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John Edwards, Democrat, (North Carolina) - Campaign Website

 Senator Edwards John Edwards, born June 10, 1953, in South Carolina.
 
On Abortion -
  • Gov't should not decide for women on partial-birth abortion. (Apr 2007)
  • Ad: compassion, truth, and hope over fear-mongering. (Jul 2004)
  • Right to abortion is constitutionally protected. (Jan 2004)
  • Voted NO on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
  • Voted NO on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
  • Voted NO on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
  • Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record. (Dec 2003)
  • Expand embryonic stem cell research. (Jun 2004)

    • * Edwards supports legal access to abortion. Kate Michelman, a nationally prominent abortion rights activist and former leader of NARAL, has joined the campaign as a senior adviser, charged with outreach to women.

On Budget & Economy -
  • Need home rescue fund for those worried about losing homes. (Aug 2007)
  • Asset gap: Poorest 25% of Americans have negative net worth. (Apr 2007)
  • Federal budget is a moral document to end American poverty. (Jun 2005)
  • More funds for education, health care, and defense. (Mar 2004)
  • Roll back the Bush tax cuts and address real priorities. (Jun 2003)
  • Voted NO on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000)
On Civil Rights -
  • Same-Sex Couples – Same-Sex marriage should not be allowed, but same-sex couples should be able to enter into civil unions with the same rights as marriage. (Dec 2007)
  • Get rid of DOMA; get rid of don't-ask-don't-tell. (Aug 2007)
  • Support transgendered people publicly while transitioning. (Aug 2007)
  • Mistake to say my faith makes me oppose same-sex marriage. (Aug 2007)
  • On journey about same-sex marriage, but does not support it. (Aug 2007)
  • No reparations for slavery; but plenty more we can do. (Jul 2007)
  • Better advocate for women than Hillary Clinton. (Jul 2007)
  • Opposes gay marriage due to his religion; but conflicted. (Jul 2007)
  • Racial inequality is at heart & soul of my campaign. (Jun 2007)
  • Support all partnership benefits for same-sex couples. (Jun 2007)
  • Equal opportunity needs to be active principle, not passive. (Apr 2007)
  • Let gays serve in the military. (Feb 2007)
  • No gay marriage, but no discrimination & civil unions. (Feb 2007)
  • Allow gay couples to visit each other in the hospital. (Oct 2004)
  • Raising the minimum wage is a working women's issue. (Aug 2004)
  • Embrace equal opportunities for all, like I had. (Jul 2004)
  • Talk about race everywhere and to every American. (Jul 2004)
  • Enormous strides for gays and lesbians without gay marriage. (Jan 2004)
  • Flag burning is despicable, but not a constitutional issue. (Jan 2004)
  • Let each state decide about civil unions and gay marriage. (Jan 2004)
  • Fund the Help America Vote Act. (Jan 2004)
  • Remove Confederate flag from South Carolina state house. (Nov 2003)
  • Most southerners don't drive around with Confederate flags. (Nov 2003)
  • PATRIOT Act removes liberties that it's supposed to protect. (Sep 2003)
  • Governments don't belong in bedrooms, including gay bedrooms. (May 2003)
  • PATRIOT Act ok, if watchdogs protect civil liberties. (May 2003)
  • Affirmative Action needed 40 years ago & still needed today. (May 2003)

    • Voting Record

    • Opposes DOMA because states already can ignore gay marriages. (Feb 2004)
    • 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)
    • Rated 60% by the ACLU, indicating a mixed civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
    • Increase subsidies for women-owned non-profit business. (Mar 2004)

    LGBT issues*

    During his 2004 Vice Presidential run, Edwards stated he was opposed to same-sex marriage. In late December 2006, in an interview with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News, Edwards said, "Do I believe they should have the right to marry? I'm just not there yet..." Edwards opposes a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, preferring to leave that decision up to individual states. He does support civil unions and partnership benefits.

On Corporations -
  • Eliminate all tax breaks for outsourcing jobs. (Jun 2007)
  • Hedge fund investors help figure out and reduce poverty. (Apr 2007)
  • Record corporate profits don't benefit tenuous middle class. (Apr 2007)
  • Support organized labor against mistreatment by corporations. (Feb 2007)
  • FactCheck: Halliburton fined for actions while Cheney CEO. (Oct 2004)
  • We can stop the job losses, by closing loopholes. (Jan 2004)
  • Product liability suits attack corporate indifference. (Jan 2004)
  • Howard verdict forced trucking companies' safety training. (Dec 2003)
  • Tax incentives to companies to keep jobs in America. (Sep 2003)
  • Crack down on CEO pay; and require honest accounting. (Aug 2003)
  • Address moral crisis: Shareholder & Worker Bill of Rights. (Jun 2003)
  • Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001)
  • Rated 15% by the US COC, indicating an anti-business voting record. (Dec 2003)
On Crime -
  • Our justice system is not color-blind. (Jun 2007)
  • We shouldn't take away the right of severely injured victims. (Oct 2004)
  • Put more responsibility on the lawyers, not the victims. (Oct 2004)
  • Eliminate mandatory minimums for non-violent crimes. (Mar 2004)
  • Death penalty OK despite flaws, on state-by-state decision. (Feb 2004)
  • Capital punishment needed-some crimes deserve ultimate. (Feb 2004)
  • Death penalty for heinous crimes, but applied fairly. (Jan 2004)
  • Supports the death penalty. (Jan 2004)
  • More DNA testing to reduce wrongful capital convictions. (Jan 2004)
  • Voted YES on $1.15 billion per year to continue the COPS program. (May 1999)
  • Rated 63% by CURE, indicating mixed votes on rehabilitation. (Dec 2000)
  • More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes. (Apr 2001)
  • Require DNA testing for all federal executions. (Mar 2001)

