Survey of 2004 & 2008 Presidential campaign websites

OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Frank McEnulty: Abortion is moral issue best decided by a woman herself.     Chuck Baldwin: God begins human life at fertilization.     Brian Moore: Oppose all restrictions on access to abortion.     Barack Obama: Stem cells hold promise to cure 70 major diseases.     John Cox: Define unborn life as a fundamental right.     Michael Badnarik: Veto any legislation restricting right to choose.     Michael Badnarik: Oppose government control over the abortion issue.     David Cobb: Full reproductive freedom for women.     Wesley Clark: Let a woman and her doctors decide about reproductive health.     Wesley Clark: Women deserve access to birth control & reproductive choice.

Budget & Economy     Chuck Baldwin: Restore a debt free, interest free money system.     Duncan Hunter: Balance the budget by cutting spending, except in defense.     Duncan Hunter: Efficiency reform: remove duplicative & ineffective programs.     Mike Huckabee: Created state surplus in AR; cut spending to do same for US.     John Cox: Veto every federal budget that is not balanced, period.     Gary Nolan: Downsize the federal budget.     Wesley Clark: Plan for jobs-invest in security & budget relief to states.     Wesley Clark: A healthy economy depends on long-term deficit reduction.     Wesley Clark: Balance the budget & reduce long-term debt.     George W. Bush: Investment and aid to states will help economy rebound.     George W. Bush: Provides assistance to new small businesses.

Civil Rights     Frank McEnulty: No constitutional amendment for flag burning.     Brian Moore: Assure equal rights by gender, race, & age.     Brian Moore: End all restrictions on marriages and sodomy laws.     Duncan Hunter: Hate crimes on sexual orientation threaten equal protection.     Barack Obama: Better enforce women’s pay equity via Equal Pay Act.     Barack Obama: Strengthen the Americans with Disabilities Act.     John Cox: Swift passage of the Federal Marriage Amendment.     Jim Gilmore: Oppose gay marriage AND so-called civil unions.     Ralph Nader: Patriot Act associated with abuse of Muslim’s civil rights.     Michael Badnarik: Help minorities by removing barriers to self-employment.     Michael Badnarik: Let people, including gays, marry as they see fit.     David Cobb: US history is constant struggle for more democracy.     David Cobb: Affirmative action for people of color and women.     David Cobb: Support Native Peoples to protect their treaty rights.     David Cobb: Marriage equality for lesbians and gays.     Wesley Clark: Eliminate wage gap for women.     Wesley Clark: Strong enforcement of Civil Rights Act including hate crimes.     Wesley Clark: Don’t compromise freedom for problems like terrorism.

Corporations     Chuck Baldwin: Restore manufacturing base, not multinational corporations.     Brian Moore: Cap and reduce corporate profits and executive salary.     Barack Obama: End tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas.     Barack Obama: Hold corporations responsible for pensions & work conditions.     John Cox: Level playing field for family farms over corporate farms.     David Cobb: Priorities include ending transnational corporate empire.

Crime     Frank McEnulty: Death penalty is a state issue.     Mike Gravel: Eliminate mandatory minimum sentencing laws.     Michael Badnarik: Require offenders to compensate their victims.     David Cobb: Criminal justice system permeated with race & class bias.     David Cobb: No private, for-profit prisons.     Michael Badnarik: End mandatory minimums for drug offendors.     Gary Nolan: End profiling based on stereotypes.     John Edwards: More DNA testing to reduce wrongful capital convictions.     Howard Dean: Death penalty for extreme and heinous crimes.     Howard Dean: Apply death penalty fairly & strengthen protections.

Drugs     Brian Moore: Cutoff all U.S. military aid to Colombia.     Mike Gravel: War on drugs loses an entire generation to our prisons.     Michael Badnarik: Self-medication should be up to individuals, not government.     Michael Badnarik: Drug War also has funded terrorism.     Michael Badnarik: Block federal spending on the War on Drugs.     Gary Nolan: Repeal failed policy of federal drug laws.     John Edwards: Disparity in penalty for crack vs. powder is not justified.     George W. Bush: $600M plan help 300,000 addicts via vouchers.     George W. Bush: Use faith-based programs for addicted Americans.     Howard Dean: Hammer the dealers; treat the casual users.

