Kerry Flip-Flops
Troop Funding
For It
"I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it," - Mar. 16, 2004
Troop Funding
Against It
He actually voted against final - That is an absolute fact. He is lying.
"I voted against that $87 billion in Washington yesterday,"
12 Who Voted Against It:
Boxer (D-CA) Byrd (D-WV) Edwards (D-NC) Graham (D-FL) Harkin (D-IA) Hollings (D-SC) Jeffords (I-VT) Kennedy (D-MA) Kerry (D-MA) Lautenberg (D-NJ) Leahy (D-VT) Sarbanes (D-MD)
Roll Call Vote
Waffles
Tough on Castro
Yes
''I'm pretty tough on Castro, because I think he's running one of the last vestiges of a Stalinist secret police government in the world,'' Kerry told WPLG-ABC 10 "And I voted for the Helms-Burton legislation to be tough on companies that deal with him.''
Tough on Castro
Liar
Kerry voted against it along with 21 other senators
Nays:
Akaka (D-HI) Bingaman (D-NM) Bond (R-MO) Boxer (D-CA) Bumpers (D-AR) Chafee (R-RI) Dodd (D-CT) Feingold (D-WI) Harkin (D-IA) Hatfield (R-OR) Jeffords (R-VT) Kennedy (D-MA) Kerrey (D-NE) Kerry (D-MA) Leahy (D-VT) Levin (D-MI) Moseley-Braun (D-IL) Moynihan (D-NY) Murray (D-WA) Pell (D-RI) Simon (D-IL) Wellstone (D-MN)
Herald Story
Roll Call Vote - Helms Burton Act
Bill Summary
Kerry Against Kyoto
Kerry voted to cut of funding for Kyoto
Prohibit Funds for Kyoto Treaty, HR4578 (Roll Call Vote No. 211).
2000-07-18
The Senate passed the Interior Appropriations bill including a ban on the use of any of the money to implement the Kyoto "Global Warming" Protocol, which has never been submitted to the Senate for ratification.
Roll Call Vote
Kerry for Kyoto
April 9, 2001:
"While no one is under the illusion that Kyoto is perfect, this vote today... underscores that the Bush administration's initial approach of ignoring climate change altogether is beyond imperfect - it's unacceptable," said John Kerry, a Democratic senator.
Guardian Unlimited
Kerry on Arafat
Loves Him
In a 1997 book, Kerry described "Arafat's transformation from outlaw to statesman."
Kerry on Arafat
Hates Him
"Obviously, Yasser Arafat has been an impediment to the peace process," said Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee-in-waiting. "He missed a historic opportunity and he's proved himself to be irrelevant."
Wary of Kerry's Flattery
Kerry shifts Arafat Views
50 Cent Tax Hike - For
In 1994, Kerry Backed Half-Dollar Increase In Gas Tax. ?Kerry said [the Concord Coalition?s scorecard] did not accurately reflect individual lawmakers? efforts to cut the deficit. ?It doesn?t reflect my $43 billion package of cuts or my support for a 50-cent increase in the gas tax,? Kerry said.? (Jill Zuckman, ?Deficit-Watch Group Gives High Marks To 7 N.E. Lawmakers,? The Boston Globe, 3/1/94)
50 Cent Tax Hike - Against
Two Years Later, Kerry Flip-Flopped. ?Kerry no longer supports the 50-cent [gas tax] hike, nor the 25-cent hike proposed by the [Concord] coalition.? (Michael Grunwald, ?Kerry Gets Low Mark On Budgeting,? The Boston Globe, 4/30/96)
Abortion a State Issue
?I think the question of abortion is one that should be left for the states to decide,? Kerry said during his failed 1972 Congressional bid. (?John Kerry On The Issues,? The [Lowell, MA] Sun, 10/11/72
Abortion a Federal Issue
?The right to choose is the law of the United States. No person has the right to infringe on that freedom. Those of us who are in government have a special responsibility to see to it that the United States continues to protect this right, as it must protect all rights secured by the constitution.?
Drilling in ANWAR - Against
Kerry voted against drilling in ANWAR Upheld 52-48 S.Amdt. 272 to S.Con.Res. 23 (Budget resolution FY2004 )
Drilling in ANWAR - For it
MATTHEWS: How about ANWR? You guys want to see ANWR because you want to see guys working in your business. I guess there?s a lot of Teamsters jobs up there lined up and organized, if you could put a pipeline up to the Alaska wilderness. He is against that.
HOFFA: Well, we talked about that.
He says, look, I am against ANWR, but I am going to put that pipeline in and we?re going to drill like never before.
MATTHEWS: What, are they going to run water through it?
HOFFA: ... more jobs than the ANWR would have ever created.
MATTHEWS: What are they going to run through the pipeline?
HOFFA: And that?s the position he?s taking.
MATTHEWS: But he is against drilling up there. What are they going to run through the pipeline?
HOFFA: Well, they are going to drill all over, according to him. And he says, we?re going to be drilling all over the United States. And he says that is going to create more jobs.
