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| 2024 Election: | Joe Biden's book | Kamala Harris' book | Donald Trump's book | JD Vance's book | 2024 Senate Debates |
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| Book Reviews | |||||||||||||||
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(from Amazon.com) | |||||||||||||||
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(click a book cover for a review or other books by or about the presidency from Amazon.com) |
from State of New Jersey Archives (number of quotes indicated): |
| OnTheIssues.org excerpts: (click on issues for details) |
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Abortion Barbara Buono: Promote potentially life-saving stem cell research. Cory Booker: OpEd: In mainstream of NJ, supporting abortion rights. Dick Zimmer: Supports abortion rights. Jeff Bell: Science demonstrates that the unborn are human. Jeff Bell: Ban abortion after 20 weeks, or for sex selection. Joe Kyrillos: Supports parental notifications and waiting periods. Joe Kyrillos: Pro-life in my affairs; pro-choice for society. Joe Pennacchio: Abortion only for rape, incest, or maternal life. John Wisniewski: Abortions should always be legal. Murray Sabrin: Evolved from pro-choice & anti-partial birth to pro-life. Phil Murphy: Support funding for Planned Parenthood. Robert Menendez: I'm pro-choice, not multiple-choice. Robert Menendez: I support stem cell research 100%. Robert Menendez: Judicial nominees must uphold Roe v. Wade. Robert Menendez: Kean voted against stem-cell research six times; I didn't. Steve Lonegan: Opposes abortion rights. Thomas Kean Jr.: Opposed Bush's veto of federal stem cell legislation. Thomas Kean Jr.: No litmus test for judicial nominees. Thomas Kean Jr.: Menendez distorts my pro-stem-cell stance. Tom MacArthur: Choose life, including his own special needs baby. Phil Murphy: Women's health care in America is in a state of crisis. Edward Durr: Don't shield info about out-of-state women seeking abortion. Phil Murphy: Shield info about out-of-state women seeking abortion. |
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Budget & Economy Barbara Buono: My budget work speaks for itself, including $11B deficit. Jeff Bell: Market-led recovery instead of stimulus. Joe Kyrillos: Wrong policy: Higher taxes, more spending, more debt. Joe Kyrillos: Opposes Jon Corzine economic strategy. Murray Sabrin: Supports balanced budget and less spending. Murray Sabrin: Federal Reserve: unelected bureaucrats harming our economy. Robert Menendez: Opposes Romney-Ryan budget plan. Steve Lonegan: Opposes Hurricane Sandy funding; funding needs more scrutiny. Tom MacArthur: Fight for a balanced budget amendment. Phil Murphy: Netflix production hub shows NJ is ready for our close up. Phil Murphy: More than $1B to support revitalizing our downtowns. Phil Murphy: Hard to support economy with last century's infrastructure. |
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Civil Rights Barbara Buono: Push legislature to legalize gay marriage. Barbara Buono: Daughter is gay; supports same-sex marriage. Chris Christie: Supreme Court accepting gay marriage was "a bad decision". Chris Christie: If my kids were gay, I'd give them a hug; but no marriage. Cory Booker: Supports gay marriage: We are all equal under the law. Cory Booker: African-Americans & gays should both be equal under the law. Dick Zimmer: Supports Patriot Act as appropriate response. Jeff Bell: Government should uphold one-man-one-woman marriage. Jeff Bell: I do not support affirmative action. Jim McGreevey: Consider race and sex in making state contract decisions. Joe Kyrillos: Evolved from opposing civil unions to support over marriage. Joe Pennacchio: DOMA instead of same-sex marriage. Joe Pennacchio: No general affirmative action in state decisions. John Wisniewski: No affirmative action in state hiring. Phil Murphy: Equal pay for equal work by gender. Phil Murphy: Expand anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals. Ray Lesniak: Evolved from supporter of LGBT rights to an advocate. Robert Menendez: Support affirmative action in all government contracts. Robert Menendez: Supports Amendment banning flag-burning, a uniting symbol. Robert Menendez: Supports 1-man-1-woman marriage, but don't take away rights. Robert Menendez: Evolved from supporting DOMA to supporting same-sex marriage. Steve Fulop: Hung rainbow flag on City Hall when gay marriage legalized. Steve Lonegan: Same-sex marriage should be decided by voting, not judges. Thomas Kean Jr.: Support merit-based initiatives, not affirmative action. Thomas Kean Jr.: Supports Amendment banning flag-burning, a sacred symbol. Thomas Kean Jr.: Supports 1-man-1-woman marriage, but no Amendment. Tom MacArthur: Marriage between man and woman, but leave it to states. |
