HERE’S A LOOK AT THE MAJOR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AND THEIR
VIEWS ON ISSUES OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO DIVERSITYINC READERS
D SEN. JOE BIDEN OF DELAWARE
■ IMMIGRATION: Has said immigration is driven
by the disparity of wealth in Mexico.
( msnbc.msn.com/id/15932967/) Voted to establish a
guest-worker program and a path to citizenship.
Voted to allow undocumented workers to participate in Social Security.
( ontheissues.org/Joe_Biden.htm)
■ AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: Voted against banning
affirmative-action hiring with federal funds
( ontheissues.org)
■ GLBT ISSUES: Supported ending “Don’t ask,
don’t tell," but also supports the Defense of
Marriage Act and believes states should
respect that; does not see the need for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage;
has firmly stated that marriage “is between a
man and a woman.”
( msnbc.msn.com/id/13085904/page/3/)
■ EDUCATION: Says the country must use adequate resources to update schools, reduce
class/school size, reward quality educators and
improve teacher pay. ( joebiden.com)
■ PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Sponsored a bill
giving states more flexibility with Medicaid
money, allowing it to be used for non-medical
home care, i.e., someone who dresses a person
with a disability. Voted to expand embryonic
stem-cell research. ( adapt.org/freeourpeople/news)
■ HEALTHCARE: Believes the nation should use
states’ data to pursue innovative alternatives for
accessible healthcare for everyone. ( joebiden.com)
D SEN. HILLARY CLINTON OF NEW YORK
■ IMMIGRATION: Supports guest-worker program, Social Security and path to citizenship for
undocumented immigrants but voted for hard-line Immigration Reform Bill and creation of a
700-mile fence to protect borders.
( ontheissues.org/Hillary_Clinton.htm)
■ AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: Lauded 2003
Supreme Court decision upholding University of
Michigan affirmative-action policies; supports
affirmative action as a means to achieve diversity for economic growth.
( ontheissues.org/Hillary_Clinton.htm)
■ GLBT ISSUES: Vetoed constitutional ban on
same-sex marriage; voted for orientation to be
added to the list of hate crimes; consistently
supports domestic-partner benefits; wants to
end “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy implemented
by her husband.
( ontheissues.org/Hillary_Clinton.htm)
■ EDUCATION: Voted for amendments that
would increase funding for public after-school,
higher-education and K– 12 programs, provide
scholarships for teachers in urban school districts and reduce class size.
( ontheissues.org/Hillary_Clinton.htm)
■ PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Advocates
increased federal spending on special education
for children with disabilities; improved access to
healthcare, employment and housing. Voted to
expand embryonic stem-cell research. (onthe
issues.org/Hillary_Clinton.htm)
■ HEALTHCARE: Supports incremental progress
toward universal healthcare, expanded coverage
for uninsured children, mental-health parity and
patients’ right to access; voted to expand
Medicare Part D enrollment.
( ontheissues.org/Hillary_Clinton.htm)
D JOHN EDWARDS, FORMER SENATOR
OF NORTH CAROLINA
■ IMMIGRATION: Believes the immigration system
needs reform that creates a clear roadmap to
legalization and citizenship for undocumented
immigrants who work hard and follow the law.
(Associated Press policy Q&A, “Immigration,” Jan. 25, 2004)
■ GLBT ISSUES: Voted against the Defense of
Marriage Act because states already can ignore
gay marriages. Believes each state should decide
about civil unions and gay marriage. Wants “don’t
ask, don’t tell” repealed. (Democratic 2004 primary
debate at USC, Feb. 26, 2004; John Edwards for President,
Feb. 28, 2007)
■ AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: Supports affirmative
action and publicly applauded former Justice
Sandra Day O’Connor for the 2003 Supreme
Court University of Michigan decision upholding the use of race as a criteria for admission
to the university. (July 29, 2005, Sen. Edwards giving a speech at the American Constitution Society; John
Edwards for President)
■ EDUCATION: Wants to give incentive pay to
the best teachers to get them to teach in
schools in less affluent areas and expand early-childhood and after-school programs. (John
Edwards on education)
■ PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Believes in
expanding embryonic stem-cell research. (John
Edwards for President, April 11, 2007)
■ HEALTHCARE: Wants the government to
guarantee healthcare for the 47 million
Americans who have no healthcare coverage.
He does not want Medicaid cut. (John Edwards
for President)
