Richard Burr in Bowles-Burr Debate

On Civil Rights: Constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage

Both Burr and Bowles said they opposed same-sex marriage, and both said they would support a constitutional amendment recognizing marriage as a male-female institution.

"None of us ever want to change the Constitution," Burr said. "But I can't think of any institution more important in this country than marriage being between a man and a woman."

Source: Winston-Salem Journal, "NC Senatorial Debate Excerpts"

On Education: No Child Left Behind provides opportunity to compete

Some excerpts from the Bowles-Burr debate: On No Child Left Behind

BOWLES: "It's got a great name ... but we did not provide the resources it needed to make it work. This has turned out to be an unfunded federal mandate."

BURR: "We need to make sure the next generation all have an opportunity to compete." -- Burr

Source: Winston-Salem Journal, "NC Senatorial Debate Excerpts"

On Environment: No offshore drilling off NC coast

Some excerpts from the Bowles-Burr debate: On offshore drilling

BURR: 'We have to make sure that we don't allow exploration off our coast for wells."

BOWLES: "Richard, again your words don't match your action." -- Bowles, saying that Burr had voted six times against legislation to protect the Outer Banks and prevent offshore drilling

Source: Winston-Salem Journal, "NC Senatorial Debate Excerpts"

On Free Trade: Voted 8 times against China trade agreement

Burr said, "You negotiated the China trade agreement for President Clinton, which is the largest exporter of jobs not just in North Carolina but in this country. In fact, today you run from your record. You know what? I voted eight times against China," Burr said.

Bowles said he lobbied Rep. Eva Clayton, D-1st, to vote for the China trade agreement only if it included provisions for China to end a long-time ban and accept imports of U.S. tobacco leaf.

Source: Winston-Salem Journal, "NC Senatorial Debate Excerpts"

On Gun Control: Assault weapons ban is against the Second Amendment

Some excerpts from the Bowles-Burr debate: On the assault weapons ban

BOWLES:"I would have voted to reinstitute the assault weapons ban."

BURR: "I voted for the ban to go away. I support the Second Amendment."

Source: Winston-Salem Journal, "NC Senatorial Debate Excerpts"

On Homeland Security: Support the 9/11 Commission but it was too slow

Some excerpts from the Bowles-Burr debate: On the 9/11 Commission

BOWLES:"He [Burr] voted against the 9/11 Commission. I have never understood that, Richard."

BURR: "The 9/11 Commission work was good. But we did delay implementation [of some anti-terrorism measures] a year waiting for the 9/11 [Commission]."

Source: Winston-Salem Journal, "NC Senatorial Debate Excerpts"

On Principles & Values: Pres. Bush is right 96% of the time

Some excerpts from the Bowles-Burr debate: On his Congressional voting record:

BURR: "I'm not embarrassed to vote with the president 96 percent of the time. He's right that much of the time."

Source: Winston-Salem Journal, "NC Senatorial Debate Excerpts"

The above quotations are from North Carolina Senatorial Debate, between Erskine Bowles (D) and Richard Burr (R), Sept. 28, 2004. Click here for a profile of Richard Burr.
*Richard Burr on other issues:*
Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families Foreign Policy Free Trade	Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Jobs Principles Social Security Tax Reform Technology War/Peace Welfare
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