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2020 Presidential Candidates |
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Barack Obama
On the issues>>
Profile
VoteMatch
Democratic incumbent President; IL Senator (2004-2008)
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2020 Contenders: |
MI Rep. Amash(?)
| CO Sen. Bennet(D)
| V.P.Biden(D)
| Don Blankenship(C)
| NYC Mayor Bloomberg(D)
| NJ Sen.Booker(D)
| MT Gov.Bullock(D)
| IN Mayor Buttigieg(D)
| Secretary Castro(D)
| RI Gov.Chafee(L)
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NYC Mayor de Blasio(D)
| MD Rep.Delaney(D)
| HI Rep.Gabbard(D)
| NY Sen.Gillibrand(D)
| AK Sen.Gravel(D)
| CA Sen.Harris(D)
| Howie Hawkins(G)
| CO Gov.Hickenlooper(D)
| WA Gov.Inslee(D)
| OH Gov.John Kasich(R)
| MN Sen.Klobuchar(D)
| FL Mayor Messam(D)
| MA Rep. Moulton(D)
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TX Rep.O`Rourke(D)
| MA Gov.Patrick(D)
| V.P.Pence(R)
| OH-13 Rep.Ryan(D)
| VT Sen.Sanders(D)
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SC Gov.Sanford(R)
| CEO Schultz(I)
| Adm.Sestak(D)
| CEO Steyer(D)
| CA-15 Rep.Swalwell(D)
| Pres.Trump(R)
| Arvin Vohra(L)
| IL Rep.Walsh(R)
| MA Sen.Warren(D)
| MA Gov.Weld(R)
| Marianne Williamson(D)
| VFA CEO Yang(D)
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OnTheIssues Books: |
Hillary Clinton vs. Jeb Bush on the Issues (2014) |
Marco Rubio vs. Jeb Bush on the Issues (2015) |
Hillary Clinton vs. Rand Paul on the Issues (2015) |
Rand Paul vs. Jeb Bush on the Issues (2015) |
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Archives
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![](../../Shortest_Way.jpg) Shortest Way Home, by Pete Buttigieg
![](../../Media_Snopes.jpg) Snopes.com fact-checking
![](../../Obama_Becoming.jpg) Becoming, by Michelle Obama
![](../../Higher_Loyalty.jpg) Higher Loyalty, by FBI Director James Comey
![](../../Trump_Promises.jpg) Trump: Promises Kept / Promises Broken
![](../../Media_CNS.jpg) Catholic News Service
![](../../Senate_IL.jpg) Illinois Senate candidates, past and present
![](../../Promise_Me_Dad.jpg) Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose
![](../../Media_Vox.jpg) Vox Media
![](../../Media_Democracy_Now.jpg) Democracy Now! website
![](../../Media_CSMonitor.jpg) Christian Science Monitor
![](../../SC.jpg) South Carolina secondary Archives
![](../../IL.jpg) Illinois secondary Archives
![](../../IA.jpg) Iowa secondary Archives
![](../../Trump_Administration.jpg) Trump campaign vs. Trump administration compared
![](../../SCOTUS_2010s.jpg) Supreme Court decisions 2010-2015
![](../../2016_PolitiFact.jpg) PolitiFact fact-checking on 2016 campaigns
![](../../2016_FactCheck.jpg) Fact-checking on 2016 campaigns
![](../../Media_Bloomberg.jpg) Bloomberg News
![](../../2016_ScienceDebate.jpg) Candidate responses to ScienceDebate.org
![](../../The_Prize.jpg) The Prize, by Dale Russakoff
![](../../2016_DNC.jpg) Speeches at the 2016 DNC
![](../../SOTU_2016.jpg) 2016 State of the Union address to Congress
![](../../Media_NPR.jpg) National Public Radio political news
![](../../2016_Hopefuls.jpg) Sunday Political Talk Show interviews throughout 2013-2015
![](../../2015_FactCheck.jpg) Fact-check analysis of 2015 races and primaries
![](../../Notorious_RBG.jpg) Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik
![](../../2016_OTI.jpg) OnTheIssues interviews with 2016 candidates
![](../../SOTU_2015.jpg) 2015 State of the Union address to Congress
![](../../Media_MA.jpg) MA newspaper: The Boston Globe
![](../../Media_IA.jpg) IA newspaper: The Des Moines Register
![](../../Media_DC_Post.jpg) The Washington Post
![](../../Media_CA.jpg) CA newspaper: The Los Angeles Times
![](../../2015_Hopefuls.jpg) Sunday Political Talk Show interviews throughout 2015
![](../../2014_FNS.jpg) Fox News Sunday interviews, throughout 2014
![](../../2014_FactCheck.jpg) FactCheck analysis of 2014 Senate and Gubernatorial races
![](../../Hard_Choices.jpg) Hard Choices, by Senator Hillary Clinton
![](../../One_Nation.jpg) One Nation, by Dr. Ben Carson, M.D.
![](../../Blue_Collar.jpg) Blue Collar Conservatives, by Senator Rick Santorum (R. PA)
![](../../SOTU_2014.jpg) 2014 State of the Union address to Congress
![](../../2013_Hopefuls.jpg) Sunday Political Talk Show interviews throughout 2013
![](../../Unintimidated_Walker.jpg) Unintimidated: A Governor's Story, by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker
![](../../2013_PolitiFact.jpg) PolitiFact.com FactCheck analysis of 2013 Senate and Gubernatorial races
![](../../Immigration_Wars.jpg) Immigration Wars, by Jeb Bush and Clint Bolick
![](../../SOTU_2013.jpg) 2013 State of the Union address to Congress
![](../../Last_Line.jpg) Last Line of Defense, by Ken Cuccinelli
![](../../2013_FactCheck.jpg) 2013 FactCheck
![](../../2012-3.jpg) Third Obama-Romney 2012 Presidential debate
![](../../2012-2.jpg) Second Obama-Romney 2012 Presidential debate
![](../../2012-1.jpg) First Obama-Romney Presidential debate
![](../../2012_Univision.jpg) Joint interview of Obama and Romney on Univision
![](../../2012_Science_Debate.jpg) The Top American Science Questions: Presidential questionnaires
![](../../2012_DNC.jpg) 2012 DNC speeches
![](../../OTI_Stein_Johnson.jpg) Democrat vs. Republican vs. Green vs. Libertarian: Four Party's Presidential Nominees On The Issues, by Jesse Gordon of OnTheIssues.org
![](../../OTI_Biden_Ryan.jpg) Obama-Biden vs. Romney-Ryan On The Issues: Side-by-side stances on the issues, by Jesse Gordon of OnTheIssues.org
![](../../2012_PolitiFact.jpg) Fact-checking on the 2012 Presidential and Senatorial races
![](../../The_Obamians.jpg) The Obamians, by James Mann
![](../../American_Son.jpg) An American Son, by Senator Marco Rubio
![](../../New_Black.jpg) The New Black Politician, by Andra Gillespie
![](../../Not_An_Option.jpg) Can't Is Not an Option: My American Story, by Gov. Nikki Haley
![](../../Do_Not_Ask.jpg) Do Not Ask What Good We Do, by Robert Draper
![](../../Debt_Bomb.jpg) The Debt Bomb, by Sen. Tom Coburn
![](../../Tea_Party_Patriots.jpg) Tea Party Patriots, by Mark Meckler and Jenny Beth Martin
![](../../Greatest_Hoax.jpg) The Greatest Hoax, by Senator James Inhofe
![](../../SOTU_2012.jpg) 2012 State of the Union address to Congress
![](../../Remaking_Conservatism.jpg) The Remaking of Republican Conservatism, by Theda Skocpol and Vanessa Williams
![](../../OTI_Paul_Obama.jpg) Obama vs. Paul On the Issues, by Jesse Gordon of OnTheIssues.org
![](../../OTI_Obama_Romney.jpg) Romney vs. Obama On the Issues, by Jesse Gordon of OnTheIssues.org
![](../../Now_Or_Never.jpg) Now Or Never, by Sen. Jim DeMint
![](../../Media_MA_Herald.jpg) Massachusetts newspaper: The Boston Herald
![](../../Media_DC_Times.jpg) The Washington Times
![](../../America_Beautiful.jpg) America the Beautiful, by Ben Carson
![](../../2012_Pres_Web.jpg) Survey of 2012 Presidential contenders' campaign websites
![](../../2012_FactCheck.jpg) 2012 FactCheck
![](../../Obama_Empire.jpg) Obama and the Empire, by Former Cuban President Fidel Castro
![](../../Get_Tough.jpg) Time to Get Tough, by Donald Trump
![](../../Ten_Letters.jpg) Ten Letters, by Eli Saslow
![](../../Superpower_Suicide.jpg) Suicide of a Superpower, by Pat Buchanan
![](../../Governors_Story.jpg) The Fight for Jobs and America's Economic Future, by Jennifer Granholm
![](../../Confidence_Men.jpg) Confidence Men, by Ron Suskind
![](../../2011_Jobs.jpg) Pres. Obama's Address to Joint Session of Congress
![](../../In_My_Time.jpg) In My Time, by Dick Cheney
![](../../Media_Univision.jpg) Univision News
![](../../Freedom_Agenda.jpg) The Freedom Agenda, by Senator Mike Lee
![](../../Media_Reuters.jpg) Reuters News Service
![](../../Why_She_Will_Win.jpg) Why She Will Win, by Ron Paul Jones (May 21, 2011)
![](../../63_Documents.jpg) 63 Documents, by Gov. Jesse Ventura
![](../../Teachers_Under_Attack.jpg) Teachers Under Attack: How NJ Governor Chris Christie's Personal Vendetta Against Teachers Will Des, by Mike Spina
![](../../Tea_Party_Goes.jpg) The Tea Party Goes to Washington, by Rand Paul (Feb. 22, 2011)
![](../../The_Promise.jpg) The Promise: President Obama, Year One, by Jonathan Alter
![](../../SOTU_2011.jpg) 2011 State of the Union address to Congress
![](../../FactCheck_OTI.jpg) OnTheIssues Fact Checking
![](../../Courage_to_Stand.jpg) Courage to Stand, by Tim Pawlenty (Jan. 11, 2011)
![](../../2011_FactCheck.jpg) 2011 FactCheck
![](../../Leadership_Crisis.jpg) Leadership and Crisis, by Bobby Jindal
![](../../Decision_Points.jpg) Decision Points, by George W. Bush
![](../../Courage_Consequence.jpg) Courage and Consequence, by Karl Rove
![](../../America_by_Heart.jpg) America by Heart, by Sarah Palin
![](../../Life_Trial.jpg) A Life of Trial and Redemption, by Jules Witcover
![](../../Game_Change.jpg) Game Change, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin
![](../../Fed_Up.jpg) Fed Up!, by Rick Perry (Nov. 15, 2010)
![](../../Young_Guns.jpg) Young Guns, by Reps. Ryan, Cantor & McCarthy
![](../../Third_World_America.jpg) Third World America, by Arianna Huffington
![](../../Secret_Service.jpg) In the President`s Secret Service, by Ronald Kessler
![](../../Media_NY_Newsday.jpg) NY newspaper: Newsday
![](../../Media_IL_Sun.jpg) IL newspaper: Chicago Sun-Times
![](../../Hopes_Prospects.jpg) Hopes and Prospects, by Noam Chomsky
![](../../To_Save_America.jpg) To Save America: Stopping Obama's Secular-Socialist Machine, by Newt Gingrich
![](../../Endangering_Sovereignty.jpg) How Obama is Endangering our National Sovereignty, by Ambassador John Bolton
![](../../TBA-Morris.jpg) 2010: Take Back America, by Dick Morris & Eileen McGann
![](../../Trustbuilding.jpg) Trustbuilding, by Rob Corcoran; introduction by Tim Kaine
![](../../The_100.jpg) The 100: Insight and Lessons from 100 of the Greatest Speeches Ever Delivered
![](../../No_Apology.jpg) No Apology, by Gov. Mitt Romney
![](../../2010_House_GOP.jpg) Obama Q+A at the 2010 House Republican retreat
![](../../SOTU_2010.jpg) 2010 State of the Union address to Congress
![](../../Obama_Means.jpg) What Obama Means, by Jabari Asim
![](../../Media_Politico.jpg) Political coverage on Politico.com
![](../../Media_PA_Philly.jpg) Pennsylvania newspaper: The Philadelphia Inquirer
![](../../Media_NY.jpg) NY newspaper: The New York Times
![](../../Media_Huffington_Post.jpg) Political coverage on The Huffington Post
![](../../Media_Associated_Press.jpg) Political coverage by the Associated Press
![](../../TX.jpg) Texas Archives
![](../../PA.jpg) Pennsylvania Archives
![](../../NV.jpg) Nevada Archives
![](../../IL.jpg) Illinois Archives
![](../../IA.jpg) Iowa Archives
![](../../2010_FactCheck.jpg) FactCheck.org analysis of 2010 political speeches
![](../../Obamanomics_Carney.jpg) Obamanomics: How Barack Obama Is Bankrupting You, by Timothy P. Carney
![](../../Guilty_Coulter.jpg) Guilty, by Ann Coulter
![](../../Going_Rogue.jpg) Going Rogue, by Sarah Palin
![](../../Test_of_our_Times.jpg) The Test of our Times, by Gov. Tom Ridge
![](../../End_Fed.jpg) End the Fed, by Ron Paul
![](../../Battle_2008.jpg) The Battle for America 2008, by Dan Balz and Haynes Johnson
![](../../Unite_Conquer.jpg) Unite and Conquer, by Kyrsten Sinema
![](../../Saving_Freedom.jpg) Saving Freedom, by Sen. Jim DeMint
![](../../SOTU_2009.jpg) 2009 address to joint session of Congress
![](../../2009_FactCheck.jpg) FactCheck.org analysis of 2009 political speeches
![](../../2008_Pres_Web.jpg) Survey of 2004 and 2008 Presidential contenders' campaign websites
![](../../2008_Pres_3.jpg) 2008 third presidential debate, at Hofstra University
![](../../2008_Pres_2.jpg) 2008 second presidential debate, Obama vs. McCain
![](../../2008_Pres_1.jpg) 2008 first presidential debate, Obama vs. McCain
![](../../2008_CBS_News.jpg) 2008 CBS News presidential interviews with Katie Couric
![](../../2008_ABC_News.jpg) ABC News: 2008 election interviews with Charlie Gibson
![](../../Obama_Nation.jpg) The Obama Nation, by Jerome Corsi
![](../../Obama_Challenge.jpg) Obama's Challenge, by Robert Kuttner
![](../../Faith_Obama.jpg) The FAITH of Barack Obama, by Stephen Mansfield
![](../../Change_Believe.jpg) Change We Can Believe In
![](../../2008_Saddleback.jpg) Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency: joint appearance by John McCain and Barack Obama, Aug. 16, 2008
![](../../2008_Dem_Convention.jpg) Speeches at 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver
![](../../Obamanomics.jpg) Obamanomics, by John R. Talbott, published July 1, 2008
![](../../Obama_Mask.jpg) Man Behind The Mask, by Andy Martin
![](../../Obama_For_Beginners.jpg) Barack Obama For Beginners, by Bob Neer
![](../../2008_NAACP.jpg) 99th NAACP Convention, July 12th, 2008
![](../../2008_NALEO.jpg) NALEO conference, June 2008, National Association of Latino Elected Officials
![](../../2008_Dems_Philly.jpg) 2008 Democratic primary debate in Philadelphia
![](../../2008_Dems_Compassion_Forum.jpg) Democratic Candidates Compassion Forum at Messiah College
![](../../Next_Chapter.jpg) America: Our Next Chapter, by Sen. Chuck Hagel
![](../../Own_Words.jpg) Barack Obama in His Own Words, by Barack Obama, edited by Lisa Rogak
![](../../Blueprint_Obama.jpg) The Blueprint for Change: Barack Obama's Plan for America
![](../../2008_Politico.jpg) Joint interviews of Democratic candidates by Politico.com, Feb. 11, 2008, prior to Potomac Primary
![](../../2008_Dems_Texas.jpg) 2008 Democratic debate in Austin, Texas
![](../../2008_Dems_Cleveland.jpg) 2008 Democratic Debate in Cleveland, Ohio
![](../../SOTU_2008.jpg) 2008 State of the Union address to Congress
![](../../2008_Meet_the_Press.jpg) Meet the Press: Meet the Candidates 2008 series, with Tim Russert
![](../../2008_Late_Edition.jpg) CNN Late Edition, throughout 2008
![](../../2008_GovWatch.jpg) Washington Post, "The Fact Checker"
![](../../2008_Fox_News_Sunday.jpg) Fox News interviews, throughout 2008
![](../../2008_FactCheck.jpg) FactCheck.org analysis of 2008 primary debates
![](../../2008_Dems_Super_Tuesday.jpg) 2008 Democratic debate in Los Angeles
![](../../2008_Dems_Las_Vegas.jpg) 2008 Democratic debate in Las Vegas
![](../../2008_Dems_Facebook.jpg) 2008 Democratic primary debate, sponsored by Facebook, Jan. 5, 2008
![](../../2008_CBC_Dems.jpg) 2008 Congressional Black Caucus Democratic debate
![](../../2008_AdWatch.jpg) FactCheck.org analysis of 2008 campaign ads
![](../../Real_Change.jpg) Real Change, by Speaker Newt Gingrich
![](../../Meet_Next_Pres.jpg) Meet the Next President, by Bill Sammon
![](../../Bound_Man.jpg) A Bound Man, by Shelby Steele
![](../../2007_Exec_Power.jpg) Boston Globe questionnaire on Executive Power
![](../../2007_Dems_NPR.jpg) 2007 National Public Radio Presidential Debate, Dec. 4, 2007
![](../../2007_Dems_DMR.jpg) 2007 Democrats debate sponsored by Des Moines Register, Dec. 13, 2007
![](../../2007_Dems_Brown_Black.jpg) 2007 Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum, Dec. 1, 2007
![](../../Contenders_2008.jpg) The Contenders, by Laura Flanders et al.