Roll Call Vote
Hardball Interview
PAC Money - For It
Kerry Used To Decry ?Special Interests And Their PAC Money.? ??I?m frequently told by cynics in Washington that refusing PAC money is naive,? Kerry told his supporters in 1985. ?Do you agree that it is ?naïve? to turn down special interests and their PAC money??? (Glen Johnson, ?In A Switch, Kerry Is Launching A PAC,? The Boston Globe, 12/15/01)
PAC Money - Against it
But Kerry Created His Own Hard Money PAC Called Citizen Soldier Fund, Which Raised Over $700,000. ?A week after repeating that he has refused to accept donations from political action committees, Senator John F. Kerry announced yesterday that he was forming a committee that would accept PAC money for him to distribute to other Democratic candidates. ? Kerry?s stance on soft money, unregulated donations funneled through political parties, puts him in the position of raising the type of money that he, McCain, and others in the campaign-finance reform movement are trying to eliminate.? (Federal Election Commission Website, www.fec.gov, Accessed 2/10/04; Glen Johnson, ?In A Switch, Kerry Is Launching A PAC,? The Boston Globe, 12/15/01)
$10,000 Limit to His PAC
Against It
When Kerry Established His PAC In 2001, He Instituted $10,000 Limit On Donations. ?A week after repeating that he has refused to accept donations from political action committees, Senator John F. Kerry announced yesterday that he was forming a committee that would accept PAC money for him to distribute to other Democratic candidates ? The statement also declared that the new PAC would voluntarily limit donations of so-called soft money to $10,000 per donor per year and disclose the source and amount of all such donations.? (Glen Johnson, ?In A Switch, Kerry Is Launching A Pac,? The Boston Globe, 12/15/01)
$10,000 Limit to His PAC
For It
One Year Later, Kerry Started Accepting Unlimited Contributions. ?Senator John F. Kerry, who broke with personal precedent last year when he established his first political action committee, has changed his fund-raising guidelines again, dropping a $10,000 limit on contributions from individuals, a cap he had touted when establishing the PAC. The Massachusetts Democrat said yesterday he decided to accept unlimited contributions, which has already allowed him to take in ?soft money? donations as large as $25,000, because of the unprecedented fund-raising demands confronting him as a leader in the Senate Democratic caucus.? (Glen Johnson, ?Kerry Shifts Fund-Raising Credo For His Own PAC,? The Boston Globe, 10/4/02)
Personnal Funds in 1996 Race - Against It
In 1996, Kerry And Weld Established $500,000 Limit Of Personal Wealth To Be Used In Senate Campaign. ?In 1996, Kerry and Weld gave their already noteworthy Senate race added significance by establishing a spending cap. The candidates agreed to spend no more than $6.9 million from July 1 through the election. Weld ended up spending $6.6 million and Kerry $6.3 million. One key element of the agreement limited the candidates to spending $500,000 in personal wealth, a clause Weld favored because Kerry is married to a millionaire, Teresa Heinz.? (Glen Johnson, ?In Kerry?s Plan For A Pac, The Resolution Of Opposites,? The Boston Globe, 12/18/01)
Personal Funds in 1996 Race - For It
Kerry Broke Agreement By Spending $1.2 Million Over Limit. ?[P]ost-election reports showed a last-minute infusion of $1.7 million from Kerry?s wife, heiress Teresa Heinz. ? [K]erry denied that his campaign violated its agreement. The money had been loaned--not contributed--by his wife, he explained. ?There was nothing in the agreement that restricted us from taking a loan ? and we paid it back in $1,000 and $2,000 chunks.?? (?Global Ecology Lobby Rocked By Defection,? Political Finance, The Newsletter, 1/02)
Against Vietnam in Campaigns
1992 in defense of Bill Clinton's Draft Dodging: "I am saddened that Vietnam has yet again been inserted into the campaign."
For Vietnam in Campaigns
From "About John Kerry" at John Kerry.com
A graduate of Yale University, John Kerry entered the Navy after graduation, becoming a Swift Boat officer, serving on a gunboat in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. He received a Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V, and three awards of the Purple Heart for his service in combat.
WSJ
NAFTA - For
Kerry voted for NAFTA:
H.R. 3450, CQ Vote #395
??NAFTA recognizes the reality of today?s economy - globalization and technology,? Kerry said. ?Our future is not in competing at the low-level wage job; it is in creating high-wage, new technology jobs based on our skills and our productivity.?? (John Aloysius Farrell, ?Senate?s OK Finalizes NAFTA Pact,? The Boston Globe, 11/21/93)
NAFTA - Against
Kerry, who voted for NAFTA in 1993, expressed some doubt about the strength of free-trade agreements. ?If it were before me today, I would vote against it because it doesn?t have environmental or labor standards in it,? he said.? (David Lightman, ?Democrats Battle For Labor?s Backing,? Hartford Courant, 8/6/03)
NAFTA - HR 3450 Roll Call Vote
John Kerry's Waffles
Federal Health Benefits -
Against
In 1993, Kerry Expressed Doubts That Federal Employees Health Benefits System Worked Well. ?Hillary Rodham Clinton today offered a fresh description of one of the most confusing elements of the Administration health care plan, the health insurance purchasing alliances, saying they would let all Americans choose coverage in the way members of Congress do. ? Senator John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts, said he was not sure that the Federal program worked all that well.? (Adam Clymer, ?Hillary Clinton Says Health Plan Will Be Familiar,? The New York Times, 12/8/93)
