Interviews during 2017-2019: on Principles & Values

Donald Trump: 2016: Sought to nullify election after losing Iowa primary

"One of the losers in Iowa, the developer and television personality Donald J. Trump, soon accused Mr. Cruz of electoral theft. He fired off several inflammatory tweets, including this foreshadowing of our current democracy-testing moment [where Trump calls to nullify state results where Biden won]: 'Based on the fraud committed by Senator Ted Cruz during the Iowa Caucus, either a new election should take place or Cruz results nullified'."

"The episode vanished in the tsunami of political vitriol to come during the Trump presidency. Still, it reflects what those who have worked with Mr. Trump say is his modus operandi when trying to slip the humiliating epithet he has so readily applied to others: Loser."

Jo Jorgensen: Government should not interfere in matters of religion

A: It means what it says. The government should not interfere in matters of religion.

Q: Do you agree that religious liberty is at risk in the US and deserves the highest level of protection in the law?

A: Agree.

Kanye West: Name "Birthday Party" means more kids with more birthdays

Gloria La Riva: Art is an integral part of daily life, not a commodity

Kanye West: You're free if you stay away from pornography and Percocet

Donald Trump: I've been right probably more than anybody else

Q: But does that discredit you?

TRUMP: It's going to disappear and I'll be right. I don't think so.

Q: WALLACE: Right.

TRUMP: I don't think so. I don't think so. You know why? Because I've been right probably more than anybody else.

Donald Trump: My mother was like a saint, my father was most solid person

Kanye West: Trump allowing God to still be part of the conversation

Kanye West: God appoints the president

Kanye West: I put everything I get on the line to serve God

Jo Jorgensen: Coronavirus lockdown felt like "house arrest"

Rocky De La Fuente: Require highest ethical standards and oversight

Jo Jorgensen: Challenge cult of omnipotent state, defend individual rights

We hold that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives, and have the right to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others to live in whatever manner they choose.

Don Blankenship: Acknowledges blessing of Jesus Christ as ruler of US

Congress must exert the power it possesses to prohibit all federal courts from hearing cases which Congress deems to be outside federal jurisdiction pursuant to Article III, section 2 of the Constitution. We particularly support all the legislation which would remove from Federal appellate review jurisdiction matters involving acknowledgement of God as the sovereign source of law, liberty, or government.

Don Blankenship: Opposed to government involvement in gambling

Justin Amash: Don't need same rules from community to community

Justin Amash: Pushed libertarian ideas into Republican Party

Justin Amash: Blessing to be born here; this is the best country on Earth

Justin Amash: Most people are libertarian, not superpartisan & superangry

Most Americans are fairly libertarian. They understand that the government that works best is the one that's closest to home. You might think of your family as a sort of government and everyone recognizes that their family is a government that works better than a government that involves all of your neighbors, which works better than a government that involves your city or county, which works better than state, which works better than federal, which works better than the U.N. Everyone gets that.

Jesse Ventura: Would run as Green; Dems/GOP not the solution

Tom Steyer: I have been a grassroots organizer for 10 years

Marianne Williamson: International Day of Peace: Why only one day?

Don Blankenship: Wants to go from the "big house" to the White House

Joe Walsh: 2010: opposed by namesake rock star Joe Walsh

Joe Walsh: 2013: supported birtherism; 2019: apologized for it

Once Walsh announced his presidential candidacy, Walsh apologized for supporting Trump's candidacy and for pushing the myth that Obama is secretly a Muslim. He admitted that he never believed the story he pushed so hard on his radio show.

Donald Trump: LameStream Media are the Enemy of the People

The Fake News Media nowadays not only doesn't check for the accuracy of the facts, they knowingly make up the facts. They even make up sources in order to protect their partners, the Democrats. It is so wrong, but they don't even care anymore. They have gone totally CRAZY!!!!"

