Interviews and analysis of presidential primary hopefuls during 2023

OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Asa Hutchinson: Americans want to restrict abortion with right exceptions.     Asa Hutchinson: Have to do better in child birth care and adoption services.     Chris Christie: No federal ban on abortion without national consensus.     Francis Suarez: Supports a 15-week federal abortion ban, not yet for 6-week.     Mike Pence: I'd like to see Mifepristone taken off the market.     Nikki Haley: Some states are pro-life, some err on side of abortion.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Supports abortion rights, but every abortion is a tragedy.     Vivek Ramaswamy: I believe that abortion is a form of murder.     Stephen Laffey: Happy Roe overturned; leave it to the states to decide.     Francis Suarez: Exceptions for rape, incest and life-threatening emergencies.     Doug Burgum: I support the Dobbs decision but wouldn't sign a federal ban.     Mike Pence: Err on the side of life to give unborn child every chance.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Keep government away from women's childbearing choices.

Budget & Economy     Vivek Ramaswamy: Unleash the animal inside the heart of the American economy.     Asa Hutchinson: I plan to reduce federal civilian employment by 10%.     Francis Suarez: Vowed to make Miami bitcoin hub; as mayor, paid in bitcoin.     Marianne Williamson: We are living at the effect of an unjust economic system.     Nikki Haley: Our children will never forgive us for $31 trillion in debt.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Shift budget from military to domestic spending.     Francis Suarez: Reduce spending and taxes.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Unleash the Beast and grow our way out of problems.     Chris Christie: Biden responsible for inflation: Jimmy Carter of the 2020s.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: American economy is in trouble for most people.     Chase Oliver: Veto any budget Congress sends that is not balanced.     Chase Oliver: Reckless spending by both parties causes reckless inflation.

Civil Rights     Francis Suarez: The diversity of our city is a strength for us.     Cornel West: Focusing on diversity is a very narrow criteria to use.     Perry Johnson: Leftists drives wedges among us in dealing with race.     Will Hurd: Use diversity to solve the major problems that we're facing.     Asa Hutchinson: Move beyond race-based admissions; fight identity politics.     Marianne Williamson: Declare transgender murder/suicide a national emergency.     Joe Biden: Rights for women and minorities part of our shared humanity.     Chase Oliver: I'm armed and gay: armed gays are harder to bash.     Chase Oliver: Don't tell LGBTQ people who to be or how to live.

Corporations     Asa Hutchinson: Not government's role to punish business for their views .     Asa Hutchinson: Punishing business for exercising speech is heavy-handed.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Rebuild industrial infrastructure and undo off-shoring.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Our kids can't buy homes because of corporate accumulation.     Chase Oliver: End tax cuts for big businesses & not small businesses.

Crime     Asa Hutchinson: Promise to pardon Trump undermines the rule of law.     Asa Hutchinson: Don't erode confidence in our entire criminal justice system.     Chris Christie: We need change at DOJ: remove anyone who shows partisanship.     Larry Elder: Proposes removing soft-on-crime, George Soros-backed DAs.     Mike Pence: Radical left responsible for NYC prosecution of Trump.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Release Sirhan Sirhan; doesn't believe he shot RFK.     Stephen Laffey: Reform the FBI.     Will Hurd: Teach de-escalation; ensure no one dies in police custody.     Asa Hutchinson: Shouldn't promise pardons during presidential campaign.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Trump should not be convicted of a process crime.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: JFK assassination and coverup with CIA involvement.

Drugs     Francis Suarez: Federal cannabis policy needs to catch up with the states.     Stephen Laffey: Legalization of marijuana is hurting the business climate.     Donald Trump: Cannabis is popular, but it does damage.     Francis Suarez: Companies in China spawn fentanyl precursors for cartels.     Asa Hutchinson: Use economic pressure on Mexico to fight against fentanyl.

Education     Francis Suarez: Expanding "Don't Say Gay" to all grades is excessive.     Francis Suarez: Miami has always led on school choice.     Mike Pence: There was racial inequity in education system; no longer.     Tim Scott: Started the School Choice Caucus & they work.     Will Hurd: We've done terribly preparing students of color for college.     Clarence Thomas: Race is not to blame: end college affirmative action.     Mike Pence: Student loan forgiveness not about helping the middle class.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Invest in public schools but with vouchers & parental choice.     Will Hurd: Colleges can still consider race without affirmative action.     Will Hurd: First Republican to say that slavery is not a jobs program.     Chase Oliver: Let schools & parents decide on LGBTQ books in libraries.     Ryan Binkley: Defends Texas law allowing chaplains in public schools.

Energy & Oil     Corey Stapleton: Free-market capitalism is key to addressing global warming.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Climate crisis used to push totalitarian controls on society.     Stephen Laffey: Nuclear power plant needs less land than wind or solar.     Francis Suarez: Climate change is a serious threat; reduce emissions .     Nikki Haley: There can be solar and wind, but you can't do it tomorrow.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Stop subsidizing carbon--and nuclear plants cost too much.

