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Books by and about 2024 presidential candidates |
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Hillbilly Elegy,
by JD Vance (2017) |
Crippled America,
by Donald J. Trump (2015) |
Fire and Fury,
by Michael Wolff (2018) |
Trump Revealed,
by Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher (2016) |
The Making of Donald Trump,
by David Cay Johnston (2016) |
Promise Me, Dad ,
by Joe Biden (2017) |
The Book of Joe ,
by Jeff Wilser (2019; biography of Joe Biden) |
The Truths We Hold,
by Kamala Harris (2019) |
Smart on Crime,
by Kamala Harris (2010) |
Becoming,
by Michelle Obama (2018) |
Higher Loyalty,
by James Comey (2018) |
The Making of Donald Trump,
by David Cay Johnston (2017) |
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Book Reviews |
(from Amazon.com) |
(click a book cover for a review or other books by or about the presidency from Amazon.com)
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| OnTheIssues.org excerpts: (click on issues for details)
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Abortion
Kim Guadagno: Supports women's healthcare; pro-choice.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Supports ful range of reproductive services.
Doug Steinhardt: Conservative, pro-life, Lifetime NRA member.
Tammy Murphy: NJ a safe haven state protecting reproductive health care.
Jack Ciattarelli: Oppose the so-called "Reproductive Freedom Act" .
Jon Bramnick: Pro-choice but doesn't support late-term abortions.
Josh Gottheimer: Protect reproductive freedom, keep IVF accessible.
Mikie Sherrill: Enshrine the right to an abortion in the state constitution.
Ras Baraka: Anti-Roe Court would rather control women's bodies.
Stephen Sweeney: Prime sponsor of the "Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act".
Steve Fulop: Created program to meet reproductive healthcare needs.
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Budget & Economy
Jack Ciattarelli: 5% to 10% reduction in the state government workforce.
Jack Ciattarelli: Lower property taxes, grow the economy.
Jack Ciattarelli: Pandemic restaurant restrictions devastated the economy.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Create state bank to invest in economy.
Mikie Sherrill: Provide financing to repurpose infrastructure for housing.
Edward Durr: Our Government has become too large.
Jon Bramnick: Overturn the recently enacted housing mandates.
Mikie Sherrill: I will tackle congestion and our aging infrastructure.
Stephen Sweeney: State needs a stable and predictable funding process.
Steve Fulop: Ensure dedicated funding for Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
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Civil Rights
Donny DiFrancesco: Intolerance for racial profiling.
Jack Ciattarelli: Prohibits discrimination & harassment among campaign.
Kim Guadagno: Won't criticize Republican with Confederate flag.
Kim Guadagno: Comfortable with LGBT but won't criticize ban.
Phil Murphy: Strong advocate for equal treatment of LGBTQ community.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Panel to recommend reparations for African-Americans.
Edward Durr: Would restrict teaching sexual orientation/gender identity.
Jack Ciattarelli: DEI is affirmative action on steroids.
Ras Baraka: Reiterated the need for LGBTQ protections in Newark schools.
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Corporations
Jack Ciattarelli: 10-year phase out of the corporate business tax.
Jack Ciattarelli: Adopt Delaware's bylaws; cut corporate tax rate in half.
Kim Guadagno: Work with businesses to cut state regulations in half.
Seth Kaper-Dale: End estate tax and corporate welfare tax credits.
Tammy Murphy: Helped launch investment in female-led startup companies.
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Crime
Bonnie Watson Coleman: Provide prison inmates with vocational & job-related skills.
Jack Ciattarelli: Answer to hate crimes not new policy but changed attitude.
Robert Menendez: Address roots of gangs via education & empowerment.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Use prison for training, not profit.
Edward Durr: Governor refused to stand with our law enforcement officers.
Jack Ciattarelli: Toughen bail reform rules governing juvenile offenders.
Jack Ciattarelli: Changed position, supports Trump's pardon of Jan. 6 rioters.
Jon Bramnick: Increase penalties for violent criminals.
Josh Gottheimer: Hire more cops on the beat and expand community policing.
Mikie Sherrill: Critical that we invest in comprehensive reentry services.
Ras Baraka: People don't understand crime is a public-health issue.
Stephen Sweeney: Strengthened laws to protect children from sex offenders.
Steve Fulop: Prosecute repeat offenders in an escalating fashion.
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Drugs
Bonnie Watson Coleman: Decriminalize marijuana; implement alternative sentencing.
