Bi-partisan panel reports Sarah Palin abused power. October 10, 2008

The bi-partisan Legislative Council reports that Alaskan Govenor Palin abused power when trying to fire her ex brother-in-law as an Alaskan State Trooper. The report finds that she crossed a state ethics law when she did not act to stop the efforts to remove Trooper Wooten from his job. The report also states that the family threat allegations were a cover up on the actual motivation: to get Trooper Wooten fired. While Govenor Palin did not testify, her husband did, but his conduct is not reviewed, since he is not a state employee.

You can find the 263-page report here by clicking here.

With the report, should Govenor Palin recuse her position as GOP VP candidate? Does this hurt Senator McCain’s chances of winning the election? You decide.

The Final Debate… October 8, 2008

The final debate is one week away and the focus will be on domestic and foreign economic policies. During the last two debates, the candidates were confined to very short time frames to hit on many questions being fired by the moderators. In the end, we as voters, only heard talking points and quick stump speeches. This election is too important for voters to simply get rhetoric; it is time for true debating to begin. We ought to have the candidates debate for ten minutes a piece on the issues impacting our economy, with opportunities for two series of five minute rebuttals. 

Do you think this will help draw real substance from the candidates or repetitive talking points?

Round 2…Town Hall Presidential Debate Sparks Differences…Who Shined? October 7, 2008

Foreclosure and the Right to Vote

Since August 2007, RealtyTrac reported more than 770,000 homes have been repossessed by banks. Many worried voters question whether they would be denied their right to vote given the foreclosure and home repossession. To quell those questions, voters who have been foreclosed and have moved (either in or outside of original precinct) still have all rights and voter privileges. The National Committee for Fair Elections and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Liberties provides a detail list on voter rights by state. To access those, please click here.

Again, for those affected by home foreclosures, you still have the right vote. Protect it by knowing your rights.

Voter Rights

Know your rights! The single most fundamental pillar to our democracy is our right to vote. Voter disenfranchisement equals the collapse of democracy. Please learn your rights. To learn more about your state’s voter rights and responsibilities, please visit the voter resource links. Some that come to mind are: 

866OurVote.org This non-partisan site offers great links to registering to vote, reporting voter problems, volunteering, and keeping you up to date on all the latest changes to voting in your state. You can also call 866-Our-Vote to talk to a voter specialist.

Vote411.org This site, under the League of Women Voters umbrella, is a one stop resource for voter information. 

With the right to vote comes the responsibility. Please educate yourself on your voting rights.

What a Veep Debate! October 2, 2008

The VP debate just ended and the results from style was a dead tie. Sarah Palin came out scrappy and ready to fight, which she managed to do in a way that mirrored President Truman. Joe Biden came out calm and focused not on Govenor Palin, but on John McCain. On substance, here is a link to FactCheck.org, a non-partisan site that seeks to clarify the points made by each of the VPs. 

Here is the link to the actual 2008 Vice Presidential debate transcript.

So, tell us what you think–does style matter more than substance? On an election of this magnitude, you may be better off with substance. Visit earlier blogs and policy categories to learn the substance on positions that the VP candidates (and, of course the Presidential Candidates). Remember, you decide.

Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 September 28, 2008

Below is a link to the 110-page legislation that will more than likely get passed and signed by as early as Wednesday. House Speaker Pelosi states that this bill is not a bailout, but a buy-in as it prevents taxpayers from having to carry the burden of stabilizing our economy. To summarize, the bailout is a compromise on the original 3-page document, and offers staged disbursements ($250 billion will be immediately disbursed to the Treasury to purchase bad mortgages once the bill gets passed and signed by the President). The proposed bill will also place many salary restrictions to the top executives of companies seeking financial assistance through the bailout–executive pay will not be deducted for executives who earn more than $500,000 for companies selling more than $300 million in assets in the government auction, plus new executives will have to forfeit any type of golden parachute while their company seeks financial assistance; however, this would not apply to current executives. 

Since the government is in essence becoming one: a shareholder in many troubled financial companies and two owning risky mortgages, the legislation offers reduced risk to taxpayers. For example, because the government will essentially own many mortgages or mortgage back securities, the government will be able to modify loans and/ or extend the length of the loan to assist homeowners, a major plus to many who are or will potentially default on their loans. 

Feel free to review on the legislation here:

Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008

Candidate Positions on 65 Issues September 27, 2008

ProCon.org, a  non-government, non-partisan website used strictly to educate provides a breakdown on the Presidential candidates position on 65 issues! Click here to review the candidates’ position on everything from abortion to Darfur to much, much more! Also, you will get a chance to the review the positions of the other candidates (i.e. Baldwin, Barr, McKinney, and Nader)

http://2008election.procon.org/viewresource.asp?resourceID=1561

Round One of the Presidential Debate. And the winner is…

Round one of three came and went. Each candidate attempted to sound Presidential (each did a fine job), but ultimately it was an even tie–no clear winner emerged. Some claim this is a good thing for Senator Obama, since the topic of foreign policy was supposedly McCain’s stronghold. Others claim that McCain made his points on leadership and experience and focused his dialogue on past comments Obama made regarding presidential conversations with other non-ally leaders without preconditions and how this policy is naiive. Obama clarified his view point, which appeared valid. 

Moderator Jim Lehrer made many attempts to get the candidates involved in direct dialogue. Interestingly it was a major pendulum difference between the two–Senator Obama went as far as calling Senator McCain by his first name, while Senator McCain never looked at him and never addressed him direct.

