Bill Weld in 2016 Vice-Presidential Debate

On Abortion: Supported abortion rights; moderate stance on social issues

As Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Mike Pence square off in the only vice-presidential debate, there might be some curiosity about Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson's running mate Bill Weld. Weld, like Johnson, is a former Republican governor of a Democratic-leaning state. He served as governor of Massachusetts from 1991 to 1997, and in 1994 won reelection by 71% of the vote in the most one-sided result in Massachusetts electoral history. As governor, he repeatedly cut taxes, while supporting environmental issues, gay rights, and abortion rights.

Things would go downhill for Weld after resigning in 1997 after being nominated to be ambassador to Mexico by President Bill Clinton. His nomination would be stalled by conservative N.C. Senator Jesse Helms, who objected to Weld's moderate stance on social issues. Weld would later make a failed bid to unseat Democrat John Kerry in the 1996 U.S. Senate election, and in 2006, he unsuccessfully ran in New York as a gubernatorial candidate.

Source: International Business Times: 2016 Vice-Presidential Debate Oct 4, 2016

On Foreign Policy: No alliances for intelligence: We have to do it ourselves!

[In response to Pence saying] "More taxes, more spending," under the Democrats, he is probably right about that.

[In response to Kaine's comment on the Iran nuclear deal]: Kaine not convincing re "safer or more dangerous" question. Trump's proposals are worse. (Nuclear weapons, Putin, abandon allies)

Kaine says the secret to intelligence work is "alliances." As a former federal prosecutor, I would disagree. We have to do it ourselves!

Source: Twitter posts on 2016 Vice-Presidential Debate Oct 4, 2016

On Principles & Values: Trump's agenda is hurtful to America & the world

The Libertarian vice presidential candidate, William Weld, said that he plans to focus exclusively on blasting Donald Trump over the next five weeks, a strategic pivot aimed at denying Trump the White House and giving himself a key role in helping to rebuild the GOP. Weld's comments mark a major shift in his mission since he pledged at the Libertarian convention in May that he would remain a Libertarian for life and would do all he could to help elect his running mate, Gary Johnson.

While Weld insisted he still supports Johnson, he said he is now interested primarily in blocking Trump from winning the presidency. Weld said he is focusing on Trump because, while he disagrees with Hillary Clinton on fiscal and military issues, Trump's agenda is so objectionable it's "in a class by itself."

"Mr. Trump's proposals in the foreign policy area, including nuclear proliferation, tariffs, and free trade, would be so hurtful, domestically and in the world, that he has my full attention," Weld said.

Source: Boston Globe on 2016 Vice-Presidential Debate Oct 4, 2016

The above quotations are from Vice-Presidential Debate, Oct. 4, 2016, moderated by Elaine Quijano of CBS News. Click here for main summary page. Click here for a profile of Bill Weld. Click here for Bill Weld on all issues.
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Page last updated: Dec 09, 2018