Gary Bauer in The Associated Press
On Principles & Values:
Withdraws after NH Primary
Bauer abandoned his presidential bid after his last-place finish in the New Hampshire primary. “I was in it to actually get the nomination,” Bauer said. “When it became clear to me that I could not see a realistic way to do that, it seemed to
me that the better part of valor was to move aside.” As he bowed out, Bauer gave a final plug for his defining issues, including opposition to abortion and to trade with China. He said he felt good about pushing the debate toward
conservative issues. “Sometimes in the debates. I heard my words even when my lips weren’t moving. So I think my message was catching on,” he said. Bauer declined to endorse any of the four Republicans still vying for
the GOP nomination. Bauer noted those who remain: the son of a president, the son of an admiral, and the son of a tycoon. “I’m the son of a janitor,” he said.
Source: Associated Press, in Sacramento Bee, p. A9
Feb 5, 2000
On Tax Reform:
Family friendly tax plan: 20% less payroll tax
Bauer proposes to end most deductions and credits, and tax most income at a flat 16% rate. Bauer announced his “family-friendly” tax plan, which would eliminate all deductions except those for home mortgage interest and charitable contributions, and
couple his flat tax rate with a 20% reduction in the payroll tax, which funds Social Security. He would not require taxpayers to invest in private retirement accounts, but would reduce projected increases in Social Security benefits for future retirees.
Source: Jonathan D. Salant, Associated Press
Sep 23, 1999
On Tax Reform:
Flat tax: $1,400 personal exemption; no capital gains rate
Bauer he would tax capital gains at the same 16% rate as wages and profits. Bauer’s plan gives taxpayers a credit of $1,400 per person that could be used to offset both income and payroll taxes, unlike current credits that apply only to income taxes.
This new credit would replace the current personal exemption, child care tax credit, and other tax credits. Businesses no longer could deduct the cost of investments in machinery and equipment, but would see their payroll taxes cut by 20%.
Source: Jonathan D. Salant, Associated Press
Sep 23, 1999
On Education:
Vouchers for home-schooling as well as private schools
Bauer favors voucher programs for private schools, but expanded that to include home schooling. He said parents could use the money for curriculum material, or to hire help in areas where they don’t feel competent to teach.
Source: Mike Glover, Associated Press
Jul 27, 1999
On Abortion:
Cut funding for Planned Parenthood
Bauer would cut government funding for Planned Parenthood.
Source: Associated Press
Jul 11, 1999
On Civil Rights:
The law recognizes and encourages heterosexuality
“In America, you’re given a great degree of choices on how you live. But when it comes to what the law recognizes and wants to encourage, it should be the intact family that brings a man and a woman together in marriage,” he said. “Quite frankly, I’m
surprised that as young people who are wrestling with economic issues, and have experienced family breakdowns yourselves, that what you would be primed for today in talking to me is to promote the demands of the gay rights movement.”
Source: Associated Press
Jul 7, 1999
On Civil Rights:
Restrict the ‘addictive blight’ of legalized gambling
Bauer called betting an ‘addictive blight’ on the country. “What we have witnessed is the advent of a new epidemic. It is time for a time-out, for a moratorium on the expansion of legalized gambling.” Bauer also called for a series of changes to help
curb the growth of legalized gambling, including raising the minimum age to 21, using a portion of state gambling revenue for addiction treatment, & cutting back on the number of ‘convenience gambling outlets’ like those found in neighborhood stores.
Source: Associated Press
Jun 18, 1999
On Foreign Policy:
Cox Report marks failure to protect our nation
[Regarding the Cox Report,] Gary Bauer, who has made China policy a cornerstone of his campaign, accused the administration of failing in “its most basic duty to protect our nation.” Bauer said in a statement, “it is time for new American leadership, it
is time for a new foreign policy, and it is time for new congressional hearings to investigate who is directly responsible - politically and commercially - for endangering America’s national security.”
Source: Associated Press, “Republicans on China”, by K. Srinivasan
May 26, 1999
Page last updated: Feb 15, 2019