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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 Kentucky (number of quotes indicated): |
| OnTheIssues.org excerpts: (click on issues for details) |
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Abortion Alison Grimes: Pro-choice down the line. Charles Booker: Women have the right to choose; Roe v. Wade must be upheld. Charles Booker: Microphone cut off during speech against anti-abortion bill. Steven Cox: Repeals Hyde Amendment. Wesley Morgan: Opposes taxpayer funding for abortion. |
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Budget & Economy Amy McGrath: Against rolling back Dodd-Frank banking regulations. Charles Booker: Supports Universal Basic Income; poverty is immoral. Jack Conway: Against TARP bailouts due to lack of accountability. Jack Reed: Address the sequester & debt ceiling without any new taxes. Jim Gray: Think globally when talking about job creation. Matt Bevin: No budget deal; let the sequester cuts take place. Matt Bevin: AdWatch: Supporting a debt-limit increase is too liberal. Mitch McConnell: Proud of role in high-profile deal to end federal shutdown. Mitch McConnell: Supports sequester cuts: 2.4% out of $3.6 trillion budget. Mitch McConnell: Voted to roll back Dodd-Frank banking regulations. Mitch McConnell: Opposes infrastructure spending in COVID-19 relief bill. Rand Paul: Bank bailout was bad policy & helped no banks in KY. Wesley Morgan: Supports balanced budget amendment. Wesley Morgan: Supports permanent ban on earmarks, opposes bailouts. Andy Barr: Voted for the Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. |
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Civil Rights Alison Grimes: Both supportive and apprehensive about marriage equality. Alison Grimes: Supports allowing gay marriage. Alison Grimes: AdWatch: VAWA and equal pay for women. Amy McGrath: No discrimination over sexual orientation. C. Wesley Morgan: Government needs to get out of business of reverse racism. Charles Booker: Have to tackle structural racism and inequity head-on. Charles Booker: Ban conversion therapy and sex/gender discrimination. Charles Booker: Rand Paul believes that racism is a winning strategy. Jack Conway: I abhor discrimination; end "don't ask, don't tell". Jack Conway: Claims Paul questions Civil Rights Act and the ADA. Jim Gray: Pay equity for women; and raise the minimum wage. Jim Gray: Openly gay mayor of Lexington: not all are anti-gay. Matt Bevin: Why not define marriage as a parent marrying their child? Mitch McConnell: I co-sponsored VAWA but final version went too far. Mitch McConnell: Against gay marriage but now law of the land. Steven Cox: Expand the Voting Rights Act. Steven Cox: Launched online petition to remove Confederate statue. Wesley Morgan: Stop government from interfering with free exercise of faith. Pamela Stevenson: Condemned Republicans for supporting anti-trans legislation. Pamela Stevenson: Anti-trans hate linked to racism and antisemitism. |
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Corporations Steven Cox: Favors stronger co-ops over pleasing shareholders. |
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Crime Amy McGrath: Police reform: ban chokeholds, guarantee body cameras. Charles Booker: Supports criminal justice reform to address racial bias. Charles Booker: Need criminal justice reform & ending mass incarceration. Thomas Massie: Voted against bill making lynching a federal hate crime. |
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Drugs Alison Grimes: Have a discussion about marijuana legalization. Amy McGrath: Will work for real investments in tackling opioid crisis. Amy McGrath: For medical cannabis; research full legalization. Charles Booker: Legalize cannabis and expunge records related to it. Charles Booker: Legalize cannabis, commute sentences, expunge records. Jack Conway: Epidemic of prescription pill abuse spurs crime. Jack Conway: Meth lab count is up because we are identifying smaller labs. Jim Gray: Fully fund drug treatment and addiction recovery. Mitch McConnell: Strongly opposed to legalization of marijuana. Rand Paul: Community treatment instead of federal anti-drug programs. Rand Paul: Drug abuse isn't a pressing issue; 10-20 years is too harsh. Rand Paul: Tackle drug problem; no one cares where funding comes from. Steven Cox: Follow Colorado in legalizing & taxing cannabis. |
