The Candidates On Climate Change
Courtesy of the New York Times, a guide to the various Presidential candidates's current positions and past actions regarding the environment and global warming.
Check the sidebar for similar guides regarding Abortion, Health Care, Immigration and Iraq.
Check the sidebar for similar guides regarding Abortion, Health Care, Immigration and Iraq.
posted by Management at 6:55 PM
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The Presidential Candidates on Climate Change
The debate over global warming -- and what to do about it -- is likely to intensify this week. The United Nations is holding a special session on climate change and the White House will hold a two-day summit involving all of the major emitters, including India and China. A growing environmental awareness among Americans has brought the issue to the forefront of the 2008 presidential campaign. Both Republican and Democratic candidates have been asked to explain their stance on global warming during the debates and on the campaign trail. Most of the Democrats say the United States should lead the global effort to curb greenhouse emissions and advocate federally mandated emission laws. The Republicans, many of whom are unsure about the human role in climate change, tend to emphasize energy independence and efficiency. - KITTY BENNETT AND FARHANA HOSSAIN
The Democrats | The Republicans
THE CANDIDATE STANCE ON GLOBAL WARMING
AND AMERICA'S ROLE IF ELECTED, THEY SAY THEY WOULD ... PAST ACTIONS ON THE ISSUE
Joseph R.
Biden Jr.
Democrat
U.S. MUST LEAD GLOBAL EFFORTS TO REDUCE EMISSION; WOULD INSTITUTE CAP-AND-TRADE SYSTEM
The United States, as the strongest nation in the world, must return to a leadership role to solve global warming. Containing greenhouse gas emissions within our own borders is a necessary and important start. ... Developing countries -- China, India, Mexico, Korea and Brazil -- will soon be the greatest source of greenhouse gas pollution. They must be a part of the solution. But we cannot exert pressure on these countries until we take meaningful action to limit greenhouse gas emissions here at home.
-- Campaign Web site
Institute cap-and-trade system to trade the right to emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Regulate emissions and support investment in technologies that can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Dramatically increase investment in energy and climate change research and technology.
-- More information
Sponsored Senate resolution in 2007 pressing President Bush to curb climate change.
Co-sponsored the "Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act" of 2007, which would require the U.S. to reduce emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
Voted yes on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2005," which would have capped greenhouse gas emissions at 2000 levels by 2010.
Voted no on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2003," which would have increased automobile fuel efficiency standards to 40 mpg by 2015.
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Democrat
U.S. NEEDS TO TAKE IMMEDIATE, SENSIBLE STEPS TO SLOW AND ULTIMATELY REDUCE EMISSIONS
The scientific consensus is clear and overwhelming: we are causing the planet to warm, with potentially devastating consequences. We need to take immediate steps to address this problem. Critics contend that action will be too costly, but I believe that action is both an environmental necessity and an economic opportunity. By putting the right incentives in place, we will drive American businesses to innovate, creating new products and new jobs. Failing to act is the riskier course to both our environment and our economy.
-- Statement on a United Nations report on climate change, Feb. 2, 2007
Given the scientific evidence that we have and the potential consequences of continued warming, I strongly believe this nation needs to take sensible first steps to slow and ultimately reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases that contribute to climate change.
-- Statement on a United Nations report on climate change, Feb. 2, 2007
Have the United States lead international efforts to address the problem of climate change.
Support policies to reduce carbon emissions and other pollution that contribute to global warming.
Establish a national market-based program to reduce global warming pollution.
Invest in clean energy technologies.
Increase fuel efficiency.
-- More information
Co-sponsored the "Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act" in 2007, which would require the U.S. to reduce emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
Co-sponsored the "Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2007," which would cut carbon emissions by 30 percent from 2000 to 2050.
Sponsored the "Strategic Energy Fund Act of 2006," which would have established a $50-billion fund to create a research agency focused on reducing the threat of global warming and to invest in clean energy technologies.
Voted yes on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2005," which would have capped greenhouse gas emissions at 2000 levels by 2010.
Voted yes on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2003," which would have increased automobile fuel efficiency standards to 40 mpg by 2015.
Chris Dodd
Democrat
ADVOCATES ENERGY PLAN THAT FOCUSES EQUALLY ON GLOBAL WARMING AND ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
I believe that turning back the clock on global warming and reducing our dependence on foreign oil must be dual goals of any commonsense energy plan. Thankfully, there are existing and exciting new technologies that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil while reducing global warming risks. My administration will focus on these technologies.
-- grist.org, Aug. 2, 2007
Today we have the polar caps melting, we have greenhouse gases that are accumulating at record levels way beyond expectations. We really have the dual responsibility here of reducing the polluting effects of depending upon fossil fuels and also allowing us to develop the alternative technologies that would allow us to move beyond this issue.
-- CNN debate for Democratic candidates, June 3, 2007
Reduce 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Eliminate U.S. dependence on Middle East oil by 2015.
Enact a carbon tax.
Increase efficiency standards for consumer products.
Raise car fuel economy to 50 mpg by 2017.
Impose tough standards for new coal plants.
Increase access to mass transit systems.
-- More information
Co-sponsored the "Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act" in 2007, which would require the U.S. to reduce emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
Voted yes on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2005," which would have capped greenhouse gas emissions at 2000 levels by 2010.
Voted yes on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2003," which would have increased automobile fuel efficiency standards to 40 mpg by 2015.
John Edwards
Democrat
U.S. MUST LEAD GLOBAL EFFORTS TO REDUCE EMISSION; WOULD SET TARGETS FOR CAPPING GREENHOUSE POLLUTION
I believe America has to lead the way in dealing with the crisis of climate change and global warming. We are four percent of the world's population, but we emit as much as 25 percent of the world's greenhouse gases. We have no credibility with the rest of the world on this issue right now. We're the worst polluter on the planet. America needs to lead by example. ... We must lead the world to a new climate treaty that commits other countries -- including developing nations -- to reduce their pollution. I will insist that developing countries join us in this effort, by offering to share new clean energy technology and, if necessary, using trade agreements to require binding greenhouse reductions.
-- Scienceblogs.com, July 2007
Cap greenhouse pollution starting in 2010 and reduce it by 80 percent by 2050.
Lead the world toward a new global climate change treaty.
Create a $13 billion-a-year fund, financed by polluters, to be spent on renewable energy and other initiatives.
Invest in renewable sources of electricity.
Reduce oil imports by 7.5 million barrels a day by 2025.
Raise car fuel economy to 40 mpg by 2016.
-- More information
Voted yes on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2003," which would have increased automobile fuel efficiency standards to 40 mpg by 2015.
Voted no on an amendment to the "Energy Security Policy" bill of 2002, which supported oil and gas exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Mike Gravel
Democrat
U.S. MUST REDUCE CARBON FOOTPRINT; GLOBAL EFFORT MUST INCLUDE CHINA AND INDIA
We must reduce America's carbon footprint in the world by passing legislation that caps emissions and improve energy efficiency while generating energy from low-carbon sources.
However, any legislation will have little impact on the global environment if we do not work together with other global polluters. Today, China and India are surpassing the U.S. in carbon emissions. Fighting global warming can only be effective if it is a collective global effort.
-- Campaign Web site
Cap greenhouse gas emissions.
Work with other global polluters to fight global warming.
Launch global scientific effort to end energy dependence on oil.
-- gravel2008.us
Support a carbon tax, which would raise the price of gas, which he would also support because it would better reflect the costs associated with the war in Iraq.
-- Democratic debate
Did not vote on a windfall profits tax on the oil industry in 1980, but took a position against the bill.
Did not vote on the "Synthetic Fuels/Defense Production Act" of 1980, which would have encouraged the development of synthetic fuels and solar energy.
Voted yes on the "Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act" of 1973, which authorized construction of a 789-mile pipeline to transport oil from the North Slope of Alaska to the port of Valdez. Environment groups had fought the pipeline, fearing oil spills and damage to tundra and wildlife. Introduced amendment to bar further court review of environmental questions raised by construction of the pipeline, which passed.
Dennis Kucinich
Democrat
U.S. SHOULD LEAD THE EFFORTS TO WORK WITH THE OTHER COUNTRIES TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GASES
I am one of those Democrats who sees the world as being interconnected and interdependent. America has a moral responsibility to lead on the issue of climate change since we create so many greenhouse gases here and have a very large carbon footprint. ... We need to work with the world community to lower greenhouse gases, reduce the carbon footprint, to bring forth new energy technologies. The world is ready for this. America needs to be ready for it and they are waiting for leaders who are ready to do it.
-- Interview with the B.B.C., Jan. 2007
Would immediately put the United States in the forefront of solving the global warming crisis by rejoining the Kyoto accord and implementing its recommendations.
Strengthen environmental laws and increase penalties on polluters.
Institute a "Global Green Deal" to use America's leadership in sustainable energy production to provide jobs at home
Increase independence from foreign oil, and aid developing nations with cheap, dependable, renewable energy technologies like wind and solar.
Establish Works Green Administration, which would put people to work building a sustainable and renewable energy economy, retrofitting homes and businesses.
-- More information
Introduced resolution after Hurricane Katrina, requesting that the White House submit to Congress all documents in their possession relating to the anticipated effects of climate change on the coastal regions of the United States.
Signed statement in 2005 urging Congress to reject any proposal to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration and development.
Co-sponsored the "Clean Smokestacks Act" of 2005, which would have reduced emissions from power plants.
Voted yes on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2005," which would have raised automobile fuel standards to 33 mpg by 2015.
qBarack Obama
Democrat
U.S. MUST LEAD GLOBAL EFFORTS TO REDUCE EMISSION; WOULD INSTITUTE CAP-AND-TRADE SYSTEM
Strengthened institutions and invigorated alliances and partnerships are especially crucial if we are to defeat the epochal, man-made threat to the planet: climate change. ... As the world's largest producer of greenhouse gases, America has the responsibility to lead. While many of our industrial partners are working hard to reduce their emissions, we are increasing ours at a steady clip -- by more than ten percent per decade. As president, I intend to enact a cap-and-trade system that will dramatically reduce our carbon emissions. ... Getting our own house in order is only a first step. ... We need a global response to climate change that includes binding and enforceable commitments to reducing emissions, especially for those that pollute the most: the United States, China, India, the European Union, and Russia.
-- Wrote in the Foreign Affairs magazine, July/August 2007 issue
Support implementation of a market-based cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050.
Would require all transportation fuels in the United States to contain 5 percent less carbon by 2015 and 10 percent less carbon by 2020.
Would establish targets for annual fuel economy increases while giving industry the flexibility to meet those targets.
Would give automakers health care assistance in exchange for their investing 50 percent of the savings into technology to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Support alternative fuels.
-- More information
Co-sponsored the "Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act" of 2007, which would require the U.S. to reduce its emissions by 2050 to 80 percent below 1990 levels.
Co-sponsored the "Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2007," which would cut carbon emissions by 30 percent from 2000 to 2050.
Voted yes on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2005," which would have capped greenhouse gas emissions at 2000 levels by 2010.
Bill Richardson
Democrat
U.S. SHOULD JOIN THE KYOTO TREATY AND EXCEED ITS LIMITS AND PLACE HIGHER EMISSION LIMITATS THAN MANDATED TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME
This planet is revolting against the use of fossil fuels and against manmade pollution. And we have to fight global climate change. And we have to have an international effort to do it. And it means mandating the reduction of carbons and caps and emissions and the pollution that comes from fossil fuels and vehicles. It has to happen. ... The first thing a president does on the global climate change is say we are going to follow the Kyoto Treaty, but we are going to exceed the limits because we've lost six years.
-- At Drake University, March 2, 2007
Reduce oil imports from around 65% to 10-15%, in part by getting the 100 mpg car into the marketplace.
Double automobile fuel economy standards to 50 mpg by 2020.
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 90% by 2050.
-- More information
Entered New Mexico into a five-state agreement to lower greenhouse gases in Feb. 2007.
Signed executive order to reduce greenhouse gases in New Mexico by 267-million metric tons in 2006.
Established energy efficient building standards in state buildings in 2006.
Required increased use of renewable fuels in state government in 2005.
THE CANDIDATE STANCE ON GLOBAL WARMING
AND AMERICA'S ROLE IF ELECTED, THEY SAY THEY WOULD ... PAST ACTIONS ON THE ISSUE
Sam Brownback
Republican
U.S. SHOULD DO ALL IT CAN TO REDUCE WARMING WITHOUT HURTING THE ECONOMY
Global warming has occurred. We have far more CO2 in the atmosphere than we had 100 years ago. That's factual. A number of people question how close the linkage is [to global warming]. It's prudent that we do everything we can without killing the economy to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere, regardless of how you look at the correlation.
