Carol Moseley-Braun on Principles & Values Former IL Senator; Democratic Candidate for President

Withdraws from presidential race; endorses Howard Dean

The Dean campaign flew Braun to Iowa for an endorsement that a source said Dean had been working on for some time.

Braun's decision ends her nearly yearlong quest, having achieved to a degree her goal of rehabilitating her image and reviving her career

It's not known yet what role Braun will play in the Dean campaign, or if the former Vermont governor will ask his supporters to help pay her campaign debt.

When asked why she is endorsing Dean, Braun, who had just arrived in Chicago, said it was "his ability to inspire people." She added, "People are energized and inspired by Howard Dean in a way that shows we don't have to put up with the fear-mongering the Bush campaign has perfected," she said.

Contested primaries help energize Dems for general election

A: The whole point of primary elections is to allow voters to choose their party's candidates. If the Democratic party wants its primary process to reflect only the status quo, or who has the most money or the most name recognition, it will most likely not be able to attract the support-and the votes-in a "real" general election sufficient to overcome the incumbency and finances the Republican party has. The primary, if an open one such as we have now, can through a contest of ideas energize Democratic voters, attract uncommitted voters, and become better positioned to win the real contest against an incumbent Republican president.

I win elections by building bridges & breaking down barriers

A: I have in my entire career won elections by building bridges, bringing people together, and breaking down barriers. There has never been a woman President, nor a black one, but my life experiences and credentials make me uniquely qualified to lead this country. The responses I have received to my platform for Peace, Prosperity and Progress have encouraged this effort, and young women, particularly, are encouraged about their prospects for leadership by this campaign. I did lose reelection to the Senate, after being smeared by Karl Rove, outspent 3 to 1, and even then by less than 2% of the vote. I have, on the other hand, won 14 elections. The pundits have never given me a chance, but the people always did, and they have made history time and again as a result. We are poised to do it again.

Favorite song: "You Gotta Be."

This is for the Gen X crowd, and it's very personal. What's your favorite song?
• MOSELEY BRAUN: What's my favorite song? "You Gotta Be."
• SHARPTON: My favorite song is James Brown's song on the Republican Party, "Talking Loud, Saying Nothing."
• KERRY: Bruce Springsteen, "No Surrender."
• DEAN: One you've never heard of, Wycliffe Jean, "Jaspora" [Creole for "Diaspora"]
• LIEBERMAN: Well, you know, like a good politician, I'm going to take two. Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow, remember that one? And the classic Frank Sinatra, "My Way." We're going to do it our way in 2004.
• KUCINICH: John Lennon, "Imagine," as in imagine a new America.
• GEPHARDT: Bruce Springsteen, "Born In The USA."
• GRAHAM: Jimmy Buffet, "Changes In Attitude, Changes In Latitudes." We're going to change some attitudes and latitudes.

Take the "men only" sign off the White House door

I am determined to try to rebuild and renew this country in ways that will build community and level the playing field in ways that will keep the American dream of opportunity and hope alive for the next generation. To me, that means making certain that the fight to preserve our civil liberties is waged, making certain the fight against discrimination is waged, making certain that women have opportunity in this country.

I am determined to take the "men only" sign off the White House door and, with the support of the people of this country, I believe it can happen in 2004.

Demand the truth and stop the deceits

A: I have, and I will.

Fight the greedy and help the needy

It's time for serious female presidential candidate

GOP bringing US down wrong road; we can turn this around

We have a sacred responsibility to leave the next generation no less than we inherited from the last. The last generation gave us all opportunity and they gave us liberty and they gave us a hopefulness about this country that I'm afraid is being lost. And as Democrats, we have an opportunity to get it back. We have an opportunity to put our country on the right track.

The administration in place now has taken America down the wrong road; on a road that does not leave us with much promise, and does not leave young people with much optimism. I want to bring hope back. As they used to say, Democrats give the people peace and prosperity; the Republicans get in and give them depression and war. We can turn this around again.

Fund the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program.

• Mandates redesign of quarter-dollar coins issued during the ten-year period beginning 1999, with the reverse side emblematic of five of the 50 States each year during such period, selected in the order of their ratification of the U.S. Constitution or their admission to the Union.
• Mandates that the dollar coin shall be golden in color, have a distinctive edge, with tactile and visual features making it readily discernible.
• Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to place into circulation $1 coins that comply with such mandate upon depletion of the Government's supply of $1 coins bearing the likeness of Susan B. Anthony.