Interviews and analysis of presidential primary hopefuls during 2023

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

Abortion     Asa Hutchinson: Americans want to restrict abortion with right exceptions.     Asa Hutchinson: Have to do better in child birth care and adoption services.     Chris Christie: No federal ban on abortion without national consensus.     Francis Suarez: Supports a 15-week federal abortion ban, not yet for 6-week.     Mike Pence: I'd like to see Mifepristone taken off the market.     Nikki Haley: Some states are pro-life, some err on side of abortion.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Supports abortion rights, but every abortion is a tragedy.     Vivek Ramaswamy: I believe that abortion is a form of murder.     Stephen Laffey: Happy Roe overturned; leave it to the states to decide.     Francis Suarez: Exceptions for rape, incest and life-threatening emergencies.     Doug Burgum: I support the Dobbs decision but wouldn't sign a federal ban.     Mike Pence: Err on the side of life to give unborn child every chance.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Keep government away from women's childbearing choices.

Budget & Economy     Vivek Ramaswamy: Unleash the animal inside the heart of the American economy.     Asa Hutchinson: I plan to reduce federal civilian employment by 10%.     Francis Suarez: Vowed to make Miami bitcoin hub; as mayor, paid in bitcoin.     Marianne Williamson: We are living at the effect of an unjust economic system.     Nikki Haley: Our children will never forgive us for $31 trillion in debt.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Shift budget from military to domestic spending.     Francis Suarez: Reduce spending and taxes.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Unleash the Beast and grow our way out of problems.     Chris Christie: Biden responsible for inflation: Jimmy Carter of the 2020s.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: American economy is in trouble for most people.     Chase Oliver: Veto any budget Congress sends that is not balanced.     Chase Oliver: Reckless spending by both parties causes reckless inflation.

Civil Rights     Francis Suarez: The diversity of our city is a strength for us.     Cornel West: Focusing on diversity is a very narrow criteria to use.     Perry Johnson: Leftists drives wedges among us in dealing with race.     Will Hurd: Use diversity to solve the major problems that we're facing.     Asa Hutchinson: Move beyond race-based admissions; fight identity politics.     Marianne Williamson: Declare transgender murder/suicide a national emergency.     Joe Biden: Rights for women and minorities part of our shared humanity.     Chase Oliver: I'm armed and gay: armed gays are harder to bash.     Chase Oliver: Don't tell LGBTQ people who to be or how to live.

Corporations     Asa Hutchinson: Not government's role to punish business for their views .     Asa Hutchinson: Punishing business for exercising speech is heavy-handed.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Rebuild industrial infrastructure and undo off-shoring.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Our kids can't buy homes because of corporate accumulation.     Chase Oliver: End tax cuts for big businesses & not small businesses.

Crime     Asa Hutchinson: Promise to pardon Trump undermines the rule of law.     Asa Hutchinson: Don't erode confidence in our entire criminal justice system.     Chris Christie: We need change at DOJ: remove anyone who shows partisanship.     Larry Elder: Proposes removing soft-on-crime, George Soros-backed DAs.     Mike Pence: Radical left responsible for NYC prosecution of Trump.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Release Sirhan Sirhan; doesn't believe he shot RFK.     Stephen Laffey: Reform the FBI.     Will Hurd: Teach de-escalation; ensure no one dies in police custody.     Asa Hutchinson: Shouldn't promise pardons during presidential campaign.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Trump should not be convicted of a process crime.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: JFK assassination and coverup with CIA involvement.

Drugs     Francis Suarez: Federal cannabis policy needs to catch up with the states.     Stephen Laffey: Legalization of marijuana is hurting the business climate.     Donald Trump: Cannabis is popular, but it does damage.     Francis Suarez: Companies in China spawn fentanyl precursors for cartels.     Asa Hutchinson: Use economic pressure on Mexico to fight against fentanyl.

