War
Surge strategy has made a difference in Iraq but failed. (Nov 2007)
Clinton has not been consistent on the Iraq War. (Oct 2007)
Leave troops for protection of Americans & counterterrorism. (Sep 2007)
Hopes to remove all troops from Iraq by 2013, but no pledge. (Sep 2007)
Surge has not succeeded because it ignores political issues. (Sep 2007)
Tell people the truth: quickest is 1-2 brigades per month. (Sep 2007)
No good options in Iraq--just bad options & worse options. (Aug 2007)
Be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in. (Jul 2007)
Troops not dying in vain; but we need plans for success. (Jul 2007)
We live in a more dangerous world because of Bush's actions. (Jun 2007)
Case for war was weak, but people voted their best judgment. (Jun 2007)
War in Iraq is "dumb" but troops still need equipment. (Apr 2007)
Increase ground forces in Iraq to decrease troop rotations. (Apr 2007)
Open-ended Iraq occupation must end: no military solution. (Apr 2007)
Begin withdrawal May 1 2007; finish by March 31 2008. (Apr 2007)
Open dialogue with both Syria and Iran. (Apr 2007)
Withdraw gradually and keep some troops in Iraq region. (Mar 2007)
Iraq 2002: ill-conceived venture; 2007: waste of resources. (Feb 2007)
Longtime critic of Iraq war. (Nov 2006)
Saddam did not own and was not providing WMD to terrorists. (Oct 2004)
Initial military was extraordinarily successful in Iraq. (Oct 2004)
Invading Iraq was a bad strategic blunder. (Oct 2004)
We must make sure that Iraq is stable having gone in there. (Oct 2004)
Advance the training speed and get the reconstruction moving. (Oct 2004)
Democratizing Iraq will be more difficult than Afghanistan. (Oct 2004)
Never fudge numbers or shade the truth about war. (Jul 2004)
Set a new tone to internationalize the Iraqi reconstruction. (Jul 2004)
Iraq war was sincere but misguided, ideologically driven. (Jul 2004)
Not opposed to all wars, but opposed to the war in Iraq. (Jul 2004)
International voice in Iraq in exchange for debt forgiveness. (Jul 2004)
Mideast/Asia/Afghanistan
Meet directly for diplomacy with the leadership in Iran. (Nov 2007)
Committed to Iran not having nuclear weapons. (Oct 2007)
Iran military resolution sends the region a wrong signal. (Oct 2007)
Deal with al Qaeda on Pakistan border, but not with nukes. (Aug 2007)
Get al Qaeda hiding in hills between Afghanistan & Pakistan. (Aug 2007)
Military action in Pakistan if we have actionable intel. (Aug 2007)
FactCheck: Yes, Obama said invade Pakistan to get al Qaeda. (Aug 2007)
Focus on battle in Afghanistan and root out al Qaeda. (Jun 2007)
Bush cracked down on some terrorists' financial networks. (Jun 2007)
Iraq has distracted us from Taliban in Afghanistan. (Apr 2007)
Iran with nuclear weapons is a profound security threat. (Apr 2007)
We are playing to Osama's plan for winning a war from a cave. (Oct 2006)
Terrorists are in Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iran. (Oct 2004)
Problems with current Israeli policy. (Jul 2004)
Engage North Korea in 6-party talks. (Jul 2004)
Use moral authority to work towards Middle East peace. (Jul 2004)
Voting Record
Voted to fund war until 2006; now wants no blank check. (Nov 2007)
Late to vote against war is not late to oppose war. (Jun 2007)
Spending on the Cold War relics should be for the veterans. (Jun 2007)
Would have voted no to authorize the President to go to war. (Jul 2004)
Voted YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on investigating contract awards in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Nov 2005)
Barack Obama on Welfare & Poverty
Stop Fraud Act: full disclosure in subprime lending. (Sep 2007)
Engages people of faith on all aspects of his public service. (Aug 2007)
Community organizer on Chicago's South Side. (Feb 2007)
Black churches minister to social needs out of necessity. (Oct 2006)
Welfare receipts know how to become successful but need help. (Jul 2004)
$100M increase in IL Earned Income Tax Credit. (Jun 2004)
Inner city problems are the painful truths. (Aug 1996)
Exorcise the ghostly figure that haunts black dreams. (Aug 1996)
VoteMatch Responses
VoteMatch Question & Answer
Strongly Favors topic 1:
Abortion is a woman's right
(+5 points on Social scale) Voted against banning partial birth abortion: Favors topic 1
Stem cells hold promise to cure 70 major diseases: Favors topic 1
Trust women to make own decisions on partial-birth abortion: Strongly Favors topic 1
Extend presumption of good faith to abortion protesters: Favors topic 1
Pass the Stem Cell Research Bill: Favors topic 1
Protect a woman's right to choose: Strongly Favors topic 1
Supports Roe v. Wade: Strongly Favors topic 1
Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance: Strongly Favors topic 1
YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives: Favors topic 1
NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions: Favors topic 1
YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines: Favors topic 1