-- U.S. News and World Report, Aug. 2006
It seems to me just prudent that we recognize we have climate increase and temperature change. We have CO2 loading and we need to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.
-- At Iowa, Jan. 2007
Reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Give tax credits and incentives to encourage hybrid vehicles.
Encourage domestic oil production to reduce dependency on foreign oil.
Open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil drilling.
Push for more ethanol and biodiesel production and continuation to produce electricity from coal.
-- More information
Co-sponsored the "Dependence Reduction through Innovation in Vehicles and Energy Act" of 2007 which would have reduced oil consumption by 2.5-million barrels per day in 10 years through expansion of renewable fuels and new technology.
Co-sponsored the "Vehicle and Fuel Choices for American Security Act" of 2005, which would have reduced oil consumption by 10-million barrels per day by 2031.
Voted no on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2005," which would have capped greenhouse gas emissions at 2000 levels by 2010.
Voted no on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2003," which would have increased automobile fuel efficiency standards to 40 mpg by 2015.
Rudy Giuliani
Republican
U.S. SHOULS ADDRESS WARMING IN A WAY THAT ALSO ACHIEVES ENERGY INDEPENDENCE; ADVOCATES MEASURE SIMILAR TO THE APPOLO PROJECT
I think we have to accept the view that scientists have that there is global warming and that human operation, human condition, contributes to that. And the fact is that there is a way to deal with it and to address it in a way that we can also accomplish energy independence, which we need as a matter of national security. It's frustrating and really dangerous for us to see money going to our enemies because we have to buy oil from certain countries. We should be supporting all the alternatives. We need a project similar to putting a man on the moon.
-- Republican debate, June 5, 2007
Whatever your scientific conclusion about global warming, whether it's manmade or it isn't or whatever, the reality is ... if you don't have restrictions on China, if you don't have restrictions on India, our contribution, ultimately, is going to be minor. We could put all these restrictions on ourselves and have just as much arguable global warming if China, India, some of these other countries that are going to be contributing a lot more to this don't become part of some kind of system to create alternatives.
-- "Kudlow and Company," CNBC, March 26, 2007
Support energy independence because of its importance to national security.
Supports greater reliance on nuclear power, ethanol-based fuels and hybrid vehicles.
Support alternatives to oil.
-- The New York Times, June 13, 2006
Affiliated with law firm that lobbies for coal-fired power plants, heavy emitters of air pollutants and carbon dioxide, a gas associated with global warming. Environmentalists say the firm played a significant role in persuading the Bush administration to roll back major provisions of the Clean Air Act. His consulting company has also represented energy clients.
-- The New York Times, May 2, 2007
Mike Huckabee
Republican
U.S. SHOULD MOVE TOWARDS ENERGY SOURCES THAT DO NOT HAVE GREENHOUSE GAS EFFECT
We ought to be moving rapidly towards energy sources that don't have a greenhouse gas effect. Aggressively set the goal that within a ten year period, we should move a way from a fossil fuel culture to one that has alternative energy resources.
-- Denver Post, March 9, 2007
I don't try to get into the middle of the science of global warming. ... There may be [a human role in climate change]. But whether there is or there isn't, it doesn't release us from the responsibility to be good stewards of the environment. It's the old boy scout rule: you leave your campsite in as good or better shape than how you found it. It's a spiritual issue. [The earth] belongs to God. I have no right to destroy it. I think we work toward alternative energy sources. [We need to make it] like the Manhattan Project or going to the moon. We need to accelerate our energy independence.
-- Newsweek, March 7, 2007
Pursue all avenues of alternative energy: nuclear, wind, solar, hydrogen, clean coal, biodiesel, and biomass.
Achieve energy independence by the end of his second term.
-- More information
Support drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Move away from a "fossil fuel culture" to alternative energy resources within 10 years.
-- More information
Signed into law the "Arkansas Renewable Energy Development Act" of 2001, which requires electric utilities to offer net metering for alternative energies, enabling customers generating more electricity than they use to run their electric meters backward.
Supported the Southern Governors Association 2001 report on energy policy, which called for conservation, energy efficiency and clean energy policies.
Duncan Hunter
Republican
EMPHASIZES ENERGY INDEPENDENCE; SAYS THERE IS NO SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS ON GLOBAL WARMING
Few people in global warming can tell you exactly what's happening. And there is a difference in opinion as to how fast because ice ages have come and gone, how much of the country would be warming, how much the glaciers are receding -- how much of that is attributable to mankind, and how much of it is attributable to the natural cycle? But I don't think you have to answer that question to do what I've recommended. I think we have lots of reasons to be energy independent.
-- Concord Monitor, Jan. 27, 2007
Set goal to move away from a fossil fuels to alternative resources.
Reduce taxes to zero for alternative energy sources.
Want licensing "from our laboratories that goes to the private sector" to go the American manufacturing sector for energy systems.
-- Republican debate
Voted yes on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2005," which would have raised automobile fuel standards to 33 mpg by 2015.
Voted no on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2003," which would have eliminated the authorization for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
John McCain
Republican
U.S. SHOULD WORK TOWARDS A GLOBAL EFFORT THAT WOULD INCLUDE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
I believe climate change is real. I think it's devastating. I think we have to act and I agree with most experts that we may at some point reach a tipping point where we cannot save our climate. I don't think we're there yet, but the overwhelming evidence is that greenhouse gases are contributing to warming of our earth and we have an obligation to take action to fix it. I believe that America did the right thing by not joining the Kyoto Treaty. But I believe that if we could get China and India into it, then the United States should seriously consider -- on our terms -- joining with every other nation in the world to try to reduce greenhouse gases. It's got to be a global effort.
-- Video on campaign site
Advocate a global effort that would include developing countries to reduce greenhouse gases.
Limit carbon emissions by harnessing market forces that will bring advanced technologies, such as nuclear energy, to the market faster.
Reduce dependence on foreign suppliers of energy.
-- More information
Co-sponsored the "Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2007," which would cut carbon emissions by 30 percent from 2000 to 2050.
Sponsored an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2005" which would have capped greenhouse gas emissions at 2000 levels by 2010.
Co-sponsored the "Climate Stewardship Act of 2003," which would have capped 2010 emissions at the 2000 level.
Voted no on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2003," which would have increased automobile fuel efficiency standards to 40 mpg by 2015.
Ron Paul
Republican
DOES NOT BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PLAY A MAJOR ROLE; ; SAYS THERE IS NO SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS ON GLOBAL WARMING
I don't think everybody knows everything about global warming, because you have reputable scientists on both sides of that argument. ... [If the government were to play a role] then you have to deal with the volcanoes and you have to deal with the pollution of China. So, do you want to invade China to make sure they don't pollute? And what are you going to do about the volcanoes? They are all contributing factors to global warming. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't do what we can to slow up the emissions and stop subsidizing big oil companies.
-- "Real Time with Bill Maher," H.B.O., March 30, 2007
[Global warming] is a problem. The environments are always better taken care of with strict property rights. Under property rights, you are never allowed to pollute. ... What has happened in industrial revolution, big business and government got together and permitted pollution. You ought to be able to stop a neighbor from polluting your land immediately. Just like if your neighbor dumped garbage in your yard, you could call the policemen; that's the way you should have protection of water and air.
-- Campaign stop in Iowa, May 3, 2007
End hydrocarbon subsidies.
-- WMUR-TV, April 27, 2007
Voted no on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2005," which would have raised automobile fuel standards to 33 mpg by 2015.
Voted no on the "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Bill" of 2001, which would have continued to prohibit oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Mitt Romney
Republican
EMPHASIZES ENERGY EFFICIENCY; U.S. SHOULD NOT ACT TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GASES UNLESS DEVELOPING NATIONS ARE NOT COMMITTED TO DOING THE SAME
You're seeing the climate get warmer or climate change is occurring and I believe that human activity is contributing to that. I don't know what proportion of the change is due to human activity but my policy is to adopt what I refer to as a 'no regrets policy' -- to take action that allows us to become more energy efficient and ultimately become energy independent as a nation. ... I would like to see us work on a global basis on this effort. I really don't think it's productive for us to act solely on a unilateral basis to reduce our greenhouse gases if we have developing nations like China and India continue to increase their output of greenhouse gases and not be party to a greenhouse gas effort.
-- Business and Industry Association National Leaders Forum, May 29, 2007
Advocates U.S. energy independence as a "strategic imperative."
Supports alternative fuels, including biodiesel and ethanol, nuclear power and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
-- More information
Proposed "Climate Protection Plan" as Massachusetts's governor in 2004, which said the state must consider the impact on greenhouse gases when state regulators evaluate highway projects and other public construction plans. The state never implemented the provisions.
Backed out of regional pact to curb carbon dioxide emissions from power plants because of concerns that the emissions fee would drive up the already-high price of electricity.
Tom Tancredo
Republican
SAYS THERE IS NO SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS ON GLOBAL WARMING; BLAMES IMMIGRATION
I have no doubt that global warming exists. I just question the cause and what we can do to ameliorate it. But I wonder why the Sierra Club isn't going crazy about the environmental aspects of massive immigration into the U.S. The fact is, Americans consume more energy than anyone else, so if a person moves here from another country, they automatically become bigger polluters.
-- Time, May 31, 2007
First of all, the whole issue of global warming, for every single scientist that tells you it's happening and that it's our fault -- and they'll stack up to here in this reports -- I can stack up another group of reports that say just the opposite. I don't believe that -- well, I'll tell you this, I don't know whether or not we are responsible, we the human race, are responsible for global warming. It certainly could be happening, it certainly could be a natural phenomenon.
-- Republican Debate, May 15, 2007
Support reducing U.S. dependence on petroleum products, which would reduce carbon emissions and enhance national security, if it's determined that global warming is caused by humans.
-- Republican debate
"Pay attention" to climate changes and study them, but would not impose a "litany" of state, federal and international restrictions.
-- Associated Press, March 12, 2007
Voted no on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2005," which would have raised automobile fuel standards to 33 mpg by 2015.
Voted no on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2003," which would have eliminated the authorization for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Fred Thompson
Republican
SAYS THERE IS NO SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS
Some people think that our planet is suffering from a fever. Now scientists are telling us that Mars is experiencing its own planetary warming: Martian warming. It seems scientists have noticed recently that quite a few planets in our solar system seem to be heating up a bit, including Pluto. NASA says that the Martian South Pole's ice cap has been shrinking for three summers in a row. Maybe Mars got its fever from earth. If so, I guess Jupiter's caught the same cold, because it's warming up too, like Pluto. This has led some people, not necessarily scientists, to wonder if Mars and Jupiter, non signatories to the Kyoto Treaty, are actually inhabited by alien SUV-driving industrialists who run their air-conditioning at 60 degrees and refuse to recycle. Silly, I know, but I wonder what all those planets, dwarf planets and moons in our solar system have in common. Hmmmm. Solar system. Hmmmm. Solar? I wonder. Nah, I guess we shouldn't even be talking about this. The science is absolutely decided. There's a consensus. Ask Galileo..
-- Paul Harvey Show, April 13, 2007
NO STATED POSITION ON WHAT HE WOULD DO
Voted yes on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2003," which would have eliminated the authorization for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
The Presidential Candidates on Iraq
The war in Iraq is, as expected, one of the threshhold issues of the 2008 presidential election. A look at the candidates and what they have said on various aspects of the issue. - FARHANA HOSSAIN AND BEN WERSCHKUL
The Democrats | The Republicans
THE CANDIDATE POSITION ON THE 2002 INVASION POSITION ON PRESIDENT BUSH'S TROOP INCREASE POSITION ON WITHDRAWAL
Joseph R.
Biden Jr.
Democrat
Related Article
Biden Opposes a Troop Increase in Iraq (Dec. 27, 2006)
VOTED YES IN 2002, NOW OPPOSED
It was a mistake to assume the president would use the authority we gave him properly...We gave the president the authority to unite the world to isolate Saddam. And the fact of the matter is, we went too soon. We went without sufficient force. And we went without a plan.
-- On "Meet the Press," Nov. 27, 2005
OPPOSED TO TROOP INCREASE
I believe the president's strategy is not a solution...I believe it's a tragic mistake...We've tried that kind of escalation twice before in Baghdad, and it's failed twice in Baghdad, and I fear it will fail a third time.
