John Kerry: John Kerry: The IssuesThe Issues

RH399 - Presidential Election Rhetoric

4th Hour – 27 April 2004

Chuck Compson

Andrew Marcum

Mike Martin

Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview

The Kerry Issues:The Kerry Issues:– Consider three aspects of each issueConsider three aspects of each issue

Kerry’s voting historyKerry’s voting historyDemocratic comparisonDemocratic comparisonRepublican’s views on Kerry’s stanceRepublican’s views on Kerry’s stance

– Look at five key issuesLook at five key issuesForeign Policy and IraqForeign Policy and IraqThe Patriot ActThe Patriot ActCivil Rights and Gay MarriageCivil Rights and Gay MarriageThe Economy and JobsThe Economy and JobsEducationEducation

100 Days to Change America100 Days to Change America

John Kerry’s Background and BioJohn Kerry’s Background and Bio

Foreign Policy and IraqForeign Policy and Iraq

Kerry’s Voting HistoryKerry’s Voting History

In 1991 he voted NO on In 1991 he voted NO on resolution to permit force resolution to permit force in Iraq.in Iraq.In 1998, he voted yes on In 1998, he voted yes on resolution to prosecute resolution to prosecute and imprison Saddam and imprison Saddam Hussein Hussein In 1999, he voted yes to In 1999, he voted yes to allow the US to conduct allow the US to conduct military strikes against military strikes against Yugoslavia with the help Yugoslavia with the help of NATO.of NATO.

In 2000, he voted yes on In 2000, he voted yes on resolution to help rebuild resolution to help rebuild Kosovo.Kosovo.In 2002, he voted yes on In 2002, he voted yes on resolution authorizing use resolution authorizing use of force in Iraq.of force in Iraq.In 2002, he voted yes on In 2002, he voted yes on resolution that would resolution that would expand NATOexpand NATOIn 2003, voted NO on Iraq In 2003, voted NO on Iraq emergency aid actemergency aid act

Kerry’s Views on IraqKerry’s Views on Iraq

Honesty is necessaryHonesty is necessary

Remove “made in Remove “made in America” label in IraqAmerica” label in Iraq

Implement NATO Implement NATO security forcesecurity force

Cannot allow Iraq to Cannot allow Iraq to become a failed statebecome a failed state

Need a policy that Need a policy that puts soldiers firstputs soldiers first

Provide additional Provide additional ground troopsground troops

Seek UN resolution Seek UN resolution responsible for responsible for transition and transition and electionselections

Comparative ViewsComparative Views

John EdwardsJohn Edwards– Supports war in IraqSupports war in Iraq– Build democracyBuild democracy– US needs helpUS needs help

Dennis KucinichDennis Kucinich– Work with other Work with other

nations and UNnations and UN

Al SharptonAl Sharpton– Opposed war “from Opposed war “from

the beginning”the beginning”

Joe LiebermanJoe Lieberman– Remove SaddamRemove Saddam– Regime change is US Regime change is US

policypolicy– Sponsored Resolution Sponsored Resolution

to disarm Saddamto disarm Saddam

Carol Moseley BraunCarol Moseley Braun– ““We have to support We have to support

our troops in the field.”our troops in the field.”– Welcomes Welcomes

international international community to share community to share burden.burden.

What Republicans dislike about What Republicans dislike about Kerry’s views on IraqKerry’s views on Iraq

Cheney criticized vote Cheney criticized vote against spending in against spending in postwar Iraqpostwar Iraq

Also criticized Kerry’s Also criticized Kerry’s repealing of Bush’s tax repealing of Bush’s tax cutscuts

Says Kerry does not Says Kerry does not properly recognize other properly recognize other countries helpcountries help

Kerry voted against Kerry voted against military pay increases 12 military pay increases 12 timestimes

Bush has not passed Bush has not passed resolution giving UN any resolution giving UN any role in reconstruction role in reconstruction efforteffort

Bush has not assigned a Bush has not assigned a role for NATO eitherrole for NATO either

