Almanac of American Politics: on Welfare & Poverty


George Pataki: Four-year limit for full welfare benefits

In early 1997 Pataki unveiled his welfare reform plan, cutting benefits to recipients who do not find work by 45% over four years.
Source: National Journal, the Almanac of American Politics Jul 6, 2000

Jeb Bush: Replace AFDC with limited temporary assistance

Jeb Bush decided to run for governor in 1994, vanquishing competition in the Republican primary and leading in polls during most of the fall. He called for fewer appeals for death row inmates and speedier executions, said Florida should withdraw from Aid to Families with Dependent Children and replace it with limited temporary assistance. There was a rigid tone to Bush’s campaign; when one black man asked him what he would do to help him, Bush replied, “Probably nothing.”
Source: National Journal, the Almanac of American Politics Jan 28, 2000

Tom Ridge: Able-bodied welfare recipients must work 100 hours a month

Ridge’s 1996 welfare reform required able-bodied recipients to work at least 100 hours a month or, if they are school-age, remain in schools; money was added for job readiness and child care, and more than 148,000 welfare recipients left the rolls.
Source: National Journal, the Almanac of American Politics Jan 28, 2000

Joseph Lieberman: Supported 1996 welfare reform

On economic issues, he has backed capital gains tax cuts for small business (“you can’t be pro-jobs and anti-business”) and urged President Clinton to sign the 1996 welfare reform bill--both stands opposed by many Democrats.
Source: Almanac of American Politics 2000 (Barone & Ujifusa) Jan 1, 2000

  • The above quotations are from Almanac of American Politics, by Grant Ujifusa and Michael Barone.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Welfare & Poverty:
  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)
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Page last updated: Dec 02, 2021