    • * When asked how to prevent inner city kids from participating in violence, Edwards said, "The idea that we just gonna keep incarcerating, keep incarcerating, pretty soon we're not going to have a young African-American male population in America. They're all going to be in prison, or dead. One of the two." He said the government should spend more money on health care and education in order to prevent young people from leading a life of crime.

On Drugs -
  • Help convicts with drug counseling & job counseling. (Jun 2007)
  • Supports drug courts and alternatives to incarceration. (Mar 2004)
  • Disparity in penalty for crack vs. powder is not justified. (Jan 2004)
  • Admits having smoked marijuana. (Nov 2003)
  • Voted NO on increasing penalties for drug offenses. (Nov 1999)
  • Rated B- by VOTE-HEMP, indicating a pro-hemp voting record. (Dec 2003)
On Education -
  • Make community colleges & public universities free. (Sep 2007)
  • Think of education as a birth-to-death experience in America. (Sep 2007)
  • Teach in public school that we embrace same-sex parents. (Aug 2007)
  • Sent all four kids to public schools. (Jul 2007)
  • College for Everyone: tuition paid, for 10 hrs/week work. (Jun 2007)
  • Invest in rural community colleges as practical job training. (Apr 2007)
  • College for Everyone pilot: $300,000 to 80 N.C. students. (Apr 2007)
  • Create "Second Chance" schools to get dropouts back on track. (Apr 2007)
  • FactCheck: NCLB might be under-funded, but it grew 58%. (Oct 2004)
  • No Child Left Behind is much underfunded. (Oct 2004)
  • Give public schools the resources that they need. (Jul 2004)
  • Higher teacher pay in low-income schools. (Mar 2004)
  • Two public school systems: one for rich, one for others. (Feb 2004)
  • When schools fail, bring in expertise and resources. (Feb 2004)
  • Private school vouchers drain resources from public schools. (Jan 2004)
  • Two school systems: one for the have's, one for have-not's. (Sep 2003)
  • Pay for college tuition in exchange for part-time work. (Aug 2003)
  • New Deal for Teachers: more pay & scholarships. (Aug 2003)
  • Free first year of college for all willing to work for it. (Jun 2003)
  • Voted YES on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
  • Voted YES on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
  • Voted YES on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
  • Voted NO on Educational Savings Accounts. (Mar 2000)
  • Voted YES on declaring that memorial prayers and religious symbols at sch. (May 1999)
  • Voted NO on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999)
  • Rated 83% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes. (Dec 2003)
On Energy & Oil -
  • Give up SUVs & other sacrifices, to deal with climate crisis. (Sep 2007)
  • No new nuclear power plants; no liquified coal either. (Jul 2007)
  • 80% greenhouse emissions reductions by the year 2050. (Jun 2007)
  • Bold transformation to stop importing 12M bbl of oil per day. (Apr 2007)
  • Cap carbon emissions & invest in carbon sequestration. (Apr 2007)
  • Store nuclear waste near nuclear plants, not in Yucca Mt. (Feb 2007)
  • Supports real increases in CAFE standards. (Jan 2004)
  • Convert agricultural waste into energy products. (Aug 2003)
  • Voted YES on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 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 NO on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling. (Apr 2000)
  • Voted YES on ending discussion of CAFE fuel efficiency standards. (Sep 1999)
  • Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)
  • Keep climate change in EPA "State of the Environment" report. (Jun 2003)
  • Keep efficient air conditioner rule to conserve energy. (Mar 2004)
On Environment -
  • Global Warming - Believes we should create a cap-and-trade system that limits carbon emissions companies are allowed to produce. Companies that emit below the limits earn credits to be sold to companies that don't meet the limits. (Dec 2007)
  • Pay New Orleans residents to rebuild from Katrina. (Jun 2007)
  • Victims in New Orlean's Ninth Ward were "shaming of America". (Jun 2007)
  • Investigate & enforce clean air laws against the refineries. (Jun 2007)
  • Katrina gave a face to millions in poverty. (Apr 2007)
  • Protect ANWR, lead in global warming battle. (Mar 2004)
  • Voted NO on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
  • Voted NO on more funding for forest roads and fish habitat. (Sep 1999)
  • Rated 37% by the LCV, indicating a mixed record on environment. (Dec 2003)
  • EPA must do better on mercury clean-up. (Apr 2004)

    • * One of Edwards' campaign's main focuses is fighting global warming. He plans to make his presidential campaign carbon neutral by limiting energy consumption and buying carbon offsets for the energy they do end up using. He will be working with NativeEnergy to provide the carbon offsets.
    Edwards has endorsed the widespread goal of 80% reductions of greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by the year 2050. He has advocated capping emissions, reducing the cap every year, and auctioning off the right to emit a certain quantity of greenhouse gases. He would then use this money, an estimated $10 billion, to fund research for alternative energy sources in an effort to end the United States reliance on foreign crude oil.