-- At the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jan. 11, 2007
PHASED REDEPLOYMENT WITH DECENTRALIZATION
[T]he real question is, are we going to be able to leave Iraq, get our troops out and leave behind something other than chaos? In order to do that, the president should start off by not vetoing the language...saying begin to draw down American troops right now, and move toward a political solution. Look, there's only one way. You got to change the fundamental premise of this engagement, and that is, you got to decentralize Iraq, you got to give the regions control over their own destiny, give them control over their own police forces, their own identity, and have a limited central government and share their oil wealth.
-- At the Democratic Candidates Debate, April 26, 2007
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Democrat
Related Article
Clinton Says Some G.I.'s in Iraq Would Remain (March 15, 2007)
VOTED YES IN 2002, NOW OPPOSED
If I had been President in October of 2002, I would have never asked for authority to divert our attention from Afghanistan to Iraq, and I certainly would never have started this war.
-- On the Senate Floor, Feb. 7, 2007
OPPOSED TO TROOP INCREASE
The surge, which is ongoing, and obviously if we're going to do it we hope it is more successful than perhaps I think it could be. I'm going to root for it if it has any chance of success, but I think it's more likely that the anti-American violence and sectarian violence just moves from place to place to place like the old Whac a Mole.
-- In an Interview, March 15, 2007
PHASED REDEPLOYMENT
[T]rying to withdraw is not something you snap your fingers and tell people, do it tomorrow. It has to be done in a thoughtful, orderly, careful way that defends our troops on these routes they're going to have to take to get men and equipment out of Iraq.
-- In an Interview, March 15, 2007
Chris Dodd
Democrat
VOTED YES IN 2002, NOW OPPOSED
Had we known before the war what we know today - that there were no weapons of mass destruction; that there were no links between Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda; that there was no imminent threat from Iraq to America's security or vital interests - Congress would never have considered, let alone voted to authorize, the use of force in Iraq.
-- In a Speech, Oct. 12, 2006
OPPOSED TO TROOP INCREASE
I do not believe that the authorization provided by the Congress in 2002 gives the President the unlimited authority to send additional troops to Iraq.
-- In a Speech, Oct. 12, 2006
PHASED REDEPLOYMENT
We must begin immediately to reposition our troops from Baghdad, Fallujah, and other large urban centers to Kurdistan, where there is relative law and order, and where they would be more accepted; to other, less populated areas of Iraq, where their training of Iraqi forces can continue; and to border areas, where they can protect the territorial integrity of Iraq until Iraqi forces can do so themselves.
-- In a Speech, Oct. 12, 2006
John Edwards
Democrat
Related Article
Familiar Face, but a New Tone to the Message (Feb. 5, 2007)
VOTED YES IN 2002, NOW OPPOSED
I was wrong...The argument for going to war with Iraq was based on intelligence that we now know was inaccurate. The information the American people were hearing from the president -- and that I was being given by our intelligence community -- wasn't the whole story. Had I known this at the time, I never would have voted for this war.
-- Washington Post Op-Ed,
Nov. 13, 2005
OPPOSED TO TROOP INCREASE
I believe it is a betrayal not to speak out against the escalation of the war our nation is engaged in today, in Iraq. It is a betrayal for this President to send more troops into harm's way when we know it will not succeed in bringing stability to the region.
-- To the Democratic National Committee, Feb. 2, 2007
WITHDRAWAL WITHIN 18 MONTHS
We have to take the next step and cap funding to mandate a withdrawal. We don't need debate; we don't need non-binding resolutions; we need to end this war, and Congress has the power to do it.
-- His Plan for Iraq, Feb. 14, 2007
Mike Gravel
Democrat
OPPOSED FROM THE BEGINNING
Given the extreme importance of any decision to go to war, and I am anguished to say this, it's my opinion that anyone who voted for the war on October 11 - based on what President Bush represented - is not qualified to hold the office of President.
-- To the Democratic National Committee, Feb. 5, 2007
OPPOSED TO TROOP INCREASE
It is not enough for congress to merely voice opposition to the 'surge' of over 20,000 new troops, nor is it enough to threaten to withhold funding or pass non binding, symbolic resolutions. We must demand an end to this war now - not 6 or 12 or 24 months from now.
-- gravel2008.us
WITHDRAW NOW
I got to tell you, we should just plain get out. Just plain get out. It's their country. They're asking us to leave, and we insist on staying there..
-- At the Democratic Candidates Debate, April 26, 2007
Dennis Kucinich
Democrat
VOTED NO IN 2002, STILL OPPOSED
This attempt to foment a war is really against the best interests of America, it is against the spirit of the country, it is against the economic interests of the people.
-- In an Interview, Sept. 21, 2002
OPPOSED TO TROOP INCREASE
This escalation means a continuation of the occupation, more troop and civilian casualties, more anger toward the US, more support for the insurgency, more instability in Iraq and in the region, and prolonged civil war at a time when there is a general agreement in the world community that the solution in Iraq must be political not military. What is needed is a comprehensive political process. And the decision is not President Bush's alone to make.
-- In a Speech, Jan. 8, 2007
DE-FUND AND WITHDRAW NOW
I think it's inconsistent to tell the American people that you oppose the war, and yet you continue to vote to fund the war, because every time you vote to fund the war, you're reauthorizing the war all over again.
-- At the Democratic Candidates Debate, April 26, 2007
qBarack Obama
Democrat
Related Article
As Candidate, Obama Carves Antiwar Stance (Feb. 26, 2007)
OPPOSED FROM THE BEGINNING
I know that invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East and encourage the worst rather than best impulses in the Arab world and strengthen the recruitment arm of al Qaeda. I am not opposed to all wars, I am opposed to dumb wars.
-- Speech to Illinois state legislature, Oct. 2002
OPPOSED TO TROOP INCREASE
Too many lives have been lost and too many billions have been spent for us to trust the President on another tried and failed policy opposed by generals and experts, Democrats and Republicans, Americans and even the Iraqis themselves. It is time for us to fundamentally change our policy.
-- On the Senate Floor,
Jan. 30, 2007
PHASED REDEPLOYMENT
I'm proud of the fact that I put forward a plan in January that mirrors what Congress ultimately adopted, and it says, there's no military solution to this. We've got to have a political solution, begin a phased withdrawal, and make certain that we've got benchmarks in place so that the Iraqi people can make a determination about how they want to move forward.
-- At the Democratic Candidates Debate, April 26, 2007
Bill Richardson
Democrat
OPPOSED, KNOWING WHAT HE KNOWS NOW
I have struggled for a long time over Iraq. Like most Americans, I am saddened by the horrific violence that takes dozens, scores of innocent lives every day. And like most Americans, I believe that our country has a moral obligation to do what we can to help the Iraqis end that violence. And because of that belief, it has not been easy for me to come to this conclusion: that the best thing we can do for them as well as for ourselves is to leave.
-- In a Speech, Dec. 16, 2006
OPPOSED TO TROOP INCREASE
Like every American, I want to give the president a chance. I want him to succeed. But what he's proposing is just not going to work. Twenty-thousand additional troops, it's a quagmire. Our military, our bipartisan Iraq Study Group says that we have got to reverse course and he is not listening.
-- "Larry King Live,"
Jan. 24, 2007
WITHDRAWAL BY END OF 2007
This is what I would do if I were president today. I would withdraw all of our troops, including residual troops, by the end of this calendar year. I would use the leverage of that withdrawal, coupled with intensive diplomacy in three areas: One, a political framework led by the United States where the three religious entities in Iraq have a coalition government....Number two, I would convene a security conference, and I would invite Iran and Syria...And thirdly, I would have a donor conference. I would have other countries take over the reconstruction responsibility and the security of Iraq.
-- At the Democratic Candidates Debate, April 26, 2007
THE CANDIDATE POSITION ON THE 2002 INVASION POSITION ON PRESIDENT BUSH'S TROOP INCREASE POSITION ON WITHDRAWAL
Sam Brownback
Republican
VOTED YES IN 2002, STILL SUPPORTIVE
I support that mission...[our troops] are crucial to denying radical Islamic extremists a safe haven from which they can launch further attacks. They are essential to providing the training necessary for the Iraqi Security Forces to take charge of their country's security. We cannot afford to lose this fight. Iraq is the key front in the war on terrorism.
-- On the Senate Floor,
Feb. 9, 2007
OPPOSED TO TROOP INCREASE
I do not believe that sending more troops to Iraq is the answer. Iraq requires a political rather than a military solution.
-- In an Interview, Jan. 10, 2007
GRADUAL CEDING OF RESPONSIBILITY TO IRAQIS
We have to [have] a much more aggressive political solution on the ground in Iraq. That has to take place, and that's why I've been pushing a three-state, one-country solution where you have a Sunni region, a Shi'a region and a Kurdish state that already exists, within a weak federation.
-- At the Republican Candidates Debate, May 15, 2007
James Gilmore
Republican
HAS NOT DIRECTLY SAID
I can't tell you why we went into Iraq at this point, I think the president certainly had some positions he was taking; perhaps he thought something was happening that wasn't true. But now we're in, and we have to make sure that the United States' interests are protected.
-- In an Interview, March 11, 2007
IN FAVOR
It's wrong to stand pat. We have to actually take some affirmative action to get control of that situation and to defend this nation in the war on terror. And I think the president is endeavoring to do that. We ought to give him a shot at doing that. I think he's trying to make some progress.
-- On MSNBC, March 27, 2007
MAINTAIN TROOP LEVELS
I've put a lot of thought into this over the past year, and I've had the same frustrations as many people here in the United States, but the fact is, I don't how you tell young men and women in uniform to put on a helmet and carry a rile, you know, on the streets of Iraq, and then just tell them that it's all going to be done in one year, and expect them to go out and face the dangers that they're asking to be faced for on the behalf of the United States and on behalf of their country. So I think this is a bad decision. I think it's wrong policy.
-- On MSNBC, March 27, 2007
Rudy Giuliani
Republican
Related Article
Giuliani Iraq Views May Provide Cover (Feb. 14, 2007)
SUPPORTIVE OF DECISION TO INVADE
I think it's quite appropriate to go back and explain, 'Well, I might have done it this way, or I might have done it with more troops, or I might have done it some other way.' But here's the reality of it: We're at war. And we're at war because they're at war with us. They want to come here and kill us so we've got to put Iraq in the context of a much broader picture than just Iraq.
-- On " Hannity and Colmes", Feb. 6, 2007
IN FAVOR OF TROOP INCREASE
I support what the president asked for support to do and what General Petraeus has asked for support to do, not because there's any guarantee it's going to work. There's never any guarantee at war. But if we can come out with a correct solution or a better solution in Iraq, it's going to make the whole war on terror go better.
-- On " Hannity and Colmes", Feb. 6, 2007
MAINTAIN TROOP LEVELS
I detect in the Democrats a kind of attempt to go back to a pre-September 11 mentality in which we're not anticipating. And I also believe that they would not have made the mistake of wanting to force us to give our enemies a timetable of our retreat I've never heard of an army in the history of the world being required, if it's going to retreat, to give its enemy a timetable of that retreat..
-- On " Fox News Sunday", May 14, 2007
Mike Huckabee
Republican
SUPPORTIVE, BUT CRITICAL OF HANDLING OF THE WAR
The mission of bringing Saddam Hussein down didn't fail - our military didn't fail. Our policies may have been shortsighted and that they did not take into account the complexity of trying to build a democracy in a people who'd never experienced it.
-- In an Interview, Feb. 7, 2007
We need to understand that this is, in fact, World War III. Unlike any other world war we've ever fought, this one is one we cannot afford to lose.
-- In an Interview, Feb. 9, 2007
TENTATIVELY IN FAVOR OF TROOP INCREASE
I'm going to have to trust the people over there sucking that sand into their lungs and putting their boots on the ground every day, that they may know a little more about it than those of us who don't have the stack full of intelligence reports to look at.
-- On "MSNBC", Feb. 13, 2007
GRADUAL CEDING OF RESPONSIBILITY TO IRAQIS
It's like a baseball game, not a football game. You can't put on a specific clock...We have to tell them, look, we're not going to be here indefinitely. What we're going to expect of you is you're going to have to get control of the sectarian violence, the civil war that is just ripping this whole thing apart because the American people are not going to stay indefinitely It all depends on how things go over the next year.
-- On "This Week", Feb. 11, 2007
Duncan Hunter
Republican
VOTED YES IN 2002, STILL SUPPORTIVE
The greatest protection of human rights in this decade has been the overthrow of the Taliban in Afghanistan and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in Iraq.
-- gohunter08.com
IN FAVOR OF TROOP INCREASE
The number of troops that we've got...is still less troops than we had last December, a year ago December. So the so-called big surge actually takes us up to fewer folks than we had one year and two months ago in Iraq.
