|
|
Books by and about 2020 presidential candidates |
|
Crippled America,
by Donald J. Trump (2015) |
United,
by Cory Booker (2016) |
The Truths We Hold,
by Kamala Harris (2019) |
Smart on Crime,
by Kamala Harris (2010) |
Guide to Political Revolution,
by Bernie Sanders (2017) |
Where We Go From Here,
by Bernie Sanders (2018) |
Promise Me, Dad ,
by Joe Biden (2017) |
Conscience of a Conservative,
by Jeff Flake (2017) |
Two Paths,
by Gov. John Kasich (2017) |
Every Other Monday,
by Rep. John Kasich (2010) |
Courage is Contagious,
by John Kasich (1998) |
Shortest Way Home,
by Pete Buttigieg (2019) |
The Book of Joe ,
by Jeff Wilser (2019; biography of Joe Biden) |
Becoming,
by Michelle Obama (2018) |
Our Revolution,
by Bernie Sanders (2016) |
This Fight Is Our Fight,
by Elizabeth Warren (2017) |
Higher Loyalty,
by James Comey (2018) |
The Making of Donald Trump,
by David Cay Johnston (2017) |
|
Books by and about the 2016 presidential election |
|
What Happened ,
by Hillary Clinton (2017) |
Higher Loyalty ,
by James Comey (2018) |
Trump vs. Hillary On The Issues ,
by Jesse Gordon (2016) |
Hard Choices,
by Hillary Clinton (2014) |
Becoming ,
by Michelle Obama (2018) |
Outsider in the White House,
by Bernie Sanders (2015) |
|
|
Book Reviews |
(from Amazon.com) |
(click a book cover for a review or other books by or about the presidency from Amazon.com)
|
2004 Congressional National Political Awareness Test, by Project Vote Smart
Click on a participant to pop-up their full list of quotations
from 2004 National Political Awareness Test (number of quotes indicated):
- Al King (15) 2004 former Republican challenger Oregon
- Art Small (14) 2004 former Democratic challenger; previously State Senator Iowa
- Betsy Summers (19) 2004 former Libertarian Challenger Pennsylvania
- Brad Little (4) Idaho Republican
- Brendan Boyle (3) Democratic House Member U.S. Rep Pennsylvania- 13
- Darrel Hunter (26) Former Democratic challenger (2006) Texas
- Daryl Northrop (14) 2004 former Green challenger Iowa
- Deb Fischer (10) Republican Senate Challenger Nebraska
- E.J. Pipkin (15) 2004 former Republican challenger; previously state Senator Maryland
- Eric Fingerhut (6) 2004 former Democratic challenger; previously US Rep Ohio
- Greg Parke (12) Republican challenger (2006) Vermont
- Gretchen Whitmer (5) Michigan Democratic candidate for Governor
- James Gray (14) 2012 Libertarian nominee for Vice President
- John Boozman (5) Republican Jr Senator Arkansas
- John McCain (1) Republican
- Karen Bass (1) Democrat U.S. Rep California-37
- Katherine Clark (6) Democrat U.S. Rep Massachusetts-5
- Kris Kobach (10) Kansas Republican candidate for Kansas Governor
- Kweisi Mfume (9) Democratic challenger (2006), previously U.S. Rep. Maryland
- Lee Jones (13) Former Democratic Challenger (2008) Kansas
- Marvin Scott (14) 2004 former Republican challenger Indiana
- Mel Martinez (9) Cabinet-2005
- Mike Gibbons (5) Republican candidate for Ohio U.S. Senator Ohio
- Mike Liffrig (14) 2004 former Republican challenger North Dakota
- Nancy Farmer (5) 2004 former Democratic challenger; state Treasurer Missouri
- Paul Hodes (12) 2010 Democratic Senate Challenger; currently US Rep. New Hampshire
- Robert Pittenger (8) Republican U.S. Rep North Carolina-9
- Sean Haugh (6) Libertarian Senate challenger North Carolina
- Steve Cohen (8) Democrat U.S. Rep Tennessee-9
- Tim Chesnut (13) Democratic challenger Wyoming
- Tina Liebling (2) Minnesota Democratic candidate for Governor
- Wayne Sowell (21) 2004 former Democratic challenger Alabama
OR click on an issue category below for a subset. |
| OnTheIssues.org excerpts: (click on issues for details)
|
Abortion
Darrel Hunter: Recognize fetus, like under other laws.