Jack Ciattarelli: Drug epidemic should remain a priority.
Jim McGreevey: Offer behavioral drug treatment to addicted inmates.
Jim McGreevey: Transition addicted inmates to outpatient drug treatment.
Joe Rullo: Make it a living hell for heroin dealers in NJ.
Kim Guadagno: Decriminalization, not legalization.
Phil Murphy: Opioid addiction is an illness, and it is treatable.
Phil Murphy: Focus on racial justice with marijuana legalization.
Ray Lesniak: Ultimately we'll get legalization but wait for other states.
Ray Lesniak: Study legalization of recreational cannabis in other states.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Legalize and tax recreational marijuana.
Steve Fulop: Transition addicted inmates to outpatient drug treatment.
Steve Fulop: Wait for other states to see pro's and con's of legalization.
Steve Fulop: Study legalization of recreational cannabis in other states.
Doug Steinhardt: General counsel to Law Enforcement Against Drugs (L.E.A.D.).
Mikie Sherrill: Move carefully on legalization of marijuana.
Ras Baraka: Treat home grown cannabis the same as other gardening.
Stephen Sweeney: NJ cannabis industry could foster 42,000 jobs.
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Education
Bonnie Watson Coleman: Supports voluntary prayer in public schools.
Jack Ciattarelli: Limit aid to overfunded school districts.
Jack Ciattarelli: Re-balance over-funded vs/ under-funded school districts.
Jack Ciattarelli: Don't mandate college vaccination until others vaccinated.
Jack Ciattarelli: We're going to roll back the LGBTQ curriculum; goes too far.
Jack Ciattarelli: Reconfigure state school funding to where it's needed today.
Joe Rullo: Stop saddling parents and students with Common Core.
Joe Rullo: Merge roles of school superintendents and administrators.
Kim Guadagno: Merit pay for teachers; school choice for parents.
Phil Murphy: Tackle our higher education student debt problem head on.
Phil Murphy: Focus on STEM to make Silicon Valley in New Jersey.
Phil Murphy: Reignite NJ science hotbed by focusing on STEM sector.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Reform districting, moratorium on charter schools.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Cut college tuition, lower interest rates on loans.
Edward Durr: Parents don't have a say in the schools.
Jack Ciattarelli: Implement a Parents' Bill of Rights providing transparency.
Jon Bramnick: Expand charter schools, implement robust school choice.
Mikie Sherrill: Make school meals available at no cost for every student .
Mikie Sherrill: For regional magnet schools attracting diverse students.
Ras Baraka: Bonuses to schools that expand enrollment through diversity.
Stephen Sweeney: Support a first-class education system, pre-K through 12 .
Steve Fulop: Use magnet schools to bring diverse students together.
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Energy & Oil
Jack Ciattarelli: Should accelerate use of natural gas, not phase it out.
Joe Rullo: Repeal the 23-cent gas tax.
Kim Guadagno: Favor wind turbines on Jersey coast.
Phil Murphy: Raise gas tax to renew Transportation Trust Fund.
Phil Murphy: It stinks, but raise the gas tax to fund transportation.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Put NJ back on track on climate change.
Steve Fulop: Variable rate gas tax with automatic inflation increase.
Steve Fulop: Gas tax is essentially a user fee for motorists.
Edward Durr: Do I think that we are killing the world? No!
Jack Ciattarelli: Ban offshore wind farms from being built off our coast.
Jon Bramnick: Eliminate the ban on the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035.
Josh Gottheimer: Affordable energy will take an all-of-the-above approach.
Mikie Sherrill: I will pursue all-of-the-above clean energy investments.
Ras Baraka: I will aggressively pursue our transition from fossil fuels.
Stephen Sweeney: We need gas; we need pipelines; we need all-the-above.
Steve Fulop: A proven track record of moving towards renewable energy.
Mikie Sherrill: Cut red tape to build solar, natural gas, and nuclear.
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Environment
Bonnie Watson Coleman: Fund clean up of contaminated industrial sites.
Chris Christie: Develop Liberty State Park to generate more revenue.
Jack Ciattarelli: Will be a green governor; safe, clean water imperative.
Phil Murphy: Commit to protecting shores with long-term enviro plan.
Phil Murphy: Long-term planning via Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Ray Lesniak: Ban baiting of deer and bear during hunting.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Energy construction should look to future, not past.
Stephen Sweeney: Stall development of Liberty State Park until Christie gone.