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Corporations Chris Christie: Continue small business tax relief: no return to tax-&-spend. Joe Kyrillos: Small business tax affects a lot of small business owners. Murray Sabrin: Call for personal and business tax cuts. |
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Crime Chris Christie: Bail reform package: jail violent offenders before trial. Chris Christie: Bail reform: Keep dangerous criminals in jail until trial. Chris Christie: Ban the box: don't ask job applicants about criminal record. Cory Booker: Launch Fatherhood Center and pro-bono legal help for ex-cons. Cory Booker: Police overhaul to change cronyism, favoritism, and cynicism. Cory Booker: Applied "broken windows theory" in Newark policing. Jeff Bell: Stricter punishment reduces crime. Jim McGreevey: Expand the death penalty & life sentences. Jim McGreevey: Prosecute juveniles as adults; death penalty for 16-yr-olds. Joe Pennacchio: Supports the death penalty. Joe Pennacchio: End parole for repeat violent offenders. John Wisniewski: End parole for repeat violent offenders. Phil Murphy: For-profit prison industry targets communities of color. Ray Lesniak: Hundreds wrongfully convicted have likely been executed. Steve Fulop: Citizen complaints against police--and crime--are way down. Phil Murphy: Top priority is tightening laws against car theft. Phil Murphy: Reject notion that compassion comes at the cost of vigilance. |
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Drugs Chris Christie: Drug treatment rather than non-violent offenders in prison. Chris Christie: Drug courts: mandate treatment, not imprisonment. Chris Christie: Jailing & stigmatizing addiction victims won't help. Cory Booker: Never attracted to drink and drugs, even as teenager. Jeff Bell: Decriminalizing pot will only produce more pot users. Jim McGreevey: Strengthen penalties for drug-related crimes. Joe Kyrillos: Keep medical marijuana restricted. Joe Pennacchio: Strengthen penalties for meth & other drug offenses. Phil Murphy: Addiction is an illness, & treatable with right resources. Ray Lesniak: Drug courts make our community safer, and save money. Robert Menendez: Review current marijuana laws for cases of incurable disease. Thomas Kean Jr.: Opposes marijuana legalization; prosecute drug crimes fully. Tom MacArthur: Treatment instead of prison for non-violent offenders. |
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Education Barbara Buono: Provide equitable K-12 funding across New Jersey. Chris Christie: Build up colleges to support business, & avoid "brain drain". Chris Christie: Expand 73 charter schools to replace 200 failing schools. Chris Christie: Replace Abbott District funds with tenure reform & charters. Chris Christie: Combine $8.9B in more funding with needed reform. Chris Daggett: Names educator, Prof. Frank Esposito, as running-mate. Cory Booker: $120 million for "Teachers Village" where educators live. Cory Booker: Supports school voucher proposal, like other Democrats. Jeff Bell: Expand school choice via Education Savings Accounts. Jeff Bell: I support prayer in schools. Murray Sabrin: Federal tax credits to enroll children in successful school. Phil Murphy: High stakes, high stress standardized tests must end. Phil Murphy: Our public schools are part of what makes this state great. Phil Murphy: Can't get economy right without getting higher ed right. Phil Murphy: New Jersey expanding pre-K and childcare; we know it works. Ray Lesniak: Invest in education, for the future of our society. Robert Menendez: Reducing duplication is no solution for education problems. Robert Menendez: Educational Savings Accounts are only for the wealthy. Robert Menendez: Democrats pushed college tuition tax deductions. Rush Holt: Investments in higher education keep American Dream alive. Steve Fulop: Returned city public school system from state control. Thomas Kean Jr.: Focus on reducing fraud and duplication in Pell Grants. Thomas Kean Jr.: Supports Educational Savings Accounts for college. Tom MacArthur: Tenure reform & charter schools; but public schools too. Tammy Murphy: Led charge to put place a climate curriculum in schools. Phil Murphy: Let's bring universal pre-K to all of New Jersey. |