On Families & Children -
  • Talked to his kids about sex abuse & inappropriate touching. (Jul 2007)
  • Our nation was built on institution of strong families. (Apr 2007)
  • Invest in proven programs to reduce teen pregnancy. (Apr 2007)
  • End marriage penalty for absent poor fathers. (Apr 2007)
  • Relief for working parents via taxes & schools. (Aug 2003)
  • Voted NO on killing restrictions on violent videos to minors. (May 1999)
  • Rated 0% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record. (Dec 2003)
On Foreign Policy -
  • Our Latin America policy is either disengaged or bullying. (Sep 2007)
  • We need country-of-origin labeling for China trade safety. (Aug 2007)
  • Meet with enemy leaders after diplomacy first. (Jul 2007)
  • No-fly zone in Darfur; but also social spending in Africa. (Jun 2007)
  • Russia has moved from democracy to autocracy. (Apr 2007)
  • Lead international effort on economic development. (Apr 2007)
  • The Israelis do not have a partner for peace right now. (Oct 2004)
  • Strengthen the sanctions on Iran. (Oct 2004)
  • America should lead by extending a hand, not a fist. (Aug 2004)
  • Reorient US aid to support open societies. (Mar 2004
    • )
  • UN-led peacekeeping, but US forces under US command. (Mar 2004)
  • Target Castro's regime but help people of Cuba. (Mar 2004)
  • More funds for AIDS prevention in Africa. (Mar 2004)
  • Haiti is in crisis because Bush stayed disengaged. (Feb 2004)
  • Bring UN, allies and friends to Iraq. (Nov 2003)
  • Need multilateral solutions for world's problems. (Sep 2003)
  • Voted YES on enlarging NATO to include Eastern Europe. (May 2002)
  • Voted YES on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons. (Sep 2000)
  • Voted NO on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion. (Oct 1999)

    • War on Terror *

    Edwards has criticized the handling of the War on Terror by the Bush Administration. Edwards feels that the War on Terror was misnamed, "It is now clear that George Bush's misnamed 'War on Terror' has backfired — and is now part of the problem." He went on later to call the War on Terror a "bumper sticker," "The War on Terror is a slogan designed only for politics, not a strategy to make America safe. It's a bumper sticker, not a plan."

    Iraq *

    Edwards has said that the decision to go to war in Iraq was a mistake and has apologized for his 2002 vote. He favors gradual troop withdrawal and concurrent training of Iraqi troops, as well as removing American contractors, instead awarding such reconstruction contracts to Iraqi businesses to promote the Iraqi economy and reduce unemployment in Iraq.
    Edwards was a vocal critic of the Iraq War troop surge of 2007, calling the surge the "McCain Doctrine" in reference to Sen. John McCain's support for the strategy.
    On January 14, 2007 Edwards spoke at New York City's Riverside Church. In the speech Edwards criticized silence on the "escalation of the war in Iraq."
    Edwards has stated that he cannot guarantee to pull all U.S. combat troops from Iraq by the end of the next presidential term in 2013, but added he would "immediately drawn down 40,000 to 50,000 troops." In October of 2007, Edwards called for limits on the role of private military contractors in Iraq and elsewhere.

