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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
Dianne Feinstein: Trump's Supreme Court nominee could end Roe v. Wade.
Duf Sundheim: Right to abortion is a gating issues.
Duf Sundheim: Pro-life; but don't let some government official decide.
Mark Meuser: Against abortion; it's a state's rights issue.
Tom Del Beccaro: Criticized raids earlier against anti-abortion activists.
Barbara Lee: Pro-choice; shared story of her own pre-Roe abortion .
Katie Porter: Voted for legislation to create statutory right to abortion.
Laphonza Butler: President of Emily's List, backing pro-choice candidates.
Steve Garvey: No nationwide ban; uphold the voice of the people.
Laphonza Butler: Defend every woman's right to her own health decisions.
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Budget & Economy
Alex Padilla: These aren't stimulus checks; they're basic survival checks.
Duf Sundheim: Government policies played key role in 2007 crash.
James Bradley: Use tax incentives to stimulate small businesses.
Kamala Harris: Prosecuted fewer foreclosure fraud cases than smaller states.
Mark Meuser: The Federal Government needs to start balancing its budget.
Michael Eisen: We need to fight together in unison against all budget cuts.
Michael Eisen: We need to fight together in unison against all budget cuts.
Laphonza Butler: Equitable economy: invest in workforce development.
Adam Schiff: Increase housing federal investments and tax credits.
Steve Garvey: Oppose new federal spending, stand up to tax increases.
Laphonza Butler: Serves on Senate Banking committee.
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Civil Rights
Duf Sundheim: Supports same-sex marriage.
Duf Sundheim: Provide economic opportunity for women & minorities.
Duf Sundheim: Comfortable with same-sex marriage.
Loretta Sanchez: Met with Indian American group leaders upon entering race.
Michael Eisen: Study gender bias in scientific publications.
Rocky Chavez: Moderate who supports gay marriage.
Tom Del Beccaro: Keep Proposition 8; but open to debate on gay marriage.
Adam Schiff: Introduced PERIOD Act to protect trans student athletes.
Katie Porter: Trump administration tried to erase transgender people .
Laphonza Butler: First Black lesbian to represent California in the Senate.
Laphonza Butler: Address decades-long racial disparities.
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Corporations
Kamala Harris: Tough stance on mortgage lenders fell short.
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Crime
Duf Sundheim: People who do bad things should be punished.
Kamala Harris: Don't require cops to wear body cameras.
Kamala Harris: Acknowledge that certain communities distrust police.
Kamala Harris: Focus on helping non-violent young offenders.
Kevin de Leon: Gang violence plagues our neighborhoods.
Mark Meuser: Criminals do not fear any repercussions for their actions.
Steve Garvey: The best way to deter crime is to enforce our laws.
Steve Garvey: Ensure that those locked up are not immediately freed.
Kamala Harris: Defied pressure for death penalty for cop killer.
Kamala Harris: Personally opposed to death penalty; as DA, never pursued it.
Laphonza Butler: $80 million in federal funds for CA crime victims.
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Drugs
Duf Sundheim: Marijuana can be incredibly destructive.
Kamala Harris: Recognize the war on drugs was a failure.
Kevin de Leon: Not his issue, but supportive of legal pot.
Barbara Lee: Co-Chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus.
Gail Lightfoot: Legalize marijuana and abolish the DEA.
Adam Schiff: End criminalization of marijuana; expunge convictions.
Barbara Lee: Rated A+ by NORML: Legalize marijuana and tax it.
Katie Porter: Rated A by NORML: Legalize marijuana and tax it.
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Education
Alex Padilla: Expanded after school programs; reduced class sizes.
Duf Sundheim: Strong proponent of school choice.
James Bradley: Pro school choice including charters schools, homeschooling.
Kamala Harris: Ensure access to a high quality public education.
Mark Meuser: Schools are failing children.
Mark Meuser: Funding should follow the student rather than fund systems.
Rocky Chavez: Supports charter schools, and founded one in Oceanside.
Steve Garvey: Provide parents with more choices; reward great teachers.
Laphonza Butler: Address teacher shortage & early childhood education.
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Energy & Oil
Alex Padilla: Got state agency to increase use of renewable energy.
Alex Padilla: 2006: for solar power, modernizing electrical grid.
Duf Sundheim: Prioritize sustainable, cost effective energy.
James Bradley: Short term oil exploration; alternative energy incentives.
Kamala Harris: Innovate smart solutions to climate change.
Mark Meuser: Grant drilling permits; encourage domestic oil production.
Mark Meuser: I can't get a straight definition on what climate change is.
Michael Eisen: Base climate change policy on science, not politics.
Adam Schiff: I was an original co-sponsor of the Green New Deal.
Steve Garvey: State ban on sale of gas-powered cars by 2035 not realistic.
Laphonza Butler: Affordable clean energy with high efficiency standards.
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Environment
Duf Sundheim: Americans are crushed by EPA regulations.
Kamala Harris: Prosecuted polluters for illegal dumping and air pollution.
