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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
Bob Hugin: Against late term abortions unless mother's life is at risk.
Bob Hugin: Pro-choice, but no late-term abortions unless maternal risk.
Cory Booker: No restrictions before viability; exceptions after viability.
Cory Booker: Vigorously defend women's access to affordable birth control.
Cory Booker: Fix Hobby Lobby: it's not about religious freedom.
Hirsh Singh: Eliminate all taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood.
Hirsh Singh: New Jersey should promote a philosophy of life, not death.
Jeff Bell: Apply 14th Amendment to the unborn.
Jeff Bell: Hobby Lobby ruling protects religious freedom.
Murray Sabrin: Human life begins at conception.
Rich Pezzullo: Opposes using tax dollars for abortions, wants regulations.
Rik Mehta: Protect unborn children from the moment of conception.
Robert Menendez: Yes affordable contraceptives; no unneeded restrictions.
Curtis Bashaw: Pro-choice, but supports Dobbs decision leaving it to states.
George Helmy: Played a role in codifying Roe v. Wade into state law.
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Budget & Economy
Cory Booker: We will not be able to cut our way out of the jobs crisis.
Hirsh Singh: The Federal Reserve has caused a lot of damage.
Hirsh Singh: New Jersey should get more of its tax dollars back.
Jeff Bell: Return to gold-dollar convertibility now.
Jeff Bell: Restore the gold standard.
Jeff Bell: Fed's zero interest rate policy extends Great Recession.
Murray Sabrin: Federal Reserve is one big scam.
Murray Sabrin: Free enterprise is the key to national prosperity.
Rich Pezzullo: Balance your budget and provide affordable services.
Rik Mehta: Supports a balanced budget amendment.
Doug Steinhardt: Will stand up against runaway liberal spending.
Andy Kim: Mitigate risk of recurring damage due to extreme weather.
Curtis Bashaw: Cut reckless and wasteful spending to bring inflation down.
Cory Booker: GOP is dismantling the protections of Americans' safety.
Cory Booker: Republican budget cuts present moral threat to country.
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Civil Rights
Bob Hugin: Supports gay marriage.
Bob Hugin: Regrets ban on women at 1970s Princeton eating clubs.
Bob Hugin: My kids taught me to be more tolerant of gays than in 1970s.
Cory Booker: MLK's dream still demands work to do, after 50 years.
Hirsh Singh: People free to be themselves; don't force it upon us.
Jeff Bell: Government shouldn't redefine marriage.
Murray Sabrin: Government shouldn't redefine marriage.
Robert Menendez: Supports gay marriage.
Stuart Meissner: Supports expansion of Title VI addressing anti-Semitism.
Tammy Murphy: Oppression of LGBTQ community is highly offensive.
Curtis Bashaw: First openly gay Republican running for NJ Senate seat.
George Helmy: Ensure all marginalized communities have a seat at the table.
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Corporations
Bob Hugin: As a job creator he'll employ new policies to spur growth.
Cory Booker: Government procurement should promote women-owned business.
Cory Booker: Lower corporate tax rate & close loopholes.
Jeff Bell: Low interest rates favor big businesses over small.
Rich Pezzullo: Government shouldn't bail out businesses that can't succeed.
Robert Menendez: Keep CFPB Financial Protection; keep Consumer Advisory Board.
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Crime
Cory Booker: Bipartisan solution to reduce recidivism.
Cory Booker: Real solution to crime is addressing poverty and education.
Cory Booker: Incarceration isn't working; focus on preventing recidivism.
Cory Booker: Increase the number of police in all neighborhoods.
Cory Booker: Cut first responders due to economic downturn.
Hirsh Singh: Supports sending troops into New Jersey to "Protect America".
Ray Lesniak: Change culture of corrections: limit solitary confinement.
Rik Mehta: Lock up violent offenders and throw away the key.
Doug Steinhardt: Punish New Jersey's criminals instead of protecting them.
Curtis Bashaw: The lack of support for law enforcement is a problem.
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Drugs
Bob Hugin: Decriminalize pot in small amounts but not recreational use.
Cory Booker: The drug war is an abject failure.
Hirsh Singh: Treat drug addiction as a public health problem.
Hirsh Singh: Regulate and tax cannabis like alcohol.
Rik Mehta: Eliminate aid to socialist governments run on trafficking.
Robert Menendez: Give marijuana businesses access to banking services.