![](../../2007_Dems_Las_Vegas.jpg) 2007 Democratic Primary Debate in Las Vegas
![](../../Improbable_Quest.jpg) Barack Obama: This Improbable Quest, by John K. Wilson
![](../../2007_Dem_primary_Dartmouth.jpg) 2007 Democratic primary debate at Dartmouth College
![](../../2007_Dem_Drexel.jpg) 2007 Democratic primary debate at Drexel University
![](../../2007_Univision_Dems.jpg) Democratic primary debate, broadcast in Spanish
![](../../2007_Dems_Mashup.jpg) Democratic Mash-Up: 2007 on-line debate sponsored by the Huffington Post, Slate.com, and Yahoo.com
![](../../Promise_to_Power.jpg) Obama: From Promise to Power, by David Mendell
![](../../2007_Stephanopoulos_Dems.jpg) Democratic primary debate hosted by George Stephanopoulos, August 19, 2007
![](../../2007_HRC_LOGO.jpg) 2007 HRC-LOGO debate on GLBT issues (all Republicans invited but only Democrats accepted)
![](../../2007_AFL-CIO_Dems.jpg) 2007 AFL-CIO Democratic primary forum
![](../../2007_YouTube_Dems.jpg) YouTube Democratic Primary Debate, July 23, 2007
![](../../2007_NAACP_Primary.jpg) 2007 NAACP Presidential Primary Forum
![](../../TBA_2007.jpg) Take Back America 2007 Conference
![](../../2007_Dems_Howard_U.jpg) 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University, June 28, 2007
![](../../2007_Dem_St_Anselm.jpg) 2007 Democratic primary debate at St. Anselm College, Manchester N.H., June 3, 2007
![](../../MoveOn_Town_Hall_2007.jpg) Virtual Town Hall on Iraq, sponsored by MoveOn.org
![](../../2007_Dem_primary_SC.jpg) 2007 Democratic primary debate in South Carolina, sponsored by MSNBC
![](../../2007_SEIU_Las_Vegas.jpg) SEIU Democratic Health Care Forum in Las Vegas
![](../../2007_IAFF.jpg) IAFF Presidential Forum in Washington DC
![](../../Hopes_and_Dreams.jpg) Hopes and Dreams: The Story of Barack Obama, by Steve Dougherty
![](../../2007_Meet_the_Press.jpg) Meet the Press: 2006-2007 "Meet the Candidates" series
![](../../2007_Late_Edition.jpg) CNN Late Edition, throughout 2007
![](../../2007_Humane.jpg) Humane Society 109th Congress Scorecard
![](../../2007_FactCheck.jpg) FactCheck.org analysis of 2007 primary debates
![](../../Should_Barack.jpg) Should Barack Obama Be President? by Fred Zimmerman, published Oct. 2006
![](../../Audacity_of_Hope.jpg) The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama
![](../../Take_Back_America_2006.jpg) Take Back America Conference
![](../../2008_Speculation.jpg) 2008 Presidential race speculation
![](../../FactCheck.jpg) Fact-Check
![](../../Ad-Watch.jpg) Ad-Watch
![](../../2004_Senate_Web.jpg) Survey of 2004 Senate campaign websites
![](../../Obama-Keyes.jpg) IL Senate Debate, Illinois Radio Network
![](../../IL_2004_Senate_3rd.jpg) Illinois Senate Debate #3: Barack Obama vs. Alan Keyes
![](../../DNC_2004.jpg) Speeches to the Democratic National Convention
![](../../1998_NPAT.jpg) 1994-8 National Political Awareness Test
![](../../Dreams_From_My_Father.jpg) Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
![](../../Media_Truthout.jpg) Truthout.org political website
(click a picture above for excerpts or other books and debates by or about Barack_Obama)
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![](../images/spacer.gif)
Barack Obama on Abortion
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Click here for 36 full quotes on Abortion
OR other candidates on Abortion
OR background on Abortion.
- Teen pregnancies and abortions are nearing all-time lows. (Jan 2015)
- ObamaCare asks insurance companies to provide contraceptives. (Oct 2012)
- Insurers must provide contraception, but not employers. (Feb 2012)
- Catholic Bishops rejected segregated abortion funds. (May 2010)
- 2007 bill: discount contraceptives at college health clinics. (Nov 2009)
- No litmus test; nominate to Court based on their fairness. (Oct 2008)
- 1990: Wrote law article that fetus cannot sue mother. (Aug 2008)
- FactCheck: Abortions HAVE gone down under Pres. Bush. (Aug 2008)
- 1997: opposed bill preventing partial-birth abortion. (Aug 2008)
- Opposed legislation protecting born-alive failed abortions. (Aug 2008)
- Ok for state to restrict late-term partial birth abortion. (Apr 2008)
- We can find common ground between pro-choice and pro-life. (Apr 2008)
- Undecided on whether life begins at conception. (Apr 2008)
- Teach teens about abstinence and also about contraception. (Apr 2008)
- GovWatch: Obama’s “present” votes were a requested strategy. (Feb 2008)
- Expand access to contraception; reduce unintended pregnancy. (Feb 2008)
- Stem cells hold promise to cure 70 major diseases. (Aug 2007)
- Trust women to make own decisions on partial-birth abortion. (Apr 2007)
- Extend presumption of good faith to abortion protesters. (Oct 2006)
- Constitution is a living document; no strict constructionism. (Oct 2006)
- Moral accusations from pro-lifers are counterproductive. (Oct 2004)
- Pass the Stem Cell Research Bill. (Jun 2004)
- Protect a woman’s right to choose. (May 2004)
Voting Record
- Blocked IL law: Born Alive Infant Protection Act. (Oct 2011)
- Opposed born-alive treatment law because it was already law. (Oct 2008)
- Rated 100% by NARAL on pro-choice votes in 2005, 2006 & 2007. (Jan 2008)
- Voted against banning partial birth abortion. (Oct 2007)
- Supports Roe v. Wade. (Jul 1998)
- Voted NO on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)
- Voted NO on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion. (Mar 2008)
- Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
- Voted NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
- Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
- Sponsored bill providing contraceptives for low-income women. (May 2006)
- Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance. (Dec 2006)
- Ensure access to and funding for contraception. (Feb 2007)
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Barack Obama on Budget & Economy
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Click here for 70 full quotes on Budget & Economy
OR 33 older headlines
OR other candidates on Budget & Economy
OR background on Budget & Economy.
- Broad economic change causes economic insecurity for workers. (Jan 2016)
- Should economy benefit the few, or everyone? (Jan 2015)
- FactCheck: Deficits cut in half, but still higher than 2008. (Jan 2014)
- FactCheck: $2.5T deficit reduction is a debatable estimate. (Feb 2013)
- $4T in deficit reduction: tax the top 1%. (Feb 2013)
- Uphold full faith & credit of US; keep government open. (Feb 2013)
- Home mortgage problems are holding back our economy. (Feb 2013)
- After 10 years of war, it's time for nation-building at home. (Oct 2012)
- Romney's plan will blow up the deficit or raise your taxes. (Oct 2012)
- Economic patriotism instead of top-down policies. (Oct 2012)
- $5T in tax cuts & $2T on defense is failed recipe from 2003. (Oct 2012)
- Deficit came from two wars paid for on a credit card. (Oct 2012)
- You elected me to tell the truth: The path ahead is hard. (Sep 2012)
- House of cards collapsed in 2008; new rules now in place. (Jan 2012)
- We don't need a Constitutional amendment to balance budget. (Jan 2012)
- Obama economic stances compared to Romney. (Jan 2012)
- Appoint bipartisan fiscal commission and re-establish PAYGO. (Jan 2010)
- Some earmarks are defensible, if done in full light of day. (Jan 2010)
- Some wealth of the last economic boom was illusory. (Sep 2009)
- Bottom-up economics instead of trickle-down economics. (Jul 2008)
- Focus on economic justice instead of macroeconomic policy. (Jul 2008)
- OpEd: "Hope" translates into economic opportunity. (Jul 2008)
- Take China “to the mat” about currency manipulation. (Dec 2007)
- Supports federal programs to protect rural economy. (May 2004)
- Freeze annual domestic spending for next five years. (Jan 2011)
- The worst has passed, but the devastation remains. (Jan 2010)
Financial Bailout
- Took office in 2009 amid America's worst financial crisis. (Nov 2017)
- OpEd: Each bailout revealed more of Washington's inside game. (Apr 2012)
- Push mortgage refinancing; banks repay deficit of trust. (Jan 2012)
- Establish a Financial Crimes unit; end era of recklessness. (Jan 2012)
- Recession because Wall St. and Washington failed us. (Oct 2011)
- 2008 financial collapse: final verdict on failed philosophy. (Sep 2011)
- OpEd: Undermined message of restraint with new "investments". (Jul 2011)
- OpEd: Economy recovering, but not feeling it on the street. (Jun 2011)
- OpEd: Crisis means Obama won, but world's falling apart. (May 2010)
- Worked on TARP & bank bailouts during 2008 transition. (May 2010)
- We all hated the bank bailout; but it was necessary. (Jan 2010)
- $1T avoided Depression; but I took office with $8T debt. (Jan 2010)
- FactCheck: Obama's estimate of $8T deficit is closer to $3T. (Jan 2010)
- G-20 produced "collective document" on global economy. (Apr 2009)
- US will emerge from this recession, stronger than before. (Feb 2009)
- Not enough to help those at the top: it doesn’t trickle down. (Oct 2008)
- Pay attention to Main Street, not just Wall Street. (Sep 2008)
- Regulate institutions for what they do, not what they are. (Aug 2008)
- Free market needs proper government oversight. (Jul 2008)
- Prosecute mortgager fraud; require full mortgage disclosure. (Jul 2008)
- Latinos & blacks are hardest hit by housing & gas crises. (Jun 2008)
- More accountability in subprime mortgages. (Feb 2008)
- Help the homeowners actually living in their homes. (Jan 2008)
- Accountability and oversight over the financial markets. (Jan 2008)
- Modify some of the fraudulent & predatory lending practices. (Jan 2008)
- Government regulation needed for when markets fail. (Aug 2007)
Stimulus Package
- We neglect nation-building here when we nation-build abroad. (Oct 2012)
- OpEd: Stimulus bill derisively called "porkulus". (Feb 2012)
- OpEd: Stimulus vote turned GOP into "party of No". (Sep 2010)
- Recovery Act averted a second Great Depression. (Jan 2010)
- Across-the-board tax cuts wouldn't stimulate economy. (Jan 2010)
- Increased spending comes from Bush's automatic stabilizers. (Jan 2010)
- Spending freeze now would be destimulative; later is better. (Jan 2010)
- Restore Pay-As-You-Go law. (Jan 2010)
- OpEd: Stimulus trillions must be borrowed, printed, or taxed. (Nov 2009)
- We’re in the worst financial crisis since Great Depression. (Sep 2008)
- Spending freeze is like a hatchet where you need a scalpel. (Sep 2008)
Voting Record
- Voted against limiting credit to 30%, because 30% too high. (Jan 2008)
- I opposed both the 2001 and 2005 bankruptcy bills. (Jan 2008)
- Voted NO on paying down federal debt by rating programs' effectiveness. (Mar 2007)
- Voted NO on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005)
- Get minorities into home ownership & global marketplace. (Jan 2001)
- Require full disclosure about subprime mortgages. (Dec 2007)
- Reform mortgage rules to prevent foreclosure & bankruptcy. (Feb 2008)
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Barack Obama on Civil Rights
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Click here for 78 full quotes on Civil Rights
OR other candidates on Civil Rights
OR background on Civil Rights.
- OpEd: Trump inauguration marked by white, male sameness. (Nov 2018)
- Recruited FBI hiring with 38% non-white new agents. (Apr 2018)
- Discrimination ultimately makes US less safe. (Jan 2016)
- It's right to condemn the persecution of LGBT people. (Jan 2015)
- OpEd: 2007: Had to endure the "black enough" test. (May 2012)
- Constitution stained by nation's original sin of slavery. (Nov 2010)
- OpEd: Presidency represents triumph of civil rights movement. (Mar 2010)
- 2008 speech on race expedited by Rev. Wright fiasco. (Jan 2010)
- Balance isolation & engagement for international rights. (Dec 2009)
- OpEd: Not the seed of civil rights, but the flower. (Aug 2008)
- Admired repeated acts of "self-creation" by Malcolm X. (Aug 2008)
- Has stood together with Latino leaders for last 20 years. (Jun 2008)
- People want to move beyond our divisions. (Jan 2008)
- 2004 DNC speech merged “heritage” with “diversity”. (Dec 2007)
- The politics of fear undermines basic civil liberties. (Oct 2007)
- 1980s boss predicted Obama would be heir to MLK’s voice. (Aug 2007)
- Racial equality good for America as a whole. (Jun 2007)
- Put the Confederate flag in a museum, not the state house. (Apr 2007)
- Muslim heritage gives Obama unique influence in Muslim world. (Oct 2006)
- No black or white America--just United States of America. (Oct 2006)
- Forthright on racial issues and on his civil rights history. (Jul 2004)
- Defend freedom and equality under law. (May 2004)
- Politicians: don’t use religion to insulate from criticism. (Apr 2004)
- Miscegenation a felony in 1960 when Obamas practiced it. (Aug 1996)
- The civil rights movement was a success. (Aug 1996)
Affirmative Action
- FactCheck: Gender wage gap is $0.19, not $0.23. (Jan 2014)
- Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. (Feb 2013)
- I benefited from affirmative action in my academic career. (Oct 2011)
- Many black disparities can be traced to legacy of Jim Crow. (Jan 2009)
- Keep the promise of equal pay for an equal day’s work. (Aug 2008)
- Past discrimination affects future generations. (Jul 2008)
- Apply affirmative action to poor white college applicants. (Apr 2008)
- Community organizing continues the civil rights movement. (Apr 2008)
- Legalized discrimination meant blacks could not amass wealth. (Mar 2008)
- Fight job discrimination to give women equal footing at jobs. (Feb 2008)
- Remove discriminatory barriers to the right to vote. (Feb 2008)
- Benefited from affirmative action but overcame via merit. (Dec 2007)
- Include class-based affirmative action with race-based. (Oct 2007)
- Better enforce women’s pay equity via Equal Pay Act. (Aug 2007)
- Blacks should infiltrate mainstream to affect change. (Aug 2007)
- Commitment to diversity by CEOs is advisable. (Mar 2007)
- African-Americans vote Democratic because of issue stances. (Jul 2004)
- Supports affirmative action in colleges and government. (Jul 1998)
Gay Rights
- Journey not complete until gays treated like anyone else. (Jan 2013)
- Same-sex couples should be allowed to marry. (May 2012)
- No federal laws should hinder state-based same-sex marriage. (May 2012)
- Opposes CA Prop. 8, one-man-one-woman marriage. (Jul 2008)
- Hate crimes related to the immigration issue is unacceptable. (Feb 2008)
- Being gay or lesbian is not a choice. (Nov 2007)
- Decisions about marriage should be left to the states. (Oct 2007)
- Homosexuality no more immoral than heterosexuality. (Oct 2007)
- Ok to expose 6-year-olds to gay couples; they know already. (Sep 2007)
- Has any marriage broken up because two gays hold hands? (Aug 2007)
- We need strong civil unions, not just weak civil unions. (Aug 2007)
- Legal rights for gays are conferred by state, not by church. (Aug 2007)
- Disentangle gay rights from the word “marriage”. (Aug 2007)
- Gay marriage is less important that equal gay rights. (Aug 2007)
- Gay rights movement is somewhat like civil rights movement. (Aug 2007)
- Let each denominations decide on recognizing gay marriage. (Jul 2007)
- Pass ENDA and expand hate crime legislation. (Mar 2007)
- Opposed 1996 Illinois DOMA bill. (Mar 2007)
- Supports health benefits for gay civil partners. (Oct 2006)
- Opposes gay marriage; supports civil union & gay equality. (Oct 2006)
- Marriage not a human right; non-discrimination is. (Oct 2004)
- Gays should not face discrimination but should not marry. (Oct 2004)
- Include sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws. (Jul 1998)
Voting Record
- Strengthen the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Aug 2007)
- Voted NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
- Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
- Ending racial profiling is part of fight for justice. (Jan 2001)
- Sponsored bill for special-needs evacuation plans. (Sep 2005)
- Sponsored bill for a Rosa Parks commemorative postage stamp. (Dec 2005)
- Rated 89% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
- Rated 100% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
- Recognize Juneteenth as historical end of slavery. (Jun 2008)
- Provide benefits to domestic partners of Federal employees. (Dec 2007)
- Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment. (Mar 2007)
- Reinforce anti-discrimination and equal-pay requirements. (Jan 2008)
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Barack Obama on Corporations
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Click here for 49 full quotes on Corporations
OR other candidates on Corporations
OR background on Corporations.
- Private sector is lifeblood of economy but needs limits. (Jan 2016)
- Business should be more community oriented. (Jan 2016)
- Close loopholes that let top 1% avoid paying taxes. (Jan 2015)
- Lower tax rate to 25% and incentivize investment at home. (Oct 2012)
- End $4B tax break for shipping jobs overseas. (Oct 2012)
- You can't build a business on your own; we're in it together. (Jul 2012)
- End deduction for outsourcing jobs; tax outsourcing instead. (Jan 2012)
- At a certain point, you've made enough money. (Dec 2011)
- Michelle Obama: Work for community, not corporate America. (Dec 2011)
- $4,000 tax credit for companies who hire unemployed workers. (Sep 2011)
- OpEd: Poetic tales of small business ignore big monopolies. (Jan 2011)
- Now business can write off the full cost of new investments. (Jan 2011)
- Lower corporate tax rate; pay for it by closing loopholes. (Jan 2011)
- OpEd: Overturn Court's campaign financing ruling in Congress. (Jan 2010)
- American elections shouldn't be bankrolled by corporations. (Jan 2010)
- FactCheck: Many steps until companies can bankroll elections. (Jan 2010)
- Citizens United is a victory for Wall Street & Big Business. (Jan 2010)
- Special interests dominate day-to-day legislative activity. (Nov 2009)
- OpEd: Wall Street wealth comes from increasing gov't role. (Nov 2009)
- No capital gains tax on earnings under $250K. (Oct 2008)
- High corporate tax rate is offset by numerous loopholes. (Sep 2008)
- We still need corporate ethics & vigilant government. (Jul 2008)
- Enforce against insider trading & market manipulation. (Jul 2008)
- Regulate institutions for what they do, not what they are. (Jul 2008)
- Cap the farm subsidies for Fortune 500 companies. (Dec 2007)
- End tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas. (Aug 2007)
- Hold corporations responsible for pensions & work conditions. (Aug 2007)
- Tax incentives for corporate responsibility. (Jun 2004)
- Close tax loopholes for US companies relocating abroad. (Jun 2004)
Corporate Bailout
- 2009: added to Bush's $17.4B bailout for auto companies. (Feb 2019)
- Food stamps didn't cause financial crisis; Wall Street did. (Jan 2016)
- Bailout deal: CAFE for trucks as well as cars. (Jan 2014)
- If we had let GM go bankrupt, we'd be buying Chinese cars. (Oct 2012)
- Letting Detroit go bankrupt the Romney way wouldn't work. (Oct 2012)
- Toughest reforms on Wall Street since the 1930s. (Oct 2012)
- End tax breaks to corporations that ship jobs overseas. (Sep 2012)
- We bailed out auto industry, but today they're back. (Jan 2012)
- OpEd: Bailouts of GM & Wall Street are crony capitalism. (Nov 2010)
- Better to force auto bankruptcy than force out of business. (May 2010)
- Bank bonuses while receiving TARP were irresponsible. (May 2010)
- OpEd: Establish power to seize companies "too big to fail". (Apr 2010)
- Lend $30B in TARP repayments to small businesses. (Jan 2010)
- We both cut taxes; but McCain offers $200B to corporations. (Oct 2008)
- We need Wall Street responsibility BEFORE financial crises. (Sep 2008)
- Irresponsibility on Wall Street led to financial crisis. (Oct 2005)
Voting Record
- REAL USA Plan: Reward companies that create domestic jobs. (Jun 2004)
- Voted YES on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore. (Mar 2005)
- Voted NO on reforming bankruptcy to include means-testing & restrictions. (Mar 2005)
- Prevent money laundering by disclosing corporate owners. (May 2008)
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Barack Obama on Crime
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Click here for 31 full quotes on Crime
OR other candidates on Crime
OR background on Crime.