Education     Frank McEnulty: Prayer in school is not about separating church & state.     Chuck Baldwin: Tax relief for homeschooling, private & religious schools.     Chuck Baldwin: Disband the Department of Education; it’s unconstitutional.     Bob Barr: Don’t let California home schooling ban spread.     Brian Moore: Promote universal access to education.     Duncan Hunter: Supports vouchers & home schooling.     Barack Obama: STEP UP: summer learning opportunities for disadvantaged.     Barack Obama: First Senate bill: increase Pell Grant from $4,050 to $5,100.     John Cox: School monopoly is problem; competition is answer.     Wesley Clark: No vouchers for private schools.     Wesley Clark: Fund Elementary & Secondary Education Act and more.     Wesley Clark: Fully fund Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.     Wesley Clark: Would support initiatives to make teaching prestigious.     Wesley Clark: School buildings must be safe places to learn.     Wesley Clark: Develop flexible systems to measure schools’ success.     Wesley Clark: Will ensure universal access to pre-school.     Wesley Clark: Education includes job transitioning for adults.     George W. Bush: Increased per-student funding by almost 60%.     George W. Bush: Reading First program successful.     George W. Bush: “No Child Left Behind” increases accountability.     George W. Bush: Local control is core principle of successful education.     George W. Bush: Give options for kids trapped in failing schools.     George W. Bush: Increased funding to $200M for charter schools.     George W. Bush: Public schools are America’s great hope.     George W. Bush: Increased school funding by $11B since taking office.

Energy & Oil     Frank McEnulty: National campaign for energy independence in 10 years.     Brian Moore: Support Kyoto; phaseout nuclear; develop alternatives.     John Cox: Support domestic drilling; oppose Kyoto Treaty.     Mike Gravel: Make Global Warming a matter of national security.     Michael Badnarik: End oil company subsidies & restrictions on alternatives.     David Cobb: Move towards energy independence from renewable sources.     David Cobb: Subsidize clean renewables instead of oil & nuclear.     David Cobb: $300B per year to fund clean energy in poor countries.     George W. Bush: $1.2B to develop hydrogen fuel via private partnerships.     George W. Bush: Reduce greenhouse gas intensity by 18% over next decade.

Environment     Frank McEnulty: Set aside some open space; exploit some for minerals.     Chuck Baldwin: Champion property rights & oppose eminent domain abuse.     Mike Huckabee: Stewardship of the air and land and soil is very important.     Bob Barr: Human beings are more important than mussels.     Brian Moore: Public ownership of all natural resources.     Brian Moore: Support sustainable organic agriculture & family farms.     Duncan Hunter: Opposes Kelo property rights; restrict eminent domain.     Barack Obama: Reduce mercury and lead to protect community health.     Barack Obama: Protect the Great Lakes & our National Parks and Forests.     Michael Badnarik: Protect the environment by defending property rights.     Wesley Clark: Reinvigorate EPA action on environmental justice.     Wesley Clark: Will enforce Clean Air Act, and no net loss of wetlands.     Wesley Clark: Will hold business accountable for toxic waste.     Wesley Clark: No drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.     Wesley Clark: Incentives for energy efficiency & alternative fuels.     Wesley Clark: Balance commercial exploitation with respect for nature.     Wesley Clark: Assist market-driven population adjustments, like in 1800s.     George W. Bush: Good stewardship is personal responsibility and public value.     George W. Bush: Clear Skies Initiative improves air quality now.     George W. Bush: Proposes $211M to cleaning up brownfields.     George W. Bush: Natural resources & environment funding in FY04 highest ever.

Families & Children     Duncan Hunter: Protect parental authority against “psychological” parents.     Mike Huckabee: Supports convenant marriage; adopted it in Arkansas.     John Cox: Government should be family friendly.     Wesley Clark: Give workers flexibility & increase production.     Wesley Clark: Same sex couples should have same rights as heterosexuals.     George W. Bush: New relief plans focus on the American family.