Andy Kim: Educate the public on fentanyl & synthetic opioids.
Andy Kim: States with medicinal marijuana have 25% fewer opioid deaths.
Robert Menendez: Rated C by NORML: decriminalize medical marijuana & banking.
George Helmy: Worked with Helmy on legalization of adult-use marijuana.
Cory Booker: Remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act.
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Education
Bob Hugin: Supports expanded charter schools.
Cory Booker: Ensure that college tuition is not a long-term burden.
Cory Booker: Pre-school for 3-year-olds; more teacher empowerment.
Cory Booker: Fundamental right to high quality public education.
Cory Booker: Newark Workshops got $1.3M in Pell Grants.
Hirsh Singh: Introduce meaningful school choice reform.
Hirsh Singh: Promote school choice polices at state & local levels.
Hirsh Singh: Empower public, private, home school environments.
Hirsh Singh: School violence due to political indoctrination, propaganda.
Jeff Bell: End federal involvement in education.
Murray Sabrin: Oppose nationwide Common Core standards.
Rik Mehta: Backs school choice for those locked in failing schools.
Robert Menendez: Vouchers drain money from public schools.
Robert Menendez: Supports making 2 years of community college free.
Doug Steinhardt: Leave politics out of the schoolhouse.
Curtis Bashaw: For parental rights in public education, not woke ideology.
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Energy & Oil
Bob Hugin: Energy independence: solar & wind, plus domestic oil & gas.
Bob Hugin: Climate change is human-caused, but Paris Accord is unfair.
Cory Booker: Sustainability programs: slow growth of carbon footprint.
Cory Booker: Eliminate unfair subsidies for oil and ga.
Hirsh Singh: Against switch over to high-risk energy systems.
Jeff Bell: No subsidies for wind and solar.
Murray Sabrin: No subsidies for wind and solar.
Rich Pezzullo: Keep energy costs low by opposing radical Green agenda.
Robert Menendez: World must cut greenhouse gas emissions, or reject science.
Stuart Meissner: Climate change real, but response must be joint effort.
Curtis Bashaw: Climate has been changing; we need energy independence.
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Environment
Bob Hugin: More work is needed for safe, clean environment.
Bob Hugin: Protect our environment in a way that's fair to businesses.
Cory Booker: Green space; green housing; green jobs.
Robert Menendez: Don't let the EPA get undermined.
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Foreign Policy
Bob Hugin: Supports Israel and recognizes Jerusalem as its capital.
Cory Booker: No head in the sand; but no global police.
Cory Booker: Where Israel's security is at stake, so is America's.
Cory Booker: Development funds via international organizations for Africa.
Cory Booker: Robust diplomacy and international development.
Rich Pezzullo: As our ally, we must support Israel's right to defend itself.
Rich Pezzullo: Oppose all UN treaties that weaken our sovereignty.
Rik Mehta: China: masters of misinformation, not to be trusted.
Robert Menendez: Unequivocal support for Hong Kong protests against China.
Stuart Meissner: Against Iran nuclear deal that sent money used for terrorism.
Tammy Murphy: Joined with Bon Jovi in fundraising for Ukrainian war relief.
Tammy Murphy: Joined with Bon Jovi in fundraising for Ukrainian war relief.
Curtis Bashaw: Israel has right to defend itself & take out terrorists.
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Free Trade
Bob Hugin: In the end, tariffs will get a better deal with China.
Cory Booker: African trade makes stable countries & good for our security.
Cory Booker: China cheats via currency manipulation & IP theft.
Jeff Bell: Act on bilateral agreements with Colombia and South Korea.
Rik Mehta: For trade, but ensure other nations don't take advantage.
Robert Menendez: Tariffs on China drive allies into arms of our adversaries.
Curtis Bashaw: Real free trade takes commitments from all sides.
Cory Booker: Unequivocally condemn the Trump tariffs, there's no strategy.
Cory Booker: Trump tariffs have no strategy, it has no sense.
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Government Reform
Cory Booker: Campaign PAC money shouldn't speak louder than people.
Cory Booker: Founding principle: make laws open to public debate.
Cory Booker: Threat to voting rights in America remains very real.
Jeff Bell: Photo ID for voting.
Murray Sabrin: Photo ID for voting.
Robert Menendez: Citizens United rolled back decades of progress.
Robert Menendez: Do everything to protect all Americans' right to vote.
