Dick Gephardt on Civil Rights Former Democratic Representative (MO-3); Former Democratic Candidate for President

Voted for USA Patriot Act, but it's not balanced now

A: I voted for it, but I do believe that this Attorney General, John Ashcroft, is not administering it in a balanced way. I support some of the changes in the act that have been proposed by various members of Congress. I believe these changes may be helpful.

Democrats need to earn the vote of African-Americans

GEPHARDT: We have to look at every possible person to win this election. I will look at everybody. I'll look at women, I'll look at minorities, I'll look at everybody. We need to beat George Bush.

Bill Clay wrote a book called "Permanent Interest." He said African-Americans don't have permanent friends, they just have permanent interest. I think he's right. This party has to earn the vote of African-Americans. This party can't assume anything. We've got to bring ideas and programs for civil rights, for equal rights, for economic rights, for health care rights -- that's the way we're going to win the election, and that's the way we keep faith with the African-American community in this country.

We're all in it together

GEPHARDT: This country is a melting pot. It's a fabric. I often quote Martin Luther King, and I say that we're all tied together. I say we are one people. The Hispanic population in this country has defended us. Many, many Hispanic citizens have died in our military without even being citizens of the US. They've won the Congressional Medal of Honor. They work hard. Their families make an enormous contribution to this country.

We're all immigrants unless we're Native Americans. And I'll say it again: We're all tied together. That's my philosophy that I'll bring to the presidency. Martin Luther King said, "I can't be what I ought to be until you can be what you ought to be." That's what I really believe. And when I'm president, we'll have policies that'll make that come true.

Strike a balance between liberty and security

A: Even since 9/11, we have found that it is important to strike a balance between liberty and security. The problem is that John Ashcroft, alone, is making decisions about what the law means, and ignoring civil liberties. Bush has put no check on Ashcroft's power. I oppose Patriot II. Bush needs to show a commitment to striking that balance, rather than over-reaching. We must find a way to protect our people while protecting our freedoms.

Christian Coalition’s intolerance has no place in politics

The problem comes when a group decides that its beliefs are so clearly correct that no disagreement can be tolerated. It’s a short step from intolerance for another’s political views to personal dislike for the person and, ultimately, to bigotry & hatred.

[Groups like the Christian Coalition exemplify intolerance in] political statements about controversial issues like abortion, homosexuality, and school vouchers [when they] identify the Christian Coalition position on those issues as the only “acceptable” position. We should condemn the politicization of their efforts without condemning their basic values and beliefs.

Voted NO on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Voted NO on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Voted NO on banning gay adoptions in DC.

Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit burning the US flag.

Voted NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions.

Constitutional Amendment for equal rights by gender.

Title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to equal rights for men and women. Summary: States that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Rated 71% by the ACLU, indicating a pro-civil rights voting record.

The mission of the ACLU is to preserve protections and guarantees America’s original civic values - the Constitution and the Bill of Rights:
• Your First Amendment rights-freedom of speech, association and assembly. Freedom of the press, and freedom of religion supported by the strict separation of church and state.
• Your right to equal protection under the law - equal treatment regardless of race, sex, religion or national origin.
• Your right to due process - fair treatment by the government whenever the loss of your liberty or property is at stake.Your right to privacy - freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into your personal and private affairs.

Our ratings are based on the votes the organization considered most important; the numbers reflect the percentage of time the representative voted the organization's preferred position.