Darrel Hunter: Support expanded stem cell research.
Deb Fischer: Abortion only for rape & incest; no public funding.
Kweisi Mfume: First-trimester always ok; plus minor parental notification.
Tim Chesnut: Abortions should always be legal.
Daryl Northrop: Abortions should always be legal.
Betsy Summers: No taxpayer funds for abortion or tem-cell research.
Betsy Summers: Abortions should always be legal.
E.J. Pipkin: No partial birth, and other restrictions.
Wayne Sowell: Pro-choice but no partial birth.
Wayne Sowell: Supports stem cell research.
Al King: No abortions except to prevent maternal death.
Art Small: No partial birth, no public funding, but some exceptions.
James Gray: Leave abortion issue to the states.
Marvin Scott: No public funding; no partial birth.
|
Civil Rights
Darrel Hunter: For civil unions but against gay marriage.
Darrel Hunter: Videotape to avoid racial oppression but be blind to race.
Deb Fischer: No affirmative action in public employment nor contracting.
Gretchen Whitmer: Yes to civil unions or same-sex marriage.
Gretchen Whitmer: Apply affirmative action to state hiring and state colleges.
Mike Gibbons: No affirmative action for state contracts nor state colleges.
Paul Hodes: Yes to civil unions; no to constitutional definition.
Paul Hodes: Supports affirmative action.
Robert Pittenger: No affirmative action in state hiring decisions.
Steve Cohen: Recognize civil unions; be tolerant & don’t hate.
Tim Chesnut: Civil unions ok; same-sex marriage ok.
Tim Chesnut: No Affirmative Action in state-based decisions.
Tina Liebling: Apply affirmative action to state hiring and state colleges.
Daryl Northrop: Continue affirmative action programs.
Daryl Northrop: Civil unions or marriage ok for same-sex couples.
Betsy Summers: Civil unions ok, gay marriage ok.
Betsy Summers: Discontinue affirmative action programs.
Lee Jones: Civil unions are ok.
Lee Jones: Support affirmative action in college and gov’t contracts.
James Gray: Discontinue affirmative action programs.
E.J. Pipkin: Discontinue affirmative action programs.
E.J. Pipkin: Marriage is one man and one woman.
Wayne Sowell: Re-evaluate all affirmative action programs.
Wayne Sowell: Civil unions ok, but not same-sex marriage.
Al King: Affirmative action violates the Constitution.
Al King: No civil unions; no same-sex marriages.
Art Small: No civil unions; define marriage.
Art Small: Supports affirmative action in colleges and government.
Mike Liffrig: Discontinue affirmative action programs.
Marvin Scott: Discontinue affirmative action programs.
Katherine Clark: Supports affirmative action in state government.
|
Corporations
Brad Little: Fewer regulations on private businesses.
Tim Chesnut: Maintain capital gains tax & corporate tax rates.
|
Crime
Greg Parke: Supports death penalty for federal crimes.
Greg Parke: Supports truth-in-sentencing for violent crimes.
Darrel Hunter: Supports death penalty for federal crimes.
Brad Little: Supports death penalty.
Brendan Boyle: More prisons; less parole.
Deb Fischer: Supports death penalty by lethal injection.
Deb Fischer: End parole for repeat violent offenders.
John Boozman: Supports the federal death penalty.
John Boozman: Impose truth-in-sentencing.
Kris Kobach: Supports death penalty and mandatory minimums.
Kweisi Mfume: Truth in sentencing, but with vocational training.
Mike Gibbons: No parole for repeat offenders; supports death penalty.
Paul Hodes: Prison rehabilitation and addiction programs for inmates.
Robert Pittenger: Support the death penalty.
Robert Pittenger: End parole for repeat violent offenders.
Sean Haugh: Moratorium on death penalty; plus alternative sentencing.
Steve Cohen: Supports death penalty; prosecute violent minors as adults.
Steve Cohen: End parole for violent offenders, but not victimless crimes.
Tim Chesnut: No parole for repeat offenders; but at-risk programs too.