Ultimately, the candidates received nods of approval from each of their respective parties, but did either make a compelling argument for the swing voter? You decide.

Poll: Do you consider switching party affiliation in light of the current economic climate? September 25, 2008

The economy and its impact on party affiliation

Polls around the nation are reporting double digit jumps on the number one issue concerning voters: the economy. Wall Street is bleeding, and we are on the verge of a tsunami-size financial panic with a global ripple effect that will severely destabilize our country’s position amongst other international states. The bailout proposed by the Bush administration stalled shortly after what appeared to be bipartisan support. Democrats and Republicans both agree that the current structure of the proposed bailout is not the right step, but the reality still cannot be denied–doing nothing is not the answer.

Given the path that our economy has taken, many will agree that the lack of governmental oversight on the financial markets led Wall Street down an over leveraged and too risky slippery slope. Given the current state, does this make you question your party affiliation? Do you feel more compelled to switch parties or do you support your party’s handling of the economic situation?

Candidates Position on Homeland Security/ Terroism Control September 24, 2008

Our world has greatly and forever changed after the painful 9/11 terrorism attacks. Below are each of the candidates’ position on homeland security and terrorism control from OnTheIssues.org:

John McCain

• Clinton & Bush missed opportunities to get bin Laden. (Sep 2008)
• Bush administration’s waterboarding was torture. (Aug 2008)
• Disagrees with Bush often; but credits no attacks since 9/11. (Aug 2008)
• Applying habeas to Guantanamo let 30 terrorists attack US. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: Only 13 Gitmo recidivists & none attacked US. (Jun 2008)
• Improve human intelligence to get Osama bin Laden. (Jan 2008)
• Surveillance of overseas communications is ok. (Dec 2007)
• Ok to hold even US citizens as enemy combatants. (Dec 2007)
• Consult lawyers on war decisions; no half-cocked war basis. (Oct 2007)
• Ran the largest squadron in the US Navy. (Oct 2007)
• After 9/11, ask Americans to join military or AmeriCorps. (Oct 2007)
• Let loose smart, tough spies to catch Bin Laden. (Oct 2007)
• His Military Commissions Act ended up denying habeas corpus. (Oct 2007)
• 1973: Spokesperson for Operation Homecoming. (Oct 2007)
• 1977:Appointed as Navy liaison to Congress. (Oct 2007)
• Cited 245 pork projects, or $3.5M waste in defense bill. (Oct 2007)
• I’ve spent my life leading on national security issues. (Sep 2007)
• Radical Islamic extremism is a hydra-headed challenge. (Aug 2007)
• I support the Bush doctrine of pre-emptive war. (Jan 2006)
• We must provide our children a strong, better country. (Aug 2004)
• A lack of complacency shouldn’t provoke a lack of confidence. (Aug 2004)
• We don’t have as much to fear as we had in the past. (Apr 2004)
• Those who gave their lives deserve to be remembered. (Apr 2004)
• First reaction to Sept 11: “This is war”. (May 2002)
• Argued for base closings even in the wake of 9/11. (May 2002)
• Channel fear into productive missions and activities. (May 2002)
• “Rogue state rollback” avoids use of US troops. (Mar 2000)
• Disagrees with Perot: No more POWs in Vietnam. (Feb 2000)
• Accepts gays in military under current policy. (Jan 2000)
• Military’s political leaders need military backgrounds. (Jan 2000)
• Women have proven themselves in combat-no restrictions. (Dec 1999)
• Bombing useless targets in Vietnam destroyed US morale. (Nov 1999)
• Vietnam was a worthy cause despite losing. (Nov 1999)
• Pres. needs experience more than briefing books. (Sep 1999)
• Discard ABM Treaty and develop a missile defense. (Apr 1999)
• Use force, with US control, only for vital interests. (Apr 1999)

Defense Spending

 

• Clean up waste in defense acquisition. (May 2007)
• Eliminate defense pork, but increase most other defense. (Nov 2004)
• Terminate C-130, B-2, and Seawolf; use funds to modernize. (Dec 1999)
• Politicians keep unneeded bases open for political purposes. (Dec 1999)
• Keep health care promises to aging veterans. (Nov 1999)
• $6.4B of military spending waste is a disgrace. (Oct 1999)
• Raise military pay to avoid military draft. (Aug 1999)
• Military personnel on food stamps is a national disgrace. (Aug 1999)
• Europeans should spend more on defense, within NATO. (Apr 1999)

Torture

 

• Hiding torture is wrong, and harms US credibility abroad. (Dec 2007)
• Waterboarding is torture; we’re not going to torture people. (Nov 2007)
• Waterboarding is torture; & as A.G., Mukasey will declare it. (Nov 2007)
• Torture supported only by people without military experience. (Sep 2007)
• Torture is ineffective as interrogation & for world opinion. (May 2007)
• Close Guantanamo Bay prison; announce no-torture policy. (Apr 2007)
• Torture has never worked throughout history. (Apr 2007)

Vietnam

 

• Vietnam generation still haunted by specter of Vietnam. (Oct 2007)
• Casualty of Vietnam was loss of America’s faith in herself. (Oct 2007)
• Worked with John Kerry on Vietnam POWs. (Oct 2007)
• Immutable principle of war: luck is unreliable. (Aug 2007)
• Vietnam not wrong, but how it was fought and led was. (Sep 2002)

