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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 The Des Moines Register (number of quotes indicated): |
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| OnTheIssues.org excerpts: (click on issues for details) |
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Abortion Zach Nunn: Voted YES on making abortion illegal at 20 weeks. Abby Finkenauer: Voted NO on making abortion illegal at 20 weeks. ACLU: Fight ban on abortion when heartbeat is heard, at 6 weeks. Ashley Hinson: Voted YES on making abortion illegal at 20 weeks. Carly Fiorina: Liberals believe in protecting flies, but not human life. Jim Carlin: Vote for abortion ban at 6 weeks when heartbeat is heard. Jim Carlin: Voted YES on making abortion illegal at 20 weeks. Joni Ernst: Affordable access to contraception. Kim Reynolds: Ban abortion after heartbeat is heard, at 6 weeks. Mitt Romney: Was pro-choice, now proudly pro-life. Nate Boulton: Voted NO on making abortion illegal at 20 weeks. Randy Feenstra: Voted YES on making abortion illegal at 20 weeks. Ras Smith: Vote against abortion ban at 6 weeks when heartbeat is heard. Ras Smith: Voted NO on making abortion illegal at 20 weeks. Rob Hogg: Vote against abortion ban at 6 weeks when heartbeat is heard. Rob Hogg: Voted NO on making abortion illegal at 20 weeks. Rudy Giuliani: Personally oppose abortion, but let the woman decide. Terry Branstad: Signed law making abortion illegal at 20 weeks. Tom Fiegen: Vote against abortion ban at 6 weeks when heartbeat is heard. Chuck Grassley: No national abortion ban, but state bans are ok. Michael Franken: Codify Roe v. Wade into law. Kim Reynolds: Pledged to keep fighting to restrict abortion in Iowa. Mike Pence: National abortion bans ought to be part of the debate. Vivek Ramaswamy: Abortion is murder, should be regulated at the state level. Rob Sand: Republicans want total state control of reproduction. |
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Budget & Economy Barack Obama: Bush & GOP dug budget hole; need years to dig out. Barack Obama: Save $150 billion in tax cuts for people who don�t need them. Bill Richardson: Balanced 5 state budgets; priority to balance federal budget. Bill Richardson: Supports restricted Constitutional balanced budget amendment. Bill Richardson: Save $150 billion in tax cuts for people who don�t need them. Chet Culver: 2009: across-the-board cuts of 10%, to balance budget. Chris Dodd: Federal budget much more complicated & diverse than states�. Duncan Hunter: Budget deficit & trade deficit to China create security risk. Fred Thompson: $9 trillion debt affects our national security. Fred Thompson: Deficit spending ok for military, infrastructure, and R&D. Hillary Clinton: Look back to 1990s to see how I'd be fiscally responsible. Joe Biden: Balancing budget is about priorities; GOP made wrong choices. Joe Biden: Save Pentagon spending by getting the troops out of Iraq. John Edwards: Get rid of structural deficiencies in American economy. John McCain: Loss of economic strength leads to losing military strength. Mike Huckabee: Do things differently so people need not sacrifice. Mitt Romney: Economic strength comes from people, not from Washington. Mitt Romney: Cut deficit via waste, like 342 different economic programs. Ron Paul: Give up American empire; that reduces debt without sacrifice. Ron Paul: We spend too much, tax too much, & print too much money. Rudy Giuliani: Retire 42% of federal employees in next decade, to save $20B. Rudy Giuliani: Restrain Congress' spending; don't ask people to sacrifice. Rudy Giuliani: 10% across-the-board cut; people can get services other ways. Tom Tancredo: End womb-to-tomb protections; stick to Constitutional limits. |
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Civil Rights Fred Hubbell: Proud of Iowa's equal protection for same-sex couples. Kim Reynolds: Same-sex marriage issue is now settled law. Republican Party: Define marriage as one natural man and one natural woman. Mike Pence: Battle against radical gender ideology for religious freedom. |
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Corporations Barack Obama: Cap the farm subsidies for Fortune 500 companies. Bill Richardson: Eliminate $73 billion in corporate welfare. Joe Biden: We've yielded to corporate America on trade. Rick Santorum: Pro-worker Republican; only 10% of Americans own businesses. Rudy Giuliani: Reduce corporate tax from 35% to 25%, to increase revenue. Rudy Giuliani: FactCheck: Corporate tax cut would reduce revenue by half. Ted Cruz: Get senseless obstacles from Washington out of the way. |
