A Nonpartisan Focus on United States Politics

It's election day, do you need help in finding out where you are supposed to vote (polling place finder)

2008-11-04T11:33:00.001-06:00

Here is where you can find out where to vote (as long as you are registered).

257 people control the fate of this 2008 presidential election

2008-10-23T16:12:00.004-05:00

The true decision for whom will be President will be decided upon December 15, 2008, when the members of the electoral college cast their vote for the next President of the United states. There are 538 members of the Electoral college, and approximately 257 of those 538 people are not bound by law to vote in accordance with the popular vote, rather their decision is final. That equates to nearly 48% of the vote for President in the hands of 257 people. At least 270 votes are required to win the Presidential election.

Find out below if your electoral college members representing your state are bound by law to vote with the public: (If this makes you mad at all, what are you going to do about it?)

List of Electors Bound by State Law and Pledges, (as of November 2000)
Source: Congressional Research Service

The Office of the Federal Register presents this material for informational purposes only, in response to numerous public inquiries. The list has no legal significance. It is based on information compiled by the Congressional Research Service. For more comprehensive information, refer to the statutory provisions provided.

No Legal Requirement
Electors in these States are not bound by State Law to cast their vote for a specific candidate:

ARIZONA - 10 Electoral Votes
ARKANSAS - 6 Electoral Votes
DELAWARE - 3 Electoral Votes
GEORGIA - 15 Electoral Votes
IDAHO - 4 Electoral Votes
ILLINOIS - 21 Electoral Votes
INDIANA - 11 Electoral Votes
IOWA - 7 Electoral Votes
KANSAS - 6 Electoral Votes
KENTUCKY - 8 Electoral Votes
LOUISIANA - 9 Electoral Votes
MINNESOTA - 10 Electoral Votes
MISSOURI - 11 Electoral Votes
NEW HAMPSHIRE - 4 Electoral Votes
NEW JERSEY - 15 Electoral Votes
NEW YORK - 31 Electoral Votes
NORTH DAKOTA - 3 Electoral Votes
PENNSYLVANIA - 21 Electoral Votes
RHODE ISLAND - 4 Electoral Votes
SOUTH DAKOTA - 3 Electoral Votes
TENNESSEE - 11 Electoral Votes
TEXAS - 34 Electoral Votes
UTAH - 5 Electoral Votes
WEST VIRGINIA - 5 Electoral Votes

Legal Requirements or Pledges
Electors in these States are bound by State Law or by pledges to cast their vote for a specific candidate:

ALABAMA - 9 Electoral Votes
Party Pledge / State Law - § 17-19-2
ALASKA - 3 Electoral Votes
Party Pledge / State Law - § 15.30.040; 15.30.070
CALIFORNIA - 55 Electoral Votes
State Law - § 6906
COLORADO - 9 Electoral Votes
State Law - § 1-4-304
CONNECTICUT - 7 Electoral Votes
State Law § 9-175
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - 3 Electoral Votes
DC Pledge / DC Law - § 1-1312(g)
FLORIDA - 27 Electoral Votes
Party Pledge / State Law - § 103.021(1)
HAWAII - 4 Electoral Votes
State Law - §§ 14-26 to 14-28
MAINE - 4 Electoral Votes
State Law - § 805
MARYLAND - 10 Electoral Votes
State Law - § 20-4
MASSACHUSETTS - 12 Electoral Votes
Party Pledge / State Law - Ch. 53, § 8, Supp.
MICHIGAN - 17 Electoral Votes
State Law - §168.47 (Violation cancels vote and elector is replaced).
MISSISSIPPI - 6 Electoral Votes
Party Pledge / State Law - §23-15-785(3)
MONTANA - 3 Electoral Votes
State Law - §13-25-104
NEBRASKA - 5 Electoral Votes
State Law - § 32-714
NEVADA - 5 Electoral Votes
State Law - § 298.050
NEW MEXICO - 5 Electoral Votes
State Law - § 1-15-5 to 1-15-9 (Violation is a fourth degree felony.)
NORTH CAROLINA - 15 Electoral Votes
State Law - § 163-212 (Violation cancels vote; elector is replaced and is subject to $500 fine.)
OHIO - 20 Electoral Votes
State Law - § 3505.40
OKLAHOMA - 7 Electoral Votes
State Pledge / State Law - 26, §§ 10-102; 10-109 (Violation of oath is a misdemeanor, carrying a fine of up to $1000.)
OREGON - 7 Electoral Votes
State Pledge / State Law - § 248.355
SOUTH CAROLINA - 8 Electoral Votes
State Pledge / State Law - § 7-19-80 (Replacement and criminal sanctions for violation.)
VERMONT - 3 Electoral Votes
State Law - title 17, § 2732
* VIRGINIA - 13 Electoral Votes
State Law - § 24.1-162 (Virginia statute may be advisory - "Shall be expected" to vote for nominees.)
WASHINGTON - 11 Electoral Votes
Party Pledge / State Law - §§ 29.71.020, 29.71.040, Supp. ($1000 fine.)
WISCONSIN - 10 Electoral Votes
State Law - § 7.75
WYOMING - 3 Electoral Votes
State Law - §§ 22-19-106; 22-19-108

The above information was found here.

United States presidential election debates, 2008

2008-10-16T01:05:00.003-05:00

The bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) is sponsoring four debates for the 2008 U.S. presidential general election, taking place at various locations around the United States in September and October 2008. Three of the debates involve the presidential nominees, and one involved the vice-presidential nominees.

Republican Party nominee John McCain and Democratic Party nominee Barack Obama have not agreed to additional debates; however, both were interviewed back to back at a forum in August and at the Service Nation Presidential Forum in September. Their respective running mates, Sarah Palin and Joe Biden, have not mentioned any other debates.

Contents

* 1 Joint appearances
* 2 Scheduled debates
o 2.1 Format
o 2.2 Participants
* 3 September 26: First presidential debate (University of Mississippi)
o 3.1 Reception
o 3.2 Proposed postponement
* 4 October 2: Vice presidential debate (Washington University in St. Louis)
* 5 October 7: Second presidential debate (Belmont University – Nashville townhall)
o 5.1 Reception
* 6 October 15: Third presidential debate (Hofstra University – Hempstead, New York)
* 7 Proposed debates that did not materialize
* 8 See also
* 9 References
* 10 External links

Joint appearances

Main articles: Civil Forum on The Presidency and Service Nation#Candidates presidential forum

On Saturday, August 16, 2008, both McCain and Obama appeared at Pastor Rick Warren's Saddleback Church. Similar to the Compassion Forum held in the Democratic debates, each candidate appeared separately, answering similar questions from Warren for one hour. Obama appeared first, followed by McCain.[1][2]

On September 11, 2008, McCain and Obama were separately interviewed at the Service Nation presidential forum at Columbia University.[3]

Scheduled debates

Although the nominees of the Republican and Democratic parties and any permitted third-party candidates must agree to the final schedule and formats, the following is the schedule announced by the CPD on November 19, 2007.[4]

Three presidential debates:

* Friday, September 26, 2008, 9 p.m. EDT at the University of Mississippi's Gertrude C. Ford Center in Oxford, Mississippi,[5] moderated by Jim Lehrer, executive editor and anchor of The NewsHour on PBS. This debate was originally planned to focus on foreign policy and national security. Due to the 2008 financial crisis, a portion of the debate focused on economic issues.[6][dead link]
* Tuesday, October 7, 2008, 9 p.m. EDT at Belmont University's Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tennessee,[7] moderated by Tom Brokaw, special correspondent and former evening news anchor for NBC News. This debate had a town-hall meeting format.
* Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 9 p.m. EDT at Hofstra University's Hofstra Arena in Hempstead, New York,[8] moderated by Bob Schieffer, CBS News chief Washington correspondent and host of Face the Nation. This debate focused on domestic and economic policy.[6]

One vice-presidential debate:

* Thursday, October 2, 2008, 9 p.m. EDT at Washington University in St. Louis' Field House in the university's Athletic Complex in St. Louis, Missouri,[9] moderated by Gwen Ifill, senior correspondent on The NewsHour and moderator and managing editor of Washington Week on PBS.[10] The vice presidential debate covered both foreign and domestic topics.

Format

The first and third of the 90-minute CPD presidential debates will be divided into nine 9-minute issue segments, allowing the candidates to discuss selected topics, answer follow-ups from a moderator and directly address each other. The second CPD presidential debate will feature a town hall format in which voters, either present at the debate or via the Internet, may pose questions on any topic. The single vice presidential debate format followed that of the first and third presidential debates, but included questions on all topics, with shorter response and discussion periods compared to the presidential forums.[11][12]

Participants

The Republican and Democratic nominees, as well as any third-party and independent candidates who average 15 percent support in polls, will be invited to take part in the debates sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates.

Senator Barack Obama
Illinois

Senator John McCain
Arizona

On August 2, 2008, Obama accepted the CPD proposal. In his letter, he stated that due to the short period between the conventions and the campaign, that it was "likely that the four Commission debates will be the sole series of debates" between the two. McCain criticized Obama for rejecting his town hall proposal.[13] On August 21, 2008, McCain and Obama announced they had agreed to the general CPD framework for the three scheduled presidential debates and the one vice presidential debate.[14]

A Zogby International poll released on August 15, 2008 indicated that more than 50% of Democratic and Republican voters would like to see Bob Barr included in the presidential debates. Almost 70% of independent voters would also like to see him included. 46% of all voters polled and 59% of independents would also like to see Ralph Nader included. However, this Zogby Interactive poll was conducted online and therefore not a representative sample of registered voters. Other Zogby Interactive polls overstate the Libertarian candidate's support and are generally extremely inaccurate when compared to telephone based polls that are a more representative sample of the electorate. [15]

September 26: First presidential debate (University of Mississippi)

Moderated by Jim Lehrer, PBS
Participants:
Senator Barack Obama
Senator John McCain
Location: University of Mississippi
Oxford, Mississippi
Date: September 26, 2008
Wikinews has related news:
McCain and Obama face off in U.S. presidential candidate debate

Although the debate was planned to focus on foreign policy and national security, Lehrer did devote the first half of the debate to the ongoing financial crisis.[16] McCain repeatedly referred to his experience, drawing on stories from the past. Often, he joked of his age and at one point seemed to mock his opponent. Obama tied McCain to what he characterized as Bush Administration mistakes and repeatedly laid out detailed plans. Neither McCain nor Obama broke from talking points, and neither candidate made any major gaffe.[17]

Reception

A CBS poll conducted after the debate on independent voters found that 38% felt it was a draw, 40% felt Obama had won, and 22% thought that McCain had won. Voters and analysts agreed that Obama had won on the economy, but that McCain had done better on foreign policy issues, which were the focus of the debate. However, Obama had a more substantial lead on the economy than McCain did on foreign policy.[18] Initial CNN polling reported Obama won the debate overall by a margin of 51–38.[19] A CBS poll of uncommitted voters shows Obama winning 39–24, with 37% of voters undecided.[20] An estimated 52.4 million people watched the debate.[21]

Several pollsters noted in the subsequent week that the public's perception of the debate might have been influenced by John McCain not looking at his opponent during the debate, something many considered disrespectful.[22]

Proposed postponement

On September 24, 2008, McCain announced his intention to suspend his campaign the next day and declared that he wanted to delay the first debate "until we have taken action" on the Paulson financial rescue plan.[23] The reason given for the proposed postponement was so that McCain and Obama could return to Washington, D.C. in order to work on a legislative response to the unfolding economic turmoil. Obama rejected that idea, stating that "this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who, in approximately 40 days, will be responsible for dealing with this mess."[24] A McCain adviser suggested replacing the Vice Presidential debate with the first Presidential debates and postponing the VP debates to an unspecified later date.[25] Chancellor of the University of Mississippi, Robert Khayat, proposed that Obama hold a townhall meeting with the audience if McCain failed to appear.[26] On the morning of September 26, McCain agreed to participate in the debate, claiming that there had been enough progress in the financial bailout plan.[27] Three days later, however, the House of Representatives defeated the bailout proposal.[28]

October 2: Vice presidential debate (Washington University in St. Louis)

Main article: United States vice-presidential debate, 2008

On October 2, 2008, U.S. vice presidential candidates Joe Biden and Sarah Palin held a debate at Washington University in St. Louis. It was moderated by PBS's Gwen Ifill.[29][30]

October 7: Second presidential debate (Belmont University – Nashville townhall)

Moderated by Tom Brokaw, NBC News
Participants: Barack Obama, John McCain
Democratic and Republican
Presidential Nominees
Location: Belmont University
Nashville, Tennessee
Date: October 7, 2008

Moderator Tom Brokaw of NBC opened the debate by stating that since the first debate a lot had changed in the world and for the worse. While Brokaw did not ask the initial questions, he did ask follow-up ones. When the candidates were asked who they would consider as the next Secretary of the Treasury, John McCain said that he might concur with Obama's suggestion of Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett and then went on also to suggest former eBay president Meg Whitman. Barack Obama reiterated the mention of Buffett and said there are also many other qualified Americans. Both candidates said that it is important to choose as Treasury Secretary someone who earns the trust of the American people. The first 5 questions all were related to the economy.

The first Internet question came from a 78-year-old, as Brokaw pointed out, "child of the Depression" about sacrifices that Americans might have to make in the future. McCain responded that spending – besides defense, veterans' affairs, and certain other vital programs that he specified during the first debate – would have to be frozen.

McCain was critical of Obama's support for a $3 million earmark which would have bought a new planetarium projector for Chicago's Adler Planetarium, the oldest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. The current Zeiss Mark VI projector is 40 years old and no longer supported by its manufacturer, Carl Zeiss AG. The earmark was not approved.[31]

Reception

CNN's poll conducted after the debate found that 54% of those surveyed thought that Obama had won and 30% felt McCain had won.[32] In CBS' poll of uncommitted voters, 40% felt Obama had won, 26% thought McCain had won, and 34% said it was a tie.[33]

Several media outlets, especially those on the Internet, reported controversy over McCain referring to Obama as "that one" while discussing energy policy. Many critics of McCain, including the Obama campaign, compared it to the first debate, when McCain did not look at Obama.[34][35] This incident was recreated on Saturday Night Live.[36]

October 15: Third presidential debate (Hofstra University – Hempstead, New York)

Moderated by Bob Schieffer, CBS News
Participants: Barack Obama, John McCain
Democratic and Republican
Presidential Nominees
Location: Hofstra University
Hempstead Village,
Long Island, New York
Date: October 15, 2008

The third presidential debate occured on Wednesday, October 15th at 9:00 PM EST in the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex on Hofstra University campus.[37] The focus was on domestic policy and the economy.[38]

During the debate repeated references were made to Joe Wurzelbacher, aka "Joe the Plumber"[39] Wurzelbacher had earlier confronted Obama at a rally in Toledo, Ohio where Wurzelbacher complained that Obama's tax policy would make it difficult for him to maintain his prosperity if he bought the business that he had been employed at as a plumber.[39] McCain brought up "Joe the Plumber" and Obama and McCain then made statements aimed directly at Wurzelbacher. These events led to subsequent media attention directed at Wurzelbacher.[40][41]

Proposed debates that did not materialize

In November, 2007, the CPD rejected New Orleans as a debate site on grounds that the city had not recovered sufficiently from Hurricane Katrina to handle such an event.[42] The decision was criticized, and various candidates and newspapers urged the commission to hold a debate in New Orleans.[43]

On April 29, 2008, Google and YouTube announced that they would sponsor a U.S. Presidential Forum, to be held on September 18 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. It was intended to be hosted by The New Orleans Consortium, which consists of Women of the Storm and the Greater New Orleans Foundation as well as Dillard University, Loyola University New Orleans, Tulane University, and Xavier University.[44] Unlike debates organized by the CPD, the 15% polling threshold was substituted with a threshold for participation at "no less than 10 percent of the voting age population intending to vote, as measured by at least three nationally-recognized public opinion surveys."[45] This non-CPD sanctioned event was cancelled because no candidates or parties agreed to appear.[46]

In June 2008, John McCain proposed 10 town-hall style debates, considered his best format.[47] Obama proposed five total debates between June and Election Day: three traditional debates plus a joint town hall on the economy in July and an "in-depth debate" on foreign policy in August.[48]

the above information was found here

Obama back on top

2008-09-18T12:05:00.001-05:00

"(CBS) In a sign that John McCain's convention bounce has dissipated, Barack Obama has taken a 48 percent to 43 percent lead over his Republican rival among registered voters in the latest CBS News/New York Times poll.

McCain had a two percentage point lead among registered voters in a CBS News poll released on September 8th, just after the Republican National Convention. Prior to the party conventions, Obama led McCain by 3 points." More here.

New video of McCain's release debunks old rumors about how his face became disfigured in vietnam

2008-09-11T13:57:00.005-05:00

There have been many rumors on McCain's left cheek (or the right side of his face when looking at him). But recent pictures may confirm a second story, McCain's disfiguration is a result of melanoma, or from swelling due to an absence of soft tissue on his face.

Here are some that have been floating around:

"He was disfigured in Vietnam. His plane crashed and caught on fire on the flight deck." Found that HERE. This rumor probably came from the injuries he received in vietnam in the 1967 USS Forrestal Fire. This seems patently false after seeing the picture of his release from Vietnam as shown today.

"According to Dr. Michael Hinni, senator McCain has a swelling of his left jaw due to "absence of soft tissue on the face in front of his ear (left)." Whether the swelling is related to past medical history of melanoma is unclear.
John McCain was diagnosed with melanoma (malignant skin cancer) on his cheek 5 years ago which he says has left his cheek puffy looking." I found this HERE. This now seems like the most likely.

Here is what his face looks like now:

Lost McCain footage of release from vietnam found

2008-09-11T13:39:00.003-05:00

Find the video here
HERE

Sarah Palin interviews to be aired in prime time special on ABC Friday Night

2008-09-11T13:34:00.002-05:00

"Gibson is having three separate interviews with Palin, ABC said. Parts of the interviews will be spread around other ABC news programs, including "Nightline" and "Good Morning America."