Bill Weld: All states should hold primaries, not just re-nominate Trump

It would be a critical mistake to allow the Democratic Party to dominate the national conversation during primary and caucus season. In the United States, citizens choose their leaders. The primary nomination process is the only opportunity for Republicans to have a voice in deciding who will represent our party. Let those voices be heard.

Joe Walsh: All states should hold primaries, not just re-nominate Trump

It would be a critical mistake to allow the Democratic Party to dominate the national conversation during primary and caucus season. In the United States, citizens choose their leaders. The primary nomination process is the only opportunity for Republicans to have a voice in deciding who will represent our party. Let those voices be heard.

Mark Sanford: All states should hold primaries, not just re-nominate Trump

It would be a critical mistake to allow the Democratic Party to dominate the national conversation during primary and caucus season. In the United States, citizens choose their leaders. The primary nomination process is the only opportunity for Republicans to have a voice in deciding who will represent our party. Let those voices be heard.

Lincoln Chafee: Surprised at how much he agrees with Libertarian Party

Joe Walsh: The "Age of Trump" woke him up to racism of past comments

Joe Walsh: Look into 25th amendment for Donald Trump

WALSH: It should be looked at. We've never had a situation like this. You can't believe a word he says. I don't care your politics, that should concern you. He's erratic. He's cruel. He stokes bigotry. He's incompetent. He doesn't know what he's doing. He's a narcissist. Everything he cares about, the only thing he cares about, is Trump. He doesn't give a damn about America. He doesn't care about the border.

Valerie McCray: Psychologist; sought presidential nomination in 2020

Joe Walsh: Opposing Trump because he's an "unfit divider in chief"

Walsh was elected in 2010 as part of the Tea Party movement and served one term. Initially a strong backer of Trump, he became a steady critic of the president and has called him "a danger to this country."

When asked whether he could secure financial resources to go up against Trump's treasure chest, Walsh responded: "Abso-freaking-lutely. There's a drumbeat from a lot of people out there for somebody who wants to take this on." Walsh contends that based on conversations he's had, he could win financial support "all over the spectrum."

Justin Amash: Partisanship undercutting our constitutional basis

In his Post op-ed, Amash wrote that devotion to party over principle had undermined "the most basic tenets of our constitutional order: separation of powers, federalism, and the rule of law."

Mark Sanford: Comeback to Congress in 2012; lost in GOP primary in 2018

The conceit of his candidacy is that Sanford's conservative credentials and favorite-son status in South Carolina could make the contest in that crucial early primary state competitive.

Justin Amash: Father immigrated as Palestinian refugee

Throughout my childhood, my dad would remind my brothers and me of the challenges he faced before coming here and how fortunate we were to be Americans. In this country, he told us, everyone has an opportunity to succeed regardless of background.

My parents, both immigrants, were Republicans. I supported Republican candidates throughout my early adult life and then successfully ran for office as a Republican. The Republican Party, I believed, stood for limited government, economic freedom and individual liberty--principles that had made the American Dream possible for my family.

Justin Amash: I've disenchanted and frightened by hyperpartisanship

True to George Washington's fears, Americans have allowed government officials, under assertions of expediency and party unity, to ignore the most basic tenets of our constitutional order: separation of powers, federalism and the rule of law. The result has been the consolidation of political power and the near disintegration of representative democracy.

In this hyperpartisan environment, congressional leaders use every tool to compel party members to stick with the team, dangling chairmanships, committee assignments, bill sponsorships, endorsements and campaign resources. As donors recognize the growing power of party leaders, they supply these officials with ever-increasing funds, which, in turn, further tightens their grip on power.

Justin Amash: Leaving the Republican Party to avoid partisan death spiral

But we owe it to future generations to stand up for our constitutional republic so that Americans may continue to live free for centuries to come. Preserving liberty means telling the Republican Party and the Democratic Party that we'll no longer let them play their partisan game at our expense.

Today, I am declaring my independence and leaving the Republican Party. No matter your circumstance, I'm asking you to join me in rejecting the partisan loyalties and rhetoric that divide and dehumanize us. I'm asking you to believe that we can do better than this two-party system--and to work toward it.