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Crime Fred Hubbell: Life sentence is sufficient instead of death penalty. Kim Reynolds: Opposes reinstating the death penalty. Larry Elder: Proposes removing soft-on-crime, George Soros-backed DAs. |
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Drugs Cindy Axne: Supports decriminalization, not necessarily legalization. Fred Hubbell: Wait-and-see on decriminalizing marijuana. |
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Education Alan Keyes: We allowed the judges to drive God out of our schools. Barack Obama: Get parents re-engaged in educating the children. Bill Richardson: FactCheck: NM teacher salary only moved from 44th to 36th. Bill Richardson: FactCheck: NM test scores have not made �enormous progress�. Bill Richardson: Make education a top priority and scrap No Child Left Behind. Chris Dodd: Parents are the first teachers. Duncan Hunter: Unions and status quo run good teachers out of teaching. Fred Thompson: The NEA opposes school choice; we must stop them. Hillary Clinton: Fully fund special education & 21st century classrooms. Joe Biden: Hire more teachers and pay them for smaller classes. John Edwards: Provide continual education for those in the work force. John Edwards: A comprehensive plan to improve education. John McCain: We need more choice and competition in education. Kimberly Graham: Should be illegal for college loans to triple from interest. Michele Bachmann: Don't censor intelligent design, but it's a state issue. Mike Huckabee: FactCheck: AR improved test scores, but still below-average. Mike Huckabee: Education is a state issue, not a federal issue. Mike Huckabee: Common Core morphed into a frankenstandard that I oppose. Mitt Romney: FactCheck: US scores at 50% internationally, not 10%-25%. Mitt Romney: FactCheck: MA 1st in test scores, but was 1st before Romney. Mitt Romney: Education is not just the teachers' union. Mitt Romney: Bush was right on No Child Left Behind. Rick Santorum: Reform education; only 30% get college degrees. Ron Paul: Encourage homeschooling & private school via tax writeoff. Rudy Giuliani: Let parents be the deciders on their children's education. Tom Tancredo: We don't need the Department of Education. |
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Energy & Oil Bill Richardson: FactCheck: Reducing GHGs by 90% costs households $800/yr. Bill Richardson: 30% renewable sources in our electricity by 2020. Bob Krause: 1978: Supported bipartisan gas tax increase. Duncan Hunter: Give incentives in R&D to find new energy sources. Joe Biden: The energy challenge take sacrifice and is a moral crusade. John McCain: FactCheck: Oil independence will take 25 years, not 5 years. John McCain: Climate change is real and must be addressed. Mike Huckabee: Biofuel mandates are not necessary. Mitt Romney: Invest in new technologies to get us off of foreign oil. Rob Hogg: Address climate change with solutions that work for economy. Tom Tancredo: Give incentives in R&D to find new energy sources. |
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Environment Barack Obama: Promote green technologies and fuel efficiency standards. Chris Dodd: Advocate a corporate carbon tax. George Pataki: Opposed to RFS: no ethanol mandate in gasoline. Hillary Clinton: Advocate a cap and trade system. John Edwards: Deal with energy independence in a serious way. |
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Families & Children Abby Finkenauer: Better access to child care as infrastructure investment. Mitt Romney: Strong military, strong economy, and strong families. Mitt Romney: FactCheck: Teenage birth rate declined from 1991 to 2005. Ted Cruz: Opposes the unrelenting assault on traditional marriage. |
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Foreign Policy Barack Obama: Obama Doctrine: ideology has overridden facts and reality. Barack Obama: China is a competitor but not an enemy. Carly Fiorina: I've accomplished something by traveling around the world. Chris Dodd: FactCheck: No, Chinese government prosecutes slavery. Chris Dodd: Stay engaged; US has been AWOL on Israel for 6 years. Chris Dodd: Human rights and security are not opposing interests. Hillary Clinton: Establish coherent diplomatic approach toward China. Hillary Clinton: Establish leadership & moral authority via multilateralism. Joe Biden: Doctrine of crisis prevention, not preemption. John Edwards: US has ignored China because of obsession with terrorism. John Edwards: Edwards Doctrine: long term vision over ad hoc policy. Mike Huckabee: Islamic terrorism is the country's most pressing issue. Ron Paul: Focus on the Iraq war and foreign policy. |
