Jason Kander in 2016 MO Senate race

On Abortion: Supports public funding for Planned Parenthood

Blunt: No

Kander: Yes

Q: On Abortion: Should abortion be highly restricted?

Blunt: Yes

Kander: No

Q: On Contraception: Should employers be able to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if they disagree with it morally?

Blunt: Yes

Kander: No

On Budget & Economy: Supports federal spending to promote economic growth

Blunt: No

Kander: Yes

Q: On Financial Regulation: Support the Dodd-Frank Act, which established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and increases regulation of Wall Street corporations and financial institutions?

Blunt: No

Kander: Yes

Q: On Taxes: Increase taxes on corporations and/or high-income individuals to pay for public services?

Blunt: No. Signed Americans for Tax Reform Pledge to oppose "any and all" tax increases to raise revenue.

Kander: Unclear. As legislator, focused on balancing budget without raising taxes.

On Crime: End school-to-prison pipeline

Blunt: Unknown

Kander: End "school-to-prison pipeline" and "ban the box" to increase post-incarceration opportunities.

On Drugs: Supports medical marijuana

Blunt: No, but voted against federal interference with medical marijuana states.

Kander: Supports medical marijuana. No clear position on recreational.

On Foreign Policy: Supports Iranian nuclear deal

Blunt: No

Kander: No

Q: On Iraq: Should the US recommit significant additional ground troops to Iraq to combat the success of ISIS?

Blunt: Will not rule out sending ground troops to Iraq, "if there is an end goal in mind."

Kander: Only as last resort. Supports engaging "militarily, economically, and even on the Internet"

On Gun Control: Support 2nd amendment rights AND background checks

Senator Blunt has been attacking me on guns. [Inserts bolt release lever and then bolt carrier].

Well, in the army, I learned to use and respect my rifle. In Afghanistan, I volunteered to be an extra gun in a convoy of unarmored SUVs. And in the state legislature I supported Second Amendment rights. [Attaches receiver to barrel assembly].

I also believe in background checks so the terrorists get their hands on one of these [assembling last piece into place and removing blindfold]. I approve this message [extends shoulder stock and locks it into place with a loud click] because I'd like to see Senator Blunt do this.

[Removes blindfold and holds fully-assembled rifle.] [Text: Jason Kander for U.S. Senate]

On Corporations: Close tax loopholes for companies that send jobs overseas

Jason Kander: I will fight to close tax loopholes for companies that send jobs overseas and work to make sure our tax system provides targeted tax relief for small businesses and the middle class so working families can get ahead. We need to make sure the minimum wage is a livable wage, women earn equal pay for equal work and higher education is an affordable option for all.

On Homeland Security: The U.S. can't tolerate cowardly acts of terrorism

Jason Kander: As a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, keeping our country safe is my top priority. ISIS is the greatest threat facing our country and the U.S. can't tolerate cowardly acts of terrorism. Congress needs to come together to develop a targeted, comprehensive plan to destroy ISIS and work together with our allies so our brave soldiers have a coherent strategy.

On Abortion: Endorsed by NARAL for perfect pro-choice voting records

"Jason Kander has consistently demonstrated his commitment to protecting Missouri women and families," said the NARAL Pro-Choice America National Political Director. "Kander is a leader who understands that women's success is America's success and that means making sure women have access to a full range of reproductive health services, including abortion care. Whether opposing partisan efforts to defund Planned Parenthood or fighting to ensure women have access to basic health care, he's made one thing very clear: women's reproductive freedom is a top priority. Jason Kander is the kind of leaders Missouri women and families need in Congress."

On Free Trade: Let farmers sell to Cuba: a billion dollar industry

Jason spoke about how Congress used the enormous omnibus spending bill late last year to sneak in the special-interest driven repeal of country-of- origin labeling requirement. He also pointed out that while Sen. Blunt purports to be a free trade advocate, he doesn't believe Missouri farmers and ranchers should be able to sell their products to Cuba even though it could be a billion dollar industry.

On Energy & Oil: Climate change is a real consequence of human activity

Jason supports investments in technologies of the future that will create jobs in Missouri and provide for alternative energy sources. This includes support for wind, solar, and geothermal energy, as well as hydropower. He also believes we should provide tax relief to families and businesses that make their homes and offices more efficient.

Jason supported the Missouri Clean Energy Act, the renewable electricity standard that passed in a statewide vote in 2008, and opposed the Missouri Legislature's rollback of that policy. Unfortunately, that rollback removed the requirement that Missouri utilities use Missouri-based providers of renewables, which has cost Missouri energy jobs.

On Environment: Protect our state's air & water for future generations

Jason wants his son to be able to grow up in a world with breathable air and drinkable water, and to be able to have the same trips to the Lake of the Ozarks that Jason's family took when he was growing up.