Daryl Northrop: Eliminate the use of federal death penalty.
Daryl Northrop: More rehab for prison inmates.
Mel Martinez: I support the death penalty.
Betsy Summers: End the death penalty unless next-of-kin request it.
Betsy Summers: More rehabilitation; reduced sentences.
Lee Jones: Support the use of the death penalty.
Lee Jones: Drug treatment and vocational programs for inmates.
E.J. Pipkin: Support the federal death penalty.
E.J. Pipkin: Supports truth in sentencing and mandatory drug sentences.
Wayne Sowell: Supports death penalty but also rehabilitation.
Wayne Sowell: Truth in sentencing but with judicial discretion.
Al King: Impose truth in sentencing and stricter penalties.
Art Small: No death penalty; provide rehabilitation.
Art Small: Lower sentences for non-violent crimes.
Mike Liffrig: Impose truth in sentencing.
James Gray: Severely reduce mandatory minimum sentences.
Marvin Scott: Support the death penalty.
Marvin Scott: Impose truth in sentencing.
Katherine Clark: Job skills for inmates; plus alternative sentencing.
|
Drugs
Greg Parke: Expand drug education and treatment programs.
Greg Parke: Increase funding for war on drugs in Colombia.
Darrel Hunter: Too many crimes related to drug use.
Darrel Hunter: Supports medical marijuana.
Deb Fischer: Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
Kris Kobach: Stricter punishment for importing & selling drugs.
Kweisi Mfume: Increase penalties for drugs; but more treatment centers too.
Paul Hodes: Supports medical marijuana.
Robert Pittenger: Strengthen penalties for drug-related crime.
Steve Cohen: Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Tim Chesnut: Decriminalize marijuana possession & medical marijuana.
Mel Martinez: More border security against illegal drugs.
Nancy Farmer: Drug courts and alternatives for non-violent offenders.
Lee Jones: More money for borders & Colombia for war on drugs.
Lee Jones: More drug education and drug treatment programs.
E.J. Pipkin: Stricter interdiction and stricter sentencing.
Al King: Stricter sentencing and tighter borders for drugs.
Mike Liffrig: Stricter jail and tighter borders for drugs.
James Gray: War on drugs is a war against our people.
Marvin Scott: Mandatory jail for selling drugs.
|
Education
Greg Parke: Supports vouchers for public, private or religious schools.
Darrel Hunter: End race based college admissions.
Brendan Boyle: More funding for schools, teachers, and colleges.
Deb Fischer: Endorse voluntary prayer in public schools.
Gretchen Whitmer: More funding for teachers, school buildings, & Head Start.
John Boozman: Vouchers OK at public, private, & parochial schools.
Kris Kobach: No unfunded mandates; yes charters & vouchers.
Mike Gibbons: Supports school prayer and abstinence education.
Mike Gibbons: Supports teacher testing and graduation testing.
Paul Hodes: More funding for teachers & school infrastructure.
Robert Pittenger: Endorses voluntary prayer in public schools.
Robert Pittenger: Vouchers for public, private or religious schools.
Sean Haugh: Vouchers for public, private or religious schools.
Sean Haugh: Voluntary prayer in public schools.
Steve Cohen: Sex ed should include abstinence AND contraception.
Steve Cohen: More funding for teachers, pre-K,and after school.
Tim Chesnut: More teachers; more capital funding; and higher salaries.
Betsy Summers: Federal government out of education.
James Gray: Supports charters and vouchers.
Wayne Sowell: Supports charters; supports accountability.
Wayne Sowell: Top priority is saving public education.
Al King: Eliminate the federal Department of Education.
Art Small: Supports vouchers and charters.
Mike Liffrig: Vouchers for public, private or religious school.
Marvin Scott: Allow vouchers for public or private schools.
|
Energy & Oil
Greg Parke: Drill ANWR; develop coal & oil.
Darrel Hunter: Open Alaskan ANWR for oil exploration.
Deb Fischer: Support alternative fuel AND coal, natural gas, and oil.
Kris Kobach: Develop traditional energy resources, plus ANWR.
Tim Chesnut: Promote increased use of alternative fuels.
Mel Martinez: Increase domestic oil output.