Steve Fulop: Stall development of Liberty State Park until Christie gone.
Mikie Sherrill: Applauds EPA for mitigating PFAs contamination.
Ras Baraka: Thanked EPA for helping Newark replace lead pipes.
Steve Fulop: Force polluters to pay for the damage they caused.
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Families & Children
Phil Murphy: Ensure that all workers have the right to earned sick leave.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Address problems specific to LGBTQ community.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Earned paid sick leave is a must.
Steve Fulop: Require companies to grant paid sick leave.
Josh Gottheimer: Expand Child Tax Credit to help cover cost of child care.
Mikie Sherrill: I will expand New Jersey's child tax credit.
Stephen Sweeney: Authored New Jersey's Paid Family Leave program.
Steve Fulop: Sixth city in the US to ensure paid sick leave.
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Foreign Policy
Kim Guadagno: Keep restrictions on our relations with Cuba.
Phil Murphy: Former U.S. ambassador to Germany, appointed by Obama.
Ras Baraka: Called for ceasefire in Gaza, release of hostages.
Mikie Sherrill: Nobody in NJ says "I hope today's the day we buy Greenland".
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Free Trade
Tammy Murphy: Part of NJ trade delegation to East Asia & Taiwan.
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Government Reform
Bonnie Watson Coleman: Limit PAC, party, and corporate campaign donations.
Hirsh Singh: Corrupt vote-by-mail system destroyed election's integrity.
Jack Ciattarelli: Call for Constitutional Convention and referendums.
Jack Ciattarelli: Require photo ID, purge voter rolls, allow early voting.
Jack Ciattarelli: Don't bring California's "insane regulations" to New Jersey.
Phil Murphy: I don't owe the political insiders anything.
Doug Steinhardt: Automatic voter registration would favor Democrats.
Jack Ciattarelli: Create the NJ Department of Government Efficiency.
Jack Ciattarelli: Require all voters to produce photo ID at the polls.
Jon Bramnick: Create a citizen led Government Efficiency Panel.
Ras Baraka: Home rule prevents building affordable housing.
Ras Baraka: Make every vote count; make voting as easy as possible.
Stephen Sweeney: Opposes allowing initiatives and referendums on the ballot.
Steve Fulop: Same-day voter registration would increase turnout.
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Gun Control
Bonnie Watson Coleman: Supports licensing; background checks; and safety locks.
Joe Rullo: Goal is concealed carry without justifiable need.
Phil Murphy: Sensible gun safety regulations: taxes & training.
Ray Lesniak: Buy police weapons from socially responsible gun sellers.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Supports gun control, but check laws for racial bias.
Steve Fulop: Reward "socially responsible" gun distributors.
Jack Ciattarelli: Fast track status for applicants who face imminent danger.
Ras Baraka: New Jersey endangered by weak gun laws in other states.
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Health Care
Hirsh Singh: COVID: don't stop family get-togethers for Thanksgiving.
Jack Ciattarelli: Discontinue ObamaCare Cadillac health insurance plans.
Jack Ciattarelli: Protect those with pre-existing conditions; lower costs.
Jack Ciattarelli: COVID: Against requiring showing proof of vaccination.
Jack Ciattarelli: Would veto ending religious exemptions for vaccinations.
Kim Guadagno: Bring public insurance in line with private sector.
Phil Murphy: Pounding away against anti-vax bloc: they're safe, they work.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Health care a right, not a benefit.
Steve Fulop: Partner with public health groups to fight urban disparities.
Steve Fulop: Combat health disparities that plague cities.
Edward Durr: Don't punish doctors for misinformation on treatment.
Jack Ciattarelli: Oppose a one-size-fits-all vaccination schedule.
Jon Bramnick: Ensure appropriate Medicaid reimbursement rates.
Mikie Sherrill: Mandate greater transparency in health care pricing.
Mikie Sherrill: Affordable, accessible healthcare is a lifeline for families.
Ras Baraka: Expand services to address social determinants of health.
Stephen Sweeney: Require commitment for mental health services from providers.
Steve Fulop: We're going to ban premium hikes based on ZIP code.
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Homeland Security
Joe Rullo: Eliminate state income taxes on all veterans' pensions.
Kim Guadagno: Head of the Military Growth Task Force.
Phil Murphy: Create new NJ department responsible for veterans.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Help refugees, don't fear them.
Steve Fulop: Denounced theory that Jersey City Muslims cheered 9/11.