- Reduce punishments for some federal offenses. (Apr 2018)
- Reject killing police in retaliation for police killings. (Nov 2017)
- Criminal justice reform starts with voting. (Jul 2016)
- Crime rate and incarceration rate have come down together. (Jan 2015)
- FactCheck:Biden more conservative than Obama on crime issues. (Aug 2012)
- Survived vague threats from Ku Klux Klan during campaign. (Jun 2009)
- 1997: Accomplished bipartisan criminal justice reform. (Aug 2008)
- Job training for ex-offenders, to avoid return to crime. (Jul 2008)
- We need more cops; but we also need more families. (Jun 2008)
- Reduce recidivism by providing ex-offender supports. (Feb 2008)
- Ban racial profiling & eliminate disparities in sentencing. (Feb 2008)
- Have a civil rights division enforce laws fairly and justly. (Jan 2008)
- GovWatch: No, more young black men in college than in prison. (Jan 2008)
- Lack of enforcement sets tone for more hate crimes. (Dec 2007)
- Legislated protecting police detainees during interrogation. (Nov 2007)
- Pushed Illinois bill to videotape all capital interrogations. (Oct 2007)
- No extra penalty for gang association. (Oct 2007)
- Works on ex-offender laws because it could have been him. (Aug 2007)
- Need justice that is not just us, but is everybody. (Jun 2007)
- Reformed death penalty by listening & compromising. (Feb 2007)
- Some heinous crimes justify the ultimate punishment. (Oct 2006)
- Videotape all capital punishment interrogations. (Oct 2006)
- Passed 150 laws to toughen penalties for violent crime. (Oct 2004)
- Restrict police entry rules, to protect our civil liberties. (Oct 2004)
- Death penalty should be enforced fairly and with caution. (Oct 2004)
- Death penalty should not discriminate by gang membership. (Oct 2004)
- Battles legislatively against the death penalty. (Jul 2004)
- Supports alternative sentencing and rehabilitation. (Jul 1998)
- Voted YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program. (Mar 2007)
- Increase funding for "COPS ON THE BEAT" program. (Jan 2007)
- Reduce recidivism by giving offenders a Second Chance. (Mar 2007)
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Barack Obama on Drugs
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Click here for 18 full quotes on Drugs
OR other candidates on Drugs
OR background on Drugs.
- We share cross-border drug problem with Mexico. (Sep 2012)
- Fast & Furious was completely wrongheaded; we've stopped it. (Sep 2012)
- OpEd: More Mexicans killed in Drug War than soldiers in Iraq. (Aug 2009)
- Yes, he still smokes while President. (Jun 2009)
- Look at needle exchange; and expand treatment. (Feb 2008)
- Fight to rid our communities of meth. (Feb 2008)
- Expand drug courts; help prisoners with substance abuse. (Feb 2008)
- 2001: questions harsh penalties for drug dealing. (Oct 2007)
- Not first candidate to use drugs, but first honest about it. (Oct 2007)
- Do not lower drinking age from 21 to 18. (Sep 2007)
- Experimented with cocaine but turned down heroin. (Aug 2007)
- A “secret smoker”, especially around reporters. (Aug 2007)
- Smokes cigarettes now; smoked some pot in high school. (Feb 2007)
- Admitted marijuana use in high school & college. (Jan 2007)
- Deal with street-level drug dealing as minimum-wage affair. (Oct 2006)
- Understand why youngsters want to use drugs. (Aug 1996)
- End harsher sentencing for crack vs. powder cocaine. (Jun 2007)
- Require chemical resellers to certify against meth use. (Sep 2007)
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Barack Obama on Education
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Click here for 75 full quotes on Education
OR other candidates on Education
OR background on Education.
- Universal Pre-K and computer science classes on horizon. (Jan 2016)
- $4.3B to induce states to expand charter schools. (Sep 2015)
- Lower the cost of community college to zero. (Jan 2015)
- Race to the Top for our youngest: pre-K available to all. (Jan 2014)
- Re-equip high schools to train for jobs right now. (Feb 2013)
- We reformed schools in 46 states, with their governors. (Oct 2012)
- Recovery Act avoided layoffs; now hire more teachers. (Sep 2012)
- 100,000 new science & math teachers over the next decade. (Sep 2012)
- Educate to Innovate: new national STEM Master Teacher Corps. (Sep 2012)
- To make a difference for kids, become a teacher. (Feb 2011)
- Educate to Innovate campaign: make US top in math & science. (Sep 2010)
- Quitting high school is quitting on your country. (Feb 2009)
- Invest in early childhood education and higher education. (Aug 2008)
- Fight for social & economic justice begins in the classroom. (Jul 2008)
- Make math & science policy a national priority. (Jul 2008)
- We need real commitment to education; instead we got NCLB. (Jun 2008)
- $10 billion to guarantee early childhood education for all. (Jun 2008)
- Evolution & science aren’t incompatible with Christian faith. (Apr 2008)
- Mother home-schooled Obama in English while in Indonesia. (Apr 2008)
- Children’s First Agenda: zero to five early education. (Feb 2008)
- Put billions of dollars into early childhood education. (Jan 2008)
- Need after-school and summer programs with good parenting. (Jan 2008)
- Get parents re-engaged in educating the children. (Dec 2007)
- Nationwide program to reconstruct crumbling school buildings. (Sep 2007)
- STEP UP: summer learning opportunities for disadvantaged. (Aug 2007)
- We left the money behind for No Child Left Behind. (Aug 2007)
- Supreme Court was wrong on school anti-integration ruling. (Jul 2007)
- Cut banks out and add $4.5 Billion to college loans. (Mar 2007)
- Guarantee affordable life-long, top-notch education. (Jun 2006)
- Race to the Top: 46 states competed for creative reform. (Oct 2005)
- Sex education needed to help children discuss molestation. (Oct 2004)
- Provide decent funding and get rid of anti-intellectualism. (Jul 2004)
- Address the growing achievement gap between students. (May 2004)
- Will add 25,000 teachers in high-need areas. (May 2004)
College
- Prioritize free community college and reducing student debt. (Jan 2016)
- College Scorecard: compare schools by affordability. (Feb 2013)
- 2 million more slots in our community colleges. (Oct 2012)
- Cut out the middleman on student loans from banks. (Oct 2012)
- More education funding from early childhood thru Pell grants. (Sep 2012)
- Michelle: We were so young, so in love, and so in debt. (Sep 2012)
- Make community colleges into community career centers. (Jan 2012)
- OpEd: Study visas for foreigners means brain drain abroad. (Jan 2011)
- Jobs today require at least a bachelor's degree. (Sep 2010)
- $10K college tax credit; forgive loans for public service. (Jan 2010)
- $2,500 tax credit for all four years of college. (Feb 2009)
- Refundable $4000 tax credit for community college tuition. (Aug 2008)
- To compete, students need at least H.S. & college degree. (Jun 2008)
- Pay for college education for those who commit to teaching. (Jun 2008)
- $4,000 college tuition for 100 hours’ public service a year. (Feb 2008)
Merit Incentives
- Romney education stances compared to Obama. (Jan 2012)
- FactCheck: Race to the Top has only rewarded 12 states. (Jan 2011)
- Race to the Top: reward innovation in public schools. (Jan 2011)
- Reward successful schools, instead of funding the status quo. (Jan 2010)
- Volunteer in your neighborhood & we help pay for college. (Feb 2009)
- Merit pay ok if based on career instead of a single test. (Apr 2008)
- Pay “master teachers” extra, but with buy-in from teachers. (Aug 2007)
- Incentives to hire a million teachers over next decade. (Jun 2007)
- Pay teachers more money & treat them like professionals. (Jun 2007)
- More teacher pay in exchange for more teacher accountability. (Oct 2006)
- Free public college for any student with B-average. (Jul 1998)
School Choice
- Opposes D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. (Feb 2012)
- Increase school choice & accountability within NCLB. (Feb 2011)
- I doubled charter schools in Illinois; but no vouchers. (Oct 2008)
- Vouchers don’t solve the problems of our schools. (Oct 2008)
- FactCheck: McCain for national reforms & also DC vouchers. (Oct 2008)
- Supports charter schools; it’s important to experiment. (Feb 2008)
- We need a sense of urgency about improving education system. (Sep 2007)
- Sends kids to private school; but wants good schools for all. (Jul 2007)
- Public school system status quo is indefensible. (Oct 2006)
- Supports charter schools and private investment in schools. (Jul 1998)
Voting Record
- First Senate bill: increase Pell Grant from $4,050 to $5,100. (Aug 2007)
- Sponsored legislations that recruit and reward good teachers. (Sep 2004)
- Voted YES on $52M for "21st century community learning centers". (Oct 2005)
- Voted YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
- Voted YES on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
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Barack Obama on Energy & Oil
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Click here for 99 full quotes on Energy & Oil
OR 18 older headlines
OR other candidates on Energy & Oil
OR background on Energy & Oil.
- FactCheck: US Is biggest oil & gas producer, but privately. (Jan 2015)
- FactCheck: Wind & solar doubled, but now only 1.4% of energy. (Feb 2013)
- Gas was cheap in early 2009 because the economy collapsed. (Oct 2012)
- Oil companies had leases on public lands they weren't using. (Oct 2012)
- Develop 100-year natural gas supply; it's beneath our feet. (Sep 2012)
- FactCheck: Promised for 3 years to end oil industry subsidy. (Jan 2012)
- FactCheck: Oil dependence low; but gas prices highest ever. (Jan 2012)
- Cap-and-trade will cause electricity rates to skyrocket. (Dec 2011)
- De-facto moratorium on shallow as well as deepwater drilling. (Nov 2010)
- Offshore drilling ok if part of comprehensive energy package. (Aug 2009)
- One million 150-mpg plug-in hybrids on road by 2014. (Aug 2008)
- GovWatch: Opposes Yucca Mountain for nuclear waste storage. (Jun 2008)
- Nuclear power ok if we safeguard against waste & terrorism. (Sep 2007)
- 3-way win: economy, environment, & stop funding terror. (Jun 2006)
- Conserve, develop alternative fuels, increase efficiencies. (Oct 2004)
- Increase CAFE to 40 mpg. (Jun 2004)
- Reduce the consumption of energy and be more efficient. (Jan 2008)
Energy Independence
- FactCheck: Yes, more domestic oil, but due to new technology. (Jan 2014)
- Lowest oil imports and highest oil production in 16 years. (Oct 2012)
- Does anyone think Exxon-Mobil needs a subsidy? (Oct 2012)
- All-of-the-above approach to reduce foreign dependence . (Sep 2012)
- All-of-the-above energy; enough natural gas or 100 years. (Jan 2012)
- FactCheck: clean coal isn't ready; nuke waste is unresolved. (Jan 2011)
- Big promoter of clean coal technology & nukes. (Jan 2010)
- Let’s build a fuel-efficient car in America, not abroad. (Oct 2008)
- Ten years to eliminate dependence on foreign oil. (Oct 2008)
- $15B to free us from foreign oil in 10 years. (Oct 2008)
- FactCheck: Reluctant on nuclear power in past; now favors it. (Oct 2008)
- Drilling is a stop-gap measure, not a long-term solution. (Aug 2008)
- More Alaska oil & gas leases, plus new gas pipeline. (Aug 2008)
- Political climate at fault for failing energy independence. (Jul 2008)
- Raise fuel efficiency standards to reduce long-term demand. (Apr 2008)
- Fuel efficiency and Middle East stability help on fuel costs. (Oct 2007)
- Explore nuclear power as part of alternative energy mix. (Jul 2007)
- Stop sending $800M a day to Mideast dictators for oil. (Mar 2007)
- We cannot drill our way out of our addiction to oil. (Oct 2006)
- Free America from its dependence on foreign oil. (Jul 2004)
Global Warming
- Make technology work for us on climate change. (Jan 2016)
- 14 warmest years on record occurred in last 15 years. (Jan 2015)
- China has agreed with US; rest of world will now follow. (Jan 2015)
- FactCheck: Yes, US reduced CO2 tonnage, but that's only 6%. (Jan 2014)
- Debate is settled: climate change is a fact. (Jan 2014)
- Bipartisan market-based solution to climate change. (Feb 2013)
- We must do more to combat climate change. (Feb 2013)
- First-ever carbon pollution limits for new oil & coal plants. (Sep 2012)
- Cap-and-trade will make electricity prices skyrocket. (Feb 2012)
- New coal plants ok if they pay for greenhouse gas emission. (May 2010)
- Slash emissions from 5,972 mmt in 2005 to 4,957 mmt. (Apr 2010)
- Cap-and-trade: lower CO2 levels by fees on carbon emissions. (Nov 2009)
- History will pass judgment on our response to climate change. (Sep 2009)
- OpEd: Understands that US is biggest source of emissions. (Aug 2009)
- FactCheck: US imports less oil today than in 2005. (Feb 2009)
- All nations must act to reduce carbon emissions. (Jul 2008)
- Include clean coal in clean energy future. (Jul 2008)
- $150B investment over 10 years to reduce oil usage by 35%. (May 2008)
- Figure out how to sequester carbon and burn clean coal. (May 2008)
- GOP right on cap-&-trade: guidelines instead of bureaucracy. (Apr 2008)
- Reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. (Feb 2008)
- Aggressively address accelerating climate change. (Dec 2007)
- Cap-and-trade carbon emissions; raise CAFE standard. (Jun 2007)
- Cap-and-trade is more specific on reducing greenhouse gases. (Jan 2006)
- 20% nation’s power supply from renewable sources by 2020. (Sep 2004)
Green Energy
- Clean energy for climate change & creating new business. (Jan 2016)
- 7 years of investment in solar & wind nationwide. (Jan 2016)
- Natural gas is a "bridge fuel"; then go solar. (Jan 2014)
- Energy Security Trust: oil & gas tax funds green energy R&D. (Feb 2013)
- Invest in clean energy because China & Germany will. (Oct 2012)
- Doubled use of renewable energy; doubled car fuel efficiency. (Sep 2012)
- $90B for clean energy; biggest investment in history. (Sep 2012)
- 2009: Spark a clean energy transformation. (Feb 2012)
- Don't cede wind, or solar, or battery industry to foreigners. (Jan 2012)
- Clean energy on public lands, and for defense department. (Jan 2012)
- OpEd: Sunlight & water into fuel? Share info with the world. (Jan 2011)
- Subsidize clean energy by canceling oil subsidies. (Jan 2011)
- More incentives for clean energy, including nuclear. (Jan 2010)
- 2006: FutureGen is the future of coal, with carbon capture. (Nov 2009)
- $15B in clean energy; plus market-based cap on carbon. (Feb 2009)
- FactCheck: Chevy Volt uses Korean battery, but Ford's don't. (Feb 2009)
- Cellulosic ethanol more energy-efficient than corn-based. (Jan 2009)
- GovWatch: $150B for electric car batteries & new technology. (Jun 2008)
- Harness homegrown, alternative fuels like ethanol. (Feb 2007)
- Wants Detroit to build more hybrids & use more ethanol. (Oct 2006)
- Renewable Fuels Standard: require ethanol in fuel supply. (May 2004)
Voting Record
- Passed tax credit for installing E85 ethanol at gas stations. (Feb 2008)
- Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jun 2007)
- Voted YES on making oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal. (Jun 2007)
- Voted YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning. (May 2007)
- Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR. (Nov 2005)
- Voted YES on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005)
- Voted YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%). (Jun 2005)
- Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005)
- Sponsored bill for tax credit for providing 85% ethanol gas. (Apr 2005)
- Sponsored bill to notify public when nuclear releases occur. (Mar 2006)
- Sponsored bill raising CAFE by a 4% per year until 2018. (Jul 2006)
- Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence. (Dec 2006)
- Sign on to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. (Jan 2007)
- Designate sensitive ANWR area as protected wilderness. (Nov 2007)
- Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025. (Jan 2007)
- Let states define stricter-than-federal emission standards. (Jan 2008)
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Barack Obama on Environment
|
Click here for 38 full quotes on Environment
OR other candidates on Environment
OR background on Environment.
- WOTUS 2015: expansive definition of protected waterways. (Dec 2018)
- First reform of food safety laws in more than 70 years. (Sep 2012)
- Bolster the use of organic farming methods. (Sep 2012)
- National clean water framework: protect America's waters. (Sep 2012)
- Establish Great Lakes Restoration and National Ocean Policy. (Sep 2012)
- Monitor health of fisheries & establish "pollution diet". (Sep 2012)
- BP spill was biggest environmental disaster ever faced. (Oct 2011)
- Sent 17,500 troops and 1,400 ships to deal with BP spill. (Oct 2011)
- Promised that anyone losing job in spill would get BP check. (Nov 2010)
- Top USDA priority: make sure all kids are well-fed. (May 2010)
- Cash for Clunkers: $4,500 to trade in old car for new. (May 2010)
- Greenhouse gases declared dangerous to public health. (May 2010)
- Government should invest in clean energy & green jobs. (Oct 2008)
- $150B over next 10 years for green energy sector. (Aug 2008)
- Support reforestation as carbon sequestration issue. (Jul 2008)
- Willing to suspend ethanol subsidy to keep food prices down. (May 2008)
- Genesis teaches stewardship of earth: sacrifice for future. (Apr 2008)
- 1980s: Tested for asbestos at Chicago housing project. (Apr 2008)
- Regulate animal feeding operations for pollution. (Feb 2008)
- Will end the notion of Yucca Mountain nuclear storage. (Jan 2008)
- Promote green technologies and fuel efficiency standards. (Dec 2007)
- Organized inner-city recycling; fought environmental racism. (Oct 2007)
- Reduce mercury and lead to protect community health. (Aug 2007)
- Protect the Great Lakes & our National Parks and Forests. (Aug 2007)
- 1985: Organized asbestos removal in Chicago housing project. (Aug 2007)
- Give Katrina contracts to locals, not to Halliburton. (Jun 2007)
- Health Care for Hybrids proposal for fuel efficiency. (Mar 2007)
- Three months working on minority students recycling. (Aug 1996)
Legislative Record
- 2005: Worked with Sen. Coburn (R, OK) on Katrina oversight. (Apr 2012)
- Stimulus bill earmark for LA-Vegas mag-lev railway. (May 2010)
- Passed lead abatement & 24 other laws in IL Senate. (Aug 2007)
- Scored 60% on Humane Society Scorecard on animal protection. (Jan 2007)
- Voted YES on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations. (Sep 2005)
- Tax credit to remove lead-based housepaint. (Nov 2005)
- Establish commission to examine Katrina response. (Sep 2005)
- Sponsored health impact bill for environmental health. (Apr 2006)
- Inter-state compact for Great Lakes water resources. (Jul 2008)
- Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting. (Jan 2007)
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Barack Obama on Families & Children
|
Click here for 22 full quotes on Families & Children
OR other candidates on Families & Children
OR background on Families & Children.