The prime-time special, at 10 p.m. EDT, will also include a bio of Palin by ABC's Kate Snow and a round-table discussion on the presidential race moderated by George Stephanopoulos."

More about the above article found HERE.

McCain pulling away in the race for Independent votes

2008-09-09T09:17:00.005-05:00

After the Republican convention, McCain is experiencing a post convention bounce of +6%. Check out more information about this HERE

Updated presidential projections, not predictions

2008-09-08T00:10:00.003-05:00

I found this cool site that tracks electoral projections, check them out for some cool stuff like the projections to the left.

Slip sliding away; Barck Obama slip up or freudian slip on his muslim Faith?

2008-09-07T23:41:00.003-05:00

The 2008 Vice Presidential Candidates have been selected

2008-09-05T14:34:00.004-05:00

For information on the Republican or GOP Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin (not spelled Sara Palan) please click HERE.

For information on the Democratic or (democrat, liberal) Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden please click HERE.

Please vote in my Mock Presidential general election

2008-09-05T11:44:00.005-05:00

Over in the left sidebar at the top, you will see I added a mock election on September the 4th, 2008 (after McCain accepted the Republican nomination). With 60 days to go, I'm hoping to get a decent sample of how the US will vote (granted people from other countries can vote too). Taking the early lead is Barack Obama, we'll see if that holds true in the short run.

Vice Presidential Candidate Gov. Sarah Palin (not Palan) (AK) at the RNC

2008-09-04T13:04:00.004-05:00

Palin's newfound celebrity status brings out profiteers

2008-09-04T10:16:00.005-05:00

Over in Anchorage's biggest summer bash, pro-palin gear is flying off the racks.

"Local and Internet-based businesses are cranking out Sarah Palin products -- from "Palin Power" maternity T-shirts to "Wonder Palin" thong underwear. "

One Anchorage entrepreneur, Jim Dooley, printed about 700 John McCain/Palin shirts this weekend, delivering the first batch to the Alaska State Fair by 4 p.m. Friday.

They sold out every day.

Dooley declined to say how much money he made on the pro-Palin shirts during Alaska's biggest summer bash.

But it was enough to "pay for my turkey legs and pork-chop on a stick," he said.

Alaska Serigraphics, an Anchorage company, said it will produce pro-Palin T-shirts that will be offered for sale at downtown gift shops, possibly as soon as Friday.

"Our mama beats your Obama," reads one of the company's T-shirt designs.

The company is also producing pro-Obama T-shirts, noted John Williams, the production manager.

The buzz over Palin's selection as McCain's running mate on Friday has other local businesses and Palin advocates seeing potential dollar signs.

Trish Houser, the creator of Palintology, an Anchorage-based pro-Palin Web site, has run the site as a personal hobby for two years. She's considering putting ads on it to generate income for the first time.

"Oh my gosh, are you kidding me?," she said Tuesday.

Check out more of the above article from ELIZABETH BLUEMINK
here.

Palintology at its finest: The Sarah Palin Church Video

2008-09-03T15:29:00.001-05:00

McCain selects Sarah Palin for VP

2008-08-29T10:11:00.004-05:00

Well, the Alaskan governor can probably be seen smiling from ear to ear, as McCain attempts to add to his ability to get the female vote. There is no question that this selection was timed to combat Obama's speech induction speech last night. Below is an outline of Palan's background

Sarah Louise Heath Palin (born February 11, 1964) is the current Governor of Alaska, and the Republican vice presidential candidate for the November 2008 election.[1] She is expected to be the second female Vice Presidential candidate representing a major American political party (the first was Geraldine Ferraro). After being selected as the runner up in the 1984 Miss Alaska contest, Palin served two terms on the Wasilla, Alaska City Council from 1992 to 1996, was elected mayor of Wasilla in 1996, and ran unsuccessfully for Lieutenant Governor in 2002.

Brought to statewide attention because of her whistleblowing on ethical violations by state Republican Party leaders,[2] she won election in 2006 by first defeating the incumbent governor in the Republican primary, then a former Democratic Alaskan governor in the general election.

Family and personal background
Palin was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, the daughter of Charles and Sally (Sheeran) Heath.[3] Her family moved to Alaska when she was an infant.[4] Charles Heath was a popular science teacher and coached track.[4] The Heaths were avid outdoors enthusiasts; Sarah and her father would sometimes wake at 3 a.m. to hunt moose before school, and the family would regularly run 5k and 10k races.[4]

Palin was the point guard and captain for the Wasilla High School Warriors, in Wasilla, Alaska, when they won the Alaska small-school basketball championship in 1982; she earned the nickname "Sarah Barracuda" because of her intense play.[4] She played the championship game despite a stress fracture in her ankle, hitting a critical free throw in the last seconds.[4] Palin, who was also the head of the school Fellowship of Christian Athletes, would lead the team in prayer before games.[4]

In 1984, after winning the Miss Wasilla contest earlier that year, Palin finished second in the Miss Alaska beauty pageant which won her a scholarship to help pay her way through college.[4] In the Wasilla pageant, she played the flute and also won Miss Congeniality.

Palin holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Idaho where she also minored in politics.

Her husband, Todd, is a Native Yup'ik Eskimo.[4] Outside the fishing season, Todd works for BP at an oil field on the North Slope[5] and is a champion snowmobiler, winning the 2000-mile "Iron Dog" race four times.[4] The two eloped shortly after Palin graduated college; when they learned they needed witnesses for the civil ceremony, they recruited two residents from the old-age home down the street.[4] The Palin family lives in Wasilla, about 40 miles (64 km) north of Anchorage.[6]

She briefly worked as a sports reporter for local Anchorage television stations while also working as a commercial fisherman with her husband, Todd, her high school sweetheart.[4] One summer when she was working on Todd's fishing boat, the boat collided with a tender while she was holding onto the railing; Palin broke several fingers.[4]

On September 11, 2007, the Palins' son Track joined the Army. Eighteen years old at the time, he is the eldest of Palin's five children.[6] Track now serves in an infantry brigade and will be deployed to Iraq in September. She also has three daughters: Bristol, 17, Willow, 13, and Piper, 7.[7] On April 18, 2008, Palin gave birth to her second son, Trig Paxson Van Palin, who has Down syndrome.[8] She returned to the office three days after giving birth.[9] Palin refused to let the results of prenatal genetic testing change her decision to have the baby. "I'm looking at him right now, and I see perfection," Palin said. "Yeah, he has an extra chromosome. I keep thinking, in our world, what is normal and what is perfect?"[9]

Details of Palin's personal life have contributed to her political image. She hunts, eats moose hamburger, ice fishes, rides snowmobiles, and owns a float plane.[10][11] Palin holds a lifetime membership with the National Rifle Association. She admits that she used marijuana when it was legal in Alaska, but says that she did not like it.[12]

Pre-gubernatorial political experience
Palin served two terms on the Wasilla City Council from 1992 to 1996. In 1996, she challenged the incumbent mayor, criticizing wasteful spending and high taxes.[4] The ex-mayor and sheriff tried to organize a recall campaign, but failed.[4] Palin kept her campaign promises, reducing her own salary, as well as reducing property taxes 60%.[4] She ran for reelection against the former mayor in 1999, winning by an even larger margin.[4][13] Palin was also elected president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors.[7]

In 2002, Palin made an unsuccessful bid for Lieutenant Governor, coming in second to Loren Leman in a four-way race. After Frank Murkowski resigned from his long-held U.S. Senate seat in mid-term to become governor, Palin interviewed to be his possible successor. Instead, Murkowski appointed his daughter, then-Alaska State Representative Lisa Murkowski.[4]

Governor Murkowski appointed Palin Ethics Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission,[14] where she served from 2003 to 2004 until resigning in protest over what she called the "lack of ethics" of fellow Alaskan Republican leaders, who ignored her whistleblowing complaints of legal violations and conflicts of interest.[4] After she resigned, she exposed the state Republican party's chairman, Randy Ruedrich, one of her fellow Oil & Gas commissioners, who was accused of doing work for the party on public time, and supplying a lobbyist with a sensitive e-mail.[15] Palin filed formal complaints against both Ruedrich and former Alaska Attorney General Gregg Renkes, who both resigned; Ruedrich paid a record $12,000 fine.[4]

Governorship

Governor Palin visits a wounded soldier in Landstuhl, Germany, July 2007In 2006, Palin, running on a clean-government campaign, executed an upset victory over then-Gov. Murkowski in the Republican gubernatorial primary.[4] Despite the lack of support from party leaders and being outspent by her Democratic opponent, she went on to win the general election in November 2006, defeating former Governor Tony Knowles.[4] Palin said in 2006 that education, public safety, and transportation would be three cornerstones of her administration.[12]

When elected, Palin became the first woman to be Alaska's governor, and the youngest governor in Alaskan history at 42 years old upon taking office. Palin was also the first Alaskan governor born after Alaska achieved U.S. statehood. She was also the first Alaskan governor not to be inaugurated in Juneau, instead choosing to hold her inauguration ceremony in Fairbanks. She took office on December 4, 2006.

Highlights of Governor Palin's tenure include a successful push for an ethics bill, and also shelving pork-barrel projects supported by fellow Republicans. Palin successfully killed the Bridge to Nowhere project that had become a nationwide symbol of wasteful earmark spending.[9][16] "Alaska needs to be self-sufficient, she says, instead of relying heavily on 'federal dollars,' as the state does today."[10]

She has challenged the state's Republican leaders, helping to launch a campaign by Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell to unseat U.S. Congressman Don Young[17] and publicly challenging Senator Ted Stevens to come clean about the federal investigation into his financial dealings.[9] Fred Barnes of The Weekly Standard praised Palin as a "politician of eye-popping integrity" and referred to her rise as "a great (and rare) story of how adherence to principle—especially to transparency and accountability in government—can produce political success."[10]

In 2007, Palin had an approval rating often in the 90s.[10] A poll published by Hays Research on July 28, 2008 showed Palin's approval rating at 80%.[18]

Energy policies
Palin's tenure is noted for her independence from big oil companies, while still promoting resource development.[10][9] Palin has announced plans to create a new sub-cabinet group of advisors, to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions within Alaska.[19]

Shortly after taking office, Palin rescinded an appointment by Murkowski of his former chief of staff Jim Clark to the Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority, one of thirty-five appointments made by Murkowski in the last hour of his administration that she reversed.[20][21] Clark later pled guilty to conspiring with a defunct oil-field-services company to channel money into Frank Murkowski's re-election campaign.[22]

In March 2007, Palin presented the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA) as the new legal vehicle for building a natural gas pipeline from the state's North Slope.[23] Only one legislator, Representative Ralph Samuels, voted against the measure,[24] and in June Palin signed it into law.[25][26] On January 5, 2008, Palin announced that a Canadian company, Transcanada, was the sole AGIA-compliant applicant.[27][28]

In response to high oil and gas prices, and in response to the resulting state government budget surplus, Palin proposed giving Alaskans $100-a-month energy debit cards. She also proposed providing grants to electrical utilities so that they would reduce customers' rates.[29] She subsequently dropped the debit card proposal, and in its place she proposed to send Alaskans $1,200 directly and eliminate the gas tax.[30][31]

Social issues
Palin is strongly pro-life and belongs to Feminists for Life.[12]

She opposes same-sex marriage, but she has stated that she has gay friends and is receptive to gay and lesbian concerns about discrimination.[12] While the previous administration did not implement same-sex benefits, Palin complied with a state Supreme Court order and signed them into law.[32] She supported a democratic advisory vote from the public on whether there should be a constitutional amendment on the matter.[33] Alaska was one of the first U.S. states to pass a constitutional ban on gay marriage, in 1998, along with Hawaii.[34]

Palin's first veto was used to block legislation that would have barred the state from granting benefits to the partners of gay state employees. In effect, her veto granted State of Alaska benefits to same-sex couples. The veto occurred after Palin consulted with Alaska's attorney general on the constitutionality of the legislation.[35]

Matanuska Maid Dairy closure
When the Alaska Creamery Board recommended closing Matanuska Maid Dairy, an unprofitable state-owned business, Palin objected, citing concern for the impact on dairy farmers and the fact that the Dairy had just received $600,000 in state money. When Palin learned that only the Board of Agriculture and Conservation could appoint Creamery Board members, she simply replaced the entire membership of the Board of Agriculture and Conservation.[10][36] The new board, led by businesswoman Kristan Cole, reversed the decision to close.[36] The new board approved milk price increases offered by the dairy in an attempt to control fiscal losses, even though milk from Washington was already offered in Alaskan stores at lower prices.[37] In the end, the dairy was forced to close, and the state tried to sell the assets to pay off its debts but received no bids.[38][39]

Budget
In the first days of her administration, Palin followed through on a campaign promise to sell the Westwind II jet purchased (on a state government credit account) by the Murkowski administration. The state placed the jet for sale on eBay three times. In August 2007, the jet was sold for $2.7 million.[40]

Shortly after becoming governor, Palin canceled an 11-mile (18-kilometer) gravel road outside of Juneau to a mine. This reversed a decision made in the closing days or hours of the Murkowski Administration.[41]

In June 2007, Palin signed into law the largest operating budget in Alaska's history ($6.6 billion).[42] At the same time, she used her veto power to make the second-largest cuts of the construction budget in state history. The US$237 million in cuts represented over 300 local projects, and reduced the construction budget to nearly US$1.6 billion.[43]

Commissioner dismissal
On July 11, 2008, Governor Palin dismissed Walter Monegan as Commissioner of Public Safety and instead offered him a position as executive director of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, which he subsequently turned down.[44][45] Monegan alleged shortly after his dismissal that it may have been partly due to his reluctance to fire an Alaska State Trooper, Mike Wooten, who had been involved in a divorce and child custody battle with Palin's sister, Molly McCann.[46] In 2006, before Palin was governor, Wooten was briefly suspended for ten days for threatening to kill McCann's (and Palin's) father, tasering his 11-year-old stepson, and violating game laws. After a union protest, the suspension was reduced to five days.[47]

Governor Palin asserts that her dismissal of Monegan was unrelated to the fact that he had not fired Wooten, and asserts that Monegan was instead dismissed for not adequately filling state trooper vacancies, and because he "did not turn out to be a team player on budgeting issues."[48] Palin acknowledges that a member of her administration, Frank Bailey, did contact the Department of Public Safety regarding Wooten, but both Palin and Bailey say that happened without her knowledge and was unrelated to her dismissal of Monegan.[48] Bailey was put on leave for two months for acting outside the scope of his authority as the Director of Boards and Commissions.

In response to Palin's statement that she had nothing to hide, in August 2008 the Alaska Legislature hired Steve Branchflower to investigate Palin and her staff for possible abuse of power surrounding the dismissal, though lawmakers acknowledge that "Monegan and other commissioners serve at will, meaning they can be fired by Palin at any time."[49] The investigation is being overseen by Democratic State Senator Hollis French, who says that the Palin administration has been cooperating and thus subpoenas are unnecessary.[50] The Palin administration itself was the first to release an audiotape of Bailey making inquiries about the status of the Wooten investigation.[48][51]

Wooten and the police union alleged that the governor had improperly released his employment files in his divorce case. However, McCann's attorney released a signed waiver from Wooten demonstrating that Wooten had authorized the release of his files through normal discovery procedures.[52][53]

The above information was found at wiki

Joe Biden picked as Obama's VP

2008-08-25T14:18:00.002-05:00

Here are the Democratic Vice President's stance on the issues.

Domestic issues

Crime
Joe Biden has been given a 71% approval rating from Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education (CURE) indicating a pro-rehab record on crime. He voted in support of funding for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. He voted for the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which greatly increased the number of federal capital crimes, but also voted against limiting death penalty appeals. He voted for heavier punishments for hate crimes and supports a Federal Bureau of Investigation registry for sex offenders. The Violence Against Women Act was drafted by Senator Joseph Biden, which enhanced the investigation and prosecution of violent crime perpetrated against women, increased pre-trial detention of the accused, provided for automatic and mandatory restitution of those convicted, and allowed civil redress in cases prosecutors chose to leave unprosecuted.

Education
Biden received a 91% voting record from the National Education Association (NEA) showing a pro-teacher union voting record. He supports abstinence education, is against student vouchers and affirms the Constitutional right to voluntary prayer in school.[1] He voted in favor of Educational Savings Accounts. In regard to the No Child Left Behind Act Biden stated,

Classrooms are too big; we need smaller classrooms, period. A lot of teachers are going to be retiring. We need a program where we attract the best and brightest students coming out of our colleges to be teachers, and pay them.[2]

He voted in favor of the Act in 2001, but has subsequently called that vote "a mistake."[3] He feels that the program is underfunding the education system.

He also supported the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which abolished education grants for prisoners.[4]

Energy
Biden opposes drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and supports governmental funding to find new energy sources.[5]

Biden believes action must be taken on global warming. He supports the creation of a new treaty on climate change that would require emissions reductions from developing countries such as Brazil, India, China, and Mexico. He has also stated his support for investment in technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the creation of a "cap and trade" system. Biden supports the promotion of renewable energy, including biodiesel fuels but not ethanol.

While campaigning for president in 2007, Biden said that, if elected, his top priority would be "energy security." He has also been quoted as saying "If I could wave a wand, and the Lord said I could solve one problem, I would solve the energy crisis."[6]

Environment
He co-sponsored the "Sense of the Senate" resolution calling on the United States to be a part of the United Nations climate negotiations and the "Boxer-Sanders Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act", the most stringent climate bill in the United States Senate.[7] He voted "Yes" on a $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas and "No" for drilling in ANWR on national security grounds and defunding renewable and solar energy.[8]

Gun issues
Biden was given an "F" by the National Rifle Association (NRA) showing an anti-gun ownership voting record.[9] He supports reinstating the Federal Assault Weapons Ban and voted against prohibition of lawsuits against gun manufacturers. He has voted to ban assault rifles and to end the "gun show loophole", stating that no one should be able to walk into a gun show and buy a gun more easily than they could at a normal store.

Immigration
Biden supported the 2007 Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill. He supports guest-worker visas, and the building of a wall along the border as a deterrent to drug trafficking. He voted to provide Social Security to illegal immigrants and supports a path to citizenship.