Michael Eisen: EPA needs to be more transparent and avoid using hidden data.
Michael Eisen: EPA needs to be more transparent and avoid using hidden data.
Tom Del Beccaro: Increase water supplies rather than fining citizens.
Tom Del Beccaro: Farmers bear the brunt of a plethora of regulations.
Laphonza Butler: Ensure access to clean water& recreation in our public parks.
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Families & Children
Kamala Harris: Punish parents of chronically truant kids.
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Foreign Policy
Duf Sundheim: Trying to control trade doesn't work.
Duf Sundheim: Very lucky to have been born in such an exceptional place.
James Bradley: Bolster Israel; cut off funds to terrorists.
Kamala Harris: The way to keep us safe is NOT to keep outsiders out.
Steve Garvey: Important to work close with our allies against threats.
Kamala Harris: Distinguish Islamic religion from terrorism.
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Free Trade
Alex Padilla: Urge China to lift tariffs on U.S. wines.
Duf Sundheim: Inclined to support Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact.
James Bradley: Negotiate trade agreements that put America first.
Kamala Harris: TPP doesn't offer sufficient worker protections.
Loretta Sanchez: Opposes TPP; joined union protests against it.
Mark Meuser: Encourage US manufacturing, don't rely on foreign industry.
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Government Reform
Alex Padilla: Implemented same-day voter registration.
Alex Padilla: Gave voter outreach money to consulting firm, not counties.
Alex Padilla: Has focused on lowering barriers to voting.
Alex Padilla: Supported allowing let 17-year-olds vote in primaries.
Alex Padilla: Reducing city council districts an assault on voting rights.
Alex Padilla: Vote by mail works in blue states and red states.
Alex Padilla: Yes to expanding Supreme Court; not sure on term limits.
Duf Sundheim: Every citizen who wants to vote should be able to do so.
James Bradley: Pro voter ID to eliminate documented rampant fraud.
James Bradley: Party to suit challenging state election laws.
Mark Meuser: Time to start reining in the unelected bureaucrats.
Mark Meuser: Can't have confidence in the results of 2020 election.
Katie Porter: End Citizens United: campaign finance reform first.
Mark Meuser: So many irregularities about the 2020 election.
Adam Schiff: Need to pass historic voting rights protection legislation.
Katie Porter: Only House Democrat to oppose return of earmarks.
Steve Garvey: Get government out of the way of small businesses.
Laphonza Butler: Fight voter suppression; combat misinformation.
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Gun Control
Alex Padilla: 2006: Stopped felons from possessing body armor.
Duf Sundheim: I believe in the 2nd Amendment.
James Bradley: Citizens have moral, Constitutional right to self-protect.
Kamala Harris: No gun ownership for dangerous convicts or mentally ill.
Mark Meuser: On universal background checks, Congress shall not infringe.
Michael Eisen: Why are politicians reluctant to regulate guns?
Michael Eisen: Shine light on politician's reluctance to regulate guns.
Adam Schiff: Better & faster data tracking gun trafficking.
Barbara Lee: Banning assault weapons a crucial and long-overdue action.
Katie Porter: Ban assault weapons, strengthen background checks.
Steve Garvey: Supports very stringent background checks on gun sales.
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Health Care
Alex Padilla: 2006: Fought for universal health care.
Alex Padilla: We've got to better support our health care infrastructure.
Duf Sundheim: Some aspects of ObamaCare ok, but rest is a boondoggle.
Duf Sundheim: Healthcare doesn't need a new 1930s-era bureaucracy.
James Bradley: Remove excess red tape; price controls on Big Pharma.
James Bradley: Opposes taxpayer funding for transgender minors.
Kamala Harris: Require pharmaceutical companies to allow generics.
Kamala Harris: Companies should provide contraception under ObamaCare.
Kevin de Leon: For health care to be accessible, it must be affordable.
Mark Meuser: COVID isolation policy caused poor job market & inflation.
Mark Meuser: Won't comment on publicly was his vaccination status.
Michael Eisen: Gutting Obamacare leaves those in need without healthcare.
Michael Eisen: Gutting ObamaCare leaves people without health insurance.
Tom Del Beccaro: More taxes & regulations loom with ObamaCare.
Xavier Becerra: 133M people with pre-existing conditions rely on ObamaCare.
Katie Porter: Replace Affordable Care Act with something like Medicare.
Laphonza Butler: Affordable & just health care with equitable access.
Steve Garvey: Medicare for All will be a strain on our economy.
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Homeland Security
Alex Padilla: Maintain San Diego's Marine Corps Recruit Depot.
Duf Sundheim: We need a strong national defense, plus cyber security.
James Bradley: Strive to guarantee healthcare and housing for all veterans.
James Bradley: Protect American citizens from threats known or unknown.
Kamala Harris: Champion a robust VA for our Veterans.
Michael Eisen: No need for more military, stop taking from what we do need.
Michael Eisen: No need for more military nor a border wall.