Voting Record

 

• Keep “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy – it works. (Jan 2000)
• Voted NO on limiting soldiers’ deployment to 12 months. (Jul 2007)
• Voted NO on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees. (Sep 2006)
• Voted NO on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006)
• Voted YES on extending the PATRIOT Act’s wiretap provision. (Dec 2005)
• Voted NO on restricting business with entities linked to terrorism. (Jul 2005)
• Voted NO on restoring $565M for states’ and ports’ first responders. (Mar 2005)
• Voted NO on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on allowing another round of military base closures. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on cutting nuclear weapons below START levels. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP. (Mar 1999)
• Voted YES on military pay raise of 4.8%. (Feb 1999)
• Voted NO on prohibiting same-sex basic training. (Jun 1998)
• Voted NO on favoring 36 vetoed military projects. (Oct 1997)
• Voted YES on banning chemical weapons. (Apr 1997)
• Voted YES on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty. (Jun 1996)
• Voted NO on 1996 Defense Appropriations. (Sep 1995)
• Federalize aviation security. (Nov 2001)
• Rated 0% by SANE, indicating a pro-military voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Sponsored bill giving higher priority to rail security. (Jul 2005)
• Sponsored bill banning torture of terrorists in US custody. (Jul 2005)
• Innovate intelligence-gathering for future hard targets. (Mar 2005)
• Assessments of al Qaida in Afghanistan in 2001 were accurate. (Mar 2005)
• CIA needs more focus on counterterrorism. (Mar 2005)
• So-called Legal Issues are myths; not real CIA hindrances. (Mar 2005)
• Intelligence community shares information poorly. (Mar 2005)
• CIA should work more with scientists to understand WMDs. (Mar 2005)
• Sponsored bill for Iraq budget to be part of defense budget. (Jun 2006)
• Improve educational assistance for veterans. (Apr 2008)

Barack Obama

• Islam in 1970s was not opposed to West & rule of law. (Jul 2008)
• Go after al Qaeda but also shrink pool of potential recruits. (Jul 2008)
• No torture; no renditions; no operating out of fear. (Apr 2008)
• Pursue goal of a world without nuclear weapons. (Feb 2008)
• Al Qaida is stronger now than in 2001 as Iraq distracted us. (Jan 2008)
• Colleges must allow military recruiters for ROTC on campus. (Jan 2008)
• Rebuild a nuclear nonproliferation strategy. (Jan 2008)
• No presidential power for secret surveillance. (Dec 2007)
• No holding US citizens as unlawful enemy combatants. (Dec 2007)
• Congress decides what constitutes torture, not president. (Dec 2007)
• No torture; defiance of FISA; no military commissions. (Dec 2007)
• Restore habeas corpus to reach Muslims abroad. (Dec 2007)
• Human rights and national security are complementary. (Nov 2007)
• Don’t allow our politics to be driven by fear of terrorism. (Nov 2007)
• 2006: Obama-Lugar bill restricted conventional weapons. (Oct 2007)
• Judgment is as important as experience. (Oct 2007)
• If attacked, first help victims then prevent further attacks. (Oct 2007)
• America cannot sanction torture; no loopholes or exceptions. (Sep 2007)
• Repeal Don’t-Ask-Don’t-Tell. (Aug 2007)
• 2005: Passed bill to reduce conventional weapon stockpiles. (Aug 2007)
• We are no safer now than we were after 9/11. (Aug 2007)
• Close Guantanamo and restore the right of habeas corpus. (Jun 2007)
• Homeland security must protect citizens, not intrude on them. (Mar 2007)
• America must practice the patriotism it preaches. (Mar 2007)
• Protecting nuclear power plants is of utmost importance. (Mar 2007)
• Personal privacy must be protected even in terrorism age. (Mar 2007)
• Get first responders the healthcare and equipment they need. (Mar 2007)
• Need to be both strong and smart on national defense. (Oct 2006)
• Grow size of military to maintain rotation schedules. (Oct 2006)
• Battling terrorism must go beyond belligerence vs. isolation. (Oct 2006)
• Going after Al Qaeda in Pakistan is not Bush-style invasion. (Jan 2006)
• Rebuild the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. (Jan 2006)
• We are currently inspecting 3% of all incoming cargo. (Oct 2004)
• Increase funding to decommission Russian nukes. (Jul 2004)
• Give our soldiers the best equipment and training available. (Jul 2004)
• Balance domestic intelligence reform with civil liberty risk. (Jul 2004)

National Service

 

• Expand Peace Corps and AmeriCorps to 266,000 slots. (Feb 2008)
• Put forward a national service program. (Jan 2008)
• Give 18-year-old women opportunity to serve. (Dec 2007)
• Register women for draft, but not for combat. (Jul 2007)

Veterans

 

• Unacceptable to have veterans drive 250 miles to a hospital. (Feb 2008)
• Improve veterans’ mental health treatment & PTSD benefits. (Feb 2008)
• Support veterans via the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act. (Aug 2007)
• Address the deficiencies in the VA system. (Jun 2007)
• The cost of the Iraq war should not shortchange VA benefits. (Jun 2007)
• Make sure the outpatient facilities work for veterans. (Jun 2007)
• Comprehensive plan for our veterans healthcare. (Mar 2007)

Voting Record

 

• FactCheck: Promised to repeal Patriot Act, then voted for it. (Jan 2008)
• Voted NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
• Voted YES on limiting soldiers’ deployment to 12 months. (Jul 2007)
• Voted YES on implementing the 9/11 Commission report. (Mar 2007)
• Voted YES on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006)
• Voted NO on extending the PATRIOT Act’s wiretap provision. (Dec 2005)
• Voted YES on restricting business with entities linked to terrorism. (Jul 2005)
• Voted YES on restoring $565M for states’ and ports’ first responders. (Mar 2005)
• Sponsored bill for Iraq budget to be part of defense budget. (Jun 2006)
• Restore habeas corpus for detainees in the War on Terror. (Jun 2007)
• Establish global strategy to defeat al Qaeda. (Feb 2008)

You decide.