Cory Booker: Average black voter waits in line 2X as long as white voter.
Andy Kim: No officials having stock ownership in individual companies.
Curtis Bashaw: Government should unshackle our small businesses.
Curtis Bashaw: I believe election integrity is important to all voters.
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Gun Control
Bob Hugin: Expanded background checks; bar people with mental illnesses.
Cory Booker: Common sense gun reform on day one.
Cory Booker: More background checks & gun trace data.
Hirsh Singh: Enact reciprocity between states to own & carry firearms.
Hirsh Singh: If they take AR-15 rifles, will cell phones be next?
Jeff Bell: Debated who's most supportive of gun rights.
Jeff Bell: Opposes more gun restrictions.
Murray Sabrin: Opposes more gun restrictions.
Rich Pezzullo: Opposes new federal gun laws; high marks from NRA.
Phil Murphy: Reduce maximum magazine size from 15 rounds to 10.
Rich Pezzullo: More conservative justices on federal bench.
Rik Mehta: Never back down from defending the 2nd Amendment.
Robert Menendez: Universal background checks & assault weapons ban.
Stuart Meissner: Supports 2nd Amendment, background checks.
Doug Steinhardt: Gun owners are under constant attack from the left.
Tammy Murphy: Owe it to our children to end the epidemic of gun violence.
Andy Kim: Critical that Congress pass ban on bump stocks.
Curtis Bashaw: Bump stock ban reasonable; an effective safety measure.
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Health Care
Bob Hugin: As CEO, paid $280M drug settlement.
Bob Hugin: Will use his 20 years in healthcare to craft new reforms.
Bob Hugin: AdWatch: Raised drug prices in US while lowering them abroad.
Bob Hugin: Lobbied to block cheaper generic alternatives.
Bob Hugin: Repeal ObamaCare but keep preexisting conditions.
Cory Booker: ObamaCare is a vital step in the right direction.
Hirsh Singh: Cap malpractice damages; limit frivolous lawsuits.
Hirsh Singh: Repeal and replace ObamaCare.
Jeff Bell: Repeal ObamaCare; it's not a government responsibility.
Murray Sabrin: Repeal ObamaCare; it's not a government responsibility.
Rich Pezzullo: Repeal ObamaCare; it's a dangerous proposal.
Rik Mehta: Against Medicare for All, end excessive regulation.
Robert Menendez: Repealing ObamaCare would hike premiums & hurt the disabled.
Stuart Meissner: Under socialized medicine "I wouldn't be alive today".
Stuart Meissner: Americans should not pay higher prices for drugs.
Andy Kim: Expand Medicare: cover vision, hearing, and dental benefits.
George Helmy: Covid exasperated crisis in youth mental health.
Curtis Bashaw: Don't give even more power to government bureaucrats.
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Homeland Security
Bob Hugin: Syrian airstrikes no "kabuki show" to our brave military.
Cory Booker: Public oversight needed for NSA domestic spying.
Cory Booker: Maintain the strongest military force in the world.
Cory Booker: Irresponsible to spend on irrelevant weapon systems.
Jeff Bell: Defense hawk and foreign-policy interventionist.
Jeff Bell: Maintain a superior nuclear arsenal.
Murray Sabrin: Maintain a superior nuclear arsenal.
Rich Pezzullo: Spying on citizens not needed against criminals & terrorists.
Andy Kim: Helped veteran-owned businesses compete on federal projects.
Cory Booker: Trump seeks personal political loyalty from military.
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Immigration
Bob Hugin: Fully supports pathway to citizenship for innocent DREAMers.
Bob Hugin: Path to citizenship for people building a productive life.
Hirsh Singh: Build that wall; enact merit-based immigration policies.
Hirsh Singh: Illegal immigration should not be allowed.
Hirsh Singh: Illegal immigrants getting driver's licenses will ruin state.
Hirsh Singh: End undermining the sanctity of American citizenship.
Jeff Bell: Protect the borders; prevent illegal entry.
Murray Sabrin: Protect the borders; prevent illegal entry.
Rich Pezzullo: Opposes pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants.
Rik Mehta: For the wall; against healthcare for illegal immigrants.
Robert Menendez: DREAMer kids have grown up as Americans.
Stuart Meissner: Not fair for illegal immigrants to cut the line.
Tammy Murphy: Supported pandemic relief for undocumented immigrants.