Patriot Act and Civil RightsPatriot Act and Civil Rights

Kerry’s Voting HistoryKerry’s Voting History

1988 – Voted yes on 1988 – Voted yes on anti-discrimination billanti-discrimination bill1991 – Voted yes on 1991 – Voted yes on discrimination lawsuit discrimination lawsuit billbill1996 – Voted yes on 1996 – Voted yes on bill prohibiting bill prohibiting discrimination based discrimination based on sexual orientationon sexual orientation

1998 – Voted yes on 1998 – Voted yes on bill to monitor bill to monitor religious persecution religious persecution worldwideworldwide1998 – Voted yes on 1998 – Voted yes on bill prohibiting secret bill prohibiting secret phone recordingphone recording2000 – Voted yes on 2000 – Voted yes on amendment to amendment to expand definition of expand definition of hate crimeshate crimes

Kerry’s PlatformKerry’s Platform

Stop indefinitely Stop indefinitely detaining Americansdetaining AmericansStrengthen terrorism Strengthen terrorism lawslawsStop unreasonable Stop unreasonable searchessearchesAssure laws are used Assure laws are used to combat terrorismto combat terrorismStop unwarranted Stop unwarranted seizure of recordsseizure of records

Assure information is Assure information is available so Justice available so Justice Department can be Department can be held accountableheld accountableStop unchecked Stop unchecked roving wiretapsroving wiretapsPrevent officers from Prevent officers from spying on innocent spying on innocent citizenscitizens

Comparative ViewsComparative Views

General ClarkGeneral Clark– Repeal provisions that go Repeal provisions that go

too fartoo far– Act was not carefully Act was not carefully

drafted or debateddrafted or debated– Eliminate provisions that Eliminate provisions that

threaten civil libertiesthreaten civil liberties

Carol Moseley BraunCarol Moseley Braun– ““We cannot continue to We cannot continue to

sacrifice our freedom under sacrifice our freedom under the pretense of heightened the pretense of heightened security.”security.”

John EdwardsJohn Edwards– Do not have to sacrifice Do not have to sacrifice

liberties or rights to liberties or rights to preserve our securitypreserve our security

– Cannot allow the war on Cannot allow the war on terrorism to take away civil terrorism to take away civil rights, liberties, or freedomrights, liberties, or freedom

Dennis KucinichDennis Kucinich– Government must not be Government must not be

allowed to search without allowed to search without probable causeprobable cause

– Patriot Act invites tyrannyPatriot Act invites tyranny

What Republicans dislike about What Republicans dislike about Kerry’s views on the Patriot ActKerry’s views on the Patriot Act

Since Kerry does not Since Kerry does not support the bill, they support the bill, they are trying to label him are trying to label him as unpatrioticas unpatriotic

Searches are Searches are constitutional – constitutional – nothing wrong with nothing wrong with getting the “bad guys” getting the “bad guys” – even if they are not – even if they are not terroriststerrorists

There have been no There have been no reported abuses due reported abuses due to the Patriot Act in to the Patriot Act in the past two yearsthe past two years

The details of the Act The details of the Act reveal there is nothing reveal there is nothing unconstitutional about unconstitutional about the searchesthe searches

Gay Marriage / Affirmative ActionGay Marriage / Affirmative Action

Kerry’s ViewKerry’s View

Judicial NominationsJudicial Nominations

Preserve Affirmative ActionPreserve Affirmative Action

Employment DiscriminationEmployment Discrimination

Gay Marriage StanceGay Marriage Stance

Kerry Voting HistoryKerry Voting History

Yes on an amendment that would expand hate Yes on an amendment that would expand hate crimes to include gender, sexual orientation and crimes to include gender, sexual orientation and disability.disability.

No on a bill to prohibit marriage between No on a bill to prohibit marriage between members of the same sex in federal law, and members of the same sex in federal law, and provide that no state is required to recognize provide that no state is required to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. same-sex marriages performed in other states.