Candidates Position on Iraq

 

Since Bush, along with Congress declared war against Iraq in March 2003, as of Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008, at least 4,171 members of the U.S. military have died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.

The figure includes eight military civilians killed in action. At least 3,378 military personnel died as a result of hostile action, according to the military’s numbers.

Below are the candidates’ records on Iraq and the Iraq war, as reported by OnTheIssues.org, a non-partisan website.

John McCain

• Quoting “100 years in Iraq” is out-of-context. (Apr 2008)
• Despite deserters & Basra loss, Iraqi military doing better. (Apr 2008)
• Costs will be far greater should we fail in Iraq. (Feb 2008)
• Not a matter of how long in Iraq, but a matter of casualties. (Feb 2008)
• Don’t let enemy lay in the weeds until we leave. (Jan 2008)
• Support the surge and bring troops home with honor. (Jan 2008)
• Timetable for withdrawal is a white flag of surrender. (Jan 2008)
• Staying for 100 years OK, if US casualties are low. (Jan 2008)
• The Iraq war was worth the price in blood and treasure. (Jan 2008)
• Ok with American presence in Iraq for 100 years. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: Yes, criticized Rumsfeld, but not before invasion. (Jan 2008)
• Help Maliki government move forward as rapidly as possible. (Nov 2007)
• I would much rather lose a campaign than lose a war. (Oct 2007)
• Stategy in Iraq: defeat al-Qaeda; limit Iran’s influence. (Sep 2007)
• Iraq is now the central front in the war against al-Qaeda. (Sep 2007)
• Americans want to win; bin Laden thinks he’s winning now. (Sep 2007)
• Democrats proposing failure in Iraq by withdrawing. (Sep 2007)
• Reducing military presence has never in history won a war. (Sep 2007)
• Bring troops home the right way: home with honor. (Sep 2007)
• Surge is working; let it continue until it succeeds. (Sep 2007)
• Tragic mistake of Iraq: no plan to deal with success. (Aug 2007)
• Support the surge even if benchmarks are not met. (Aug 2007)
• Did not read NIE before war vote, but was fully briefed. (Jun 2007)
• If new strategy not working by Sept., we still must succeed. (Jun 2007)
• Willing to be last man standing for US involvement in Iraq. (May 2007)
• Consequences of failure: regional chaos & we must come back. (May 2007)
• In hindsight, Iraq invasion was still justified. (May 2007)
• Timetable would be catastrophe, even if Iraq wants it. (May 2007)
• Advocated leaving Somalia, but no comparison to Iraq. (May 2007)
• War has been mismanaged, but we are now on the right track. (May 2007)
• War in Iraq has not gone well: dire but not hopeless. (Mar 2007)
• Al Qaeda may take over Iraqi oilwells. (Mar 2007)
• Prefers more troops for surge, but 20,000 is sufficient. (Jan 2007)
• Bush now has the right strategy, and it’s our last chance. (Jan 2007)
• Generals advising “no more troops” was a failed policy. (Jan 2007)
• McCain Principle: Committing troops means completing mission. (Jan 2007)
• If we leave Iraq, terrorists will follow us home. (Jan 2007)
• Send in a heavy wave of troops to Iraq to establish order. (Nov 2006)
• Looting, terrorism in Iraq a result of US mistakes. (Sep 2004)
• The Iraqi war was necessary after years of failed diplomacy. (Aug 2004)
• Saddam would have acquired terrible weapons again. (Aug 2004)
• The Iraqi war was necessary, achievable and noble. (Aug 2004)
• The cause of the Iraqi war was just. (Apr 2004)
• 1991: Urged formally declaring war on Iraq over Kuwait. (Jan 2004)

Barack Obama

• I will only send our troops into harm’s way when necessary. (Aug 2008)
• $10 billion a month spent in Iraq should be spent in the US. (Jul 2008)
• President sets Iraq mission; Generals then implement tactics. (Apr 2008)
• President sets Iraq mission; give generals a new mission. (Apr 2008)
• $2.7 billion each week of Iraq spending is unsustainable. (Feb 2008)
• Humanitarian aid now for displaced Iraqis. (Feb 2008)
• FactCheck: Overstated displaced Iraqis; actually 4.2 million. (Feb 2008)
• The Iraq war has undermined our security. (Jan 2008)
• Iraq is distracting us from a host of global threats. (Jan 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)
• Get our troops out by the end of 2009. (Jan 2008)
• No permanent bases in Iraq. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: No, violence in Iraq is LOWER than 2 years ago. (Jan 2008)
• Congress decides deployment level & duration, not president. (Dec 2007)
• Surge strategy has made a difference in Iraq but failed. (Nov 2007)
• Leave troops for protection of Americans & counterterrorism. (Sep 2007)
• Hopes to remove all troops from Iraq by 2013, but no pledge. (Sep 2007)
• Tell people the truth: quickest is 1-2 brigades per month. (Sep 2007)
• No good options in Iraq–just bad options & worse options. (Aug 2007)
• Be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in. (Jul 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)
• Saddam is a tyrant but not a national security threat. (Mar 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)
• Iraq War has made US less safe from terrorism. (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)
• Set a new tone to internationalize the Iraqi reconstruction. (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)
• International voice in Iraq in exchange for debt forgiveness. (Jul 2004)

You decide.