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Energy & Oil Barbara Buono: Invest in our solar and renewable energy industries. Cory Booker: Has never taken a public position on a carbon tax. Jeff Bell: End $24 billion in green energy subsidies. Joe Pennacchio: Increase production of traditional domestic energy sources. Phil Murphy: Rejoin Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Robert Menendez: Past due time to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Thomas Kean Jr.: Reservations about Kyoto Protocol, but supports it locally. Tom MacArthur: Support Keystone XL & expanded domestic drilling. Phil Murphy: Primed to be a leader on the East Coast in offshore-wind. Tammy Murphy: Serves on board of Al Gore's Climate Reality Fund. Phil Murphy: Renewable energy can create a generation of good-paying jobs. |
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Environment Barbara Buono: Stop pollution waivers: they dirty our air and water. Chris Christie: New Jersey is being short-changed on Hurricane Sandy relief. Cory Booker: Vegetarian because of environmental impact of eating meat. Frank Pallone: Relax restrictions on over-fishing to help fishermen. Jeff Bell: Supports human needs over animal rights. John Wisniewski: State cleanup of contaminated industrial sites. Phil Murphy: Protect Jersey Shore from oil & Pinelands' open space. Ray Lesniak: Champion animal rights for both pets & wild animals. Robert Menendez: Supports the Polluter Pays Principle. Steve Fulop: Take the fight to the polluters: they pay FULL cleanup cost. Steve Lonegan: OpEd: wants to gut environmental regulations. Thomas Kean Jr.: Supported Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act. Tom MacArthur: Federal funds for Sandy Recovery, not more flood insurance. Tom MacArthur: Fund estuary preservation for water & recreation. |
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Families & Children Barbara Buono: Passed historic family leave legislation. Phil Murphy: Guarantee earned sick leave statewide. Steve Lonegan: Marriage is the greatest institution; no kids for gays. Tammy Murphy: Rooted out institutional racism in pregnancy & childbirth. |
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Foreign Policy Jeff Bell: Maintain US sovereignty from UN. Murray Sabrin: A common sense, humble, noninterventionist foreign policy. Robert Menendez: International sanctions against nuclear program in Iran. Thomas Kean Jr.: Be steadfast against nuclear proliferation in Iran. Tom MacArthur: Focus on alliance with Israel and peace through strength. Phil Murphy: New Jersey proudly stands with the people of Ukraine. |
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Free Trade Cory Booker: China is engaging in unfair trade practices. Jeff Bell: Support & expand free trade. Tom MacArthur: Free market policies based on private sector experience. |
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Government Reform Barbara Buono: Making voting more difficult does not win elections. Chris Christie: 10-point plan to punish criminal officeholders. Chris Christie: Vetoes expanded early-voting system; no side-by-side systems. Chris Christie: Consolidate duplicative town governments into single towns. Chris Christie: There's no solid evidence that 2020 election was stolen. Jeff Bell: Higher campaign contributions will help non-incumbents. Joe Kyrillos: Cut spending, taxes and job-killing regulations. Joe Pennacchio: Limit all types of contributions, but not spending. Jon Corzine: Crack down on "pay-to-play". Murray Sabrin: Government that governs least governs best. Phil Murphy: Automatic voter registration, online, and same-day. Robert Menendez: Keep the Senate filibuster rules, to encourage debate. Robert Menendez: Allow dual-office holding for politicians, if voters choose. Thomas Kean Jr.: Keep the Senate filibuster rules, to encourage negotiation. Thomas Kean Jr.: Disallow dual-office holding for politicians. Tammy Murphy: Proud of NJ's role in fight for women's suffrage. Phil Murphy: I support same-day voter registration in New Jersey. |