- Families aren't looking for handouts, but for a fair shot. (Jan 2015)
- Childcare is an economic priority; not a side-issue. (Jan 2015)
- Everything else is unfulfilled if we fail at family. (Apr 2014)
- Let's Move partnership: reduce childhood obesity. (Jan 2014)
- Pass the Violence Against Women Act. (Feb 2013)
- Family's unconditional love more important than money. (Sep 2012)
- OpEd: Says families are off-limits; but attacks opponents'. (Nov 2009)
- Help families with paid sick days and better family leave. (Aug 2008)
- Parents provide guidance by turning off TV & video games. (Jul 2008)
- Zero-to-Five plan: childcare for working parents. (Jul 2008)
- Admit that too many fathers are missing from too many homes. (Jun 2008)
- I know what it means to have an absent father. (Jun 2008)
- Reward fathers who pay child support with larger EITC. (Jun 2008)
- Teach both abstinence and contraception to teens. (Apr 2008)
- Expand flex-work & Family and Medical Leave Act. (Feb 2008)
- Parents should control what’s coming over the airwaves. (Jan 2008)
- Restore dream of making children’s lives better than parents. (Dec 2007)
- All kids should learn about sexual abuse. (Jul 2007)
- FactCheck: ‘Sex Ed for Kindergarten’ means ‘age-appropriate’. (Jul 2007)
- Listening to evangelicals bridges major political fault line. (Oct 2006)
- Sponsored bill banning high lead levels in children's toys. (Nov 2005)
- Call for a White House Conference on Children and Youth. (Mar 2008)
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Barack Obama on Foreign Policy
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Click here for 103 full quotes on Foreign Policy
OR 9 older headlines
OR other candidates on Foreign Policy
OR background on Foreign Policy.
- World order in flux but US still dominates. (Jan 2016)
- US should learn lessons from Iraq and Vietnam. (Jan 2016)
- Don't let our fears blind us to opportunity. (Jan 2015)
- Make sure both allies and enemies know where we stand. (Oct 2012)
- Every fact-checker concurs: I didn't apologize to Iran. (Oct 2012)
- Prepare for global pandemics with global partners. (Sep 2012)
- Avoid trap of military overstretch; that destroys countries. (Jun 2012)
- America is the one indispensable nation in world affairs. (Jan 2012)
- Obama's international stances compared to Ron Paul's. (Jan 2012)
- OpEd: Claims "poverty causes terrorism" but they're educated. (Nov 2010)
- No balance of power among nations will hold. (May 2010)
- OpEd: Life story gives him broad appeal beyond USA. (Mar 2010)
- OpEd: American Apology Tour: disliking USA understandable. (Mar 2010)
- I do not accept 2nd place for the USA. (Jan 2010)
- The UN has succeeded in avoiding a Third World War. (Dec 2009)
- Global Poverty Act: spend 0.7% of GDP on foreign aid. (Aug 2008)
- In Cold War, we won hearts & minds; now do same to world. (Jul 2008)
- Dangers of intertwined world can’t be contained in borders. (Jul 2008)
- OpEd: Policy views based on experience in Kenya & Indonesia. (Jul 2008)
- Important to undo the damage of the last seven years. (Feb 2008)
- Never negotiate out of fear, and never fear to negotiate. (Jan 2008)
- President must abide by international human rights treaties. (Dec 2007)
- Obama Doctrine: ideology has overridden facts and reality. (Dec 2007)
- No Obama Doctrine; just democracy, security, liberty. (Oct 2007)
- $50B annually to strengthen weak states at risk of collapse. (Aug 2007)
- No “strategic ambiguity” on foreign policy issues. (Aug 2007)
- My critics engineered our biggest foreign policy disaster. (Aug 2007)
- Meet with enemy leaders; it’s a disgrace that we have not. (Jul 2007)
- We cannot afford isolationism. (Mar 2007)
- Never has US had so much power & so little influence to lead. (Jul 2004)
- US policy should promote democracy and human rights. (Jul 2004)
Africa
- Double access to electricity in Africa. (Jan 2014)
- Dressed in Africa in traditional garb, not "Muslim attire". (Aug 2008)
- Majored in international affairs based on living abroad. (Jul 2008)
- Moral obligation to intervene in Darfur to avoid spillover. (Jul 2008)
- Wrote 2006 law stabilizing Congo with $52M. (Oct 2007)
- Increased aid to Republic of Congo. (Aug 2007)
- Visited largest slum in Africa, to publicize its plight. (Aug 2007)
- No-fly zone in Darfur; but pay attention more in Africa. (Jun 2007)
- U.S. funds for humanitarian aid to Darfur. (Mar 2007)
- Protested South African apartheid while at college. (Feb 2007)
- Focus on corruption to improve African development. (Oct 2006)
- Visited Africa in 2006; encouraged HIV testing & research. (Oct 2006)
Americas
- The Cold War is over; lift 50-year embargo on Cuba. (Jan 2016)
- Cuba: When something doesn't work for 50 years, change it. (Jan 2015)
- Focus on BRICs: Brazil, Russia, India, China, & South Africa. (Jun 2012)
- Haiti earthquake: Americans unite in times of trouble. (Feb 2010)
- Cuba should reduce surcharge on remittances from US. (Apr 2009)
- OpEd: Maintaining Guantanamo base violates international law. (Jan 2009)
- Maintain Cuban embargo, but allow Americans to send money. (May 2008)
- Meet with Cuban leaders only with agenda of US interests. (Feb 2008)
- Cuba: Loosen restrictions now; normalization later. (Feb 2008)
- Willing to meet with Fidel Castro, Kim Jung Il & Hugo Chavez. (Nov 2007)
- Invest in our relationship with Mexico. (Sep 2007)
Asia
- 2009: Chose Japan PM as first visitor to emphasize alliance. (Jun 2014)
- Support stable transition to democracy in Burma & elsewhere. (Feb 2013)
- Pivot to East Asia; America is a Pacific power. (Oct 2012)
- We pushed China hard to raise currency exchange by 11%. (Oct 2012)
- OpEd: North Korean behavior under Bush same as under Obama. (Aug 2011)
- 2007: Pledged to meet with leaders of Iran & North Korea. (Aug 2009)
- 2007: Raids into Pakistan to kill high-value terrorists. (Aug 2009)
- We must be tough with Pakistan & stop coddling Musharraf. (Sep 2008)
- Must be tough on Iran, but talk to them too. (Sep 2008)
- Learned privilege of being American by living in Indonesia. (Jul 2008)
- China is a competitor but not an enemy. (Dec 2007)
- U.S. needs to ameliorate trade relations with China. (Mar 2007)
Europe
- Russia is in tatters because of our steady resolve. (Jan 2015)
- Deal with Russia: no new missile defense in Eastern Europe. (Dec 2011)
- We’ve been reactive for 8 years; be proactive with Russia. (Oct 2008)
- Recent Russian actions in Georgia are unacceptable. (Sep 2008)
- In Berlin: proud citizen of US; fellow citizen of the world. (Jul 2008)
- Cooperation among nations is not a choice; it’s the only way. (Jul 2008)
- Chairs European subcommittee; could hold Afghanistan hearing. (Jul 2008)
- Engage Russia regarding nuclear proliferation. (Jul 2008)
- Strengthen NATO to face 21st-century threats. (Aug 2007)
Mideast
- Negotiations with Iran don't rely on trust. (Jan 2014)
- Libyans marching FOR America means we've been successful. (Oct 2012)
- I stand by "time for Mubarak to go" in Egyptian Revolution. (Oct 2012)
- Partner with Arab Spring countries to work toward democracy. (Sep 2012)
- Engage with Iran; but combat Al Qaeda in Pakistan. (Jun 2012)
- $1.8B per year for mega-embassy in Iraq; same in Afghanistan. (Jun 2010)
- Hamas election void until they renounce violence. (Jun 2010)
- Iran is more isolated and will face growing consequences. (Jan 2010)
- Fundamental commitment to strong US-Israel relationship. (Jan 2009)
- Kissinger agrees with me on meeting with enemy leaders. (Sep 2008)
- FactCheck: Kissinger opposes presidential meetings with Iran. (Sep 2008)
- My record on Israel is same as McCain’s. (Jul 2008)
- Appropriate for Israel to take out Syrian nuclear reactor. (Jul 2008)
- Jerusalem should be capital of Israel, pending final status. (Jul 2008)
- Jerusalem as joint Palestinian-Israeli capital is ok. (Jul 2008)
- Palestinian people suffer-but from not recognizing Israel. (Apr 2007)
- FactCheck: Palestinian suffering from stalled peace effort. (Apr 2007)
- Supports Israel’s self-defense; but distrusted by Israelis. (Oct 2006)
Resolutions
- At college, protested for divestment from South Africa. (Aug 2007)
- Voted YES on cooperating with India as a nuclear power. (Oct 2008)
- Sponsored aid bill to avert humanitarian crisis in Congo. (Dec 2005)
- Implement Darfur Peace Agreement with UN peacekeeping force. (Feb 2008)
- Urge Venezuela to re-open dissident radio & TV stations. (May 2007)
- Let Ukraine & Georgia enter NATO. (Jan 2008)
- Condemn violence by Chinese government in Tibet. (Apr 2008)
- Sanction Mugabe until Zimbabwe transitions to democracy. (Apr 2008)
- Afghan law tolerating marital rape is abhorrent. (Apr 2009)
- Pressure friendly Arab states to end Israeli boycott. (Oct 2007)
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Barack Obama on Free Trade
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Click here for 41 full quotes on Free Trade
OR other candidates on Free Trade
OR background on Free Trade.
- 21st century businesses need to sell more overseas. (Jan 2015)
- Export more goods stamped "Made in the USA". (Jan 2014)
- Negotiate a Transatlantic and a Trans-Pacific Partnership. (Feb 2013)
- China is an adversary but also a potential partner. (Oct 2012)
- Develop alternatives to importing rare earths from China. (Sep 2012)
- Skeptical on whether China feels bound by global trade rules. (Jun 2012)
- Trade Enforcement Unit: inspections for safe imports. (Jan 2012)
- FactCheck: Chinese tire import ban replaced by other imports. (Jan 2012)
- Double our exports by 2014; starting with South Korea. (Jan 2011)
- FactCheck: Yes, exports up; but not enough to double by 2014. (Jan 2011)
- Enforce trade being reciprocal; not just a one-way street. (Jan 2010)
- More exports means more jobs; double exports for 2M new jobs. (Jan 2010)
- We export only 4,000 cars to Korea; that’s not free trade!. (Oct 2008)
- Trade is here to stay; we have to compete. (Aug 2008)
- Global trade is unsustainable if it favors only the few. (Jul 2008)
- Assist workers who lose globalization's race to the bottom. (Jul 2008)
- Impossible to turn back globalization; we’d be worse off. (Jun 2008)
- Don’t let trade policy be dictated by special interests. (Jun 2008)
- Strong labor, safety, and environmental standards on trade. (Feb 2008)
- More Transition Assistance for displaced workers. (Feb 2008)
- Enforce environmental & labor provisions in trade agreements. (Jan 2008)
- Enforce existing safety laws against Chinese products. (Dec 2007)
- Congress subsidizes megafarms & hurts family farmers. (Aug 2007)
- People don’t want cheaper T-shirts if it costs their job. (Aug 2007)
- Reinvest in communities that are burdened by globalization. (Jun 2007)
- Fair trade should have tangible benefits for US. (Jun 2004)
Free Trade Agreements
- TPP facilitates US control over Asian market. (Jan 2016)
- TPP cuts 18,000 taxes on products made in America. (Jan 2016)
- Trade agreements mean we sell "Made in America" to millions. (Sep 2012)
- Double US exports via deals with Panama, Colombia, & S.Korea. (Jan 2012)
- China trade deal does too little on fairness & compliance. (Aug 2008)
- NAFTA protects corporate profits; should protect labor. (Jul 2008)
- Supports trade & globalization but opposes CAFTA job loss. (Jul 2008)
- Peru trade OK because it includes labor & enviro protections. (Jul 2008)
- NAFTA needs to be amended. (Dec 2007)
- Stand firm against CAFTA for labor & environmental standards. (Aug 2007)
- Amend NAFTA to add labor agreements. (Aug 2007)
- Insist on labor and human rights standards for China trade. (Jul 2004)
- Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
- Voted NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
- Extend trade restrictions on Burma to promote democracy. (Jun 2007)
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Barack Obama on Government Reform
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Click here for 82 full quotes on Government Reform
OR other candidates on Government Reform
OR background on Government Reform.
- Don't expect government to solve all problems; just some. (Nov 2017)
- Governing cannot work without compromise. (Jan 2016)
- We've got to make it easier to vote, not harder. (Jan 2016)
- Right to vote is sacred & is being denied to too many. (Jan 2015)
- No one should wait more than a half-hour to vote. (Jan 2014)
- Waiting 6 or 7 hours to cast a ballot betrays our ideals. (Feb 2013)
- OpEd: Achieve via regulation what was blocked in legislation. (Feb 2012)
- OpEd: 2010 federal pay freeze was all smoke and mirrors. (Oct 2011)
- Open Government Initiative on first full day in office. (Apr 2011)
- OpEd: Broke promise to pay for every dime of new spending. (Jan 2011)
- Constitution says what states CAN'T do to you. (Nov 2010)
- Transition team ethics statement: "No Ego, No Glory". (May 2010)
- Used signing statements, like Bush, 17 times in 2009. (May 2010)
- OpEd: shunning Fox News is like Nixon's 1960s Enemies List. (Apr 2010)
- We face a deficit of trust, not just a budget deficit. (Jan 2010)
- FactCheck: Yes, set up first reverse-revolving door policy. (Jan 2010)
- Economic agenda builds new foundation for lasting prosperity. (Feb 2009)
- Eliminate government programs that no longer work. (Aug 2008)
- FactCheck: Worked with McCain on ethics, but bill fell apart. (Aug 2008)
- Cabinet members should hold national town hall meetings. (Jul 2008)
- Need a government that listens to the people again. (Feb 2008)
- Give D.C. the opportunity to elect its own representatives. (Feb 2008)
- Bad idea to over-classify information. (Dec 2007)
- Bush’s signing statements are a clear abuse of prerogative. (Dec 2007)
- Public submits policy ideas on Obama’s “My Policy” website. (Oct 2007)
- Prayer can’t prevent disasters; good policy can handle them. (Aug 2007)
- Registered 150,000 new minority voters in Chicago in 1992. (Jul 2007)
- Half of us don’t vote; time for taking it back. (Jun 2007)
- Bush administration has done “great damage” to U.S. (Mar 2007)
- Filibuster has long tradition, but used to harm civil rights. (Oct 2006)
- Electing US Senators empowers people: keep 17th Amendment. (Oct 2004)
- People are really ready for a message for change. (Jul 2004)
- Campaign race baiting works in both directions. (Aug 1996)
Campaign Finance Reform
- Constitutional Amendment to overturn Citizens United. (Aug 2012)
- Ban insider trading by members of Congress. (Jan 2012)
- Citizens United decision: major victory for Big Oil. (Sep 2010)
- Only a few waivers on lobbyists in senior positions. (Jan 2010)
- Post all earmark request online before each vote. (Jan 2010)
- FactCheck: Yes, agreed to public financing, then declined it. (Oct 2008)
- GovWatch: Promised public financing, and then retreated. (Jun 2008)
- AdWatch: I opt out of broken public campaign finance system. (Jun 2008)
- GovWatch: No, McCain & RNC don’t get much money from PACs. (Jun 2008)
- Lobbyists & special interests have strangle-hold on agenda. (Feb 2008)
- Ended corporate jet travel subsidized by lobbyists. (Feb 2008)
- Never took money from federal lobbyists or their companies. (Jan 2008)
- No lobbyist money; no PAC money; fund campaigns instead. (Jan 2008)
- Money is the original sin in politics and I am not sinless. (Nov 2007)
- Reduced cost TV ads for candidates; $85M presidential limit. (Oct 2007)
- Ok to take $5 donations from drug company employees. (Sep 2007)
- Public campaign financing with free television & radio time. (Aug 2007)
- 1998: First law passed, 52-4, stripping legislator perks. (Aug 2007)
- 2004: Used state money for seemingly political mailing. (Aug 2007)
- No “bundled” money from federal-registered lobbyists. (Aug 2007)
- Campaigns last too long & cost too much. (Aug 2007)
- Doesn’t take PAC money or federal lobbyists’ money. (Jul 2007)
- People know his “bundlers” because he pushed disclosure law. (Jul 2007)
- FactCheck: no lobbyist money; yes from bundlers who lobby. (Jul 2007)
- First bill ever passed was campaign finance reform. (Apr 2007)
- FactCheck: no lobbyist money, yes from lobbyist spouses. (Apr 2007)
- Hopefund PAC pushes government to honor sacred commitments. (Nov 2006)
- Lobbyist influence comes from access, not money. (Oct 2006)
Earmark Reform
- Would love line-item veto, but start with earmark reform. (Jan 2010)
- Freeze discretionary government spending for 3 years. (Jan 2010)
- FactCheck: Yes, earmarks total $18B in this year’s budget. (Oct 2008)
- Eliminating earmarks isn’t enough; but I’ll check every line. (Sep 2008)
- Google for Government: let public track federal grants. (Jul 2008)
- Use technology to shine a light on spending. (Jun 2008)
- Consistently in favor of more disclosure around earmarks. (Feb 2008)
- Created a publicly searchable database on earmarks spending. (Feb 2008)
- Shine light on federal contracts, earmarks, & proposed bills. (Feb 2008)
- Create “Google for Government” to track government spending. (Aug 2007)
- Sponsored bill to disclose earmarks on Internet. (Oct 2006)
Voting Record
- FactCheck: Yes, Obama cast 130 “present” votes in IL Senate. (Jan 2008)
- Voted YES on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007)
- Voted NO on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)
- Voted YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity. (Mar 2006)
- Election reform is #1 priority to prevent disenfranchisement. (Jan 2001)
- Sponsored bill criminalizing deceptive info about elections. (Nov 2005)
- Sponsored resolution rejecting photo ID for voting. (Sep 2005)
- Sponsored bill to post earmarks on the Internet. (Jan 2006)
- Prohibit voter intimidation in federal elections. (Mar 2007)
- Prohibit 'voter caging' which intimidates minority voting. (Nov 2007)
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Barack Obama on Gun Control
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Click here for 18 full quotes on Gun Control
OR other candidates on Gun Control
OR background on Gun Control.
