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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 Past and present Senate candidates from Indiana (number of quotes indicated): |
| OnTheIssues.org excerpts: (click on issues for details) |
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Abortion Andrew Straw: A fetus has rights; treat abortion like euthanasia. Andrew Straw: Since 1973, courts allowed parents to kill their children. Brad Ellsworth: Taxpayer money ok for abortions. Eric Holcomb: Planned Parenthood videos were despicable, but no shutdown. Evan Bayh: Supports public funding for Planned Parenthood. Joe Donnelly: God would never intend for rape to happen. Joe Donnelly: Abortions only in cases of rape, incest, and maternal life. Mark Hurt: Life is precious; no tax-payer funded abortion. Mike Braun: Life starts with conception. Richard Lugar: Government should not have a role in reproductive services. Richard Mourdock: Government should not have a role in reproductive services. Richard Mourdock: God at work when rape leads to pregnancy. Richard Mourdock: No exception for rape; only for maternal life. Richard Mourdock: No exception for rape, but God doesn't want people raped. Thomas McDermott: God gives no one a right to control another person's body. Marc Carmichael: Women's rights are human rights; codify Roe v Wade. Valerie McCray: Safeguard privacy of women for medication and contraception . Jim Banks: I oppose "aid in dying" laws. Jim Banks: No plan to make IVF free . |
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Budget & Economy Andrew Straw: Stimulus plus market-led recovery. Brad Ellsworth: Voted for bailout, health care law and stimulus bill. Brad Ellsworth: Stimulus legislation prevented going into a depression. Daniel Coats: Commitment to no new spending unless offset & paid for. Joe Donnelly: Supported anti-recession stimulus. Mike Braun: Don't pay politicians if they can't pass a budget. Mike Braun: Government isn't the driver of economic prosperity. Richard Lugar: Pass the remarkable House budget plan & extend Bush tax cuts. Thomas McDermott: Farm community needs a strong and fair safety net. Todd Young: $19 trillion of debt is greatest threat to nation's future. Todd Young: One of 17 Republicans who voted for infrastructure bill. |
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Civil Rights Andrew Straw: Incentives to hire qualified women into management. Andrew Straw: Same-sex marriage is none of state's business. Andrew Straw: Gay marriage bans are like anti-miscegenation laws. Baron Hill: 2006: Marriage is sacred; 2015: guarantee marriage equality. Baron Hill: For ENDA & against DADT & in Congress; evolved on marriage. Eric Holcomb: Supportive of the LGBT community: zero discrimination. Joe Donnelly: Opposes same sex marriage. Joe Donnelly: Protect LGBT Hoosiers from discrimination. Mike Braun: Traditional marriage should be between a man & a woman. Marc Carmichael: Believes racism is still a cancer on the United States. Marc Carmichael: Stand up for LGBTQ youth being used as political pawns. Mike Braun: Enforce Court decision ending college affirmative action. Valerie McCray: End discrimination based on race and gender. Valerie McCray: Will fight against efforts to revoke marriage equality. Jim Banks: Opposes critical race theory and liberal propaganda. |
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Corporations Eric Holcomb: Make America the global jobs magnet. Joe Donnelly: Challenging auto bailout put 1000s of jobs at risk. Joe Donnelly: Lower corporate tax rate from 35% to 25%. Mark Hurt: Lower corporate rates; simplify taxes. Mike Braun: Lowering taxes is a good start to empowering job creators. |
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Crime Andrew Straw: In some cases, punishment can reduce crime. Mark Hurt: One small brick in the wall of justice. Mike Braun: Targeting police should lead to harshest penalties possible. Valerie McCray: We incarcerate more of our citizens than other countries. |
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Drugs Andrew Straw: Marijuana is a medicine and nutritious. Mark Hurt: Tougher penalties on those dealing drugs. Mike Braun: Marijuana use is about freedom of choice. Thomas McDermott: Time for the federal government to legalize marijuana. Thomas McDermott: AdWatch: lights up a joint and inhales. Marc Carmichael: Will push to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule 3 drug. Jim Banks: Rated C- by NORML: reduce pot penalties, but don't legalize. |