Howard Schultz: GOP fiscally irresponsible, Democrats going socialist

Beto O`Rourke: Listen to voters, not special interests

Bill Weld: 2016 election: Johnson-Weld exceeded 3.6% of vote in MI & WI

The Libertarian Party had never before received more than 1.1% of the vote in a presidential election. But with NM Gov. Gary Johnson and former MA Gov. William Weld serving as their ticket, the party rocketed to 3.24% of the vote. In two of the critical states that Trump flipped, MI and WI, Johnson topped 3.6%. In Pennsylvania, the third normally Democratic stronghold that voted GOP, Johnson received 2.4%.

It is not clear from the polling, but one of the reasons for Trump's surprise victory was the cratering in support for Johnson in the waning months of the election. In September, he was polling at 9%, which fell off heavily by Election Day.

Michael Bennet: Continue investigations; see if public supports impeachment

Amy Klobuchar: Hold president accountable with investigations & election

Bill Weld: Quit Reagan Justice Department over ethics scandals

Weld, a 2-term Republican governor of Massachusetts more than two decades ago, is 73, tall and slim with a mop of orange hair and a face the hue of Pepto-Bismol. A Harvard and Oxford graduate, Weld worked in the Reagan Justice Department but quit over a series of ethics scandals involving his boss, Attorney General Ed Meese. He ran briefly for governor of New York after leaving Massachusetts, endorsed Obama in 2008 & raised a bunch of money for Romney in 2012. He has written thrillers, dabbled in historical fiction and was last heard from in 2016 as the vice-presidential running mate to the Libertarian nominee, Gary Johnson. He sets off some dilettante alarms.

Howie Hawkins: Danger of Trump doesn't mean electing "any damned Democrat"

Mike Pence: No problem with gays; they just say so for publicity

"I hold Mayor Buttigieg in the highest personal regard," Pence told local station WSBT in June 2015. "We have a great working relationship," he said of Buttigieg. "I see him as a dedicated public servant and a patriot."

Pence's team is pointing back to those compliments this week in the wake of new comments from Buttigieg--now an openly gay candidate for president.

Pence's wife, Second Lady Karen Pence, addressed Buttigieg's remarks during a radio interview: "They've always had a great relationship," she said. "I don't think the vice president does have a problem with him, but I think it's helping Pete to get some notoriety by saying that about the vice president."

Pete Buttigieg: If I had been given a choice, I would have not been gay

Buttigieg spoke emotionally of his journey toward accepting his sexuality. "If you had offered me a pill to me straight, I would have swallowed it before you could had time to get me a sip of water. It's a hard thing to think about now. It's hard to face the truth that there were times in my life when if you had shown me exactly what it was inside me that made me gay, I would have cut it out with a knife."

What a loss that would have been for him, he said. "If I had had the chance to do that, I would never have found my way to Chasten," he said referring to husband Chasten Buttigieg, whom he married in June. "Thank god there was no pill," he said. "Thank god there was no knife."

Mike Gravel: Push Dems toward sensible views on political reform

The account has also fired off several scathing attacks of Gravel's prospective opponents, including Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), who "kept innocent men on death row"; Joe Biden, who "voted for the Iraq War"; Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who likes to "abuse American workers"; and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), who "invented a drug dealer friend (and voted with Big Pharma)." The account also attacked Booker's "melodramatic" performance during Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation hearing last year while touting Gravel reading the Pentagon Papers into the congressional record in 1971. Meanwhile, the account seems to favor Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), candidates it wants to push "toward more sensible views on political reform and foreign policy through the debate."

Pete Buttigieg: National service can unite Americans

Bill Weld: Government leaders should inspire and unite, not divide

Kamala Harris: FactCheck: Constitutionally eligible to run for presidency

The constitutional requirements for the office of U.S. president have nothing to do with the naturalization status of one's parents, but do include requirement of 14 years' residency in the US. Though Harris spent her high school years in Canada, she has been resident in the US since 1982. She was born in Oakland California, in 1964, and is a natural-born citizen, fulfilling all the requirements to be constitutionally eligible to run for president.