Curtis Bashaw: Our wide-open southern border is a national security threat.
Cory Booker: Ban ICE agents from being masked while operating.
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Jobs
Cory Booker: 1/3 of all NJ development is in Newark, where only 3% live.
Cory Booker: $1,000 tax credit for job-training apprenticeships.
Cory Booker: Great Recession decreased hourly wages overall.
Cory Booker: Gender wage gap problematic; minority wage gap worse.
Robert Menendez: Raise minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10/hour.
Cory Booker: DEI actually allows us to hire the best of the best.
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Principles & Values
Cory Booker: First African-American senator from New Jersey.
Hirsh Singh: I take absolute pride in being morally consistent.
Jeff Bell: Judeo-Christian values established our government framework.
Jeff Bell: 1982: ran for Senate; speechwriter for Ronald Reagan.
Jeff Bell: Wife wept upon hearing he would run for Senate.
Jeff Bell: Defeated incumbent Senator in GOP primary in 1978.
Murray Sabrin: Judeo-Christian values established our government framework.
Rik Mehta: Campaign $300,000+ in debt, entire campaign staff quit.
Rik Mehta: We need God, we need prayer, reopen houses of worship.
Robert Menendez: Admonished by Senate Ethics Committee for accepting gifts.
Robert Menendez: Severely admonished by Senate for political favors.
Stuart Meissner: Lifelong Democrat turned Trump supporter.
Andy Kim: Inject some integrity and civility back into our politics.
Tammy Murphy: Churches played an important role during the pandemic.
Curtis Bashaw: America is the greatest exception to tyranny in history.
Curtis Bashaw: I'm a Libertarian freedom guy in many, many ways.
George Helmy: Was unaffiliated; became Democrat to support candidate.
George Helmy: I consider public service a privilege.
George Helmy: First member of the Coptic Christian Church in the Senate.
George Helmy: I have never--nor will I ever--seek elected office.
Cory Booker: When has Trump crossed the line over love of this country?
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Social Security
Bob Hugin: Blasts opponent for voting to raise taxes on Social Security.
Cory Booker: Opposes raising retirement age; expand entitlements.
Robert Menendez: Opposes privatization of Social Security.
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Tax Reform
Bob Hugin: Opposes new $10K cap on deductions for state & local taxes.
Bob Hugin: Trump tax cuts delivered real relief & job creation.
Hirsh Singh: End the inheritance tax, the gas tax, and property tax hikes.
Hirsh Singh: Lower corporate tax to 15%, reduce capital gains tax to 10%.
Hirsh Singh: Higher tax burdens are counterproductive.
Jeff Bell: Convinced Pres. Reagan to adopt radical tax-rate reductions.
Robert Menendez: Trump tax cuts was giant hit job on middle class.
Stuart Meissner: Remove cap on federal deductions for local taxes.
Stuart Meissner: Raise property tax deduction to $20,000.
Curtis Bashaw: A "fair share" shouldn't mean higher taxes.
Cory Booker: Trump tax cuts blow a trillion dollar hole in our deficit.
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Technology
Cory Booker: Protect critical infrastructure from cyberattack.
Cory Booker: Technology empowers individuals but creates diverse threats.
Cory Booker: Fix crumbling rail & road with National Infrastructure Bank.
Cory Booker: Invest in Next-Gen air traffic; broadband, and smart grid.
Hirsh Singh: Potholes have become a de facto tax on citizens.
Robert Menendez: Net Neutrality avoids higher prices.
Curtis Bashaw: TikTok is a known national security risk from China.
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War & Peace
Bob Hugin: Iran used nuclear deal to export terrorism.
Chris Murphy: Oppose sale of precision guided bombs to Saudi Arabia.
Cory Booker: All options on the table with Iran, including military.
Hirsh Singh: We must stop radical Islamic terrorism, with military.
Robert Menendez: Selling arms to Saudi Arabia makes crisis in Yemen.
Rik Mehta: Bring our troops home when it's not our war.
Robert Menendez: Grave mistake to walk away from Iran nuke deal without plan.
Robert Menendez: Oppose bombs to Saudi Arabia; no national security emergency.
Robert Menendez: Is Trump acting for Russia and Turkey or willfully blind?
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Welfare & Poverty
Bob Hugin: Non-profit advocate for needs of homeless families.
Rich Pezzullo: Make major cuts in welfare "giveaway" programs.
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