- Stricter gun rules, with or without Congress. (Jan 2014)
- Gun violence victims deserve a vote. (Feb 2013)
- I believe in 2nd Amendment, but not war weapons on streets. (Oct 2012)
- Fast-and-Furious: no prosecutions for Mexican gun/drug snafu. (Jun 2012)
- Midwestern "bitter clingers" frustrated over broken promises. (Aug 2009)
- Opposed bill okaying illegal gun use in home invasions. (Aug 2008)
- Ok for states & cities to determine local gun laws. (Apr 2008)
- FactCheck: Yes, Obama endorsed Illinois handgun ban. (Apr 2008)
- April 2008: "Bittergate" labeled Obama elitist. (Apr 2008)
- Respect 2nd Amendment, but local gun bans ok. (Feb 2008)
- Provide some common-sense enforcement on gun licensing. (Jan 2008)
- 2000: cosponsored bill to limit purchases to 1 gun per month. (Oct 2007)
- Concealed carry OK for retired police officers. (Aug 2007)
- Stop unscrupulous gun dealers dumping guns in cities. (Jul 2007)
- Keep guns out of inner cities--but also problem of morality. (Oct 2006)
- Bush erred in failing to renew assault weapons ban. (Oct 2004)
- Ban semi-automatics, and more possession restrictions. (Jul 1998)
- Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
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Barack Obama on Health Care
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Click here for 116 full quotes on Health Care
OR 37 older headlines
OR other candidates on Health Care
OR background on Health Care.
- Prioritize finding a cure for cancer. (Jan 2016)
- All kids should get vaccinated, but not by law. (Feb 2015)
- ObamaCare didn't crush jobs nor explode deficits. (Jan 2015)
- Ebola teaches us how to prevent future pandemics. (Jan 2015)
- FactCheck: Yes, 10 million newly insured last year. (Jan 2015)
- An AIDS-free generation is within our reach. (Feb 2013)
- We reduced senior Rx prices & pushed preventive care. (Oct 2012)
- I don't think Medicare vouchers are the way to go. (Oct 2012)
- Voucher system puts seniors at mercy of insurance companies. (Oct 2012)
- Too many Americans skip preventive care due to cost. (Sep 2012)
- FactCheck: ObamaCare covers only 1/2 of 30 million uninsured. (Jan 2012)
- OpEd: Incremental plan builds on patchwork system. (Aug 2008)
- 2003 Rx Drug Bill combined worst of public & private sectors. (Aug 2008)
- Give more help to those denied a life of dignity & respect. (Jul 2008)
- Address minority health needs by more coverage & targeting. (Mar 2007)
- Allow prescription drug re-importation. (May 2004)
AIDS
- Lead eradication of malaria and HIV, like we did with Ebola. (Jan 2016)
- Advocated condom use to avoid AIDS at Saddleback Church. (Jan 2010)
- CDC estimate: a half million would follow Obama's AIDS test. (Aug 2008)
- Use whatever works with AIDS, including teaching abstinence. (Apr 2008)
- We need condom distribution to deal with the scourge of AIDS. (Aug 2007)
- Homophobia prevents talking about HIV/AIDS. (Jun 2007)
- Got tested for AIDS, with wife, in public, in Kenya. (Jun 2007)
- Curing AIDS must be all-hands-on-deck effort. (Mar 2007)
- Lead global fight against AIDS. (Jul 2004)
ObamaCare
- 18 millions people have gained health insurance. (Jan 2016)
- FactCheck: 7M new Medicaid includes woodwork & normal churn. (Feb 2014)
- 12 million covered; zero denied for pre-existing conditions. (Jan 2014)
- Boards of experts identify best practices & keep costs down. (Oct 2012)
- ObamaCare says insurance companies can't jerk you around. (Oct 2012)
- Ignored advice to postpone reform, because it was needed. (Sep 2012)
- They called ObamaCare "Armageddon", but no asteroids fell. (Oct 2011)
- Repealing healthcare reform would cost $250B. (Jan 2011)
- Medicare is major driver of our long-term liabilities. (Jan 2010)
- Zero fines & no mandate for small business. (Oct 2008)
- No exclusions for pre-existing conditions. (Oct 2008)
- Health care is a right: something’s fundamentally wrong now. (Oct 2008)
- Ban insurance companies from discriminating against the sick. (Aug 2008)
- Include everyone who wants insurance in national pool. (Aug 2008)
- I’ve got a health plan and a plan to get it implemented. (Jun 2008)
- Voluntary universal participation, like in Medicare Part B. (Feb 2008)
- Buy private insurance via National Health Insurance Exchange. (Feb 2008)
- Against enforcement mechanism for mandating insurance. (Jan 2008)
- Subsidies to people who can’t afford care--not single payer. (Jan 2008)
- Problem isn’t mandating coverage, but affording it. (Nov 2007)
- Cautious incremental plan offers choice & subsidy. (Nov 2007)
- Tackle insurance companies on reimbursement system. (Oct 2007)
- Government healthcare like members of Congress have. (Sep 2007)
- Morally wrong that terminally ill must consider money. (Sep 2007)
- Increase competition in the insurance and drug markets. (Aug 2007)
- National Health Insurance Exchange for private coverage. (Aug 2007)
- Give people the choice to buy affordable health care. (Jun 2007)
- Employers are going to have to pay or play. (Mar 2007)
- The market alone can’t solve our health-care woes. (Oct 2006)
- Health care tied to balancing costs and taxes nation wide. (Jun 2006)
- 2008: must be national system; not state-level pilots. (Oct 2005)
- Will expand health coverage & allow meds to be re-imported. (May 2004)
Obamacare Criticism
- OpEd: Passing ObamaCare with no GOP caused long-term rancor. (May 2014)
- FactCheck: Some Medicare premiums went up under ObamaCare. (Jan 2014)
- FactCheck: Yes, 9M signed up, but only 3M are newly insured. (Jan 2014)
- Lie of the Year: 'If you like your plan, you can keep it'. (Dec 2013)
- ObamaCare and RomneyCare both expand private insurance. (Oct 2012)
- OpEd: ObamaCare passed by constitutionally suspect tactics. (Apr 2012)
- 2009: Accused of "Obamunism" and "Chains We Can Believe In". (Oct 2011)
- OpEd: True cost of ObamaCare was end of bipartisanship. (Oct 2011)
- OpEd: No authority to micromanage citizens' healthcare. (Jul 2011)
- FactCheck: healthcare reform saves $2B to $10B, not $250B. (Jan 2011)
- OpEd: Obama's public responsibility for health is socialism. (Nov 2010)
- OpEd: Slices $500B from Medicare; repeals Medicare Advantage. (Apr 2010)
- OpEd: Obamacare decides when life is worth preserving. (Apr 2010)
- OpEd: authority to require private insurance purchases? (Apr 2010)
- OpEd: ObamaCare was achieved by Cuba 50 years ago. (Mar 2010)
- OpEd: cut $622B in Medicare despite claiming no cuts. (Mar 2010)
- High-risk pool for uninsured, now in plan, was GOP idea. (Jan 2010)
- Cross-state-line insurance leads to cherry-picking. (Jan 2010)
- Tort reform only saves $5B per year; not enough to matter. (Jan 2010)
- Didn't tackle healthcare for political benefit, it's needed. (Jan 2010)
- FactCheck: Obama's estimate of $1T saved is closer to $132B. (Jan 2010)
- FactCheck: Exempts small business, but no $2,500/yr savings. (Oct 2008)
- $15B subsidies to private insurers was a lobbyist giveaway. (Sep 2008)
- End-of-life self-medication ok; euthanasia by others not ok. (Apr 2008)
- AdWatch: punishing uninsured families doesn’t make sense. (Feb 2008)
- FactCheck: Yes, Obama favored single-payer, despite denial. (Jan 2008)
- FactCheck: OPPORTUNITY to insure all, but no GUARANTEE. (Jan 2008)
- FactCheck: Reducing obesity would save $18B, not $1T. (Dec 2007)
- FactCheck: Correct that insurance lobbying cost $1B. (Sep 2007)
- Reform failed in ‘90s because of drug company lobbying. (Jul 2007)
Universal Coverage
- Shifting Medicaid to states means some people don't get help. (Oct 2012)
- Add 2,000 new primary-care residency spots. (Apr 2010)
- 2009: Expanded SCHIP by loosening eligibility standards. (Nov 2009)
- Reduce premiums and uninsured get same coverage as Congress. (Oct 2008)
- When your child gets sick, you don't shop for best bargain. (Jul 2008)
- If we started from scratch, one-payer system would be best. (Jul 2008)
- Universal health care means anyone who wants it can get it. (Feb 2008)
- Mandating kids’ insurance ok; mandating adults has problems. (Feb 2008)
- Young adults up to age 25 can be covered under parents’ plan. (Feb 2008)
- Adults will get health care as they can afford it. (Feb 2008)
- No one turned away due to illness or pre-existing condition. (Feb 2008)
- AdWatch: Pressure insurance & drug companies to change. (Jan 2008)
- Being poor in this country is hazardous to your health. (Dec 2007)
- Added 20,000 children to Illinois healthcare. (Oct 2007)
- National insurance pool & catastrophic insurance. (Apr 2007)
- Healthcare system is broken without lifetime employment. (Oct 2006)
- Focus on the affordability of a broad healthcare plan. (Jan 2006)
- Crises happen in our lives and healthcare is necessary. (Oct 2004)
Voting Record
- No need to mandate coverage; just let people afford it. (Jul 2007)
- Voted NO on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium. (Mar 2008)
- Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Apr 2007)
- Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
- Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005)
- Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005)
- Increase funding for AIDS treatment & prevention. (Jan 2001)
- More funding for Rx benefits, community health, CHIPs. (Jan 2001)
- Improve services for people with autism & their families. (Apr 2007)
- Establish a national childhood cancer database. (Mar 2007)
- Preserve access to Medicaid & SCHIP during economic downturn. (Apr 2008)
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Barack Obama on Immigration
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Click here for 60 full quotes on Immigration
OR other candidates on Immigration
OR background on Immigration.
- OpEd: Executive action ignores Congress & the Constitution. (Nov 2014)
- Executive action on immigration is well-precedented. (Nov 2014)
- Common sense executive action: Deport felons, not families. (Nov 2014)
- Deferred-action: Let under-age illegals remain lawfully. (Mar 2013)
- Since 2008, deported a record number of illegal immigrants. (Mar 2013)
- Comprehensive immigration reform including legal immigration. (Feb 2013)
- I promised reform in 2009, but economy took priority. (Sep 2012)
- Focus deportations on criminals and those without US roots. (Sep 2012)
- FactCheck: Fewer border crossings mostly due to economy. (Jan 2012)
- Arizona's S.B.1070 creates misguided patchwork system. (Oct 2011)
- Sent unmanned aircraft drones to monitor Mexican border. (Oct 2011)
- Comprehensive reform can't be done by president alone. (Oct 2011)
- Stop expelling talented undocumented workers. (Jan 2011)
- Send 1,200 National Guard troops to southern border. (Nov 2010)
- Anti-immigrant bitterness stems from joblessness. (Jan 2010)
- Crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants. (Jul 2008)
- America has nothing to fear from today’s immigrants. (Jun 2008)
- We need comprehensive reform, like McCain used to support. (Jun 2008)
- Recognize the humanity of immigrants: Todos somos Americanos. (Jun 2008)
- GovWatch: Anti-immigrants fuel xenophobia, but 45% increase. (Jun 2008)
- Encourage every student to learn a second language. (Feb 2008)
- Need to look at different aspects of immigration reform. (Feb 2008)
- Have border patrolled, surveillance, and deploy technology. (Feb 2008)
- Deporting 12 million people is ridiculous and impractical. (Feb 2008)
- Immigration raids are ineffective. (Feb 2008)
- Immigrants are scapegoats for high unemployment rates. (Jan 2008)
- Illegals shouldn’t work; but should have path to citizenship. (Dec 2007)
- Don’t deputize Americans to turn in illegal immigrants. (Dec 2007)
- OK to provide government services in Spanish. (Dec 2007)
- Comprehensive solution includes employers & borders. (Nov 2007)
- Undocumented workers come here to work, not to drive. (Nov 2007)
- Support granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. (Nov 2007)
- FactCheck: Lightning IS likelier than employer prosecution. (Nov 2007)
- Immigration system is broken for legal immigrants. (Sep 2007)
- Reform must include more border security, and border wall. (Sep 2007)
- Sanctuary cities show that feds are not enforcing law. (Sep 2007)
- Pathway to citizenship, but people have to earn it. (Aug 2007)
- Let’s be a nation of laws AND a nation of immigrants. (Aug 2007)
- Do a better job patrolling the Canadian and Mexican borders. (Jun 2007)
- Give immigrants who are here a rigorous path to citizenship. (Jun 2007)
Immigrant Benefits
- Kids who think of themselves as Americans--they should stay. (Oct 2012)
- Still supports comprehensive reform and the DREAM Act. (Sep 2012)
- Let foreign students stay after graduating college. (Jan 2012)
- Increasing the legal fees on immigrants is not helping. (Feb 2008)
- Solve the driver’s license issue with immigration reform. (Jan 2008)
- Health plan: not enough resources for illegal immigrants. (Jan 2008)
- Illegal immigrants’ lack of ID is a public safety concern. (Oct 2007)
- Extend welfare and Medicaid to immigrants. (Jul 1998)
Voting Record
- Support the DREAM Act for the children of illegal immigrants. (Jan 2008)
- Voted YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities". (Mar 2008)
- Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
- Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
- Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
- Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
- Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
- Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
- Comprehensive immigration reform without amnesty. (May 2005)
- Sponsored bill paying fair prevailing wage to guest workers. (May 2006)
- Provide funding for social services for noncitizens. (May 2006)
- Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)
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Barack Obama on Jobs
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Click here for 62 full quotes on Jobs
OR other candidates on Jobs
OR background on Jobs.
- End federal contracts if employer mistreats employees. (Jun 2018)
- Need retraining programs for workers who lose jobs. (Jan 2016)
- Signed Ledbetter Fair Pay Law in first month of presidency. (Oct 2015)
- Best employment growth since 1999; the crisis is past. (Jan 2015)
- Help families with more paid leave & higher minimum wage. (Jan 2015)
- FactCheck: Yes, unemployment down; but many stopped looking. (Jan 2015)
- FactCheck: $10.10 minimum wage only affects 200,000 workers. (Jan 2014)
- New ladder of opportunity into the middle class. (Jan 2014)
- Federal contracts require minimum wage of $10.10 per hour. (Jan 2014)
- No assault on unions: don't denigrate public employees. (Nov 2013)
- FactCheck: Yes, 500K manufacturing jobs since 2010, but... (Feb 2013)
- Make America a magnet for new jobs and manufacturing. (Feb 2013)
- Raise federal minimum wage to $9 per hour, and tie to COLA. (Feb 2013)
- We were losing 800,000 jobs each month when I started. (Oct 2012)
- Change offshore tax rules to bring back outsourced jobs. (Oct 2012)
- OpEd: Backed Employee Free Choice Act only during campaign. (Jun 2010)
- FactCheck: Yes, wants to limit secret balloting for unions. (Oct 2008)
- FactCheck: Yes, McCain voted for overseas tax deferral, but. (Oct 2008)
- End incentives that move jobs overseas. (Sep 2008)
- Small towns get bitter over long-term joblessness. (Aug 2008)
- Supports Fair Pay Act: equal pay for equal work. (Jul 2008)
- Expand paid sick days to seven per year. (Jul 2008)
- Employee Free Choice Act: right to organize harassment-free. (Jul 2008)
- 1980s: Opened first city job center in South Chicago. (Apr 2008)
- Fight attacks on workers’ right to organize & strike. (Feb 2008)
- Focus farm programs on family farms, not giant corporations. (Feb 2008)
- Paying more at Wal-Mart is worth it for having US jobs. (Dec 2007)
- Give public safety officers collective bargaining rights. (Aug 2007)
- Chicago’s Soldier Field stadium construction created jobs. (Aug 2007)
- Pres. candidates can afford minimum wage; most folks can’t. (Jul 2007)
- Make the minimum wage a living wage. (Jun 2007)
- Burdens of globalization are placed on the backs of workers. (Mar 2007)
- Owes unions who endorsed him; that’s why he’s in politics. (Oct 2006)
- Working full-time should mean enough to support a family. (Oct 2006)
- Overrode federal overtime rules and raised the minimum wage. (Sep 2004)
- Make sure that African-American men have access to jobs. (Jul 2004)
- Fund Trade Adjustment Assistance for service workers too. (Jun 2004)
- Increase IL minimum wage to $6.50 an hour. (Jun 2004)
- Tax cuts for the rich do not create jobs. (May 2004)
- Obama will strengthen unions and workers’ rights. (May 2004)
- OpEd: GM & Chrysler takeover put union needs ahead of others. (Apr 2010)
Job Stimulus
- US economy is strong: 900,000 new jobs in the past 6 years. (Jan 2016)
- We've cut unemployment in half during my term. (Jan 2016)
- FactCheck: Yes, 8M new jobs, but net 1.2M lost in recession. (Jan 2014)
- Create 600,000 jobs in the natural gas industry. (Oct 2012)
- Wind energy jobs are not imaginary jobs. (Oct 2012)
- FactCheck: Jobs increasing, but still lower than in 2008. (Jan 2012)
- OpEd:Believes Keynesian theory that government spurs economy. (Sep 2010)
- Four million jobs created or saved by recovery program. (May 2010)
- Recession job losses more severe than anticipated. (Jan 2010)
- Jobs must be our #1 focus in 2010. (Jan 2010)
- FactCheck: Obama's estimate of 2M jobs saved is closer to 1M. (Jan 2010)
- FactCheck: Economic plan may create only 2.2M jobs, not 3.5M. (Feb 2009)
- Solution to financial crisis is more job creation. (Oct 2008)
Voting Record
- Chief co-sponsor of IL ENDA, against gay job discrimination. (Aug 2007)
- Voted NO on terminating legal challenges to English-only job rules. (Mar 2008)
- Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Jun 2007)
- Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Feb 2007)
- Voted YES on raising the minimum wage to $7.25 rather than $6.25. (Mar 2005)
- Sponsored bill allowing an Air Traffic Controller's Union. (Jan 2006)
- Match minimum wage increases to Congressional pay raises. (May 2006)
- Extend unemployment compensation during recession. (Jan 2008)
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|
Barack Obama on Principles & Values
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Click here for 213 full quotes on Principles & Values
OR 113 older headlines
OR other candidates on Principles & Values
OR background on Principles & Values.