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Education Andrew Straw: Supports vouchers and more school choices. Andrew Straw: Students can pray in school, but not imposed by teachers. Eric Holcomb: Give parents the freedom to choose child's school. Joe Donnelly: Pell Grants for low-income students, & lower interest rates. Richard Mourdock: Transfer federal education role to state & local level. Thomas McDermott: Created local full-tuition college scholarship program. Thomas McDermott: We must do more to support public education. Todd Young: Market alternatives to federal stranglehold on college loans. Valerie McCray: Would like to see interest-free student loans. Jim Banks: Schools should educate--not indoctrinate--America's youth. Mike Braun: School choice should be legislated at the federal level. Marc Carmichael: Teachers shouldn't fear being fired over a book or movie. |
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Energy & Oil Andrew Straw: Support green energy storage technology. Brad Ellsworth: Supports nuclear, solar, & clean coal, but not cap-&-trade. Brad Ellsworth: Cap-and-trade would put Hoosiers out of work. Daniel Coats: Don't pick winners & losers in biofuel; pick nuclear instead. Daniel Coats: Accused of benefiting as lobbyist from pushing cap-and-trade. Eric Holcomb: Coal reduces our dependency on foreign sources of energy. Evan Bayh: Climate science is unequivocal, but don't hurt business. Joe Donnelly: I opposed cap-and-trade even though Dem leadership pushed it. Mark Hurt: Cost-benefit analysis for measures affecting clean coal. Richard Lugar: Subsidizing ethanol makes overall gasoline prices go down. Richard Lugar: Make all cars "flex-fuel" vehicles. Richard Mourdock: High gas prices come from federal mandates like ethanol. Richard Mourdock: Oppose ethanol subsidy as a matter of conservative principle. Richard Mourdock: Ethanol mandates lead to high gas prices. Thomas McDermott: Focus on clean energy jobs, reduce carbon footprint. Mike Braun: Businesses need time to make the transition to clean energy. Marc Carmichael: Will take immediate action on global warming. |
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Environment Andrew Straw: EPA should have more power to clean up, not less. Eric Holcomb: Stand up to federal government over environmental regulation. Richard Lugar: Ethanol mandates help state corn farmers. Mike Braun: EPA's new emissions standards are overbearing overreach. |
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Families & Children Charlie Hardy: Many parents worry about not providing for their children. Richard Lugar: Government should play no role reproductive health services. Richard Mourdock: Government should play no role reproductive health services. Todd Young: House Adoption Caucus: raise awareness of foster parenting. Valerie McCray: Support early child care and public education . |
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Foreign Policy Andrew Straw: USA should encourage our values in UN programs. Eric Holcomb: I want a safer, stronger and freer America, today & tomorrow. Richard Lugar: Russia is neither friend nor foe; just an important country. Richard Mourdock: Russia is more foe than friend; they aid our enemies. Richard Mourdock: Russia is more foe than friend. Thomas McDermott: Denounced Trump as "traitorous" for praising Putin. Todd Young: Rely all instruments of power, not just military might. Valerie McCray: For a ceasefire in Gaza, commit to a 2-state solution. |
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Free Trade Andrew Straw: Adjust NAFTA with 1% tariff to raise Mexican standards. Brad Ellsworth: NAFTA has cost Indiana jobs. Daniel Coats: Trade barriers would hurt Indiana. Mike Braun: 2016: Voted against clawbacks for moving jobs to Mexico. Mike Braun: Trust Trump to negotiate tariffs on China. |