Homeland Security
After the April 19, 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, a domestic terrorist bomb attack that destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, Biden drafted anti-terrorist legislation, which was ultimately defeated. He later claimed publicly on several occasions that the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 — which eased restrictions on the Executive branch in the surveillance and detention of those suspected of terrorism or facilitating it — was essentially a duplicate of the anti-terrorist legislation he had drafted years earlier.[10] Biden, naturally, supported the PATRIOT Act but voted to limit wiretapping on the bill. He supports implementing the 9/11 Commission's recommendations to fight terrorists but voted to preserve habeas corpus rights to the alleged terror suspects serving in Guantanamo Bay. In the 1990s he voted in favor of 36 vetoed military projects and supports efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation. He was given a 60% approval rating from the American Civil Liberties Union reflecting a mixed voting record on civil rights issues. During a debate on November 15, 2007 Biden clarified the effect of the PATRIOT Act and his continued support for it and his opposition to racial profiling.[11]

Internet privacy and file sharing
CNET.com gave Biden a 37.5 in its Technology Issues Voter's Guide.[12]They referred to Biden as "Pro-RIAA" and "Pro-FBI" in his file sharing and privacy stances. Biden sponsored a bill that would make it a felony to record internet radio,[13] and signed a letter that urged the Justice Department to prosecute file sharers.[14] Biden also sponsored two bills, the Comprehensive Counter Terrorism Act and the Violent Crime Control Act, both of which contained language effectively banning encryption.[15] Phil Zimmerman, creator of PGP, has said it was Biden's legislation (SB 266) that "led me to publish PGP electronically for free that year, shortly before the measure was defeated after vigorous protest by civil libertarians and industry groups."[16]

Economic issues
Biden is against the Bush administration's tax cuts and would "take back one year of the tax cuts for Americans who make over a million dollars a year, and put this money in a dedicated Homeland Security and Public Safety Trust Fund to implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations and invest in law enforcement."[17][dead link] Biden supports a balanced budget amendment.

Biden was given a 32% approval rating from the United States Chamber of Commerce. He favors taking burdens off corporations to prevent outsourcing.[vague] He voted yes on repealing tax subsidies for companies that outsource jobs and yes on restrictions on personal bankruptcy.

Biden cites high health care and energy costs as two major threats to the prosperity of American businesses, and believes that addressing these issues will improve American economic competitiveness.[18][dead link]

Biden was given a 100% approval rating from AFL-CIO indicating a heavily pro-union voting record. However, he was one of the Democrats to vote for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1993.[19] Biden was given a 42% approval rating from the Cato Institute, revealing a mixed record on free trade. He opposed the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) but supports normalizing relations with China, Vietnam and the Andean nations. He opposes free trade agreements with Oman, Singapore, and Chile.

Biden was given a 100% approval rating from the American Public Health Association (APHA). He supports funding for health care to allow all people access. Biden is opposed to the privatization of Social Security and was given an 89% approval rating from the Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA), reflecting a pro-senior citizen voting record. Voted in support of welfare block grants and supports welfare reform.

Foreign policy
The Council on Foreign Relations reported on Biden's political positions.[20]

Iraq
As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2002 he stated that Saddam Hussein was "a long term threat and a short term threat to our national security" and that United States has "no choice but to eliminate the threat".[21] After the Bush Administration rejected his effort to pass a resolution authorizing military action in Iraq only after the exhaustion of diplomatic efforts,[22] Biden voted in favor of the invasions of Iraq in 2003. Biden has since said that he believes it was a mistake to support the Iraq war because it has been mismanaged by the Bush Administration. Regarding his belief that Iraq maintained stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction, Biden stated in 2007 that inspectors had seen and cataloged the existence of the materials required to make such weapons prior to their expulsion from Iraq and pondered why Hussein didn't tell the international community that he had disposed of them.[21]

Biden is a leading advocate for partitioning Iraq.[23] He supports a "five-step plan" towards removing troops from Iraq. In November 2006, Biden and Leslie Gelb, President Emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, released a comprehensive strategy to end sectarian violence in Iraq. Rather than continuing the present approach or withdrawing, the plan calls for "a third way": federalizing Iraq and giving Kurds, Shiites, and Sunnis "breathing room" in their own regions.[24][dead link] The key points include:

Giving Iraq's major groups a measure of autonomy in their own regions. A central government would be left in charge of interests such as defending the borders and distributing oil revenues.
Guaranteeing Sunnis — who have no oil rights — a proportionate share of oil revenue and reintegrating those who have not fought against Coalition forces.
Increase, not end, reconstruction assistance but insist that Arab Gulf states fund it and tie it to the creation of a jobs program and to the protection of minority rights.
Initiate a diplomatic offensive to enlist the support of the major powers and neighboring countries for a political settlement in Iraq and create an Oversight Contact Group to enforce regional commitments.
Begin the phased redeployment of U.S. forces in 2007 and withdraw most of them by 2008, leaving a small follow-on force for security and policing actions.
The plan, named The Biden-Brownback Resolution, passed on the Senate floor 75-23 on September 25, 2007, including 26 Republican votes.

Africa
Biden favors an American deployment of troops to Sudan. In support of this, Biden said senior U.S. military officials in Europe told him that 2,500 U.S. troops could "radically change the situation on the ground now".

Biden is opposed to American financing of abstinence only programs to combat HIV-AIDS in Africa. In 2007, he cosponsored the HIV Prevention Act which would end President Bush's mandate that one third of all funds be earmarked to abstinence only programs.

Israel
Biden is highly supportive of Israel and favors a two-state solution to the Palestinian Conflict. He stated that "the Arab nations have known that there is no daylight between us and Israel." Biden sponsored the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006.

North Korea
Biden favors open dialogue with North Korea and describes them as a "paper tiger", unable to directly cause harm to America. However, in June 2008, he called the situation one of the "the three most important things that the next president is going to have to deal with", along with Iran and Iraq.

Iran
Biden favors direct diplomacy with Iran but supports strategically placed sanctions on the regime if it does not comply with American demands. He stated, "we should complement this pressure by presenting a detailed, positive vision for U.S.-Iran relations if Iran does the right thing." In 2007 Biden voted against a measure to declare the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization.

Cuba
Biden strongly opposes the Fidel Castro regime in Cuba and supports the continuation of the trade embargo as well as the democratization of the island after the dictator's death. In 2006, Biden stated, "We should be putting together a plan as to how we are going to play a positive role in moving that country, after the Castros are gone, to—more toward democratization and liberalization in their society."

Social issues

Abortion, stem cell research, cloning
Joe Biden believes that the Roe v. Wade decision should remain intact. He is quoted as saying, "The best policy for our country on the question of abortion is a policy of Government neutrality. Put another way: I do not believe that the government should be involved in making judgments on whether a woman can, or should have an abortion, or – if she chooses to do so – in paying for that abortion."[citation needed]

He voted in favor of a 1999 bill to ban in most circumstances "partial birth abortion"[25] and on the 2003 Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.[26] Biden has defended these votes as recently as April 2007.[27][dead link] He has also stated his opposition to federal funding of abortions.[28][dead link]

He has joined with Democrats in voting against parental notification and a ban on abortions on military bases. Biden's record on abortion is pro-choice, receiving a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America in four of the last five years, although he received a 36% as recently as 2003. Biden pledged that he would appoint Supreme Court justices that share his beliefs.[29][dead link] He has also stated his opposition to the Mexico City Policy, and voted in favor of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act in 1994. Biden supports federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and voted to expand development and voted against a 1998 ban on cloning.

Drug law
Biden favors diverting drug offenders out of the nation's prison system. He is ostensibly against making stricter laws for drug offenses, but helped in the creation of a Drug Czar, a government official overseeing all anti-drug operations. According to his campaign website, he is for increased penalties against those caught selling drugs within 1000 feet of schools.[30] He voted against restrictions on children obtaining violent videos and supports funding for the Boys and Girls Clubs in underprivileged areas. He was the drafter and chief sponsor of the RAVE Act, a law that aimed to crack down on MDMA-fueled raves but which was criticized by some as being too broad in scope.[31] The law, which was later renamed the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act of 2003, was additionally controversial because it was passed without public hearing or debate in Congress, attached to an unrelated child protection bill. Critics of the law assert that it has since been used by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration to intimidate those organizing rallies and fund-raisers to support drug-law reform.[32]

LGBT issues
Biden voted in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act[33] and against the Federal Marriage Amendment.[34] He supports states rights to establish civil unions and favors adding sexual orientation to the criteria for a hate crime.[35]

The above information was found Wiki, here is Biden's stance on various issues.

McCain, Republicans pissed Obama is privately funding his campaign for President

2008-06-19T14:33:00.000-05:00

I'm losing my fucking mind here people, the "conservative" candidate is bashing the liberal candidate for NOT using public financing? Hold on a minute McCain and company, you WILL be using the public financing for your campaign run, but the liberal candidate won't be? The McCain camp must be pretty damn terrified of this liberal to be shouting afoul when the liberal renegs on his promise to use public financing to instead stay private. Who in the hell is conservative here; the man advocating a trillion dollar perpetual war and a MUST ACCEPT public financing or you are not trustworthy guy, or the other guy who has seen he needs no public financing so he would rather not use public funds guy? This folks, is why there is no way in hell I could ever vote for McCain, or another goddam so called conservative. I will vote for Obama out of spite for McCain and his stupidity. Check out the Fox News story here.

Pictures of the United States President Barack Obama as a baby, child, teen and growing up with family

2008-06-11T14:53:00.003-05:00

Below are numerous pictures of a young Barack Obama.

The Chicago Tribune has several photos of Barack as a young buck, check them out here.

McCain thinks Putin is the President of Germany

2008-06-10T09:57:00.001-05:00

I wish this could be labeled satire, too bad McCain. Germany's Chancellor is Angela Merkel and the President is Horst Kohler. In Fact, Putin was the former President of a different goddam country, The Russian Federation, some 3000 plus miles away. It's no wonder the world thinks the US is a bunch of fucking retards, especially when the Republican party nominated him to run for President on his foreign policy expertise. What a fucking joke, this makes me sick.

Who is right regarding Iran and US military power, McCain or Obama, or neither?

2008-05-19T14:33:00.000-05:00

The same old lines and supposed threats are being tossed around by the McCain fear camp. According to McCain, Obama's policy is reckless at best, dangerous at least. Iran wants to wipe Israel off the map, and Obama wants to talk to them.
So, let's examine this a bit closer; Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran, wants to wipe Israel off the map. McCain wants no contact or talks with Iran and Hamas and various other "terrorist" countries or groups. On the other hand, Obama wants to talk with them. Who is right? Well, McCain's statement at face value, seems much more logical - but is it really? Obama wants to talk with an insane leader of the Muslim world, he seems ape shit nuts - but is he really?

A brief background may provide value here my dear reader. The USA and Israel celebrated this past week the 60th anniversary of Israeli independence. All fine and dandy hey, 60 years of national soverignty. However, there is another side to the story - that of the Palestinians. Iran's leader does not want to eradicate or wipe Israel off the map in a literal sense, rather a figurative one. His point is the US and British prior militaries put up barriers on shared land and forcefully eradicated any non-Jewish group out of the land. Ahmadinejad wants to remove those barriers or wipe those barriers known as Israel away - so that the people who were originally displaced can have what was rightfully their's back. So, let me reiterate this, Iran wants to remove the barriers, to tear down the US and British built Ottoman empire state, not nuke the whole fucking place.

Now, is McCain ignoring what the US did back then? It sure seems that way to me. I do realize McCain was only 12 when Israel became a country, but he can't be that fucking naive. Now, if McCain were to say, Iran wants to tear down the Israeli borders, so that he can push Muslim values on the Jews, and it is our duty to protect them, I wouldn't have so much a problem - even though I would still disagree with McCain. I think Obama has balls to stand up against McCain, and try and break down the barriers that have resulted from our interjection into the Middle East over half a century ago. Now, what Obama will really be able to do to help the situation - I'm uncertain - and would probably argue there is little to nothing to do. My point is, McCain takes the Bully aproach and attempts to distort foreign powers as evil doers who want to blow everyone up, when that is most always not true, rather they simply want a piece of what was theirs to begin with. McCain, please stop fucking dumbing down our country to your level, you fucking asswipe. And for Obama, what the fuck do you think you are going to do to change an inevtiable outcome in the Middle East short of tearing down the borders that we helped build? Nothing, asshole - unless you propose differently.

Who do we select: McCain and Obama

2008-05-15T10:03:00.000-05:00

McCain: I call myself convervative, I advocate a perpetual multi-trillion dollar war, I look like a chipmunk from defending this country.

Obama: I am liberal, I advocate ripping off the rich in the name of the poor, I want to be MLK.

What to do America? It doesn't matter anyway, its all too fucked up now.

George Bush and the US celebrate Israeli Independence, spit in the face of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians

2008-05-14T08:51:00.001-05:00

For every up there is a down and for every high there is a low - and so it goes. This week we have the Israeli celebration of their independence and reclamation of their Holy land, with many Palestinians still crying from their displacement and ethnic "cleansing". This truly is a conflict that will never be resolved, and the US should be remembered for its part in the continuation of this drama and its part in the Nakba. Reuters has an an excellent "Factbox" timeline of the events leading up to Israel's declaration of Independence and national sovereignty in 1948.

Now, I am not an Arab apologist, a Jewish supporter, or an American hater. In fact, I could give a shit less who's land the current state of Israel originally belonged to. No matter what, wars have been going on over that land for thousands of years. The point of this opinion piece is to show you how ludicrous the US' foreign policy really is. The bottom line is, the US decided to go stick their stupid fucking noses in other people's business; We chose sides because of our countries predominant Christian religion. However, we needed not choose sides, rather mind our own.

Now, after helping prop up the current state of Israel, and displace hundreds of thousands of Palestinians so that we could build barriers to protect the Jewish "holyland," we celebrate Israel's independence and piss on the Palestinians.

There will never be a resolution in the Mideast until one side is completely destroyed, Muslim or Christian. However, the US, in its slightly over 200 years existence thinks' it has come to the rescue of the persecuted Jew. This is the equivalent of a child breaking up a fight between two pit bulls by putting a chicken wire fence between them, and then declaring hooray, hooray. As soon as they get a chance, they will blow each other to pieces.

The problem is, the vast majority of US citizens have no clue what we do outside of this country. Sure, we did help one group of people, however, it was at the expense of another group. Celebrating that fact in spite of everyone else it affected is ignorant at minimum, and reckless for sure (GWB and Co.). We did what we did and chose to defend a side, still there is no need of continual provocation of the ill affected group.

Now, ask yourself why does just about every other country think the US are a bunch of fucking idiots, well it's because of this trpe of shit. Don't get me wrong, I love this country and most everything it stands for, however I don't agree with pushing our agenda on other countries or religions with regards to our foreign policy.

Bob Barr enters the race on the Libertarian ticket, to challenge McCain and Paul

2008-05-13T08:56:00.002-05:00

Well, Ron Paul took too long for the Libertarian party to wait, so enters former Republican Bob Barr into the presidential race. Watch out Ron Paul, you may actually lose some of your punch now and potential Manifesto book sales, seeing your followers and supporters still lack a candidate that will be nominated by a party. The fact is, Both Ron Paul and Bob Barr will negatively affect John McCain's bid in the general election. Even if they pull a measely 3-5% of the vote, the Libertarians or so-called paleo-conservatives with all of their individual responsibility jargon, could swing the popular vote - not that it makes a bit of a fucking difference. And for the record, Ron Paul, you are not a Republican anymore - the rest of your old team is dead, you are now dealing with a bunch of fucking retards that call themselves conservative, give it up - I thought you were gonna play the old bait and switch - but you are too goddam stupid.

Obama and his 57 states of the Union, well 58 if you are counting

2008-05-13T08:35:00.001-05:00

Rumor has it, Obama made a speech in Oregon where he stated that he has visited 57 states, with one more to go. Taking a page out of McCain's book of Senile Moments, Obama shows he is human, and or stupid. Maybe this is why he has such a lead on Clinton, because of those extra state votes.

Top 10 VP candidates for Obama

2008-05-12T08:10:00.000-05:00

They've been doing some thinking over at the Times Online, that's not to say it has resulted in anything meaningful. They've listed their expectations on VP nominations for Obama (when he is nominated). Here they are per this article:

1) Hillary Clinton

Many believe Obama will have to offer the VP slot to Clinton. Andrew Sullivan called it the hate-filled dream ticket. But will she accept it? If Obama loses, she may see a 2012 race opening up before her.

2) Al Gore

He's certainly got the experience. But the eco-warrior probably has no desire to return to Pennsylvania Avenue. Winning his endorsement would have set Obama up for the nomination. Does he need Gore any more?

3) John Edwards

A serious contender. The North Carolina Senator ran with John Kerry in 2004 and would bring the Southern link currently missing in Obama's campaign. But would he want to do it again? And would Obama feel Edwards should have been with him earlier?

4) Kathleen Sebelius

Sebelius's name has been cropping up more and more frequently. The two-term Governor of Kansas fills in many of the gaps in Obama's support base. She may not have much foreign policy experience but she'll bring a red state with her. And a female Vice-President might help soothe Clinton's supporters. One to watch.

5) Bill Richardson

Also extremely likely. Pundits state that he's been running for VP since the beginning. He brings foreign policy experience and the Hispanic vote with him.

6) Wesley Clark

A former four-star general, Wes Clark served in Kosovo and studied PPE at Oxford. He would lend Obama military clout and cross party-lines in his appeal.

7) Jim Webb

The junior Virginia senator since 2006. He could provide the machismo that Obama needs. A military man with a son in Iraq, he's regarded as one of the most authorative Democratic voices on the conflict. Known to carry a loaded pistol on occasion. As a former Reagan man he would add to Obama's cross party appeal and make it slightly harder to paint the candidate as an unrepentant liberal.

8) Robert Casey

The Pennsylvania senator has already endorsed Obama. As VP, he would help out in the white working-class states. And his Catholic faith would reach out to an important voting bloc.

