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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
Andrew Straw: A fetus has rights; treat abortion like euthanasia.
Andrew Straw: Since 1973, courts allowed parents to kill their children.
Brad Ellsworth: Taxpayer money ok for abortions.
Eric Holcomb: Planned Parenthood videos were despicable, but no shutdown.
Evan Bayh: Supports public funding for Planned Parenthood.
Joe Donnelly: God would never intend for rape to happen.
Joe Donnelly: Abortions only in cases of rape, incest, and maternal life.
Mark Hurt: Life is precious; no tax-payer funded abortion.
Mike Braun: Life starts with conception.
Richard Lugar: Government should not have a role in reproductive services.
Richard Mourdock: Government should not have a role in reproductive services.
Richard Mourdock: God at work when rape leads to pregnancy.
Richard Mourdock: No exception for rape; only for maternal life.
Richard Mourdock: No exception for rape, but God doesn't want people raped.
Thomas McDermott: God gives no one a right to control another person's body.
Marc Carmichael: Women's rights are human rights; codify Roe v Wade.
Valerie McCray: Safeguard privacy of women for medication and contraception .
Jim Banks: I oppose "aid in dying" laws.
Jim Banks: No plan to make IVF free .
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Budget & Economy
Andrew Straw: Stimulus plus market-led recovery.
Brad Ellsworth: Voted for bailout, health care law and stimulus bill.
Brad Ellsworth: Stimulus legislation prevented going into a depression.
Daniel Coats: Commitment to no new spending unless offset & paid for.
Joe Donnelly: Supported anti-recession stimulus.
Mike Braun: Don't pay politicians if they can't pass a budget.
Mike Braun: Government isn't the driver of economic prosperity.
Richard Lugar: Pass the remarkable House budget plan & extend Bush tax cuts.
Thomas McDermott: Farm community needs a strong and fair safety net.
Todd Young: $19 trillion of debt is greatest threat to nation's future.
Todd Young: One of 17 Republicans who voted for infrastructure bill.
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Civil Rights
Andrew Straw: Incentives to hire qualified women into management.
Andrew Straw: Same-sex marriage is none of state's business.
Andrew Straw: Gay marriage bans are like anti-miscegenation laws.
Baron Hill: 2006: Marriage is sacred; 2015: guarantee marriage equality.
Baron Hill: For ENDA & against DADT & in Congress; evolved on marriage.
Eric Holcomb: Supportive of the LGBT community: zero discrimination.
Joe Donnelly: Opposes same sex marriage.
Joe Donnelly: Protect LGBT Hoosiers from discrimination.
Mike Braun: Traditional marriage should be between a man & a woman.
Marc Carmichael: Believes racism is still a cancer on the United States.
Marc Carmichael: Stand up for LGBTQ youth being used as political pawns.
Mike Braun: Enforce Court decision ending college affirmative action.
Valerie McCray: End discrimination based on race and gender.
Valerie McCray: Will fight against efforts to revoke marriage equality.
Jim Banks: Opposes critical race theory and liberal propaganda.
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Corporations
Eric Holcomb: Make America the global jobs magnet.
Joe Donnelly: Challenging auto bailout put 1000s of jobs at risk.
Joe Donnelly: Lower corporate tax rate from 35% to 25%.
Mark Hurt: Lower corporate rates; simplify taxes.
Mike Braun: Lowering taxes is a good start to empowering job creators.
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Crime
Andrew Straw: In some cases, punishment can reduce crime.
Mark Hurt: One small brick in the wall of justice.
Mike Braun: Targeting police should lead to harshest penalties possible.
Valerie McCray: We incarcerate more of our citizens than other countries.
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Drugs
Andrew Straw: Marijuana is a medicine and nutritious.
Mark Hurt: Tougher penalties on those dealing drugs.
Mike Braun: Marijuana use is about freedom of choice.
Thomas McDermott: Time for the federal government to legalize marijuana.
Thomas McDermott: AdWatch: lights up a joint and inhales.
Marc Carmichael: Will push to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule 3 drug.
Jim Banks: Rated C- by NORML: reduce pot penalties, but don't legalize.
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Education
Andrew Straw: Supports vouchers and more school choices.
Andrew Straw: Students can pray in school, but not imposed by teachers.
Eric Holcomb: Give parents the freedom to choose child's school.
Joe Donnelly: Pell Grants for low-income students, & lower interest rates.
Richard Mourdock: Transfer federal education role to state & local level.
Thomas McDermott: Created local full-tuition college scholarship program.
Thomas McDermott: We must do more to support public education.
Todd Young: Market alternatives to federal stranglehold on college loans.
Valerie McCray: Would like to see interest-free student loans.
Jim Banks: Schools should educate--not indoctrinate--America's youth.
Mike Braun: School choice should be legislated at the federal level.
Marc Carmichael: Teachers shouldn't fear being fired over a book or movie.
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Energy & Oil
Andrew Straw: Support green energy storage technology.
Brad Ellsworth: Supports nuclear, solar, & clean coal, but not cap-&-trade.