On Free Trade -
  • Trade agreements now focus on profits for big multinationals. (Aug 2007)
  • NAFTA is perfect example of bigger need for change. (Aug 2007)
  • FactCheck: NAFTA did not cost US a million jobs. (Aug 2007)
  • We need smart trade, not fair trade vs. free trade. (Feb 2007)
  • Globalization means more education needed for success. (Feb 2007)
  • Renegotiate NAFTA rather than cancel it. (Feb 2004)
  • Require labor and environmental standards plus right-to-know. (Jan 2004)
  • Against NAFTA, against Chile trade, against Singapore trade. (Jan 2004)
  • Level the playing field for American workers. (Nov 2003)
  • I supported steel tariffs, but now ease off. (Sep 2003)
  • National venture capital fund for those hurt by trade. (Sep 2003)
  • Against Fast Track--not enough for US workers. (Jul 2003)
  • Voted NO on establishing free trade between US & Singapore. (Jul 2003)
  • Voted NO on establishing free trade between the US and Chile. (Jul 2003)
  • Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
  • Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
  • Voted YES on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
  • Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000)
  • Voted NO on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000)
  • Rated 17% by CATO, indicating a pro-fair trade voting record. (Dec 2002)
On Government Reform -
  • Let's all pledge not another dime from Washington lobbyists. (Aug 2007)
  • Money from trial lawyers OK because they don't push policy. (Aug 2007)
  • Public campaign finance would reduce length of campaigns. (Aug 2007)
  • Democrats should say no to all insider lobbyist money. (Aug 2007)
  • Big change means take power from Big Oil & Big Drugs. (Jul 2007)
  • Supports public financing of elections. (Mar 2004)
  • Day 1: Order limits on lobbyists & special interests. (Jan 2004)
  • Ban lobbyist campaign donations and disclose activities. (Jan 2004)
  • Judge's philosophy matters-juries rely on trust. (Dec 2003)
  • Hold attorneys accountable for frivolous lawsuits. (Nov 2003)
  • Put forward an agenda that stands up for all Americans. (Jun 2003)
  • $50B aid to states to avoid municipal layoffs. (May 2003)
  • Voted YES on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002)
  • Voted NO on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration. (Feb 2002)
  • Voted YES on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations. (Apr 2001)
  • Voted YES on funding for National Endowment for the Arts. (Aug 1999)
On Gun Control -
  • In rural America, hunting and gun ownership is a way of life. (Sep 2007)
  • Right to bear arms protected by Second Amendment, with rules. (Mar 2004)
  • Hunting is fine, but criminals & kids should have limits. (Jan 2004)
  • Leading Dems distance themselves from divisive gun debate. (Oct 2003)
  • Guns are about independence-don't mess with that. (Oct 2003)
  • Voted YES on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
  • Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
  • Voted NO on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
On Health Care -
  • On Reducing Health Care – Cap insurance premiums and reduce administrative overhead costs. (Dec 2007)
  • Comprehensive coverage costs $90B to $120B a year. (Sep 2007)
  • FactCheck: Plan costs $106B-$146B per year, not $90B-$120B. (Sep 2007)
  • Exactly the same healthcare rights for same-sex couples. (Aug 2007)
  • Fully fund finding a cure for AIDS. (Jun 2007)
  • FactCheck: Medicaid already covers treatment for HIV/AIDS. (Jun 2007)
  • Mental health parity: treat it just like physical health. (Jun 2007)
  • End Bush's tax cuts to pay for health care. (Jun 2007)
  • Obama's health plan will leave about 15 million uncovered. (Jun 2007)
  • Medicare: invest in preventive care & better chronic care. (Feb 2007)
  • America's seniors & children victimized by healthcare cuts. (Jun 2005)
  • Double the funding to fight the global AIDS epidemic. (Oct 2004)
  • Support allowing prescription drugs into the US from Canada. (Oct 2004)
  • Cover every child and vulnerable adults. (Mar 2004)
  • Health care should be viewed in larger context of poverty. (Feb 2004)
  • Cap on damages for personal injuries is discriminatory. (Jan 2004)
  • Med-mal cases are about accountability for mistakes. (Dec 2003)
  • Campbell verdict empowered nurses & informed consent. (Dec 2003)
  • Bush works for big HMOs and big pharma; I stand up for you. (May 2003)
  • Health care crisis requires fighting big corporations. (May 2003)
  • More help to those who fall through the cracks of the system. (Aug 2004)

    Universal Coverage

    • $90B-$120B per year for healthcare, by ending Bush tax cut. (Sep 2007)
    • If not universal coverage, which people wouldn't be covered? (Sep 2007)
    • Let people choose between private plan and single-payer. (Sep 2007)
    • Take on insurance & drug companies, who have blocked reform. (Sep 2007)
    • For universal coverage, must mandate everyone be covered. (Jul 2007)
    • Require employer coverage for every single American. (Apr 2007)
    • Dysfunctional health care system needs bold, dramatic change. (Mar 2007)
    • Universal coverage makes US business more competitve abroad. (Mar 2007)
    • Not possible to get universal coverage without raising taxes. (Mar 2007)
    • Job-based insurance can be accomplished, not single-payer. (Mar 2007)
    • Silence is betrayal about universal healthcare-we can't wait. (Feb 2007)
    • Expand Medicaid & create health markets to cover uninsured. (Feb 2007)
    • Increase taxes to pay for universal insurance. (Feb 2007)
    • We need universal health insurance. (Feb 2007)
    • It is morally wrong to leave so many Americans uninsured. (Aug 2004)
    • Start providing health insurance for every child in America. (Aug 2004)
    • Provide a bonus for states to get children insured. (Aug 2004)
    • Cover 3m Hispanic kids & have National Translation Center. (Sep 2003)

    Voting Record

    • Require health insurance for every child. (Aug 2003)
    • Voted NO on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Jun 2003
    • Voted YES on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
    • Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
    • Voted NO on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
    • Voted YES on including prescription drugs under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
    • Voted NO on limiting self-employment health deduction. (Jul 1999)
    • Let states make bulk Rx purchases, and other innovations. (May 2003)
    • Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003)
    • End government propaganda on Medicare bill. (Mar 2004)

    * On February 5, 2007, Edwards unveiled his plan for universal health care. The plan has two components: revenue sources and cost containment.

    Cost Containment *

    There are six ways in which Edwards proposes to reduce costs in the health care system.