9) Oprah Winfrey

She's already one of America's most powerful women. Could DC be next on her world-domination agenda? Just a thought.

10) Joe Biden

Might he be the first Biden in a thousand generations to run for President? A senator since 1972, his presidential runs have never taken off. But his international experience might make him a good choice and he'd appeal to the white male vote. His description of Obama as 'clean' didn't do him any favours though. And some think he is more likely to be Secretary of State.

My usless opinion:

I see no way in hell Obama would nominate the following people from that list and why; Clinton, Gore, Sebelius and Oprah are out of the question. There is no way he would want any bitch in office with him, he already has one at home.

Out of the remaining I would say it is most likely that he would select either Edwards or Richardson, and here's why: Edwards would help bring the blue collared white voter that has been so difficult for him, and the same could be true for Richardson with regards to the Hispanic vote.

It is too early to say quite yet, but I bet my analysis will hold true.

Edwards still not endorsing a candidate, to wait til McCain is elected President

2008-05-09T07:59:00.000-05:00

John Edwards is taking it safe in his bid to make a back door entrance into the Executive branch. In fact, he has stated that he will now wait until McCain is elected President. Then, and only then, will he pursue the Democratic Nominee. Edwards was quoted as saying "McCain is a chipmunk, us Dems are Birds, we will fly away with his nuts."

Obama rubs Clinton's ass, tells her to shake that thing on outta here

2008-05-08T08:46:00.000-05:00

In this article over at ABC "The Note: Whispered Shouts," it becomes apparent that Obama is stepping up his game. Obama has pushed passed the petty attacks and has gotten much closer to Mrs. Clinton, now that it has come down to more or less a choice by the DNC superdelegates. In fact, Obama has taken it upon himself to get real close to Mrs. Clinton, see below.

McCain contemplating running mates, how to get rid of that pesky Ron Paul

2008-05-08T08:29:00.000-05:00

Republican presidential nominee John McCain appeared on the Daily show last night and was discussing his possible running mate options and a ton of other bullshit. While the discussion was nonsense (McCain was thinking of picking his VP and runningmate from one of the cast of "The Office," and or some dude Dwight Schrute, which was another terrible joke), it makes you really wonder - who will the old man choose. Well, we can certainly rule out Ron Paul from his choices. So, who would he choose? My guess is Romney or Huckabee, someone who could help pickup a chunk of the voters he couldn't.

Pundits declare it's over, the fight continues

2008-05-07T11:33:00.000-05:00

Well, it's over my friends, wait hold on - that sounds too much like McCain. On the other hand, Mrs. Clinton is dumping 6.4 million of her personal money into her campaign, signaling otherwise. As much as I wish it were over people, this shit will drag out until June at the earliest.

McCain to nominate federal judges with "a proven record of excellence in the law, and a proven commitment to judicial restraint."

2008-05-07T08:16:00.000-05:00

The LA Times is reporting the old war hero and Republican presidential elect, McCain, will seek to fill federal judge positions with candidates committed to judicial restraint. However, there was no mention on what his plans are regarding limiting the ever expanding executive powers, namely the apparent ability of a President to go to war or perpetuate war without proper approval from Congress. McCain was extremely adamant in finding federal judges that would protect the constitution, even though there is no indication he would do the same. McCain wants to make sure that the judges are only making rulings on those things that the courts should be deciding on. However good his intentions sound, I think McCain would better serve this country by speaking about how he will return the executive branch to the limited powers it once held, rather than bamboozling us with inconsequential bullshit.

Ron Paul not out of the race, still looking for more book sales

2008-05-06T08:51:00.003-05:00

Ron Paul at one time was a long shot for the Republican Presidential nomination, now he is just an asshole. I too contributed money to his campaign, and so feel I should have the right to speak my mind about his campaign now as we look back. I recall the laughter from superiors at a cocktail party when I spoke in such high regards for the honorable Doctor, however, I never thought he would stoop this goddam low. Alright, maybe I am being a bit harsh, and all he is doing is promoting his message of freedom, or continual fucking with the establishment. Whatever the case may be, it seems like Ron, a true paleo-conservative, knows not how to spend the rest of the loot he raised from his generous donors who funded his glorious run. He can't take it with him, so why not spend it on advertising his new book "The Revolution: A Manifesto" which hit stores on April 30. After all, Jesse Benton, Paul's campaign manager says even though the media says so - Paul's campaign for the presidency never ended. Well, your goddam right Jesse - as long as he has that book to sell (currently number 4 on the best amazon selling list). Ok, ok - my continued patronizing of the good doctor and his campaign has gone too far, his message is what is important, it is - it is. Well, I sure am glad Paul saved his loot for the end, so he can go out with a bang, asshole.

The presidential candidates on healthcare

2008-05-06T08:45:00.000-05:00

REPUBLICANS

John McCain
Opposes federally mandated universal coverage. Would increase awareness and promote the use of existing children's health insurance programs while expanding community health centers. Supports health care tax dividends for low-income Americans, medical malpractice reform, improving electronic record-keeping, expanding health savings accounts, and encouraging small businesses to band together to negotiate lower rates with health care providers.

Ron Paul
Supports market-based reforms encouraging greater private sector competition and personal choice.

OUT OF THE RACE: Sam Brownback | Jim Gilmore | Rudy Giuliani | Mike Huckabee | Duncan Hunter | Mitt Romney | Tom Tancredo | Fred Thompson | Tommy Thompson

DEMOCRATS

Hillary Clinton
Mandates individual health insurance coverage for all Americans. Offers federal subsidies for those who cannot afford it. Allows individuals to choose from among several private plans also offered to members of Congress, as well as a new public insurance plan modeled after Medicare. Requires insurance companies to offer coverage to anyone who applies, and bars insurance companies from charging higher premiums to those with pre-existing conditions. Requires large businesses to provide or help pay for employee coverage. Expands Medicaid and federal children's health care programs. Offers tax credits to limit health care premiums to a certain percentage a family's income. Cost estimated at $110 billion annually, to be paid for by eliminating the Bush tax cuts for those earning over $250,000, as well as by reducing waste and inefficiencies in the current system. Also limits the amount employers can exclude from taxes for health care benefits for those making over $250,000.

Barack Obama

Would create a national health insurance program for individuals who do not have employer-provided health care and who do not qualify for other existing federal programs. Allows individuals to choose between the new public insurance program or from among private insurance plans that meet certain coverage standards. Requires employers who do not provide health coverage for employees to pay into the national health insurance program. Does not mandate individual coverage for all Americans, but requires coverage for all children. Allows individuals below age 25 to be covered through their parents' plans. Cost estimated between $50 billion and $65 billion, to be paid for by eliminating Bush tax cuts for those earning over $250,000.

Find this information and more HERE

North Carolina and Indiana Democratic primaries are meaningless

2008-05-06T08:27:00.000-05:00

Unlike CNN is telling you, these primaries will mean as much as Ron Paul's bid for the Presidency, nothing. Both candidates, Barack and Hillary have already stated they would continue to campaign though June. That's not to say that the votes don't matter, just the fact we will still have no clear winner for a long while.

Making English our offical language, a must do

2008-05-05T09:39:00.001-05:00

This gal in Texas shows us the importance of getting on this national priority ASAP (photo courtesy of the SF Gate.) She seriously is giving this guy (a fellow cardinals fan) a run for his money.

Hell, why not vie for making American our offical culture while your at it wench.

Bush calls for the Fed to print more money and deflate the value of ours in the name of hunger

2008-05-02T11:05:00.001-05:00

President Bush, the great and almighty, has called upon congress in the name of world hunger (everyone in the world besides the US), an admirable act for certain. Let's take a minute to figure out how this conservative President will pay for this 770 million dollar request.

If approved, the funds will come from one of the following - you decide:

A. American taxpayers through direct income/property tax.
B. Print additional money, increase the money supply, decrease the value of every dollar in existence.
C. Pull it out of Haliburton and provide a generous donation.

My guess is B. We won't even get into the fact that the US has around 12-15% of the population in poverty and starving to death at any point in time.

When will we (president and congress) quit fucking doing this stupid ass shit? This is equivalent to letting your family starve to death in order to feed a neighbor, I will never understand this stupid fucking logic BUSH.

Clinton closes Gap on Obama, he wants out

2008-05-02T10:57:00.000-05:00

I didn't get a good chance to thoroughly read this article from ABC news, however I'm pretty damn certain what they are talking about; Hillary Clinton has a couple of huge gaps, her mouth and her coot. It is widely known that clinton has tried closing gaps on Obama before, but he usually makes out alright. Except this time, Michelle has been so tired and worn out lately with all of her participation in helping Obama - she didn't mind if Clinton closed her gap on her husband this time for a little while. Michelle was quoted as saying - "You know, sometimes I get worn out too, I thought what the hell - let Clinton close the gap on him this time - its really not a big deal." I truly admire Clinton's ability to put her gap around Obama when she tries hard enough. Obama was just happy to get him some.

Obama panders to the white man, avoids "da hood"

2008-05-02T10:51:00.000-05:00

In Obama's quest for the Presidential nomination, he has been avoiding "da hood" per this UPI article. The fact is, the hood scares Obama too, "you know that shit is dangerous dog," he was quoted as saying. "Plus, my fellow honkies stay away from there too, if I were caught in the hood - them there honkies may not vote for my ass," he explained. Obama has an excellent point though, there aren't possibly enough secret service agents to protect from the dangers of black neighborhoods.

Why is gas so goddam expensive, screw them Arabs.

2008-05-01T13:18:00.001-05:00

I have grown accustomed to these ramblings of ignorant friends and co-workers of mine. Common fucking sense tells you if our federal government is spending trillions on a war that has now lasted (Iraq/Afghanistan) for more than 6 years, someone has to pay for it. Well, if our federal government is orchestrating this - who do you think funds it? I'll tell you who, the goddam idiotic American people through the devaluation of our American dollar. What? This doesn't make sense to you? Let me make it easier for you. The Saudi Arabians base the cost of what they sell us (oil) in American dollars, if the Dollar is unstable internationally as a result of uncontrollable deficit spending and national debt, our dollar will buy less everywhere else around the world. They charge more to offset the lower dollar.

Here, let me make this even easier to understand for all you stupid fucktards out there; Let's step back in to time - where people used to trade shit to one other. A guy named Fred trades milk from his cows to his neighbor Bob for his wheat, and Bob also trades with his neighbor Miles for Miles' corn. Fred's cows are all healthy, Bob's wheat is wonderful, and Miles' corn is delicous. Bob had a great idea, since one gallon of milk is equal to one bale of wheat and one ear of a corn - instead of having to trade physical products everytime they wanted something of the neighbors, he can just make a rare stamped item that would do the same thing, so when he needed more milk from Fred (but Fred needed no additional wheat) he could give him a coin as an I owe you. Now, they go on for a long while getting along just fine, until one miserable day. Bob and Miles' get into a bickering match over who's wife is better looking - then it gets mean and punches are thrown. Bob calls for reinforcements from friends around the neighborhood. Bob tells his friends he can give them his coins to use to buy products if they help him. His friends agree to help. Before long, Bob runs out of coins to pay his friends to help protect him and his property, so he go's back and makes a bunch more IOU's. Bob rounds up his pals and pays them more. The cycle continues until Fred and Miles realize that there is almost no way Bob's IOU's will ever be payed back in return. So, they decide to charge more and more because the IOU's are worth less and less in their eyes. Well, Fred and Miles are like Saudia Arabia and other foreign oil producing countries, they see our dollar as worthless because all we've done to pay for the fighting is print more dollars, thus devaluing everyone in existence. All they are doing is trying to get back out what is owed to them, while we (Bob/ our federal government) have become trapped in a viscous cycle of debt and an inability to repay.

Obama grew up less priviledged than rival, you must vote for him

2008-05-01T08:37:00.000-05:00

Reuters just published a story about Obamas tough life growing up. I will say this, even though I am a registered Republican - Obama will most likely get my vote. But, on the other hand, I don't give a fuck what kind of life Obama had growing up as a kid when related to his opponents. Bottom line, my parents didn't have money either - and I still managed to go to school and get my education. Keep your stupid fucking sap story for Michelle, Obama - it will work better in the bedroom than with voters. Are you saying because some stupid fucking white women grew up in an affluent suburban metropolis - that you are less likely to overcome a challenge from her? Or compare yourself to McCain, one ugly assed dude with a messed up war face. Half the people in this country have no clue why that old crazy bastard has a chipmunk face - they just know he is an ugly bastard. My point here is, what hurts you more Obama - looks or how you grew up. There is no difference, you are all here now - personally I could give a shit less how you got here.

What is conservative anymore?

2008-04-30T15:48:00.000-05:00

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.

Debates are abundant, pointless

2008-04-30T15:38:00.000-05:00

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

2008-04-30T15:31:00.001-05:00

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

2008-04-30T15:25:00.005-05:00

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

2008-04-30T15:06:00.002-05:00

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

2008-04-30T15:03:00.001-05:00

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

John McCain on the Issues

2008-04-30T14:43:00.001-05:00

John McCain on Abortion

Abortion issue shows what kind of country we are. (Aug 2007)
Concerned if women undergo illegal dangerous operations. (May 2007)
Supports federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. (May 2007)
Prosecute abortion doctors, not women who get them. (Jan 2000)
“Family Conference” if daughter wanted an abortion. (Jan 2000)
Abortion OK if raped; and no testing for rape. (Jan 2000)
Supports fetal tissue research; against over-intensity. (Jan 2000)
Overturn Roe v. Wade, but keep incest & rape exceptions. (Jan 2000)
Support adoption & foster care; work together on abortion. (Oct 1999)
Wants Roe vs. Wade made irrelevant, but would not repeal it. (Aug 1999)
Opposes partial-birth abortions & public financing. (Aug 1999)
Nominate justices based on experience, and values. (Jun 1999)
Restrict abortions; no partial-birth; no public funding. (Jul 1998)
Voting Record
Supports repealing Roe v. Wade. (May 2007)
Voted YES on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions. (Oct 2007)
Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
Voted YES on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
Voted NO on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
Voted YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)
Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)
Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
Expand embryonic stem cell research. (Jun 2004)
Rated 75% by the NRLC, indicating a mixed record on abortion. (Dec 2006)

John McCain on Budget & Economy

Loss of economic strength leads to losing military strength. (Dec 2007)
Republicans have forgotten how to control spending. (Nov 2007)
AdWatch: Outrageous to spend $233M for bridge to nowhere. (Nov 2007)
FactCheck:Bridge-to-Nowhere never built; would serve 200,000. (Nov 2007)
FactCheck: Criticized "Woodstock museum," but skipped vote. (Nov 2007)
Congress spends money like a drunken sailor. (May 2007)
Veto all pork-barrel bills and announce pork spenders. (May 2007)
Use veto power to reduce government spending. (Jan 2000)
Distribute surplus: 23% tax cuts; 62% Social Security. (Jan 2000)
$9B of pork in current budget bills; cut subsidies. (Oct 1999)
For Balanced Budget Amend., & off-budget Social Security. (Jul 1999)
List of budgetary spending priorities. (Jul 1998)
Supports Balanced Budget Amendment. (Jul 1998)
Apply surplus to Social Security, Medicare, tax cuts & debt. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005)
Voted NO on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000)
Voted YES on 1998 GOP budget. (May 1997)
Voted YES on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (Mar 1997)
Maintain & enforce existing spending caps in the future. (Sep 1998)

John McCain on Civil Rights

Don't ask, don't tell is working; don't tamper with it. (Jun 2007)
Confederate flag on top of capitol was wrong; in front is ok. (May 2007)
Leave gay marriage to the states. (Jan 2007)
John Lewis was as courageous as anyone could ever hope to be. (Apr 2004)
Fear did not restrain Dr. King to resist repression. (Apr 2004)
Support evangelism but don’t pander to evangelical leaders. (Feb 2000)
Inter-racial dating ban is idiotic and cruel. (Feb 2000)
Career-long history of supporting Indian causes. (Jan 2000)
Ten Commandments would bring virtue to our schools. (Jan 2000)
Confederate flag is a “symbol of heritage”. (Jan 2000)
Allow, but not mandate, school prayer. (Jan 2000)
Would be “comfortable” with a gay president. (Dec 1999)
Flying Confederate flag should be left to states. (Sep 1999)
1st Amend. not a shield for hate groups. (Aug 1999)
Indian gambling OK; lottery is not. (Aug 1999)
Hollywood should voluntarily self-censor sex and violence. (Jul 1999)
Supports Amendment against flag-burning. (Apr 1999)
We don’t need laws against Spanish language & culture. (Mar 1999)
Affirmative action OK for specific programs, but no quotas. (Jul 1998)

Voting Record

Ban on same-sex marriage is unRepublican; leave it to states. (Nov 2006)
Voted YES on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
Voted YES on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)
Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
Require 90 day delay for compliance before ADA lawsuits. (May 2002)
Limit interstate class-action lawsuits to federal courts . (May 2002)
Rated 0% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
Rated 33% by the HRC, indicating a mixed record on gay rights. (Dec 2006)
Rated 7% by the NAACP, indicating an anti-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)

John McCain on Corporations

People worry about corporations unduly influencing elections. (Sep 2007)
Voted NO on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore. (Mar 2005)
Voted YES on reforming bankruptcy to include means-testing & restrictions. (Mar 2005)
Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001)
Rated 61% by the US COC, indicating a mixed business voting record. (Dec 2003)

John McCain on Crime

Judges have limited scope under the Constitution. (Nov 2006)
More death penalty; stricter sentencing. (Jan 2000)
More community policing; enough hate crime laws. (Jan 2000)
Prosecute youths as adults, but separately; explore sources. (Jan 2000)
Urges hearings on how FBI can deter Hate Crimes. (Aug 1999)
1st Amend. not a shield for hate groups. (Aug 1999)
Pro-death penalty; more prisons; increased penalties. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on limiting death penalty appeals. (Apr 1996)
Voted YES on limiting product liability punitive damage awards. (Mar 1996)
Voted NO on restricting class-action lawsuits. (Dec 1995)
Voted YES on repealing federal speed limits. (Jun 1995)
Voted YES on mandatory prison terms for crimes involving firearms. (May 1994)
Voted YES on rejecting racial statistics in death penalty appeals. (May 1994)
Rated 29% by CURE, indicating anti-rehabilitation crime votes. (Dec 2000)
Rated 85% by the NCJA, indicating a "tough-on-crime" stance. (Dec 2005)
Establish an FBI registry of sexual offendors. (Oct 1996)