Education     Francis Suarez: Expanding "Don't Say Gay" to all grades is excessive.     Francis Suarez: Miami has always led on school choice.     Mike Pence: There was racial inequity in education system; no longer.     Tim Scott: Started the School Choice Caucus & they work.     Will Hurd: We've done terribly preparing students of color for college.     Clarence Thomas: Race is not to blame: end college affirmative action.     Mike Pence: Student loan forgiveness not about helping the middle class.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Invest in public schools but with vouchers & parental choice.     Will Hurd: Colleges can still consider race without affirmative action.     Will Hurd: First Republican to say that slavery is not a jobs program.     Chase Oliver: Let schools & parents decide on LGBTQ books in libraries.     Ryan Binkley: Defends Texas law allowing chaplains in public schools.     Donald Trump: Shut down Department of Education; send it back to states.

Energy & Oil     Corey Stapleton: Free-market capitalism is key to addressing global warming.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Climate crisis used to push totalitarian controls on society.     Stephen Laffey: Nuclear power plant needs less land than wind or solar.     Francis Suarez: Climate change is a serious threat; reduce emissions .     Nikki Haley: There can be solar and wind, but you can't do it tomorrow.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Stop subsidizing carbon--and nuclear plants cost too much.

Environment     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: End toxic polarization: only environmentalist on Fox News.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Good environmental policy identical to good economic policy.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Riverkeepers: Sue polluters to clean up Hudson River.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: 1995: "The Kennedy Who Matters" for environmental law.

Families & Children     Asa Hutchinson: Don't want government interfering with parental decisions.     Chris Christie: Government shouldn't interfere with parents on gender care.     Chase Oliver: No state mandates on transgender girls athletics.

Foreign Policy     Corey Stapleton: Sustained peace gained by strength of US, European allies.     Doug Burgum: Support Ukraine: an opportunity for US and NATO.     Francis Suarez: Asks "What's a Uyghur?" during interview .     Mike Pence: Russia military conduct isn't just warfare; it's evil.     Nikki Haley: Time to start actually being aggressive with China.     Perry Johnson: Ridiculous to send $113B to Ukraine when we're going broke.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Opposing Russia in Ukraine is not a top priority for us.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Russia/China alliance is the top threat America faces.     Will Hurd: Push the Russians out of Crimea & out of the Donbass.     Will Hurd: China is trying to surpass us as a global superpower.     Stephen Laffey: Hawkish on Israel, liberal Jewish critics are self-loathing.     Corey Stapleton: Restore America's image and power abroad.     Chris Christie: Aid to Ukraine degrades Russian army; sends message to China.     Doug Burgum: I think Putin is running a large criminal organization.     Mike Pence: This is all about America being the leader of the free world.     Mike Pence: Arming Ukraine sends a deafening message to communist China.     Nikki Haley: We need to deal with China as the threat that they are.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Stop weaponizing the US dollar to avoid world currency.     Joe Biden: We stand with regional bodies to support constitutional rule.     Joe Biden: U.S. and Vietnam show adversaries can become partners.     Joe Biden: We are for de-risking, not decoupling, with China.     Jill Stein: Attended Moscow event with Putin, says she was critical.     Chase Oliver: Let NATO & Europe defend Ukraine; US takes refugees.

Free Trade     Corey Stapleton: I generally believe in free trade (not protectionism).     Francis Suarez: Defends embargo on Cuba; doesn't think it's cruel.     Francis Suarez: China is a threat; get US companies out.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Compete with China and we win without war.     Joe Biden: India/Middle East/Europe connection will have impact.     Chase Oliver: Free markets & free trade; not central planning.     Ryan Binkley: There must be a level playing field for fair trade.

