Christian Science Monitor: on Principles & Values


George W. Bush: I trust the people, and Al Gore trusts Washington

Bush has settled at last on a core message that resonates with a populist theme: "I trust the people, and Al Gore trusts Washington."

In the most striking example of attempted political pick-pocketing, Bush is arguing that the last eight years of prosperity have nothing to do with the Clinton-Gore administration. "Our economy is strong today not because of Al Gore," he says. "Our economy is strong today because we're a land of dreamers and doers."

Bush is, in effect, taking President Reagan's classic reelection argument, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?" and standing it on its side. He is acknowledging that the average American is better off today than four or eight years ago, and offering in its place his populist-tinged theme of trust. The polls show the public doesn't want a tax cut, he says, but he believes it's the right thing to do - that the surplus is the people's money, and he's going to give some of it back to the people.

Source: Linda Feldmann, The Christian Science Monitor Oct 31, 2000

Pete Buttigieg: Qualified for president since mayors have to get things done

Q: You're a mayor--we've never seen a mayor jump from that office to president. What about that position makes you uniquely qualified?

BUTTIGIEG: When you are a mayor, you're responsible for getting things done," responded Mr. Buttigieg. "You'll never hear about a city shutting down the government because they have a disagreement over politics. ... Cities don't get to print their own money when there's a deficit, so you just have to figure out your finances and get stuff done.

Source: Christian Science Monitor on 2019 Democratic primary Dec 13, 2019

Ron Paul: Accused of racist remarks in 1980s newsletters

It's the biggest setback to hit Ron Paul's candidacy for president: publicity about racially charged statements and other controversial comments in newsletters published in Mr. Paul's name in the 1980s and 1990s. Paul responded by calling the newsletter statements "terrible" but insisting that he wasn't the one who wrote them. He added that the offensive comments totaled about "about eight or 10 sentences."

Some journalists who have researched the newsletters say it was a lot more than 10 sentences. The controversial statements that have surfaced stem largely from the period 1985 to 1994. Some samples: A Dec. 1989 newsletter predicted "Racial Violence Will Fill Our Cities" because "mostly black welfare recipients will feel justified in stealing from mostly white 'haves.' " Paul said he had "some moral responsibility" for the words [since the words appeared in his newsletters].

Source: Mark Trumbull in Christian Science Monitor, "Timeline" Dec 29, 2011

Elon Musk: Calls himself a cultural Christian

Elon Musk, a famous name famously associated with atheism, now calls himself a cultural Christian. He joins other prominent figures--such as scientist Richard Dawkins--who've used that phrase this year to describe themselves.
Source: Christian Science Monitor on 2024 Trump Transition Dec 24, 2025

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2024 Presidential contenders on Principles & Values:
  Candidates for President & Vice-President:
V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA)
Chase Oliver(L-GA)
Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA)
Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL)
Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH)
Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN)
Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)

2024 presidential primary contenders:
Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE)
N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R)
N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R)
Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R)
S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R)
Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R)
Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN)
Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH)
S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
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