Steve Forbes on Civil Rights

	Steve Forbes on Civil Rights 2000 Republican Primary Candidate for President

Against gay marriage but supports gay rights

So where does Forbes stand on gay rights? Forbes is on record opposing gay marriage. But Forbes' former staffer told me he was sure Forbes would never change his position on gays in the military or his generally progressive stance on gay rights. Forbes' campaign staffers prefer not to discuss the subject of gay rights. But when pressed, they concede that Forbes supports President Clinton's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military. Source: Joshua Micah Marshall on Salon.com, "Can we talk?" , May 17, 1999

Respects people without worrying about lifestyle choices

Without stating categorically that his father was gay, GOP presidential hopeful Steve Forbes says he expected the issue to surface in his campaign and admits that Malcolm Forbes Sr. "had his life."

"My father had his life. We respected it. What he meant to us and to others I think speaks for itself. You don't have to approve of something that someone does to have compassion and love."

Source: Stephen McFarland, News Wire Services in New York Daily News , Mar 1, 1996

Ten Commandments & prayer in schools

Q: How do you post the Ten Commandments in schools without telling children who are not in the Judeo-Christian heritage that their form of religious expression is invalid? A: There’s nothing wrong with posting the Ten Commandments in our schools today, because they are the basis of Western civilization. Also, when you look to what’s happened in the last 40 years to the quality of life in this country, when prayer was barred from school, I think it’s fitting and proper that we have voluntary prayer. Source: GOP Debate in Johnston, Iowa , Jan 16, 2000

School prayer OK; civil rights are local issues

Forbes indicates that religious expression on public school property should be allowed. He says, “Enforcement of civil rights should occur at the local, state and federal level.” Source: 2000 National Political Awareness Test , Jan 13, 2000

No separation of religion from civic life

[We should] protect people of all faiths--or of no faith--from encroachments by the state that violate their consciences and most deeply held beliefs. The Founders never intended the separation of church from state to become a separation of religion from public and civic life. There is no reason why a child should be denied the right to hold a Bible study before or after school, or write an essay about a biblical figure during school Source: “A New Birth of Freedom,” p. 143-4 , Nov 9, 1999

Would hire gays if they share his principles

Q: Would you hire qualified men and women to work in your administration, who are openly gay? A: I will hire people who are qualified for the job, people who can do the work at hand; people who are there to get something done. If a person wants a job to make a statement, they’re not going to get it. If a person wants a job because they’re qualified and [share my] principles and philosophy, they will be actively considered for it. I believe in equal rights for all, special rights for none. Source: Republican Debate at Dartmouth College , Oct 29, 1999

Against video gambling - not an economic backbone

“I oppose video gambling and I think that gets to the whole issue of gambling,” Forbes said while campaigning in South Carolina. Residents there will vote this fall on whether they want to keep the video gambling industry in the state. Next year they will decide on a state lottery. “While people think the lottery is much less harmful than video gambling - and they are right on that - the thing to remember about gambling is it does not create a backbone for a powerful economy,” Forbes said. Source: Bruce Smith, Associated Press , Sep 4, 1999

Against casino gambling; against airborne gambling

Forbes, a New Jersey resident, says he voted against introducing casino gambling in Atlantic City in 1977. In a 1996 column panning proposals to allow video gambling on airplanes, the magazine publisher wrote: “We have enough gambling opportunities on the ground. There ought to be a haven in the heavens from these temptations.” Source: Laurence Arnold, Associated Press , Jul 26, 1999

Posting Ten Commandments is ‘a positive thing’

Steve Forbes called the House’s approval of displaying the Ten Commandments “a positive thing. The Ten Commandments, we need to understand and adhere to. The more we see them, the better off we’ll be.” Source: CNN coverage: AllPolitics “Mixed views” , Jun 18, 1999

No race or gender quotas nor preference

Forbes strongly supports laws to protect the civil rights of all Americans, regardless of their race, gender, or ethnic background. As President, he would vigorously enforce such laws. He also supports policy reforms that would remove barriers to economic and educational opportunity for all Americans. Steve opposes unfair and unjust racial and gender-driven quotas, set-asides and other forms of preferential treatment. Source: www.forbes2000.com “Personal Security” , May 21, 1999

Click here for definitions & background information on Civil Rights. Click here for VoteMatch responses by Steve Forbes. Click here for AmericansElect.org quiz by Steve Forbes. Click here for MyOcracy.org quiz by Steve Forbes. Click here for a Wikipedia profile of Steve Forbes. Click here for a Ballotpedia profile of Steve Forbes.
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