New Jersey 2006 Senate Debate: on Civil Rights

Robert Menendez: Support affirmative action in all government contracts

Q: Should the government should take greater account of affirmative action considerations in awarding its contracts?

KEAN: I support merit-based initiatives that recognize the value of diversity and believe we need to ban pay-to-play, which discriminates against minority access to government programs.

MENENDEZ: The federal government has a responsibility to ensure that all businesses have an equal opportunity to compete for contracts - including small, minority and women-owned businesses.

Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate (X-ref Kean) Sep 24, 2006

Robert Menendez: Supports Amendment banning flag-burning, a uniting symbol

Q: Do you support a constitutional amendment to prevent the burning of the American flag?

KEAN: I believe our flag is a sacred symbol, a monument to freedom and I support a Constitutional Amendment banning the desecration of the American flag.

MENENDEZ: I voted for the flag burning amendment because I believe the flag, as a uniting symbol of our country, should be protected.

Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate (X-ref Kean) Sep 24, 2006

Robert Menendez: Supports 1-man-1-woman marriage, but don't take away rights

Q: Do you believe that same sex marriages should be legal?

KEAN: I believe marriage is between one man and one woman but do not support a federal constitutional amendment.

MENENDEZ: I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, but oppose a federal constitutional amendment. The constitution shouldn't be amended to take away rights.

Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate (X-ref Kean) Sep 24, 2006

Thomas Kean Jr.: Support merit-based initiatives, not affirmative action

Q: Should the government should take greater account of affirmative action considerations in awarding its contracts?

KEAN: I support merit-based initiatives that recognize the value of diversity and believe we need to ban pay-to-play, which discriminates against minority access to government programs.

MENENDEZ: The federal government has a responsibility to ensure that all businesses have an equal opportunity to compete for contracts - including small, minority and women-owned businesses.

Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate Sep 24, 2006

Thomas Kean Jr.: Supports Amendment banning flag-burning, a sacred symbol

Q: Do you support a constitutional amendment to prevent the burning of the American flag?

KEAN: I believe our flag is a sacred symbol, a monument to freedom and I support a Constitutional Amendment banning the desecration of the American flag.

MENENDEZ: I voted for the flag burning amendment because I believe the flag, as a uniting symbol of our country, should be protected.

Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate Sep 24, 2006

Thomas Kean Jr.: Supports 1-man-1-woman marriage, but no Amendment

Q: Do you believe that same sex marriages should be legal?

KEAN: I believe marriage is between one man and one woman but do not support a federal constitutional amendment.

MENENDEZ: I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, but oppose a federal constitutional amendment. The constitution shouldn't be amended to take away rights.

Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate Sep 24, 2006

The above quotations are from New Jersey Senate Virtual Debate - moderated by the Hall Institute, August to September 2006. Click here for definitions & background information on Civil Rights. Click here for more quotes by Thomas Kean Jr. on Civil Rights. Click here for more quotes by Robert Menendez on Civil Rights.
*2008 Presidential contenders on Civil Rights:*
*Republicans:* Chmn.John Cox Mayor Rudy Giuliani Gov.Mike Huckabee Rep.Duncan Hunter Sen.John McCain Rep.Ron Paul Gov.Mitt Romney Sen.Fred Thompson	*Democrats:* Sen.Hillary Clinton Sen.John Edwards Sen.Mike Gravel Rep.Dennis Kucinich Sen.Barack Obama	*Third Parties:* Green: Rep.Cynthia McKinney Socialist: Brian Moore Independent: Mayor Mike Bloomberg
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