State of Vermont Archives: on War & Peace

Patrick Leahy: Wrote first law banning export of anti-personnel landmines

He has long been a leader in the campaign to ban anti-personnel landmines writing the world's first law to ban the export of these indiscriminate weapons. He led congressional efforts to create ongoing practical support through a program his colleagues later renamed The Leahy War Victims Fund, which provides up to $12 million a year for humanitarian work in clinics in war-torn countries across the globe. Source: 2021 Vermont Senate campaign website LeahyForVermont.com Jun 22, 2021

John MacGovern: No nation-building in Afghanistan or Iraq

On the issues, the two primary contestants tout similar conservative views. Both dislike President Obama's health care act, want a drastically smaller federal government, oppose abortion in most cases and are critical of the use of American soldiers to conduct nation-building in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere. Source: Burlington Free Press, on 2012 Vermont Senate debate Aug 27, 2012

Sue Minter: Immediate withdrawal from Iraq instead of surge

House resolution calling for the orderly withdrawal of American military forces from Iraq to commence immediately.

Whereas, in March 2003, the United States initiated a military incursion into Iraq, and
Whereas, Vermont has had the highest number of soldiers per capita who have lost their lives in this war, and
Whereas, approximately 80 Vermont National Guard troops are now deployed in Iraq;
Resolved by the House of Representatives:
That an escalation of American troops in Iraq is exactly the wrong foreign policy direction;
That Governor Douglas enlist the support of other members of the National Governors Association to speak out against the war in Iraq and the announced troop surge;
That the President and Congress commence immediately the orderly withdrawal of American military forces from Iraq.

Legislative record: Adopted by House 95-52-2; Rep. Minter voted YEA. Source: 2007 Vermont legislature's voting records for HR 11 Feb 13, 2007

Richard Tarrant: No specific deadline, but out of Iraq as soon as possible

Tarrant thinks the US should withdraw its forces from Iraq as soon as possible. He’s not setting a specific deadline, but he wants it done a lot sooner than the President. Tarrant says, “I think we need to get out fairly rapidly. I don’t advocate cutting and running. But I think we’re successful. We have done some good things. We got rid of a terrible dictator. We got them through elections, and now we’ve got a constitution. And there will be elections in December.” Source: Bob Kinzel series of interviews on Vermont Public Radio Oct 25, 2005

Richard Tarrant: Iraq war is over extending the country’s financial resources

Tarrant is concerned about the growing federal budget deficit. He believes the war in Iraq is over extending the country’s financial resources. Tarrant says, “We’re spending money like drunken sailors in Washington and that’s the Bush Administration certainly. We can’t afford Katrina and tsunamis and building nations. I mean, heating fuels is going to be a big expense that we need to put more money into heating fuel for people this winter that can’t afford it. We can only afford to do so much.” Source: Bob Kinzel series of interviews on Vermont Public Radio Oct 25, 2005

The above quotations are from State of Vermont Politicians: Archives. Click here for definitions & background information on War & Peace. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
*2020 Presidential contenders on War & Peace:*
	*Democrats running for President:* Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO) V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE) Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC) Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT) Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN) Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ) Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX) Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI) Rep.John Delaney (D-MD) Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA) Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT) CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA) Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Marianne Williamson (D-CA) CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY) *2020 Third Party Candidates:* Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI) CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV) Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI) Howie Hawkins (G-NY) ~~Gov.Gary Johnson~~(L-NM) ~~Howard Schultz~~(I-WA) Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)	*Republicans running for President:* ~~Sen.Ted Cruz~~(R-TX) ~~Gov.Larry Hogan~~ (R-MD) ~~Gov.John Kasich~~(R-OH) V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN) ~~Gov.Mark Sanford~~ (R-SC) Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY) Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL) Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY) *2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:* Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA) Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC) Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK) Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA) Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO) Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA) Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL) Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA) Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX) Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA) Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA) Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021