Strongly Favors topic 2:
Require hiring more women & minorities
(-5 points on Economic scale) Better enforce women's pay equity via Equal Pay Act: Strongly Favors topic 2
Racial equality good for America as a whole: Favors topic 2
Supports affirmative action in colleges and government: Strongly Favors topic 2
America's race and class problems are intertwined: Favors topic 2
Rated 100% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance: Strongly Favors topic 2
Strongly Favors topic 3:
Same-sex domestic partnership benefits
(+5 points on Social scale) We need strong civil unions, not just weak civil unions: Favors topic 3
Opposes gay marriage; supports civil union & gay equality: Favors topic 3
Marriage not a human right; non-discrimination is: Favors topic 3
Include sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws: Favors topic 3
Rated 89% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance: Strongly Favors topic 3
NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage: Strongly Favors topic 3
Opposes topic 4:
Teacher-led prayer in public schools
(+2 points on Social scale) Listening to evangelicals bridges major political fault line: Favors topic 4
Religious concerns ok, if translated into universal values: Opposes topic 4
Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation: Strongly Opposes topic 4
NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration: Opposes topic 4
Favors topic 5:
More federal funding for health coverage
(-3 points on Economic scale) Increase competition in the insurance and drug markets: Opposes topic 5
National Health Insurance Exchange for private coverage: Opposes topic 5
National insurance pool & catastrophic insurance: Strongly Favors topic 5
The market alone can't solve our health-care woes: Favors topic 5
Crises happen in our lives and healthcare is necessary: Strongly Favors topic 5
Believes health care is a right, not a privilege for the few: Favors topic 5
Will expand health coverage & allow meds to be re-imported: Favors topic 5
Ensure access to basic care: Favors topic 5
YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics: Favors topic 5
YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug: Strongly Favors topic 5
YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D: Favors topic 5
YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D: Favors topic 5
Strongly Opposes topic 6:
Privatize Social Security
(-5 points on Economic scale) Privatization puts retirement at whim of stock market: Strongly Opposes topic 6
Stop any efforts to privatize Social Security: Strongly Opposes topic 6
No privatization; but consider earning cap over $97,500: Strongly Opposes topic 6
Stock market risk is ok, but not for Social Security: Strongly Opposes topic 6
$2000 tax credit for Working Families Savings Accounts: Opposes topic 6
NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security: Opposes topic 6
Opposes topic 7:
Parents choose schools via vouchers
(-3 points on Economic scale) Guarantee affordable life-long, top-notch education: Opposes topic 7
Supports charter schools and private investment in schools: Favors topic 7
YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies: Opposes topic 7
Opposes topic 8:
Death Penalty
(+2 points on Social scale) Some heinous crimes justify the ultimate punishment: Favors topic 8
Videotape all capital punishment interrogations: Opposes topic 8
Battles legislatively against the death penalty: Strongly Opposes topic 8
Opposes topic 9:
Mandatory Three Strikes sentencing laws
(+2 points on Social scale) Supports alternative sentencing and rehabilitation: Strongly Opposes topic 9
Rated 75% by the NCJA, indicating a mixed record on criminal justice: Neutral on topic 9
YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program: Opposes topic 9
Strongly Opposes topic 10:
Absolute right to gun ownership
(-5 points on Economic scale) Keep guns out of inner cities--but also problem of morality: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Ban semi-automatics, and more possession restrictions: Strongly Opposes topic 10
NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Strongly Favors topic 11:
Repeal tax cuts on wealthy
(-5 points on Economic scale) Bush tax cuts help corporations but not middle class: Strongly Favors topic 11
Tax cuts for the rich do not create jobs: Favors topic 11
Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends: Strongly Favors topic 11
YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut: Favors topic 11
NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax: Strongly Favors topic 11
Favors topic 12:
Illegal immigrants earn citizenship
(+2 points on Social scale) Support granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants: Favors topic 12
Reform must include more border security, and border wall: Opposes topic 12
Pathway to citizenship, but people have to earn it: Favors topic 12
Give immigrants who are here a rigorous path to citizenship: Favors topic 12