Government Reform     Asa Hutchinson: Supreme Court needs to be transparent on reporting rules.     Doug Burgum: Innovation is what drives country forward, not regulation.     Francis Suarez: Supports cryptocurrency but it needs to be regulated.     Francis Suarez: No need for a police force to investigate election fraud.     Larry Elder: Set up voter integrity website in 2021 recall election .     Vivek Ramaswamy: Shut down the FBI and replace it with something new.     Stephen Laffey: Close primaries to registered party members only.     Stephen Laffey: Term limits for House and Senate.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Raise voting age to 25 for the majority of U.S. voters.     Mike Pence: Going to clean house among senior leadership at DOJ.     Nikki Haley: Clean up weaponized, politicized Department of Justice.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Fire 75% of the federal work force and shutter agencies.     Donald Trump: Throw out rules & articles after massive 2020 election fraud.

Gun Control     Francis Suarez: Cities with the strictest gun laws have the most homicides.     Mike Pence: Recent gun tragedies reflect fear of crime wave.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Mass shootings linked to antidepressants & video games .     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Common sense gun control, and assault weapons ban.     Ryan Binkley: Gun violence is a spiritual and health issue.

Health Care     Perry Johnson: We need competition across state lines for all insurance .     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Would put Dr. Fauci on trial over COVID vaccines.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Gender dysphoria is suffering; we're creating more of it.     Francis Suarez: Focus on healthy lifestyle through physical fitness.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Gut the FDA and its corrupt regulations.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Public option not right thing, unless part of single-payer.

Homeland Security     Perry Johnson: Defense was never more important than it is today.     Vivek Ramaswamy: We are way behind; need modern Monroe Doctrine.     Chase Oliver: China just an excuse to fund military industrial complex.

Immigration     Asa Hutchinson: Pass border security first, then immigration reform.     Francis Suarez: Connect immigration to employment, declining birth rate.     Nikki Haley: Instead of catch and release, let's go to catch and deport.     Will Hurd: There are common sense solutions, but pols have to sell them.     Stephen Laffey: Increase infrastructure at the border; pass legislation.     Francis Suarez: Aggressive policies adversely impact small businesses .     Vivek Ramaswamy: Military force to secure the border; then universally deport.     Chris Christie: Trump didn't do anything to make immigration laws stronger.     Joe Biden: Let Title 42 expire: more humanitarian asylum policy.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: War on Drugs creates desperate conditions south of border.     Chase Oliver: Comprehensive reform gets millions out of shadows.     Chase Oliver: Immigration crisis created by government, not by immigrants.

Jobs     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: I believe in labor unions & a robust middle class.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Yes living wage; no universal basic income.

Principles & Values     Vivek Ramaswamy: Defining political debate is pro-American vs. anti-American.     Doug Burgum: The best of America is when neighbors help neighbors.     Asa Hutchinson: Put the office of presidency and our country above yourself.     Chris Christie: Unacceptable to pressure officials to alter election results.     Chris Christie: Will take pledge to support nominee as seriously as Trump.     Chris Christie: America didn't become great by pulling up the drawbridge.     Corey Stapleton: Formed a band called Corey Stapleton and The Pretty Pirates.     Doug Burgum: The best of America is when neighbors help neighbors.     Francis Suarez: Parents came here for freedom; experienced American Dream.     Francis Suarez: Most important part of my day is time I spend with Jesus.     Francis Suarez: I believe America is still a shining city on a hill.     Marianne Williamson: I want to disrupt the system, not perpetuate it.     Mike Pence: I'm a Bible-believing Christian.     Mike Pence: America is the leader of the free world.     Mike Pence: United States is the gold standard of justice in the world.     Tim Scott: Progressive left makes America into a grievance culture.     Tim Scott: A world without America is a very dark place.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Blames Biden for special counsel & indictment of Trump.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Deliver national unity with our shared American identity.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Capitalism has to stay apolitical to bring us together.     Vivek Ramaswamy: To put America first, we need to rediscover what America is.     Will Hurd: Christian Nationalism advocates for American theocracy.     Chris Christie: Politicians pit groups against each other to create conflict.     Doug Burgum: The president is supposed to bring people together.     Mike Pence: The freedom of religion is our first freedom.     Vivek Ramaswamy: For my part, I stand for the America first agenda.     Will Hurd: Character matters; service matters; US has a world role.     Mike Pence: We all face the judgment of history, as will Trump.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: America without censorship: I'm not a cancel-culture guy.     Dean Phillips: Part of informal Jewish caucus when need arises.     Dean Phillips: His grandmother was advice columnist Dear Abby.     Dean Phillips: Don't amplify "America First Caucus" about hate & ignorance.     Jill Stein: Born into Jewish family, stresses she's no longer practicing.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: 1980s: Failed the bar exam; struggled with drug addiction.     Donald Trump: OpEd: Rose in reaction to fear of Obama, like Tea Party .