    • 1. Help doctors deliver the best care.
      • a. Promote evidence-based medicine:

        • - Establish a public organization to disseminate information.
        - Support new technologies to disseminate information
      • b. Reward providers that give the best care with the best results (similar to rewarding good drivers) by providing higher reimbursements to them.
      • c. Prevent medical errors
    • 2. Invest in preventative care.
      • a. Reduce cost of preventative care to little or nothing for patients.
      • b. Improve treatment of chronic diseases (i.e. pay for diet and nutrition counseling)
    • 3. Allow patients to review a hospital's or doctor's performance.
    • 4. Work for environmental and health justice by reducing pollution, especially in low-income/minority neighborhoods and support translation services.
    • 5. Improve Productivity with Information Technology
      • .
      • a. Mandate electronic medical records.
      • b. Support local infrastructure to make health care delivery more efficient.
    • 6. Protect patients against dangerous medicines.
      • a. restrict direct-to-consumer advertising for new drugs.
      • b. strengthen the FDA's ability to monitor new drugs after they reach the market.
      • c. Ensure that researchers evaluating medical devices and drugs are truly independent.

      Revenue sources *

      The total public cost of the plan would be $90–$120 billion per year, paid for by eliminating the 2001 tax cuts for individuals earning more than $200,000 per year. Employers would be required to either cover their employees or to pay a payroll tax that will be used to partially fund regional health insurance pools (called "Health Markets") that are overseen by the federal government. Individuals who are not covered by their employers or by an expanded Medicaid program (covering individuals and families with incomes up to 250% of the poverty level) or Medicare will be required to purchase insurance from these Health Markets. Insurance companies must compete to win the right to be one of the providers in these Health Markets and must provide full comprehensive care (including mental health parity). In addition, one of the insurance plans will be directly provided by the federal government (similar to, but separate from Medicare). If a majority of individuals choose to purchase their insurance from the government plan, Edwards has stated that this could eventually lead to a single-payer health care system. In addition, there will also be a broad subsidy for those individuals who have to purchase insurance on their own. The subsidy is given on a sliding scale to individuals and families making up to roughly $100,000 per year (this is a significantly larger subsidy than is provided in the Massachussetts health care plan, another mandated insurance program). "The bottom line is we're asking everybody to share in the responsibility of making health care work in this country. Employers, those who are in the medical insurance business, employees, the American people - everyone will have to contribute in order to make this work".

      Summary *

      On February 5, 2007, Edwards unveiled his plan for universal health care. The plan subsidizes health insurance purchases for poorer Americans, and requires employers to offer health insurance through the Medicare system as one option for their workers. Since Medicare has lower administrative costs — under 4%, versus 20% or more for many HMOs — Edwards believes that individuals will be able to save on health care by using the public option. While it is not a single-payer plan, the plan states that "over time, the system may evolve toward a single-payer approach if individuals and businesses prefer the public plan." and make Medicare the defacto national health program. Edwards said "The bottom line is we're asking everybody to share in the responsibility of making health care work in this country. Employers, those who are in the medical insurance business, employees, the American people — everyone will have to contribute in order to make this work." More specifically:

      • Employers: Employers would be required to either cover their employees or to pay a payroll tax that will be used to partially fund regional health insurance pools (called "Health Markets") that are overseen by the federal government.
      • Medical Insurance Businesses: Insurance companies must compete to win the right to be one of the providers in these Health Markets and must provide full comprehensive care (including mental health parity). In addition, one of the insurance plans will be directly provided by the federal government (similar to, but separate from Medicare).
      • Employees: Individuals who are not covered by their employers or by an expanded Medicaid program (covering individuals and families with incomes up to 250% of the poverty level) or Medicare will be required to purchase insurance from these Health Markets.
      • American People: The cost of the plan would be paid for by eliminating previous passed tax cuts for people earning more than US$200,000 per year.
 
On Homeland Security -
  • No hypothetical nuke talk in Pakistan; eliminate all nukes. (Aug 2007)
  • Don't-ask-don't-tell is discriminatory & bad for military. (Aug 2007)
  • Close Guantanamo; end torture; comply with Geneva. (Jun 2007)
  • President is not above law; no spying on Americans. (Jun 2007)
  • Require deployed troops to be fully trained and equipped. (Apr 2007)
  • End $250 registration fee for veterans getting healthcare. (Mar 2007)
  • Concerned about Iran, but alternatives over military strike. (Feb 2007)
  • Iraq/Afghan soldiers shouldn't beg or pay for benefits. (Jun 2005)
  • Cannot sacrifice rights & freedoms that define America. (Nov 2004)
  • Attention to bin Laden was diverted because of Iraq. (Oct 2004)
  • No connection between the attacks of 9/11 and Saddam Hussein. (Oct 2004)
  • Important things haven't been done to make America safe. (Oct 2004)
  • Bush opposed a 9/11 commission and a Homeland Security Dept. (Oct 2004)
  • We weren't attacked by Saddam Hussein. (Oct 2004)
  • Cast a global net for terrorists. (Aug 2004)
  • Improve intelligence capabilities to counter terrorism. (Aug 2004)
  • Cut off terrorists funds. (Aug 2004)
  • Prevent Afghanistan & others from becoming terrorist havens. (Aug 2004)
  • Individual Ready Reserve call-up is used as a backdoor draft. (Aug 2004)
  • Expand active duty and Army's forces to security peace. (Aug 2004)
  • Offer a military modernization plan for the troops. (Aug 2004)
  • Ensure Americans in uniform receive benefits they deserve. (Aug 2004)
  • Make better use of the National Guard. (Aug 2004)
  • Keep our promises to American veterans. (Aug 2004)
  • We must and we will treat our veterans better. (Jul 2004)
  • Secure Russian loose nukes from getting to rogue nations. (Jul 2004)
  • Protect our country without sacrificing rights and freedoms. (Mar 2004)
  • Americans are safer at home when we are respected abroad. (Aug 2003)