Kerry Expressed Personal Dissatisfaction With His Coverage Through Federal Program. ?Earlier this month, when Hillary Rodham Clinton came to Boston and vowed that average Americans would get as good coverage as that enjoyed by their senators and representatives, Sen. John F. Kerry told Clinton that he thought the country could do better. The Massachusetts Democrat said he was thinking, among other recent disasters, of his $500 dental bill for treatment of an abscessed tooth. ?Because it was done in the dentist?s office, rather than the hospital, they didn?t cover it. So they were urging me to go spend twice as much in a hospital,? said Kerry, who is covered by BACE, the Beneficial Association of Capitol Employees.? (Ana Puga, ?Lawmakers Talk Health Care,? The Boston Globe, 12/19/93)
Federal Health Benefits -
For
Now, On Campaign Trail, Kerry Is Enthusiastic About Health Care He Receives As Senator. ?As a U.S. Senator, I could get the best health care in the world. Most people aren?t so lucky, and we need to change that. That?s why my plan gives every American access to the same kind of health care that members of Congress give themselves. ? Because your family?s health care is just as important as any politicians? in Washington.? (Sen. John Kerry, ?Affordable Health Care For All Americans,? Remarks At Mercy Medical, Cedar Rapids, IA, 12/14/03)
Kerry: ?I?m Going To Make Available To Every American The Same Health Care Plan That Senators And Congressmen Give Themselves ?? (Sen. John Kerry, AARP Democrat Candidate Debate, Bedford, NH, 11/18/03)
Military Service for Public Office - Against
Kerry: Service Should Not Be ?Litmus Test? For Leadership. ?Mr. President, you and I know that if support or opposition to the war were to become a litmus test for leadership, America would never have leaders or recover from the divisions created by that war. You and I know that if service or nonservice in the war is to become a test of qualification for high office, you would not have a Vice President, nor would you have a Secretary of Defense and our Nation would never recover from the divisions created by that war.? (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 10/08/92, p. S17709
Military Service for Public Office - For
Kerry Constantly ?Challenged The Stature Of His Democratic Opponents? Over Their Lack Of Military Service. ?And more than ever, Mr. Kerry is invoking his stature as a Vietnam veteran as he challenges the stature of his Democratic opponents -- none of whom, he frequently points out, have ?worn the uniform of our country? -- to withstand a debate with Mr. Bush on national security.? (Adam Nagourney, ?As Campaign Tightens, Kerry Sharpens Message,? The New York Times, 8/10/03)
Burma Sanctions
In 1995, Kerry Was Against Burma Sanctions. ??I question whether isolation is a successful means of promoting political change,? Kerry told a constituent in a 1995 letter justifying his opposition to a Burma sanction bill.? (Geeta Anand, et al., ?Menino Gets Ahead Of Himself, Starts Contemplating Third Term,? The Boston Globe, 5/18/97)
Burma Sanctions
But Now Kerry Supports Burma Sanctions. ?In his 1996 reelection campaign, Kerry, after Governor William F. Weld took up the cause, was badgered by advisers into shifting his position. But as he eyes a presidential campaign and the Burma sanction movement gains credibility, Kerry ? describes the Burma regime as a ?semi-criminalized dictatorship ? which should not be treated with respect by other nations, but should be instead subject to limitations on travel, investment, and access to the most developed nations.?? (Geeta Anand, et al., ?Menino Gets Ahead Of Himself, Starts Contemplating Third Term,? The Boston Globe, 5/18/97)
Health Coverage - Against
In 1994, Kerry Said Democrats Push Health Care Too Much. ?[Kerry] said Kennedy and Clinton?s insistence on pushing health care reform was a major cause of the Democratic Party?s problems at the polls.? (Joe Battenfeld, ?Jenny Craig Hit With Sex Harassment Complaint - By Men,? Boston Herald, 11/30/94)
Health Coverage - For
But Now Kerry Calls Health Care His ?Passion.? ?Sen. John Kerry says expanding coverage is ?my passion.?? (Susan Page, ?Health Specifics Could Backfire On Candidates,? USA Today, 6/2/03)
USA Today Article
Welfare Reform - Against
In 1993, Kerry Voted To Kill Bipartisan Welfare Work Requirement. In 1993, Kerry and Kennedy voted against a welfare-to-work requirement that was supported by many Democrats, including Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Harry Reid (D-NV):
Fiscal 1993 Supplemental Appropriations - Welfare Work Requirement. ?Moynihan, D-N.Y., motion to table (kill) the D?Amato, R-N.Y., amendment to sharply cut federal welfare administration aid to states that do not, within a year, require at least 10 percent of their able-bodied welfare recipients without dependents to work. The required workfare participation rate would be increased by 2 percent a year until 50 percent were working.? (H.R. 2118, CQ Vote #163: Rejected 34-64: 6/22/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
Welfare Reform - For
But In 1996, Kerry Voted For Welfare Reform. (H.R. 3734, CQ Vote #262: Adopted 78-21: 8/1/96, Kerry Voted Yea)
Motion to Table 489 Roll Call Vote
HR 3734 Roll Call Vote
Gay Marriage - For
?While I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, for 200 years, this has been a state issue. I oppose this election year effort to amend the Constitution in an area that each state can adequately address, and I will vote against such an amendment if it comes to the Senate floor."
In 1996, Kerry voted against the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as a union of a man and woman. At the time, Kerry said he opposed gay marriage, but the law amounted to gay-bashing.
Roll Call Vote
Kerry Signed Letter Backing Gay Marriage
Kerry scolded the Vatican on Gay Marriage
Gay Marriage - Against
Kerry Supports Mass. Constitutional Amendment banning gay marriage:
"If the Massachusetts Legislature crafts an appropriate amendment that provides for partnership and civil unions, then I would support it, and it would advance the goal of equal protection,"
Kerry explained his opposition to gay marriage by saying it was simply ?a matter of how I view the world. Culturally, historically and religiously I don?t believe that is a distinction that makes a difference.? Kerry said he backed civil unions of the type Dean had signed into law.
