Civil Rights: 2008 contenders' views

Homeland Security

Tax Policy

War on Terror

Civil Rights
Candidates' views>>
Background
The Forum
Policy Issues

Site search Web search

Issues

Infrastructure & Technology

Archives

A Time to Lead: For Duty, Honor and Country, by Wesley Clark & Tom Carhart

Barack Obama in His Own Words, by Barack Obama, edited by Lisa Rogak

In Mortal Danger, by Tom Tancredo

A Mormon in the White House, by Hugh Hewitt

Barack Obama: This Improbable Quest, by John K. Wilson

God and Hillary Clinton: A Spiritual Life, by Paul Kengor

Freedom Under Siege, by Ron Paul

Why Courage Matters, by John McCain

The Unique Voice of Hillary Clinton

Lessons Learned the Hard Way, by Newt Gingrich

Should Barack Obama Be President? by Fred Zimmerman, published Oct. 2006

Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics, by Joe Biden

Obama: From Promise to Power, by David Mendell

Mitt Romney: The Man, His Values and His Vision, by Lisa Ray Turner and Kimberly Field

For Love of Politics: Bill and Hillary Clinton: The White House Years, by Sally Bedell Smith

Living History, by Hillary Rodhan Clinton

Kerry: The Complete Biography By the Boston Globe

Her Way, by Jeff Gerth & Don Van Natta

Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance

A Bound Man, by Shelby Steele

The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama

America's Mayor, America's President?, by Robert Polner

Al on America, by Al Sharpton

Washington Post, "The Fact Checker"

A Woman in Charge, by Carl Bernstein

Winning the Future, by Newt Gingrich

Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy, by Amanda Carpenter

It Takes A Village, by Hillary Clinton

Rediscovering God in America, by Newt Gingrich

Profiles in Character, by Jeb Bush & B.Yablonski, published January 1996

A Prayer for America

The New War: The Web of Crime That Threatens America's Security

Man of the People, by Paul Alexander

Our Plan For America

Inventing Al Gore, by Bill Turque

Hillary Clinton: The Inside Story, by Judith Warner

Hillary's Choice, by Gail Sheehy

Friends in High Places, by Webb Hubbell

The Extreme Makeover of Hillary (Rodham) Clinton, by Bay Buchanan

Ending Poverty in America, by John Edwards

The Contenders, by Laura Flanders et al.

Condi vs. Hillary: The Next Great Presidential Race

Character Makes a Difference, by Mike Huckabee

Change We Can Believe In

A Call to Service

Between Worlds, by Bill Richardson

The American Prospect, columns by Robert Reich

(click a picture above for excerpts or other books and debates about Civil Rights)

Political Leaders

Please help keep this website going by making a secure donation now!

Fun Stuff

For OnTheIssues fans in Portland -- please come out for a great evening of music that is also a fundraiser for OnTheIssues! Click to learn more

Social Networking sites on Presidential Race:
FaceBook
YouTube
MySpace

Prez-Veep-Senator
Our associated Yahoo discussion group

GoCrossPoliticalBash08 Fight for your favorite presidential candidate, and join forces with thousands of fellow supporters in an epic online battle for political conquest across the United States against your rival candidates!

"Cozy Watchdog"
Missoula Independent article on our co-founder, Dr. Naomi Lichtenberg

The Forum (Express your views on the issues)

Site Map

Home
(Main page)

Issues
(Presidential quotations organized by topic)

Candidates
(Presidential quotations organized by candidate)

Recent
(Most recent quotation for each candidate)

Issue Grid
(Summary by topic of each candidate's positions)

Candidate Grid
(Summary by candidate of positions on each topic)

Archives
(Debate and book excerpts)

House of Representatives
(106th & 107th Congress)

Senate
(107th Congress)

Senate 2000
(Races in 33 states)

Governors
(50 incumbents)

Cabinet
(15 Secretaries)

Supreme Court
(9 Justices)

VoteMatch
(Presidential Selector and Political Affiliation 20-question quiz)

The Forum
(Your views on the candidates and the issues)

SpeakOut Issues
(Policy background)

News
(Latest headlines on the Presidential race)

About Us
(About Issues2000.org)

Letters
(Other viewers' letters)

Low-graphics version
(No ads, less Java)

Write Us
(Your feedback to us)

SpeakOut!