    • Voting Record

    • Supports a new homeland intelligence agency, with safeguards. (Aug 2003)
    • Voted YES on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. (Oct 1999)
    • Voted NO on allowing another round of military base closures. (May 1999)
    • Voted NO 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)
    • Federalize aviation security. (Nov 2001)
    • Rated 40% by SANE, indicating a mixed record on military issues. (Dec 2003)
    • Hiding sources made post-9-11 analysis impossible. (Jul 2004)
    • CIA depends too heavily on defectors & not enough on HUMINT. (Jul 2004)
    • Administration did not pressure CIA on WMD conclusions. (Jul 2004)
On Immigration -
  • On dealing with illegal immigration - Believes the federal government should beef up overall border security. (Dec 2007)
  • More technology at the border, but address underlying causes. (Sep 2007)
  • Undocumented workers deserve same rights as American workers. (Sep 2007)
  • Enforce borders & employers, and allow earning citizenship. (Sep 2007)
  • Roadmap to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. (Jan 2004)
  • Differentiate terrorists from the immigrants. (Jan 2004)
  • Welcome immigrants with earned legalization program. (Jan 2004)
  • Hard working immigrants earn right to citizenship. (Sep 2003)

    • * Edwards supported the expansion of the H-1B visa program to increase the number of work visas for immigrant workers. Edwards generally supported expanding legal immigration to the United States while working with Mexico to provide better border security and stop illegal trafficking.

On Jobs -
  • Change law so people can't be fired legally for being gay. (Aug 2007)
  • Treat CEO pensions exactly as we treat every other worker. (Aug 2007)
  • Would accept minimum wage as president. (Jul 2007)
  • Strong unions can make services foundation of middle class. (Apr 2007)
  • Grow the union movement; unions made great jobs great. (Mar 2007)
  • Make joining unions easier; ban firing strikers. (Feb 2007)
  • Increase minimum wage at state level, since feds won't do it. (Nov 2006)
  • Labor unions are vital for the future of American workers. (Jun 2005)
  • FactCheck: 1.6 million jobs lost ignores federal employment. (Oct 2004)
  • Keep tax cuts for middle class and pay down the debt. (Oct 2004)
  • Get rid of tax cuts for companies sending jobs overseas. (Oct 2004)
  • Provide tax breaks for companies that keep jobs in America. (Jul 2004)
  • Greater protection for unionization. (Mar 2004)
  • Raise minimum wage to at least $6.65. (Jan 2004)
  • Help bring jobs to where they are most needed. (Nov 2003)
  • Stand by our farmers-but end millionaire farmer subsidies. (Sep 2003)
  • Ban hiring permanent replacement workers for strikers. (Sep 2003)
  • Fair trade deals & closing corporate loopholes creates jobs. (Aug 2003)
  • Invest in rural America. (Aug 2003)
  • Increase the minimum wage again. (Jul 2003)
  • Support unions; ban striker replacements. (Jul 2003)
  • Voted NO on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001)
  • Voted NO on killing an increase in the minimum wage. (Nov 1999)
  • Protect overtime pay protections. (Jun 2003)
  • Rated 100% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
On Principles & Values -
  • We can't negotiate change; must take from those in power. (Aug 2007)
  • Stand up to hate-mongering by Republicans. (Aug 2007)
  • Don't change one group of insiders for different insiders. (Aug 2007)
  • Doesn't want your vote if you won't vote for blacks or women. (Jul 2007)
  • Biggest professional mistake was voting for Iraq War. (Apr 2007)
  • We must fight multiple causes of poverty in US. (Feb 2007)
  • We need a new spirit of activism and leadership. (Dec 2006)
  • Campaign slogan: "Tomorrow begins today". (Dec 2006)
  • One America PAC about Raising the States. (Nov 2006)
  • Maintains PAC, One America Committee. (Jun 2006)
  • Judge values based upon deeds, not words. (Jul 2004)
  • Ensure tomorrow will always be better in our one America. (Jul 2004)
  • Lawyers help people, lawmakers help many people. (Dec 2003)
  • Every person should get opportunity they're entitled to. (Sep 2003)
  • Government should honor values that built America. (Aug 2003)
  • Fight for values of people and workers over privilege. (May 2003
  • Career spent fighting for the working people. (May 2003)

    • 2004 campaign

    • We shouldn't use the Constitution to divide the country. (Oct 2004)
    • Halliburton paid millions in fines for false financial data. (Oct 2004)
    • The Bush administration has flip-flopped on many issues. (Oct 2004)
    • Halliburton got a $7.5 billion no-bid contract in Iraq. (Oct 2004)
    • Would consider an Edwards-Kerry ticket. (Feb 2004)
    • Two Americas: one does the work, the other reaps the reward. (Dec 2003)
    • Make America an ownership society. (Dec 2003)
    • Democrats should address values of `guns, God, and gays'. (Dec 2003)
    • Son of a mill worker can beat son of a president. (Sep 2003)
    • Will not seek Senate re-election, to focus on presidency. (Sep 2003)
    • Never hesitate to question Bush about any issue. (Jun 2003)
    • Give this White House back to the American people. (May 2003)