Yes on a bill prohibiting job discrimination on the Yes on a bill prohibiting job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. basis of sexual orientation. No on an amendment to stop funds in the No on an amendment to stop funds in the Legislative Appropriations bill from being used to Legislative Appropriations bill from being used to award any Federal contract, or to require or award any Federal contract, or to require or encourage the award of any subcontract, if the encourage the award of any subcontract, if the contract is being awarded on the basis of the contract is being awarded on the basis of the race, color, national origin, or gender of the race, color, national origin, or gender of the contractor or subcontractor.contractor or subcontractor.http://www.vote-smart.org/voting_category.php?http://www.vote-smart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=S0421103can_id=S0421103

Kerry Voting HistoryKerry Voting History

Democratic ViewsDemocratic Views

John EdwardsJohn Edwards– uphold Affirmative uphold Affirmative

ActionAction– eliminating legacy eliminating legacy

admissionsadmissions– against the Bush against the Bush

amendmentamendment

Dennis KucinichDennis Kucinich– For gay marriageFor gay marriage– Maintain Affirmative Maintain Affirmative

ActionAction

Wesley ClarkWesley Clark– in favor of Affirmative in favor of Affirmative

ActionAction– a witness to prejudice a witness to prejudice

during Arkansas during Arkansas childhoodchildhood

Republican ViewsRepublican Views

Bush’s gay marriage amendmentBush’s gay marriage amendment

Bush on Affirmative ActionBush on Affirmative Action– UM caseUM case– UnconstitutionalUnconstitutional

Economy and JobsEconomy and Jobs

Kerry’s PlatformKerry’s Platform

Revive American ManufacturingRevive American Manufacturing

Middle Class Tax ReliefMiddle Class Tax Relief

Pay GapPay Gap

College CostCollege Cost

Protect American WorkerProtect American Worker

OutsourcingOutsourcing

Kerry Voting HistoryKerry Voting History

350 Votes350 Votes

Truth?Truth?

http://www.factcheck.org/article.aspx?docIhttp://www.factcheck.org/article.aspx?docID=159D=159

Democratic ViewsDemocratic Views

John EdwardsJohn Edwards– Creating American Creating American

JobsJobs– Tax PlanTax Plan

Dennis KucinichDennis Kucinich– JobsJobs– TradeTrade– TaxesTaxes

Wesley ClarkWesley Clark– Job improvementsJob improvements– Tax Plan CalculatorTax Plan Calculator

http://clark04.com/taxcalhttp://clark04.com/taxcalculator/culator/

Republican ViewsRepublican Views

Bush Tax PlanBush Tax Plan

Economic Flip FlopsEconomic Flip Flops– Tax IncreaseTax Increase– http://www.gop.com/kerryvskerry/backup.asp#http://www.gop.com/kerryvskerry/backup.asp#

1414– Economic disasterEconomic disaster

Kerry on EducationKerry on Education

Kerry’s Voting HistoryKerry’s Voting History

Voted for the No Child Left Voted for the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001, Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001, but criticized Bush’s but criticized Bush’s implementation and changesimplementation and changes

Voted for smaller classes Voted for smaller classes instead of private tutors instead of private tutors (2001)(2001)

Voted to reduce the $1.6 Voted to reduce the $1.6 trillion tax cut by $448 billion trillion tax cut by $448 billion and spend $250 billion on and spend $250 billion on education spendingeducation spending

Voted NO on tax-free savings Voted NO on tax-free savings accounts for up to $2000 per accounts for up to $2000 per child annuallychild annually

Voted NO to allowing more Voted NO to allowing more flexibility in federal school flexibility in federal school rules (opposes charter rules (opposes charter schools and vouchers)schools and vouchers)

Voted NO on vouchers in DCVoted NO on vouchers in DC

Voted NO on requiring Voted NO on requiring schools to allow voluntary schools to allow voluntary prayerprayer

Voted for national education Voted for national education standards (1994)standards (1994)

Sponsored the Three R’s: Sponsored the Three R’s: $35 billion for Reinvestment, $35 billion for Reinvestment, Reinvention, ResponsibilityReinvention, Responsibility

Kerry’s ViewKerry’s View

Wants to strengthen public schoolsWants to strengthen public schools

Has a three-point plan to keep every kid safe, healthy, Has a three-point plan to keep every kid safe, healthy, and ready to learnand ready to learn