-- On "Late Edition," Feb. 11, 2007
GRADUAL CEDING OF RESPONSIBILITY TO IRAQIS
There is a right way to leave Iraq and that is to continue to rotate Iraqi battalions that we've trained and equipped into the fight.
-- In an Interview, Feb. 20, 2007
John McCain
Republican
Related Article
McCain Sees 'No Plan B' for Iraq War (April 15, 2007)
VOTED YES IN 2002, STILL SUPPORTIVE
I agreed with the President's difficult decision to go to war in Iraq. I remain fully supportive of his determination not to leave Iraq until the freely elected government of that country and its armed forces are able to defend their country from foreign and domestic enemies intent on thwarting the will of the Iraqi people to create a civil society in which the rights and security of all Iraqis are protected.
-- In a Statement, Aug. 25, 2006
SUPPORTS THE TROOP INCREASE
I've been a bit surprised at the level, at the amount of progress that they've achieved with only two, and now three, of the five brigades. I've also been not surprised but sorry that some of this activity has gone outside of Baghdad.
-- In an Interview, April 14, 2007
MAINTAIN TROOP LEVELS
I have no Plan B...I cannot give you a good alternative because if I had a good alternative, maybe we could consider it now. Every alternative that I know of that is keyed to a date for withdrawal, which that would dictate, is chaos in the region. And genocide.
-- In an Interview, April 14, 2007
Ron Paul
Republican
OPPOSED FROM THE BEGINNING
Many of the same voices who then demanded that the Clinton Administration attack Iraq are now demanding that the Bush Administration attack Iraq. It is unfortunate that these individuals are using the tragedy of September 11, 2001 as cover to force their long-standing desire to see an American invasion of Iraq. Despite all of the information to which I have access, I remain very skeptical that the nation of Iraq poses a serious and immanent terrorist threat to the United States.
-- On the Floor of the U.S. House, Oct. 8, 2002
OPPOSED TO TROOP INCREASE
A military victory in Iraq is unattainable, just as it was in the Vietnam war. As conditions deteriorate in Iraq, the American people are told more blood must be spilled to achieve just such a military victory. 20,000 additional troops and another $100 billion are needed for a surge. Yet the people remain rightfully skeptical. Though we've been in Iraq nearly four years, the meager goal today simply is to secure Baghdad. This hardly shows that the mission is even partly accomplished.
-- On the Floor of the U.S. House, Jan. 11, 2007
WITHDRAW NOW
I think we should come home as quickly as possible. There were a lot of -- a lot of false information on the reasons we went in there, and there's no good reason to stay right now.
They say that the main reason for staying now, after given numerous reasons, we're supposed to stay now, because if we leave there will be chaos. My argument is there's plenty of chaos right there now, and a lot of Americans are being killed. And it was never in our national security interest to go over there.
-- On CNN, Feb. 26, 2007
Mitt Romney
Republican
SUPPORTIVE, BUT CRITICAL OF HANDLING OF THE WAR
Following the collapse of the Hussein government, we found that the planning level and the troop strength level were not adequate for the need.
-- On CNN, Oct. 17, 2006
IN FAVOR OF TROOP INCREASE
I believe that so long as there is a reasonable prospect of success, our wisest course is to seek stability in Iraq, with additional troops endeavoring to secure the civilian population.
-- During His Presidential Announcement, Feb. 13, 2007
MAINTAIN TROOP LEVELS
Q: Can you foresee any circumstances under which you would pull out of Iraq without leaving behind a stable political and security situation?
Well, I'm certainly not going to project failure, and those kind of circumstances that you would suggest would be projecting failure. It is critical for us to remember that Iraq has to be considered in the context of what's happening in the Middle East and throughout the world. There is a global jihadist effort. Violent, radical jihadists want to replace all the governments of the moderate Islamic states, replace them with a caliphate. And to do that, they also want to bring down the West, in particular us..
-- At the Republican Candidates Debate, May 15, 2007
Tom Tancredo
Republican
VOTED YES IN 2002, NOW OPPOSED
Given the fact that [weapons of mass destruction] have not been found and perhaps were not there, we all wonder what we would have done in those circumstances had we known that. If I knew that was not the threat that had been posed to us . . . I think I would have voted no. I do not know right now that that (no vote) would have been the right vote because this thing hasn't played out.
-- In an Interview, Dec. 5, 2005
OPPOSED TO TROOP INCREASE
The bigger question raised by the President is whether an increased American military presence in Iraq will aid us in winning the global war against radical Islam and I am not convinced that it will.
-- In an Interview, Jan. 10, 2007
PHASED WITHDRAWAL
I think that we have to understand that we are going to be in Iraq or at least in the region for a long time. Our national interests dictate that. We are not going to be removing our troops from the area. We can't, for all the reasons that have been identified here. The question is, in what capacity we will be there and what capacity those troops will be there? Will they be a constabulary force, which I do not believe they should be? Will they be a supporting force for the Iraqi government and for the Iraqi forces themselves, which I believe they should be?
-- At the Republican Candidates Debate, May 15, 2007
Tommy Thompson
Republican
SUPPORTIVE, BUT CRITICAL OF HANDLING OF THE WAR
People got lulled into believing that we moved so rapidly in Iraq that the Iraqi people were just going to stand up and embrace us. They didn't do that...We went in with a slimmed-down force because we thought we were so good and so able to defeat the enemy so quick that we didn't need a big army anymore. That was the mistake.
-- In an Interview, Feb. 5, 2007
IN FAVOR OF TROOP INCREASE
[President Bush has] come up with a program that was really brought to the forefront by General [David] Petraeus, who is the commanding general in Iraq. And General Petraeus sincerely believes that the surge capacity will stabilize Baghdad and will allow the government to work. We should give this opportunity a chance to work.
-- In an Interview, Feb. 5, 2007
LETTING IRAQIS DECIDE
A vote should be conducted to ask the Iraqi people whether they want the United States' presence in their country. The government should support a course that divides Iraq into separate nations or states, and then divide money from Iraq oil reserves between the government, separate states and individuals.
-- In an Interview, Jan. 28, 2007
The Presidential Candidates on Immigration
As the Congress debates a comprehensive immigration bill, the politics of the 2008 presidential campaign is playing a big role in the proceedings. Below is a look at what various candidates have said on the issue in the past. While many agree on the larger themes, disagreements about the details are likely to arise as the debate proceeds. - FARHANA HOSSAIN, BEN WERSCHKUL, and SARAH WHEATON
The Democrats | The Republicans
THE CANDIDATE STATEMENTS ON THE BORDER FENCE AND BORDER SECURITY STATEMENTS ON ILLEGAL ALIENS
ALREADY IN THE COUNTRY ACTIONS ON THE ISSUE
Joseph R.
Biden Jr.
Democrat
[Favored Immigration Reform Act of 2006 because] first and foremost, this bill enhances our control over the border, allowing us to better deal with future illegal immigrants as well as drug traffickers and potential terrorists.
May 25, 2006
[Favored Immigration Reform Act of 2006 because it offered] a rational and limited guest worker program with an electronic verification system for employers. Under its provisions, an employer could only hire a guest worker if the guest worker has a tamper-proof identification card and the employer can demonstrate that no American could be hired to do the job. If employers violated these terms, they would be subject to criminal prosecution..
May 25, 2006
Voted yes on the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006," which would have created a guest worker program and addressed border security issues.
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Voted yes on the "Secure Fence Act of 2006," which created 700 miles of new fence along the US/Mexico border.
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Hillary Rodham Clinton
Democrat
It is unconscionable to think that in a post-9/11 world we do not know precisely who is entering and exiting our country. Our homeland security requires that we know the identities of all people who cross our borders. In reforming our broken system, our efforts must be multifaceted and comprehensive.
March 8, 2006
A comprehensive solution to our immigration crisis must include strengthening our borders.
May 1, 2007
I'm in favor of comprehensive immigration reform, which includes tightening our border security, sanctioning employers to employ undocumented immigrants, helping our communities deal with the costs that come from illegal immigration, getting the 12 million or so immigrants out of the shadows. That's very important to me.
After 9/11, we've got to know who's in this country. And then giving them a chance to pay a fine, pay back taxes, learn English and stand in line to be eligible for a legal status in this country.
April 26, 2007
Co-sponsored the Legal Immigrant Children's Health Improvement Act of 2007, which would lift the current waitng period of five years for federal health care benefits for legal immigrants.
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Voted yes on the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006," which would have created a guest worker program and addressed border security issues.
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Voted yes on the "Secure Fence Act of 2006," which created 700 miles of new fence along the US/Mexico border.
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Chris Dodd
Democrat
I accept the basic idea of better border security you need to be talking with [Mexico] to get cooperation, border security can't be on just one side of the border and then I believe we should have more meaningful penalties on employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers, that may do more than anything else.
May 3, 2007
I don't like a blanket guest worker program. I could make a strong case in agriculture or in certain other areas I'd like the ability to have a valve on that one. Demonstrate that I really have a problem and I'd be willing to loosen the valve but I'd be unwilling to have that as a general proposition because I'm still not convinced that raising minimum wages and doing other things, that Americans won't do certain work. So I'm mixed on that question. Then on the pathway to citizenship, how else do you deal with this? We aren't going to round up 11-12 million people, we're just not going to.
May 3, 2007
Voted yes on the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006," which would have created a guest worker program and addressed border security issues.
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Voted yes on the "Secure Fence Act of 2006," which created 700 miles of new fence along the US/Mexico border.
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John Edwards
Democrat
I do think that what's happening on our southern border is a mess and it's a very serious problem. America needs to, with both money technology and people, do a much more effective job of policing our border than we're doing now and we need to be aggressive about it, in my judgement. I think though, that has be married to a policy that embraces who we are, which is, we are a country of immigrants.
March 20, 2007
I think [immigrants] ought to be allowed to earn American citizenship. Now I use the word, "earn" because I mean earn. I think if they came here illegally, then they ought to have to pay a fineAnother one thats a little more controversial is, but I believe it, is I think they ought to have to learn to speak English. I would allow a path for them to be able to earn American citizenship, and I think you have to do all these things together, not just one part of it.
March 10, 2007
Co-Sponsored the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2003, which would have allowed states to give illegal immigrants in-state tuition for higher education and let the homeland security secretary confer legal resident status on some illegal immigrant students.
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Co-Sponsored the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2001, which was drafted after Sept. 11 and tightened border security in the context of combating terrorism.
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Mike Gravel
Democrat
Our nations borders should not be fenced nor should they be militarized. We can beef-up the Border Patrol and the Coast Guard, if need be.
May 21, 2006
Senator Gravel favors protecting our borders and monitoring the flow of illegal immigrants into our country.
gravel2008.us
The 10-plus million illegal immigrants living here should be put on the road to citizenship, providing they do not run afoul of the law. To expel them would be national tragedy equaling the Trail of Tears of President Jackson. However, the longterm solution and that is what really concerns usis the issue of helping Mexico and the Central American nations secure economic growth and prosperity at home
May 21, 2006
Dennis Kucinich
Democrat
I oppose giving the Department of Defense control over border security. In our democracy, it is critical that we preserve the distinction between our armed forces and domestic law enforcement. Also, I am concerned about the threat of vigilantes intimidating or attacking individuals at the border. Border security is a job for state and local authorities, not soldiers or vigilantes.
Kucinich.us
I am a strong supporter of the USA Family Act (HR 440). It offers immigrants a clear road map to legal status in the United States. Among other changes, it grants legal permanent residence to immigrants who have been living in the U.S. for five or more years.
-- Kucinich.us
Voted no on the "Secure Fence Act of 2006," which created 700 miles of new fence along the US/Mexico border.
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Voted no on the "Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005," that made it a federal crime to live in the U.S. illegaly and didn't provide any options for current illegal immigrants to gain legal status.
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qBarack Obama
Democrat
We're going to have to secure our borders. And this past year, the Senate invested billions of dollars in improving border security. I think that's important because I think all Americans think that we should be able to regulate who comes in and out of this country in an orderly way, not only for the sake of our sovereignty, but also to avoid the hundreds of people who have been dying across the desert, the enormous costs that are placed on border states and border towns. I also think that we've got to be serious about employers' obligations to check to see whether somebody is here legally or not...There hasn't been a serious program of employer sanctions. That has to be put in place.
March 24, 2007
[We] have to recognize that we've got 12 million undocumented workers who are already here. Many of them living their lives alongside other Americans. Their kids are going to school. Many of the kids, in fact, were born in this country and are citizens. And so, it's absolutely vital that we bring those families out of the shadows and that we give them the opportunity to travel a pathway to citizenship. It's not automatic citizenship. It's not amnesty. They would have to pay a fine. They would have to not have engaged in any criminal activity. They would have to learn English. They would have to go to the back of the line so that they did not get citizenship before those persons who had come here legally.