Activism Centers

Policy Background
(Essays on the Issues)

Free Trade & Immigration

Republican
Nominees:

Sen.John McCain
Gov.Sarah Palin

Democratic
Possibilities:

Sen.Barack Obama
Sen.Joe Biden

Third Parties (Left):
Gloria La Riva
Rep.Cynthia McKinney
Brian Moore
Ralph Nader

Third Parties (Right):
Chuck Baldwin
Rep.Bob Barr
Alan Keyes
Frank McEnulty

Chuck Baldwin on Civil Rights

Constitution Party nominee for President; Reform Party nominee in several states

Click here for the full quote by Chuck Baldwin OR click here for Chuck Baldwin on other issues.

Patriotism is not love of Big Government or Big Brother. (Mar 2008)

Bob Barr on Civil Rights

Libertarian nominee for President; Former Republican Representative (GA-7)

Click here for 10 full quotes by Bob Barr OR click here for Bob Barr on other issues.

Criticizes efforts to restrict rights of homosexuals. (Jun 2008)
Applying habeas in Guantanamo reaffirms fundamental liberty. (Jun 2008)
Authored Defense of Marriage Act. (May 2008)
Threats to liberty in post-9/11 world require libertarianism. (May 2008)
The Nanny State is getting increasingly intrusive. (Apr 2008)
Took post with ACLU based on fundamental common interests. (Dec 2003)
Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
Voted YES on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
Sponsored bill for "Privacy Impact Statement" on new rules. (Apr 2002)

Joe Biden on Civil Rights

Democratic Sr Senator (DE); nominee for Vice President

Click here for 21 full quotes by Joe Biden OR click here for Joe Biden on other issues.

No on gay marriage; yes on equal treatment. (Oct 2008)
1978: opposed busing except for gov't-intended segregation. (Jul 2007)
1968: Wilmington riots failed at conversation between races. (Jul 2007)
Nobody asks if you're gay in a foxhole. (Jun 2007)
Civil unions ok; gay marriage is probably inevitable. (Apr 2007)
Voted NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
Voted YES on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
Voted NO on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
Voted NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)
Rated 60% by the ACLU, indicating a mixed civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
Issue a commemorative postage stamp of Rosa Parks. (Dec 2005)
Rated 78% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
Rated 100% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment. (Mar 2007)

Alan Keyes on Civil Rights

American Independent nominee for President; 2004 Republican challenger for IL Senate

Click here for 34 full quotes by Alan Keyes OR click here for 5 older headlines OR click here for Alan Keyes on other issues.

`Separation of church & state` misinterprets Constitution. (Oct 2007)
Gay marriage invalid because gay couples cannot reproduce. (Oct 2004)
The path to your freedom is standing firm for God's will. (Feb 2004)
Protect religion from the state, but not vice versa. (Feb 2004)
Right to acknowledge God is the foundation of all our rights. (Feb 2004)
Public display of the Ten Commandments is a state's right. (Oct 2003)
The belief that you can't legislate morality is nonsensical. (Oct 2003)
We live under the tyranny of the federal judges. (Feb 2004)
Leaders must face racial bigotry, not ignore it. (Feb 2000)
Our rights come from God, not from the Constitution. (Jan 2000)
Ten Commandments & prayer should be in schools. (Jan 2000)
Conducting gov�t in Spanish assaults our linguistic unity. (Jan 2000)
No separation of church & state; fight uniform irreligion. (Jan 2000)
Affirmative Action
We cannot cure a past injustice with another injustice. (Oct 2007)
Preferential affirmative action patronizes blacks & women. (Oct 2007)
Address Black community with solid Republican principles. (Sep 2007)
Preferential affirmative action is patronizing. (Aug 2004)
Preferential affirmative action is patronizing. (Jan 1999)
Black heritage comes from survival in America, not Africa. (May 1996)
Affirmative action turns back the clock. (Aug 1995)
Gay Marriage
Wrong to treat sexual behavior like race. (Oct 2007)
Marriage exists for the sake of procreation. (Oct 2007)
Massachusetts gay marriage required judges legislating. (Oct 2007)
Defend the natural family against the gay lobby. (Sep 2007)
We need a constitutional amendment to stop gay marriage. (Sep 2007)
Marriage can't be understood apart from procreation. (Oct 2004)
Gay sex is selfish hedonism. (Sep 2004)
Gay marriage destroys fundamental moral institutions. (Jul 2004)
HIV workshop violates parents who think gay is immoral. (Jul 2000)
Signed pledge to reinstitute ban on gays in military. (Jan 2000)
Oppose gay agenda in military & marriage laws. (Jan 2000)
Warns that Supreme Court has advanced gay marriage agenda. (May 1999)
�Hate crime� laws will be used to punish anti-gay opinions. (Oct 1998)
Gay rights aren�t like racial rights, because it�s behavior. (May 1996)

Gloria La Riva on Civil Rights

Party for Socialism and Liberation nominee for President

Click here for 3 full quotes by Gloria La Riva OR click here for Gloria La Riva on other issues.

