The Associated Press: on Welfare & Poverty


T.W. Shannon: Require 20 hours of work activity for food stamp recipients

Shannon also targeted several of the state's welfare programs last year, pushing one bill that would require some food stamp recipients to perform at least 20 hours of "work activities" each week and another to divert federal Temporary Aid to Needy Families funds to create a public service campaign promoting marriage.
Source: Associated Press on 2014 Oklahoma Senate race Jan 29, 2014

Mitt Romney: I'm not concerned about very poor; they have safety net

Romney told CNN: "I'm not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there. If it needs repair, I'll fix it. I'm not concerned about the very rich. They're doing just fine. I'm concerned about the very heart of America, the 90-95% of Americans who right now are struggling. You can focus on the very poor, that's not my focus," he said.

Asked whether his words might strike some as odd, Romney said: "We will hear from the Democrat party the plight of the poor; we have a safety net to help those that are very poor." Romney added that he's more worried about the unemployed, people living on Social Security and those struggling to send their kids to college.

Democrats and Republicans alike pounced and the GOP front-runner quickly sought to explain his remarks. "No, no, no. You've got to take the whole sentence," said Romney, noting that his remark was consistent with his theme throughout the race, adding: "My energy is going to be devoted to helping middle-income people."

Source: Associated Press report, "Romney triggers backlash" Feb 1, 2012

Jack Conway: Faith-based programs instead of federal money

Paul praised the Teen Challenge program, which boasts a very high success rate among participants nationally who are able to hold down jobs and avoid relapsing after leaving the program. Paul said he liked the faith-based aspect of the program, which does not use federal money and gets most of its funding from donations and fundraising.
Source: Associated Press coverage of 2010 Kentucky Senate debate Aug 23, 2010

  • The above quotations are from Columns and news articles distributed by the Associated Press.
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2016 Presidential contenders on Welfare & Poverty:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI) 		Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Feb 15, 2019