John McCain on Drugs

Mexico should extradite drug dealers to the US. (Mar 2007)
Administration is AWOL on the war on drugs. (Mar 2000)
Public/private partnerships for drug treatment. (Jan 2000)
Prevention & education apply to alcohol as well as marijuana. (Oct 1999)
We’re losing drug war - just say no. (Oct 1999)
$1B for detection equipment for more border interdiction. (Mar 1999)
Mexico: balancing act between free trade & stopping drugs. (Mar 1999)
Restrict methadone treatment programs. (Feb 1999)
Stricter penalties; stricter enforcement. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on spending international development funds on drug control. (Jul 1996)

John McCain on Education

Teaching creationism should be decided by school districts. (Jun 2007)
Believes in evolution, but sees the hand of God in nature. (May 2007)
Against nationally imposed standards & funding strings. (Feb 2000)
Teach virtues in all schools. (Dec 1999)
Enlist retirees for tutoring. (Nov 1999)
Good teachers should earn more than bad lawyers. (Oct 1999)
Decisions on teaching evolution should be made locally. (Aug 1999)
Help unqualified teachers find other lines of work. (Jul 1999)
Supports tax-free savings accounts for education expenses. (Jul 1999)
Supports “Reading Excellence”; and rewarding good schools. (Jul 1999)
Supports at-risk programs; homeless ed.; anti-drop-out ed. (Jul 1999)
Internet access, with filters, at every school & library. (Jun 1999)
Merit pay & competency testing for teachers. (Jun 1999)
Ed-ACT Bill: college plans; language proficiency. (May 1999)

School Choice

Charters, homeschooling, & vouchers are key to success. (Dec 2007)
Local charters are the best Arizona schools. (Mar 2000)
Let states decide if they link vouchers to student testing. (Feb 2000)
Use sugar, oil, and ethanol subsidies to finance vouchers. (Jan 2000)
Tax breaks for charters - not from public school funds. (Dec 1999)
Vouchers & charters will improve our school system. (Oct 1999)
Nationwide test of school vouchers. (Sep 1999)
$5B program for 3-year test of school vouchers. (Jul 1999)
Tax-funded vouchers for private schools or charter schools. (Jun 1999)
Shift policy-making from bureaucrats to parents. (May 1999)
Vouchers needed where teachers fail. (May 1999)
Vouchers for any schools; more charter schools. (Jul 1998)

Voting Record

Unrestricted block grants--let states decide spending. (Feb 2000)
Voted NO on $52M for "21st century community learning centers". (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
Voted NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
Voted NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
Voted NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on declaring memorial prayers and religious symbols OK at schools. (May 1999)
Voted YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999)
Voted YES on education savings accounts. (Jun 1998)
Voted YES on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997)
Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996)
Voted YES on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer. (Jul 1994)
Voted NO on national education standards. (Feb 1994)
Focus educational resources to help those with greatest need. (Jul 2001)
Require state standards, regular assessments, and sanctions. (Jul 2001)
Support Ed-Flex: more flexibility if more accountable. (Jul 2001)
Rated 45% by the NEA, indicating a mixed record on public education. (Dec 2003)

John McCain on Energy & Oil

FactCheck: Oil independence will take 25 years, not 5 years. (Dec 2007)
Climate change is real; nuclear power is solution. (Oct 2007)
Public pressure on oil industry to invest in alternatives. (Oct 2007)
FactCheck: nuclear plants do emit no GHGs, but do have waste. (Jun 2007)
Reinvest oil profits in nuclear power. (Jun 2007)
Ethanol made no sense in `05 but with $60/bbl it makes sense. (May 2007)
Strength Clean Air & Water Acts; but not Kyoto. (Jan 2000)
Supports alternative fuels, emission controls, & CWA. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR. (Nov 2005)
Voted NO on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO 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)
Voted YES on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling. (Apr 2000)
Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)
Voted YES on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997)
Voted NO on do not require ethanol in gasoline. (Aug 1994)
Rated 17% by the CAF, indicating opposition to energy independence. (Dec 2006)
Supports immediate reductions in greenhouse gases. (Sep 1998)

John McCain on Environment

FactCheck: Criticized $3M "bear DNA" study, but voted for it. (Nov 2007)
Economic & environmental interests not mutually exclusive. (Sep 2007)
Preserve and help our National Parks. (Jan 2000)
Repeal ban on new roads in wilderness due to bad process. (Dec 1999)
Use park visitor fees for park development bonds. (Dec 1999)
Preserve natural resources for future. (Jul 1999)
Voted YES on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations. (Sep 2005)
Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
Voted YES on transportation demo projects. (Mar 1998)
Voted NO on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests. (Sep 1997)
Voted NO on continuing desert protection in California. (Oct 1994)
Voted YES on requiring EPA risk assessments. (May 1994)
End commercial whaling and illegal trade in whale meat. (Jun 2001)
Supports grants for brownfields remediation. (May 2002)
Make EPA into a Cabinet department. (May 2002)
Rated 53% by the LCV, indicating a mixed record on environment. (Dec 2003)
EPA must do better on mercury clean-up. (Apr 2004)
Focus on results, not regulation. (Sep 1998)

John McCain on Families & Children

Supports flex-time & unpaid family leave. (Nov 2004)
Unfiltered Internet robs our children of their innocence. (Dec 1999)
Parents should be active in media kids are exposed to. (Jul 1999)
Label violent media products like we label cigarettes. (Jun 1999)
Media Responsibility Act requires video & music labeling. (Jun 1999)
Violence in media caused Littleton shootings. (Apr 1999)
Voted YES on killing restrictions on violent videos to minors. (May 1999)
Rated 83% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-family voting record. (Dec 2003)

John McCain on Foreign Policy

Maintain Cuban embargo; indict Castro. (Dec 2007)
Situation in Pakistan very serious, but not nuclear threat. (Oct 2007)
Naive to exclude nukes; naive to exclude attacking Pakistan. (Aug 2007)
We have good reason to expect solidarity of our allies. (Aug 2004)
Suu Kyi and the people of Burma will rule themselves someday. (Apr 2004)
Overthrow “rogue” governments to keep Americans safe. (Feb 2000)
Our conscience influences US intervention, as in Rwanda. (Feb 2000)
Africa: Money for AIDS would be lost to corruption. (Jan 2000)
Concern over Chechnya spreads to Caucasus oil reserves. (Jan 2000)
Russia: Sanctions until Putin exits Chechnya. (Jan 2000)
IMF’s Russia policies bad, but agency is OK. (Oct 1999)
Urge Japan to open economy to ensure Asian recovery. (May 1999)
Clinton abandoned framework of “assertive multilateralism”. (Apr 1999)
Korea: ease starvation, but avoid war during death throes. (Apr 1999)
Pay dues to UN after UN reforms. (Jul 1998)

China

Support the One-China policy, don’t weaken it. (Mar 2000)
$1M political donations by Chinese Army should not be legal. (Jan 2000)
China: Advocate for political reforms, and guard Taiwan. (Jun 1999)
Inaction on spying led to Chinese nuclear improvement. (May 1999)
Engage with China as they become a great power. (Apr 1999)

Voting Record

Cuba: No diplomatic and trade relations. (Jul 1998)
Voted NO on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons. (Sep 2000)
Voted YES on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on limiting the President's power to impose economic sanctions. (Jul 1998)
Voted NO on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech. (Apr 1998)
Voted YES on $17.9 billion to IMF. (Mar 1998)
Voted YES on Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba. (Mar 1996)
Voted YES on ending Vietnam embargo. (Jan 1994)
Libyan disarmament was a CIA success story. (Mar 2005)
Impose sanctions and an import ban on Burma. (Oct 2007)

John McCain on Free Trade

Every time US went protectionist, we paid heavy price. (Oct 2007)
Supports ethanol, but by exporting, not by subsidies. (Oct 2007)
No environmental provisions in trade agreements. (Nov 2004)
Against foreign sales corporations (offshore tax breaks). (Feb 2000)
Substitute trade treaties for protectionism. (Jan 2000)
Admit China to WTO based on their concessions. (Jun 1999)
Free trade with any country except security risks. (May 1999)
Retaliatory protectionism is a “murder-suicide pact”. (May 1999)
Chile in NAFTA is good, but Fast Track isn’t. (May 1999)
China: Keep open trade & diplomacy; but keep eyes open. (Apr 1999)
Mexico: balancing act between free trade & stopping drugs. (Mar 1999)
NAFTA has had unambiguously positive impact on US. (Mar 1999)

Voting Record

Pro-NAFTA, pro-GATT, pro-MFN, pro-Fast Track. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES 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 YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
Voted NO on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000)
Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000)
Voted YES on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority. (Nov 1997)
Voted NO on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market. (May 1995)
Promote the Andean Free Trade Agreement. (May 2002)
Rated 100% by CATO, indicating a pro-free trade voting record. (Dec 2002)

John McCain on Government Reform

There's only one president; V.P. sticks to official duties. (Aug 2007)
Differentiate “electioneering” from real issue ads. (Mar 2001)
Reform election system, and get rid of electors. (Nov 2000)
Supported then opposed transparency in grassroots reporting. (Jan 2007)
Close corporate loopholes; veto pork-barrel spending. (Jan 2000)
No term limits; they throw away the good with the bad. (Jan 2000)
Drain the big money swamp to kill lobbyist mosquitoes. (Dec 1999)
Influence peddling helps the Chinese Army. (Sep 1999)
End sugar subsidy; corporate welfare at its worst. (Aug 1999)
Politicans poll, posture, & influence-peddle. (Jun 1999)
Supports Line-Item Veto and Balanced Budget. (May 1999)
Supports term limits on Congress. (Jul 1998)
Campaign Finance Reform
The 527s need to be eliminated. (Oct 2007)
527s are clearly illegal; reform intended for small donors. (Apr 2007)
CFR passes Senate; focus on House, not court challenges. (Apr 2001)
Clearer rules about campaign finance; no soft money. (Jan 2001)
Replace battle of bucks with battle of ideas. (Feb 2000)
Fight iron triangle: special interests, money, & legislation. (Feb 2000)
Campaign reform that’s best for country, not for GOP. (Jan 2000)
Take away soft money & “hurt the unions bad”. (Jan 2000)
Money corrupts politics, and soft money corrupts absolutely. (Dec 1999)
Campaign Finance: ban both labor union & corporate donations. (May 1999)

Voting Record

Gets legislation passed despite lack of congeniality. (Mar 2000)
Voted NO on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007)
Voted YES on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections. (Jul 2007)
Voted YES on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)
Voted YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity. (Mar 2006)
Voted YES on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002)
Voted YES on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration. (Feb 2002)
Voted YES on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations. (Apr 2001)
Voted NO on funding for National Endowment for the Arts. (Aug 1999)
Voted YES on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance. (Oct 1997)
Voted YES on Approving the presidential line-item veto. (Mar 1996)
Voted NO on banning more types of Congressional gifts. (Jul 1995)
Supports Shays-Meehan Campaign Finance Reform. (Jul 2001)
Rethink flawed Presidential daily intelligence briefings. (Mar 2005)
CIA yielded to conventional wisdom, not political pressure. (Mar 2005)
Reduce federal government size & scope, including military. (Sep 1998)

John McCain on Gun Control

I know how to use guns; but I don't own one. (Nov 2007)
Prosecute criminals, not citizens for gun ownership. (Sep 2007)
Don't hold gun manufacturers liable for crimes. (Sep 2007)
Opposes restrictions on assault weapons and ammunition types. (Sep 2007)
Ban cheap guns; require safety locks; for gun show checks. (Aug 1999)
Supports ban on certain assault weapons. (Aug 1999)
Voted against Brady Bill & assault weapon ban. (Aug 1999)
Guns are a problem, but so are violent web sites & videos. (Aug 1999)
Punish criminals who abuse 2nd Amendment rights. (May 1999)
Youth Violence Prevention Act restricts guns for kids. (May 1999)
Repeal existing gun restrictions; penalize criminal use. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
Voted YES on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
Voted NO on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
Voted YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
Voted YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
Voted YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)

John McCain on Health Care

Preserve quality of health care by individual responsibility. (Dec 2007)
Give individuals $2500 refundable tax credits for healthcare. (Oct 2007)
Control health costs so manufacturers stay competitive. (Oct 2007)
No mandated universal system; no mandated insurance coverage. (Jun 2006)
Supports tax-free medical savings accounts & tax credits. (Nov 2004)
Higher taxes on cigarettes. (Jan 2000)
Matching funds for seniors citizens’ prescription drugs. (Dec 1999)
Expand health insurance to 11 million uninsured children. (Dec 1999)
Keep health care promises to aging veterans. (Nov 1999)
Address powerlessness when faced with health care crises. (Jul 1999)
“Patient rights” means value human life over dollars. (Jul 1999)
Expand medical savings; community health; & tax deductions. (Jul 1999)
Patient Rights: access; MDs over HMOs; grievance process. (Jul 1999)
Allow paying extra for choice of doctors & care. (Jul 1999)
Full doctor-patient discussion even when it costs HMO. (Jul 1999)
Supports patient rights; regulate nicotine as a drug. (Jul 1998)
More tax-deductible health costs; limits on malpractice. (Jul 1998)

Voting Record
Allow appealing HMO decisions externally & in court. (Jul 1999)
Voted NO 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 YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
Voted NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on limiting self-employment health deduction. (Jul 1999)
Voted YES on increasing tobacco restrictions. (Jun 1998)
Voted NO on Medicare means-testing. (Jun 1997)
Voted NO on blocking medical savings acounts. (Apr 1996)
Tax credits for those without employee health insurance. (May 2002)
Tax deduction for long-term care insurance. (May 2002)
Support telemedicine for underserved areas. (May 2002)
$350 billion for prescriptions for poor seniors. (May 2002)
Rated 25% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)

John McCain on Homeland Security

Waterboarding is torture; we're not going to torture people. (Nov 2007)
Waterboarding is torture; & as A.G., Mukasey will declare it. (Nov 2007)
Consult lawyers on war decisions; no half-cocked war basis. (Oct 2007)
Ran the largest squadron in the US Navy. (Oct 2007)
After 9/11, ask Americans to join military or AmeriCorps. (Oct 2007)
Let loose smart, tough spies to catch Bin Laden. (Oct 2007)
I've spent my life leading on national security issues. (Sep 2007)
Torture supported only by people without military experience. (Sep 2007)
Radical Islamic extremism is a hydra-headed challenge. (Aug 2007)
Torture is ineffective as interrogation & for world opinion. (May 2007)
Close Guantanamo Bay prison; announce no-torture policy. (Apr 2007)
Torture has never worked throughout history. (Apr 2007)
We must provide our children a strong, better country. (Aug 2004)
A lack of complacency shouldn't provoke a lack of confidence. (Aug 2004)
We don't have as much to fear as we had in the past. (Apr 2004)
Those who gave their lives deserve to be remembered. (Apr 2004)
“Rogue state rollback” avoids use of US troops. (Mar 2000)
Disagrees with Perot: No more POWs in Vietnam. (Feb 2000)
Accepts gays in military under current policy. (Jan 2000)
Military’s political leaders need military backgrounds. (Jan 2000)
Women have proven themselves in combat-no restrictions. (Dec 1999)
Bombing useless targets in Vietnam destroyed US morale. (Nov 1999)
Vietnam was a worthy cause despite losing. (Nov 1999)
Pres. needs experience more than briefing books. (Sep 1999)
Discard ABM Treaty and develop a missile defense. (Apr 1999)
Use force, with US control, only for vital interests. (Apr 1999)

Defense Spending

Clean up waste in defense acquisition. (May 2007)
Eliminate defense pork, but increase most other defense. (Nov 2004)
Terminate C-130, B-2, and Seawolf; use funds to modernize. (Dec 1999)
Politicians keep unneeded bases open for political purposes. (Dec 1999)
Keep health care promises to aging veterans. (Nov 1999)
$6.4B of military spending waste is a disgrace. (Oct 1999)
Raise military pay to avoid military draft. (Aug 1999)
Military personnel on food stamps is a national disgrace. (Aug 1999)
Europeans should spend more on defense, within NATO. (Apr 1999)

Torture

Hiding torture is wrong, and harms US credibility abroad. (Dec 2007)

Voting Record

Keep “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy - it works. (Jan 2000)
Voted NO on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months. (Jul 2007)
Voted NO on preserving habeus corpus for Guantanamo detainees. (Sep 2006)
Voted NO on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006)
Voted YES on extending the PATRIOT Act's wiretap provision. (Dec 2005)
Voted NO on restricting business with entities linked to terrorism. (Jul 2005)
Voted NO on restoring $565M for states' and ports' first responders. (Mar 2005)
Voted NO on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on allowing another round of military base closures. (May 1999)
Voted YES on cutting nuclear weapons below START levels. (May 1999)
Voted YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP. (Mar 1999)
Voted YES on military pay raise of 4.8%. (Feb 1999)
Voted NO on prohibiting same-sex basic training. (Jun 1998)
Voted NO on favoring 36 vetoed military projects. (Oct 1997)
Voted YES on banning chemical weapons. (Apr 1997)
Voted YES on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty. (Jun 1996)
Voted NO on 1996 Defense Appropriations. (Sep 1995)
Federalize aviation security. (Nov 2001)
Rated 0% by SANE, indicating a pro-military voting record. (Dec 2003)
Innovate intelligence-gathering for future hard targets. (Mar 2005)
Assessments of al Qaida in Afghanistan in 2001 were accurate. (Mar 2005)
CIA needs more focus on counterterrorism. (Mar 2005)
So-called Legal Issues are myths; not real CIA hindrances. (Mar 2005)
Intelligence community shares information poorly. (Mar 2005)
CIA should work more with scientists to understand WMDs. (Mar 2005)