Brad Ellsworth: Cap-and-trade would put Hoosiers out of work.
Daniel Coats: Don't pick winners & losers in biofuel; pick nuclear instead.
Daniel Coats: Accused of benefiting as lobbyist from pushing cap-and-trade.
Eric Holcomb: Coal reduces our dependency on foreign sources of energy.
Evan Bayh: Climate science is unequivocal, but don't hurt business.
Joe Donnelly: I opposed cap-and-trade even though Dem leadership pushed it.
Mark Hurt: Cost-benefit analysis for measures affecting clean coal.
Richard Lugar: Subsidizing ethanol makes overall gasoline prices go down.
Richard Lugar: Make all cars "flex-fuel" vehicles.
Richard Mourdock: High gas prices come from federal mandates like ethanol.
Richard Mourdock: Oppose ethanol subsidy as a matter of conservative principle.
Richard Mourdock: Ethanol mandates lead to high gas prices.
Thomas McDermott: Focus on clean energy jobs, reduce carbon footprint.
Mike Braun: Businesses need time to make the transition to clean energy.
Marc Carmichael: Will take immediate action on global warming.
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Environment
Andrew Straw: EPA should have more power to clean up, not less.
Eric Holcomb: Stand up to federal government over environmental regulation.
Richard Lugar: Ethanol mandates help state corn farmers.
Mike Braun: EPA's new emissions standards are overbearing overreach.
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Families & Children
Charlie Hardy: Many parents worry about not providing for their children.
Richard Lugar: Government should play no role reproductive health services.
Richard Mourdock: Government should play no role reproductive health services.
Todd Young: House Adoption Caucus: raise awareness of foster parenting.
Valerie McCray: Support early child care and public education .
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Foreign Policy
Andrew Straw: USA should encourage our values in UN programs.
Eric Holcomb: I want a safer, stronger and freer America, today & tomorrow.
Richard Lugar: Russia is neither friend nor foe; just an important country.
Richard Mourdock: Russia is more foe than friend; they aid our enemies.
Richard Mourdock: Russia is more foe than friend.
Thomas McDermott: Denounced Trump as "traitorous" for praising Putin.
Todd Young: Rely all instruments of power, not just military might.
Valerie McCray: For a ceasefire in Gaza, commit to a 2-state solution.
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Free Trade
Andrew Straw: Adjust NAFTA with 1% tariff to raise Mexican standards.
Brad Ellsworth: NAFTA has cost Indiana jobs.
Daniel Coats: Trade barriers would hurt Indiana.
Mike Braun: 2016: Voted against clawbacks for moving jobs to Mexico.
Mike Braun: Trust Trump to negotiate tariffs on China.
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Government Reform
Andrew Straw: Expand voting rights for disabled people.
Andrew Straw: Suing government for ballot access for disabled people.
Mark Hurt: Stop the nefarious practice of omnibus legislation.
Mike Braun: Replace the swamp with citizen legislators and term limits.
Richard Mourdock: Eliminate cabinet departments DOE, ED, DOC, and HUD.
Thomas McDermott: Eliminate regulations that impede growth and prosperity.
Thomas McDermott: We need to protect the rights of every American to vote.
Todd Young: Claims "voting has never been easier than it is right now".
Jim Banks: Fought unconstitutional efforts to federalize our elections.
Marc Carmichael: Committed to confirming fair and impartial federal judges.
Marc Carmichael: Let voters decide term limits by voting them out.
Valerie McCray: Reverse Citizens United; represent people, not corporations.
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Gun Control
Andrew Straw: I support the 2nd Amendment.
Daniel Coats: 1991: voted for Brady Bill & background checks.
Mike Braun: A hunter himself, he's a proud backer of the 2nd Amendment.
Mike Braun: 100% pro-Second Amendment.
Todd Young: National reciprocity for conceal-carry.
Marc Carmichael: Ban military style assault weapons, pass red flag law.
Valerie McCray: License assault weapons based on skill, against a ban.
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Health Care
Andrew Straw: Expand Medicare incrementally, not via ObamaCare.
Luke Messer: ObamaCare bad for middle class.
Mark Hurt: Funding to alleviate shortage of mental health professionals.
Mark Hurt: Support cross-state competition, not ObamaCare bureaucracy.
Mike Braun: Common sense solutions can offset ObamaCare shortfalls.
Richard Mourdock: Tax-deductible health savings accounts for those under 55.
Richard Mourdock: ObamaCare makes government bigger.
Richard Mourdock: No national nor Massachusetts-style health care plan.
Sam Clovis: Keep ObamaCare rule: kids can stay on parent's plan until 26.
Thomas McDermott: Supports creation of an affordable public option.
Marc Carmichael: Lower drugs costs; push for Medicare for all.
Valerie McCray: We have to make mental health a priority.
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Homeland Security
Andrew Straw: We spend too much on the military now.
Eric Holcomb: Peace through strength, not peace through hope.
Mark Hurt: Strategic increased spending on military weapons systems.