Rocky Chavez: Focus on national security: prepared to deal with ISIS.
Rocky Chavez: Block Syrian refugees until we upgrade our intel and vetting.
Tom Del Beccaro: Terrorists believe in terrorism; we can't persuade them.
Barbara Lee: We need to cut defense budget by at least $100 billion.
Katie Porter: Voted against defense budget higher than what was requested.
Steve Garvey: Modernize our military; achieve peace through strength.
Laphonza Butler: Jobs & healthcare for 1.6 million veterans.
Laphonza Butler: Serves on Senate Homeland Security committee.
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Immigration
Alex Padilla: Battle over Prop. 187 led to involvement in politics.
Alex Padilla: Undocumented immigrants shouldn't have to fear deportation.
Duf Sundheim: Path to legal status without executive action.
Duf Sundheim: Pathway to legal status.
James Bradley: Opposes California's sanctuary state laws.
Kamala Harris: An undocumented immigrant is not a criminal.
Kevin de Leon: Abolish ICE at "Abolish Ice Cream Social".
Loretta Sanchez: Refugees are not the enemy, today nor in our history.
Mark Meuser: Don't defund the border patrol.
Mark Meuser: Strengthen law enforcement's ability to protect the border.
Michael Eisen: Differentiate dangerous immigrants from those who integrate.
Rocky Chavez: We are home for the tired and oppressed, even Syrians.
Tom Del Beccaro: Expose crime and danger at the US-Mexico border.
Steve Garvey: Wants to complete the wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Laphonza Butler: Fair Day for Kids in Court: lawyers for unaccompanied kids.
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Jobs
Tom Del Beccaro: $15 mandated wages results in lower employment.
Laphonza Butler: Was labor organizer; led fight for $15 minimum wage in CA.
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Principles & Values
Alex Padilla: Son of Mexican immigrants; taught him value of education.
Alex Padilla: Became a teenage activist on crime, environmental racism.
Alex Padilla: Dedicated to having as an inclusive democracy as possible.
Alex Padilla: What drives my public service passion are issues of equity.
Dianne Feinstein: Asked state Dems to not endorse, but they endorsed opponent.
Duf Sundheim: Showing respect for God ok, if not imposed by religious test.
James Bradley: Cardi B's "WAP" made me want to pour holy water in my ears.
Kamala Harris: First Indian-American to serve in the U.S. Senate.
Mark Meuser: Vote twice: short-term and long-term Senate on same ballot.
Mark Meuser: Compared seized Trump documents to raid on Obama.
Mark Meuser: Calls those saying he can't win "uncircumcised Philistines".
Michael Eisen: Ran and lost for Student Council and Genetics Board.
Xavier Becerra: Appointed as California's first Latino attorney general.
Steve Garvey: Holds MLB NL record for consecutive games played (1,207).
Steve Garvey: Politicians need to take a more civil approach to politics.
Laphonza Butler: After two weeks in office: not running for re-election.
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Social Security
Duf Sundheim: Don't privatize Social Security.
James Bradley: Increase funding for programs and care for the elderly.
Kamala Harris: Oppose entitlement cuts; strengthen these safety nets.
Tom Del Beccaro: Eliminate cap on the payroll tax.
Katie Porter: Increase benefits, improve adjustments for inflation.
Steve Garvey: Let's cut back on these entitlements; stop printing money.
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Tax Reform
Duf Sundheim: Get rid of gimmicks and tax breaks the wealthy have.
Kamala Harris: Expand EITC, Child Tax Credit, and R&D Tax Credit.
Tom Del Beccaro: Personal & corporate flat tax: 15.5% federal and 6% state.
Adam Schiff: We need to ensure that the wealthy pay their fair share.
Steve Garvey: Career politicians increased taxes and fees, raised costs.
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Technology
Alex Padilla: Bill created statewide Earthquake Early Warning System.
Alex Padilla: Election security is ongoing effort, not once a generation.
James Bradley: Phase out Federal transit program; repeal Davis-Bacon.
James Bradley: Protect individual sovereignty and capitalism of content.
Michael Eisen: Patents are destroying the soul of academic science.
Michael Eisen: Government should be a partner, not just a funding source.
Alex Padilla: States run elections; Feds can standardize administration.
Laphonza Butler: Largest investment in infrastructure in nearly a century.
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War & Peace
Duf Sundheim: Avoid foreign entanglements.
Mark Meuser: Foreign policy weakness allowed Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Tom Del Beccaro: Nuke deal solidifies Iran conventional military gains.
Tom Del Beccaro: Mideast was more stable with U.S. troops in Iraq.
Steve Garvey: I stand with Israel yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
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Welfare & Poverty
Duf Sundheim: Address the 8.9 million Californians living in poverty.
James Bradley: Funds for working families for affordable housing.
Barbara Lee: Ending poverty is a moral and economic imperative .
Katie Porter: 2012: Sounded alarm about predatory practices on homeowners.
Laphonza Butler: Address housing shortage & decades-long racial disparities.
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