Nancy Farmer: Develop alternative energy, and re-enter Kyoto process.
Betsy Summers: Develop alternative fuels.
E.J. Pipkin: Develop alternative fuels.
Wayne Sowell: Re-enter Kyoto; strengthen fuel efficiency.
Al King: Open ANWR; develop coal and oil.
Art Small: Re-enter Kyoto, develop alternative fuels.
Mike Liffrig: Open ANWR for drilling; develop on oil & coal.
Marvin Scott: Open ANWR and develop oil & coal.
|
Environment
Darrel Hunter: Live up to the “Clean Up America” decade.
Brad Little: Remove wolves from Endangered Species list.
Gretchen Whitmer: Preserve open space; clean up contaminated sites.
Kris Kobach: Relax rules on logging & recreational usage.
Mike Gibbons: State funds for industrial cleanup & waste tire collection.
Sean Haugh: Reduce environmental regulations.
Marvin Scott: Relax logging restrictions and recreational usage rules.
Katherine Clark: State funds for open space preservation & industrial cleanup.
|
Foreign Policy
Darrel Hunter: Decrease international aid.
Darrel Hunter: Allow foreign aid donations on individual tax returns.
Kris Kobach: Limit foreign aid; decrease UN support; keep Cuba embargo.
Daryl Northrop: Participate in UN peacekeeping missions.
Mel Martinez: No permission from abroad for military actions.
Nancy Farmer: Participate in UN peacekeeping missions.
Betsy Summers: End all foreign aid.
Betsy Summers: No finances nor troops to UN.
Lee Jones: Financial and military support for the UN.
Lee Jones: Eliminate foreign aid for human rights violators.
E.J. Pipkin: Commit US troops to UN peacekeeping missions.
Al King: Reduce US involvement with UN.
Art Small: Keep US troops in UN peacekeeping missions.
Mike Liffrig: Keep US troops out of UN missions.
James Gray: UN has become petty, but continue support.
|
Free Trade
Greg Parke: Supports NAFTA but with human rights & enviro concerns.
Darrel Hunter: Withdraw from WTO and GATT.
Kris Kobach: Supports NAFTA, GATT, and WTO.
Kweisi Mfume: Base trade on human rights; allow retaliatory tariffs.
Paul Hodes: Supports GATT and the WTO.
Paul Hodes: Supports NAFTA only if revised for labor & environment.
Daryl Northrop: Opposes NAFTA, GATT, and WTO.
Daryl Northrop: Base trade on human rights, labor, and environment.
Mel Martinez: Stand up for agriculture in US trade policy.
Nancy Farmer: Base trade on human rights, labor, and environment.
Betsy Summers: Oppose NAFTA, GATT, and WTO.
Betsy Summers: Don’t consider human rights or environment for trade.
Eric Fingerhut: Fair trade, not NAFTA.
Eric Fingerhut: Include human rights and worker rights in trade agreements.
James Gray: Supports NAFTA, GATT, and the WTO.
E.J. Pipkin: Supports NAFTA and WTO.
E.J. Pipkin: Human rights in trade agreements but not worker rights.
Wayne Sowell: Opposes NAFTA and WTO.
Wayne Sowell: Include human rights and worker rights in trade agreements.
Art Small: Include human rights and worker rights in trade agreements.
Mike Liffrig: Supports NAFTA and GATT.
Mike Liffrig: Account for human rights in trade agreements.
James Gray: Support NAFTA, GATT, and WTO.
Marvin Scott: Supports NAFTA, GATT, and the WTO.
Marvin Scott: Human rights should not affect trade relations.
|
Government Reform
Greg Parke: No limits on campaign donations.
Darrel Hunter: Against instant run-off voting & Election Day holiday.
Brad Little: Term limits for governor but not state reps.
Brendan Boyle: Limit campaign contributions but not campaign spending.
Deb Fischer: Limit PAC & corporate campaign donations, but not individual.
Kweisi Mfume: No limits on PAC contributions to campaigns.
Paul Hodes: Increase individual campaign donation limits.
Robert Pittenger: No campaign donation limits nor spending limits.
Sean Haugh: No limits on campaign contributions, including PACs.
Steve Cohen: Limit campaign contributions and campaign spending.