Boston Globe: Kerry Supports Gay Marriage Ban
Kerry Press Release on Gay Marriage
Kerry's stance confusing
USA Today - Kerry's letter backing Gay Marriage
Full text of Letter supporting gay marriage
Candidates Court Gay Voters
Judge Litmus Test - Against
Kerry Used To Oppose Litmus Tests For Judicial Nominees. ?Throughout two centuries, our federal judiciary has been a model institution, one which has insisted on the highest standards of conduct by our public servants and officials, and which has survived with undiminished respect. Today, I fear that this institution is threatened in a way that we have not seen before. ? This threat is that of the appointment of a judiciary which is not independent, but narrowly ideological, through the systematic targeting of any judicial nominee who does not meet the rigid requirements of litmus tests imposed ?? (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 2/3/86, p. S864)
Judge Litmus Test - For
But Now Kerry Says He Would Only Support Supreme Court Nominees Who Pledge To Uphold Roe v. Wade. ?The potential retirement of Supreme Court justices makes the 2004 presidential election especially important for women, Senator John F. Kerry told a group of female Democrats yesterday, and he pledged that if elected president he would nominate to the high court only supporters of abortion rights under its Roe v. Wade decision. ? ?Any president ought to appoint people to the Supreme Court who understand the Constitution and its interpretation by the Supreme Court. In my judgment, it is and has been settled law that women, Americans, have a defined right of privacy and that the government does not make the decision with respect to choice. Individuals do.?? (Glen Johnson, ?Kerry Vows Court Picks To Be Abortion-Rights Supporters,? The Boston Globe, 4/9/03)
Medical Marijuana - Against
Kerry Said His ?Personal Disposition Is Open To The Issue Of Medical Marijuana.? ?Aaron Houston of the Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana said that just a month ago Mr. Kerry seemed to endorse medical marijuana use, and when asked about the content of his mysterious study, said, ?I am trying to find out. I don?t know.? Mr. Kerry did say his ?personal disposition is open to the issue of medical marijuana? and that he?d stop Drug Enforcement Administration raids on patients using the stuff under California?s medical marijuana law.? (Jennifer Harper, ?Inside Politics,? The Washington Times, 8/8/03)
Medical Marijuana - For
But Now Kerry Says He Wants To Wait For Study Analyzing Issue Before Making Final Decision. ?The Massachusetts Democrat said Wednesday he?d put off any final decision on medical marijuana because there?s ?a study under way analyzing what the science is.?? (Jennifer Harper, ?Inside Politics,? The Washington Times, 8/8/03)
Affirmative Action
Against
?...today the civil rights arena is controlled by lawyers and the winners and losers determined by...rules most Americans neither understand nor are sympathetic with. ...This shift in the civil rights agenda has directed most of out attention and much of our hope into one inherently limited and divisive program: affirmative action
Senators Seek Serious Dialogue On Race,? The Washington Post, 4/8/92
Affirmative Action
For
Backtracks: "let me explain exactly what I said. Affirmative action, if you recall, back in the 1990s?Bill Clinton said this, too?needed to be mended. I was one of the early people saying we have to mend it, don?t end it."
Original Wash Post Archive$
Russert questions Kerry on both quotes - Meet the press
Death Penalty - Against
Voted No to limit Appeals
Voted no to reject racial Appeals
Introduced mandatory DNA Testing
In 1996, Kerry Attacked Governor Bill Weld For Supporting Death Penalty For Terrorists. KERRY: ?Your policy would amount to a terrorist protection policy. Mine would put them in jail.? (1996 Massachusetts Senate Debate, 9/16/96)
In 1996, Kerry Said, ?You Can Change Your Mind On Things, But Not On Life-And-Death Issues.? (Timothy J. Connolly, ?The ?Snoozer? Had Some Life,? [Worcester, MA] Telegram & Gazette, 7/3/96)
Death Penalty - For
He is pro-choice, opposes the death penalty except for terrorists, favors gun control and would repeal the President's tax breaks for the wealthy.
John Kerry Press Release
Kerry Opposes Death Penalty - USA Today
Flipped on Business
Income Taxes
Kerry Voted Against Exempting Small Businesses And Family Farms From Clinton Income Tax Increase. To shield small businesses and family farms from President Clinton's proposed tax on the wealthy, to make proprietorships, partnerships, and Subchapter S corporations exempt from President Clinton's proposed increase in the marginal individual income tax rates, and to reduce the add-on spending contained in President Clinton's plan by a corresponding amount so that no deficit increase results from exempting small businesses and family farms from the increased marginal tax rates.
S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #79: Motion Agreed To 54-45: 3/25/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
Three Months Later, Kerry Voted In Favor Of Proposal To Exclude Small Businesses From Increased Income Tax.
To limit the tax rate for certain small businesses, and for other purposes.
(S. 1134, CQ Vote #171: Motion Rejected 56-42: R 43-0; D 13-42, 6/24/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
Flopped on Business
Income Taxes
Kerry Claimed He Fought To Exempt Small Businesses From Income Tax Increases. ?I worked to amend the reconciliation bill so that it would ? exempt small businesses who are classified as subchapter S corporations from the increased individual income tax.? (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 6/29/93, p. S 8268)
S.Con Res 18 Roll Call Vote
S. 1134 Roll Call Vote
No Child Left Behind
For
NCLB Act of 2001 - Kerry voted for NCLB.