March 24, 2007
Co-Sponsored the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2007, which would allow states to give illegal immigrants in-state tuition for higher education and let the homeland security secretary confer legal resident status on some illegal immigrant students.
Co-sponsored the Citizenship Promotion Act 2007, which would require the federal government to freeze the fee that legal immigrants pay for each application for services at current levels and called for $80 million a year to promote citizenship.
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Voted yes on the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006," which would have created a guest worker program and addressed border security issues.
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Voted yes on the "Secure Fence Act of 2006," which created 700 miles of new fence along the US/Mexico border.
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Bill Richardson
Democrat
Securing the border must come first -- but we must understand that building a fence will not in any way accomplish that objective. No fence ever built has stopped history and this one wouldn't either. The Congress should abandon the fence, lock, stock, and barrel[t]his is what we should do: immediately put enough National Guard troops at the border to keep it covered until we can secure it with Border Patrol officers. That should take no longer than three years.
December 7, 2006
The McCain-Kennedy legislation passed by the Senate this year provided an excellent framework for a guest worker program: pay an application fee, undergo a medical examination and a background check, the initial work period would be three years and it could be extended for up to three more years, if you're out of work for more than 45 days you must return to your home country or last country of residence [t]he number of guest workers allowed at any one time must be based upon the needs of the U.S. economy. The goal must be to meet demand for jobs that go unfilled by American citizens, and no more.
December 7, 2006
As governor of New Mexico, implemented a policy to grant drivers licenses without regard to legal residency.
As governor of New Mexico, was among the first to meet President Bush's request to secure the border with National Guard troops.
THE CANDIDATE STATEMENTS ON THE BORDER FENCE AND BORDER SECURITY STATEMENTS ON ILLEGAL ALIENS
ALREADY IN THE COUNTRY ACTIONS ON THE ISSUE
Sam Brownback
Republican
What we need to do is secure the border with a fence, and then interior-wise, we need to make sure that that Social Security number means something. We already have a Social Security number we dont need a new system and we dont need a new ID card.
-- May 3, 2007
we've got to somehow work together to see a work visa program that will allow people to get into a legal system, not an illegal system. I mean that's what people really get irritated about. It's not that people come into the country legally, it's that they come in illegally.
-- May 15, 2007
Co-Sponsored and voted yes on the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006, which would have created a guest worker program and addressed border security issues.
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Voted yes on the "Secure Fence Act of 2006," which created 700 miles of new fence along the US/Mexico border.
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John McCain
Republican
One thing we would all agree on, the status quo is not acceptable. We have to secure our borders. But we also need a temporary worker program, and we have to dispose of the issue of 12 million people who are in this country illegally. This issue is an important and compelling one, and it begins with national security. But we also need to address it comprehensively.
-- May 3, 2007
[W]e need to have a guest worker program.our proposal is basically you can get a tamper-proof visa after your job has been proven that it cannot be filled by an American citizen. Now, what do you do with the 11 million people that are already here?[M]ake them earn citizenship because they have broken our laws My friends, thats not amnesty. Amnesty is forgiveness. Were not forgiving anything.
-- April 7, 2007
Co-Sponsored the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2007, which would allow states to give illegal immigrants in-state tuition for higher education and let the homeland security secretary confer legal resident status on some illegal immigrant students.
Co-Sponsored and voted yes on the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006, which would have created a guest worker program and addressed border security issues.
More information
Voted yes on the "Secure Fence Act of 2006," which created 700 miles of new fence along the US/Mexico border.
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James Gilmore
Republican
You have to think about the borders. We have porous borders. It's creating the entire immigration problem. We have got a lot that we have to address in this country to make sure that we are secure, not just in the ports, but in the entire border of the United States.
-- Sept 13, 2006
We have to get control of the situation. Then we can deal with the issue of immigration reform.
-- February 14, 2007
Rudy Giuliani
Republican
Related Article
Giuliani Shifts His Tone on Immigration (April 22, 2007)
So we need a fence. We need a technological fence; we need a tamper-proof ID card. And we need a way that people who are working in this country can come forward, sign up for the tamper-proof ID card, get in the database and start paying their way.
-- May 15, 2007
If anybody is here illegally, they should never get to be put ahead of a line of people that are here legally. They should have to pay a penalty, because there should not be amnesty. It's a civil wrong. Civil wrongs are compensated by paying penalties. They should pay the back taxes. And if you ultimately find a way to make them citizens, then there should be a very, very strong requirement that they speak English, read English, write English, and understand American history.
-- March 23, 2007
As mayor of New York City, filed a suit in federal court challenging a provision in a welfare law that allowed city employees to turn in illegal immigrants who seek services like police protection, hospital care and public education.
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As mayor of New York City, denounced a law that cut off Social Security benefits, food stamps and health benefits to legal immigrants who were not citizens and lobbied Congressmen to change it.
Mike Huckabee
Republican
I think this can't be brought to a rational discussion until we first bring security to the borders. I think that this has to be the very first step that the president takes, is secure the borders, physically or electronically so that you stop this porous situation where people come across at will. Until that happens, all of the discussion of what we need to be doing on this side with the existing immigrants becomes moot.
-- April 13, 2007
We shouldn't have amnesty where we just say, "Fine, everybody's good, we're going to let it go." We should have a process where people can pay the penalties, step up and accept responsibility for not being here legally.
But here's the point. The objective is not to be punitive. The objective is to make things right. Right for us. Right for them.
-- February 7, 2007
Sponsored a resolution, adopted by the Southern Governors Association, which, among other things, recommended implementing a farm labor system to import farm workers from Canada and Mexico.
Proposed a bill that would have allowed children of undocumented immigrants who graduated high school to qualify to receive a state scholarship to attend an Arkansas college. That bill didn't pass the state legislature.
As governor of Arkansas, opposed a proposal banning state-funded services to illegal immigrants.
Duncan Hunter
Republican
I built the border fence in San Diego. When I built that fence, we had massive illegal immigration across the border. We built the border fence; we reduced illegal immigration and smuggling of narcotics by more than 90 percent. And the crime rate in the city of San Diego fell by 50 percentthis administration has a case of the slows on border enforcement. If we have border enforcement, we will be able at that point to start to regulate the internal problem that we've got. Becauseit's not just an immigration problem, it's a homeland security problem.
-- May 15, 2007
Let me just say, right now we have a house with no sides on it. The guest worker program is how you adjust a front door. We've got a house that's got a front door and it doesn't have any sides. That means people stream across the border. We had 155,000 people come in last year from Mexico-who...weren't citizens of Mexico. They came from every country in the world. So you have to have some control of the border before any meaningful change in policy can be made.
-- October 30, 2006
Played a 'leading role' in the construction of a 14-mile double fence on the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego.
Co-sponsored and voted yes on the "Secure Fence Act of 2006," which created 700 miles of new fence along the US/Mexico border.
More information
Voted yes on the "Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005," that made it a federal crime to live in the U.S. illegaly and didn't provide any options for current illegal immigrants to gain legal status.
More information
Ron Paul
Republican
The talk must stop. We must secure our borders now. A nation without secure borders is no nation at all. It makes no sense to fight terrorists abroad when our own front door is left unlocked.
-- ronpaul2008.com
We must do whatever it takes to control entry into our country before we undertake complicated immigration reform proposals.
-- ronpaul2008.com
Voted yes on the "Secure Fence Act of 2006," which created 700 miles of new fence along the US/Mexico border.
More information
Voted yes on the "Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005," that made it a federal crime to live in the U.S. illegaly and didn't provide any options for current illegal immigrants to gain legal status.
More information
Mitt Romney
Republican
My view, you have to secure the border, number one, have an employment verification system, number two, and number three, say to those that are there illegally, get in line with everybody else; you're not going to have a special doorway, any particular advantage, by having come here illegally, to become a permanent resident.
-- May 15, 2007
There's no question as we deal with the issue of immigration, having a national special card that indicates a person's name, date, birth date,
biographic information, and an indication of their work status will allow us to know who's here legally, who's not, who can work and who
cannot.
-- May 3, 2007
The first thing I'd like them to do is to register, so I know how many there are, and what their circumstances are. And on that basis, we can see who would receive temporary employment visas and who would instead be required to return home.
-- March 17, 2007
As governor of Massachusetts, opposed giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants.
Vetoed a bill allowing the children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at the states universities.
Signed an agreement with federal authorities in Dec. 2006, allowing Massachusetts State Police troopers to arrest and seek deportation of suspected illegal aliens they encounter over the course of their normal duties.
Tom Tancredo
Republican
I want to see our capacity on that Southern border up to about 20,000 that would be a combination of both troops, but actively involved with protecting the border.
-- June 5, 2006
If you're in this country illegally, the penalty, yes, is deportation. And there are easier ways to handle it. We can by attrition, that is, not giving people jobs if they're here illegally. Millions will return home voluntarily. Others that don't, you have to deport. Because you know why? It is the law. Mr. President, hello. It's the law. Do you understand those words?
-- March 15, 2007
Co-sponsored and voted yes on the "Secure Fence Act of 2006," which created 700 miles of new fence along the US/Mexico border.
More information
Voted yes on the "Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005," that made it a federal crime to live in the U.S. illegaly and didn't provide any options for current illegal immigrants to gain legal status.
More information
Tommy Thompson
Republican
We have to continue building the barrier. We have to have controlled access.
April 7, 2007
The truth of the matter is, we have laws on the books, and you should not be able to have amnesty. I think what they really need to do is, they have to go back to their country and apply. They've got to go to the back of the line and allow those individuals who come into this country legally really to have preference.
Feb 5, 2007
Signed a Midwestern Governors' Conference resolution which called for the repeal of restrictive border entry-exit control systems with Canada because of its "adverse impact" on trade and cross-border traffic.
The Presidential Candidates on Health Care
Presidential candidates in both parties are promising to overhaul the nation's health care system and cover more - if not all - of the nation's uninsured. In 2005, 44.8 million people - 15.3 percent of the population - were without health insurance, according to estimates released by the Census Bureau in March. The leading Democrats are competing among themselves over who has the better plan to control costs and approach universal coverage. The Republicans, for the most part, are promising to expand coverage without increasing the role of the federal government, and reduce cost through tax incentives. Most of the candidates have not presented a detailed outline of their health care plans, but here is what they have said so far. - FARHANA HOSSAIN
The Democrats | The Republicans
THE CANDIDATE PROPOSAL TO EXPAND COVERAGE PAYING FOR ADDITIONAL COSTS
Joseph R.
Biden Jr.
Democrat
IMMEDIATELY INSURE EVERYONE UNDER 18
I would move immediately to insure all children under age 18, modernize medical records and provide catastrophic health insurance to lift the burden on the 46 million people who can't afford coverage.
-- Las Vegas Sun, March 23, 2007
WORK WITH STATES TO MOVE TOWARDS UNIVERSAL COVERAGE
I think the thing that will get us to total health coverage - health insurance for everybody the quickest - is to do what we did on welfare reform. What we did was we allowed the states considerable flexibility and leeway in reorganizing the system and we underwrote the cost of the poor states in doing it to get work programs going. Do the same exact thing with health care. You have a dozen states, including big ones, that are now passing legislation requiring universal insurance, just like liability insurance. Once you get to a critical mass of 30 to 35 states, you've established a national consensus. Cherry-pick those elements of the plans. Maybe even give them localized flavor rather than one simple standard that exists that require that there be total complete coverage across the board.
-- In New Hampshire, April 14, 2007
END WAR IN IRAQ; ROLL BACK PRESIDENT BUSH'S TAX CUTS FOR THE HIGHEST EARNERS
The first two things we could do and we could do it without having to fundamentally change anything other than the president's unneeded tax cut for people making an average of $1.43 million dollars a year in the top one percent.
-- In Nevada, April 2007
Eliminate the break for investment on dividends, which is $195 billion. For $26 billion a year, I can insure every single solitary child under the age of 18 in the United States. You need start-up dollars. The place I'd start off with is somewhere over $220 billion a year by the tax cuts and ending the war.
-- On NBC's "Meet the Press," April 2007
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Democrat
REQUIRE EVERYONE TO GET INSURANCE, SUBSIDIZED BY EMPLOYERS AND THE GOVERNMENT
I call my plan, the American Health Choices plan. ... If you have private insurance you like, nothing changes ... you can keep that insurance. ... If, however, you don't have health insurance or you don't like the insurance you have, you can choose from the same wide variety of private plans that members of Congress choose from. ... You will have access to a public plan that will provide a stable, competitive alternative to private insurance if that is your choice.