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Gun Control Barbara Buono: Restrict military grade and high capacity magazines. Barbara Buono: Criticizes pressure from gun rights advocates. Chris Christie: Vetoed outright ban on Barrett .50 caliber rifle. Jeff Bell: Gun violence rooted in social breakdown, not gun ownership. Phil Murphy: Gun violence epidemic is a public health crisis. Ray Lesniak: Ban 50-caliber bullets & assault weapons. Robert Menendez: Additional controls on handguns and rifles. Thomas Kean Jr.: Uphold our current firearm laws. Tom MacArthur: Defend right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves. |
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Health Care Barbara Buono: Expand health care for low-income New Jerseyans. Barbara Buono: NJ has lost half our pharmaceutical jobs. Barbara Buono: Keep collective bargaining for health benefits. Cory Booker: Control healthcare cost; no comment on single-payer. Cory Booker: ObamaCare needs to be improved, but is helping people now. Jeff Bell: Replace ObamaCare with tax credits & special coverage. Joe Pennacchio: Guaranteed medical care is not a government responsibility. Phil Murphy: Fight for-profit right-wing agenda to gut ObamaCare. Robert Menendez: Don't force choice of filling prescriptions or refrigerator. Robert Menendez: Shift from disease-based to prevention-based system. Robert Menendez: Additional taxes on wealthiest 1%, for medical coverage. Rush Holt: Supports universal single payer system, like VA system. Steve Lonegan: Repeal ObamaCare; no middle ground on defending liberty. Steve Lonegan: ObamaCare is an absolute train wreck. Thomas Kean Jr.: Address Medicaid by cost containment & reducing fraud. Thomas Kean Jr.: Medicare needs bipartisan independent reforms. Thomas Kean Jr.: No additional taxes for medical coverage. Tom MacArthur: Repeal ObamaCare, then fix insurance industry & tort reform. Tammy Murphy: Expand Medicaid coverage for women a year after childbirth. Phil Murphy: Pulling people out from crushing medical debt is vital. |
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Homeland Security Chris Christie: Fund Veteran to Veteran Peer Support Program. Jeff Bell: Expand the military. Murray Sabrin: Defend against massive surveillance of emails & phone calls. Phil Murphy: Focus Veterans agency on mental health & employment support. Robert Menendez: Combat terrorism within court oversight to protect rights. Robert Menendez: Punish terrorists within Geneva Convention. Steve Fulop: End veteran homelessness. Steve Fulop: Signed up for Marine Corps after Sept. 11. Steve Lonegan: No NSA wiretapping; stop gathering data on Americans. Thomas Kean Jr.: Deploy missile defense system against North Korean threat. Thomas Kean Jr.: Surveillance of personal data ok to win War on Terror. Thomas Kean Jr.: Respect Geneva Conv. but be flexible in prosecuting terror. Tom MacArthur: Opposes Obama's deep cuts to military spending. Tom MacArthur: NSA should not be spying on American citizens. |
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Immigration Barbara Buono: Supports tuition equality for illegal immigrants. Chris Christie: I've never been opposed to tuition equality for illegals. Jeff Bell: Support pathway to citizenship, plus guest workers. Murray Sabrin: Secure our borders from foreign terror & illegal immigration. Murray Sabrin: The Sabrin Solution: Official English and no amnesty. Phil Murphy: Oppose efforts to use police to assist in mass deportations. Robert Menendez: Enforcement-only means largest deportation in history. Steve Lonegan: No on amnesty; tighter border security. Thomas Kean Jr.: Menendez' soft voting record on immigration is dangerous. Tom MacArthur: Begin with secure borders; no amnesty nor benefits. |
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Jobs Barbara Buono: Raise minimum wage & restore Earned Income Tax Credit. Barbara Buono: N.J. unemployment worse than US average & surrounding states. Chris Christie: Ok with either unionized state workers or civil service. Chris Christie: 75,000 new private sector jobs since taking office in 2010. Chris Christie: I inherited 119,000 private-sector jobs lost. Chris Christie: Zero means zero: fight abuse of sick leave & pension fraud. Joe Kyrillos: Supports state law for minimum wage, but no Amendment. Phil Murphy: Raise minimum wage to $15 an hour. Ray Lesniak: Job creation by career fairs & keeping existing employers. Robert Menendez: Supports minimum wage increase. Phil Murphy: Minimum wage up to $14.13/hour, will help more than 400,000. Phil Murphy: Not every new job is going to be housed in a physical office. Phil Murphy: State minimum wage now $15/hour, will adjust for inflation. |
