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Books by and about 2024 presidential candidates |
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Hillbilly Elegy,
by JD Vance (2017) |
Crippled America,
by Donald J. Trump (2015) |
Fire and Fury,
by Michael Wolff (2018) |
Trump Revealed,
by Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher (2016) |
The Making of Donald Trump,
by David Cay Johnston (2016) |
Promise Me, Dad ,
by Joe Biden (2017) |
The Book of Joe ,
by Jeff Wilser (2019; biography of Joe Biden) |
The Truths We Hold,
by Kamala Harris (2019) |
Smart on Crime,
by Kamala Harris (2010) |
Becoming,
by Michelle Obama (2018) |
Higher Loyalty,
by James Comey (2018) |
The Making of Donald Trump,
by David Cay Johnston (2017) |
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Book Reviews |
(from Amazon.com) |
(click a book cover for a review or other books by or about the presidency from Amazon.com)
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| OnTheIssues.org excerpts: (click on issues for details)
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Abortion
Cary Kennedy: Endorsed by EMILY's List for pro-choice women.
Cynthia Coffman: Pro-choice; moderate on social issues.
Greg Lopez: I am pro-life.
Heidi Ganahl: Declares herself "pro-life" on Facebook, won't elaborate.
Heidi Ganahl: Make adoption and birth control more accessible.
Jared Polis: Fund Planned Parenthood; require insurers' contraception.
Mike Johnston: Woman's health between her and her doctor.
Walker Stapleton: Ban abortion with exceptions for rape & incest.
Phil Weiser: Ensure abortion care regardless of where women traveled from.
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Budget & Economy
Cary Kennedy: Balanced budget after citizens vote on taxes.
Doug Robinson: Problems should be fixed by spending less, not raising taxes.
Doug Robinson: Use our budget more effectively, instead of raising taxes.
Doug Robinson: State budget is a mess; improve it by cutting spending.
George Brauchler: Requested pay cut & budget cut as County Commissioner.
Greg Lopez: Would prioritize transportation and growth.
Greg Lopez: Wants to champion and advocate for small business.
Heidi Ganahl: Government has grown too much; we can reduce it.
Mike Johnston: Government can help business and improve workplace.
Victor Mitchell: To save jobs, we must halt any kind of tax increase.
Victor Mitchell: In an over regulated Colorado, regulations need to be cut.
Victor Mitchell: Cutting regulations will promote small businesses.
Walker Stapleton: Balanced budgets in private career & then as state treasurer.
Greg Lopez: Print three years of national debt on Congressional ballots.
Michael Bennet: Forest Service cuts place an immense burden on Colorado.
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Civil Rights
Greg Lopez: Don't teach personal choices of sexual lifestyle in schools.
Heidi Ganahl: Misrepresented gender policy for students in high school.
Jared Polis: Would be Colorado's first openly gay Governor.
Mike Johnston: Participated in Women's March in Denver.
Mike Johnston: Workplace discrimination law includes LGBTQ.
Mike Johnston: 100% from Colorado LGBTQ group.
Raul Labrador: Orientation/gender identity shouldn't bar employment.
Victor Mitchell: Voted against Trump due to misogyny concerns.
Walker Stapleton: My grandfather was in the KKK but I denounce racism.
Greg Lopez: I think it's time we had a real first lady, don't you?
Phil Weiser: Joined multi-state suit against Trump over DEI.
Phil Weiser: Any attack on a member of the LGBTQ community is disgusting.
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Corporations
Doug Robinson: To help the economy, government has to get out of the way.
Doug Robinson: Create pro-business environment and cut regulations.
George Brauchler: Protect business from excessive regulation.
Phil Weiser: Sued to stop a corporate mega-merger between supermarkets.
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Crime
Bob Beauprez: Require public notice when releasing violent prison inmates.
George Brauchler: Death penalty is legitimate rule of law.
George Brauchler: Supports death penalty; would lift stays of execution.
George Brauchler: Defend local law enforcement and provide resources.