Affirmative action is under attack just when redress began. (Jan 2008)
Equal marriage rights for all LGBT. (Jan 2008)
Pay reparations, with interest, for slavery. (Jan 2008)

John McCain on Civil Rights

Republican nominee for President; Senior Senator (AZ)

Click here for 42 full quotes by John McCain OR click here for 3 older headlines OR click here for John McCain on other issues.

Equal pay for equal work case was a trial lawyer's dream. (Oct 2008)
FactCheck: Pay discrimination still subject to time limits. (Oct 2008)
Supports CA Prop. 8: one-man-one-woman marriage. (Jul 2008)
Voted against MLK holiday in 1983; now calls that a mistake. (Apr 2008)
Don't ask, don't tell is working; don't tamper with it. (Jun 2007)
Confederate flag on top of capitol was wrong; in front is ok. (May 2007)
Leave gay marriage to the states. (Jan 2007)
John Lewis was as courageous as anyone could ever hope to be. (Apr 2004)
Fear did not restrain Dr. King to resist repression. (Apr 2004)
1994: No Senate hiring discrimination by sexual orientation. (Jan 2004)
Support evangelism but don�t pander to evangelical leaders. (Feb 2000)
Inter-racial dating ban is idiotic and cruel. (Feb 2000)
Career-long history of supporting Indian causes. (Jan 2000)
Ten Commandments would bring virtue to our schools. (Jan 2000)
Confederate flag is a �symbol of heritage�. (Jan 2000)
Allow, but not mandate, school prayer. (Jan 2000)
Would be �comfortable� with a gay president. (Dec 1999)
Flying Confederate flag should be left to states. (Sep 1999)
1st Amend. not a shield for hate groups. (Aug 1999)
Indian gambling OK; lottery is not. (Aug 1999)
Hollywood should voluntarily self-censor sex and violence. (Jul 1999)
Supports Amendment against flag-burning. (Apr 1999)
We don�t need laws against Spanish language & culture. (Mar 1999)
Affirmative action OK for specific programs, but no quotas. (Jul 1998)
Voting Record
Ban on same-sex marriage is unRepublican; leave it to states. (Nov 2006)
Voted YES on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
Voted YES on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)
Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
Require 90 day delay for compliance before ADA lawsuits. (May 2002)
Limit interstate class-action lawsuits to federal courts . (May 2002)
Rated 0% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
Rated 33% by the HRC, indicating a mixed record on gay rights. (Dec 2006)
Rated 7% by the NAACP, indicating an anti-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)

Frank McEnulty on Civil Rights

New American Independent Party nominee for President

Click here for 3 full quotes by Frank McEnulty OR click here for Frank McEnulty on other issues.

No constitutional amendment for flag burning. (Jul 2008)
Civil unions & marriage OK for same-sex couples. (Jun 2008)
No affirmative action; treat all people the same. (Jun 2008)

Cynthia McKinney on Civil Rights

Green Party nominee for President (Former Rep., D, GA-4)

Click here for 17 full quotes by Cynthia McKinney OR click here for Cynthia McKinney on other issues.

Keep affirmative action in college admissions. (Feb 2008)
Supports gay adoptions. (Feb 2008)
Repeal the Patriot Act and end Islamophobia. (Jan 2008)
Reparations for former slaves, as promised & never delivered. (Jan 2008)
Introduced MLK Records Act, to unseal assassination files. (Dec 2007)
Voted NO on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
Voted NO on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
Voted NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
Supports reparations for slavery. (Aug 2001)
Ending racial profiling is part of fight for justice. (Jan 2001)
Constitutional Amendment for equal rights by gender. (Mar 2001)
Require "Privacy Impact Statement" on new federal rules. (Apr 2002)
Issue a commemorative postage stamp of Rosa Parks. (Dec 2005)
Rated 80% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
Rated 97% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
Supported legislation on violence against women & safety. (Jul 1999)
Supported funding for women's and disadvantaged businesses. (Jul 1999)

Brian Moore on Civil Rights

Socialist nominee for President

Click here for 6 full quotes by Brian Moore OR click here for Brian Moore on other issues.