Jack Ciattarelli: Provide programs and benefits to all veterans.
Josh Gottheimer: Imperative to fix budget shortfall in veterans benefits.
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Immigration
Jack Ciattarelli: Let local law agencies work with ICE on illegal immigration.
Joe Rullo: Eliminate sanctuary cities across NJ.
Kim Guadagno: Against sanctuary state.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Fought deportation splitting families.
Steve Fulop: More outreach to involve immigrants in civic life.
Jack Ciattarelli: Ban municipalities declaring themselves Sanctuary Cities.
Jon Bramnick: I would end sanctuary states, we have to follow the law.
Mikie Sherrill: Ensure no retaliation for dealing with police, health care.
Ras Baraka: Ensure police aren't arms of federal immigration enforcement.
Stephen Sweeney: Would repeal New Jersey's "sanctuary" state status.
Steve Fulop: Uphold and strengthen the Immigrant Trust Directive.
Mikie Sherrill: ICE protests have been peaceful, but ICE hasn't been.
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Jobs
Donny DiFrancesco: Develop a workplace basic skills program.
Jack Ciattarelli: Reform public employee benefits system.
Kim Guadagno: Against minimum wage hike.
Phil Murphy: Partner with private sector to expand job training.
Phil Murphy: Close the wage gap: ban unequal pay for same work by women.
Phil Murphy: Raise minimum wage to $15 per hour.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Will work for $15 minimum wage.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Will protect union rights to organize & collectively bargain.
Steve Fulop: Jersey City first to raise the minimum wage to $15.
Stephen Sweeney: Successfully raised minimum wage to above $15 an hour.
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Principles & Values
Hirsh Singh: Claims Antifa is "radical, paramilitary arm" of Democrats.
Jack Ciattarelli: Don't make New Jersey the California of the East Coast.
Doug Steinhardt: Put America and New Jersey first.
Edward Durr: He is a Christian, blue-collar, and patriotic American.
Jon Bramnick: Wouldn't take Trump's endorsement even if offered.
Josh Gottheimer: I will always stand up to bigotry in all forms.
Ras Baraka: Commitment to building a brighter and more inclusive future.
Steve Fulop: Would oppose legislating definition of antisemitism.
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Social Security
Hirsh Singh: Move new state employees to 401k-style retirement plan.
Jack Ciattarelli: Limit retirement pensions for public retirees.
Phil Murphy: Evaluate state pension system for growing unfunded liability.
Seth Kaper-Dale: State must ensure senior care.
Jack Ciattarelli: Will never support cuts to Social Security or Medicare.
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Tax Reform
Donny DiFrancesco: High property taxes obstruct high quality of life.
Jack Ciattarelli: School funding formula is root of property tax growth.
Jack Ciattarelli: Top priorities: lower property tax, reform state tax code.
Jack Ciattarelli: Contract with NJ GOP: lower taxes, cut spending, reduce debt.
Joe Rullo: Reduce property taxes; repeal gas tax; veto new taxes.
Kim Guadagno: High state property taxes drive businesses to other states.
Kim Guadagno: Veto new tax increases.
Steve Fulop: No municipal tax increase for third year in a row.
Steve Fulop: We make government work well with no municipal tax increase.
Edward Durr: We have taxed the people to the verge of death.
Jack Ciattarelli: Cut the Corporation Business Tax by 1% per year for 5 years.
Jon Bramnick: Cut income taxes; simplify brackets; adjust for inflation.
Josh Gottheimer: I will cut property taxes for everyone by nearly 15%.
Ras Baraka: Tax breaks for the wealthy make the rest of us pay the bills.
Stephen Sweeney: Make tax system work for families, not just big corporations.
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Technology
Kim Guadagno: Infrastructure plan without gas tax or toll increases.
Kim Guadagno: Get NY tax dollars spent on bi-state transportation.
Phil Murphy: Share congestion pricing revenue between NYC and NJ.
Phil Murphy: Joint venture with Israel for technological R&D.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Infrastructure investment tied to environment.
Steve Fulop: Congestion pricing leads to "race to zero" for NYC vs. NJ.
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Welfare & Poverty
Chris Christie: Food stamps recipients must be in job training programs.
Phil Murphy: More affordable housing; more Earned Income Tax Credit.
Ray Lesniak: Private donations for job training for SNAP recipients.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Social justice for those who are last in society.
Seth Kaper-Dale: Led church on social justice issues.
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