No Child Left Behind
Against
"Between now and the time I'm sworn in January 2005, I'm going to use every day to make this president accountable for making a mockery of the words 'No Child Left Behind,'" he said.
Article by Holly Ramer
NCLB Roll Call Vote
Raising Taxes during
Economic Downturn - Against
September 2001: Said Taxes Should Not Rise In Economic Downturn. ?The first priority is the economy of our nation. And when you have a downturn in the economy, the last thing you do is raise taxes or cut spending. We shouldn?t do either. We need to maintain a course that hopefully will stimulate the economy. ? No, we should not raise taxes, but we have to put everything on the table to take a look at why we have this structural problem today. ? [Y]ou don?t want to raise taxes.? (NBC?s ?Meet The Press,? 9/2/01)
We Should ?Absolutely Not Raise Taxes.? ?Well, I think it?s very clear what I favor because we voted for it early in the spring, which was the Democratic budget alternative that had triggers in it where you didn?t wind up spending money you don?t have. It had a smaller tax cut but more tax cut for a stimulus, which is what we need. So you ask me, what do we need now? Yes, we need additional stimulus. We should absolutely not raise taxes. We should not cut spending. What we need to do is drive the economy of this country. The economy is the number one issue. It is the most important thing we should focus on.? (CNN?s ?Evans, Novak, Hunt & Shields,? 9/8/01)
April 2002: Said He Wanted Larger Tax Cut And Was ?Not In Favor Of? Repeal. CNN?s TUCKER CARLSON: ?Senator Kerry ? [many Democrats] [g]et a lot of political mileage out of criticizing [President Bush?s tax cut], but nobody has the courage to say repeal it. Are you for repealing it?? KERRY: ?It?s not a question of courage. ? And it?s not an issue right now. We passed appropriately a tax cut as a stimulus, some $40 billion. Many of us thought it should have even maybe been a little bit larger this last year ? [T]he next tax cut doesn?t take effect until 2004. If we can grow the economy enough between now and then, if we have sensible policies in place and make good choices, who knows what our choices will be. So it?s simply not a ripe issue right now. And I?m not in favor of turning around today and repealing it.? (CNN?s ?Crossfire,? 4/16/02)
Raising Taxes during economic downturn - for
December 2002: Flip-Flopped, Would Keep Tax Cuts From Taking Effect. NBC?s TIM RUSSERT: ?Senator ? should we freeze or roll back the Bush tax cut?? KERRY: ?Well, I wouldn?t take away from people who?ve already been given their tax cut ? What I would not do is give any new Bush tax cuts.? ? RUSSERT: ?So the tax cut that?s scheduled to be implemented in the coming years ?? KERRY: ?No new tax cut under the Bush plan. ? It doesn?t make economic sense.? ? RUSSERT: ?Now, this is a change ?? (NBC?s ?Meet The Press,? 12/1/02)
Called For Freeze Of Bush Tax Cuts In Favor Of Year-Long Suspension Of Payroll Taxes On First $10,000 Of Personal Income. ?Kerry said Bush?s tax cuts have mainly benefited the rich while doing little for the economy. Kerry is proposing to halt Bush?s additional tax cuts and instead impose a yearlong suspension of payroll taxes on the first $10,000 of income to help the poor and middle class.? (Tyler Bridges, ?Kerry Visits Miami To Start Raising Funds,? The Miami Herald, 12/7/02)
For ending double taxation of dividends
In December 2002, Kerry said, "We should encourage the measurement of the real value of companies by ending the double taxation of dividends."
Against ending double taxation of dividends
Throughout 2003, Kerry opposed President Bush's tax plan, which, according to Bush, would eliminate the "double taxation on dividends." In May, Kerry voted against the final plan, which cut but didn't eliminate the tax on corporate dividends.
Slate.MSN
The Patriot Act - For
Kerry Voted for the Patriot Act
H.R. 3162
The Patriot Act - Against
Sen. Kerry, D-Mass., denounced the act in a speech to more than 800 people in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union. Kerry said the American people must stand up to protect the U.S. Constitution.
"We will not be silenced, we will not be intimidated," he said. "We will be heard and we will stand up for our rights."
Patriot Act Roll Call Vote
Iowa State Daily
Is Black
"President Clinton was often known as the first black president. I wouldn't be upset if I could earn the right to be the second." John Kerry
Ain't Black
Kerry is quite obviously white. So was Bill Clinton.
Article: US News
Blacks react to Comment
Is Irish
''For those of us who are fortunate to share an Irish ancestry, we take great pride in the contributions that Irish-Americans ?" (Congressional Record, March 18, 1986).
"As some of you may know, I am part-English and part-Irish. And when my Kerry ancestors first came over to Massachusetts from the old country to find work in the New World, it was my English ancestors who refused to hire them."
Ain't Irish
Kerry was accused of using such comments to make his Irish-American constituents think he is one of them when, in fact, he isn't. His grandparents were Jewish who changed their names.
Kerry now claims he never said it.
Slate.MSN
Kerry's Roots
Intelligence - Against
1994: Proposed Bill To Gut $1 Billion From Intelligence And Freeze Spending For Two Major Intelligence Programs. Kerry proposed a bill cutting $1 billion from the budgets of the National Foreign Intelligence Program and from Tactical Intelligence, and freezing their budgets. The bill did not make it to a vote, but the language was later submitted (and defeated ? see below) as S. Amdt. 1452 to H.R. 3759. (S. 1826, Introduced 2/3/94)
1995: Proposed Bill Cutting $1.5 Billion From Intelligence Budget. Kerry introduced a bill that would ?reduce the Intelligence budget by $300 million in each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000.?