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Free Trade Barack Obama: Enforce existing safety laws against Chinese products. Barack Obama: NAFTA needs to be amended. Bob Krause: Emergency legislation emphasizing fair trade. Bill Richardson: Ban contaminated toys and food from China. Chris Dodd: China gains advantage by slavery & currency manipulation. Chris Dodd: We need to get fair with China. Dennis Kucinich: We need a policy of constructive engagement with China. Dennis Kucinich: Either buy America or bye-bye America. Duncan Hunter: NAFTA is a bad business deal. Fred Thompson: Free and fair trade is the backbone of our economy. Joe Biden: No to tariffs; just enforce the law. Joe Biden: Built environmental and labor standards in trade agreements. John Edwards: Enforce country-of-origin labeling laws to deal with China. John Edwards: Human rights should be central to the US trade policy. John McCain: Consider subsidies a mistake, and oppose them. Lamar Alexander: Fast-track helps farm exports. Mike Huckabee: A free country must feed, fuel, & fight for itself. Mitt Romney: Re-negotiate trade deals with China and other countries. Patty Judge: Oppose TPP: I don't know that free trade is good for Iowa. Ron Paul: Look at the monetary system and deal with the trade issues. Rudy Giuliani: NAFTA has been a good thing and should be enforced. Tom Tancredo: Oil trade imbalance is a national security risk. Tom Tancredo: NAFTA has been a disaster for many places, especially Mexico. Ryan Binkley: There must be a level playing field for fair trade. |
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Government Reform Abby Finkenauer: Advisor to "Next 50," increasing youth political engagement. Alan Keyes: Focus on moral sovereignty, tax reform, & sealing the border. Ben Carson: 5-year federal hiring freeze, to decrease size of government. Bill Richardson: Focus on Iraq, energy reform, and restoring the Constitution. Duncan Hunter: Focus on the military, immigration, & the industrial base. Fred Hubbell: Supports term limits for Iowa governor. Fred Thompson: Focus on the budget, social policy, and bipartisanship. Hillary Clinton: Never abuse the purpose of signing statements. Joe Biden: Radical change to preserve family farmers. John Edwards: Use signing statements as in the past, unlike Bush. John McCain: Focus on homeland safety, restoring trust, and fiscal policy. Kim Reynolds: Opposes term limits for Iowa governor. Kim Reynolds: Cut early voting period; close polls an hour earlier. Mike Huckabee: Focus on uniting the country. Mitt Romney: Focus on global Jihad, immigration, tax cut, and healthcare. Rob Hogg: Repeal the Citizens United Supreme Court decision. Rudy Giuliani: Focus on terrorism, immigration, tax cut, & small government. Terry Branstad: 2010: No fees for government records; 2011: imposed fees. Tom Tancredo: Focus on immigration and a war against radical Islam. Chuck Grassley: Update Electoral Count Act to avoid another January 6th. |
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Gun Control Orrin Hatch: Mental health check as part of background check. Orrin Hatch: Gun violence problems can be solved by more enforcement. |
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Health Care Barack Obama: FactCheck: Reducing obesity would save $18B, not $1T. Barack Obama: Reforms in prevention and drug price negotiation save money. Bill Richardson: FactCheck: Between 7% and 31% of costs are administrative. Bill Richardson: Universal health care is a right for every American. Bruce Braley: Repealing ObamaCare would deprive millions of insurance. Donald Trump: Save Medicare & Medicaid without cutting them to the bone. Joni Ernst: FactCheck: False claim that ObamaCare cut Medicare benefits. Kimberly Graham: Advocates universal, single-payer government coverage. Ted Cruz: Support nuns' battle for religious liberty against ObamaCare. |
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Homeland Security Carly Fiorina: On Benghazi: I'm familiar with America's allies and enemies. Donald Trump: Defeat ISIS and stop Islamic terrorists. Fred Thompson: Intelligence and parts of our military were neglected. Joe Biden: Cut $350B in military programs, from Star Wars to F-22's. Newt Gingrich: Threat of militant Islam is comparable to pre-WWII Nazis. Sarah Palin: Muslim jihadists threaten our way of life. |
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Immigration Ben Carson: Common-sense solutions: guest workers plus harsher penalties. Chet Culver: Feds should deal with immigration, not state police. Lindsey Graham: Legal status for undocumented workers. Rick Perry: If Washington refuses to enforce the border, Texas will. Terry Branstad: Cops should check citizenship status during traffic stops. |