- Goal of transition to Trump: grace and dignity. (Nov 2018)
- Michelle Obama has no intention of running for office, ever. (Nov 2018)
- America is defined by innovative spirit: it's in our DNA. (Jan 2016)
- Put nation's interests before party. (Feb 2013)
- If all Americans get opportunity, we're all better off. (Oct 2012)
- Letters from Americans: This is who we are fighting for. (Sep 2012)
- OpEd: Offered a third way; but hid left-of-center agenda. (Jun 2012)
- OpEd: Many blacks voted for Obama only because he's black. (Jan 2012)
- Compact in past decades: do your job & make it in America. (Sep 2011)
- OpEd: seeks newer New Deals and greater Great Societies. (Feb 2011)
- American exceptionalism is same as any other exceptionalism. (Nov 2010)
- 92% of Tea Partiers: "Obama is moving US toward socialism". (Sep 2010)
- Loyal opposition is not just valuable, but a necessity. (Jan 2010)
- Hard times test us, like we have been tested in the past. (Jan 2010)
- Despite setbacks, Americans don't quit; & I don't quit. (Jan 2010)
- OpEd: Comfortable with differences; downplays separations. (Jul 2009)
- OpEd: Master of values-laden over outcome-laden language. (Jul 2009)
- OpEd: Unflappability comes from Methodist grandparents. (Jan 2009)
- OpEd: Combines clergy oratory with intellectual eloquence. (Jan 2009)
- "Obama Messiah Watch": Keep eye on media gushing hyperbolic. (Jan 2009)
- Ordinary people found the courage to keep the promise alive. (Aug 2008)
- Measure progress by observing how ordinary people are doing. (Aug 2008)
- Our government must keep the promise of America. (Aug 2008)
- Fulfilling America’s promise means individual participation. (Aug 2008)
- The American promise is our greatest inheritance. (Aug 2008)
- Traditional conservatives value temperance & restraint. (Aug 2008)
- OpEd: Themes of "hope" and "change" has numerous antecedents. (Aug 2008)
- We have to demand more from ourselves. (Jul 2008)
- Michelle: My husband demands you move out of comfort zone. (Jul 2008)
- The Clinton years were undeniably better than the Bush years. (Jan 2008)
- Turn the page on the failed politics & policies of the past. (Jan 2008)
- Criticizes voter cynicism from decades of disappointment. (Oct 2007)
- Post-1960s politics more about moral attitude than issues. (Oct 2006)
- Americans dislike partisanship--not solution like Dems think. (Oct 2006)
- Enlist the American people in the process of self-government. (Jan 2006)
- Guilt is a luxury that not everyone can afford. (Aug 1996)
Campaign Themes
- Equality is an American value that motivates us. (Jul 2016)
- Opportunity is who we are: let's restore that promise. (Jan 2014)
- I want to build on our strengths; invest in America. (Oct 2012)
- This election about vision of restoring middle class values. (Sep 2012)
- Fundamental American promise: work hard & build better life. (Sep 2012)
- Appointed Clinton & Biden as "team of rivals," like Lincoln. (Jun 2012)
- Effective citizenship means listening to opposing views. (Oct 2011)
- OpEd: Transformative from individualism to collectivism. (Apr 2010)
- Campaign slogan: "Yes, we can". (Mar 2010)
- We've had lots of plans; but a shortage of hope. (Jan 2010)
- We’re more decent & compassionate than last 8 years. (Aug 2008)
- ¡Sí, se puede! Yes, we can!. (Jun 2008)
- Life experiences taught me how to bring people together. (Feb 2008)
- People understand we must bring the country together. (Feb 2008)
- End politics of division; make it about addition. (Jan 2008)
- Hope is the bedrock of this nation. (Jan 2008)
- Resounds with American theme of overcoming burden of history. (Nov 2007)
- Cultivates comparison to Jack Kennedy. (Nov 2007)
- Campaigns assiduously in black churches. (Nov 2007)
- Community politics: merges Alinsky & political activism. (Oct 2007)
- Turn the page: invite GOP & independents to join in agenda. (Sep 2007)
- People have an urgent desire for change in Washington. (Jul 2007)
- A “hopemonger”, having seen the power of hope. (Jun 2007)
- Washington can change if we say: Yes we can. (Mar 2007)
- Replace partisan bickering with politics of hope. (Feb 2007)
- I’ve been in DC long enough to know that it must change. (Feb 2007)
- Progressives should recognize common morality with religion. (Oct 2006)
- “Audacity of Hope” to change politics to reflect common good. (Oct 2006)
- Seek common ground, not a moral crusade. (Oct 2004)
- I’m living my parents’ dreams and the American dream. (Jul 2004)
- Greatness based on Declaration of Independence, not military. (Jul 2004)
- We are one people all defending the United States of America. (Jul 2004)
- Want common-sense solutions, not liberal-conservative labels. (Jul 2004)
Community Organizing
- OpEd: greatest talent is chairing balanced meetings. (May 2010)
- 2008 HQ phone greeting: "What can you do for us?". (Apr 2010)
- Required email list from every candidate event he attended. (Jan 2010)
- Headed "Project Vote!" in Chicago in 1990s. (Aug 2008)
- Obama worked in same community as Saul Alinsky. (Aug 2008)
- OpEd: Obama implements Alinsky's ideas of radical change. (Aug 2008)
- Used community organizer skills as State Senator. (Aug 2008)
- Organizer's method: from issue to action to power. (Apr 2008)
- 1980s: Registered 150,000 voters in Chicago "Project Vote". (Apr 2008)
- Moved to Illinois as community organizer, for $13,000 a year. (Feb 2007)
- Poverty of political organizers was proof of their integrity. (Aug 1996)
Family of Origin
- Maternal grandfather fought in WWII. (Oct 2011)
- OpEd: Black father abandoned him, yet identifies with him. (Nov 2009)
- Father had wife in Africa when he met and married Ann Dunham. (Aug 2008)
- Father left family for Harvard education. (Aug 2008)
- Father's upbringing was Muslim, although never religious. (Aug 2008)
- Father had 3 or 4 wives; Barack has at least 5 half-siblings. (Aug 2008)
- Many attribute mother's marriages to being anthropologist. (Aug 2008)
- Lived with grandparents in Hawaii over mother in Indonesia. (Aug 2008)
- Would be first president to have extended family abroad. (Aug 2008)
- OpEd: Obama invented the dreams in "Dreams from my Father". (Jul 2008)
- Greatest mistake: absence from mother when she died. (Apr 2008)
- Father's family from the Luo tribe of Kenya. (Apr 2008)
- Related to both Vice Pres. Cheney and Pres. Truman. (Apr 2008)
- Mother described as "the original feminist" at 1960 college. (Apr 2008)
- In his 20s, searched for his identity, absent both parents. (Apr 2008)
- Father was first African exchange student at U. Hawaii. (Aug 2007)
- Traces ancestry to Jefferson Davis, President of Confederacy. (Feb 2007)
- Greeted as hero on visit to ancestral Kenya. (Feb 2007)
- Father died in car crash before Barack got to know him. (Feb 2007)
- Full name: Barack Hussein Obama; family calls him “Barry”. (Oct 2006)
Past Campaigns
- 2008: supported by both Hollywood and Wall Street. (Sep 2011)
- OpEd: Big Business gave more to Obama than McCain. (Nov 2009)
- 2006: Started from scratch compared with Hillary & McCain. (Aug 2009)
- 1999 Congressional loss: "I got my rear end handed to me". (Aug 2008)
- Borrowed "Yes, we can" slogan from Cesar Chavez 1960s UFW. (Aug 2008)
- 1996: job of state senator is organizer, teacher, & advocate. (Apr 2008)
- 5th African-American ever elected to US Senate. (Apr 2008)
- June 2008: YouTube hit, "I Got a Crush on Obama". (Apr 2008)
- Campaigning on change from the bottom up that King stood for. (Jan 2008)
- 1990: Elected Law Review president with conservative support. (Aug 2007)
- Senate 2004 campaign theme: “Yes we can”. (Aug 2007)
- Lost Congressional primary in 1999 to Bobby Rush. (Feb 2007)
Personal History
- Met Michele when both worked as interns at law firm. (Nov 2018)
- Being president doesn't change you--it reveals who you are. (Sep 2012)
- OpEd: Pal Bill Ayres was a bomb-throwing terrorist. (Nov 2009)
- Developed style & attitude based on exposure to pop culture. (Jan 2009)
- 1970s: Teen basketball player & fan of Julius "Dr. J" Erving. (Jan 2009)
- Favorite movie: “The Godfather”, for respect & family. (Sep 2008)
- Visited Africa 3 times; 1986, then 1992 & 2006 with Michelle. (Aug 2008)
- In no other country is my story even possible. (Mar 2008)
- “Dreams From My Father” is an archetypal search. (Dec 2007)
- Obama REPRESENTS something; doesn’t have to DO anything. (Dec 2007)
- Won Grammy for recording “Dreams from My Father”. (Nov 2007)
- First major politician of the post-Baby Boom generation. (Oct 2007)
- Most decisive moment: transition from high school to college. (Aug 2007)
- High school jock--played football as defensive lineman. (Aug 2007)
- Goal as youth: Leave the world a better place. (Aug 2007)
- Planned on presidency since well before 2004 Convention. (Aug 2007)
- Dreams from My Father originally about Harvard Law Review. (Aug 2007)
- Favorite authors: E. L. Doctorow & Shakespeare. (Aug 2007)
- To understand Obama, understand Hawaii’s cultural mix. (Aug 2007)
- Met Michelle Robinson at law firm; married in 1990. (Aug 2007)
- A reformed smoker but occasionally burns one. (Mar 2007)
- Personal story is basis of political desire to unite. (Feb 2007)
- First black president of the Harvard Law Review. (Jul 2004)
Racism & Race
- OpEd: Jackson & Sharpton were articulate black predecessors. (Oct 2010)
- OpEd: Elections of underclass occurred in many countries. (Jun 2010)
- New Yorker cover: Islamic garb & fist-bumping Michelle. (Jan 2009)
- Am I somehow responsible for fate of entire black race? (Jan 2009)
- No contradiction as black voice & constituent representative. (Jan 2009)
- OpEd: March 2008 "race speech" reminder of ongoing struggle. (Jan 2009)
- March 2008 speech on race began with "We, the people". (Jan 2009)
- Speaks about racial anxiety from personal experience. (Aug 2008)
- 1995: Participated in Million Man March. (Aug 2008)
- Apocryphal story: race awareness began with skin-bleach ad. (Aug 2008)
- Taking a black candidate for granted is measure of progress. (Jun 2008)
- Epiphany at age 21 settled his racial identity. (Apr 2008)
- We’ve never really worked through complexities of race. (Mar 2008)
- Intertwined search for father and racial identity. (Dec 2007)
- Rooted in African-American community but also more than that. (Dec 2007)
- In college, rejected multiracialism for black identity. (Dec 2007)
- Fans see Obama as opportunity to vote for redemption. (Dec 2007)
- Veiled racism in dismissing Obama as “unqualified”. (Oct 2007)
- Catching a cab, no one questions he’s “authentically black”. (Jul 2007)
- America’s race and class problems are intertwined. (Aug 1996)
- There is some hope of eventual reconciliation between races. (Aug 1996)
- Racism wasn’t merely the cruelty involved, but arrogance too. (Aug 1996)
Religion
- Suspected by opponents of being Muslim, Communist, & Nazi. (Jan 2012)
- OpEd: installed secularism as America's state religion. (Oct 2011)
- OpEd: Wrote glowingly of Rev. Jeremiah Wright's first sermon. (Nov 2009)
- First American president not raised in a Christian home. (Aug 2008)
- Religious Left calls Obama "called" and "anointed". (Aug 2008)
- Grandmother raised as strict Methodist, but saw hypocrisy. (Aug 2008)
- Mother raised in Unitarian Church with secular values. (Aug 2008)
- Mother declared herself an atheist during high school. (Aug 2008)
- Obama's Trinity Church is based on black-liberation theology. (Aug 2008)
- Moved to & attended church in neighborhood he was organizing. (Aug 2008)
- OpEd: Obama was born a Muslim, and is now a Christian. (Jul 2008)
- GovWatch: never a Muslim, but school listed him as Muslim. (Jun 2008)
- In hard times, people take refuge in traditions, God & guns. (Apr 2008)
- I am a person of faith; and I reach out to people of faith. (Apr 2008)
- Religion is foundational; not clinging nor elitist. (Apr 2008)
- Rev. Jeremiah Wright helped bring me to Christianity. (Apr 2008)
- Exposure to Islam taught me that Muslims can partner with us. (Apr 2008)
- Kenyan grandfather converted to Christianity & then to Islam. (Apr 2008)
- Barack's UCC church motto: Unabashedly Black & Christian. (Apr 2008)
- Father was raised Muslim but became an atheist. (Apr 2008)
- Registered as Muslim at Catholic & secular Indonesian school. (Apr 2008)
- I am a proud Christian who believes deeply in Jesus Christ. (Jan 2008)
- Despite attack email, pledges Allegiance & uses Bible. (Jan 2008)
- Attends church with press, to dispel rumors that he’s Muslim. (Dec 2007)
- Grandfather converted from Christianity to Islam. (Dec 2007)
- Joined church that emphasized a “Black Value System”. (Dec 2007)
- Uses prayer to take stock of his moral compass. (Oct 2007)
- Reach out to faith community;faith has role in public square. (Sep 2007)
- Active in the Trinity faith community. (Aug 2007)
- Carries Bible on campaign trail, & refers to it weekly. (Aug 2007)
- Embrace Christ as an ally. (Mar 2007)
- Source of his book title “Audacity of Hope” was a sermon. (Feb 2007)
- Raised secular, but with working knowledge of world religion. (Oct 2006)
- Baptized as an adult in the Trinity United Church of Christ. (Oct 2006)
- Religious concerns ok, if translated into universal values. (Oct 2006)
- There’s a call to evangelize in politics. (Apr 2004)
- I’m a big believer in the separation of church and state. (Apr 2004)
- Spent time in both Muslim and Catholic schools. (Aug 1996)
Scandals
- Neighbor Bill Ayres admits 1970s violent radicalism. (Aug 2008)
- OpEd: Distances himself from 1970s radical Bill Ayres. (Aug 2008)
- Tony Rezko: large contributor & active member of campaigns. (Aug 2008)
- Tony Rezko helped Obama buy home in prestigious neighborhood. (Aug 2008)
- Segments of Wright sermons were "caricatures of the church". (Aug 2008)
- Photographed without hand over heart during national anthem. (Aug 2008)
- I revere the American flag; I don’t refuse to wear flag pins. (Apr 2008)
- FactCheck: Yes, refused to wear a flag pin, last year. (Apr 2008)
- Mar. 2008: Campaign uproar over Rev. Wright's anti-US sermon. (Apr 2008)
- FactCheck: Took Rezko’s donations, but never represented him. (Jan 2008)
- Gave away all Rezko “boneheaded” donations to charity. (Nov 2007)
Voting Record
- FactCheck: Ranked most liberal in Senate, based on 99 votes. (Feb 2008)
- Voted with Democratic Party 96.0% of 251 votes. (Sep 2007)
- Biggest mistake was intruding in Terri Schiavo case. (Apr 2007)
- Voted NO on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice. (Jan 2006)
- Voted NO on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Sep 2005)
- Member of Congressional Black Caucus. (Jan 2001)
- Reject Bush's Florida electors due to election fraud. (Jan 2001)
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Barack Obama on Social Security
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Click here for 22 full quotes on Social Security
OR other candidates on Social Security
OR background on Social Security.
- MyRA: new savings bond for retirement. (Jan 2014)
- No new promises we can't keep; but keep promises we've made. (Feb 2013)
- Entitlements don't make us takers; they free us to take risk. (Jan 2013)
- Tweak Social Security like Reagan did, but keep entitlements. (Oct 2012)
- OpEd: Eliminating FICA ceiling means rich won't spend. (Apr 2010)
- Good health care and tax reform will save entitlements. (Oct 2008)
- 2007: Raise income cap to avoid future shortfall. (Aug 2008)
- What do we do with the losers of privatizing? (Jul 2008)
- Raise cap on payroll tax for 3% of earners over $102,000. (Apr 2008)
- Raise $97K cap on payroll tax exempting earnings under $250K. (Apr 2008)
- Must capture new revenue; no new Social Security Commission. (Apr 2008)
- Stop any efforts to privatize Social Security. (Feb 2008)
- FactCheck: Removing $97,500 cap would be $1.3T tax increase. (Nov 2007)
- Cutting benefits & raising retirement age are wrong answers. (Nov 2007)
- The wealthy should pay a bit more on the payroll tax. (Oct 2007)
- Privatization puts retirement at whim of stock market. (Sep 2007)
- Stop any efforts to privatize Social Security. (Aug 2007)
- No privatization; but consider earning cap over $97,500. (Jul 2007)
- Stock market risk is ok, but not for Social Security. (Oct 2006)
- Raise the cap on the payroll tax on wealthy individuals. (Jan 2006)
- $2000 tax credit for Working Families Savings Accounts. (Jul 2004)
- Voted NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security. (Mar 2007)
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Barack Obama on Tax Reform
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Click here for 47 full quotes on Tax Reform
OR 11 older headlines
OR other candidates on Tax Reform
OR background on Tax Reform.
- Tax cuts won't help us compete with China; invest instead. (Oct 2012)
- I've cut taxes for middle-class families & small businesses. (Oct 2012)
- We need a tax code where everybody pays their fair share. (Sep 2011)
- We cut taxes 25 times, for 95% of Americans. (Jan 2010)
- FactCheck: Tax cut only helps 75% or workers, not 95%. (Feb 2009)
- Yes, earmarks are abused, but small compared to tax cuts. (Sep 2008)
- Trickle-down economics has failed. (Aug 2008)
- Adjust capital gains tax up to where Reagan set it. (Aug 2008)
- Tax cut for middle class and relief to struggling homeowners. (Jul 2008)
- Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit. (Jul 2008)
- Maintain the inheritance tax on wealthy. (Jul 2008)
- Middle class tax cut helps offset rising cost of gas & food. (Jun 2008)
- Under Bill Clinton, rich people didn’t feel oppressed. (Apr 2008)
- Stimulus package: $500 tax cut, & Social Security supplement. (Jan 2008)
- Restore progressive tax; close loopholes; relief to seniors. (Oct 2007)
- Tax incentives to create jobs at home instead of offshore. (Jun 2004)
- Last thing we need now is a permanent tax cut. (Jan 2008)
Taxing the Wealthy
- Bring back the Clinton tax rate for income above $250,000. (Oct 2012)
- It's unfair for a nurse to pay a higher tax rate than Romney. (Oct 2012)
- 47% who don't pay income tax pay many other taxes. (Sep 2012)
- No tax breaks for millionaires; GOP always wants tax cuts. (Sep 2012)
- Buffett rule: millionaires pay minimum of 30% in taxes. (Jan 2012)
- No across-the-board tax cuts for the wealthy. (Jan 2010)
- Tax cuts for wealthy got us into the current deficit. (Jan 2010)
- No $300 billion on tax cuts for those who don’t need them. (Sep 2008)
- Tax cut for 95% of all working families, not corporations. (Aug 2008)
- I will raise CEO taxes, no doubt about it. (May 2008)
- No tax increase if earning under $250K; tax cuts under $75K. (Apr 2008)
- Raise capital gains tax for fairness, not for revenue. (Apr 2008)
- I’m not bashful about it: wealthy will pay more taxes. (Jan 2008)
- Trillion dollar giveaway: the Paris Hilton Tax Break. (Oct 2007)
- Reduce Bush tax cuts to pay for health care & other programs. (Jun 2007)
- Estate tax only affects the wealthiest 1/2 of 1%. (Oct 2006)
- Bush tax cuts help corporations but not middle class. (Jun 2004)
Voting Record
- FactCheck: Voted for non-binding tax increase on $42K income. (Sep 2008)
- GovWatch: didn’t vote to raise taxes 94 times; at most 54. (Jul 2008)
- Voted YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million. (Mar 2008)
- Voted NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008)
- Voted NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008)
- Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
- Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
- Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
- Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
- Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
- Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
- Voted NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
- Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)
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Barack Obama on Technology
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Click here for 56 full quotes on Technology
OR other candidates on Technology
OR background on Technology.