No cosponsors of Kerry?s bill, Never Made it to floor
S. 1290, Introduced 9/29/95
1995: Voted To Slash FBI Funding By $80 Million. (H.R. 2076, CQ Vote #480: Adopted 49-41: R 9-40; D 40-1, 9/29/95, Kerry Voted Yea)
1997: Kerry Questioned Growth Of Intelligence Community After Cold War. ?Now that that [Cold War] struggle is over, why is it that our vast intelligence apparatus continues to grow even as Government resources for new and essential priorities fall far short of what is necessary? ?? Congressional Record 5/1/97, p. S3891)
Kerry proposed cutting $1 billion from the National Foreign Intelligence Program and Tactical Intelligence budgets, and freezing their budgets. Defeated:
(Amdt.. To H.R. 3759, CQ Vote #39: Rejected 20-75: R 3-37; D 17-38, 2/10/94, Kerry Voted Yea; Graham, Lieberman And Braun Voted Nay)
Intelligence - For
"Kerry Strongly Supports Increased Intelligence Funding"
Campaign slogan from JohnKerry.com
NoJFK2 Archive of S1290, S1826
Search 104th for S 1290, S 1826, HR 2076
Congressional Record 5/1/97, p. S3891
S.AMDT.1452 to H.R.3759
- All Amendments
- Bill HR 3759
Cuban Sanctions
Against Them
H.R. 927: Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996 Measure Title: A bill to seek international sanctions against the Castro government in Cuba, to plan for support of a transition government leading to a democratically elected government in Cuba, and for other purposes. - Passed 74-22 Kerry voted Nay
Voted Against Stronger Cuba Sanctions:
S. 955: To decrease the amount of funds available to OPIC for administrative expenses to carry out the credit and insurance programs. Vote #183: Rejected 38-63 7/17/97, Kerry Voted Yea
S. 1234, CQ Vote #189, Motion Agreed To 55-43: R 43-10; D 12-33, 6/30/99, Kerry Voted Nay;
To establish a National Bipartisan Commission on Cuba to evaluate United States policy with respect to Cuba.
S. 2549, CQ Vote #137: Motion Agreed To 59-41: R 52-3; D 7-38, 6/20/00, Kerry Voted Nay
Link
Troop Funding
For It
"I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it," - Mar. 16, 2004
Troop Funding
Against It
He actually voted against final - That is an absolute fact. He is lying.
"I voted against that $87 billion in Washington yesterday,"
12 Who Voted Against It:
Boxer (D-CA) Byrd (D-WV) Edwards (D-NC) Graham (D-FL) Harkin (D-IA) Hollings (D-SC) Jeffords (I-VT) Kennedy (D-MA) Kerry (D-MA) Lautenberg (D-NJ) Leahy (D-VT) Sarbanes (D-MD)
Roll Call Vote
Waffles
Tough on Castro
Yes
''I'm pretty tough on Castro, because I think he's running one of the last vestiges of a Stalinist secret police government in the world,'' Kerry told WPLG-ABC 10 "And I voted for the Helms-Burton legislation to be tough on companies that deal with him.''
Tough on Castro
Liar
Kerry voted against it along with 21 other senators
Nays:
Akaka (D-HI) Bingaman (D-NM) Bond (R-MO) Boxer (D-CA) Bumpers (D-AR) Chafee (R-RI) Dodd (D-CT) Feingold (D-WI) Harkin (D-IA) Hatfield (R-OR) Jeffords (R-VT) Kennedy (D-MA) Kerrey (D-NE) Kerry (D-MA) Leahy (D-VT) Levin (D-MI) Moseley-Braun (D-IL) Moynihan (D-NY) Murray (D-WA) Pell (D-RI) Simon (D-IL) Wellstone (D-MN)
Herald Story
Roll Call Vote - Helms Burton Act
Bill Summary
Kerry Against Kyoto
Kerry voted to cut of funding for Kyoto
Prohibit Funds for Kyoto Treaty, HR4578 (Roll Call Vote No. 211).
2000-07-18
The Senate passed the Interior Appropriations bill including a ban on the use of any of the money to implement the Kyoto "Global Warming" Protocol, which has never been submitted to the Senate for ratification.
Roll Call Vote
Kerry for Kyoto
April 9, 2001:
"While no one is under the illusion that Kyoto is perfect, this vote today... underscores that the Bush administration's initial approach of ignoring climate change altogether is beyond imperfect - it's unacceptable," said John Kerry, a Democratic senator.
Guardian Unlimited
Kerry on Arafat
Loves Him
In a 1997 book, Kerry described "Arafat's transformation from outlaw to statesman."
Kerry on Arafat
Hates Him
"Obviously, Yasser Arafat has been an impediment to the peace process," said Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee-in-waiting. "He missed a historic opportunity and he's proved himself to be irrelevant."