Extend welfare and Medicaid to immigrants: Favors topic 12
Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance: Strongly Favors topic 12
YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security: Strongly Favors topic 12
YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship: Strongly Favors topic 12
YES on establishing a Guest Worker program: Favors topic 12
YES on building a fence along the Mexican border: Strongly Opposes topic 12
NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government: Strongly Favors topic 12
YES on comprehensive immigration reform: Strongly Favors topic 12
Opposes topic 13:
Support & expand free trade
(-3 points on Economic scale) Stand firm against CAFTA for labor & environmental standards: Strongly Opposes topic 13
People don't want cheaper T-shirts if it costs their job: Opposes topic 13
Amend NAFTA to add labor agreements: Opposes topic 13
Fair trade should have tangible benefits for US: Strongly Opposes topic 13
Tax incentives to create jobs at home instead of offshore: Opposes topic 13
NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade: Strongly Opposes topic 13
YES on free trade agreement with Oman: Strongly Favors topic 13
Strongly Favors topic 14:
The Patriot Act harms civil liberties
(+5 points on Social scale) The politics of fear undermines basic civil liberties: Strongly Favors topic 14
America cannot sanction torture; no loopholes or exceptions: Strongly Favors topic 14
Close Guantanamo and restore the right of habeas corpus: Strongly Favors topic 14
NO on extending the PATRIOT Act's wiretap provision: Strongly Favors topic 14
YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act: Opposes topic 14
YES on preserving habeus corpus for Guantanamo detainees: Strongly Favors topic 14
YES on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods: Strongly Favors topic 14
NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad: Strongly Favors topic 14
Favors topic 15:
Expand the armed forces
(-3 points on Social scale) Grow size of military to maintain rotation schedules: Favors topic 15
Give our soldiers the best equipment and training available: Favors topic 15
YES on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months: Opposes topic 15
Strongly Favors topic 16:
Stricter limits on political campaign funds
(-5 points on Economic scale) Public campaign financing with free television & radio time: Strongly Favors topic 16
No "bundled" money from federal-registered lobbyists: Favors topic 16
People know his "bundlers" because he pushed disclosure law: Favors topic 16
First bill ever passed was campaign finance reform: Strongly Favors topic 16
Lobbyist influence comes from access, not money: Favors topic 16
YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity: Favors topic 16
NO on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress: Strongly Favors topic 16
Favors topic 17:
US out of Iraq
(+2 points on Social scale) US policy should promote democracy and human rights: Favors topic 17
War in Iraq is "dumb" but troops still need equipment: Strongly Favors topic 17
We are playing to Osama's plan for winning a war from a cave: Strongly Favors topic 17
NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007: Strongly Opposes topic 17
YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008: Strongly Favors topic 17
Strongly Favors topic 18:
Replace coal & oil with alternatives
(-5 points on Economic scale) 3-way win: economy, environment, & stop funding terror: Strongly Favors topic 18
Sponsored legislations that improve energy efficiency: Favors topic 18
20% renewable energy by 2020: Strongly Favors topic 18
Invest in alternative energy sources: Favors topic 18
Increase CAFE to 40 mpg: Strongly Favors topic 18
Renewable Fuels Standard: require ethanol in fuel supply: Strongly Favors topic 18
Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence: Favors topic 18
YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%): Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Favors topic 18
YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning: Favors topic 18
YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies: Strongly Favors topic 18
No opinion on topic 19:
Drug use is immoral: enforce laws against it
(0 points on Social scale) 2001: questions harsh penalties for drug dealing: Opposes topic 19
Smokes cigarettes now; smoked some pot in high school: Favors topic 19
Admitted marijuana use in high school & college: Favors topic 19
Deal with street-level drug dealing as minimum-wage affair: Opposes topic 19
Favors topic 20:
Allow churches to provide welfare services
(+2 points on Economic scale) Reach out to faith community;faith has role in public square: Favors topic 20
Engages people of faith on all aspects of his public service: Favors topic 20
Black churches minister to social needs out of necessity: Favors topic 20
All of this and more found here at ontheissues.org