    Personal Life

    • Prays daily; but prayer doesn't prevent bad things. (Aug 2007)
    • Decisive moment: father self-educating by watching public TV. (Aug 2007)
    • In it for the duration, despite wife's breast cancer. (Mar 2007)
    • Mill-town job persuaded him to get college education. (Dec 2003)
    • On birth of 1st son, thanked wife for what he always wanted. (Dec 2003)
    • Makes most speeches from notes, not a prepared text. (Dec 2003)
    • Climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with his teenage son. (Dec 2003)
    • Lost teenage son in a traffic accident. (Dec 2003)
    • Favorite song: John Cougar Mellencamp, "Small Town". (Sep 2003)
    • Religious affiliation: Methodist. (Nov 2000)
    • Member of Democratic Leadership Council. (Nov 2000)
    • New Democrat: "Third Way" instead of left-right debate. (Nov 2000)
    • Member of the Senate New Democrat Coalition. (Jan 2001)
On Social Security -
  • Social Security has lifted 13M seniors out of poverty. (Apr 2007)
  • Maybe raise the cap from $90,000, or eliminate the cap. (Feb 2007)
  • We have social contract to not raise retirement age. (Feb 2007)
  • Don't divert payroll taxes to private accounts. (Mar 2004)
  • Keep stock market out of Social Security. (Sep 2003)
  • Federal match for every dollar put into savings. (Sep 2003)
  • Voted NO on using the Social Security Surplus to fund tax reductions. (Jul 1999)
  • Voted NO on Social Security Lockbox & limiting national debt. (Apr 1999)
  • Rated 100% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)
On Tax Reform -
  • Improving the Income Tax – Wants to allow President Bush’s tax cuts to expire for the wealthy and provide more tax breaks or credits for the middle class. (Dec 2007)
  • Repeal Bush tax cuts to pay for universal health care. (Jun 2007)
  • Shift burden from taxing work to taxing wealth. (Apr 2007)
  • Progressive tax credit for first-time homebuyers. (Apr 2007)
  • EITC lifted 4.4M out of poverty and helped 22M others. (Apr 2007)
  • Bush has made millionaires pay a lower tax rate than others. (Oct 2004)
  • For more tax cuts for middle class, not multimillionaires. (Oct 2004)
  • Offer tax cuts that will help the middle class families. (Aug 2004)
  • New tax cuts to 95% of Americans. (Jan 2004)
  • AdWatch: claims millionaires pay more than cops-not really. (Dec 2003)
  • Repeal tax cuts for earners over $200,000. (Nov 2003)
  • Federal match for middle-class savings up to $1000 per year. (Nov 2003)
  • Shift tax burden from taxing work to taxing wealth. (Sep 2003)
  • Revise the capital gains tax rate. (Sep 2003)
  • Tax cuts to working people-stop Bush's War On Work. (Sep 2003)
  • Millionaires should not pay lower taxes than nurses. (Aug 2003)

    • Voting Record

    • More tax cuts and tax credits for 98% of Americans. (Jul 2004)
    • Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 2003)
    • Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
    • Voted YES on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
    • Voted NO on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
    • Voted NO on phasing out the estate tax ("death tax"). (Jul 2000)
    • Voted NO on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999)
    • Rated 22% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
On Technology -
  • One America, Many Voices: let America's many voices be heard. (Sep 2007)
  • Fairness Doctrine: define public interest obligations. (Sep 2007)
  • Achieve high-speed Internet access for all Americans. (Mar 2004)
  • Promote internet via Congressional Internet Caucus. (Jan 2001)

    • The Media*

    Edwards will continue to enforce net neutrality and keep the internet free and democratic. In addition, he has outlined a plan that will establish high-speed internet availability to all American homes and business by the year 2010.
    He is also a vocal critic of the Fox News Channel. He has accused the network of having a "right-wing agenda" and lacking objectivity in their reporting. He has boycotted debates hosted by the network, saying "there's just no reason for Democrats to give Fox a platform."

On War & Peace -
  • GOP candidates are Bush on steroids; Dems would all end war. (Aug 2007)
  • The War on Terror is just a bumper sticker slogan. (Jun 2007)
  • Drive wedge between Iranian people & radical leader. (Jun 2007)
  • We were attacked by Osama bin Laden, not Saddam Hussein. (Oct 2004)
  • Cheney keeps suggesting a connection between Iraq and 9/11. (Oct 2004)
  • America cannot be safe without help and respect of allies. (Jul 2004)
  • Implement 9/11 Report; focus on al Qaeda. (Jul 2004)
  • Work with allies to shut down North Korea's nuclear program. (Mar 2004)
  • Don't negotiate with Arafat, but build trust with envoy. (Jan 2004)
  • Leadership means standing up for what you believe in. (Oct 2003)
  • Negotiating with North Korea would make world safer. (Oct 2003)
  • Work with other nations in war on terror. (Jul 2003)
  • Bush's preemption doctrine is unnecessary and unwise. (Jun 2003)