While I will be requiring all Americans to have health care, I will be calling on employers to do their part as well. ... Under my plan, large companies will be required to help pay for their employees' health care. Those that do so can simply maintain their current policy that they choose. Those that don't, will need to contribute towards the cost of covering their employees on a sliding scale based on their size and average wages. ... We won't require small businesses to cover employees. Instead we will provide tax credits to ensure that many of them do. ... The government will provide tax-credits to insure that every single American can afford health insurance.
-- In Des Moines, Sept. 17, 2007
- More Details (HillaryClinton.com)
ROLL BACK PRESIDENT BUSH'S TAX CUTS FOR PEOPLE EARNING OVER $250,000 AND BY SAVINGS IN THE EXISTING HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
I won't pay for it by pouring money into a broken system. I won't pay for it by raising taxes on middle class families who are already struggling with rising costs and stagnant wages. Instead, I'll pay for part of it by implementing the cost saving measures I outlined in May. And I will pay for some of it by rolling back part of President Bush's fiscally irresponsible tax breaks for the highest income Americans. And I'll pay for some of it by limiting the tax breaks for people making over $250,000 a year to the same level that ordinary, middle class Americans get.
-- In Des Moines, Sept. 17, 2007
HAS OUTLINED A SEVEN-POINT PLAN TO CONTROL COST
- Ensure better preventative care
- Modernize record-keeping
- Streamline care for the chronically ill
- Create large insurance pools
- Start a "Best Practices Institute" to finance research
- Control prescription drug costs
- Revise medical malpractice system
-- At George Washington University, May 24, 2007
Chris Dodd
Democrat
HAS PLEDGED UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE, SUBSIDIZED BY EMPLOYERS AND THE GOVERNMENT
Everyone participates, everyone benefits. All the stakeholders -- individuals, employers, the government -- are involved in coming up with a system here that would make it possible to reduce those numbers of 47 million of our fellow citizens who have no health care to make sure they'll be included.
- Second is prevention alone. Minimum we try to do is see to it to reduce the cost by stopping people from getting ill in the first place.
- Thirdly is building upon the good things we've done already: Forty years of Medicaid and Medicare. I would extend Medicaid to poorer families, 100 percent of poverty; the ones with children, 300 percent of poverty.
- Last is the fourth principle, dealing with technology. Some $80 or $90 billion could be saved, not to mention the morbidity rates by doing a far better job and utilizing the technology that exists today.
-- Presidential Forum on Health Care, March 27, 2007
END WAR IN IRAQ; ROLL BACK PRESIDENT BUSH'S TAX CUTS FOR THE HIGHEST EARNERS
If you get rid of these permanent tax cuts to the top one percent of income earners, get the war ended in Iraq that we're spending $2 million a week, $8 million a month, we can provide the resources to really move in this direction. So I would make it a top priority in my administration. I wouldn't want to put a time frame on it because I think it's too important, but for us to get there as soon as possible.
-- Presidential Forum on Health Care, March 27, 2007
John Edwards
Democrat
REQUIRE EVERYONE TO GET INSURANCE, SUBSIDIZED BY EMPLOYERS AND THE GOVERNMENT
What we're going to do is cover every single American, including the 47 million who don't have coverage. We're going to bring down costs for everybody. And for most Americans, we're going to help them pay the cost. It's based on a concept of shared responsibility. In the case of employers, we're going to ask them to do more to either insure all their employees or to contribute to their being insured. The government will help subsidize the health care and create health care markets so we have more competition and deal with issues like preventative care, mental health care, to make sure those kind of things -- chronic care -- are, in fact, being done. And then, finally, for individuals, we're going to make sure they have insurance. They have to have insurance so that everybody has health insurance.
-- On NBC's "Meet the Press," Feb. 4, 2007
- More Details (JohnEdwards.com)
ROLL BACK PRESIDENT BUSH'S TAX CUTS FOR THE HIGHEST EARNERS
The tax cuts that George Bush gave to people who make over $200,000 a year will have to go away to pay for my health care plan. My universal health care plan costs 90- to $120 billion a year. I do not believe, having spent a lot of time on this, that you can achieve universal health care without--without finding a revenue source, and that's my revenue source.
-- Face the Nation, Feb.25, 2007
Mike Gravel
Democrat
ISSUE VOUCHERS TO EVERYONE BASED ON THEIR PROJECTED NEEDS
Under the plan we would issue vouchers to every single American. And the vouchers, you don't pay for them, they're issued to you. You sign up every year for them. And the vouchers will have a very modest co-pay, a very modest deductible, but that's it. Everybody gets the same product universally in the United States of America. And then if you want more than the product you got, you pay for it.
The vouchers are set up for risk on an individual basis, not on a collective this fits all, because if you're young, you probably don't have a cost of more than $3,000. When you're my age, it could be $150,000-$180,000 in one year. One of the facets of the plan would be to keep in place Medicare and Medicaid and phase them out over time. Because plans to put everybody on Medicare aren't going to fly financially and just can't be met.
-- Presidential Forum on Health Care, March 24, 2007
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH TAXPAYER'S MONEY; CONTROL COST BY MODERNIZING RECORDS
All Americans pay for it regardless of the system you have now but the system you're going to get, single-payer Health Care Voucher plan. There's no magic in this whole process. Somebody is going to pay. You know who pays, it's the average American, one way or the other, particularly under our present system. And so to want to trash the business community and trash our tax system, which is already corrupt, with greater corruption as a way to solve the problem is a nonstarter. The way the plan is designed, it won't raise costs, because the 30 percent that they're talking about is paper cost. If you took that and put it into some real costs in health care, we'd cover everybody without raising any costs.
-- Presidential Forum on Health Care, March 24, 2007
Dennis Kucinich
Democrat
ESTABLISH MEDICARE FOR ALL
A not-for-profit health care system is not only possible, but H.R. 676, a bill that I introduced, and a number of Congressmen, the Conyers-Kucinich bill, actually establishes Medicare for all, a single-payer system and it's a not-for-profit system. It's time we ended this thought that health care is a privilege. It is a basic right, and it's time to end this control that insurance companies have not only over health care but over our political system. I'm talking about a real deal for the American people, a universal single-payer not-for-profit Medicare for all.
-- Presidential Forum on Health Care, March 24, 2007
REMOVE COSTS RELATED TO PRIVATE INSURERS
At least 30% of the $3.2 trillion spent annually for health care in the United States goes to the for-profit system, while 50 million Americans, many of them working, are without health insurance. About $660 billion goes for corporate profits, executive salaries, stock options, advertising, marketing, and the cost of paperwork. If we took all that money and we put it into a public health system, a national health care plan, we would have enough money to cover everything for everyone.
-- House floor, July 12, 2006
IMPLEMENT TAXES FOR THE HIGHEST EARNERS AND A PAYROLL TAX
(B) Increasing personal income taxes on the top 5 percent income earners.
(C) Instituting a modest and progressive excise tax on payroll and self-employment income.
(D) Instituting a small tax on stock and bond transactions.
-- H.R. 676
qBarack Obama
Democrat
REQUIRE CHILDREN TO GET INSURANCE;
AIMS FOR UNIVERSAL COVERAGE
The main disagreement with John [Edwards] and I is John believes that we have to have mandatory insurance for everyone in order to have universal health care. My belief is that most families want health care but they can't afford it. And so my emphasis is on driving down the costs, taking on the insurance companies, making sure that they are limited in the ability to extract profits and deny coverage -- that we make sure the drug companies have to do what's right by their patients instead of simply hoarding their profits. If we do those things then I believe that we can drive down the costs for families. In fact, we've got very conservative, credible estimates that say we can save families that do have health insurance about a thousand dollars a year, and we can also make sure that we provide coverage for everybody else. And we do provide mandatory health care for children.
-- CNN debate for Democratic candidates, June 3, 2007
- More Details (barackobama.com)
ROLL BACK PRESIDENT BUSH'S TAX CUTS FOR PEOPLE EARNING OVER $250,000
To help pay for all this, we will ask all but the smallest businesses who don't make a meaningful contribution today to the health care coverage of their employees to do so by supporting this new plan. And we'll also allow the temporary Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans to expire.
-- University of Iowa, May 29, 2007
Bill Richardson
Democrat
REQUIRE EVERYONE TO GET INSURANCE, SUBSIDIZED BY EMPLOYERS AND THE GOVERNMENT
No. 1, my plan is mandatory. You do have everybody sharing -- the employer, the employee, you have the state and the federal government. Secondly, I believe that we can have a plan where if you were satisfied with your health care plan, you can keep it. No new bureaucracy. But in addition to that, you focus on prevention. You allow everybody to get the Congressional plan that every member here has.You bring Medicare 55 and over.
-- CNN debate for Democratic candidates, June 3, 2007
Our main responsibility should be to insure all children under five. We've done that in New Mexico and we should do that nationally. Secondly, we should insure all working adults, all working families. The third phase would be the chronically unemployed. The way you do that is by improving efficiencies and costs. The way you do that is not have Medicare and Medicaid covering seniors and disabled, it should be one. We should expand the S-Chip [State Children's Health Insurance Program] to cover children.
-- A.F.S.C.M.E. forum, Feb. 21, 2007
FORM PARTNERSHIP WITH HEALTH CARE COMMUNITY
I would not increase taxes. I believe that, if anything, Democrats have been viewed - our solution is always to increase taxes, and we shouldn't. I don't think the solution of the Democratic Party should always be to either spend more or tax more. I believe if we have partnerships between hospitals, between communities, between the state, the federal government, and you give flexibility to the states, we can have universal health care.
-- A.F.S.C.M.E. forum, Feb. 21, 2007
THE CANDIDATE DETAILS OF THEIR PLANS PAYING FOR ADDITIONAL COSTS
Sam Brownback
Republican
ADVOCATES MARKET-BASED HEALTH CARE; ESTABLISH REGULATORY COMPETITION AMONG STATES
We need high-quality, affordable health care for everyone. We must address our health care problems with market-based solutions, not government-run health care.
-- Announcing his candidacy, Jan. 20, 2007
Our health care system will thrive with increased consumer choice, consumer control and real competition. I believe it is important that we have price transparency within our health care system. Consumers should be able to choose the from health care coverage plans that are tailored to fit their families' needs and values. Accordingly, individuals should be allowed to purchase health insurance across state lines. I will continue to work at the forefront to create a consumer-centered, not government-centered, health care model that offer both affordable coverage choices and put the consumer in the driver's seat.
-- Campaign Web site
- More Details (brownback.senate.gov)
NOT AVAILABLE
James Gilmore
Republican
HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE ISSUE OF HEALTH CARE IN RECENT APPEARANCES; HIS CAMPAIGN WEB SITE DOES NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE
His actions on health care as the governor of Virginia, from 1998 to 2002, can be found here.
NOT AVAILABLE
Rudy Giuliani
Republican
ADVOCATES MARKET-BASED HEALTH CARE; MAKE PRIVATE INSURANCE AFFORDABLE THROUGH TAX DEDUCTIONS
We've got to solve our health care problem with American principles, not the principles of socialism,'' he said. "[I]f you take more people and have government cover it, it's called socialized medicine." His plan includes proposed tax exemptions of up to $15,000 per family, allowing individuals to direct that money toward the purchase of health insurance and other medical spending. He also said he opposed any government mandates that would require people or businesses to buy insurance. He did not promise that all the uninsured would be covered under his proposal.
-- Rochester, N.H. July 30, 2007
HAS NOT ADDRESSED HOW HE WOULD PAY FOR THE TAX DEDUCTIONS; HAS SAID THAT A FREE-MARKET WOULD BRING DOWN COSTS
He said competition among insurers for customers would lead them to reduce the costs of their policies, estimating that only 20 million to 30 million of the 120 million who currently get their insurance through an employer would need to sign up for individual insurance plans for that to happen. "You have to start bringing the price down before you can figure out how many people can you include. It can't be done with a magic wand all at once.
-- Rochester, N.H., July 30, 2007
Mike Huckabee
Republican
ADVOCATES MARKET-BASED HEALTH CARE; MAKE PRIVATE INSURANCE AFFORDABLE THROUGH TAX DEDUCTIONS AND COST CONTROL MEASURES
We don't need universal health care mandated by federal edict or funded through ever-higher taxes. We do need to get serious about preventive health care instead of chasing more and more dollars to treat chronic disease, which currently gobbles up 80% of our health care costs, and yet is often avoidable. The result is that we'll be able to deliver better care where and when it's needed.