Mark Hurt: Work with countries like Russia & comprehensively fight ISIS.
Mark Hurt: Could support transgender military ban.
Mike Braun: We need increased military to protect our interests abroad.
Mike Braun: North Korea & Russian dangers require strong US military.
Richard Lugar: So-authored nuclear nonproliferation program 20 years ago.
Thomas McDermott: Ensure our veterans get the care and services they deserve.
Jim Banks: Committed to investing in our men and women in uniform.
Marc Carmichael: Keep our military strong; take care of veterans and families.
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Immigration
Andrew Straw: Pathway to citizenship, except for felons.
Daniel Coats: Voted for amnesty 26 years ago; against a dozen times since.
Eddie Melton: Protecting DACA is essential; DREAMers are contributors.
Eric Holcomb: I won't be xenophobic on immigration policy.
Joe Donnelly: 3-year protection for DACA recipients.
Mike Braun: Hard line approach to illegal immigrants: build the wall.
Mike Braun: Treat DACA recipients like other illegal immigrants.
Richard Lugar: Yes, voted for DREAM Act, but not for benefits to illegals.
Richard Mourdock: No Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants.
Todd Young: Cites support for border wall in re-election announcement.
Valerie McCray: Stop using immigration as a scapegoat for America's problems.
Valerie McCray: Comprehensive immigration reform: fund judges & border.
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Jobs
Andrew Straw: In recessions, increase money supply to create jobs.
Andrew Straw: Visas for high-wage jobs; don't export jobs via trade.
Mike Braun: Cut regulations and red tape and businesses will create jobs.
Mike Braun: 2015: opposed increasing Indiana minimum wage to $10.10.
Richard Mourdock: Focus on cutting the deficit and creating jobs.
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Principles & Values
Andrew Straw: Ten Commandments are public already; don't impose in court.
Brad Ellsworth: Coats negotiated lobbying job while still a Senator.
Daniel Coats: Accepted lobbying job after adjournment but still in Senate.
Daniel Coats: Accused of lobbying for whatever issue paid the most money.
Daniel Coats: There's a lot of enthusiasm for change in Washington.
Daniel Coats: YouTube video: "Don't tell Hoosiers I'm a Tar Heel".
Eric Holcomb: Proven, passionate solutions-oriented approach.
Mike Braun: Use record of what's been done in hometown and statehouse.
Richard Lugar: OpEd: Lives in Washington DC, no longer in Indiana.
Jim Banks: Uncover Jesus painting at Merchant Marine Academy.
Marc Carmichael: Former state legislator; retired trade association executive.
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Social Security
Andrew Straw: Too many people rely on SSA to risk losses.
Brad Ellsworth: Don't raise the retirement age; put people to work instead.
Daniel Coats: Save Social Security from itself; increase age & more.
Evan Bayh: Raise Social Security age.
Luke Messer: Let retirees earn more.
Matthew Whitaker: No hope that Social Security will be there for future.
Richard Mourdock: Raise the retirement age.
Richard Mourdock: Constitution mentions neither Social Security nor Medicare.
Todd Young: Strong support for privatization.
Jim Banks: Use debt ceiling debate to cut spending, not Social Security.
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Tax Reform
Andrew Straw: Tax cuts for rich don't help economy if tied up in stocks.
Brad Ellsworth: Take away some of the hundreds of tax breaks & exemptions.
Daniel Coats: Open to the FairTax, but no VAT.
Eric Holcomb: Simplifying the 75,000-page tax code would lead to growth.
Luke Messer: Tax cuts should lead to growth.
Mike Braun: Pledged never to raise federal taxes, but infrastructure ok.
Richard Mourdock: Major tax reforms yes; national sales tax no.
Todd Young: Simplify tax code to reward Americans for working hard.
Marc Carmichael: No more gratuitous tax cuts for the rich and corporations.
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Technology
Joe Donnelly: Voted to keep Net Neutrality.
Mike Braun: Increase gas tax by 10 cents for crumbling infrastructure.
Richard Mourdock: Space program is not in Constitution, but I support it.
Thomas McDermott: Dramatically strengthen broadband coverage across the state.
Todd Rokita: Gas tax ok for infrastructure improvements.
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War & Peace
Andrew Straw: Treaties with allies instead of empire-building attitudes.
Eric Holcomb: Iran funds terrorism; no nuclear deal.
Luke Messer: Get tough with North Korea.
Mark Hurt: We lost allies' respect, enabling rise of extreme ideologies.
Mike Braun: Re-impose sanctions on Iran for nuclear capability.
Mike Braun: Defeat ISIS terrorists where they live.
Richard Lugar: US is not going to have troops in Afghanistan indefinitely.
Richard Mourdock: Inexcusable failure to withdraw from Iraq.
Richard Mourdock: inexcusable failure to turn tail & run in Iraq.
Jim Banks: Moral obligation to protect Israel.
Valerie McCray: Immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.
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Welfare & Poverty
Valerie McCray: Ensure housing remains accessible for middle class.
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