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Education Amy McGrath: Perform national service to get college aid. Amy McGrath: We need a well-funded public education system. Amy McGrath: National service program practical solution for college debt. C. Wesley Morgan: Reform education towards career prep. C. Wesley Morgan: Government should get out of the student loan business. Charles Booker: Teachers want to fully and equitably fund public schools. Jim Gray: Investment in education and our teachers is essential. Matt Bevin: FactCheck: No, not MIT grad; education is "School of Life". Rand Paul: COVID: Opening schools doesn't lead to a surge. Steven Cox: Cover all costs at public colleges. Thomas Massie: Abolish the U.S. Department of Education. |
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Energy & Oil Alison Grimes: Balanced approach to deal with global warming. Amy McGrath: Climate change: wars will fought over water, resources. Bruce Lunsford: Expand drilling; draw strategic reserve; plus alternatives. Bruce Lunsford: Double oil production by developing 70M federal acres. Charles Booker: Kentucky should lead the way to a green new deal. Charles Booker: Refers to Green New Deal as "Kentucky New Deal". Charles Booker: Climate crisis is great economic opportunity for Kentucky. Charles Booker: Reclaim old coal land; black lung benefits for miners. Jack Conway: Coal yes; cap-and-trade no. Jack Conway: Protect coal even under cap-and-trade. Jim Gray: Let's stop mining? No, invest in coal's future. Jim Gray: Fund clean coal via Carbon Capture and Storage. Mitch McConnell: Has clout to implement GOP solutions for high gas prices. Mitch McConnell: Supports coal-to-liquid fuels, nuclear tech, & electric cars. Mitch McConnell: AdWatch: Fights EPA regulation on coal production. Mitch McConnell: I blocked the passage of Obama's cap-and-trade. Mitch McConnell: Supported withdrawal from Paris climate agreement. Rand Paul: Unelected EPA should not regulate greenhouse emissions. Steven Cox: Save the world from the climatocalypse. Steven Cox: We need to find a system better than fossil fuels. Steven Cox: Supports Green New Deal. Steven Cox: We need to find a better investment than fossil fuels. Steven Cox: We need to find a system better than fossil fuels. Daniel Cameron: Spearheaded efforts to overturn market-distorting EV mandate. |
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Environment Alison Grimes: OpEd: Disdain for the EPA, but better choice for greens. Bruce Lunsford: Worked on father�s tobacco farm as a youngster. Bruce Lunsford: Bring together all parties to review mountaintop removal. Charles Booker: Marginalized communities harmed by pollution must be heard. Jim Gray: EPA regulations overstep bounds, but we can't throw them out. Matt Bevin: I don't support cockfighting, but don't criminalize it. Daniel Cameron: Opposes EPA targeting coal industry over climate change. |
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Families & Children Amy McGrath: Help working class families with checks during pandemic. |
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Foreign Policy Amy McGrath: We need strong military, but also strong diplomatic corps. Jim Gray: Stand with our allies to protect our global interests. Matt Bevin: No unilateral action in Eastern Europe. Mitch McConnell: 1985: Led anti-apartheid bill through Senate. Steven Cox: America is the greatest nation; we should lead. Steven Cox: America is ignoring our role as stewards who save the world. Andy Barr: Require the President to sanction CCP military companies. Daniel Cameron: Enough is enough when it comes to funding Ukraine. Thomas Massie: Supporters of Israel are agents of a foreign government. |
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Free Trade Alison Grimes: Halt flow of jobs overseas; no subsidies for job exporters. Amy McGrath: Pulling out of Trans-Pacific Partnership cost us influence. Jim Gray: Trade deals are a net positive for Kentucky. Mitch McConnell: Trade agreements allow selling farm products abroad. Andy Barr: Trump's tariffs will ultimately open markets to US products. Daniel Cameron: Tariffs are how we liberate and rebuild our great country. Thomas Massie: I would be OK with using tariffs instead of the income tax. |
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Government Reform Amy McGrath: Implement term limits, require release of tax returns. Amy McGrath: We must protect election process from foreign interference. Amy McGrath: I served in the military for 24 years; I voted by mail. Charles Booker: Remove barriers to democratic participation. Charles Booker: Restore voting rights to those who paid for their crimes. Jack Conway: I stood up for the people against price-gouging & lies. Jim Gray: Campaign finance system is broken; root it out. Mitch McConnell: Federal shutdown was just a 2-week paid vacation: bad policy. Steven Cox: Increase transparency in campaign finance. Steven Cox: End Citizens United, remove corporate money from politics. Steven Cox: Supports any laws that ensure elections can't be bought. Wesley Morgan: Supports term limits; repeal 17th amendment. Herschel Walker: Congress has no power to overturn state-certified elections. |