Sarah Palin and Women Voters: Running for the Roses on the Final Jewel track?

Yes, Democrats and Republicans alike can affirm that Palin came out from the starting gates, running. But was she running like it were a Derby track when it was in fact the Belmont? So far, it appears that her streak is slowing, but some of her supporters contend that this should be a given in the grand scheme of campaigning. Tell us what you think. Was Sarah Palin a short-term political gain that is proving to be a political long-term problem?

Candidates Position on Energy & Oil

America continues an uphill battle on its energy and oil dependencies. See below how the candidates agree and differ on this vital interest.

John McCain

• Attack the energy problem on every front. (Sep 2008)
• Job creation program with alternate energy & nuclear power. (Aug 2008)
• Address both the supply and demand sides of imported oil. (Jun 2008)
• Lexington Project: invest to achieve energy security. (Jun 2008)
• AdWatch: Obama is the “Dr. No” of energy security. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: No, Obama supported $150B in energy innovation. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: Build 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030. (Jun 2008)
• AdWatch: Realistic climate plan that clashes with GOP. (Jun 2008)
• End moratorium on offshore oil drilling. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: Favors wind & solar in ad; favors nuclear in bills. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: Gas tax cut goes to oil companies, not consumers. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: 2003: Ethanol doesn’t increase energy independence. (Feb 2008)
• End reliance on petro-dictators with market-based reform. (Feb 2008)
• Be more active in addressing the issue of climate change. (Jan 2008)
• In favor of cap-and-trade. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: Oil independence will take 25 years, not 5 years. (Dec 2007)
• Climate change is real and must be addressed. (Dec 2007)
• Climate change is real; nuclear power is solution. (Oct 2007)
• Public pressure on oil industry to invest in alternatives. (Oct 2007)
• FactCheck: nuclear plants do emit no GHGs, but do have waste. (Jun 2007)
• Reinvest oil profits in nuclear power. (Jun 2007)
• Ethanol made no sense in `05 but with $60/bbl it makes sense. (May 2007)
• 2000: Held hearings on mounting evidence of climate change. (Jan 2004)
• 2000: Criticized Bush’s withdrawal from the Kyoto Treaty. (Jan 2004)
• Energy 2001: 1st Republican to sign onto reducing GHGS. (May 2002)
• Strength Clean Air & Water Acts; but not Kyoto. (Jan 2000)
• Supports alternative fuels, emission controls, & CWA. (Jul 1998)

Voting Record

 

• GovWatch: Yes, his cap-and-trade bill is mandatory. (Jun 2008)
• Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska’s ANWR. (Nov 2005)
• Voted NO on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005)
• Voted NO 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)
• Voted NO on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010. (Jun 2003)
• Voted YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill. (Mar 2003)
• Voted NO on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002)
• Voted NO on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002)
• Voted YES on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling. (Apr 2000)
• Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)
• Voted YES on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997)
• Voted NO on do not require ethanol in gasoline. (Aug 1994)
• Sponsored bill for greenhouse gas tradeable allowances. (Feb 2005)
• Rated 17% by the CAF, indicating opposition to energy independence. (Dec 2006)
• Gas tax holiday for the summer. (Apr 2008)
• Supports immediate reductions in greenhouse gases. (Sep 1998)

Barack Obama

• Drilling is a stop-gap measure, not a long-term solution. (Aug 2008)
• More Alaska oil & gas leases, plus new gas pipeline. (Aug 2008)
• GovWatch: $150B for electric car batteries & new technology. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: Supports nuclear power if it’s clean & safe. (Jun 2008)
• GovWatch: Opposes Yucca Mountain for nuclear waste storage. (Jun 2008)
• Gas tax holiday is a classic Washington gimmick. (May 2008)
• Voted for failed IL gas tax holiday & learned from mistake. (May 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)
• Raise fuel efficiency standards to reduce long-term demand. (Apr 2008)
• Reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. (Feb 2008)
• FactCheck: Self-contradictory on Bush’s clean-energy plan. (Jan 2008)
• Reduce the consumption of energy and be more efficient. (Jan 2008)
• Aggressively address accelerating climate change. (Dec 2007)
• Fuel efficiency and Middle East stability help on fuel costs. (Oct 2007)
• Nuclear power ok if we safeguard against waste & terrorism. (Sep 2007)
• Explore nuclear power as part of alternative energy mix. (Jul 2007)
• Cheney met environmentalists once; but Big Oil 40 times. (Jul 2007)
• Cap-and-trade carbon emissions; raise CAFE standard. (Jun 2007)
• Stop sending $800M a day to Mideast dictators for oil. (Mar 2007)
• Wants Detroit to build more hybrids & use more ethanol. (Oct 2006)
• We cannot drill our way out of our addiction to oil. (Oct 2006)
• 3-way win: economy, environment, & stop funding terror. (Jun 2006)
• Cap-and-trade is more specific on reducing greenhouse gases. (Jan 2006)
• Conserve, develop alternative fuels, increase efficiencies. (Oct 2004)
• 20% nation’s power supply from renewable sources by 2020. (Sep 2004)
• 20% renewable energy by 2020. (Jul 2004)
• Invest in alternative energy sources. (Jun 2004)
• Increase CAFE to 40 mpg. (Jun 2004)
• Tradable credits for renewable energy. (Jun 2004)
• Renewable Fuels Standard: require ethanol in fuel supply. (May 2004)

