Chris McDaniel in State of Mississippi secondary Archives

On Budget & Economy: Federal spending crowds out private investment

Mike Espy (D): Yes. Supports federal spending on infrastructure, broadband & childcare, to grow the economy.

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): Mixed. Sees value in federal spending on local projects. But "controlling spending" is a priority.

Chris McDaniel (R): No. Federal spending "crowds out private investment & discourages economic growth."

On Civil Rights: Curious whether Robert E. Lee remembered as hero or villain

@senatormcdaniel: "In light of all the political correctness and leftist hysteria, I'm curious about what you think: How should Robert E. Lee be remembered?"

• 9% Hero
• 91% Villain
• 139,580 votes

On Civil Rights: Gay marriage is unconstitutional

Mike Espy (D): Yes. "Committed to ALL Mississippians having access to their rights of citizenship," regardless of sexual orientation.

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): No. "Personally believes marriage is between a man & a woman."

Chris McDaniel (R): No. Supreme Court gay marriage decision "has absolutely no basis" in Constitution or common law.

On Corporations: Grade "D" by Business/Industry Political Education Committee

On Education: No role for government in education, not even funding it

Mike Espy (D): Yes. Would increase interest subsidies on student loans. Also, protect students from predatory for-profit schools.

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): No position found.

Chris McDaniel (R): No. Has said the federal government should have no role in education, not even to pay for it.

On Energy & Oil: Don't subsidize inefficient energy like ethanol & solar

Mike Espy (D): No position found.

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): Supports biofuels. No other position found.

Chris McDaniel (R): No. Opposes funding inefficient sources of energy like ethanol & solar energy. Government shouldn't pick winners & losers.

On Environment: End burdensome regulations like at EPA

Mike Espy (D): No position found.

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): Yes. Supports the deregulatory path taken by Trump EPA.

Chris McDaniel (R): Yes. Calls for "regulatory reform of the Environmental Protection Agency."

Q: Financial Regulation: Support cutbacks in Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)?

Mike Espy (D): No. Need "laws against waste, fraud & corruption" to protect people. "Wall Street seems immune from any restraint."

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): Unclear. Voted to roll back CFPB rule limiting potentially discriminatory auto loan rates.

Chris McDaniel (R): Unclear on CFPB. End "burdensome regulations." Require Congress to approve new regulations.

On Gun Control: Allow firearms without government permission

Mike Espy (D): Yes, up to a point. "I believe in the Second Amendment. but things have changed."

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): No. Says, "Right to bear arms is essential to American Liberty. No law-abiding Mississippian should EVER be denied their constitutional rights."

Chris McDaniel (R): No. Will never take away rights of law-abiding gun-owners.Allow citizens to purchase & carry firearms without government permission.

On Health Care: I WILL support & vote for the full repeal of ObamaCare

Mike Espy (D): Support. Protect while expanding mental health & prescription drug coverage & offering preventive services without cost-sharing.

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): Repeal ObamaCare. Help families afford health insurance coverage without expanding government role.

Chris McDaniel (R): Repeal. "I WILL support & vote for the full repeal of ObamaCare."

On Immigration: Obama separated kids from families at the border too!

Mike Espy (D): "Separating children from their families is misguided. We can have secure borders WITHOUT punishing innocent children."

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): "Distressing to me as a mother, but we cannot lose sight that US immigration laws must be enforced."

Chris McDaniel (R): Obama "separated children from families & the national press said NOTHING. Democrats were silent. But now there is outrage."

On Jobs: Increasing minimum wage hurts employment

Mike Espy (D): Yes. Strongly support increased minimum wage & increased Earned Income tax credit.

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): No position found.

Chris McDaniel (R): No. Would eliminate employment opportunities but do little to reduce poverty or inequality. Government shouldn't dictate employer wages.

On Tax Reform: Reduce taxes further than Trump's good first step

Mike Espy (D): No position found.

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): Yes. Supports Trump's tax cuts.

Chris McDaniel (R): Mixed. Called early drafts "an embarrassment." Called final version "a good first step," but said taxes needed to be reduced further."

On Welfare & Poverty: Liberty, not 100 years of begging for federal scraps

McDaniel responded: "I am going to ask them, after 100 years, after 100 years of relying on big government to save you, where are you today? After 100 years of begging for federal government scraps, where are you today?"

After the audience booed the comments, McDaniel quickly said: "I mean the state of Mississippi. I'm talking about the state of Mississippi. To your question, I am candidate that wants to expand your liberty and break out of old ways."

After the show, McDaniel said: " I easily clarified my position--that is, Mississippi being the dead last state of the Union in terms of wealth and economic prosperity, based on outdated economic models."

On Welfare & Poverty: I WILL support work requirements for welfare recipients

Mike Espy (D): No. "Mississippians should have full access." Expand funding of Medicaid & CHIP.

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): Unclear. Support Farm Bill amendment adding a work requirement to food stamp programs.

Chris McDaniel (R): Probable yes, though no Medicaid mention. "I WILL support & vote for work requirements for welfare recipients."