Foreign Policy     Chuck Baldwin: End international meddling of the New World Order.     Chuck Baldwin: No US participation in United Nations or world court.     Brian Moore: End US embargo against Cuba.     Duncan Hunter: Increase the burden-sharing at UN.     Barack Obama: Strengthen NATO to face 21st-century threats.     Barack Obama: $50B annually to strengthen weak states at risk of collapse.     Gary Nolan: End support of authoritarian regimes and dictators.     Wesley Clark: End China’s currency manipulation to help US manufacturers.     Wesley Clark: Establish “Civilian Reserve” for times of military need.     George W. Bush: Help poor countries around the world.

Free Trade     Chuck Baldwin: No North American Union; no NAFTA Superhighway.     Brian Moore: Fair trade instead of NAFTA, CAFTA, and WTO.     Barack Obama: Stand firm against CAFTA for labor & environmental standards.     John Cox: I support free but fair trade policies.     Michael Badnarik: Peace and free trade are mutually dependent.     David Cobb: Marched in Seattle against the WTO.     David Cobb: Withdraw from NAFTA and CAFTA.     Gary Nolan: Trade and non-intervention with all nations.     Wesley Clark: Labor rights are human rights: promote free and fair trade.     Wesley Clark: Free trade will work if terms are fair for labor.     Wesley Clark: Address shifts in production that come with free trade.     John Edwards: Against Fast Track--not enough for US workers.

Government Reform     Frank McEnulty: No activist judges.     Chuck Baldwin: Eliminate Food and Drug Administration as unconstitutional.     Brian Moore: Promote public funding of elections.     Barack Obama: Public campaign financing with free television & radio time.     Barack Obama: Create “Google for Government” to track government spending.     John Cox: Regulation should be governed by the free market.     John Cox: Disclosure is best disinfectant for diseased campaign system.     Mike Gravel: Repeal the Electoral College; enact federal term limits.     David Cobb: Proponent of Instant Runoff Voting.     David Cobb: No corporate campaign donations.     David Cobb: Voters Bill of Rights: clean elections, ballot access, more.     Michael Badnarik: Every regulator we fire creates 150 new jobs.     Wesley Clark: Balance government & market; balance state & federal.     Wesley Clark: Ensure government culture of transparency & accountability.

Gun Control     Frank McEnulty: Gun control laws should be decided at state level.     Chuck Baldwin: 2nd Amendment protects our liberty! Go buy a gun!     Duncan Hunter: Criminals prefer unarmed victims.     John Cox: Gun control doesn’t work.     Mike Gravel: Require license & training for gun ownership.     Michael Badnarik: Criminals won’t prey on armed victims.     Michael Badnarik: Gun control means being able to hit your target.     Wesley Clark: Enforce existing laws & close gun show loophole.     Wesley Clark: Renew ban on assault weapons, & hold gun makers accountable.

Health Care     Frank McEnulty: Healthcare costs burden the middle class.     Chuck Baldwin: Freedom of choice for all healthcare decisions.     Chuck Baldwin: No subsidies for HMOs; no forced vaccinations.     Brian Moore: 20 years work experience in HMO/ Managed Care industry.     Brian Moore: National single-payer healthcare system.     Barack Obama: Increase competition in the insurance and drug markets.     Barack Obama: National Health Insurance Exchange for private coverage.     John Cox: Competition brings down costs and improves efficiency.     Michael Badnarik: Tax credits for personal Health Savings Accounts.     David Cobb: Publicly funded, universal health care insurance.     Michael Badnarik: Excess regulations cause high pharmaceutical prices.     Wesley Clark: Insure children & make all coverage more affordable.     Wesley Clark: Promote good health through public health measures.     George W. Bush: Everyone should be able to choose a health plan.     George W. Bush: Senior Rx coverage without government dictates.     George W. Bush: Lift restrictions on Medical Savings Accounts.     George W. Bush: Supports passage of Patient’s Bill of Rights.     George W. Bush: Endorses billions more in health care funding.