I advocate policies that will encourage the private sector to seek innovative ways to bring down costs and improve the free market for health care services. I also value the states' role as laboratories for new market-based approaches, and I will encourage those efforts.
-- Campaign Web site
IMPLEMENT COST CONTROL MEASURES
We can make health care more affordable by reforming medical liability; adopting electronic record keeping; making health insurance more portable from one job to another; expanding health savings accounts to everyone, not just those with high deductibles; and making health insurance tax deductible for individuals and families as it now is for businesses. Low-income families would get tax credits instead of deductions.
-- Campaign Web site
Duncan Hunter
Republican
ADVOCATES MARKET-BASED HEALTH CARE; OPPOSED TO GOVERNMENT-SUBSIDIZED UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
I am not for universal health care. If everything is paid for by the government, you'll have companies trying to get in and trying to overcharge. And you'll lose what I call a consumer interest, in keeping the cost of health care down.
-- WMUR-TV, April 13, 2007
LET AMERICANS SHOP FOR INSURANCE ACROSS STATE LINES
We need to be able to buy our health care insurance across state lines. Right now the same single policy that can be purchased in Long Beach for $73 costs $334 in New Jersey. The states lock up the insurance industry. They won't let Americans buy across state lines just like they do everything else. If we're able to do that, we're going to bring down the cost of health insurance.
-- CNN debate for Republican candidates, June 5, 2007
NOT AVAILABLE
John McCain
Republican
HAS PLEDGED AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR EVERY AMERICAN WITHOUT A FEDERAL MANDATE; EXPECTED TO RELEASE A DETAILED PLAN THIS SUMMER
I think that we can make health care affordable and available without a mandate. Six of the eight million children that haven't taken advantage of the S-Chip is because they just haven't signed up. Community health centers need to be expanded. There's a whole variety of things that we can do before we mandate health care for every American. One of the problems we have is that there's a lot of healthy Americans that say, 'I just don't want health insurance.' I'm going to have a plan that every American can take advantage of and afford. We're working on it. We've been working on it for a long time. It's a very tough issue, but I know many of the elements right now - tax incentives for people of low incomes so that they can afford health care, community health centers, expand the S-Chip, put health care online, help medical malpractice reform, make health savings accounts more available. I mean, there's a long list of steps that we must take in order to make health care available and affordable.
-- On ABC's "This Week," June 10, 2007
SAYS UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT A TAX INCREASE
I'm certainly not interested in raising people's taxes, as many of the Democrats are interested in doing. I'm absolutely opposed to that.
-- On "This Week," June 10, 2007
Ron Paul
Republican
ADVOCATES MARKET-BASED HEALTH CARE; OPPOSED TO FEDERAL MANDATE
It's time to rethink the whole system. The rise of HMOs has created a harmful collusion between politicians, drug companies, and organized medicine that raises the price of health care by stifling competition between providers. And all this in favor of moving us towards universal health care! I believe strongly that patients are better served by having an element of choice in the matter, which is why I support letting the free-market determine health care costs. This won't happen, however, until we unravel the HMO web and change the tax code to allow individuals to fully deduct health care costs from their taxes, as employers can.
-- Muckraker Report, June 28, 2007
WANTS TO MAKE HEALTH CARE MORE AFFORDABLE WITHOUT TAX INCREASE
Congress needs to craft innovative legislation that makes health care more affordable without raising taxes or increasing the deficit. It also needs to repeal bad laws that keep health care costs higher than necessary.
-- LewRockwell.com, August 23, 2006
Mitt Romney
Republican
ENCOURAGE STATES TO DEVELOP MARKET-BASED HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS; OPPOSED TO A NATIONAL VERSION OF THE PLAN HE SUPPORTED FOR MASSACHUSSETS AS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE, REQUIRING EVERYONE TO GET INSURANCE
I like the idea of letting states have some flexibility to develop their own programs to get more and more people insured. We found a way to get everybody in our state, Massachusetts, insured. I like the plan. I think it's one of the best things we did in my administration.
It's not perfect. We will learn from it. But the idea is for people who can afford insurance make sure they get their premiums down by taking mandates off insurance companies. Let the insurance companies offer true market-based products. And then for people who can't afford insurance, help them buy their own private policy. Don't put them on Medicaid. Get them private insurance. Get everybody in the system.
It's a bit like bringing work to welfare. Bring personal responsibility to health care. Get the government out of the health care business for those 45 million uninsured, and let individuals own their own policies.
-- On Fox News' "On the Record," April 23, 2007
SAYS UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT A TAX INCREASE
It's a conservative idea insisting that individuals have responsibility for their own health care. I think it appeals to people on both sides of the aisle: insurance for everyone without a tax increase.
-- USA Today, July 5, 2005
Tom Tancredo
Republican
ADVOCATES MARKET-BASED HEALTH CARE; WOULD NOT RULE OUT FEDERAL SUBSIDIES FOR THE NEEDY
As for the uninsured: as many as 25 percent of them are illegal aliens and should be deported or encouraged to leave. For citizens and legal residents who are employed by businesses which cannot afford coverage, I favor association health plans which band small businesses together to access lower-cost insurance. For those out of work, state governments should be the primary source of relief, although I would not rule out federal incentives or limited subsidies to make sure families who have fallen on hard times are not without coverage.
-- Campaign Web site
PROPOSES IMMIGRATION REFORM TO CURB COST
The two major problems are the high cost of care and the number of uninsured. Tort reform and immigration enforcement would save the system billions and drive down costs. In California alone, illegal immigrants cost the system $800 million annually and have forced 84 hospitals to close.
As for the uninsured: as many as 25 percent of them are illegal aliens and should be deported or encouraged to leave.
-- Campaign Web site
Tommy Thompson
Republican
MAKE HEALTH CARE MORE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE WITHOUT FEDERAL MANDATE
We must build a system that is affordable and accessible for everyone. And we can do this without government-run health care that robs our great nation of its ingenuity in developing new cures and treatments for deadly diseases. And we can do it only when we take some common-sense steps to bring our health care system into the 21st century. We must use the private sector and public sector to provide health insurance for all.
-- Iowa, April 2007
We've got to completely transform the health care system, make it a wellness system, and make it a prevention system. ...We have 125 million Americans that have one or more chronic illnesses. In order to change this we have to educate the American people about tobacco, about diabetes, about cardiovascular [diseases] and about obesity. You do that, you'll be able to change health care.
-- CNN debate for Republican candidates, June 5, 2007
IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO CONTROL COSTS AND SAVE MONEY
Twenty five percent of Americans use two-thirds of the cost of health care. If you manage those diseases, you can reduce that down to 50 percent and save lots of money. Information technology -- electronic medical records, a patient bill of rights, and be able to have E-prescribing, and if you do that, you're going to be able to save billions of dollars. If you just go paperless, ladies and gentlemen, you will save 10 percent of the cost of health .
-- CNN debate for Republican candidates, June 5, 2007
The Presidential Candidates on Abortion
The issue of abortion is front and center for both the Democrats and Republicans in the presidential field but has been especially problematic to the top Republican candidates: Rudolph Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney. Below is a look at what all the candidates, Democratic or Republican, have said on the issue. - FARHANA HOSSAIN and BEN WERSCHKUL
The Republicans | The Democrats
THE CANDIDATE ON ROE V. WADE
Candidate statements the 1973 Supreme Court decision establishing a constitutional right to abortion ON LATE-TERM ABORTIONS
A recent Supreme Court ruling upheld the 2003 Partial-Birth Abortion Ban OTHER ASPECTS
Candidate views on public funding and/or nominating judges based on the issue
Sam Brownback
Republican
WANTS TO OVERTURN
When we overturn Roe v. Wade, that will have a magnifying effect on the world. Somehow, we can't find [life] in the Constitution, but we can find a constitutional right to abortion that isn't there.
-- Davenport, Iowa, May 7, 2007
SUPPORTED THE SUPREME COURT DECISION
I am very pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled to uphold the ban on partial birth abortions...I applaud the Court for finding that the constitution 'expresses respect for the dignity of human life,' and hope that this decision signals the Court's willingness to revisit and reverse Roe v. Wade.
-- Statement, April 18, 2007
ON JUDGES
I think really the track one right now is to try to get the Supreme Court to be one that's limited in its perspective, that it remains a strict constructionist Constitution group that's on the Supreme Court that would be willing to overturn Roe versus Wade. And that sends the issue back to the states, which is where it was prior to 1973 and I think where it really can be handled much better.
-- "This Week", January 21, 2007
James Gilmore
Republican
WANTS TO OVERTURN BUT SUPPORTS A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION IN THE FIRST EIGHT TO TWELVE WEEKS
My view is that after about a period of about eight weeks where there is time for a baby to form. After that period of time I think there should be no further abortions -- because I think the child has emerged -- except to save the life of the mother and situations of extremes.
-- Interview, March 23, 2007
However, my record as governor of Virginia, I think, has been one that the pro-life community, of which I'm a part, would be very proud: passing a 24-hour waiting period, passing informed consent, passing parental notification, signing the partial-birth abortion law in Virginia..
-- Republican Candidates Debate, May 3, 2007
SUPPORTED THE SUPREME COURT DECISION
My record has governor of Virginia with the pro-life
movement has been very strong. We passed a 24-hour waiting
period, we passed parental notification, informed consent. I
signed the partial-birth abortion ban in Virginia. And I think
I have furthered our pro-life movement very substantially, even
though not everybody would agree with every nuance and every
thought about my principled position I've always taken.
-- CNN, May 7, 2007
ON JUDGES
I don't think I'm going to appoint a judge and tell him he's got to [overturn Roe v. Wade]....but my personal view was all the way back in law school we concluded that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided.
-- Interview, March 23, 2007
Rudy Giuliani
Republican
SUPPORTS ABORTION RIGHTS
I ultimately do believe in a woman's right of choice, but I think that there are ways in which we can reduce abortions.
-- Republican Candidates Debate, May 15, 2007
In my case, I hate abortion. I would encourage someone to not take that option. When I was mayor of New York City, I encouraged adoptions. Adoptions went up 65, 70 percent. Abortions went down 16 percent. But, ultimately, since it is an issue of conscience, I would respect a woman's right to make a different choice.
-- Republican Candidates Debate, May 3, 2007
SUPPORTED THE SUPREME COURT DECISION NOW...
The Supreme Court reached the correct conclusion in upholding the congressional ban on partial birth abortion. I agree with it.
-- Statement, April 18, 2007
...BUT HAS BEEN RECEPTIVE TO PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION IN THE PAST
I would vote to preserve the option for women. I think that choice is a very difficult one. It's a very, very -- it's one in which people of conscience have very, very different opinions. I think the better thing for America to do is to leave that choice to the woman, because it affects her probably more than anyone else.
-- Meet the Press, February 6, 2000
ON FUNDING, TAKES A HANDS OFF APPROACH NOW...
I believe that the Hyde amendment should remain the law. States should make their decision. Some states decide to do it, most states decide not to do it. And I think that's the appropriate way to have this decided.
-- Republican Candidates Debate, May 3, 2007
...BUT IN THE PAST WAS MORE ASSERTIVE ON THE ISSUE
There must be public funding for abortions for poor women. We cannot deny any woman the right to make her own decision about abortion because she lacks resources.
-- New York, 1989
ON JUDGES
There shouldn't be a litmus test on Roe against Wade, it seems to me the best position to take is I don't want a litmus test for judges.... I'm going to select strict constructionist judges. They're free to take a look at Roe against Wade, take a look at the limitations. But I believe I should leave it to them to decide that.
-- Fox News, May 14, 2007
Mike Huckabee
Republican
WANTS TO OVERTURN
I'm pro-life because I believe life begins at conception, and I believe that we should do everything possible to protect that life because it is the centerpiece of what makes us unique as an American people. We value the life of one as if it's the life of all.
-- Republican Candidates Debate, May 15, 2007
SUPPORTED THE SUPREME COURT DECISION
I applaud the Supreme Court's recent decision in Gonzales v. Cathcart forbidding the gruesome practice of partial birth abortion. While I am optimistic that we are turning the tide in favor of life, we still have many battles ahead of us to protect those who cannot protect themselves, and so it is vital that we elect a pro-life President.
-- explorehuckabee.com
ON FUNDING
I don't think we ought to use federal tax dollars for abortion, and I wouldn't if I were president.
-- Interview, April 8, 2007
Duncan Hunter
Republican
WANTS TO OVERTURN
I would amend the U.S. Constitution and provide blanket protection to all unborn children from the moment of conception by prohibiting any state or federal law that denies the personhood of the unborn. Likewise, I have also introduced the Right to Life Act, which would legally define 'personhood' as the moment of conception and, therefore, guarantee all constitutional rights and protections, including life, to the unborn without utilizing a constitutional amendment.