Voting Record

 

• Passed tax credit for installing E85 ethanol at gas stations. (Feb 2008)
• Sponsored legislations that improve energy efficiency. (Sep 2004)
• 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)
• 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)

You decide.

Poll: Should Congress Approve a $700 Billion Economic Bail Out?

Wall Street is run by one word: Confidence (so they say)…

Let us know whether you believe that Congress should approve this unprecedented economic bail out.

Candidates Position on the Environment

Here is a collection of position statements and voting records, provided by OnTheIssues.org, a non-partisan organization.

John McCain

• GovWatch: Voted for one Congressional Katrina investigation. (Jun 2008)
• Support much tougher regulations on emission requirements. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: Criticized $3M “bear DNA” study, but voted for it. (Nov 2007)
• Economic & environmental interests not mutually exclusive. (Sep 2007)
• Scored 40% on Humane Society Scorecard on animal protection. (Jan 2007)
• 1996: Put 3.5B acres of land into wilderness protection. (Jan 2004)
• Preserving wilderness among proudest achievements. (Sep 2002)
• Preserve and help our National Parks. (Jan 2000)
• Repeal ban on new roads in wilderness due to bad process. (Dec 1999)
• Use park visitor fees for park development bonds. (Dec 1999)
• Preserve natural resources for future. (Jul 1999)
• Voted YES on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations. (Sep 2005)
• Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
• Voted YES on transportation demo projects. (Mar 1998)
• Voted NO on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests. (Sep 1997)
• Voted NO on continuing desert protection in California. (Oct 1994)
• Voted YES on requiring EPA risk assessments. (May 1994)
• End commercial whaling and illegal trade in whale meat. (Jun 2001)
• Supports grants for brownfields remediation. (May 2002)
• Make EPA into a Cabinet department. (May 2002)
• Rated 53% by the LCV, indicating a mixed record on environment. (Dec 2003)
• EPA must do better on mercury clean-up. (Apr 2004)
• Focus on results, not regulation. (Sep 1998)

Barack Obama

• Genesis teaches stewardship of earth: sacrifice for future. (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)
• Passed lead abatement & 24 other laws in IL Senate. (Aug 2007)
• Give Katrina contracts to locals, not to Halliburton. (Jun 2007)
• Health Care for Hybrids proposal for fuel efficiency. (Mar 2007)
• Scored 60% on Humane Society Scorecard on animal protection. (Jan 2007)
• Three months working on minority students recycling. (Aug 1996)
• 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)
• Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting. (Jan 2007)

You decide/

$700 Billion Economic Bail out

The economic bailout, a three-page, $700 Billion package deal submitted to Congress to approve has come under fire for many reasons. First, critics state that the bailout does not address the fundamentals of the crisis: 1. homeowners’ defaulting on mortgages 2. the lack of regulation on the financial and banking sector 3. the lack of pay reduction on the executives from companies seeking financial bail out. Hank Paulson and Ben Bernanke explain that to shift focus away from bailing out the financial sector will cripple the entire economy, so essentially, this is the lesser of two evils.  Some critics contend that it is imperative to fix the homeowner foreclosure crisis, and today were circulating the notion of changing current bankruptcy laws to offer homeowners a chance to get their first homes covered under chapter 11, the same way the law offers second-home homeowners seeking bankruptcy relief. Doing this, they believe will stabilize dropping home prices, and offer people the chance to stay in their homes while paying their mortgage at rates that are suitable to their current conditions.

Others also think that we need to step back, do nothing, and let the market correct itself because saving $700 Billion is more responsible than putting in $700 Billion. Regardless, whoever wins this election will have some serious issues to sort through. Share your thoughts–this is one serious topic.

Women Voters Unite–Calling Volunteers for National Women’s Voting Day!

National Women’s Voting Day is scheduled for November 3rd, 2008. 23 states offer early voting. We are looking for organizers to help make a national statement on the power of the women vote. Blue, Red, Green, Purple and all voters in between, let us march together to show the next President that the women vote is strong!

Please email your contact info to: womanvoter@thiswomanvoter.com.

Candidates Position on Education September 23, 2008

This information was pulled from OnTheIssues.org, a non-partisan website. 