John McCain on Immigration

Do everything I can to help all immigrants learn English. (Dec 2007)
Illegal immigrants are God's children as well. (Nov 2007)
12 million illegals in country now is de facto amnesty. (Sep 2007)
Amnesty is forgiveness; we offer fines; lines; & long waits. (Sep 2007)
No official English; Native Americans use own languages. (Jun 2007)
Immigration reform needed for national security. (Jun 2007)
Hispanics serve our country, like every wave of immigrants. (Jun 2007)
America expects us to work on immigration together. (May 2007)
Bipartisanship shows preparedness for presidency. (May 2007)
Change rule barring immigrants from running for president. (May 2007)
Comprehensive reform requires temporary worker program. (May 2007)
Comprehensive reform must include border security first. (Apr 2007)
Make possible for immigrants to do a job Americans won't do. (Oct 2004)
Give everyone in the world an opportunity to come to America. (Oct 2004)
More help for legal immigrants when immigrating & once here. (Jul 1998)

Voting Record
No more ballot initiatives against immigration. (Mar 1999)
Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES 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)
Voted YES on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998)
Voted YES on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)
English immersion over bilingual education. (Jul 2001)
Rated 18% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)

John McCain on Jobs

Click here for 13 full quotes on Jobs OR background on Jobs.
Unions are monopolies; don't compel people to join. (Oct 2007)
Family farms: Crop insurance; reduce inheritance tax. (Jan 2000)
Ethanol is not worth it, even in Iowa. (Dec 1999)
Ethanol bad for environment & bad for consumers. (Nov 1999)
End sugar subsidy; it hurts consumers & helps only tycoons. (Aug 1999)
Ethanol subsidy is outdated; use funds for education. (Jul 1999)
Voted NO on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Feb 2007)
Voted NO on raising the minimum wage to $7.25 rather than $6.25. (Mar 2005)
Voted YES on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001)
Voted YES on allowing workers to choose between overtime & comp-time. (May 1997)
Voted YES on replacing farm price supports. (Feb 1996)
Rated 15% by the AFL-CIO, indicating an anti-union voting record. (Dec 2003)

John McCain on Principles & Values

Click here for 49 full quotes on Principles & Values OR 12 older headlines OR background on Principles & Values.
I didn't manage for profit, I led for patriotism. (Oct 2007)
Romney is conning people about conservatism of his record. (Oct 2007)
Absent from Values Voter Presidential Debate. (Sep 2007)
Voted with Republican Party 87.3% of 165 votes. (Sep 2007)
Not youngest candidate, but certainly the most prepared. (May 2007)
Reform gov't, fight Islamic extremism; & restore integrity. (Apr 2007)
I am here to serve, but not necessarily as president. (Apr 2007)
Looks to Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt, & Eisenhower as models. (Apr 2007)
Loyalty is important, but performance should come first. (Apr 2007)
If I lose capacity for anger, I lose capacity to serve. (Apr 2007)
Poll: Hillary vs. McCain in 2008 would be "nailbiter". (May 2006)
Needs independents to win '08 primary; but GOP dislikes them. (Oct 2005)
Courage is the capacity for action despite our fears. (Apr 2004)
Humility from surviving veterans is remarkable. (Apr 2004)
Just government is derived from the consent of the governed. (Apr 2004)
We need moral courage to be honest all the time. (Apr 2004)
Do the thing you think you cannot do. (Apr 2004)
The allure of pride affects adults like it affects children. (Apr 2004)
We are indebted to those who shed blood for us. (Apr 2004)
It's love that makes courage necessary. (Apr 2004)
Faith bridges unbridgeable gaps in humanity. (Feb 2000)
Calls himself conservative who attracts political center. (Feb 2000)
Foreign policy should not be shaped by photo-ops & polls. (Jan 2000)
Restore, renew, reform, & reinvigorate government. (Sep 1999)
“New Patriotic Challenge”: stand against cynicism. (Sep 1999)
Public officials have failed to set example for society. (Aug 1999)
Past Campaigns
GOP lost 2006 due to corrupt spending, spending, spending. (Jun 2007)
Straight Talk America PAC endorses 60 House candidates. (Dec 2006)
McCain's PAC endorses 19 Senate & 17 governor candidates. (Dec 2006)
Denounces "Swift Boat Vets" ads as dishonest. (Aug 2004)
Time for closure on a bizarre situation. (Nov 2000)
Suspends campaign, citing Republican preference for Bush. (Mar 2000)
Will take reform crusade back to the Senate. (Mar 2000)
Leaves race, urging service to country. (Mar 2000)
Reagan Republican: simplify taxes, stop waste, pay down debt. (Mar 2000)
Support conservative issues, not far-right leaders. (Mar 2000)
The GOP should be inclusive. (Feb 2000)
Campaigning to return government to the people. (Sep 1999)

Personal History

Survived as POW by faith to a higher cause. (Nov 1999)
Refused release to hurt Vietnamese & remain loyal to POWs. (Nov 1999)
Graduated 5th from bottom of Naval Academy class. (Nov 1999)
"Profligate rake" during Academy and Junior Officer years. (Nov 1999)
Voting Record
Vote based on character, not issues. (Jan 2000)
Voted YES on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice. (Jan 2006)
Voted YES on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Sep 2005)
Religious affiliation: Episcopalian. (Nov 2000)
Member of the Republican Main Street Partnership . (Jan 2001)
Rated 33% by the AU, a mixed record on church-state separation. (Dec 2006)

John McCain on Social Security

We need personal savings accounts. (Oct 2007)
Willing to compromise on raising cap above $90K. (May 2007)
Save benefits by bipartisan agreement; but without new tax. (Apr 2007)
Trust Fund is a ticking time bomb, set to go off in 2014. (Jan 2000)
More believe in Elvis than in getting Social Security check. (Jan 2000)
Option to invest 20% of payroll taxes in private accounts. (Jan 2000)
Every dollar off-budget - no ifs, ands, or excuses. (Sep 1999)
Disallow using Trust Fund for “emergency” spending. (Jun 1999)
Allow workers to invest privately. (Jun 1999)
Earnings test penalizes productivity in retirees. (Jun 1999)
Eliminate the “earnings test” which taxes benefits. (May 1999)
Lock up Trust Fund; devote 62% of budget surplus to it. (May 1999)
Put surplus into Trust Fund; fulfill promised benefits. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on using the Social Security Surplus to fund tax reductions. (Jul 1999)
Voted YES on Social Security Lockbox & limiting national debt. (Apr 1999)
Voted YES on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees. (May 1998)
Voted YES on allowing personal retirement accounts. (Apr 1998)
Voted YES on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes. (May 1996)
Rated 40% by the ARA, indicating a mixed record on senior issues. (Dec 2003)
Supports individual savings accounts and work incentives. (Sep 1998)

John McCain on Tax Reform

We need a simpler, fairer tax code, but not FairTax. (Nov 2007)
Tax system is fair; wealthy pay bulk of taxes. (Oct 2007)
Won't sign no-tax pledge; focus on cutting spending. (Sep 2007)
Make tax reform commission & vote yes-or-no on outcome. (Aug 2007)
FactCheck: Families spend $20B on tax prep, not $140B. (Aug 2007)
Opposed Bush tax cuts, but must extend them now. (May 2007)
New tax cuts account for contingencies and over-spending. (May 2007)
Alternative minimum tax is eating Americans alive. (May 2007)
Bush tax cuts fiscally reckless & favored rich;but keep them. (Apr 2007)
Tax plan: $238B over 5 years; $500B over 10 years. (Feb 2000)
Double child tax credit; add family incentives. (Feb 2000)
“Balanced approach”, and starts a flat tax system. (Feb 2000)
Reagan Republican: simplify taxes; cut waste. (Feb 2000)
Big money interests fear closing loopholes. (Jan 2000)
Remove charitable deduction; it only benefits rich. (Jan 2000)
Replace employer-provided benefits with a tax cut. (Jan 2000)
Middle-class tax cut: expand 15% tax bracket. (Jan 2000)
Don’t promise tax cuts from future surpluses we may not have. (Jan 2000)
1st step to simplify taxes: close special interest loopholes. (Dec 1999)
Supports flat tax; stop complexity by special interests. (Oct 1999)
Keep lump-sum earned income tax credit. (Oct 1999)
Cut marriage tax, inheritance tax, & earnings test. (Sep 1999)
Taxes should be flatter, lower, and simpler. (Apr 1999)

Voting Record

Voted against Bush tax cuts for not reining in spending. (May 2007)
Voted YES on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
Voted YES on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO 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 NO on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
Voted YES on phasing out the estate tax ("death tax"). (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on requiring super-majority for raising taxes. (Apr 1998)
Rated 72% by NTU, indicating "Satisfactory" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 50% by CTJ, indicating a mixed record on progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)
Implement socially fair, broad-based tax cuts. (Sep 1998)

John McCain on Technology

Don't police Internet crime; go after money to reduce crime. (Oct 2007)
Veto pork barrel; focus transportation spending on repairs. (Aug 2007)
Special interest influence corruptly took HDTV frequencies. (May 2007)
FactCheck: Special interests only delayed HDTV transfer. (May 2007)
Provide unused spectrum to emergency officials. (Mar 2007)
Uses Internet to read news & to get donations. (Mar 2000)
Digital Divide requires tax credits for equipment & teachers. (Jan 2000)
Internet tax ban saved consumers $600M this Xmas. (Jan 2000)
Free TV & radio to candidates as a public interest. (Dec 1999)
Make Internet tax moratorium permanent. (Dec 1999)
Encourage teachers to learn high tech. (Oct 1999)
Technology can hasten end of haves vs. have-nots. (Sep 1999)
Get more government documents on-line. (Aug 1999)
Telecommuncations Act was an influence-peddling scheme. (Jul 1999)
Internet access, with filters, at every school & library. (Jun 1999)
No government control over computer encryption. (Apr 1999)
Voted NO on restoring $550M in funding for Amtrak for 2007. (Mar 2006)
Voted NO on disallowing FCC approval of larger media conglomerates. (Sep 2003)
Voted YES on Internet sales tax moratorium. (Oct 1998)
Voted NO on telecomm deregulation. (Feb 1996)

John McCain on War & Peace

Click here for 67 full quotes on War & Peace OR 8 older headlines OR background on War & Peace.
Iran & Syria must not get nukes; they'll exterminate Israel. (Nov 2007)
Iran is state sponsor of terrorism; no more evidence needed. (Nov 2007)
Congressional consultation before attacking Iran's nukes. (Oct 2007)
Sanctions to prevent Iranian nukes; but don't count on UN. (Sep 2007)
Follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell. (May 2007)
Prefers not to take troops out of Afghanistan. (Jan 2007)
McCain Principle: Committing troops means completing mission. (Jan 2007)
The War on Terror is the overriding and transcendent issue. (Oct 2004)
The War on Terror is a fight between good and evil. (Aug 2004)
The War on Terror a war we must fight. (Aug 2004)
Avoiding the War on Terror has cost us dearly. (Aug 2004)
Bush promised enemies would soon hear from us and they did. (Aug 2004)
Our adversaries express a hatred for all good in humanity. (Aug 2004)
Iran is sponsor of terrorism; US strike if they get nukes. (May 2007)
Palestine: Against declaration of statehood. (Feb 1999)
Iran
Keep military option open against Iran, even if no nukes. (Dec 2007)
No direct talk with Iran; talk is over-rated. (Dec 2007)

Iraq War

Help Maliki government move forward as rapidly as possible. (Nov 2007)
I would much rather lose a campaign than lose a war. (Oct 2007)
Stategy in Iraq: defeat al-Qaeda; limit Iran's influence. (Sep 2007)
Iraq is now the central front in the war against al-Qaeda. (Sep 2007)
Americans want to win; bin Laden thinks he's winning now. (Sep 2007)
Democrats proposing failure in Iraq by withdrawing. (Sep 2007)
Reducing military presence has never in history won a war. (Sep 2007)
Bring troops home the right way: home with honor. (Sep 2007)
Surge is working; let it continue until it succeeds. (Sep 2007)
Support the surge even if benchmarks are not met. (Aug 2007)
Did not read NIE before war vote, but was fully briefed. (Jun 2007)
If new strategy not working by Sept., we still must succeed. (Jun 2007)
Willing to be last man standing for US involvement in Iraq. (May 2007)
Consequences of failure: regional chaos & we must come back. (May 2007)
In hindsight, Iraq invasion was still justified. (May 2007)
Timetable would be catastrophe, even if Iraq wants it. (May 2007)
Advocated leaving Somalia, but no comparison to Iraq. (May 2007)
War has been mismanaged, but we are now on the right track. (May 2007)
War in Iraq has not gone well: dire but not hopeless. (Mar 2007)
Al Qaeda may take over Iraqi oilwells. (Mar 2007)
Prefers more troops for surge, but 20,000 is sufficient. (Jan 2007)
Bush now has the right strategy, and it's our last chance. (Jan 2007)
Generals advising "no more troops" was a failed policy. (Jan 2007)
If we leave Iraq, terrorists will follow us home. (Jan 2007)
Send in a heavy wave of troops to Iraq to establish order. (Nov 2006)
Looting, terrorism in Iraq a result of US mistakes. (Sep 2004)
The Iraqi war was necessary after years of failed diplomacy. (Aug 2004)
Saddam would have acquired terrible weapons again. (Aug 2004)
The Iraqi war was necessary, achievable and noble. (Aug 2004)
The cause of the Iraqi war was just. (Apr 2004)

Voting Record

Congress has no authority to cut off funds for Iraqi use. (Jan 2007)
Voted NO on redeploying non-essential US troops out of Iraq in 9 months. (Dec 2007)
Voted NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO 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)
Voted NO on allowing all necessary force in Kosovo. (May 1999)
Voted YES on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo. (Mar 1999)
Voted YES on ending the Bosnian arms embargo. (Jul 1995)
Supports $48 billion in new spending for anti-terrorism. (Jan 2002)
CIA assessments ib Iraqi WMDs were all wrong. (Mar 2005)
Belief in Iraqi nukes was poor analysis of aluminum tubes. (Mar 2005)
Belief in Iraqi BWs was based on one unreliable person. (Mar 2005)
Belief in Iraqi CWs was based on flawed imagery. (Mar 2005)
Iraq never had delivery systems to attack US mainland. (Mar 2005)
CIA never questioned assumption that Saddam had WMDs. (Mar 2005)
Conclusions on Iran and North Korea are all classified. (Mar 2005)
Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. (Nov 1995)

John McCain on Welfare & Poverty

Require 40 hours work per week from welfare recipients. (Nov 2004)
Supports block grants, welfare-to-work, state control. (Jan 2000)
Anti-poverty shared by gov’t & faith-based orgs. (Jan 2000)
List unoccupied HUD-owned homes, & give them away. (Feb 1999)
Use tax code to address unemployment & working conditions. (Jul 1998)
More housing assistance; tax breaks against homelessness. (Jul 1998)
Pro-block grants; pro-welfare-to-work. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on welfare block grants. (Aug 1996)
Voted NO on eliminating block grants for food stamps. (Jul 1996)
Voted YES on allowing state welfare waivers. (Jul 1996)
Voted YES on welfare overhaul. (Sep 1995)
Fully fund AmeriCorps. (Jun 2003)