George Brauchler: Create specialized units to fight crime.
Greg Lopez: Oppose unwarranted, irrational hatred of cops by radicals.
Heidi Ganahl: Reinstate bail, ensure parole board enforces sentences.
Heidi Ganahl: I would fire the parole board, keep the bad guys in jail.
John Hickenlooper: $20M for mental health 24/7 call-in centers.
John Hickenlooper: Issued stay of execution for convicted killer.
Mike Johnston: Reduce sentencing disparities; ban police chokeholds.
Mike Johnston: Tougher on DUI and sexual assault.
Mike Johnston: Ban police chokeholds; push the CLEAR Act.
Phil Weiser: Antisemitic attack leaves Jews struggling over vulnerability.
Phil Weiser: Use all the tools we can to hold bad actors accountable.
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Drugs
Doug Robinson: Opposes recreational marijuana.
Doug Robinson: Opposed Amendment 64: youth usage of drugs is too high.
Doug Robinson: Do better by preventing addiction & promoting natural high.
Doug Robinson: Children need to be protected from the dangers of pot.
Doug Robinson: More regulation AND treatment to control drugs.
Doug Robinson: Ran anti-recreational marijuana group, Smart Colorado.
George Brauchler: Opposed marijuana legalization; but keep the feds out.
George Brauchler: Opposed legalization but will defend CO laws.
George Brauchler: Must increase mental health & drug treatment programs.
George Brauchler: Pot law has not ended criminal activity.
Greg Lopez: Marijuana is an addictive drug and not safe.
Heidi Ganahl: Colorado's experiment with cannabis isn't helping our kids.
Jared Polis: Treat marijuana like alcohol; end Drug War on states.
Jared Polis: Signed law allowing mass pardon for minor marijuana offenses.
John Hickenlooper: Voters were "reckless" to legalize retail marijuana.
Raul Labrador: Challenges AG on stopping pot research.
Steve Barlock: Will follow state law on pot.
Victor Mitchell: Marijuana revenues are being "ripped off" in the status quo.
Victor Mitchell: THC is dangerous, but voters ok'ed the pot amendment.
Walker Stapleton: Concerned about unintended consequences of legalizing pot.
Phil Weiser: Sued company to stop encouraging young people to vape.
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Education
Bob Beauprez: Our common-sense electorate defeated Amendment 66.
Cary Kennedy: Make college more affordable, including tech & vocational.
Cary Kennedy: Led Amendment 23: reduce budget cuts to public schools.
Donna Lynne: Must meet challenge of funding schools.
Doug Robinson: In education, more choice makes more competition.
Doug Robinson: Competition key to improving public schools.
George Brauchler: Local control instead of one-size-fits-all education models.
George Brauchler: Colorado should lead in STEM education.
Greg Lopez: Parents want school choice and vocational training; I agree.
Heidi Ganahl: Ensure we are funding our students, not the system.
Heidi Ganahl: Critic: supports "conservative affirmative action" in hiring.
Jared Polis: Prime supporter of Amendment 23 for school funding in 2000.
Jared Polis: Increased across-the-board funding and preschool for all.
Mike Johnston: Keep up with innovation: 2 years of free college or training.
Mike Johnston: National Guard service in exchange for state college tuition.
Mike Johnston: Weaken tenure protections; strengthen teacher evaluations.
Mike Johnston: Major investment in public education.
Mike Johnston: Make college more affordable.
Steve Barlock: Favors home schooling.
Tom Tancredo: Tax credits for private school tuition.
Victor Mitchell: Don't boost No education spending via tax increases.
Victor Mitchell: Lower the cost of college.
Victor Mitchell: College need to become more affordable in Colorado.
Victor Mitchell: Teachers unions are enemies of Colorado.
Victor Mitchell: Supports vouchers and school choice.
Walker Stapleton: More charters, school choice, & education savings accounts.
Walker Stapleton: Transfer funds from bloated administration to teachers.
Walker Stapleton: Supports school choice: $10,000 to follow student anywhere.