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Government Reform Andrew Straw: Expand voting rights for disabled people. Andrew Straw: Suing government for ballot access for disabled people. Mark Hurt: Stop the nefarious practice of omnibus legislation. Mike Braun: Replace the swamp with citizen legislators and term limits. Richard Mourdock: Eliminate cabinet departments DOE, ED, DOC, and HUD. Thomas McDermott: Eliminate regulations that impede growth and prosperity. Thomas McDermott: We need to protect the rights of every American to vote. Todd Young: Claims "voting has never been easier than it is right now". Jim Banks: Fought unconstitutional efforts to federalize our elections. Marc Carmichael: Committed to confirming fair and impartial federal judges. Marc Carmichael: Let voters decide term limits by voting them out. Valerie McCray: Reverse Citizens United; represent people, not corporations. |
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Gun Control Andrew Straw: I support the 2nd Amendment. Daniel Coats: 1991: voted for Brady Bill & background checks. Mike Braun: A hunter himself, he's a proud backer of the 2nd Amendment. Mike Braun: 100% pro-Second Amendment. Todd Young: National reciprocity for conceal-carry. Marc Carmichael: Ban military style assault weapons, pass red flag law. Valerie McCray: License assault weapons based on skill, against a ban. |
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Health Care Andrew Straw: Expand Medicare incrementally, not via ObamaCare. Luke Messer: ObamaCare bad for middle class. Mark Hurt: Funding to alleviate shortage of mental health professionals. Mark Hurt: Support cross-state competition, not ObamaCare bureaucracy. Mike Braun: Common sense solutions can offset ObamaCare shortfalls. Richard Mourdock: Tax-deductible health savings accounts for those under 55. Richard Mourdock: ObamaCare makes government bigger. Richard Mourdock: No national nor Massachusetts-style health care plan. Sam Clovis: Keep ObamaCare rule: kids can stay on parent's plan until 26. Thomas McDermott: Supports creation of an affordable public option. Marc Carmichael: Lower drugs costs; push for Medicare for all. Valerie McCray: We have to make mental health a priority. |
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Homeland Security Andrew Straw: We spend too much on the military now. Eric Holcomb: Peace through strength, not peace through hope. Mark Hurt: Strategic increased spending on military weapons systems. Mark Hurt: Work with countries like Russia & comprehensively fight ISIS. Mark Hurt: Could support transgender military ban. Mike Braun: We need increased military to protect our interests abroad. Mike Braun: North Korea & Russian dangers require strong US military. Richard Lugar: So-authored nuclear nonproliferation program 20 years ago. Thomas McDermott: Ensure our veterans get the care and services they deserve. Jim Banks: Committed to investing in our men and women in uniform. Marc Carmichael: Keep our military strong; take care of veterans and families. |
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Immigration Andrew Straw: Pathway to citizenship, except for felons. Daniel Coats: Voted for amnesty 26 years ago; against a dozen times since. Eddie Melton: Protecting DACA is essential; DREAMers are contributors. Eric Holcomb: I won't be xenophobic on immigration policy. Joe Donnelly: 3-year protection for DACA recipients. Mike Braun: Hard line approach to illegal immigrants: build the wall. Mike Braun: Treat DACA recipients like other illegal immigrants. Richard Lugar: Yes, voted for DREAM Act, but not for benefits to illegals. Richard Mourdock: No Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants. Todd Young: Cites support for border wall in re-election announcement. Valerie McCray: Stop using immigration as a scapegoat for America's problems. Valerie McCray: Comprehensive immigration reform: fund judges & border. |
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Jobs Andrew Straw: In recessions, increase money supply to create jobs. Andrew Straw: Visas for high-wage jobs; don't export jobs via trade. Mike Braun: Cut regulations and red tape and businesses will create jobs. Mike Braun: 2015: opposed increasing Indiana minimum wage to $10.10. Richard Mourdock: Focus on cutting the deficit and creating jobs. |