VoteMatch Responses

Opposes topic 1:
Abortion is a woman's right
(-3 points on Social scale) Concerned if women undergo illegal dangerous operations: Favors topic 1
Prosecute abortion doctors, not women who get them: Opposes topic 1
Overturn Roe v. Wade, but keep incest & rape exceptions: Opposes topic 1
Wants Roe vs. Wade made irrelevant, but would not repeal it: Favors topic 1
Opposes partial-birth abortions & public financing: Opposes topic 1
Supports repealing Roe v. Wade: Strongly Opposes topic 1
Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 1
Expand embryonic stem cell research: Favors topic 1
Rated 75% by the NRLC, indicating a mixed record on abortion: Neutral on topic 1
YES on banning partial birth abortions: Strongly Opposes topic 1
YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions: Opposes topic 1
YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life: Strongly Opposes topic 1
YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime: Opposes topic 1
NO on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives: Opposes topic 1
YES on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions: Opposes topic 1
YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines: Favors topic 1
YES on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions: Opposes topic 1
Favors topic 2:
Require hiring more women & minorities
(-3 points on Economic scale) Inter-racial dating ban is idiotic and cruel: Favors topic 2
Affirmative action OK for specific programs, but no quotas: Favors topic 2
Rated 7% by the NAACP, indicating an anti-affirmative-action stance: Strongly Opposes topic 2
YES on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds: Strongly Opposes topic 2
NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business: Strongly Favors topic 2
NO on prohibiting same-sex basic training: Favors topic 2
YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women: Favors topic 2
Favors topic 3:
Same-sex domestic partnership benefits
(+2 points on Social scale) Leave gay marriage to the states: Favors topic 3
Accepts gays in military under current policy: Favors topic 3
Would be “comfortable” with a gay president: Favors topic 3
1st Amend. not a shield for hate groups: Neutral on topic 3
Ban on same-sex marriage is unRepublican; leave it to states: Strongly Favors topic 3
Keep “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy - it works: Favors topic 3
Rated 33% by the HRC, indicating a mixed record on gay rights: Neutral on topic 3
YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage: Strongly Opposes topic 3
NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation: Strongly Opposes topic 3
NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation: Opposes topic 3
NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes: Strongly Opposes topic 3
NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage: Strongly Favors topic 3
Favors topic 4:
Teacher-led prayer in public schools
(-3 points on Social scale) Support evangelism but don’t pander to evangelical leaders: Opposes topic 4
Faith bridges unbridgeable gaps in humanity: Neutral on topic 4
Ten Commandments would bring virtue to our schools: Strongly Favors topic 4
Allow, but not mandate, school prayer: Favors topic 4
Supports anti-flag desecration amendment: Favors topic 4
Rated 83% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-family voting record: Strongly Favors topic 4
Rated 33% by the AU, a mixed record on church-state separation: Neutral on topic 4
YES on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer: Favors topic 4
YES on $75M for abstinence education: Strongly Favors topic 4
YES on killing restrictions on violent videos to minors: Opposes topic 4
YES on declaring memorial prayers and religious symbols OK at schools: Favors topic 4
YES on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration: Favors topic 4
Favors topic 5:
More federal funding for health coverage
(-3 points on Economic scale) Matching funds for seniors citizens’ prescription drugs: Favors topic 5
Expand health insurance to 11 million uninsured children: Strongly Favors topic 5
Allow paying extra for choice of doctors & care: Favors topic 5
More tax-deductible health costs; limits on malpractice: Favors topic 5
Tax credits for those without employee health insurance: Strongly Favors topic 5
$350 billion for prescriptions for poor seniors: Favors topic 5
Rated 25% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 5
NO on blocking medical savings acounts: Opposes topic 5
NO on Medicare means-testing: Favors topic 5
YES on limiting self-employment health deduction: Opposes topic 5
NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare: Opposes topic 5
YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit: Opposes 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
NO on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D: Opposes topic 5
Strongly Favors topic 6:
Privatize Social Security
(+5 points on Economic scale) We need personal savings accounts: Strongly Favors topic 6
More believe in Elvis than in getting Social Security check: Favors topic 6
Option to invest 20% of payroll taxes in private accounts: Strongly Favors topic 6
Allow workers to invest privately: Strongly Favors topic 6
Rated 40% by the ARA, indicating a mixed record on senior issues: Neutral on topic 6
Supports individual savings accounts and work incentives: Favors topic 6
YES on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes: Favors topic 6
YES on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees: Favors topic 6
YES on allowing personal retirement accounts: Favors topic 6
YES on using the Social Security Surplus to fund tax reductions: Favors topic 6
Strongly Favors topic 7:
Parents choose schools via vouchers
(+5 points on Economic scale) Charters, homeschooling, & vouchers are key to success: Strongly Favors topic 7
Vouchers & charters will improve our school system: Strongly Favors topic 7
Nationwide test of school vouchers: Strongly Favors topic 7
$5B program for 3-year test of school vouchers: Strongly Favors topic 7
Vouchers for any schools; more charter schools: Strongly Favors topic 7
Support Ed-Flex: more flexibility if more accountable: Favors topic 7
Rated 45% by the NEA, indicating a mixed record on public education: Neutral on topic 7
YES on school vouchers in DC: Strongly Favors topic 7
YES on education savings accounts: Favors topic 7
YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules: Strongly Favors topic 7
NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors: Favors topic 7
NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors: Favors topic 7
NO on $5B for grants to local educational agencies: Favors topic 7
Strongly Favors topic 8:
Death Penalty
(-5 points on Social scale) Pro-death penalty; more prisons; increased penalties: Strongly Favors topic 8
YES on rejecting racial statistics in death penalty appeals: Favors topic 8
YES on limiting death penalty appeals: Favors topic 8
Strongly Favors topic 9:
Mandatory Three Strikes sentencing laws
(-5 points on Social scale) More death penalty; stricter sentencing: Favors topic 9
Rated 29% by CURE, indicating anti-rehabilitation crime votes: Strongly Favors topic 9
Rated 85% by the NCJA, indicating a "tough-on-crime" stance: Strongly Favors topic 9
YES on mandatory prison terms for crimes involving firearms: Strongly Favors topic 9
YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations: Favors topic 9
Strongly Favors topic 10:
Absolute right to gun ownership
(+5 points on Economic scale) Prosecute criminals, not citizens for gun ownership: Strongly Favors topic 10
Don't hold gun manufacturers liable for crimes: Favors topic 10
Opposes restrictions on assault weapons and ammunition types: Strongly Favors topic 10
Ban cheap guns; require safety locks; for gun show checks: Opposes topic 10
Voted against Brady Bill & assault weapon ban: Strongly Favors topic 10
Punish criminals who abuse 2nd Amendment rights: Favors topic 10
Repeal existing gun restrictions; penalize criminal use: Strongly Favors topic 10
YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks: Strongly Favors topic 10
YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows: Favors topic 10
NO on background checks at gun shows: Strongly Favors topic 10
YES on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence: Strongly Favors topic 10
YES on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers: Strongly Favors topic 10
Opposes topic 11:
Repeal tax cuts on wealthy
(+2 points on Economic scale) Tax system is fair; wealthy pay bulk of taxes: Strongly Opposes topic 11
Remove charitable deduction; it only benefits rich: Favors topic 11
Middle-class tax cut: expand 15% tax bracket: Favors topic 11
Tax cuts should go to middle- & lower-income people: Favors topic 11
Cut marriage tax, inheritance tax, & earnings test: Strongly Opposes topic 11
Taxes should be flatter, lower, and simpler: Strongly Opposes topic 11
Voted against Bush tax cuts for not reining in spending: Opposes topic 11
Rated 72% by NTU, indicating "Satisfactory" on tax votes: Neutral on topic 11
Rated 50% by CTJ, indicating a mixed record on progressive taxation: Neutral on topic 11
Implement socially fair, broad-based tax cuts: Favors topic 11
YES on Internet sales tax moratorium: Opposes topic 11
YES on requiring super-majority for raising taxes: Opposes topic 11
YES on phasing out the estate tax ("death tax"): Opposes topic 11
YES on eliminating the 'marriage penalty': Opposes topic 11
NO on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts: Favors topic 11
YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates: Favors topic 11
NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction: Opposes 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
NO on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut: Opposes topic 11
YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends: Strongly Opposes topic 11
YES on permanently repealing the `death tax`: Strongly Opposes topic 11
YES on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts: Strongly Opposes topic 11
YES on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million: Strongly Opposes topic 11
YES on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax: Strongly Opposes topic 11
Favors topic 12:
Illegal immigrants earn citizenship
(+2 points on Social scale) 12 million illegals in country now is de facto amnesty: Favors topic 12
Immigration reform needed for national security: Strongly Favors topic 12
Give everyone in the world an opportunity to come to America: Favors topic 12
More help for legal immigrants when immigrating & once here: Strongly Favors topic 12
No more ballot initiatives against immigration: Strongly Favors topic 12
English immersion over bilingual education: Opposes topic 12
Rated 18% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance: Strongly Favors topic 12
YES on limit welfare for immigrants: Strongly Opposes topic 12
YES on visas for skilled workers: Favors topic 12
YES on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work: 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 declaring English as the official language of the US government: Strongly Opposes topic 12
YES on comprehensive immigration reform: Strongly Favors topic 12
Strongly Favors topic 13:
Support & expand free trade
(+5 points on Economic scale) Every time US went protectionist, we paid heavy price: Strongly Favors topic 13
Supports ethanol, but by exporting, not by subsidies: Strongly Favors topic 13
No environmental provisions in trade agreements: Strongly Favors topic 13
Free trade with any country except security risks: Favors topic 13
Free trade is indispensable to our prosperity: Strongly Favors topic 13
NAFTA has had unambiguously positive impact on US: Strongly Favors topic 13
Pro-NAFTA, pro-GATT, pro-MFN, pro-Fast Track: Strongly Favors topic 13
Promote the Andean Free Trade Agreement: Strongly Favors topic 13
Rated 100% by CATO, indicating a pro-free trade voting record: Strongly Favors topic 13
YES on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority: Favors topic 13
YES on permanent normal trade relations with China: Strongly Favors topic 13
YES on expanding trade to the third world: Favors topic 13
NO on removing common goods from national security export rules: Opposes topic 13
YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam: Favors topic 13
YES on extending free trade to Andean nations: Strongly Favors 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
YES on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade: Strongly Favors topic 13
YES on free trade agreement with Oman: Strongly Favors topic 13
Strongly Opposes topic 14:
The Patriot Act harms civil liberties
(-5 points on Social scale) YES on extending the PATRIOT Act's wiretap provision: Strongly Opposes topic 14
YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act: Opposes topic 14
NO on preserving habeus corpus for Guantanamo detainees: Strongly Opposes topic 14
NO on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods: Strongly Opposes topic 14
Favors topic 15:
Expand the armed forces
(-3 points on Social scale) Clean up waste in defense acquisition: Opposes topic 15
Eliminate defense pork, but increase most other defense: Strongly Favors topic 15
Terminate C-130, B-2, and Seawolf; use funds to modernize: Opposes topic 15
Politicians keep unneeded bases open for political purposes: Opposes topic 15
Raise military pay to avoid military draft: Favors topic 15
Supports $48 billion in new spending for anti-terrorism: Favors topic 15
Rated 0% by SANE, indicating a pro-military voting record: Strongly Favors topic 15
Reduce federal government size & scope, including military: Opposes topic 15
NO on 1996 Defense Appropriations: Opposes topic 15
YES on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty: Favors topic 15
NO on favoring 36 vetoed military projects: Strongly Opposes topic 15
YES on allowing another round of military base closures: Opposes topic 15
YES on military pay raise of 4.8%: Strongly Favors topic 15
YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP: Strongly Favors topic 15
YES on requiring on-budget funding for Iraq, not emergency funding: Opposes topic 15
NO on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months: Favors topic 15
Favors topic 16:
Stricter limits on political campaign funds
(-3 points on Economic scale) Big money interests fear closing loopholes: Favors topic 16
Limit campaign contributions, not free speech: Favors topic 16
527s are clearly illegal; reform intended for small donors: Strongly Favors topic 16
CFR passes Senate; focus on House, not court challenges: Favors topic 16
Clearer rules about campaign finance; no soft money: Favors topic 16
Soft money makes gov’t work for special interests: Favors topic 16
Campaign Finance: ban both labor union & corporate donations: Favors topic 16
Supports multiple restrictions on campaign finance: Strongly Favors topic 16
Cozying up to big donors makes big problems: Favors topic 16
Supports Shays-Meehan Campaign Finance Reform: Favors topic 16
YES on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance: 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
YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity: Favors topic 16
YES on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress: Strongly Opposes topic 16
Strongly Opposes topic 17:
US out of Iraq
(-5 points on Social scale) Russia: Sanctions until Putin exits Chechnya: Opposes topic 17
IMF’s Russia policies bad, but agency is OK: Favors topic 17
Support the surge even if benchmarks are not met: Strongly Opposes topic 17
Willing to be last man standing for US involvement in Iraq: Strongly Opposes topic 17
Send in a heavy wave of troops to Iraq to establish order: Strongly Opposes topic 17
NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007: Strongly Opposes topic 17
NO on redeploying non-essential US troops out of Iraq in 9 months: Opposes topic 17
Favors topic 18:
Replace coal & oil with alternatives
(-3 points on Economic scale) Strength Clean Air & Water Acts; but not Kyoto: Strongly Opposes topic 18
Ethanol bad for environment & bad for consumers: Opposes topic 18
Supports alternative fuels, emission controls, & CWA: Favors topic 18
Make EPA into a Cabinet department: Strongly Favors topic 18
Rated 53% by the LCV, indicating a mixed record on environment: Neutral on topic 18
Rated 17% by the CAF, indicating opposition to energy independence: Opposes topic 18
Supports immediate reductions in greenhouse gases: Strongly Favors topic 18
NO on do not require ethanol in gasoline: Favors topic 18
NO on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests: Opposes topic 18
YES on defunding renewable and solar energy: Strongly Opposes topic 18
YES on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling: Opposes 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
NO on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%): Strongly Opposes 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
Strongly Favors topic 19:
Drug use is immoral: enforce laws against it
(-5 points on Social scale) Administration is AWOL on the war on drugs: Strongly Favors topic 19
We’re losing drug war - just say no: Strongly Favors topic 19
$1B for detection equipment for more border interdiction: Strongly Favors topic 19
Stricter penalties; stricter enforcement: Strongly Favors topic 19
YES on spending international development funds on drug control: Strongly Favors topic 19
YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations: Favors topic 19
Strongly Favors topic 20:
Allow churches to provide welfare services
(+5 points on Economic scale) Supports block grants, welfare-to-work, state control: Favors topic 20
Anti-poverty shared by gov’t & faith-based orgs: Strongly Favors topic 20
Pro-block grants; pro-welfare-to-work: Favors topic 20
YES on welfare overhaul: Favors topic 20
YES on allowing state welfare waivers: Favors topic 20
NO on eliminating block grants for food stamps: Favors topic 20
YES on welfare block grants: Favors topic 20

All of this and more was taken from Ontheissues.org

Nevada Primaries and Caucus results, South Carolina primary results

2008-01-20T01:09:00.000-06:00

The desert brings the heat as the Nevada primaries and caucuses have ended. Interesting results for the GOP in Nevada as Mitt Romney grabs first, Ron Paul wins second, and John McCain takes third. Hilary snatches first, Obama second, and Edwards in a distant third. As far as the South Carolina action, McCain swipes top, Huckabee takes second, and ole Fred Thomspon swipes his best yet, third. The Democrats had no action yet in South Carolina. Check it out HERE.

Michigan primary slated for Jan. 15, 2008.

2008-01-11T11:27:00.000-06:00

Even though the primary won't mean much due to the state moving the date up and the Democratic party negating all delegates, as well as the GOP penalizing the state by taking away half of their Delegates - it still has major implications for the candidates. Not to mention, several Democrats have removed their names from the ballot.

Follow the Michigan primaries on Tuesday, HERE.

New Hampshire Primaries began to take place starting at midnight EST, Jan. 8, 2008.

2008-01-07T22:30:00.000-06:00

The first ballots were counted in a little town in Northern New Hampshire late last night, with 17 votes cast - McCain took the lead on the Republican side, and Obama on the Democrats side.

Follow the primary action in New Hampshire HERE

How is the President really elected?

2008-01-07T21:44:00.000-06:00

We elect the members of the senate and house of representatives, whom, in turn cast their vote for President. Find out more on the electoral college here.

So, it is true the popular vote for President on election does not matter, however, your vote for the members of Congress does and also through the nomination of parties' candidates to the general election. Hopefully, the members you vote for have the same candidate in mind.

Find out more here, too.

New Hampshire Polls

2008-01-07T12:15:00.000-06:00

One day before the New Hampshire Primary, the polls are in. Find them HERE.

Wyoming GOP Primary Status tracker

2008-01-05T14:19:00.000-06:00

This was as of 2:25 PM CDT, Jan 5,2008. See below to go to live tracker. (CLICK ON IMAGE TO EXPAND)

Check out live results of the Wyoming GOP Primary HERE which takes you to an up to date tally via an .xls spreadsheet.(Brings form up in html - from the Wyoming GOP site)

Presidential Candidate Comparisons

2008-01-04T11:57:00.003-06:00

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. "The most important weapons in the U.S. arsenal are the men and women of American armed forces. John McCain believes we must enlarge the size of our armed forces to meet new challenges to our security. For too long, we have asked too much of too few - with the result that many service personnel are on their second, third and even fourth tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. There can be no higher defense priority than the proper compensation, training, and equipping of our troops." Read more here.

Obama,as a state senator, he spoke out against Iraq war, before the war started. Has long favored a "phased withdrawal." "Our country's greatest military asset is the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States. When we do send our men and women into harm's way, we must also clearly define the mission, prescribe concrete political and military objectives, seek out advice of our military commanders, evaluate the intelligence, plan accordingly, and ensure that our troops have the resources, support, and equipment they need to protect themselves and fulfill their mission." -Barack Obama, Chicago Foreign Affairs Council, April 23, 2007. Read more here.

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. McCain's campaign site did not have a subject devoted to social security.

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 100 percent in 2005. "We… have an obligation to protect Social Security and ensure that it's a safety net the American people can count on today, tomorrow and forever. Social Security is the cornerstone of the social compact in this country… Coming together to meet this challenge won't be easy… It will take restoring a sense of shared purpose in Washington and across this country. But if you put your trust in me — if you give me 'your hand and your heart' — then that's exactly what I intend to do as your next President." — Barack Obama, Speech in Des Moines, IA, October 27, 2007. Read more here.

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 is 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. "John McCain believes that the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, individual Constitutional right that we have a sacred duty to protect. We have a responsibility to ensure that criminals who violate the law are prosecuted to the fullest, rather than restricting the rights of law abiding citizens. Gun control is a proven failure in fighting crime." Find more about McCain's stance here. Obama wants strict gun control.

Health care:
McCain opposes universal health care, rather he calls for reform, 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.

Wyoming caucus just a day away

2008-01-04T11:35:00.000-06:00

Possibly overlooked due to the first in the nation primary for both parties in New Hampshire, Wyoming prepares for their GOP caucuses set to take place tomorrow Jan. 5, 2008.

You can track the caucus results, demographics, and much more HERE.

Wyoming will be sending 14 delegates on to the GOP's national convention.

After moving family from Connectitcut to work in Iowa, Dodd drops out of race

2008-01-03T21:41:00.000-06:00

CNN announced Chris Dodd has dropped out after receiving 1% of the Iowa caucus vote.

Iowa caucus nearly complete, Obama and Huckabee declared winners by CNN

2008-01-03T21:04:00.000-06:00

Check it out live HERE

This is very interesting to see Obama win a state that is almost 94% white, and only 2% black. This must say something for Obama and his message.

From CNN:

Past Highlights

DEMOCRATS
2000: Al Gore scores decisive caucus victory over Bill Bradley
1992: "Favorite son" Tom Harkin gets 76 percent of the vote
1976: Jimmy Carter seen as winner despite placing 2nd behind "Uncommitted"

REPUBLICANS
2000: George W. Bush records highest percentage ever in contested GOP caucus
1996: Pat Buchanan gains major momentum from second-place finish
1980: George Bush's small win exceeds expectations and is seen as major upset

State by state voter registration guide.

2008-01-03T15:44:00.000-06:00

Here it is.