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Energy & Oil
Cary Kennedy: Oil & gas are important, but protect public health.
Donna Lynne: Continue transition from fossil fuels to renewables.
George Brauchler: Colorado joining Paris Accords is meaningless symbolism.
Greg Lopez: Don't close coal mines to remove phantom of climate change.
Heidi Ganahl: We should be producing oil and gas here in Colorado.
Jared Polis: Increase regulatory incentives for renewables.
John Hickenlooper: Reduce greenhouse gas by 26% by 2025 and 35% by 2030.
Mike Johnston: Balance oil & gas extraction with public safety.
Mike Johnston: State should promote natural energy.
Mike Johnston: Fund green homes and offices.
Noel Ginsburg: Develop oil & gas resources while protecting environment.
Steve Barlock: Water power, but not wind power.
Steve Barlock: State should not pick favorites in clean energy.
Victor Mitchell: Repeal misguided Paris Accords order on Day One.
Walker Stapleton: Full-throated defense of oil-and-gas deregulation.
Jared Polis: 100% renewable energy by 2040.
Jared Polis: All-of-government approach to climate change.
Greg Lopez: Ban Defense from enacting extreme clean energy policies.
Michael Bennet: Build on our responsible approach to energy transition.
Phil Weiser: Opposes attempt to freeze the development of wind energy.
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Environment
Cary Kennedy: Colorado can be national model on wind energy & cleantech.
Donna Lynne: Protect our environment for generations to come.
John Hickenlooper: Develop federal land instead of protecting the sage grous.
Raul Labrador: Must work with partners to preserve public land.
Heidi Ganahl: When we talk about water, we have to talk about storage.
Jared Polis: Renegotiate Colorado River Compact via cutbacks in CA/NV/AZ.
Phil Weiser: Sued EPA to stop public access to air pollution records.
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Families & Children
Cary Kennedy: Family adopted sister via faith-based organization.
Cary Kennedy: Supports foster care via faith-based organizations.
Greg Lopez: Sex Ed Bill is a direct attack on parental rights.
Heidi Ganahl: Address mental health crisis/suicide rates among children.
Jared Polis: Supports same-sex marriage.
John Hickenlooper: Low-income women get long-acting reversible contraceptives.
Jared Polis: Will establish full-day Pre-K statewide.
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Foreign Policy
Michael Bennet: Good test for threat to Taiwan is how we respond to Putin.
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Free Trade
Walker Stapleton: Tariffs on China escalate trade war & hurt businesses.
Jared Polis: Tariffs are a regressive tax that hurt our economy.
Phil Weiser: Praised court ruling blocking Trump's tariffs.
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Government Reform
George Brauchler: A record of official transparency.
George Brauchler: Move some state offices out of capital.
George Brauchler: Sunset law should apply to all regulations.
Greg Lopez: Opposes National Popular Vote interstate compact.
Greg Lopez: Local government important; state should stay out of way.
Greg Lopez: Wants statewide electoral college to choose who's on ballot.
Greg Lopez: State regulators are running amuck, will reduce their number.
Heidi Ganahl: Streamline regulations to help local job creators.
Heidi Ganahl: Clean voter lists and require voter ID to restore confidence.
Jared Polis: More limits on campaign donations; more donor disclosure.
Jared Polis: Investigate voter suppression; prohibit gerrymandering.
Mike Johnston: No PAC money when running as state senator or as governor.
Steve Barlock: Drain the swamp of Colorado politics.
Tom Tancredo: 2001: pledged 3-term limit; 2002: served 4th & 5th term.
Walker Stapleton: Ended hired petitioners when one surfaced as not registered.
Walker Stapleton: Great Colorado Payback: find lost bank accounts.
Greg Lopez: Government overreach is making life harder.
Michael Bennet: Will work to cut red tape affecting small businesses.
Phil Weiser: Held people accountable for voter intimidation.
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Gun Control
Cary Kennedy: No military assault weapons; universal background checks.
Donna Lynne: Ban bump stocks; disallow mental health excuses.