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Jobs Barack Obama: Paying more at Wal-Mart is worth it for having US jobs. Chris Dodd: Preserve and protect the farms in Iowa. Kim Reynolds: Double required job searches; drop federal benefits early. Mike Huckabee: Excessive taxes, red tape, and litigation cause job losses. |
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Principles & Values Alan Keyes: Be authentic about who you are. Ashley Hinson: Getting started in Congress; considering run for Senate. Barack Obama: Focus on Iraq, revising presidential power, and healthcare. Chris Dodd: Focus on the Constitution, Iraq, and the Middle East. Cindy Axne: Government out of church decision on contraception insurance. Elizabeth Dole: Economic health masks serious societal problems. Hillary Clinton: Focus on foreign policy and revising executive orders. Jack Hatch: Iowans are ready for a fresh start. Joe Biden: Focus on Iraq, ending torture, healthcare, and education. John Edwards: Focus on the Iraq War, healthcare, and global warming. John McCain: Able to work with others with own set of principles. Joni Ernst: Obama administration misused power to spy on Trump. Mike Huckabee: Treat others as you wish to be treated. Mitt Romney: Draw upon the strengths of the conservative principles. Ron Paul: All political action's goal should be to preserve liberty. Ron Paul: The term "revolution" was coined by the supporters. Theresa Greenfield: Shaped by growing up on family farm. Michael Franken: Too many Republicans sympathize with riot on Jan. 6. |
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Social Security Fred Thompson: Reform entitlements now so our grandkids don't have to. Pete Buttigieg: Would establish $90/day benefit for long-term care. Theresa Greenfield: Credits Social Security with support after death of husband. |
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Tax Reform Alan Keyes: FairTax turns off spigot that funds political ambitions. Art Small: Tax cuts have short-term benefit and long-term costs. Bill Richardson: End unfair & unequal tax structure for wealthiest 2%. Duncan Hunter: FactCheck: Cost of IRS compliance is $150B,not $250B. Duncan Hunter: The IRS and current tax system cost too much. Fred Thompson: Preserve the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003. Hillary Clinton: Want to restore the tax rates we had in the �90s. Joe Biden: Save $150 billion in tax cuts for people who don't need them. John Edwards: Get rid of the tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. John McCain: Reform the tax code that nobody trusts and believes in. Mike Huckabee: Support FairTax with a tax credit for the poor. Mitt Romney: Reduce the tax burden on middle-income families. Rick Perry: Lower taxes & less regulation made Texas a job leader. Ron Paul: The most sinister of all taxes is the inflation tax. Rudy Giuliani: Support a flatter and simpler tax and less corporate tax. Tom Tancredo: Believe in a fair tax system. |
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War & Peace Art Small: Neocons still believe there are WMDs in Iraq. Barack Obama: Iran: Bush does not let facts get in the way of ideology. Chris Dodd: Exercise caution but pursuing diplomacy with Iran. Chris Dodd: Keep all options on the table for Iran. Dennis Kucinich: I was right the first time; now no evidence of nukes in Iran. Dennis Kucinich: US role: security for Israel and a state for Palestine. Hillary Clinton: Continue diplomatic engagement with Iran. Hillary Clinton: Believed, with others, that Iran was pursuing nuclear weapon. Joe Biden: Accept NIE conclusion that Iran stopped nukes in 2003. Joe Biden: Muslims don't like us because they do not trust us. John Edwards: Stop the neocons march to war with Iran. John Edwards: Muslim dislike from Bush's bullying abusive behavior. Mike Gravel: Iran's not a problem, never has been, never will be. Tom Tancredo: Stop policing Iraq, but cannot leave. Ryan Binkley: In Ukraine, both sides have got to feel successful. |
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Welfare & Poverty Chris Dodd: Help lift people out of poverty and give them opportunities. Michele Bachmann: Liability shield to allow charities to provide healthcare. Michael Franken: Reduce inflation without catering to corporations. |
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All material copyright 1999-2022 by Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org Reprinting by permission only. |
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