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Obama supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 100 percent in 2006. Obama supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 0 percent in 2005-2006. Obama supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2005.
Budget & Economy
"Senator Obama voted against the most recent effort to raise the national debt limit. The current national debt has exceeded $8.6 trillion dollars, and nearly $4 trillion of that debt is now held by foreign governments. Our national debt and annual budget deficits effectively tax all Americans by adding to the amount of interest paid to service U.S. borrowing." Obama supported the interests of the National Taxpayers Union 6 percent in 2005.
Civil Rights
Being gay or lesbian is not a choice. (Nov 2007)
The politics of fear undermines basic civil liberties. (Oct 2007)
Ok to expose 6-year-olds to gay couples; they know already. (Sep 2007)
Better enforce women's pay equity via Equal Pay Act. (Aug 2007)
Strengthen the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Aug 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)
Racial equality good for America as a whole. (Jun 2007)
Put the Confederate flag in a museum, not the state house. (Apr 2007)
Crime
Lack of enforcement sets tone for more hate crimes. (Dec 2007)
Need justice that is not just us, but is everybody. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program. (Mar 2007)
Defense
As a state senator, he spoke out against Iraq war, before the war started. Has long favored a phased withdrawal.
Drugs
2001: questions harsh penalties for drug dealing. (Oct 2007)
Do not lower drinking age from 21 to 18. (Sep 2007)
Smokes cigarettes now; smoked some pot in high school. (Feb 2007)
Admitted marijuana use in high school & college. (Jan 2007)
Education
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)
Energy & Oil
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)
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)
Environment
Obama supported the interests of the American Wilderness Coalition 100 percent in 2005. Obama supported the interests of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund 88 percent in 2005. Obama supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 95 percent in 2005.
Gay Marriage
Opposes gay marriage; supports civil union & gay equality.
Gun Control
Obama supported the interests of the Gun Owners of America 0 percent in 2005. Based on lifetime voting records on gun issues and the results of a questionnaire sent to all state legislative candidates in 2004, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund assigned Senator Obama a grade of F (with grades ranging from a high of A+ to a low of F).
Healthcare
"Too many hard-working Americans cannot afford their medical bills, and health-related issues are the number one cause for personal bankruptcy. Promoting affordable, accessible, and high-quality health care is a priority for Senator Obama." -Campaign site
Homeland Security
Restore habeas corpus to reach Muslims abroad. (Dec 2007)
Give 18-year-old women opportunity to serve. (Dec 2007)
Human rights and national security are complementary. (Nov 2007)
America cannot sanction torture; no loopholes or exceptions. (Sep 2007)
Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell. (Aug 2007)
Support veterans via the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act. (Aug 2007)
We are no safer now than we were after 9/11. (Aug 2007)
Register women for draft, but not for combat. (Jul 2007)
Close Guantanamo and restore the right of habeas corpus. (Jun 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)
Get first responders the healthcare and equipment they need. (Mar 2007)
Comprehensive plan for our veterans healthcare. (Mar 2007)
Immigration
Obama supported the interests of the American Immigration Lawyers Association 88 percent in 2006. Obama supported the interests of the U.S. Border Control 8 percent in 2005-2006. Obama supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 0 percent in 2005.
Supports amnesty/permanent legalization for illegal aliens and temporary legalization for illegal aiens as guestworkers.
Intelligence
No Information Yet
Judges
No Information Yet
Social Security
Senator Obama supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 100 percent in 2005.
Taxes
Restore progressive tax; close loopholes; relief to seniors. (Oct 2007)
Reduce Bush tax cuts to pay for health care & other programs. (Jun 2007)
Estate tax only affects the wealthiest 1/2 of 1%. (Oct 2006)
Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
War
Q: Is Petraeus correct when he says that the troop increase is bringing security to Iraq?
A: There is no doubt that because we put American troops in Iraq, more American troops in Iraq, that they are doing a magnificent job. They are making a difference in certain neighborhoods. But the overall strategy is failed because we have not seen any change in behavior among Iraq's political leaders. That is the essence of what we should be trying to do in Iraq. That's why I'm going to bring this war to a close. That's why we can get our combat troops out within 16 months and have to initiate the kind of regional diplomacy, not just talking to our friends, but talking to our enemies, like Iran and Syria, to try to stabilize the situation there. This year, we saw the highest casualty rates for American troops in Iraq since this war started. The same is true in Afghanistan. If we have seen a lowering violence rate, that's only compared to earlier this year. We're back to where we started back in 2006.
Leave troops for protection of Americans & counterterrorism
Hopes to remove all troops from Iraq by 2013, but no pledge.
Surge has not succeeded because it ignores political issues.
Tell people the truth: quickest is 1-2 brigades per month.
No good options in Iraq--just bad options & worse options.
Be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in.
Welfare
Stop Fraud Act: full disclosure in subprime lending. (Sep 2007)
Engages people of faith on all aspects of his public service. (Aug 2007)
Community organizer on Chicago's South Side. (Feb 2007)
Black churches minister to social needs out of necessity. (Oct 2006)
Candidate Platforms - Barack Obama Platform