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Principles & Values Andrew Straw: Ten Commandments are public already; don't impose in court. Brad Ellsworth: Coats negotiated lobbying job while still a Senator. Daniel Coats: Accepted lobbying job after adjournment but still in Senate. Daniel Coats: Accused of lobbying for whatever issue paid the most money. Daniel Coats: There's a lot of enthusiasm for change in Washington. Daniel Coats: YouTube video: "Don't tell Hoosiers I'm a Tar Heel". Eric Holcomb: Proven, passionate solutions-oriented approach. Mike Braun: Use record of what's been done in hometown and statehouse. Richard Lugar: OpEd: Lives in Washington DC, no longer in Indiana. Jim Banks: Uncover Jesus painting at Merchant Marine Academy. Marc Carmichael: Former state legislator; retired trade association executive. |
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Social Security Andrew Straw: Too many people rely on SSA to risk losses. Brad Ellsworth: Don't raise the retirement age; put people to work instead. Daniel Coats: Save Social Security from itself; increase age & more. Evan Bayh: Raise Social Security age. Luke Messer: Let retirees earn more. Matthew Whitaker: No hope that Social Security will be there for future. Richard Mourdock: Raise the retirement age. Richard Mourdock: Constitution mentions neither Social Security nor Medicare. Todd Young: Strong support for privatization. Jim Banks: Use debt ceiling debate to cut spending, not Social Security. |
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Tax Reform Andrew Straw: Tax cuts for rich don't help economy if tied up in stocks. Brad Ellsworth: Take away some of the hundreds of tax breaks & exemptions. Daniel Coats: Open to the FairTax, but no VAT. Eric Holcomb: Simplifying the 75,000-page tax code would lead to growth. Luke Messer: Tax cuts should lead to growth. Mike Braun: Pledged never to raise federal taxes, but infrastructure ok. Richard Mourdock: Major tax reforms yes; national sales tax no. Todd Young: Simplify tax code to reward Americans for working hard. Marc Carmichael: No more gratuitous tax cuts for the rich and corporations. |
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Technology Joe Donnelly: Voted to keep Net Neutrality. Mike Braun: Increase gas tax by 10 cents for crumbling infrastructure. Richard Mourdock: Space program is not in Constitution, but I support it. Thomas McDermott: Dramatically strengthen broadband coverage across the state. Todd Rokita: Gas tax ok for infrastructure improvements. |
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War & Peace Andrew Straw: Treaties with allies instead of empire-building attitudes. Eric Holcomb: Iran funds terrorism; no nuclear deal. Luke Messer: Get tough with North Korea. Mark Hurt: We lost allies' respect, enabling rise of extreme ideologies. Mike Braun: Re-impose sanctions on Iran for nuclear capability. Mike Braun: Defeat ISIS terrorists where they live. Richard Lugar: US is not going to have troops in Afghanistan indefinitely. Richard Mourdock: Inexcusable failure to withdraw from Iraq. Richard Mourdock: inexcusable failure to turn tail & run in Iraq. Jim Banks: Moral obligation to protect Israel. Valerie McCray: Immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. |
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Welfare & Poverty Valerie McCray: Ensure housing remains accessible for middle class. |
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Senatorial winners and losers in each state: AK - AL - AR - AZ - CA - CO - CT - DE - FL - GA - HI - IA - ID - IL - IN - KS - KY - LA - MA - MD - ME - MI - MN - MO - MS - MT - NC - ND - NE - NH - NJ - NM - NV - NY - OH - OK - OR - PA - RI - SC - SD - TN - TX - UT - VA - VT - WA - WI - WV - WY - U.S. House of Representatives winners and losers in each state: AK - AL - AR - AZ - CA - CO - CT - DE - FL - GA - HI - IA - ID - IL - IN - KS - KY - LA - MA - MD - ME - MI - MN - MO - MS - MT - NC - ND - NE - NH - NJ - NM - NV - NY - OH - OK - OR - PA - RI - SC - SD - TN - TX - UT - VA - VT - WA - WI - WV - WY - Gubernatorial winners and losers in each state: AK - AL - AR - AZ - CA - CO - CT - DE - FL - GA - HI - IA - ID - IL - IN - KS - KY - LA - MA - MD - ME - MI - MN - MO - MS - MT - NC - ND - NE - NH - NJ - NM - NV - NY - OH - OK - OR - PA - RI - SC - SD - TN - TX - UT - VA - VT - WA - WI - WV - WY - |
All material copyright 1999-2022 by Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org Reprinting by permission only. |
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Page last edited: Mar 15, 2026