Environment     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: End toxic polarization: only environmentalist on Fox News.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Good environmental policy identical to good economic policy.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Riverkeepers: Sue polluters to clean up Hudson River.

Families & Children     Asa Hutchinson: Don't want government interfering with parental decisions.     Chris Christie: Government shouldn't interfere with parents on gender care.     Chase Oliver: No state mandates on transgender girls athletics.

Foreign Policy     Corey Stapleton: Sustained peace gained by strength of US, European allies.     Doug Burgum: Support Ukraine: an opportunity for US and NATO.     Francis Suarez: Asks "What's a Uyghur?" during interview .     Mike Pence: Russia military conduct isn't just warfare; it's evil.     Nikki Haley: Time to start actually being aggressive with China.     Perry Johnson: Ridiculous to send $113B to Ukraine when we're going broke.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Opposing Russia in Ukraine is not a top priority for us.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Russia/China alliance is the top threat America faces.     Will Hurd: Push the Russians out of Crimea & out of the Donbass.     Will Hurd: China is trying to surpass us as a global superpower.     Stephen Laffey: Hawkish on Israel, liberal Jewish critics are self-loathing.     Corey Stapleton: Restore America's image and power abroad.     Chris Christie: Aid to Ukraine degrades Russian army; sends message to China.     Doug Burgum: I think Putin is running a large criminal organization.     Mike Pence: This is all about America being the leader of the free world.     Mike Pence: Arming Ukraine sends a deafening message to communist China.     Nikki Haley: We need to deal with China as the threat that they are.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Stop weaponizing the US dollar to avoid world currency.     Joe Biden: We stand with regional bodies to support constitutional rule.     Joe Biden: U.S. and Vietnam show adversaries can become partners.     Joe Biden: We are for de-risking, not decoupling, with China.     Jill Stein: Attended Moscow event with Putin, says she was critical.     Chase Oliver: Let NATO & Europe defend Ukraine; US takes refugees.

Free Trade     Corey Stapleton: I generally believe in free trade (not protectionism).     Francis Suarez: Defends embargo on Cuba; doesn't think it's cruel.     Francis Suarez: China is a threat; get US companies out.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Compete with China and we win without war.     Joe Biden: India/Middle East/Europe connection will have impact.     Chase Oliver: Free markets & free trade; not central planning.     Ryan Binkley: There must be a level playing field for fair trade.

Government Reform     Asa Hutchinson: Supreme Court needs to be transparent on reporting rules.     Doug Burgum: Innovation is what drives country forward, not regulation.     Francis Suarez: Supports cryptocurrency but it needs to be regulated.     Francis Suarez: No need for a police force to investigate election fraud.     Larry Elder: Set up voter integrity website in 2021 recall election .     Vivek Ramaswamy: Shut down the FBI and replace it with something new.     Stephen Laffey: Close primaries to registered party members only.     Stephen Laffey: Term limits for House and Senate.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Raise voting age to 25 for the majority of U.S. voters.     Mike Pence: Going to clean house among senior leadership at DOJ.     Nikki Haley: Clean up weaponized, politicized Department of Justice.

Gun Control     Francis Suarez: Cities with the strictest gun laws have the most homicides.     Mike Pence: Recent gun tragedies reflect fear of crime wave.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Mass shootings linked to antidepressants & video games .     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Common sense gun control, and assault weapons ban.     Ryan Binkley: Gun violence is a spiritual and health issue.

Health Care     Perry Johnson: We need competition across state lines for all insurance .     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Would put Dr. Fauci on trial over COVID vaccines.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Gender dysphoria is suffering; we're creating more of it.     Francis Suarez: Focus on healthy lifestyle through physical fitness.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Gut the FDA and its corrupt regulations.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Public option not right thing, unless part of single-payer.

Homeland Security     Perry Johnson: Defense was never more important than it is today.     Vivek Ramaswamy: We are way behind; need modern Monroe Doctrine.     Chase Oliver: China just an excuse to fund military industrial complex.

Immigration     Asa Hutchinson: Pass border security first, then immigration reform.     Francis Suarez: Connect immigration to employment, declining birth rate.     Nikki Haley: Instead of catch and release, let's go to catch and deport.     Will Hurd: There are common sense solutions, but pols have to sell them.     Stephen Laffey: Increase infrastructure at the border; pass legislation.     Francis Suarez: Aggressive policies adversely impact small businesses .     Vivek Ramaswamy: Military force to secure the border; then universally deport.     Chris Christie: Trump didn't do anything to make immigration laws stronger.     Joe Biden: Let Title 42 expire: more humanitarian asylum policy.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: War on Drugs creates desperate conditions south of border.     Chase Oliver: Comprehensive reform gets millions out of shadows.     Chase Oliver: Immigration crisis created by government, not by immigrants.

Jobs     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: I believe in labor unions & a robust middle class.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Yes living wage; no universal basic income.