In light of Fox's possible exclusion of Ron Paul, NH GOP fights back

2008-01-03T12:51:00.000-06:00

Due to Fox's previous ruling that all candidate's whom will be participating in this weekends GOP debate must be polling within the state with at least %10 of the vote, Ron Paul will be excluded. The fact is though, Ron Paul has likely outraised avery GOP member for the 4th quarter, and rivaled that of the front runners in the Democratic Party. The NH GOP is fighting back though, because the first of the nations' primary state New Hampshire should include all serious candidates to level the playing field, they say that the likes of Ron Paul should be included.

Read the story HERE from the Baltimore Sun.

2008 Presidential Primary, Caucus Dates

2008-01-03T10:18:00.000-06:00

Here is a slick calender - that details state by state primaries and caucuses

Find a handy PDF here

Here is Iowa caucus results

Iowa caucuses explained

2008-01-02T20:59:00.000-06:00

With the caucuses now less the a day away, let us break down Iowa's unusual caucuses.

For the Democratic Party, caucuses form all around the state based upon specified precincts. Unlike the primaries, where voters pick candidates via ballots, caucuses form and ultimately pick one candidate. Caucuses take place at schools and libraries, and truly are groups of people whom convene and decide whom they like most. For example, one caucus may consist of 100 people. Within that caucus, one candidate will be selected by process of elimination. They use a 15% rule. People break up into the groups of whom they favor. The candidate must receive 15% of the vote. So, if there were 7 candidates, and 3 candidates received 20% each, and the other 4 candidates received 40% combined - but not one getting at least 15%, those people must then pick from the other 3 candidates.`So now, lets call the first three candidates A,B, and C. A ends up after the others were forced to re vote with 40%, B the same, and C now has only 20%. C is forced to re vote between the top 2. Now B has 55%, and A only %45. B wins. And then that county or precincts caucus sends their vote tally to their respective headquarters.

For the Republican Party, its a different story. Secret ballots determine delegates. "The vote determines which delegates, representing which candidates, will attend county conventions. There, delegates are chosen for state congressional district conventions, where delegate to national convention are picked.

The Republicans use a winner-take-all system. Whichever candidate wins the caucuses takes all of the delegates for the state."

I hope that helps as I saw that on CNN this and referenced another article i posted previously.

Here it is as explained in further detail by wiki "The Iowa caucus operates very differently from the more common primary election used by most other states (see U.S. presidential primary). The caucus is generally defined as a "gathering of neighbors." Rather than going to polls and casting ballots, Iowans gather at a set location in each of Iowa's 1784 precincts. Typically, these meetings occur in schools, churches, or public libraries. The caucuses are held every two years, but the ones that receive national attention are the presidential preference caucuses held every four years. In addition to the voting and the presidential preference choices, caucus-goers begin the process of writing their parties’ platforms by introducing resolutions. [1]

Unlike the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary, the Iowa caucus does not result directly in national delegates for each candidate. Instead, caucus-goers elect delegates to county conventions, who elect delegates to district and state conventions where the national convention delegates are selected.[citation needed]

The Republicans and Democrats each hold their own set of caucuses subject to their own particular rules that change from time to time. Participants in each party's caucuses must be registered with that party. Participants can change their registration at the caucus location. Additionally, 17-year-olds can participate, as long as they will be 18 years old by the date of the general election. Observers are allowed to attend, as long as they do not become actively involved in the debate and voting process.

"What you need to know about the caucuses"

2008-01-02T09:02:00.000-06:00

IOWA FAQ from AJC.com

What you need to know about the caucuses

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Published on: 01/02/08

Thursday's nights caucuses in Iowa combine high-stakes politics and old-style community meetings. The results will shape the GOP and Democratic campaigns and spark some candidates to drop out from the 2008 White House race.

The caucuses are such a big deal in Iowa that a musical was written about them. laywright Robert John Ford sits on the set for 'CAUCUS! The Musical' in Des Moines. The play centers on Iowa farmer Eldon Wise and his family, who the media has dubbed 'the typical Iowa caucus-goers.' Like other Iowans, they're bombarded with phone calls, e-mails, negative ads and personal visits -- all of which stir up debate and sometimes rifts between relatives.

RELATED:
• Voter resources, Political Vent, Luckovich and calendars
• National campaign news

Q. Which candidates are on the ballot in Iowa?

A. Republicans: Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, John McCain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson. Democrats: Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Christopher Dodd, John Edwards, Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson.

Q. How do the caucuses work?

A. In each of Iowa's nearly 2,000 voting precincts, Democrats and Republicans hold separate meetings on caucus night. The meetings can be held almost anywhere - in schools, firehouses, church basements and even living rooms. Anybody registered member of a party can attend that party's meeting.

REPUBLICANS

Republicans vote in the caucuses by secret ballots. The vote determines which delegates, representing which candidates, will attend county conventions. There, delegates are chosen for state congressional district conventions, where delegate to national convention are picked.

The Republicans use a winner-take-all system. Whichever candidate wins the caucuses takes all of the delegates for the state.

DEMOCRATS

The meeting divides into groups, each supporting a particular candidate. If a candidate doesn't have a sufficient percentage of the total number of voters attending, its members join other candidates' groups. When that redistribution finally ends with groups of sufficient size, the delegates are divided among them according to the percentage of the meetings' attendees they represent. The process then proceeds through the county and state conventions. At the national convention, the candidates receive delegates proportionately, rather than the winner taking all of the state's delegates.

Q. What time do the caucuses begin (local time)?

A. Regardless of the date, the Democratic caucuses will begin at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6) while Republicans begin at 7 p.m.

Q. What time are the caucuses finished?

A. Most should be done by 8 p.m. At some, people like to argue politics and platforms, but the presidential voting should be done by 8 or so, unless the turnout is large and unwieldy. That could happen with all the interest being generated in this election.

Q. How does a caucus differ from a primary election?

A. Unlike a caucus, a primary is carried out in a virtually identical manner to a general election contest, with participants going to polling place or, depending on state election procedures, voting at home for their preferred candidates. A primary election attracts a broader swath of the electorate, in part because it requires a shorter time commitment. A caucus takes longer to conduct and tends to attract dedicated party activists.

Q. Where are these caucuses held?

A. In a wide variety of locations such as schools, churches, community centers, public libraries and even private homes.

Q. Can a presidential candidate fare poorly in Iowa and still recover and win the nomination?

A. Historical caucus results have spawned a conventional wisdom that there are "three tickets out of Iowa." In every contested Iowa caucus since 1972, only once has a presidential candidate finished worse than third and gone on to become his party's presidential candidates.

Q. The weather often affects turnout. What is the outlook?

A. Mostly sunny, with a high of 29 degrees, a low of 22.

Q. What is the turnout prediction?

A: 120,000-150,000 Democrats; 80,000-90,000 Republicans

Q. What's the "Iowa bounce"?

A. The momentum gained by a candidate who exceeds expectations in Iowa.

How the 2008 Presidential Election process takes place - Primaries and Caucuses, Results

2007-12-21T08:25:00.000-06:00

Many friends and family are confused as to exactly how candidates are selected for party nomination, and how they end up representing a major political party in the general election. Well, let me break it down for you in simple terms.

The process kicks off (for the two major political parties in the US) with candidates battling for their parties nomination by competing in each state's primary election or caucus. After a nominee is selected, they move on to the general election, where our President is chosen.

Let us start with dates for caucuses and primaries:

Here is a slick calender - that details state by state primaries and caucuses

Find another similar handy PDF here

Next, if you haven't registered to vote do so
Here it is. with the State by state voter registration guide.

Then, let us proceed to what you really came for, more info on the primary election and caucus process.

Here is info on the general election process.

The following are two places tracking the Caucus and Primaries results.
This is the best one from CNN. Just scroll down, and to the left is a map of the US where you can select the state.

Here is another place that tracks results of the primaries and caucuses. Nothing has been published here yet.

In addition, here is Iowa for a live example of recent caucuses.

Here is the Iowa Caucus explained, as it is a bit different than all the rest of the caucuses.

Here is a Q&A on caucuses.

Here is Iowa caucus results

Wyoming Results too can be found HERE

I hope this helps.

Iowa and New Hampshire 2008 Presidential Polls

2007-12-21T08:12:00.000-06:00

Keep in mind when looking at these polls, they are merely based off of past voters being polled, hence, any newcomers will not be polled. So, say for example - you have switched parties and or had never voted before, or don't own a landline - their vote may have been missed - skewing results. Thus, a sample error of + or - %5 might not be truly accurate, some could argue it may be as high as %10-20. However, it is what it is and this is what we have:

Check out Iowa caucus results here.

Iowa's primary vote for both major parties will be on Jan 3.,2008.

New Hampshire results here

New Hampshire's primary vote for both major parties will be on Jan 8.,2008.

"Tancredo expected to drop out of presidential race"

2007-12-20T14:56:00.000-06:00

See the story here.

Update: He did drop out, see that story here

Top 10 reasons why you shouldn't look to the Mainstream Media for your presidential candidate analysis

2007-12-18T14:30:00.000-06:00

There are various reasons why you shouldn't look to the Mainstream Media (MSM) for your presidential candidate analysis - here are my top 10;

1. Their objectives are biased and not the same as your's and mine. Billionaires that own the television/radio companies have great influence over their coverage, and will force their choice on you and me, and smear or spin in a negative light -anyone they disagree with or that disagrees with them. And, this is their right.

2. Lesser known candidates will hardly have a chance to see the light of day, because nobody will advertise to small audiences. Major advertisers want major markets, not numerous different and immeasurable slices of audiences.

3. You become dependent on a few news sources, and rarely become engaged in discussion or critical thinking. If we have everyone else doing the analysis, how could we know that they are feeding us BS? Do you trust everything everyone says?

4. Quality journalism is scarce. Anymore, mainstream news is prepackaged, bottled, and shipped out over the airwaves, without any investigation - merely regurgitation and manipulation by each source.

5. They generalize and forcefully classify us into a few groups of their choosing. They make us conform to their needs.

6. Ignorance is not bliss for the rest of us. We must compensate for the damage the media does to the less knowledgeable folk by taking hours to explain the truth as we see it.

7. They focus on trivial, wedge issues, rather than the most important factors to our country’s prosperity and sovereignty.

8. They focus too much on polls that are based upon previous voters. Technology has changed, polling techniques have not. With less landlines and different demographics each election – polls are merely tiny indicators – not the bottom line they make them out to be.

9. They focus too much on personal lives, rather than what the candidate will do and how they stand on various issues. Of course, to a certain extent – personal lives could be relevant – if say, the candidate committed a crime – but most people don’t care what Mike Huckabee’s son did in boy scouts – I sure the hell don’t and I dislike the Huckster the same.

10. They focus on tiny abstract pieces, not the entire picture.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and please offer your reasons and explain these views to your friends and family – so “We the People” can become more informed and truly make the difference that the MSM has failed at.

Select a Candidate Quiz

2007-12-18T14:26:00.000-06:00

This quiz seemed to nail my choice, but take it with a grain of salt. Try it here

Here is another one, rather cool I must say.

Cool Ron Paul art

2007-12-17T14:26:00.000-06:00

I have made it quite apparent I am voting for Ron Paul, however, I will not bad mouth any other candidate. Having said that, here is a cool pic from Ron's daughter (I hope).

Here is the source

2008 Fundraising, Ron Paul Q4 currently topping 18.25 Million

2007-12-17T14:17:00.000-06:00

To put into perspective what Ron Paul's fundraisers did yesterday, take a look at the Q3 numbers and prior for all candidates running.

Ron Paul raking in that loot, over 6 Million in one day sets new record

2007-12-17T14:08:00.000-06:00

Many are convinced that Ron Paul will not gain the Republican nomination under any circumstances, regardless his apparent abilities to outraise all candidates - either side. Only time will tell, but what he is doing is impressive to say the least.

Ron Paul hauls in over 6 Million bucks in one day, on pace to out raise all candidates for 4th QTR fundraising.

Straw Poll Results, Latest Fundraising Status

2007-12-17T13:53:00.000-06:00

Here it is for Democrats

And for Republicans

Don't forget to check out the latest fundraising status for both parties HERE

We'll see soon enough if these things mean much.

National Polling Reports

2007-12-17T13:44:00.000-06:00

Here are the most recent polls from The Polling Report

Republicans

Democrats

The General Election

2008 Non Partisan Candidate Comparisons

2007-12-17T13:31:00.002-06:00

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. "The most important weapons in the U.S. arsenal are the men and women of American armed forces. John McCain believes we must enlarge the size of our armed forces to meet new challenges to our security. For too long, we have asked too much of too few - with the result that many service personnel are on their second, third and even fourth tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. There can be no higher defense priority than the proper compensation, training, and equipping of our troops." Read more here.

Obama,as a state senator, he spoke out against Iraq war, before the war started. Has long favored a "phased withdrawal." "Our country's greatest military asset is the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States. When we do send our men and women into harm's way, we must also clearly define the mission, prescribe concrete political and military objectives, seek out advice of our military commanders, evaluate the intelligence, plan accordingly, and ensure that our troops have the resources, support, and equipment they need to protect themselves and fulfill their mission." -Barack Obama, Chicago Foreign Affairs Council, April 23, 2007. Read more here.

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. McCain's campaign site did not have a subject devoted to social security.

Senator Obama supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 100 percent in 2005. "We… have an obligation to protect Social Security and ensure that it's a safety net the American people can count on today, tomorrow and forever. Social Security is the cornerstone of the social compact in this country… Coming together to meet this challenge won't be easy… It will take restoring a sense of shared purpose in Washington and across this country. But if you put your trust in me — if you give me 'your hand and your heart' — then that's exactly what I intend to do as your next President." — Barack Obama, Speech in Des Moines, IA, October 27, 2007. Read more here.

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 is 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. "John McCain believes that the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, individual Constitutional right that we have a sacred duty to protect. We have a responsibility to ensure that criminals who violate the law are prosecuted to the fullest, rather than restricting the rights of law abiding citizens. Gun control is a proven failure in fighting crime." Find more about McCain's stance here. Obama wants strict gun control.

Health care:
McCain opposes universal health care, rather he calls for reform, 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.

Frickin Politickin - Universal Health Coverage, Socialized medicine.. etc - Sicko from Michael Moore

2007-11-08T10:25:00.000-06:00

I watched "Sicko" the other night from Michael Moore.

Let me start off with this - I think I am very open minded, but conservative at the same time. I am registered (R)etard? Hell what does conservative or liberal mean anymore? I completely against the current administration and their tactics.

Having said that, let me get down to it; Michael Moore makes some fascinating points about the state of healthcare in the United States, however one sided it may be. There is no question in my mind, that money would be better spent on healthcare than for this war.

However, that does not mean I agree at all with this concept of socialized medicine.

There are some fascinating points that support both sides, let me quickly summarize them in one sentence: The goverment can take your money and redistribute it to pay for "Healthcare for everyone" or they can let you keep your money to pay for it yourself.

Sure it looks all fine and dandy when Mr. Moore boats on over to Cuba and the sickly American hero's from 9/11 get the care they couldn't afford here. The premise of the movie is that all of these other "less fortunate, less rich" countries can pay for universal healthcare, so why can't we? It is a good question, and tugs at your heart to spare poor people the opportunity they wouldn't have otherwise. To me, it doesn't matter if the government manages it or we do, the system is messed up- and we will pay for it one way or another.

The real problem with America's healthcare system (or lack there of)is not with weather or not the government should get involved in our personal lives and pocketbooks once again to manage something for us we could on our own, rather with HMO's.

That is not to say that poor people don't need help, but to say you can take someone's money and give it to someone else is stealing. I am not rich by any means, and I have a few kids to care for myself. But I will never be a proponent of redistributing wealth, it is stealing. The fact is, if the governemnt quit it's nanny state tactics, people may learn to take care of themselves and their fellow neighbors. The majority of help for poor already comes from Private organizations and charities, I believe this would better help those poor folks and innocent children.

Let me re-focus, get back to the root of the American heathcare debacle. Allow me to give you an analogy on HMO's, the real problem with our healthcare system; In the past few years there has been a boom of "recruiters" in the job market. Instead of people going out and doing their own research and finding jobs, they have began to rely on recruiters. The information, for the most part, that recruiters use is already free and accessible to the general public. However, the general public is too damn lazy to look for themselves, and so they pay a fee to the recruiter, in the form of a referral fee paid by the hiring company. Yep, people are so damn lazy they have other peopl now "manage" their job search. Well, this is exactly what an HMO is, a flippin middleman, that adds little value but takes a bunch of money. They are profit driven companies that are doing some sort of service that we don't need. It used to be, when our grandparents we're growing up, there was no such things as an HMO, and yep - you guessed it - healthcare was much less costly. Why is it so much more costly? Well there are few things besides the "administartion costs" that cause this. Namely, requirements on doctors to perform unnecessary test to prevent lawsuit. Not to mention, there is no shopping for service at all. Patients go to any doctor, not knowing what they charge and the HMO simply absorbs this cost and passes it on to us. We, the general public, have become entirely too complacent with allowing other people to manage our lives.

When will "We the people" decide to step up and take care of oursleves, our families, and the poor. I surely don't need the government to take my money to give to charity, I can damn well do that on mine own. Not to mention, I can give to whom I think is the best organization, and decide - not the Federal governemnt - that works and lives hundreds and miles away what is the best way to spend my charitable monies for my community.When people start taking responsiblity for themselves, and stop the government from running everything, we will be much better off.

/End rant

Ron Paul petition to mass media reaches 1467 signatures, mass media has already gotten the message

2007-11-02T10:40:00.000-05:00

Sign it here if you havn't

2008 Rat Race for President

2007-10-24T17:08:00.000-05:00

I realize I have not posted in a while, I am busy getting a business started in my spare time now - here is the link post again so you can quickly find info about all of the candidates for President. Good luck and don't forget, just because I don't have the time to keep this blog up to date - continue your search, Baby Jake is counting on you.

Republicans

Democrats

Third party and independent nominees, 2008 presidential candidates

My Ron Paul petition of Real People about to top 500 signatures

2007-09-14T14:11:00.000-05:00

Who'da thunk it? I am happy to announce my petition is about to top the 500 signature mark in just about a weeks time. Thanks to all other sites promoting this petition. Once we reach 10,000 signatures we need to send this to all of the national media channels. Let's take our word and have it heard!