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Gun Control Alison Grimes: Same background-check standards at gun store versus gun show. Amy McGrath: Supports background checks, honest conversation about guns. C. Wesley Morgan: Count on me to protect your 2nd amendment rights. Charles Booker: Supports gun control; background checks; no assault weapons. Jim Gray: Ban gun purchases by people on FBI terrorist watch list. Jim Gray: Ok to delay gun sales for 72 hours, but no secret lists. Wesley Morgan: Oppose all efforts to eliminate; restrict 2nd Amendment. Andy Barr: Restricting assault weapons from under 21 not constitutional. |
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Health Care Alison Grimes: Delay mandated coverage, but keep ObamaCare. Alison Grimes: Kynect heroically for expanding Medicaid under ObamaCare. Amy McGrath: Improve ACA; don't get rid of private insurance. Amy McGrath: For bipartisan plan to fix ObamaCare's problems. Amy McGrath: Will fight to lower prescription drug costs. Bruce Lunsford: McConnell is bought and paid for by drug companies. Charles Booker: Has diabetes & rationed insulin: need Medicare for All. Charles Booker: More expensive to do nothing than implement Medicare for all. Charles Booker: Supports Medicare for All & Green New Deal. Charles Booker: Expanding Medicaid under ACA led to economic boom. Charles Booker: As diabetic knows reality of rationing insulin due to cost. Jack Conway: Pay for Obamacare with bulk purchasing & fraud units. Jim Gray: Ensure solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund. Mitch McConnell: ObamaCare's Kynect is a state decision, but yeah, it's ok. Mitch McConnell: ObamaCare is a train wreck; do what we can to repeal it. Rand Paul: Obamacare will cost $3T & health insurance still goes up 15%. Steven Cox: Medicare-For-All would reduce healthcare costs. Steven Cox: Passionate about healthcare. Steven Cox: Support Medicare for All. Steven Cox: Medicare for All absolutely needs to be done. Steven Cox: Medicare-for-All would reduce healthcare costs. Wesley Morgan: Abolish ObamaCare; free market is best. |
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Homeland Security Amy McGrath: Fully fund the VA so veterans get quality health care. Jack Conway: Let gays serve openly in US military. Jim Gray: Support the military, intelligence community, & diplomacy. Mitch McConnell: AdWatch: Brought in new VA hospital; & higher pay for troops. Rand Paul: Military should decide don't-ask-don't-tell policy. Rand Paul: 2015: Introduced Arming All Pilots Act. Pamela Stevenson: Pass legislation to stop veterans from killing themselves. |
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Immigration Alison Grimes: Supports bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform. Amy McGrath: For secure borders & meaningful immigration reform. Amy McGrath: Give DREAMers a chance to become full citizens. C. Wesley Morgan: Ten year moratorium on all immigration. Charles Booker: Supports path to citizenship for undocumented. Charles Booker: Create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Jack Conway: Be tough & sensible; increase border security. Mitch McConnell: Border security first: the key to getting a final outcome. Mitch McConnell: Some protections for DACA but restrict immigration. Rand Paul: Obamacare treats illegal aliens because it's illegal to ask. Steven Cox: Rise to the occasion to welcome immigrants & refugees. Wesley Morgan: Supports "real border enforcement"; opposes amnesty. Andy Barr: Restart border wall; reinstate the remain in Mexico policy. |
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Jobs Amy McGrath: Pro-union, supports gradual rise of minimum wage to $15/hour. Bruce Lunsford: Agrees with all issues that AFL-CIO has asked him to support. C. Wesley Morgan: Make Kentucky a Right to Work State. Charles Booker: We are going to stand up for organized labor. Jack Conway: 20% hometown tax credit for cost of creating a new job. Mitch McConnell: Supports right to work laws; against minimum wage hike. Steven Cox: Right to work laws threaten our freedom. Steven Cox: Stop misuse of work visas to protect American workers. Daniel Cameron: Advocate for the dismantling of DEI within corporate America. |