On War & Peace: Iraq War was a huge strategic error, and I said so then

KANDER: No.

Q: Why?

KANDER: At this point, everybody agrees that that was a huge strategic error. If you watch, for instance, what's going on in the Republican debate for the presidency, you see, overwhelmingly, everyone on both sides of the aisle seems to agree that was a mistake. And that's something I understood that at the time, and Senator Blunt did not.

Q: Should President Obama should have kept troops in Iraq instead of a complete withdrawal?

KANDER: I think that the focus at this point has got to be what we do now. I feel the president could have done a better job explaining what we need to do now to combat ISIS rather than talk about what we've been doing.

Q: You don't think the president did a good job addressing the nation about ISIS?

KANDER: I thought the president could have done a better job.

On War & Peace: Engage ISIS, including ground troops as a last resort

KANDER: We have to be willing to engage ISIS militarily, economically, and even on the Internet without delay. For instance, I think we waited too long to engage al-Qaida and the Taliban in Pakistan. And we should not make a similar mistake with ISIS elements throughout the world.

Q: You think we should send additional troops in Syria or Iraq?

KANDER: Ground troops have to be a last resort. I think they should always be a last resort. But as I think we have that conversation going forward, we need to make sure it's not just a conversation of whether we should send people in, but also how those people get out. I think in the past we have not always had that conversation. But it's clear that as we go forward, if military leaders say that that is the only way we are going to be able to destroy ISIS, then that's what we're going to have to.

On Immigration: Agree with Obama immigration plan, but not executive action

• Kander said he agreed with some of [Obama's] proposed immigration changes, but he objected to using the executive-order route when it appeared Congress is deadlocked on the matter.
• Kander criticized a congressional Republican immigration reform plan as `right-wing wall building.`

On Government Reform: OpEd AdWatch: "Pandering Panda" caters to lobbyists

The YouTube ad features a person dressed in a panda suit in various locations throughout Washington. The panda character alternates between holding a burlap sack full of money and a hand-drawn sign that reads, `I love Obama.` The ad also features clips of real pandas and high pitched voices making claims about Kander `pandering` for money in Washington.

Kander, a Democrat, is hoping to unseat Sen. Roy Blunt, a Republican who has held the office since 2011. Among the charges in the NRSC ad is the claim that Kander is `attending fancy dinners all over the country.`

On Government Reform: FactCheck: Has more MO donors & less PAC money than opponent

• March 4, Washington: Porterfield, Lowenthal, Fettig & Sears (lobbying firm)
• May 20: Washington: Hosted by Sen. Chris Murphy and various lobbyists
• May: Las Vegas: hosted by Harry Reid
• Date unknown: Martha's Vineyard
• Date unknown: Philadelphia

[Comparing to Kander's opponent Senator Roy Blunt]: Blunt's money is 49.8% PAC donations, totaling $1.2 million compared to Kander's $176,650, totaling 11.6%. In total itemized contributions, Blunt has 516 Missouri donors resulting in $581,647, compared to Kander's 835 Missouri donors for $679,816.

On Civil Rights: SCOTUS has spoken: support gay marriage nationwide

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, a Democrat: "The history of our country has always been one of moving toward inclusion and equality. I applaud the court for their courage and strong sense of fairness. Missourians should be seen as equals under the law; regardless of their gender, race, or whom they love."

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, a Democrat: "Today's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges is a major victory for equality and an important step toward a fairer and more just society for all Americans. No one should be discriminated against because of who they are or who they love. In the coming days, I will be taking all necessary and appropriate actions to ensure this decision is implemented throughout the state of Missouri."

Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander, a Democrat: "SCOTUS has spoken! #Equality" (Twitter)

On Free Trade: Trans-Pacific Partnership should not be fast-tracked

The Senate passed the bill by a 62-37 vote; Kander's campaign pointed to a report which noted $77,9000 in campaign contributions from members of a business coalition backing the Trans-Pacific Partnership to Blunt. "It is clear that Senator Blunt's vote is for sale to the highest bidder," said Kander's campaign manager. "Jason opposed fast tracking TPP because, unlike Senator Blunt, he believes a trade deal this big should get a full vetting from Congress instead of giving the President special power to negotiate on his own," the campaign manager said. "Missourians deserve a senator like Jason who will stand up to special interests and the President when Missouri jobs are on the line."

On Civil Rights: Protect GLBT employees under nondiscrimination policy

"This is the right thing to do. Hiring and advancement decisions should be about an employee's performance and their potential, and I think we can all agree on that," Kander said. "An employee's sexual orientation should have no bearing on those types of decisions."

When he was a member of the Missouri House in 2011, the Democrat supported the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act, which did not pass the legislature. Kander says such legislation would not only benefit LGBT employees but also companies and employers. "They're good for any organization," Kander said. "They boost morale, increase retention, and allow us, as an employer, to better compete for talent."