Tim Chesnut: Spending limits on state level political campaigns.
Lee Jones: No IRV, but make Election Day a national holiday.
Katherine Clark: Limit all campaign donations, and limit spending.
|
Gun Control
Greg Parke: Concealed carry ok; ease other restrictions too.
Darrel Hunter: Concealed carry ok; suing gun manufacturers not ok.
Darrel Hunter: Report private gun sales but otherwise no registration.
Deb Fischer: Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
Gretchen Whitmer: Strengthen gun laws: safety locks & background checks.
Kweisi Mfume: Ban assault weapons; ban gun sales to minors.
Steve Cohen: Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
Tim Chesnut: Enforce existing laws; require child-safety locks.
Daryl Northrop: Renew assault weapon ban; more background checks.
E.J. Pipkin: Repeal gun laws and ban suing gunmakers.
Wayne Sowell: Require possession licenses and background checks.
Wayne Sowell: Concealed carry ok; limit lawsuits against gunmakers.
Al King: 2nd Amendment guarantees the right to possess guns.
Art Small: Ban semi-autos, keep fingerprints and more restrictions.
Mike Liffrig: Remove gun restrictions and bar suing gunmakers.
James Gray: Federal government out of gun prohibition.
Marvin Scott: Repeal federal restrictions.
|
Health Care
Greg Parke: Providing health care is not a federal responsibility.
Darrel Hunter: Supports government policies for high-cost medical care.
Darrel Hunter: Supports more Rx coverage plus right to sue.
Kris Kobach: Support tax-free medical savings accounts.
Sean Haugh: Guaranteeing medical care is not a government responsibility.
Tim Chesnut: State-funded access to basic health care.
Mel Martinez: Promote health saving account and Association Health Plans.
Betsy Summers: Healthcare not a responsibility of the federal government.
Wayne Sowell: Supports universal health care.
Wayne Sowell: Limit med-mal damages; expand med savings accounts.
Al King: Allow suing HMOs.
Al King: Limit attorney fees in medical malpractice cases.
James Gray: Federal government out of health care management.
Katherine Clark: Supports insurance reforms & state-funded care.
|
Homeland Security
Darrel Hunter: More funding for new weapons research.
Darrel Hunter: Get more countries involved in war on terror.
John McCain: Eliminate defense pork, but increase most other defense.
Kweisi Mfume: Support defense conversion; end Cuba trade embargo.
Paul Hodes: Take any and all reasonable action to defend our citizens.
Daryl Northrop: Decrease defense spending; less weapons R&D.
Daryl Northrop: Eliminate National missile defense.
Betsy Summers: Maintain Status on Defense Spending.
Betsy Summers: Maintain Status on National missile defense.
Lee Jones: More spending on Armed Forces personnel & readiness.
Lee Jones: Decrease spending on National missile defense.
James Gray: Greatly Decrease funding for National missile defense.
E.J. Pipkin: Increase spending on troops and intel.
E.J. Pipkin: Increase spending on weapons and maintain SDI.
Wayne Sowell: More $ for troops, less $ for weapons.
Wayne Sowell: Continue with National missile defense.
Al King: More funding for troops and intel.
Al King: More funding for military R&D and NMD.
Art Small: More money for troops and intel.
Art Small: Eliminate National missile defense but keep R&D.
Mike Liffrig: More funding for troops and intel.
Mike Liffrig: More funding for R&D and NMD.
|
Immigration
Darrel Hunter: Decrease the number of legal & illegal immigrants.
Darrel Hunter: Mexicans should improve Mexico so Mexicans don’t immigrate.
Karen Bass: Human services for immigrants and their children.
Daryl Northrop: Social programs ok; and amnesty for immigrants.
Mel Martinez: Amnesty rewards lawlessness.
Betsy Summers: More visas; more amnesty.
Lee Jones: Establish official English.
Eric Fingerhut: Attract the best and the brightest from around the world.
E.J. Pipkin: Official English, & detain people from terrorist countries.
Wayne Sowell: Official English and decreased immigration.
Art Small: Amnesty and social programs for resident aliens.
James Gray: More agricultural worker visas.