Ban military tribunals, and restore habeas corpus. (Apr 2008)
Promote a multicultural/multiethnic presence. (Apr 2008)
Blacks & women have been historically discriminated against. (Apr 2008)
Assure equal rights by gender, race, & age. (Dec 2007)
End all restrictions on marriages and sodomy laws. (Dec 2007)
Discontinue affirmative action programs. (Nov 2006)

Ralph Nader on Civil Rights

2008 Independent for for President; 2004 Reform nominee; 2000 Green nominee

Click here for 15 full quotes by Ralph Nader OR click here for Ralph Nader on other issues.

Ban desecration of the Constitution; not flag desecration. (Jan 2008)
Patriot Act associated with abuse of Muslim's civil rights. (Nov 2004)
Get rid of gay discrimination fully, not halfway. (Jul 2004)
African Americans progress is too slow-we can do better. (Mar 2004)
Women are still second-class citizens in school athletics. (Jan 2003)
Questioned anti-female bias at 1950s Harvard Law School. (Oct 2002)
Truth and reconciliation commission for Native Americans. (Aug 2000)
Disagrees with ACLU on spending money as free speech. (Feb 2000)
Supports �impenetrable protection of privacy�. (Oct 1996)
Differentiate discriminatory justice from indiscriminate. (Oct 1996)
Political discourse narrows when media serves Mammon. (Dec 1995)
Gay Rights
Nader supports gay marriage; but gay groups support Gore. (Nov 2000)
Equal gay rights, including civil union. (Oct 2000)
Supports Civil Union in Vermont and elsewhere. (May 2000)
Long history of fighting in sexual politics. (Feb 2000)

Barack Obama on Civil Rights

Democratic nomine for President; Junior Senator (IL)

Click here for 58 full quotes by Barack Obama OR click here for Barack Obama on other issues.

Has stood together with Latino leaders for last 20 years. (Jun 2008)
Hate crimes related to the immigration issue is unacceptable. (Feb 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)
Gays should not face discrimination but should not marry. (Oct 2004)
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
Keep the promise of equal pay for an equal day's work. (Aug 2008)
Apply affirmative action to poor white college applicants. (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
Opposes CA Prop. 8, one-man-one-woman marriage. (Jul 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)
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)

Sarah Palin on Civil Rights

Republican Governor (AK); ; nominee for Vice President

Click here for 18 full quotes by Sarah Palin OR click here for Sarah Palin on other issues.

Non-support of anything but traditional marriage. (Oct 2008)
I'm a feminist; equal rights for women. (Sep 2008)
Equal pay for equal work; but not Ledbetter Act. (Sep 2008)
Hillary put 18 million cracks in glass ceiling. (Sep 2008)
Would like support from women's groups, but won't woo them. (Sep 2008)
Vetoed bill denying benefits to gays, as unconstitutional. (Aug 2008)
ADA brings expanded freedom to Americans with disabilities. (Jul 2008)
Recognize Juneteenth to celebrate the end of slavery. (Jun 2008)
HIV/AIDS among Alaska Natives is public health crisis. (Mar 2008)
Recognize Martin Luther King holiday. (Jan 2008)
Comply with same-sex partner benefits despite disagreement. (Dec 2006)
Marriage only be between and man and a woman. (Nov 2006)
Value our cultural diversity. (Nov 2006)
Prefers term "anti-rural" to "anti-Native". (Nov 2006)
Special legislative session on same-sex health benefits. (Nov 2006)
Ok to deny benefits to homosexual couples. (Aug 2006)
No spousal benefits for same-sex couples. (Jul 2006)
Top priorities include preserving definition of "marriage". (Jul 2006)

E-mail: submit@issues2000.org

Send donations or submit quotations to:
On The Issues
1770 Massachusetts Ave. #630
Cambridge, MA 02140

Written by
WebMerchants

Reproduction of material from any OnTheIssues.org pages without written permission is prohibited.
Copyright © 1999-2008 OnTheIssues.org & the SpeakOut Foundation, all rights reserved.
OnTheIssues.org 1770 Massachusetts Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail us at:info at OnTheIssues.org | Advertising information | Privacy and Use Policies

Affirmative Action

Gay Marriage

Voting Record

Gay Rights

Affirmative Action

Gay Rights

Voting Record

E-mail: submit@issues2000.org