Wary of Kerry's Flattery
Kerry shifts Arafat Views
50 Cent Tax Hike - For
In 1994, Kerry Backed Half-Dollar Increase In Gas Tax. ?Kerry said [the Concord Coalition?s scorecard] did not accurately reflect individual lawmakers? efforts to cut the deficit. ?It doesn?t reflect my $43 billion package of cuts or my support for a 50-cent increase in the gas tax,? Kerry said.? (Jill Zuckman, ?Deficit-Watch Group Gives High Marks To 7 N.E. Lawmakers,? The Boston Globe, 3/1/94)
50 Cent Tax Hike - Against
Two Years Later, Kerry Flip-Flopped. ?Kerry no longer supports the 50-cent [gas tax] hike, nor the 25-cent hike proposed by the [Concord] coalition.? (Michael Grunwald, ?Kerry Gets Low Mark On Budgeting,? The Boston Globe, 4/30/96)
Abortion a State Issue
?I think the question of abortion is one that should be left for the states to decide,? Kerry said during his failed 1972 Congressional bid. (?John Kerry On The Issues,? The [Lowell, MA] Sun, 10/11/72
Abortion a Federal Issue
?The right to choose is the law of the United States. No person has the right to infringe on that freedom. Those of us who are in government have a special responsibility to see to it that the United States continues to protect this right, as it must protect all rights secured by the constitution.?
Drilling in ANWAR - Against
Kerry voted against drilling in ANWAR Upheld 52-48 S.Amdt. 272 to S.Con.Res. 23 (Budget resolution FY2004 )
Drilling in ANWAR - For it
MATTHEWS: How about ANWR? You guys want to see ANWR because you want to see guys working in your business. I guess there?s a lot of Teamsters jobs up there lined up and organized, if you could put a pipeline up to the Alaska wilderness. He is against that.
HOFFA: Well, we talked about that.
He says, look, I am against ANWR, but I am going to put that pipeline in and we?re going to drill like never before.
MATTHEWS: What, are they going to run water through it?
HOFFA: ... more jobs than the ANWR would have ever created.
MATTHEWS: What are they going to run through the pipeline?
HOFFA: And that?s the position he?s taking.
MATTHEWS: But he is against drilling up there. What are they going to run through the pipeline?
HOFFA: Well, they are going to drill all over, according to him. And he says, we?re going to be drilling all over the United States. And he says that is going to create more jobs.
Roll Call Vote
Hardball Interview
PAC Money - For It
Kerry Used To Decry ?Special Interests And Their PAC Money.? ??I?m frequently told by cynics in Washington that refusing PAC money is naive,? Kerry told his supporters in 1985. ?Do you agree that it is ?naïve? to turn down special interests and their PAC money??? (Glen Johnson, ?In A Switch, Kerry Is Launching A PAC,? The Boston Globe, 12/15/01)
PAC Money - Against it
But Kerry Created His Own Hard Money PAC Called Citizen Soldier Fund, Which Raised Over $700,000. ?A week after repeating that he has refused to accept donations from political action committees, Senator John F. Kerry announced yesterday that he was forming a committee that would accept PAC money for him to distribute to other Democratic candidates. ? Kerry?s stance on soft money, unregulated donations funneled through political parties, puts him in the position of raising the type of money that he, McCain, and others in the campaign-finance reform movement are trying to eliminate.? (Federal Election Commission Website, www.fec.gov, Accessed 2/10/04; Glen Johnson, ?In A Switch, Kerry Is Launching A PAC,? The Boston Globe, 12/15/01)
$10,000 Limit to His PAC
Against It
When Kerry Established His PAC In 2001, He Instituted $10,000 Limit On Donations. ?A week after repeating that he has refused to accept donations from political action committees, Senator John F. Kerry announced yesterday that he was forming a committee that would accept PAC money for him to distribute to other Democratic candidates ? The statement also declared that the new PAC would voluntarily limit donations of so-called soft money to $10,000 per donor per year and disclose the source and amount of all such donations.? (Glen Johnson, ?In A Switch, Kerry Is Launching A Pac,? The Boston Globe, 12/15/01)
$10,000 Limit to His PAC
For It
One Year Later, Kerry Started Accepting Unlimited Contributions. ?Senator John F. Kerry, who broke with personal precedent last year when he established his first political action committee, has changed his fund-raising guidelines again, dropping a $10,000 limit on contributions from individuals, a cap he had touted when establishing the PAC. The Massachusetts Democrat said yesterday he decided to accept unlimited contributions, which has already allowed him to take in ?soft money? donations as large as $25,000, because of the unprecedented fund-raising demands confronting him as a leader in the Senate Democratic caucus.? (Glen Johnson, ?Kerry Shifts Fund-Raising Credo For His Own PAC,? The Boston Globe, 10/4/02)
Personnal Funds in 1996 Race - Against It
In 1996, Kerry And Weld Established $500,000 Limit Of Personal Wealth To Be Used In Senate Campaign. ?In 1996, Kerry and Weld gave their already noteworthy Senate race added significance by establishing a spending cap. The candidates agreed to spend no more than $6.9 million from July 1 through the election. Weld ended up spending $6.6 million and Kerry $6.3 million. One key element of the agreement limited the candidates to spending $500,000 in personal wealth, a clause Weld favored because Kerry is married to a millionaire, Teresa Heinz.? (Glen Johnson, ?In Kerry?s Plan For A Pac, The Resolution Of Opposites,? The Boston Globe, 12/18/01)
Personal Funds in 1996 Race - For It
Kerry Broke Agreement By Spending $1.2 Million Over Limit. ?[P]ost-election reports showed a last-minute infusion of $1.7 million from Kerry?s wife, heiress Teresa Heinz. ? [K]erry denied that his campaign violated its agreement. The money had been loaned--not contributed--by his wife, he explained. ?There was nothing in the agreement that restricted us from taking a loan ? and we paid it back in $1,000 and $2,000 chunks.?? (?Global Ecology Lobby Rocked By Defection,? Political Finance, The Newsletter, 1/02)
Against Vietnam in Campaigns
1992 in defense of Bill Clinton's Draft Dodging: "I am saddened that Vietnam has yet again been inserted into the campaign."