George Brauchler: Supports guns for self-defense.
Greg Lopez: Red Flag bill violates constitutional rights of gun owners.
Greg Lopez: Don't like mass murder, but Second Amendment is important.
Heidi Ganahl: Follow Constitution, protect our Second Amendment rights.
Jared Polis: Banning weapons violates the Second Amendment.
Jared Polis: Ban military-style weapons; plus CDC studies gun violence.
Jared Polis: Strengthen penalties for black-market gun sales.
Jared Polis: Ban bump stocks; end black market gun sales.
John Hickenlooper: Universal background checks & ban on high capacity magazines.
John Hickenlooper: State Senate "Line item recall" about too-strict gun control.
John Hickenlooper: Universal background checks but no assault weapon ban.
John Hickenlooper: CO cares about 2nd Amendment, but also safe communities.
Mike Johnston: Supports common sense gun restrictions.
Mike Johnston: Ban military-style weapons; plus universal background checks.
Steve Barlock: 100% for Trump unless he rejects NRA.
Steve Barlock: Teachers should protect students if there's a school shooter.
Tom Tancredo: Running in opposition to new gun control laws.
Victor Mitchell: 100% record with NRA, but I don't believe in bazookas.
Walker Stapleton: Repeal existing gun control laws & oppose new efforts.
Phil Weiser: Limit large-capacity magazines to decrease mass shootings.
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Health Care
Donna Lynne: Health care a right, not a privilege.
Doug Robinson: Wants congress and Trump to repeal ObamaCare.
George Brauchler: Repeal Obamacare; local control of Medicaid.
George Brauchler: Increase Medicaid co-pays to change behavior.
George Brauchler: Medicaid block grants instead of ObamaCare expansion.
George Brauchler: Charge co-pays to low-income residents on Medicaid.
Greg Lopez: I believe in free-market health care.
Greg Lopez: No face mask; responds "Do you wear a diaper?".
Greg Lopez: Would take a hands-off approach to health care.
Greg Lopez: VA is proof against government health-care system.
Heidi Ganahl: Opposed legislation creating public health insurance option.
Jared Polis: AdWatch: Supports Medicare for All.
Jared Polis: Improve ObamaCare; work toward universal single-payer system.
Mike Johnston: Preserve Medicaid expansion.
Victor Mitchell: Promote patient-centered health care.
Victor Mitchell: Insurance is not necessary for primary care.
Victor Mitchell: ObamaCare doesn't work for 50% of people today.
Victor Mitchell: ObamaCare is not a solution; we need patient-centered care.
Walker Stapleton: Medicaid block grants for community health care centers.
Walker Stapleton: End Colorado's ObamaCare exchange; undo Medicaid expansion.
Jared Polis: Focus on danger of processed foods, but support vaccinations.
Michael Bennet: He will fight to protect Colorado's Medicaid funding.
Phil Weiser: Defended the Affordable Care Act from Trump Administration.
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Homeland Security
George Brauchler: Uniformed service includes tour in Iraq.
Greg Lopez: Ensure we adequately address the needs of Colorado veterans.
Victor Mitchell: Big brother government is terribly intrusive.
Walker Stapleton: On July 4th honored all veterans for defending our freedoms.
Phil Weiser: Prepare to fight Trump if he sends military into cities.
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Immigration
Bob Beauprez: 2007: Cleanse out illegals; 2014: no need to send them home.
Cary Kennedy: Keep local cops out of immigration.
George Brauchler: Opposes sanctuary cities; leave immigration to Feds.
Greg Lopez: Opposes Sanctuary State law forbidding cooperation with ICE.
Greg Lopez: I support legal immigration, not illegal immigration.
Jared Polis: Restore DACA: Don't cast 1M aspiring Americans into shadows.
Mike Johnston: Protect immigrants living in the country illegally.
Mike Johnston: Undocumented kids get in-state tuition.
Mike Johnston: Will lead state in fighting DACA repeal.
Steve Barlock: Hardline against illegal immigration.