    • Iraq War

    • The government should not continue to fund the Iraq war because the United States is not getting anywhere in Iraq. (Dec 2007)
    • Believes most US troops should be withdrawn as rapidly as possible, beginning immediately. (Dec 2007)
    • Believes the United States never should have gone into Iraq because there were no weapons of mass destructions (WMD). (Dec 2007)
    • Focus on political progress in Iraq. (Sep 2007)
    • Congress has a mandate to defund war to force Bush out. (Sep 2007)
    • Troops not dying in vain if they do their duty. (Jul 2007)
    • 2006 elections were mandate to Congress to end the war. (Jun 2007)
    • Insist a funding bill with a troops withdrawal timetable. (Jun 2007)
    • Did not read pre-war NIE, but was fully informed. (Jun 2007)
    • No more debate; end war by Congress defunding it. (Apr 2007)
    • End no-bid contracts & war profiteering in Iraq. (Apr 2007)
    • Citizens should speak out for immediate action to end war. (Apr 2007)
    • Draw down 40,000 to 50,000 troops right now. (Feb 2007)
    • I accept responsibility for the huge price of war on America. (Feb 2007)
    • Not naive to think that Iraq can become a democracy. (Feb 2007)
    • No funding for the surge, but continue funding the troops. (Feb 2007)
    • Stop escalation of war & restore US's moral leadership. (Feb 2007)
    • FactCheck: US portion of coalition losses is 88%, not 90%. (Oct 2004)
    • Cheney has no answer for the failure to have adequate troops. (Oct 2004)
    • Reports say there are not enough troops to secure Iraq. (Oct 2004)
    • Never fight a war without enough troops and a plan to win. (Aug 2004)
    • Iraq war has cost America dearly. (Jul 2004)
    • Immediately get NATO involved in Iraq. (Mar 2004)
    • Supporting Iraq war OK, but how war was conducted not OK. (Feb 2004)
    • Saddam's trial will reveal atrocities, but won't end terror. (Jan 2004)
    • Partial yes on $87B-irresponsible to not support troops. (Sep 2003)
    • Allies in Iraq would reduce burden on troops & taxpayers. (Sep 2003)
    • Irresponsible to not fund troops; also to fund Halliburton. (Sep 2003)
    • Problems in Iraq are because Bush has not led. (Sep 2003)
    • Supported Iraq invasion because of WMD threat. (Jul 2003)

    Voting Record

    • Apologized for Iraq war vote; others must search conscience. (Apr 2007)
    • Wrong on Iraq war vote about WMDs and about Bush's lead-up. (Feb 2007)
    • Got war vote wrong based on bad intel & Bush incompetence. (Feb 2007)
    • Made mistake in voting for Iraq war resolution. (Dec 2006)
    • Voted for Iraq war in 2002, but now recants his vote. (Nov 2006)
    • On voting for Iraq War: "I was wrong". (Nov 2005)
    • Voted for war in Iraq but against $87B-and it's consistent. (Jan 2004)
    • Voted NO on $86 billion for military operations in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Oct 2003)
    • Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002)
    • Voted YES on allowing all necessary force in Kosovo. (May 1999)
    • Voted YES on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo. (Mar 1999)
    • Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism. (Oct 2001)
    • CIA mischaracterized Iraq WMD & abused intelligence position. (Jul 2004)
    • Iraq-al-Qaida contacts, but no complicity or assistance. (Jul 2004)
    • CIA knew State of the Union Iraq-Niger connection was false. (Jul 2004)
    • Iraq was not reconstituting its nuclear program. (Jul 2004)
    • Iraq was not developing its biological weapons program. (Jul 2004)
    • Iraq was not developing its chemical weapons program. (Jul 2004)
    • Iraq was developing missiles, but not to reach the US. (Jul 2004)
On Welfare & Poverty -
  • Poverty in America is the cause of my life. (Jun 2007)
  • A million new Section 8 vouchers; let poor move freely. (Jun 2007)
  • Despite mistake on $400 haircut, understands poverty. (Apr 2007)
  • Give poor a stake with "automatic 401k" & kids' savings. (Apr 2007)
  • Principles against poverty:work, opportunity, thrift, family. (Apr 2007)
  • Housing vouchers, not housing projects. (Apr 2007)
  • 37M in poverty is a plague on America. (Apr 2007)
  • Poverty is America's greatest challenge--for citizens & govt. (Apr 2007)
  • Poverty is such low priority, we have no accurate statistics. (Apr 2007)
  • 30-year goal: Ending poverty in America. (Apr 2007)
  • EITC is a well-run gov't program that decreased poverty. (Nov 2006)
  • Raise the minimum wage and training fund to help the poor. (Aug 2004)
  • Moral responsibility to help 35 million Americans in poverty. (Jul 2004)
  • Raise minimum wage so full-time workers are out of poverty. (Jul 2004)
  • We need to talk about 35 million who live in poverty. (Jan 2004)
  • Increase the Earned Income Tax Credit. (Jan 2004)
  • My "Cities Rising" plan is to help urban America. (Oct 2003)
  • Bush honors wealth while we honor work. (Jun 2003)
  • Fully fund AmeriCorps. (Jun 2003)
* Source: Wikipedia
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