Marvin Scott: Offical English; secure our borders.
|
Jobs
Greg Parke: Discontinue affirmative action; reduce employment regulation.
Tim Chesnut: Increase the state minimum wage.
Mel Martinez: Eliminate government regulations to encourage expansion.
|
Social Security
Darrel Hunter: Congress broke contract by increasing retirement age to 67.
John Boozman: Invest payroll taxes in individual private accounts.
Kris Kobach: Allow self-managed private retirement accounts.
Paul Hodes: Protect Social Security.
Daryl Northrop: Apply Social Security tax to all earnings.
Nancy Farmer: Don’t tinker with Social Security.
Betsy Summers: Privatize Social Security.
Eric Fingerhut: Guarantee long-term viability of Social Security.
Wayne Sowell: Allow opt-out but keep system intact.
Al King: Keep the promise but allow private accounts.
Art Small: Keep defined benefit program.
Mike Liffrig: Invest payroll tax in self-managed private accounts.
James Gray: Keep promises but allow young to privately invest.
Marvin Scott: Allow private payroll tax investment.
|
Tax Reform
Darrel Hunter: Repeal the estate tax and dividends tax.
Kweisi Mfume: No tax cuts, except capital gains.
Paul Hodes: Keep the estate tax; keep the dividend tax.
Daryl Northrop: Keep estate tax and dividends tax.
Betsy Summers: Abolish the income tax.
Eric Fingerhut: Keep estate tax and dividends tax.
E.J. Pipkin: End estate tax and marriage penalty.
Wayne Sowell: Lower taxes on poor; more taxes on wealthy.
Wayne Sowell: Eliminate dividend tax and marriage penalty.
Al King: Replace IRS with a National Sales Tax.
Mike Liffrig: Replace IRS with national sales tax.
|
Technology
Tina Liebling: Long-term investments in education and infrastructure.
|
War & Peace
Darrel Hunter: More troops in Iraq until stabilized.
Darrel Hunter: Use military against North Korean nuclear weapons program.
Kris Kobach: Keep US troops in Iraq; pay for it with Iraqi oil.
Kweisi Mfume: Only use military force in cooperation with UN.
Paul Hodes: Keep US troops in Iraq but internationalize the effort.
Eric Fingerhut: Keep US troops in UN peacekeeping missions.
|
Welfare & Poverty
Greg Parke: Direct federal poverty aid through religious organizations.
Deb Fischer: Redirect welfare funding to faith-based organizations.
John Boozman: Direct poverty aid via religious & non-profit organizations.
Robert Pittenger: Redirect welfare funding to faith-based organizations.
Tim Chesnut: Training, transport, & subsidies for welfare recipients.
Mel Martinez: HUD worked through religious organizations.
Betsy Summers: Abolish all federal welfare programs.
Lee Jones: Supports welfare block grants to states.
James Gray: No strings attached to federal welfare aid to state.
Mike Liffrig: Poverty aid through religious groups ok.
Marvin Scott: Support faith-based organizations.
Katherine Clark: More funds for TANF, public transit, and job training.
|
The above quotations are from 2004 Congressional National Political Awareness Test, by Project Vote Smart.
- 2020 Political Courage Test: House and Senate
- 2018 State legislation: House, Senate, and Governor
- 2016 State legislation: Presidential, Gubernatorial, and State
- 2013-2014 Political Courage Test: Gubernatorial & Senate, plus legislative records
- 2011-12 State legislation: House and Senate plus legislative records
- 2009-10 Political Courage Tests: Senatorial, Gubernatorial, and State legislation
- 2008 Political Courage Tests: Presidential, Gubernatorial, and Senatorial
- 2006 Political Awareness Tests: Gubernatorial and Senatorial
- 2004 Political Awareness Tests: Presidential, Gubernatorial, and Senatorial
- 2002 Political Awareness Tests: Gubernatorial and Senatorial
- 2000 Political Awareness Tests: Presidential and Congress
- 1996-1998 Political Awareness Tests: House, Senate, and State
- Collections of Voter Guides:
|
- American Family Association iVoterGuides:
- Science Debate Voter Guides:
- CampusElect.org Voter Guides:
- AARP voter guides:
- Vote-USA.org voter guides:
- Miscellaneous voter guides:
|
|