Tom Tancredo: Viva Tancredo: support for legal immigration, in Spanish.
Tom Tancredo: Sanctuary Cities are a travesty but I hate identity politics.
Victor Mitchell: Supports Trump's anti-sanctuary city policies.
Walker Stapleton: Deport anyone in the country illegally.
Walker Stapleton: End these dangerous sanctuary city policies.
Michael Bennet: Shield children under 16 from ICE detainment.
Phil Weiser: Opposes ICE raids at schools, churches, hospitals, courts.
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Jobs
Donna Lynne: Raise minimum wage, simplify licensing.
Heidi Ganahl: Proposed prohibiting hiring based on race or gender.
Jared Polis: Expand collective bargaining, instead of "right-to-work".
Jared Polis: Let municipalities raise local minimum wage.
Victor Mitchell: Teachers unions are about power not about helping teachers.
Jared Polis: Raise minimum wage, encourage profit sharing.
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Principles & Values
Greg Lopez: A vote for me is a vote for "All of Colorado".
Greg Lopez: I will follow the Code of the West.
Greg Lopez: I do not want to see Colorado become California.
Greg Lopez: Military taught values of loyalty, teamwork, brotherhood.
Heidi Ganahl: Founded largest pet care franchise in the world.
Steve Barlock: Won't let globalist opponents steal my views.
Steve Barlock: Statist and nationalist: Colorado and U.S. come first.
Tom Tancredo: Obama is greater threat to our way of life than any enemy.
Tom Tancredo: Won't debate in GOP primaries; will debate Dems.
Michael Bennet: Fighting back against Trump's damaging policies.
Phil Weiser: Clerked for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
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Social Security
Steve Barlock: Fully fund Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA).
Phil Weiser: Sued to prevent DOGE accessing Social Security system.
Greg Lopez: Cuts to Social Security & Medicare should be on the table.
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Tax Reform
Cary Kennedy: OpEd: proudly championed the state's mill levy freeze.
George Brauchler: Supports Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
George Brauchler: Use existing funds rather than raising taxes.
George Brauchler: Oppose sales tax hike to raise $3.5B for road projects.
Greg Lopez: I will never raise taxes; I defend Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
Heidi Ganahl: We are being taxed and regulated into oblivion.
Jared Polis: Repeal Trump's tax cuts.
John Hickenlooper: $5 trillion of tax cuts to the wealthy is not the answer.
Mike Johnston: Tax relief for workers and middle class.
Steve Barlock: Popular vote on any tax law or subsidy.
Victor Mitchell: No tax increases, not even to boost education spending.
Victor Mitchell: Not one darn penny for additional taxes.
Walker Stapleton: I stopped the largest tax increase in state history.
Walker Stapleton: I had the courage to support Donald Trump's tax cuts.
Phil Weiser: Accepts state law requiring voter approval for tax increases.
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Technology
Bob Beauprez: 10-hour traffic jams are not drivers' fault, as CDOT says.
Cary Kennedy: Rural areas need transportation & broadband infrastructure.
Donna Lynne: Goal of 100% internet access.
Doug Robinson: Infrastructure via government efficiency & private solutions.
George Brauchler: Improve roads without raising taxes.
Jared Polis: Support net neutrality: free exchange of ideas on internet.
Victor Mitchell: Shrink state agencies to look for funds for highways.
Heidi Ganahl: Criticized Facebook donations to 2020 local election offices.
Jared Polis: Infrastructure to allow remote work in rural areas.
Phil Weiser: Suing Meta over harm to people's mental health.
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War & Peace
Doug Robinson: Trump is right with strong response on Syria.
Phil Weiser: He is son and grandson of Holocaust survivors.
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Welfare & Poverty
Bob Beauprez: 2010: 47% of people happy to let others pay the bill.
Steve Barlock: Drug testing for welfare recipients is a slippery slope.
Walker Stapleton: Random drug testing for people on public assistance.
Heidi Ganahl: Relax state regulations to create more affordable housing.
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