- Government should decide privacy limits, not companies. (Apr 2018)
- Must continue to make technology accessible. (Jan 2016)
- We protected an open internet & got more Americans online. (Jan 2016)
- Precision Medicine Initiative: cures via personalized info. (Jan 2015)
- Out to space not just to visit; but to stay. (Jan 2015)
- Better meet the threat of cyberattacks. (Jan 2015)
- Patent reform: Unleash the next great discovery. (Jan 2014)
- $140 for each $1 spent on genome; make more such investments. (Feb 2013)
- Cyber-attacks are real threats to security and economy. (Feb 2013)
- World leadership via cutting-edge technology & workers. (Oct 2012)
- Military needs to think about space and cybersecurity. (Oct 2012)
- We need to train for the next generation of Apples. (Oct 2012)
- Double funding for key research agencies. (Sep 2012)
- Invest 3% of GDP in public & private R&D. (Sep 2012)
- Free and open Internet is essential to modern economy. (Sep 2012)
- Make science policy decisions based on facts, not ideology. (Sep 2012)
- Send humans to Asteroids by 2025 & Mars by 2030s. (Sep 2012)
- Media change since Clinton: intravenous Internet news feed. (Jun 2012)
- Space-race-level investment in R&D; biotech; & green tech. (Jan 2011)
- Network clean energy transmission lines like highway network. (May 2010)
- Cancel moon program; develop human mission to Mars. (Jan 2010)
- Iowa 2007: Tracked every college student & high school. (Aug 2009)
- My.barackobama.com key to campaign, like Wall St to finance. (Aug 2009)
- My.BarackObama.com enabled grassroots organizing. (Jan 2009)
- Google for Government was a bipartisan initiative. (Sep 2008)
- Invest in a digital smart grid for electricity utilities. (Jul 2008)
- Double basic research funding; make the R&D tax permanent. (Jun 2008)
- Feb. 2008: Had 250,000 members on Facebook to Clinton's 3250. (Apr 2008)
- Incentives for next-generation broadband in every community. (Feb 2008)
- Increase funding for math and science research & education. (Oct 2007)
- Airlines got into trouble after deregulation. (Oct 2007)
- Organizes campaign events via MySpace.com and FaceBook.com. (Oct 2007)
- JFK inspired with space program; now same with energy R&D. (Sep 2007)
- Increase funding for basic research; expand broadband access. (Aug 2007)
- As Senate freshman spoke out on Katrina ramifications. (Aug 2007)
- $42B more in university-based R&D. (Oct 2006)
- National broadband plan: increase access to 90% by 2020. (Sep 2010)
Infrastructure
- Put Americans to work on 21st-century transportation system. (Jan 2016)
- FactCheck: Money stops infrastructure projects, not red tape. (Jan 2014)
- Fix It First: urgent repairs like 70,000 bridges. (Feb 2013)
- Rebuild the country's crumbling infrastructure. (Sep 2011)
- Investing in the future is federal responsibility. (Sep 2011)
- FactCheck: High-speed rail for 80% possible; but not soon. (Jan 2011)
- High-speed rail for 80% of US; high-speed web for 98% of US. (Jan 2011)
- $13B stimulus funds to upgrade rail lines & build new ones. (Jun 2010)
- There's no reason Europe & China should have fastest trains. (Jan 2010)
- National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank: $60B in 10 years. (Jun 2008)
- Broadband in heart of inner cities and rural towns. (Feb 2007)
- Invest on transportation and clean coal technology projects. (Oct 2004)
- Voted YES on authorizing states to collect Internet sales taxes. (May 2013)
- Voted NO on restoring $550M in funding for Amtrak for 2007. (Mar 2006)
- Close digital divide with high-tech training. (Jan 2001)
- Ensure net neutrality: no corporate-tiered Internet. (Jan 2007)
- Create online database of science & math scholarships. (Dec 2007)
- Website for competitive federal awards. (Jun 2008)
- Overturn FCC approval of media consolidation. (Mar 2008)
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Barack Obama on War & Peace
|
Click here for 96 full quotes on War & Peace
OR 60 older headlines
OR other candidates on War & Peace
OR background on War & Peace.
Afghan War
- Move into support role in Afghanistan; 34,000 troops home. (Feb 2013)
- We had forgotten why we went into Afghanistan. (Oct 2012)
- End our longest war: out of Afghanistan in 2014. (Sep 2012)
- All but one advisor cautioned against Osama bin Laden strike. (Jan 2012)
- Make sure Afghanistan is never again a source of attack. (Jan 2012)
- FactCheck: Taliban may control countryside after US leaves. (Jan 2012)
- 2009: Command is a solemn responsibility; war has no glory. (Oct 2011)
- Afghan war: moral imperative against determined enemy. (Oct 2011)
- We've taken the fight to al Qaeda in Afghanistan, until July. (Jan 2011)
- OpEd: Relying heavily on drones causes civilian casualties. (Jun 2010)
- OpEd: Af-Pak drones: targeted kills but extra-judicial. (May 2010)
- OpEd: Conservatives happy Obama is staying in Afghanistan. (Apr 2010)
- Troops will begin to exit Afghanistan in July 2011. (Jan 2010)
- Evil does exist in the world; sometimes war is justified. (Dec 2009)
- America is not--and never will be--at war with Islam. (Jun 2009)
- More aid to Pakistan; but pursue bin Laden over their border. (Oct 2008)
- Unwise war in Iraq distracted us from catching Bin Laden. (Sep 2008)
- Military surge in Afghanistan to eliminate the Taliban. (May 2008)
- Al Qaida is based in northwest Pakistan; strike if needed. (Jan 2008)
- Deal with al Qaeda on Pakistan border, but not with nukes. (Aug 2007)
- Military action in Pakistan if we have actionable intel. (Aug 2007)
- FactCheck: Yes, Obama said invade Pakistan to get al Qaeda. (Aug 2007)
- Focus on battle in Afghanistan and root out al Qaeda. (Jun 2007)
- We did the right thing in Afghanistan. (Mar 2007)
Iraq War
- Green Party OpEd: We are not out of Iraq. (Aug 2012)
- OpEd: Calling Iraq "a dumb war" left open "smarter war". (Jun 2012)
- Iraq was a rash war, based on politics, not on reason. (Jun 2012)
- 2008 trump card: opposition to Iraq War showed experience. (Jun 2012)
- For first time in 9 years, no Americans are fighting in Iraq. (Jan 2012)
- 2002: Opposed war while all other candidates supported it. (Aug 2009)
- Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice. (Jun 2009)
- I will only send our troops into harm’s way when necessary. (Aug 2008)
- 2002 anti-war speech was not popular opinion at that time. (Apr 2008)
- Humanitarian aid now for displaced Iraqis. (Feb 2008)
- End the war, and end the mindset that got us into war. (Jan 2008)
- The Iraq war was conceptually flawed from the start. (Jan 2008)
- Title of Iraq war authorization bill stated its intent. (Jan 2008)
- No permanent bases in Iraq. (Jan 2008)
- Congress decides deployment level & duration, not president. (Dec 2007)
- Leave troops for protection of Americans & counterterrorism. (Sep 2007)
- Hopes to remove all troops from Iraq by 2013, but no pledge. (Sep 2007)
- We live in a more dangerous world because of Bush’s actions. (Jun 2007)
- Case for war was weak, but people voted their best judgment. (Jun 2007)
- War in Iraq is “dumb” but troops still need equipment. (Apr 2007)
- Open-ended Iraq occupation must end: no military solution. (Apr 2007)
- Iraq 2002: ill-conceived venture; 2007: waste of resources. (Feb 2007)
- Saddam did not own and was not providing WMD to terrorists. (Oct 2004)
- Invading Iraq was a bad strategic blunder. (Oct 2004)
- Democratizing Iraq will be more difficult than Afghanistan. (Oct 2004)
- Never fudge numbers or shade the truth about war. (Jul 2004)
- Iraq war was sincere but misguided, ideologically driven. (Jul 2004)
- Not opposed to all wars, but opposed to the war in Iraq. (Jul 2004)
Trouble Spots
- Support Ukraine and sanction Russia but no military action. (Nov 2017)
- ISIS, like the Crusades, doesn't mean religion is violent. (Feb 2015)
- I will veto any new sanctions against Iran. (Jan 2015)
- Authorize the use of force against ISIL. (Jan 2015)
- Support rebels in Syria who oppose terrorism. (Jan 2014)
- America must move off a permanent war footing. (Jan 2014)
- Syria's Assad crossed "red line" by using chemical weapons. (Jun 2013)
- On Iranian nukes: Big nations can't bluff. (Mar 2013)
- We organized world community to agree that Assad has to go. (Oct 2012)
- I will stand with Israel if they are attacked. (Oct 2012)
- Key to Iranian sanctions was world's involvement. (Oct 2012)
- Supported "Iron Dome" defense shield for Israel. (Oct 2012)
- Libyan people appreciate that America liberated them. (Sep 2012)
- Syrian use of chemical weapon is "red line" for intervention. (Aug 2012)
- Expanded CIA drone program for "targeted killings". (Jun 2012)
- Take no options off the table if Iran develops nukes. (Jan 2012)
- Intervene in Libya for humanitarian reasons. (Jun 2011)
- Supports Arab Peace Initiative (two states) with exceptions. (Jun 2010)
- Continued Israeli settlements in West Bank are illegitimate. (Jun 2010)
- OpEd: 2008: Denounced Mumbai attacks, but not Gaza attacks. (Jun 2010)
- OpEd: Overreaction to North Korean rockets. (Apr 2009)
- Prevent Iran from attacking Israel, but keep military option. (Oct 2008)
- 2002: I don't oppose all war; I am opposed to dumb war. (Aug 2008)
- Engaging in tough diplomacy with Iran is a sign of strength. (Jul 2008)
- Iran is biggest strategic beneficiary of invasion of Iraq. (May 2008)
- Take no options off the table if Iran attacks Israel. (Apr 2008)
- Two-state solution: Israel & Palestine side-by-side in peace. (Feb 2008)
- No action against Iran without Congressional authorization. (Dec 2007)
- Iran: Bush does not let facts get in the way of ideology. (Dec 2007)
- Meet directly for diplomacy with the leadership in Iran. (Nov 2007)
- Committed to Iran not having nuclear weapons. (Oct 2007)
- Iran military resolution sends the region a wrong signal. (Oct 2007)
- Iran with nuclear weapons is a profound security threat. (Apr 2007)
- Terrorists are in Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iran. (Oct 2004)
- Problems with current Israeli policy. (Jul 2004)
- Engage North Korea in 6-party talks. (Jul 2004)
- Use moral authority to work towards Middle East peace. (Jul 2004)
Voting Record
- Voted to fund war until 2006; now wants no blank check. (Nov 2007)
- Late to vote against war is not late to oppose war. (Jun 2007)
- Spending on the Cold War relics should be for the veterans. (Jun 2007)
- Would have voted no to authorize the President to go to war. (Jul 2004)
- Voted YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008. (Mar 2007)
- Voted NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. (Jun 2006)
- Voted YES on investigating contract awards in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Nov 2005)
|
Barack Obama on Welfare & Poverty
|
Click here for 27 full quotes on Welfare & Poverty
OR other candidates on Welfare & Poverty
OR background on Welfare & Poverty.
- Expand tax cuts for childless low income workers. (Jan 2016)
- FactCheck: Upward mobility hasn't stalled; US always was low. (Jan 2014)
- Earned Income Tax Credit has helped half of all families. (Jan 2014)
- Community organizing brings about redistributive change. (Feb 2013)
- People want a hand up, not a handout. (Sep 2012)
- Help refinancing for homeowners facing foreclosure. (Feb 2009)
- FactCheck: Cannot limit refinancing to responsible borrowers. (Feb 2009)
- Still denying decent wages, good benefits, & fair treatment. (Jul 2008)
- AdWatch: Fought for workers from college thru Senate. (Jul 2008)
- GovWatch: Welfare laws he “passed” were federally mandated. (Jul 2008)
- Cut poverty in half in 10 years, with faith-based help. (Apr 2008)
- Welfare policies contributed to erosion of black families. (Mar 2008)
- Create 20 Promise Neighborhoods in high-poverty cities. (Feb 2008)
- 1980s: Director of the Developing Communities Project. (Oct 2007)
- Stop Fraud Act: full disclosure in subprime lending. (Sep 2007)
- Engages people of faith on all aspects of his public service. (Aug 2007)
- Saw dire poverty as a child in Indonesia. (Aug 2007)
- 1985: Launched project to give voice to disempowered. (Aug 2007)
- Ownership Society is another term for “Social Darwinism”. (Aug 2007)
- Community organizer on Chicago’s South Side. (Feb 2007)
- Black churches minister to social needs out of necessity. (Oct 2006)
- Welfare recipients know how to succeed but need help. (Jul 2004)
- Belief that "I am my brother's keeper" makes America work. (Jul 2004)
- $100M increase in IL Earned Income Tax Credit. (Jun 2004)
- Inner city problems are the painful truths. (Aug 1996)
- Exorcise the ghostly figure that haunts black dreams. (Aug 1996)
- Develop a strategy to eliminate extreme global poverty. (Dec 2007)
|
VoteMatch Responses
(Click here for VoteMatch quiz) |
VoteMatch Question & Answer (Click on question for explanation and background) |
Based on these stances: (Click on topic for excerpt & citation) |
Strongly Favors
topic 1:Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right
(+5 points on Social scale)
| We can find common ground between pro-choice and pro-life: Opposes topic 1 Expand access to contraception; reduce unintended pregnancy: Favors topic 1 Stem cells hold promise to cure 70 major diseases: Favors topic 1 Trust women to make own decisions on partial-birth abortion: Strongly Favors topic 1 Extend presumption of good faith to abortion protesters: Favors topic 1 Pass the Stem Cell Research Bill: Favors topic 1 Protect a woman’s right to choose: Strongly Favors topic 1 Blocked IL law: Born Alive Infant Protection Act: Strongly Favors topic 1 Rated 100% by NARAL on pro-choice votes in 2005, 2006 & 2007: Strongly Favors topic 1 Voted against banning partial birth abortion: Favors topic 1 Supports Roe v. Wade: Strongly Favors topic 1 Sponsored bill providing contraceptives for low-income women: Favors topic 1 Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance: Strongly Favors topic 1 Ensure access to and funding for contraception: Favors topic 1 NO on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion: Strongly Favors topic 1 NO on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP: Favors topic 1 YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives: Favors topic 1 NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions: Favors topic 1 YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines: Favors topic 1 |
Strongly Favors
topic 2:Legally require hiring women & minorities
(-5 points on Economic scale)
| OpEd: Trump inauguration marked by white, male sameness: Favors topic 2 Recruited FBI hiring with 38% non-white new agents: Strongly Favors topic 2 Discrimination ultimately makes US less safe: Strongly Favors topic 2 Signed Ledbetter Fair Pay Law in first month of presidency: Strongly Favors topic 2 Supports Fair Pay Act: equal pay for equal work: Strongly Favors topic 2 Racial equality good for America as a whole: Favors topic 2 I benefited from affirmative action in my academic career: Strongly Favors topic 2 Keep the promise of equal pay for an equal day’s work: Strongly Favors topic 2 Past discrimination affects future generations: Strongly Favors topic 2 Fight job discrimination to give women equal footing at jobs: Strongly Favors topic 2 Include class-based affirmative action with race-based: Favors topic 2 Better enforce women’s pay equity via Equal Pay Act: Strongly Favors topic 2 Supports affirmative action in colleges and government: Strongly Favors topic 2 Opposes CA Prop. 8, one-man-one-woman marriage: Strongly Favors topic 2 America’s race and class problems are intertwined: Favors topic 2 Get minorities into home ownership & global marketplace: Favors topic 2 Ending racial profiling is part of fight for justice: Favors topic 2 Sponsored bill for a Rosa Parks commemorative postage stamp: Favors topic 2 Rated 100% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance: Strongly Favors topic 2 Recognize Juneteenth as historical end of slavery: Strongly Favors topic 2 Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment: Strongly Favors topic 2 Reinforce anti-discrimination and equal-pay requirements: Favors topic 2 Afghan law tolerating marital rape is abhorrent: Strongly Favors topic 2 |
Favors
topic 3:Comfortable with same-sex marriage
(+2 points on Social scale)
| It's right to condemn the persecution of LGBT people: Favors topic 3 Same-sex couples should be allowed to marry: Strongly Favors topic 3 Same-sex couples should be allowed to marry: Strongly Favors topic 3 Decisions about marriage should be left to the states: Opposes topic 3 Homosexuality no more immoral than heterosexuality: Favors topic 3 We need strong civil unions, not just weak civil unions: Favors topic 3 Gay marriage is less important that equal gay rights: Opposes topic 3 Opposes gay marriage; supports civil union & gay equality: Favors topic 3 Marriage not a human right; non-discrimination is: Favors topic 3 Gays should not face discrimination but should not marry: Opposes topic 3 Include sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws: Favors topic 3 Increase funding for AIDS treatment & prevention: Favors topic 3 Rated 89% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance: Strongly Favors topic 3 Provide benefits to domestic partners of Federal employees: Strongly Favors topic 3 NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage: Strongly Favors topic 3 |
Favors
topic 4:Keep God in the public sphere
(-3 points on Social scale)
| Cut poverty in half in 10 years, with faith-based help: Strongly Favors topic 4 Engages people of faith on all aspects of his public service: Favors topic 4 Listening to evangelicals bridges major political fault line: Favors topic 4 Black churches minister to social needs out of necessity: Favors topic 4 Haiti earthquake: Americans unite in times of trouble: Favors topic 4 Reach out to faith community;faith has role in public square: Favors topic 4 Religious concerns ok, if translated into universal values: Opposes topic 4 NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration: Opposes topic 4 |
Strongly Favors
topic 5:Expand ObamaCare
(-5 points on Economic scale)
| ObamaCare didn't crush jobs nor explode deficits: Favors topic 5 Ensure access to basic care: Favors topic 5 18 millions people have gained health insurance: Strongly Favors topic 5 They called ObamaCare "Armageddon", but no asteroids fell: Strongly Favors topic 5 Repealing healthcare reform would cost $250B: Favors topic 5 Health care is a right: something’s fundamentally wrong now: Strongly Favors topic 5 Increase competition in the insurance and drug markets: Opposes topic 5 National Health Insurance Exchange for private coverage: Opposes topic 5 The market alone can’t solve our health-care woes: Favors topic 5 Believes health care is a right, not a privilege for the few: Favors topic 5 Will expand health coverage & allow meds to be re-imported: Favors topic 5 If we started from scratch, one-payer system would be best: Strongly Favors topic 5 Added 20,000 children to Illinois healthcare: Strongly Favors topic 5 National insurance pool & catastrophic insurance: Strongly Favors topic 5 Crises happen in our lives and healthcare is necessary: Strongly Favors topic 5 More funding for Rx benefits, community health, CHIPs: Favors topic 5 Preserve access to Medicaid & SCHIP during economic downturn: Strongly Favors topic 5 NO on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium: Favors topic 5 YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics: Favors topic 5 YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug: Strongly Favors topic 5 YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D: Favors topic 5 YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D: Favors topic 5 |
Strongly Opposes
topic 6:Privatize Social Security
(-5 points on Economic scale)