John McCain

• I want schools to answer to parents and students. (Sep 2008)
• Pay bonuses to teachers in the most troubled schools. (Jul 2008)
• Target funding to recruit top graduates as teachers. (Jul 2008)
• Direct $750 million to build virtual schools. (Jul 2008)
• Give parents easier access to obtain help for their children. (Jul 2008)
• Shake up failed school bureaucracies with competition. (Jun 2008)
• Teaching creationism should be decided by school districts. (Jun 2007)
• Believes in evolution, but sees the hand of God in nature. (May 2007)
• Against nationally imposed standards & funding strings. (Feb 2000)
• Teach virtues in all schools. (Dec 1999)
• Enlist retirees for tutoring. (Nov 1999)
• Good teachers should earn more than bad lawyers. (Oct 1999)
• Decisions on teaching evolution should be made locally. (Aug 1999)
• Help unqualified teachers find other lines of work. (Jul 1999)
• Supports tax-free savings accounts for education expenses. (Jul 1999)
• Supports “Reading Excellence”; and rewarding good schools. (Jul 1999)
• Supports at-risk programs; homeless ed.; anti-drop-out ed. (Jul 1999)
• Internet access, with filters, at every school & library. (Jun 1999)
• Merit pay & competency testing for teachers. (Jun 1999)
• Ed-ACT Bill: college plans; language proficiency. (May 1999)

School Choice

 

• Vouchers and school choice for all. (Jul 2008)
• Offer more choices to those who wish to become teachers. (Jul 2008)
• Place parents & children at the center of education. (Feb 2008)
• We need more choice and competition in education. (Dec 2007)
• Charters, homeschooling, & vouchers are key to success. (Dec 2007)
• Local charters are the best Arizona schools. (Mar 2000)
• Let states decide if they link vouchers to student testing. (Feb 2000)
• Use sugar, oil, and ethanol subsidies to finance vouchers. (Jan 2000)
• Tax breaks for charters – not from public school funds. (Dec 1999)
• Vouchers & charters will improve our school system. (Oct 1999)
• Nationwide test of school vouchers. (Sep 1999)
• $5B program for 3-year test of school vouchers. (Jul 1999)
• Tax-funded vouchers for private schools or charter schools. (Jun 1999)
• Shift policy-making from bureaucrats to parents. (May 1999)
• Vouchers needed where teachers fail. (May 1999)
• Vouchers for any schools; more charter schools. (Jul 1998)

Voting Record

 

• Unrestricted block grants–let states decide spending. (Feb 2000)
• Voted NO on $52M for “21st century community learning centers”. (Oct 2005)
• Voted NO on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
• Voted NO on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
• Voted NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
• Voted YES on declaring memorial prayers and religious symbols OK at schools. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999)
• Voted YES on education savings accounts. (Jun 1998)
• Voted YES on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997)
• Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996)
• Voted YES on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer. (Jul 1994)
• Voted NO on national education standards. (Feb 1994)
• Focus educational resources to help those with greatest need. (Jul 2001)
• Require state standards, regular assessments, and sanctions. (Jul 2001)
• Support Ed-Flex: more flexibility if more accountable. (Jul 2001)
• Rated 45% by the NEA, indicating a mixed record on public education. (Dec 2003)

Barack Obama

 

• Invest in early childhood education and higher education. (Aug 2008)
• Fight for social & economic justice begins in the classroom. (Jul 2008)
• Merit pay ok if based on career instead of a single test. (Apr 2008)
• Evolution & science aren’t incompatible with Christian faith. (Apr 2008)
• Supports charter schools; it’s important to experiment. (Feb 2008)
• Children’s First Agenda: zero to five early education. (Feb 2008)
• $4,000 college tuition for 100 hours’ public service a year. (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)
• We need a sense of urgency about improving education system. (Sep 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)
• Pay “master teachers” extra, but with buy-in from teachers. (Aug 2007)
• Sends kids to private school; but wants good schools for all. (Jul 2007)
• Supreme Court was wrong on school anti-integration ruling. (Jul 2007)
• Incentives to hire a million teachers over next decade. (Jun 2007)
• Pay teachers more money & treat them like professionals. (Jun 2007)
• Cut banks out and add $4.5 Billion to college loans. (Mar 2007)
• Public school system status quo is indefensible. (Oct 2006)
• More teacher pay in exchange for more teacher accountability. (Oct 2006)
• Guarantee affordable life-long, top-notch education. (Jun 2006)
• 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)
• Supports charter schools and private investment in schools. (Jul 1998)
• Free public college for any student with B-average. (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)

 You decide.

Candidates Position on the Economy

Here are direct quotes from the Presidential candidates; voting records are included. This was pulled direct from OnTheIssues.org, a non-partisan website.

John McCain

• These are tough times; we need changes; so keep taxes low. (Aug 2008)
• Can’t pass trillions of dollars of debt to our children. (Jul 2008)
• GovWatch: Specified cuts are $10B, not $100B. (May 2008)
• Bailing out Bear Stearns necessary to protect economy. (Apr 2008)
• Key is to not to bail out homeowners who speculated. (Apr 2008)
• Things are tough now, but we’re better off than in 2000. (Jan 2008)
• May have to go further to fix the subprime lending situation. (Jan 2008)
• Recession is partly psychological and not inevitable. (Jan 2008)
• I’m well-versed in economics; I was at the Reagan Revolution. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: Said–then denied–he needed economics education. (Jan 2008)
• Impose some fiscal discipline to revive the economy. (Jan 2008)
• Will be able to reduce war costs & have a stable Middle East. (Jan 2008)
• Reform insurance to cover violent weather patterns. (Jan 2008)
• To avoid recession, stop out-of-control spending. (Jan 2008)
• Loss of economic strength leads to losing military strength. (Dec 2007)
• Republicans have forgotten how to control spending. (Nov 2007)
• AdWatch: Outrageous to spend $233M for bridge to nowhere. (Nov 2007)
• FactCheck:Bridge-to-Nowhere never built; would serve 200,000. (Nov 2007)
• FactCheck: Criticized “Woodstock museum,” but skipped vote. (Nov 2007)
• Congress spends money like a drunken sailor. (May 2007)
• Veto all pork-barrel bills and announce pork spenders. (May 2007)
• Use veto power to reduce government spending. (Jan 2000)
• Distribute surplus: 23% tax cuts; 62% Social Security. (Jan 2000)
• $9B of pork in current budget bills; cut subsidies. (Oct 1999)
• For Balanced Budget Amend., & off-budget Social Security. (Jul 1999)
• List of budgetary spending priorities. (Jul 1998)
• Supports Balanced Budget Amendment. (Jul 1998)
• Apply surplus to Social Security, Medicare, tax cuts & debt. (Jul 1998)
• Voted YES on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005)
• Voted NO on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000)
• Voted YES on 1998 GOP budget. (May 1997)
• Voted YES on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (Mar 1997)
• Maintain & enforce existing spending caps in the future. (Sep 1998)