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Principles & Values Chris Christie: The New Jersey Comeback: stop blaming; start building. Cory Booker: Money to cities is ok: we're one state with one destiny. Dick Zimmer: Lautenberg is too old to serve another six-year term. Frank Lautenberg: Age has nothing to do with whether or not you are effective. Joe Kyrillos: If you think things are just fine, choose my opponent. Joe Kyrillos: Introduced to his wife by Gov. Christie. Robert Menendez: Elected mayor of Union City at 32. Steve Fulop: Youngest elected official on the Jersey City council. Steve Fulop: Son of immigrants; grandson of Holocaust survivors. Phil Murphy: NGA: More respect and friendship; less partisanship. Phil Murphy: It's okay to admit it: it's cool to be from New Jersey again. Spencer Cox: Vice Chairman of the National Governors Association. |
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Social Security Chris Christie: Raise the retirement age, and limit COLA, for state workers. Chris Christie: Pension reform: raise retirement age, suspend COLAs. Jeff Bell: No means testing or other confiscatory schemes. Jeff Bell: Cut payroll tax rate to reduce baby boom deficit. Phil Murphy: Divest NJ pension fund from private equity. Robert Menendez: Against privatization; but says Kean has voted for it. Robert Menendez: Opposes privatization and fought Bush's privatization scheme. Steve Fulop: Keep our promises: made city pension system more secure. Thomas Kean Jr.: Against privatization; but says Menendez has supported it. Thomas Kean Jr.: Opposes both privatization and raising seniors' taxes. Tom MacArthur: Protect our promise, but strengthen program for future. |
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Tax Reform Chris Christie: Keep property tax rebate program. Chris Christie: Reduce all income tax brackets by 10% and restore EITC. Chris Christie: 2012: Across-the-board tax cut; 2013: exclude over $400K. Chris Christie: Cap property tax and interest arbitration awards. Chris Christie: Put the death tax on life support. Dick Zimmer: N.J. receives back only 61 cents on every federal tax dollar. Jeff Bell: America's tax system is outrageously complicated. Murray Sabrin: Eliminate AMT, death tax, and tax on tips. Phil Murphy: Wealthiest 1% pay far lower share of taxes. Robert Menendez: Repealing the estate Tax only benefits the wealthiest 1%. Robert Menendez: We cannot simultaneously cut the deficit and cut taxes. Thomas Kean Jr.: Repeal the unfair Death Tax & the Marriage Penalty Tax. Tom MacArthur: Kept taxes low as Mayor; do same federally. Phil Murphy: We outpace states that give huge tax breaks for the wealthy. |
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Technology Barbara Buono: Take federal $3B to build ARC tunnel from NJ to NYC. Phil Murphy: Invest to restore NJ's place as leader in innovation economy. Robert Menendez: Helped promote NJ biotechnology and solar industries. Rush Holt: Research physicist at Princeton Plasma Physics Lab until '98. Phil Murphy: Establish NJ as the home-base for AI-powered game-changers. |
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War & Peace Cory Booker: Direct military intervention in Syria only as last resort. Jeff Bell: Make sure Iran does not develop a nuclear weapons program. Murray Sabrin: No involvement in Iraq's civil war. Murray Sabrin: War in Iraq is disastrous interventionist foreign policy. Robert Menendez: Biggest mistake in Iraq was going there in the first place. Robert Menendez: Iraq is a war of choice; based on misleading & false threats. Thomas Kean Jr.: We've made mistakes in Iraq, but must complete our objective. Thomas Kean Jr.: Can't cut-and-run in Iraq; that's a declaration of defeat. Tom MacArthur: Learn from mistakes of both Bush and Obama: no endless wars. |
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Welfare & Poverty Chris Christie: Gut COAH, the Council on Affordable Housing. Jim McGreevey: Require unwed mothers to live at home to receive welfare. Jim McGreevey: Require work to receive welfare. Joe Pennacchio: Redirect welfare to faith-based organizations. Steve Fulop: Four times as much affordable housing in his administration. |
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