Wesley Clark in The Associated Press

On Civil Rights: Narrowly protect the American flag

A: I support measures to protect the American flag. The flag is deeply personal to me. I have led men into battle and combat under that flag. I believe that a very narrow protection for the flag will not undermine anyone’s ability to express the full range of their views about America.

On Crime: Death penalty for heinous crimes, but apply with safeguards

A: I believe the death penalty should be available for the most heinous crimes. At the same time, I am concerned about reports of mistakes on death row, and errors and unfairness in our criminal justice system. ... If we are to carry out the ultimate penalty, it must be with the ultimate safeguards.

On Education: Oppose vouchers and all measures that weaken public schools

A: I oppose all measures that would weaken our public school system, including school vouchers.

On Energy & Oil: Raise CAFE standards after consulting with experts

A: We now have the technology to make cars and SUVs that go twice as far on a gallon of gas by using more efficient engines and transmissions, including hybrid cars that use both gasoline and an electric motor. In consultation with scientists, environmental groups, & industry, I will set new standards to raise the fuel economy and reduce the emissions of cars, SUVs, and light trucks.

On Free Trade: Free AND fair trade, with labor and environmental standards

A: I will seek trade that is free and fair. Free trade has the potential to raise living standards. I would insist that all nations play by the rules while promoting trade. I also believe that we should review all of our existing trade agreements to ensure that our trading partners are opening their markets to US products. I believe that labor and environmental standards must be central elements of all new trade agreements.

On Health Care: Bush’s Rx plan helps HMOs-help seniors instead

A: Unfortunately, the bill signed by President Bush does too little for America’s seniors and too much to reward HMOs and large drug companies. We ought to give the government the power to negotiate with drug companies through the free market to get bulk discounts on popular drugs. We need to do more to reduce barriers to low-cost generic drugs entering the market and prevent drug companies from exploiting legal loopholes to keep them out. And we need to allow seniors to import safe, low-cost prescription drugs from Canada. Most importantly, I want to see a real drug bill that strengthens Medicare instead of undermining it by forcing seniors into HMOs.

On Immigration: Tighten borders post-9/11, but allow earned citizenship

A: In light of 9/11 and other concerns, I would tighten up our borders to ensure that fewer illegal immigrants get into this country. But I believe that we need to find ways to ensure that taxpaying, law-abiding, undocumented workers have a way to eventually earn their citizenship.

On Jobs: Raise minimum wage in steps to $7.00

A: I will raise the minimum wage in steps to $7 per hour by 2007 and expand the Earned Income Tax Credit to ensure that lower-income families are rewarded for their work

On Principles & Values: Day 1: Implementation five-point Turnaround Plan for America

A: I will begin immediate implementation of my five-point ‘Turnaround Plan for America.’ The plan consists of five specific policies that will reverse the disastrous course President Bush has set for America on the economy, education, health care and the environment. The plan also establishes five concrete ‘accountability benchmarks’ that the American people can use to hold me accountable for my promises.

On Tax Reform: Eliminate income tax for families earning under $50,000

A: I support tax reform to make the tax code fairer, simpler, more progressive and more pro-growth. My plan will relieve the squeeze on middle-class families by eliminating federal income taxes entirely for families with children making less than $50,000 annually and by lowering taxes for all families making less than $100,000. I propose recapturing the portions of Bush’s tax cuts that went to the wealthiest Americans and using the money to create jobs.

On War & Peace: Retracts yes vote on Iraq: no imminent threat

The retired Army general, an opponent of the conflict, surprised supporters when he indicated in an interview with reporters Thursday that he likely would have supported the resolution. On Friday, Clark sought to clarify his comments. “Let’s make one thing real clear, I would never have voted for this war,” Clark said before a speech at the University of Iowa. “I’ve gotten a very consistent record on this. There was no imminent threat. This was not a case of pre-emptive war. I would have voted for the right kind of leverage to get a diplomatic solution, an international solution to the challenge of Saddam Hussein.”