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Principles & Values Alison Grimes: Fight "Senator Gridlock": Kentucky pays for GOP dysfunction. Alison Grimes: AdWatch: Grimes' opponent offered deal to drop out. Alison Grimes: One of us represents Washington; one of us represents KY. Bruce Lunsford: McConnell enables Bush & squandered 24 years in Senate. C. Wesley Morgan: Freedom of Faith, Family and Country. Charles Booker: Launched "Hood to the Holler" to bridge urban-rural divide. Charles Booker: Build broad coalitions; break down barriers of race & class. Jack Conway: An honor to run for Wendell Ford's senate seat. Jack Conway: Claims Rand Paul worships "Aqua Buddha" & mocks Holy Bible. Jack Conway: TV ad: Rand Paul made fun of Christianity and Christ. Jack Conway: FactCheck: "Aqua Buddha" TV ad is accurate but over the top. Jack Conway: TV ad: Accuser is anonymous, but a Mr. Green says it's true. Mitch McConnell: After 24 years, one of the two leaders in the US Senate. Mitch McConnell: Leadership has value; freshmen have little impact. Rand Paul: This is not Wendell Ford's seat; it's the people's seat. Rand Paul: This election really is about the president's agenda. Rand Paul: Accused of belonging to secret society NoZe Brotherhood. Rand Paul: I'm "a pro-life Christian"; denies worshiping "Aqua Buddha". Rand Paul: Under KY law,can't run for Senate & President on same ballot. Steven Cox: Criminalize pork-barrel bills. Steven Cox: Socially progressive, fiscally conservative. Wesley Morgan: 100 % Trump supporter: "I'm so anti-Democrat". Wesley Morgan: Supported Democrat after 2018 primary loss. Wesley Morgan: Filed bill making it harder to remove Confederate statues. Pamela Stevenson: Put God back in schools? Put Christ back in Christians. |
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Social Security C. Wesley Morgan: Social security taxes should go directly to a private trust. Jack Conway: Pledges to not scale back program nor raise retirement age. Jim Gray: Fight any measure to cut or privatize Social Security. Rand Paul: Raise the retirement age for people under age 55. Rand Paul: I've never challenged constitutionality of Social Security. |
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Tax Reform Alison Grimes: Close tax loopholes for wealthy to pay for college loans. Bruce Lunsford: Eliminate the capital gains tax. C. Wesley Morgan: Abolish the state income tax, to create jobs. Charles Booker: Close loopholes for wealthy, ease burden on working families. Jack Conway: Keep Bush tax cuts during recession. Mitch McConnell: Resolve to lower capital gains taxes. Mitch McConnell: Comprehensive tax reform can work if it's revenue-neutral. Mitch McConnell: 2017 tax bill helped middle class & small businesses. Rand Paul: Balanced budget amendment to pay to extend $4T Bush tax cuts. Wesley Morgan: Repeal 16th amendment; abolish IRS. Wesley Morgan: Amend Constitution to balance budget without raising taxes. Pamela Stevenson: Voted for tax relief but concerned about revenue shortfalls. |
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Technology Amy McGrath: Invest in infrastructure, broadband, electricity grid. Bruce Lunsford: Supports net neutrality; McConnell stalled it. Steven Cox: Expand property rights to personal data; for net neutrality. |
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War & Peace Alison Grimes: Israel has the right to defend herself. Alison Grimes: Don't send US troops back to Iraq; but support role ok. Amy McGrath: Support NATO alliance; support two-state Israel solution. Amy McGrath: No nukes in North Korea; nuke deal with Iran. Amy McGrath: All major military actions must be approved by Congress. Jim Gray: We must destroy ISIS where they are. Thomas Massie: Airstrikes against Houthis illegal without Congress' okay. |
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Welfare & Poverty Alison Grimes: Shameful to oppose food stamp program during recession. Amy McGrath: Established food bank relief fund in Kentucky. Charles Booker: A universal basic income will address racism and poverty. Jack Conway: Faith-based programs instead of federal money. Jack Conway: Claims Paul would end federal faith-based initiatives. Mitch McConnell: Opposed Farm Bill due to too-generous food stamp program. |
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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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