Mandatory funding for schoolsMandatory funding for schools

Fix one-size-fits-all testing in NCLB lawFix one-size-fits-all testing in NCLB law

Early education for allEarly education for all

Reduce class sizesReduce class sizes

Modernize and rebuild crumbling schoolsModernize and rebuild crumbling schools

Oppose vouchers – promote public school choiceOppose vouchers – promote public school choice

Expand college opportunities for women (Title IX)Expand college opportunities for women (Title IX)

Comparative Views on EducationComparative Views on Education

John EdwardsJohn Edwards– College tuition in exchange for part-time workCollege tuition in exchange for part-time work– New deal for teachers: more pay and scholarshipsNew deal for teachers: more pay and scholarships

Dennis KucinichDennis Kucinich– Universal pre-kindergarten programsUniversal pre-kindergarten programs– Teacher development grants to improve math & Teacher development grants to improve math &

science classes.science classes.

Wesley ClarkWesley Clark– Supports full-day kindergartenSupports full-day kindergarten– Supports more High School vocational programsSupports more High School vocational programs

What Republicans dislike about What Republicans dislike about Kerry’s stance on EducationKerry’s stance on Education

Kerry opposes the Republican’s Educational Kerry opposes the Republican’s Educational Savings Accounts program ($2000 annually Savings Accounts program ($2000 annually tax-free for education)tax-free for education)

Kerry voted against a Republican tax cut, Kerry voted against a Republican tax cut, where $448 Billion would go to improving where $448 Billion would go to improving education in Americaeducation in America

100 Days to Change America100 Days to Change America

Kerry’s plan for his first 100 days in Kerry’s plan for his first 100 days in officeoffice– 10 items Kerry plans to handle in the 10 items Kerry plans to handle in the

first 100 days in officefirst 100 days in office

– These are the details on the “Real Deal” which Kerry plans to keep with Americans in the first 100 days of his presidency.

100 Days to Change America100 Days to Change America

1.1. A new National Education Trust FundA new National Education Trust Fund

2.2. A new era of National ServiceA new era of National Service

3.3. End the ‘Era of Ashcroft’End the ‘Era of Ashcroft’

4.4. Repeal Bush Assault on the Environment Repeal Bush Assault on the Environment and Make the US Energy Independentand Make the US Energy Independent

5.5. Rejoin the Community of NationsRejoin the Community of Nations

100 Days to Change America100 Days to Change America

6.6. First Major Legislative Plan: Affordable First Major Legislative Plan: Affordable Health CareHealth Care

7.7. Reward Companies that Create Jobs not Reward Companies that Create Jobs not Phony Corporate ProfitPhony Corporate Profit

8.8. Create a Middle Class Economy and End Create a Middle Class Economy and End the Privileged Class Economythe Privileged Class Economy

9.9. Cut the Deficit in Half in Four YearsCut the Deficit in Half in Four Years

10.10. End Influence Peddling and Secret DealsEnd Influence Peddling and Secret Deals

Presentation ReviewPresentation Review

The Kerry Issues:The Kerry Issues:– Consider three aspects of each issueConsider three aspects of each issue

Kerry’s voting historyKerry’s voting historyDemocratic comparisonDemocratic comparisonRepublican’s views on Kerry’s stanceRepublican’s views on Kerry’s stance

– Look at five issuesLook at five issuesForeign Policy and IraqForeign Policy and IraqThe Patriot ActThe Patriot ActCivil Rights and Gay MarriageCivil Rights and Gay MarriageThe Economy and JobsThe Economy and JobsEducationEducation

100 Days to Change America100 Days to Change America

Questions?Questions?

ReferencesReferences

www.johnkerry.comwww.johnkerry.com – John Kerry for – John Kerry for PresidentPresident

www.issues2000.orgwww.issues2000.org – On the Issues – On the Issues

www.gop.comwww.gop.com – The Republican – The Republican National Committee (RNC)National Committee (RNC)

www.democrats.orgwww.democrats.org – The – The Democratic Party (DNC)Democratic Party (DNC)