| MyRA: new savings bond for retirement: Favors topic 6 What do we do with the losers of privatizing?: Strongly Opposes topic 6 Stop any efforts to privatize Social Security: Strongly Opposes topic 6 Privatization puts retirement at whim of stock market: Strongly Opposes topic 6 Stop any efforts to privatize Social Security: Strongly Opposes topic 6 No privatization; but consider earning cap over $97,500: Strongly Opposes topic 6 Stock market risk is ok, but not for Social Security: Strongly Opposes topic 6 $2000 tax credit for Working Families Savings Accounts: Opposes topic 6 NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security: Opposes topic 6 |
Favors
topic 7:Vouchers for school choice
(+2 points on Economic scale)
| $4.3B to induce states to expand charter schools: Favors topic 7 Guarantee affordable life-long, top-notch education: Opposes topic 7 Race to the Top: reward innovation in public schools: Favors topic 7 Opposes D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program: Strongly Opposes topic 7 Increase school choice & accountability within NCLB: Favors topic 7 I doubled charter schools in Illinois; but no vouchers: Favors topic 7 Vouchers don’t solve the problems of our schools: Opposes topic 7 Supports charter schools; it’s important to experiment: Favors topic 7 Supports charter schools and private investment in schools: Favors topic 7 YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies: Opposes topic 7 |
Strongly Opposes
topic 8:Fight EPA regulatory over-reach
(+5 points on Social scale)
| WOTUS 2015: expansive definition of protected waterways: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Genesis teaches stewardship of earth: sacrifice for future: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Promote green technologies and fuel efficiency standards: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Conserve, develop alternative fuels, increase efficiencies: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Scored 60% on Humane Society Scorecard on animal protection: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting: Strongly Opposes topic 8 |
Opposes
topic 9:Stricter punishment reduces crime
(+2 points on Social scale)
| Reduce punishments for some federal offenses: Opposes topic 9 Criminal justice reform starts with voting: Opposes topic 9 Crime rate and incarceration rate have come down together: Opposes topic 9 Reduce recidivism by providing ex-offender supports: Opposes topic 9 Pushed Illinois bill to videotape all capital interrogations: Opposes topic 9 No extra penalty for gang association: Opposes topic 9 Some heinous crimes justify the ultimate punishment: Favors topic 9 Videotape all capital punishment interrogations: Opposes topic 9 Passed 150 laws to toughen penalties for violent crime: Favors topic 9 Death penalty should be enforced fairly and with caution: Favors topic 9 Death penalty should not discriminate by gang membership: Opposes topic 9 Battles legislatively against the death penalty: Strongly Opposes topic 9 Supports alternative sentencing and rehabilitation: Strongly Opposes topic 9 Increase funding for "COPS ON THE BEAT" program: Opposes topic 9 Reduce recidivism by giving offenders a Second Chance: Strongly Opposes topic 9 YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program: Opposes topic 9 |
Strongly Opposes
topic 10:Absolute right to gun ownership
(-5 points on Economic scale)
| Respect 2nd Amendment, but local gun bans ok: Opposes topic 10 Provide some common-sense enforcement on gun licensing: Opposes topic 10 2000: cosponsored bill to limit purchases to 1 gun per month: Strongly Opposes topic 10 Concealed carry OK for retired police officers: Favors topic 10 Keep guns out of inner cities--but also problem of morality: Strongly Opposes topic 10 Bush erred in failing to renew assault weapons ban: Opposes topic 10 Ban semi-automatics, and more possession restrictions: Strongly Opposes topic 10 NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers: Strongly Opposes topic 10 |
Strongly Favors
topic 11:Higher taxes on the wealthy
(-5 points on Economic scale)
| Should economy benefit the few, or everyone?: Favors topic 11 Close loopholes that let top 1% avoid paying taxes: Strongly Favors topic 11 We need a tax code where everybody pays their fair share: Strongly Favors topic 11 Now business can write off the full cost of new investments: Opposes topic 11 Lower corporate tax rate; pay for it by closing loopholes: Opposes topic 11 Trickle-down economics has failed: Strongly Favors topic 11 Maintain the inheritance tax on wealthy: Strongly Favors topic 11 Tax cuts for the rich do not create jobs: Favors topic 11 No tax breaks for millionaires; GOP always wants tax cuts: Strongly Favors topic 11 Tax cut for 95% of all working families, not corporations: Strongly Favors topic 11 Trillion dollar giveaway: the Paris Hilton Tax Break: Strongly Favors topic 11 Bush tax cuts help corporations but not middle class: Strongly Favors topic 11 Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation: Strongly Favors topic 11 NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M: Strongly Favors topic 11 NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset: Favors topic 11 NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends: Strongly Favors topic 11 YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut: Favors topic 11 NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends: Strongly Favors topic 11 NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`: Strongly Favors topic 11 NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts: Strongly Favors topic 11 NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million: Strongly Favors topic 11 NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax: Strongly Favors topic 11 |
Strongly Favors
topic 12:Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens
(+5 points on Social scale)
| Sent unmanned aircraft drones to monitor Mexican border: Opposes topic 12 Stop expelling talented undocumented workers: Strongly Favors topic 12 Send 1,200 National Guard troops to southern border: Strongly Opposes topic 12 Crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants: Opposes topic 12 Deporting 12 million people is ridiculous and impractical: Strongly Favors topic 12 Immigrants are scapegoats for high unemployment rates: Strongly Favors topic 12 Illegals shouldn’t work; but should have path to citizenship: Strongly Favors topic 12 Support granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants: Favors topic 12 Reform must include more border security, and border wall: Opposes topic 12 Pathway to citizenship, but people have to earn it: Favors topic 12 Let’s be a nation of laws AND a nation of immigrants: Strongly Favors topic 12 Give immigrants who are here a rigorous path to citizenship: Favors topic 12 Still supports comprehensive reform and the DREAM Act: Favors topic 12 Extend welfare and Medicaid to immigrants: Favors topic 12 Support the DREAM Act for the children of illegal immigrants: Strongly Favors topic 12 Comprehensive immigration reform without amnesty: Strongly Favors topic 12 Provide funding for social services for noncitizens: Favors topic 12 Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance: Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities": Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security: Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship: Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on establishing a Guest Worker program: Favors topic 12 YES on building a fence along the Mexican border: Strongly Opposes topic 12 NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government: Strongly Favors topic 12 YES on comprehensive immigration reform: Strongly Favors topic 12 |
Favors
topic 13:Support & expand free trade
(+2 points on Economic scale)
| 21st century businesses need to sell more overseas: Favors topic 13 Export more goods stamped "Made in the USA": Favors topic 13 Negotiate a Transatlantic and a Trans-Pacific Partnership: Strongly Favors topic 13 Double our exports by 2014; starting with South Korea: Strongly Favors topic 13 People don’t want cheaper T-shirts if it costs their job: Opposes topic 13 Fair trade should have tangible benefits for US: Strongly Opposes topic 13 Tax incentives to create jobs at home instead of offshore: Opposes topic 13 TPP facilitates US control over Asian market: Strongly Favors topic 13 TPP cuts 18,000 taxes on products made in America: Strongly Favors topic 13 Trade agreements mean we sell "Made in America" to millions: Strongly Favors topic 13 Double US exports via deals with Panama, Colombia, & S.Korea: Strongly Favors topic 13 NAFTA protects corporate profits; should protect labor: Opposes topic 13 Stand firm against CAFTA for labor & environmental standards: Strongly Opposes topic 13 Amend NAFTA to add labor agreements: Opposes topic 13 NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade: Strongly Opposes topic 13 YES on free trade agreement with Oman: Strongly Favors topic 13 |
Opposes
topic 14:Support American Exceptionalism
(-3 points on Economic scale)
| World order in flux but US still dominates: Strongly Favors topic 14 2005: The Plan: build credibility with travel abroad: Opposes topic 14 The UN has succeeded in avoiding a Third World War: Strongly Opposes topic 14 Human rights and national security are complementary: Favors topic 14 No “strategic ambiguity” on foreign policy issues: Favors topic 14 Meet with enemy leaders; it’s a disgrace that we have not: Strongly Opposes topic 14 Lead eradication of malaria and HIV, like we did with Ebola: Strongly Opposes topic 14 The Cold War is over; lift 50-year embargo on Cuba: Strongly Opposes topic 14 Equality is an American value that motivates us: Favors topic 14 In Berlin: proud citizen of US; fellow citizen of the world: Opposes topic 14 Cooperation among nations is not a choice; it’s the only way: Strongly Opposes topic 14 Engage with Iran; but combat Al Qaeda in Pakistan: Favors topic 14 Iran is more isolated and will face growing consequences: Opposes topic 14 Secure all world's nuclear materials by international treaty: Strongly Favors topic 14 Key to Iranian sanctions was world's involvement: Strongly Opposes topic 14 Restore habeas corpus for detainees in the War on Terror: Opposes topic 14 YES on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees: Strongly Opposes topic 14 YES on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods: Strongly Opposes topic 14 NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad: Strongly Opposes topic 14 |
Opposes
topic 15:Expand the military
(+2 points on Social scale)
| We spend more on military than next 8 nations combined: Strongly Opposes topic 15 Don't give military money that they're not asking for: Strongly Opposes topic 15 Grow size of military to maintain rotation schedules: Favors topic 15 Give our soldiers the best equipment and training available: Favors topic 15 Sponsored bill for Iraq budget to be part of defense budget: Opposes topic 15 Improve mental health care benefits for returning veterans: Favors topic 15 YES on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months: Opposes topic 15 |
Strongly Favors
topic 16:Make voter registration easier
(+5 points on Social scale)
| We've got to make it easier to vote, not harder: Strongly Favors topic 16 Right to vote is sacred & is being denied to too many: Strongly Favors topic 16 Citizens United is a victory for Wall Street & Big Business: Strongly Opposes topic 16 Ended corporate jet travel subsidized by lobbyists: Favors topic 16 No lobbyist money; no PAC money; fund campaigns instead: Strongly Favors topic 16 Reduced cost TV ads for candidates; $85M presidential limit: Strongly Favors topic 16 Public campaign financing with free television & radio time: Strongly Favors topic 16 No “bundled” money from federal-registered lobbyists: Favors topic 16 People know his “bundlers” because he pushed disclosure law: Favors topic 16 First bill ever passed was campaign finance reform: Strongly Favors topic 16 Lobbyist influence comes from access, not money: Favors topic 16 Prohibit 'voter caging' which intimidates minority voting: Favors topic 16 YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity: Favors topic 16 NO on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress: Strongly Favors topic 16 |
Favors
topic 17:Avoid foreign entanglements
(+2 points on Social scale)
| US policy should promote democracy and human rights: Favors topic 17 End our longest war: out of Afghanistan in 2014: Favors topic 17 We've taken the fight to al Qaeda in Afghanistan, until July: Opposes topic 17 Evil does exist in the world; sometimes war is justified: Favors topic 17 We are playing to Osama’s plan for winning a war from a cave: Strongly Favors topic 17 Iraq: 100,000 troops have left; let's finish the job: Favors topic 17 $2.7 billion each week of Iraq spending is unsustainable: Favors topic 17 War in Iraq is “dumb” but troops still need equipment: Strongly Favors topic 17 Support Ukraine and sanction Russia but no military action: Favors topic 17 I will veto any new sanctions against Iran: Strongly Favors topic 17 Authorize the use of force against ISIL: Opposes topic 17 NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007: Strongly Opposes topic 17 YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008: Strongly Favors topic 17 |
Favors
topic 18:Prioritize green energy
(-3 points on Economic scale)
| Develop 100-year natural gas supply; it's beneath our feet: Opposes topic 18 GovWatch: Supports nuclear power if it’s clean & safe: Opposes topic 18 3-way win: economy, environment, & stop funding terror: Strongly Favors topic 18 Increase CAFE to 40 mpg: Strongly Favors topic 18 Sponsored legislations that improve energy efficiency: Favors topic 18 Lowest oil imports and highest oil production in 16 years: Opposes topic 18 All-of-the-above approach to reduce foreign dependence : Opposes topic 18 All-of-the-above energy; enough natural gas or 100 years: Opposes topic 18 Big promoter of clean coal technology & nukes: Strongly Opposes topic 18 More Alaska oil & gas leases, plus new gas pipeline: Strongly Opposes topic 18 Free America from its dependence on foreign oil: Strongly Favors topic 18 Make technology work for us on climate change: Favors topic 18 14 warmest years on record occurred in last 15 years: Favors topic 18 China has agreed with US; rest of world will now follow: Favors topic 18 Debate is settled: climate change is a fact: Strongly Favors topic 18 First-ever carbon pollution limits for new oil & coal plants: Strongly Favors topic 18 Include clean coal in clean energy future: Opposes topic 18 Reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050: Strongly Favors topic 18 Aggressively address accelerating climate change: Strongly Favors topic 18 Cap-and-trade is more specific on reducing greenhouse gases: Strongly Favors topic 18 Clean energy for climate change & creating new business: Strongly Favors topic 18 7 years of investment in solar & wind nationwide: Strongly Favors topic 18 Natural gas is a "bridge fuel"; then go solar: Opposes topic 18 Invest in clean energy because China & Germany will: Strongly Favors topic 18 Doubled use of renewable energy; doubled car fuel efficiency: Favors topic 18 Don't cede wind, or solar, or battery industry to foreigners: Strongly Favors topic 18 Subsidize clean energy by canceling oil subsidies: Favors topic 18 More incentives for clean energy, including nuclear: Opposes topic 18 GovWatch: $150B for electric car batteries & new technology: Strongly Favors topic 18 Invest in alternative energy sources: Favors topic 18 Renewable Fuels Standard: require ethanol in fuel supply: Strongly Favors topic 18 Wind energy jobs are not imaginary jobs: Strongly Favors topic 18 Sponsored bill for tax credit for providing 85% ethanol gas: Favors topic 18 Sponsored bill raising CAFE by a 4% per year until 2018: Strongly Favors topic 18 Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence: Favors topic 18 Sign on to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change: Strongly Favors topic 18 Designate sensitive ANWR area as protected wilderness: Favors topic 18 Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025: Strongly Favors topic 18 Let states define stricter-than-federal emission standards: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%): Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR: Strongly Favors topic 18 YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Favors topic 18 YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning: Favors topic 18 YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies: Strongly Favors topic 18 |
Opposes
topic 19:Marijuana is a gateway drug
(+2 points on Social scale)
| We share cross-border drug problem with Mexico: Favors topic 19 Look at needle exchange; and expand treatment: Strongly Opposes topic 19 Fight to rid our communities of meth: Favors topic 19 Expand drug courts; help prisoners with substance abuse: Strongly Opposes topic 19 2001: questions harsh penalties for drug dealing: Opposes topic 19 Not first candidate to use drugs, but first honest about it: Opposes topic 19 Smokes cigarettes now; smoked some pot in high school: Favors topic 19 Admitted marijuana use in high school & college: Favors topic 19 Deal with street-level drug dealing as minimum-wage affair: Opposes topic 19 End harsher sentencing for crack vs. powder cocaine: Opposes topic 19 Require chemical resellers to certify against meth use: Favors topic 19 |
Favors
topic 20:Stimulus better than market-led recovery
(-3 points on Economic scale)
| Help families with more paid leave & higher minimum wage: Favors topic 20 I've cut taxes for middle-class families & small businesses: Strongly Opposes topic 20 Some earmarks are defensible, if done in full light of day: Strongly Favors topic 20 We cut taxes 25 times, for 95% of Americans: Strongly Opposes topic 20 My plan cuts taxes for most small businesses & 95% of people: Strongly Opposes topic 20 Restore progressive tax; close loopholes; relief to seniors: Favors topic 20 Return to PayGo: compensate for all new spending: Opposes topic 20 Specific tax relief for families making $75,000 or less now: Strongly Opposes topic 20 Close tax loopholes for US companies relocating abroad: Favors topic 20 Bush’s economic policies are not working: Favors topic 20 Supports federal programs to protect rural economy: Strongly Favors topic 20 Last thing we need now is a permanent tax cut: Favors topic 20 Save $150 billion in tax cuts for people who don’t need them: Favors topic 20 Put Americans to work on 21st-century transportation system: Favors topic 20 US economy is strong: 900,000 new jobs in the past 6 years: Strongly Favors topic 20 Recovery Act averted a second Great Depression: Strongly Favors topic 20 Spending freeze now would be destimulative; later is better: Strongly Favors topic 20 Bring back the Clinton tax rate for income above $250,000: Favors topic 20 Buffett rule: millionaires pay minimum of 30% in taxes: Favors topic 20 No across-the-board tax cuts for the wealthy: Favors topic 20 Tax cuts for wealthy got us into the current deficit: Favors topic 20 No $300 billion on tax cuts for those who don’t need them: Favors topic 20 I will raise CEO taxes, no doubt about it: Favors topic 20 I’m not bashful about it: wealthy will pay more taxes: Favors topic 20 Reduce Bush tax cuts to pay for health care & other programs: Favors topic 20 YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million: Strongly Favors topic 20 |
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