Barack Obama

• Latinos & blacks are hardest hit by housing & gas crises. (Jun 2008)
• A different economic approach vs. McCain’s 4 more years. (May 2008)
• Can’t do anything at home with $12 billion a month on Iraq. (Feb 2008)
• Protect consumers with Credit Card Bill of Rights. (Feb 2008)
• More accountability in subprime mortgages. (Feb 2008)
• Bush stimulus plan leaves out seniors & unemployed. (Jan 2008)
• Voted against limiting credit to 30%, because 30% too high. (Jan 2008)
• Account for every single dollar for new proposed programs. (Jan 2008)
• Help the homeowners actually living in their homes. (Jan 2008)
• Bankruptcy bill pushed by banks &. (Jan 2008)
• Capping credit card interest rates at 30% is not enough. (Jan 2008)
• Lack of an energy policy is a financial burden. (Jan 2008)
• Release people in bankruptcy due to health care problems. (Jan 2008)
• I opposed both the 2001 and 2005 bankruptcy bills. (Jan 2008)
• Accountability and oversight over the financial markets. (Jan 2008)
• Modify some of the fraudulent & predatory lending practices. (Jan 2008)
• Bush & GOP dug budget hole; need years to dig out. (Dec 2007)
• Save $150 billion in tax cuts for people who don’t need them. (Dec 2007)
• Take China “to the mat” about currency manipulation. (Dec 2007)
• Rejects free market vision of government. (Oct 2007)
• Regulate financial instruments to protect home mortgages. (Aug 2007)
• Government regulation needed for when markets fail. (Aug 2007)
• Return to PayGo: compensate for all new spending. (Oct 2006)
• Bush’s economic policies are not working. (May 2004)
• Supports federal programs to protect rural economy. (May 2004)
• 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)

Candidates’ Voting Record: Abortion

Please note that this site does not endorse any party or party candidate. This information was pulled from the non-partisan website, OnTheIssues.org and should be interpreted as seen fit by the reader.

John McCain

• Pro-life and an advocate for the Rights of Man everywhere. (Feb 2008)
• GovWatch: 1999: Don’t force women to have illegal operations. (Feb 2008)
• Abortion issue shows what kind of country we are. (Aug 2007)
• Concerned if women undergo illegal dangerous operations. (May 2007)
• Supports federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. (May 2007)
• Prosecute abortion doctors, not women who get them. (Jan 2000)
• “Family Conference” if daughter wanted an abortion. (Jan 2000)
• Abortion OK if raped; and no testing for rape. (Jan 2000)
• Supports fetal tissue research; against over-intensity. (Jan 2000)
• Overturn Roe v. Wade, but keep incest & rape exceptions. (Jan 2000)
• Support adoption & foster care; work together on abortion. (Oct 1999)
• Wants Roe vs. Wade made irrelevant, but would not repeal it. (Aug 1999)
• Opposes partial-birth abortions & public financing. (Aug 1999)
• Nominate justices based on experience, and values. (Jun 1999)
• Restrict abortions; no partial-birth; no public funding. (Jul 1998)

Voting Record

 

• Supports repealing Roe v. Wade. (May 2007)
• Voted YES on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)
• Voted YES on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions. (Oct 2007)
• Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
• Voted YES on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
• Voted NO on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
• Voted YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
• Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)
• Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)
• Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Expand embryonic stem cell research. (Jun 2004)
• Rated 75% by the NRLC, indicating a mixed record on abortion. (Dec 2006)
• Prohibit transporting minors across state lines for abortion. (Jan 2008)

Barack Obama

• 1990: Wrote law article that that fetus cannot sue mother. (Aug 2008)
• FactCheck: Abortions HAVE gone down under Pres. Bush. (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)
• Rated 100% by NARAL on pro-choice votes in 2005, 2006 & 2007. (Jan 2008)
• Voted against banning partial birth abortion. (Oct 2007)
• 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

 

• 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)

You decide.

Poll: What issue impacts you the most?

Woman to woman, I am interested in finding out which issue reigns supreme. As noted in Wall Street and across America, resources are limited. Limited resources create a give and take policy battle with little room left in the middle. So, if you were to decide right now where to shift our tax dollars to benefit a certain issue which issue would you send them to:

Feel free to leave a comment!

Register to Vote September 22, 2008

Click here to register to vote! ***Please note–this link will redirect you to the League of Women Voters: Voter registration page.*** This site is not affiliated with the League of Women Voters.