Social Security     Mike Pence: Let younger Americans invest a portion of their payroll tax.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Protect Social Security; needs more study.     Stephen Laffey: Freeze current system for people in it; reform for future.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Let seniors work; invest Trust Fund in diversified portfolio.     Chase Oliver: Allow opt out right now; then close up shop responsibly.

Tax Reform     Francis Suarez: Reduced taxes to lowest level ever and we grew by 12%.     Francis Suarez: Lower taxes to the lowest level in recorded history.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Exempt conversion of bitcoin from capital gains taxes .     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Stimulate economy without raising taxes.

Technology     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: CHIPS Act: Don't subsidize rich nor cut off trade with China.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Podcasts allow deplatformed candidates to reach voters.     Joe Biden: Working with world leaders to strengthen rules on AI.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Many illnesses caused by vaccines & 5G wireless technology.

War & Peace     Francis Suarez: US should consider potential military action in Cuba.     Francis Suarez: Military aid to Ukraine, with NATO equal burden.     Chris Christie: If Russia wins they'd soon cross border requiring US troops.     Will Hurd: Both Trump and Biden to blame for Afghanistan withdrawal.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Supports Minsk accord: Independent Donbas & annexed Crimea.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Russia's invasion of Ukraine is brutal; but not "unprovoked".     Dean Phillips: Defend Ukraine's sovereignty & seize Russian assets.     Dean Phillips: Condemn the depravity of Hamas, and Iran if they're involved.     Joe Biden: If Russia prevails in Ukraine can any nation feel secure?     Don Blankenship: Communist Party & China are not our friends.     Chase Oliver: Began political activism opposing the war in Iraq.     Ryan Binkley: In Ukraine, both sides have got to feel successful.

Welfare & Poverty     Francis Suarez: Faith-based groups helped solved Miami homelessness.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Guaranteed 3% mortgage for first-time homebuyers.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Asa Hutchinson Arkansas Republican presidential contender; AR Governor Chase Oliver Georgia Libertarian candidate for President Chris Christie New Jersey N.J. Governor; Republican Presidential candidate Clarence Thomas Republican Appointee to Supreme Court Corey Stapleton Montana MT Secretary of State; Republican Presidential Challenger Cornel West Green Party/People's Party candidate Dean Phillips Minnesota Democratic U.S. Rep & presidential Challenger Don Blankenship Constitution Party candidate for President Donald Trump Republican former President Doug Burgum North Dakota 2024 Presidential contender; Republican ND Governor Francis Suarez Florida Miami mayor; GOP presidential challenger (withdrew Oct.2023) Jill Stein Green Challenger Joe Biden Democratic President; former V.P.; former Senator Larry Elder California Republican presidential contender & talkshow host Marianne Williamson Democratic candidate for President Mike Pence Indiana Former Republican Vice President (withdrew Oct.2023) Nikki Haley South Carolina Republican presidential contender; UN Ambassador 2017-2018 Perry Johnson Illinois CEO & Republican presidential challenger Robert F. Kennedy Jr. District of Columbia Independent presidential Challenger Ryan Binkley Republican challenger for President; CEO and Pastor Stephen Laffey Rhode Island Republican presidential challenger Tim Scott South Carolina Republican presidential challenger; SC Senator Vivek Ramaswamy District of Columbia CEO & Republican Challenger Will Hurd Texas U.S. Rep; GOP presidential challenger (withdrew Oct.2023)