Homeland Security     Frank McEnulty: Walk softly and carry a big stick; not world’s policeman.     Frank McEnulty: Patriot Act is scariest thing to happen to civil liberties.     Chuck Baldwin: Deploy a fully-operational strategic defense system.     Chuck Baldwin: Resist reducing benefits to veterans and their survivors.     Chuck Baldwin: Strong national defense that is second to none.     Chuck Baldwin: PATRIOT Act violates principles of 4th & 5th Amendments.     Bob Barr: Real ID Act is Big Government at its worst.     Brian Moore: Question the Patriot Act, prisoner abuse, & domestic spying.     Brian Moore: Reduce weaponry & defense spending significantly.     Barack Obama: Repeal Don’t-Ask-Don’t-Tell.     Barack Obama: Support veterans via the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act.     John Cox: Nuclear shield to make nuclear weapons obsolete.     Mike Gravel: Raze Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib prisons to the ground.     Ralph Nader: Repeal the Patriot Act; end secret detentions.     Michael Badnarik: Mideast hatred comes from US actions, not US lifestyle.     Gary Nolan: War on Terror has become war on civil liberties.     Gary Nolan: Bring our troops home from 140 countries.     Wesley Clark: Replace Dont-Ask-Dont-Tell with British policy.     George W. Bush: Created “Ready campaign” and Ready.Gov.     George W. Bush: Initiated reorganization of homeland defense.     George W. Bush: Increased security of critical infrastructure.     George W. Bush: Increased military pay by 4% per year.     George W. Bush: $400M for renovating and improving military housing.     George W. Bush: Missile defense for security, not for military advantage.     George W. Bush: Withdrew from ABM Treaty; now $9B for missile defense.     Howard Dean: Shift $1B per year from missile defense to threat reduction.     Howard Dean: Focus Pentagon budget on military personnel’s needs.

Immigration     Frank McEnulty: Slow down the onslaught so we can plan rationally.     Chuck Baldwin: Seal borders; no amnesty; no social services for illegals.     Brian Moore: Give sanctuary to illegal immigrants & full social services.     John Cox: Amnesty is not the answer, nor are guest workers.     Michael Badnarik: Eliminate restriction on work permits.     David Cobb: Amnesty for undocumented immigrants after 3 years.     Howard Dean: If immigrants work & pay taxes, give them citizenship.

Jobs     Chuck Baldwin: Reimpose tariffs on all foreign imports to keep jobs here.     Brian Moore: Mandate labor union representation.     Mike Huckabee: Supports farm subsidies & fully-funded crop insurance.     Barack Obama: Give public safety officers collective bargaining rights.     David Cobb: Organized union events for Teamsters, steelworkers, and UCFW.     Wesley Clark: Stop rewarding companies that shift jobs overseas.     Wesley Clark: Will support unions and a fair living wage.     Wesley Clark: Create best business environment, to create 1M jobs per year.     Wesley Clark: If labor assists with trade, minimum wage hikes will follow.     George W. Bush: Farm bill provides $40B over 10 years for conservation.     George W. Bush: Dedicated to improving economy through job growth.     George W. Bush: Passed 13 week extension of unemployment benefits.     George W. Bush: Not satisfied until everyone who wants a job can find one.     John Edwards: Increase the minimum wage again.     John Edwards: Support unions; ban striker replacements.

Principles & Values     Brian Moore: 35 Years of Civic Involvement.     Brian Moore: Candidate for Mayor, 1998, and for Congress, 2004.     Barack Obama: Active in the Trinity faith community.     John Cox: Constitution does not require freedom FROM religion.     George W. Bush: Building a Safer, Stronger and Better America.     David Cobb: Green party wins by disseminating message.     David Cobb: Rejects “spoiler” argument and rejects Electoral College.     Al Sharpton: Top Ten: Raise issues that would otherwise be overlooked.     Gary Nolan: Focus on issues where majority agree with Libertarians.     Wesley Clark: The 100 Year Vision: physical and legal environment.     Wesley Clark: 30-year challenges: provide social framework.     George W. Bush: Calls on Americans to be citizens, not spectators.