Principles & Values     Vivek Ramaswamy: Defining political debate is pro-American vs. anti-American.     Doug Burgum: The best of America is when neighbors help neighbors.     Asa Hutchinson: Put the office of presidency and our country above yourself.     Chris Christie: Unacceptable to pressure officials to alter election results.     Chris Christie: Will take pledge to support nominee as seriously as Trump.     Chris Christie: America didn't become great by pulling up the drawbridge.     Corey Stapleton: Formed a band called Corey Stapleton and The Pretty Pirates.     Doug Burgum: The best of America is when neighbors help neighbors.     Francis Suarez: Parents came here for freedom; experienced American Dream.     Francis Suarez: Most important part of my day is time I spend with Jesus.     Francis Suarez: I believe America is still a shining city on a hill.     Marianne Williamson: I want to disrupt the system, not perpetuate it.     Mike Pence: I'm a Bible-believing Christian.     Mike Pence: America is the leader of the free world.     Mike Pence: United States is the gold standard of justice in the world.     Tim Scott: Progressive left makes America into a grievance culture.     Tim Scott: A world without America is a very dark place.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Blames Biden for special counsel & indictment of Trump.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Deliver national unity with our shared American identity.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Capitalism has to stay apolitical to bring us together.     Vivek Ramaswamy: To put America first, we need to rediscover what America is.     Will Hurd: Christian Nationalism advocates for American theocracy.     Chris Christie: Politicians pit groups against each other to create conflict.     Doug Burgum: The president is supposed to bring people together.     Mike Pence: The freedom of religion is our first freedom.     Vivek Ramaswamy: For my part, I stand for the America first agenda.     Will Hurd: Character matters; service matters; US has a world role.     Mike Pence: We all face the judgment of history, as will Trump.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: America without censorship: I'm not a cancel-culture guy.     Dean Phillips: Part of informal Jewish caucus when need arises.     Dean Phillips: His grandmother was advice columnist Dear Abby.     Dean Phillips: Don't amplify "America First Caucus" about hate & ignorance.     Jill Stein: Born into Jewish family, stresses she's no longer practicing.

Social Security     Mike Pence: Let younger Americans invest a portion of their payroll tax.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Protect Social Security; needs more study.     Stephen Laffey: Freeze current system for people in it; reform for future.     Vivek Ramaswamy: Let seniors work; invest Trust Fund in diversified portfolio.     Chase Oliver: Allow opt out right now; then close up shop responsibly.

Tax Reform     Francis Suarez: Reduced taxes to lowest level ever and we grew by 12%.     Francis Suarez: Lower taxes to the lowest level in recorded history.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Exempt conversion of bitcoin from capital gains taxes .     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Stimulate economy without raising taxes.

Technology     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: CHIPS Act: Don't subsidize rich nor cut off trade with China.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Podcasts allow deplatformed candidates to reach voters.     Joe Biden: Working with world leaders to strengthen rules on AI.

War & Peace     Francis Suarez: US should consider potential military action in Cuba.     Francis Suarez: Military aid to Ukraine, with NATO equal burden.     Chris Christie: If Russia wins they'd soon cross border requiring US troops.     Will Hurd: Both Trump and Biden to blame for Afghanistan withdrawal.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Supports Minsk accord: Independent Donbas & annexed Crimea.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Russia's invasion of Ukraine is brutal; but not "unprovoked".     Dean Phillips: Defend Ukraine's sovereignty & seize Russian assets.     Dean Phillips: Condemn the depravity of Hamas, and Iran if they're involved.     Joe Biden: If Russia prevails in Ukraine can any nation feel secure?     Don Blankenship: Communist Party & China are not our friends.     Chase Oliver: Began political activism opposing the war in Iraq.     Ryan Binkley: In Ukraine, both sides have got to feel successful.

Welfare & Poverty     Francis Suarez: Faith-based groups helped solved Miami homelessness.     Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Guaranteed 3% mortgage for first-time homebuyers.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Asa Hutchinson Arkansas Republican presidential contender; AR Governor Chase Oliver Georgia Libertarian candidate for President Chris Christie New Jersey N.J. Governor; Republican Presidential candidate Clarence Thomas Republican Appointee to Supreme Court Corey Stapleton Montana Republican Presidential Challenger Cornel West Green Party/People's Party candidate Dean Phillips Minnesota Democratic presidential Challenger Don Blankenship Constitution Party candidate for President Donald Trump Republican Presidential incumbent Doug Burgum North Dakota 2024 Presidential contender; Republican Governor Francis Suarez Florida Republican presidential challenger (withdrew Oct.2023) Jill Stein Green Challenger Joe Biden Democratic President; former V.P.; former Senator Larry Elder California Republican presidential contender (withdrew Oct.2023) Marianne Williamson Democratic candidate for President Mike Pence Indiana Former Republican Vice President (withdrew Oct.2023) Nikki Haley South Carolina Republican presidential contender; UN Ambassador 2017-2018 Perry Johnson Illinois Republican presidential challenger Robert F. Kennedy Jr. District of Columbia Independent presidential Challenger Ryan Binkley Republican challenger for President Stephen Laffey Rhode Island Republican presidential challenger Tim Scott South Carolina Republican presidential challenger; SC Senator Vivek Ramaswamy District of Columbia Republican Challenger Will Hurd Texas Republican presidential challenger (withdrew Oct.2023)