-- gohunter08.com
SUPPORTED THE SUPREME COURT DECISION
The Supreme Court's ruling to prohibit the abhorrent practice of partial birth abortion represents a victory in the effort to protect and promote human life. This decision further underscores the American people's overwhelming opposition to this practice and rightfully defends the inherent value and sanctity of each and every life.
-- Statement, April 18, 2007
ON JUDGES
If I have a judicial candidate in front of me who can look at a sonogram of an unborn child and not see a valuable human life, I will not appoint that candidate to the federal bench.
-- Interview, April 22, 2007
John McCain
Republican
WANTS TO OVERTURN...
I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned.
-- South Carolina, February 18, 2007
...BUT HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF IT IN THE PAST
I'd love to see a point where it is irrelevant, and could be repealed because abortion is no longer necessary. But certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade, which would then force X number of women in America to [undergo] illegal and dangerous operations.
-- San Francisco Chronicle and CNN, August 1999
SUPPORTED THE SUPREME COURT DECISION
Today's Supreme Court ruling is a victory for those who cherish the sanctity of life and integrity of the judiciary. The ruling ensures that an unacceptable and unjustifiable practice will not be carried out on our innocent children...as we move forward, it is critically important that our party continues to stand on the side of life.
-- Statement, April 18, 2007
ON JUDGES
[Said that the Supreme Court decision] clearly speaks to the importance of nominating and confirming strict constructionist judges who interpret the law as it is written, and do not usurp the authority of Congress and state legislatures.
-- Statement, April 18, 2007
Ron Paul
Republican
WANTS TO OVERTURN
Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided, but not because the Supreme Court presumed to legalize abortion rather than ban it. Roe was wrongly decided because abortion simply is not a constitutional issue. There is not a word in the text of that document, nor in any of its amendments, that conceivably addresses abortion.
-- Essay, January 31, 2006
OPPOSED TO THE PROCEDURE
As an obstetrician, I know that partial birth abortion is never a necessary medical procedure. It is a gruesome, uncivilized solution to a social problem.
-- Essay, June 4, 2003
Mitt Romney
Republican
WHEN HE WAS GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS, MR. ROMNEY SUPPORTED ABORTION RIGHTS...
I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country.
-- Debate with Ted Kennedy, October 1994
...BUT HE SAYS NOW THAT HE CHANGED HIS MIND
I've always been personally pro-life, but for me there was a great question about whether or not government should intrude in that decision. And when I ran for office, I said I'd protect the law as it was, which is effectively a pro-choice position. About two years ago when we were studying cloning in our state, I said, look, we have gone too far; it's a brave new world mentality that Roe v. Wade has given us; and I change my mind...I won't apologize to anybody for becoming pro-life.
-- Republican Candidates Debate, May 3, 2007
SUPPORTED THE SUPREME COURT DECISION
Our nation's highest court reaffirmed the value of life in America by upholding a ban on a practice that offends basic human decency. This decision represents a step forward in protecting the weakest and most innocent among us.
-- Statement, April 18, 2007
ON JUDGES
It is the people who are sovereign in America, not a few folks in black robes. Judges add things that aren't in the Constitution, and they take away things that are in the Constitution.
-- Speech to Conservative Political Action Conference, March 2, 2007
Tom Tancredo
Republican
WANTS TO OVERTURN
After 40 million dead because we have aborted them in this country, I say that that would be the greatest day in this country's history when [Roe v. Wade] is in fact overturned.
-- Republican Candidates Debate, May 3, 2007
SUPPORTED THE SUPREME COURT DECISION
Today the Supreme Court put an end to this barbaric practice of infanticide, Tancredo said. One can only hope this is the first step towards ending the tragedy of abortions...I am pleased the Court has finally begun to address the moral and intellectual travesty of Roe vs. Wade.
-- Statement, April 18, 2007
Tommy Thompson
Republican
WANTS TO OVERTURN
I believe it should be left up to the states. That was what was originally implied, and the Constitution was changed when the Supreme Court made the decision [in Roe v. Wade]. I have made a record of pro-life for a long time, signing the partial-birth abortion, pre-notification for parents and so on. I think it's an important imperative that states have the responsibility for making these laws.
-- Republican Candidates Debate, May 3, 2007
SUPPORTED THE SUPREME COURT DECISION
I commend the United States Supreme Court for upholding the nation's ban on partial-birth abortions. This decision sends a clear message that the United States values life and has no tolerance for this gruesome, abhorrent way to take a life. There is no place for partial-birth abortions in this country, and I am pleased the court upheld the law passed by Congress.
-- Statement, April 18, 2007
THE CANDIDATE ON ROE V. WADE
Candidate statements the 1973 Supreme Court decision establishing a constitutional right to abortion ON LATE-TERM ABORTIONS
A recent Supreme Court ruling upheld the 2003 Partial-Birth Abortion Ban OTHER ASPECTS
Candidate views on public funding and/or nominating judges based on the issue
Joseph R.
Biden Jr.
Democrat
SUPPORTS THE DECISION
I'm a practicing Catholic, and it is the biggest dilemma for me in terms of comporting my, my religious and cultural views with my political responsibility. And the decision that I have come to is Roe v. Wade is as close to we're going to be able to get as a society that incorporates the general lines of debate within Christendom, Judaism and other faiths, where it basically says there is a sliding scale relating to viability of a fetus.
-- Meet the Press, April 29, 2007
SUPPORTED THE BAN BUT ALSO CRITICIZED THE SUPREME COURT
This decision was intellectually dishonest. I think it's a rare procedure that should only be available when the woman's life and health is at stake. But what this court did, it took that decision and it said in a -- put a Trojan horse in it to actually dishonest reasoning, lay the groundwork for undoing Roe v. Wade. That's the danger of this decision, not the specific procedure, but the rationale offered to justify, I think, the next step they're going to try to take.
-- Meet the Press, April 29, 2007
ON PUBLIC FUNDING: OPPOSED
I still am opposed to public funding for abortion, and the reason I am is, again, it goes to the question of whether or not you're going to impose a view to support something that is not a guaranteed right but an affirmative action to promote.
-- Meet the Press, April 29, 2007
ON JUDGES
I strongly support Roe v. Wade. I wouldn't have a specific question, but I'd make sure that the people I sent to be nominated to the Supreme Court shared my values and understood that there is a right to privacy in the United States Constitution.
-- Democratic Candidates Debate, April 26, 2007
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Democrat
SUPPORTS THE DECISION
This decision, which is one of the most fundamental, difficult and soul searching decisions a woman and a family can make, is also one in which the government should have no role. I believe we can all recognize that abortion in many ways represents a sad, even tragic choice to many, many women.
-- NYS Family Planning Providers, January 24, 2005
OPPOSED THE BAN AND CRITICIZED THE SUPREME COURT DECISION
This decision marks a dramatic departure from four decades of Supreme Court rulings that upheld a woman's right to choose and recognized the importance of women's health.
-- Statement, April 18, 2007
ON JUDGES
I have an obligation to my constituents to make sure that I cast my vote for Chief Justice of the United States for someone I am convinced will be steadfast in protecting fundamental women's rights, civil rights, privacy rights, and who will respect the appropriate separation of powers among the three branches.
-- Statement on the Nomination of John Roberts to be Chief Justice, September 22, 2005
Chris Dodd
Democrat
SUPPORTS THE DECISION
I happen to believe a woman has a right to choose. I've voted that way and done that, supported that for the 26 years I've been in the US Senate. Supporting expanding adoption, children's health issues--these are things I've worked on for the last 26 years, having started the children's caucus in the US Senate, worked on children's health issues.
-- Democratic Candidates Debate, April 26, 2007
OPPOSED THE BAN AND CRITICIZED THE SUPREME COURT DECISION
I am deeply troubled by today's Supreme Court decision...I voted against this legislation in 2003 because it did not include an exception to allow this type of medical procedure when a mother's health is at risk. In overturning long-standing Supreme Court precedent, today's decision will create uncertainty throughout the country for women and doctors on what medical procedures are legal, and will undermine their ability to decide what is most appropriate for a patient's health, free from politics.
-- Statement, April 18, 2007
ON JUDGES
I'd be inclined to have strong reservations about [an] individual sitting on a court [who wants to overturn roe v. wade], which could cause havoc in this nation...that kind of a position sought and that kind of position held really would be deeply troubling to me.
-- "Hardball with Chris Mathews", Feb. 1, 2001
John Edwards
Democrat
SUPPORTS THE DECISION
I believe in a woman's right to choose, but I think this is an extraordinarily difficult issue for America. And I think it is very important for the president of the United States to recognize while I believe the government should not make these health care decisions for women, I believe they should have the freedom to make them for themselves. This is a very difficult issue for many people, and I think we have to show respect for people who have different views about this.
-- Democratic Candidates Debate, April 26, 2007
CRITICIZED THE SUPREME COURT DECISION
The ban upheld by the Court is an ill-considered and sweeping prohibition that does not even take account for serious threats to the health of individual women. This hard right turn is a stark reminder of why Democrats cannot afford to lose the 2008 election.
-- Statement, April 18, 2007
ON JUDGES
I must oppose [Judge John Roberts'] nomination to be our country's Chief Justice...I do so because we do know the views and positions he took prior to the recent hearings. Judge Roberts opposed efforts to remedy discrimination on the basis of sex and race. He opposed measures to protect voting rights. He denigrated the right to privacy and a woman's right to choose.
-- Email to Supporters, September 21, 2005
Mike Gravel
Democrat
SUPPORTS THE DECISION
Any decision on abortion should remain between a woman and her doctor. There is no room for interference from politicians and judges.
-- Statement, April 18, 2007
CRITICIZED THE SUPREME COURT DECISION
I am opposed to today's ruling or any ruling that places restrictions on reproductive freedom. Today's decision authorizes federal intervention to prohibit a nationwide procedure that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has found at times to be medically necessary.
-- Statement, April 18, 2007
Dennis Kucinich
Democrat
SUPPORTS THE DECISION...
[T]he vast majority of Americans recognize that there are circumstances in which a woman and her doctor should be allowed to make this most difficult decision without government intervention.
-- Statement, April 2006
...BUT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN OPPOSED
I've had a journey on the issue. A year ago, before I became a candidate for President, I broke from a voting record that had not been pro-choice. After hearing from many women in my own life...that dialogue led me to wholeheartedly support a woman's right to choose.
-- During the 2004 Presidential Campaign
CRITICIZED THE SUPREME COURT DECISION
[The] decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act threatens a woman's right to make her own choices about abortion and consequently choices pertaining to her own body. By upholding the first ever federal abortion ban the Supreme Court has brought us dangerously close to allowing politicians to make decisions regarding the control a woman is allowed over her own body.
-- On the Floor of the House of Representatives, April 19, 2007
ON JUDGES
Any of my appointments to the high court would necessarily reflect my thinking. I don't know how it could be otherwise.
-- Democratic Candidates Debate, April 26, 2007
qBarack Obama
Democrat
SUPPORTS THE DECISION
I think that most Americans recognize that this is a profoundly difficult issue for the women and families who make these decisions. They don't make them casually. And I trust women to make these decisions, in conjunction with their doctors and their families and their clergy, and I think that's where most Americans are.
-- Democratic Candidates Debate, April 26, 2007
CRITICIZED THE SUPREME COURT DECISION
I strongly disagree with today's Supreme Court ruling, which dramatically departs from previous precedents safeguarding the health of pregnant women. As Justice Ginsburg emphasized in her dissenting opinion, this ruling signals an alarming willingness on the part of the conservative majority to disregard its prior rulings respecting a woman's medical concerns and the very personal decisions between a doctor and patient.
-- Statement, April 18, 2007
Bill Richardson
Democrat
SUPPORTS THE DECISION
I have consistently supported women's reproductive rights. These difficult personal decisions should be kept out of the government's hands and rest with the woman, her family, her physician and her God. As a Catholic, I am personally opposed to abortion. As difficult as this decision is, I am committed to protecting the right of every woman to make her own decision and will continue to support the rights of the individual against the mandates of the state.
-- richardsonforpresident.com
CRITICIZED THE SUPREME COURT DECISION
Today the Supreme Court took a dangerous step backward in regard to Americans' rights to personal choice and privacy. While not unexpected, I believe this unfortunate decision is a clear signal that the Supreme Court is opening the door to further challenges to personal medical decisions.
-- Statement, April 18, 2007
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