Social Security     Frank McEnulty: Raise the Social Security retirement age.     Mike Huckabee: Replace payroll tax & fund Social Security with FairTax.     Barack Obama: Stop any efforts to privatize Social Security.     John Cox: Private retirement accounts are best reform.     Mike Gravel: Put real money in the Trust Fund & invest it properly.     Gary Nolan: Replace Social Security system with IRAs.     Wesley Clark: Strengthen retirement security.     George W. Bush: Strengthen & modernize Social Security.     George W. Bush: Create Individual Development Accounts with low-income match.     George W. Bush: Ensure freedom of choice in retirement planning.     George W. Bush: Minimize investment risk through diversification.     George W. Bush: Strengthen women’s retirement via catch up contributions.

Tax Reform     Frank McEnulty: Move towards a simpler taxation structure.     Chuck Baldwin: End income tax, death tax, and property tax.     Brian Moore: Limit maximum income to 10 times minimum income.     John Cox: Eliminate the IRS; support the Fair Tax.     John Cox: Eliminate the Death Tax; veto all tax increases.     Mike Gravel: Repeal the income tax and close down the IRS.     Gary Nolan: Dems raise taxes on us; GOP raises taxes on our children.     Wesley Clark: Tax simplification via a $2,250 child tax credit.     Wesley Clark: Families First tax plan: fair,progressive,simple,responsible.     George W. Bush: Bush 2003 economic plan accelerates 2001 tax cuts.     George W. Bush: Tax relief allows saving & spending more of your own money.     George W. Bush: Deliver substantial tax relief to 91 million Americans.     George W. Bush: Everyone benefits from dividend tax reform.     George W. Bush: Married with children -- taxes drop 96%.     George W. Bush: Reduction in dividend taxes benefits 35 million people.     George W. Bush: Make the end of the death tax permanent.

Technology     Chuck Baldwin: Bush has built a universal surveillance society.     Mike Huckabee: Infrastructure: Stimulus, Safety, Security, & Sustainability.     Brian Moore: Invest in rural infrastructure & public transportation.     Duncan Hunter: Supports broadcast decency enforcement & Parent Empowerment.     Barack Obama: Increase funding for basic research; expand broadband access.

War & Peace     Chuck Baldwin: We have become an occupation force in sovereign Iraq.     Brian Moore: Stop the Iraq War immediately.     John Cox: Must win in Iraq; fight terror over there, not over here.     Mike Gravel: Commence an immediate and orderly withdrawal from Iraq.     Michael Badnarik: More Americans are opposing Iraq War.     Gary Nolan: Defense like response to 9/11 is primary role of govt.     George W. Bush: Increased spending by $15B to fight terrorism.     John Edwards: Work with other nations in war on terror.     John Edwards: Supported Iraq invasion because of WMD threat.

Welfare & Poverty     Brian Moore: Expand welfare with guaranteed income for all.     Duncan Hunter: Empower the poor instead of government “hand outs”.     Barack Obama: Engages people of faith on all aspects of his public service.     Wesley Clark: Lift 2 million children out of poverty by 2008.     Wesley Clark: Promote homeownership; end redlining; end predatory lending.     Howard Dean: $100B Initiative to Strengthen America’s Cities.     George W. Bush: One of first acts was establishing faith-based initiatives.     George W. Bush: Created USA Freedom Corps to strengthen culture of service.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Al Sharpton Democrat Barack Obama Democratic President (elected 2008) Bob Barr Libertarian Brian Moore Socialist Chuck Baldwin Constitution Party David Cobb Green Duncan Hunter Republican Frank McEnulty New American Independent Party Gary Nolan Libertarian George W. Bush Republican Howard Dean Democrat Jim Gilmore Republican presidential candidate John Cox California Republican candidate for California Governor John Edwards Democrat Michael Badnarik Libertarian Mike Gravel Democrat Mike Huckabee Arkansas Republican Presidential candidate Ralph Nader Green Wesley Clark Democrat