Bernie Sanders: Mainstream media prefers "realistic" candidates over Bernie

Trump beat the MSM smear machine through radical lies. Sanders can do likewise but through radical honesty.

Donald Trump: OpEd: Beat the mainstream media by reframing

Howie Hawkins: Third parties force issues neglected by major parties

Eric Garcetti: There ARE two Americas: Washington DC, and the rest of us

The theme of borders extended to national politics. Garcetti urged the audience to talk to people with opposing political views. "The pundits call it right now in our country that there are two Americas--there's the rural and urban divide, the immigrant and native-born, the coasts and the heartland, red and blue," Garcetti said. "I do believe there are two Americas, but it's none of those--it's Washington, D.C., and the rest of us."

Mark Sanford: Trump's payoff to porn star "deeply troubling"

John Kasich: Two-party system no longer appeals to majority of voters

Kasich appeared with Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D), which only sparked speculation that they may try to form a third party ticket to challenge President Trump in 2020. While this idea appeals to some--particularly Republicans who feel their party has morphed into something they no longer recognize--history suggests it faces steep odds.

The Electoral College makes a viable third party nearly impossible. Multiple parties just don't work under our system. It's more likely that one of the existing parties will fade away and a new party will replace it.

Oprah Winfrey: Follows avant-garde version of an all-accepting religion

Deval Patrick: Joined Bain Capital, lecture tour "Reinvesting in America"

"It's on my radar screen," Patrick told KCUR, a public radio station in Kansas City, where he was traveling last week for a civic event called "An Evening with Deval Patrick: Reinvesting in America."

Lindsey Graham: I did not vote for Trump for President in 2016

Mike Pence: Founded PAC Great America Committee" separate from Trump

Lincoln Chafee: Focus on pocketbook issues; be flexible on social issues

Jesse Ventura: I don't like Trump or Hillary; I'm voting Libertarian

Do I want Trump to be president? No. Do I want Hillary to be president? No. But I want Gary Johnson to be president, and that's why I'm voting for him. I showed the world that you don't have to join them to beat them, you just have to be visible enough so people know you're an option.

Gary Johnson is on the ballot in all 50 states. That alone should be enough of a reason for him to be included in the debates. And here's another one: if Trump really thinks he's qualified for president and if Hillary really thinks she's qualified for president, then why don't they prove it to the American people? Neither candidate is qualified until we see how they measure up against the competition on a debate stage.

Lincoln Chafee: Voted for Bush41 in 2004 as protest against Bush43

Michael Bennet: No particular religion nor congregation but believes in God

A: Bennet does not affiliate with a particular religion but says he believes in God.

Q: Where does Michael Bennet worship?

A: Bennet does not worship with a congregation. He and his wife were married by an Episcopal priest.

Q: What religion was Michael Bennet born into?

A: Bennet's father is a Christian and his mother is Jewish. "I was raised with two different heritages, one was Jewish and one was Christian," Bennet has said. "I am proud that both heritages are part of me, and I believe in God." His maternal grandparents and his mother escaped from Poland during the Holocaust.

COMMENTS: "I'm not concerned about that at all," Bennet said of discussing his Jewish history, "just because I think we've moved beyond that in our politics."

Michael Bennet: Raised in two different heritages, Jewish and Christian

Under Jewish doctrine, Judaism is passed down through the mother. Bennet is Jewish because his mother is. But even in Poland, the Klejmans were not observant, and he did not grow up practicing that religious tradition.

"I was raised with two different heritages, one was Jewish and one was Christian," Michael Bennet said. "I am proud that both heritages are part of me, and I believe in God."

Colorado voters typically have paid little attention to religion. Gov. Bill Ritter's Catholicism became an election issue only after he announced positions that Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput publicly condemned. In last year's primaries, Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney swept Colorado, though his Mormon background raised concerns elsewhere.

Marianne Williamson: Politics steeped in religion is divisive