For Vietnam in Campaigns
From "About John Kerry" at John Kerry.com
A graduate of Yale University, John Kerry entered the Navy after graduation, becoming a Swift Boat officer, serving on a gunboat in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. He received a Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V, and three awards of the Purple Heart for his service in combat.
WSJ
NAFTA - For
Kerry voted for NAFTA:
H.R. 3450, CQ Vote #395
??NAFTA recognizes the reality of today?s economy - globalization and technology,? Kerry said. ?Our future is not in competing at the low-level wage job; it is in creating high-wage, new technology jobs based on our skills and our productivity.?? (John Aloysius Farrell, ?Senate?s OK Finalizes NAFTA Pact,? The Boston Globe, 11/21/93)
NAFTA - Against
Kerry, who voted for NAFTA in 1993, expressed some doubt about the strength of free-trade agreements. ?If it were before me today, I would vote against it because it doesn?t have environmental or labor standards in it,? he said.? (David Lightman, ?Democrats Battle For Labor?s Backing,? Hartford Courant, 8/6/03)
NAFTA - HR 3450 Roll Call Vote
John Kerry's Waffles
Federal Health Benefits -
Against
In 1993, Kerry Expressed Doubts That Federal Employees Health Benefits System Worked Well. ?Hillary Rodham Clinton today offered a fresh description of one of the most confusing elements of the Administration health care plan, the health insurance purchasing alliances, saying they would let all Americans choose coverage in the way members of Congress do. ? Senator John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts, said he was not sure that the Federal program worked all that well.? (Adam Clymer, ?Hillary Clinton Says Health Plan Will Be Familiar,? The New York Times, 12/8/93)
Kerry Expressed Personal Dissatisfaction With His Coverage Through Federal Program. ?Earlier this month, when Hillary Rodham Clinton came to Boston and vowed that average Americans would get as good coverage as that enjoyed by their senators and representatives, Sen. John F. Kerry told Clinton that he thought the country could do better. The Massachusetts Democrat said he was thinking, among other recent disasters, of his $500 dental bill for treatment of an abscessed tooth. ?Because it was done in the dentist?s office, rather than the hospital, they didn?t cover it. So they were urging me to go spend twice as much in a hospital,? said Kerry, who is covered by BACE, the Beneficial Association of Capitol Employees.? (Ana Puga, ?Lawmakers Talk Health Care,? The Boston Globe, 12/19/93)
Federal Health Benefits -
For
Now, On Campaign Trail, Kerry Is Enthusiastic About Health Care He Receives As Senator. ?As a U.S. Senator, I could get the best health care in the world. Most people aren?t so lucky, and we need to change that. That?s why my plan gives every American access to the same kind of health care that members of Congress give themselves. ? Because your family?s health care is just as important as any politicians? in Washington.? (Sen. John Kerry, ?Affordable Health Care For All Americans,? Remarks At Mercy Medical, Cedar Rapids, IA, 12/14/03)
Kerry: ?I?m Going To Make Available To Every American The Same Health Care Plan That Senators And Congressmen Give Themselves ?? (Sen. John Kerry, AARP Democrat Candidate Debate, Bedford, NH, 11/18/03)
Military Service for Public Office - Against
Kerry: Service Should Not Be ?Litmus Test? For Leadership. ?Mr. President, you and I know that if support or opposition to the war were to become a litmus test for leadership, America would never have leaders or recover from the divisions created by that war. You and I know that if service or nonservice in the war is to become a test of qualification for high office, you would not have a Vice President, nor would you have a Secretary of Defense and our Nation would never recover from the divisions created by that war.? (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 10/08/92, p. S17709
Military Service for Public Office - For
Kerry Constantly ?Challenged The Stature Of His Democratic Opponents? Over Their Lack Of Military Service. ?And more than ever, Mr. Kerry is invoking his stature as a Vietnam veteran as he challenges the stature of his Democratic opponents -- none of whom, he frequently points out, have ?worn the uniform of our country? -- to withstand a debate with Mr. Bush on national security.? (Adam Nagourney, ?As Campaign Tightens, Kerry Sharpens Message,? The New York Times, 8/10/03)
Burma Sanctions
In 1995, Kerry Was Against Burma Sanctions. ??I question whether isolation is a successful means of promoting political change,? Kerry told a constituent in a 1995 letter justifying his opposition to a Burma sanction bill.? (Geeta Anand, et al., ?Menino Gets Ahead Of Himself, Starts Contemplating Third Term,? The Boston Globe, 5/18/97)
Burma Sanctions
But Now Kerry Supports Burma Sanctions. ?In his 1996 reelection campaign, Kerry, after Governor William F. Weld took up the cause, was badgered by advisers into shifting his position. But as he eyes a presidential campaign and the Burma sanction movement gains credibility, Kerry ? describes the Burma regime as a ?semi-criminalized dictatorship ? which should not be treated with respect by other nations, but should be instead subject to limitations on travel, investment, and access to the most developed nations.?? (Geeta Anand, et al., ?Menino Gets Ahead Of Himself, Starts Contemplating Third Term,? The Boston Globe, 5/18/97)
Health Coverage - Against
In 1994, Kerry Said Democrats Push Health Care Too Much. ?[Kerry] said Kennedy and Clinton?s insistence on pushing health care reform was a major cause of the Democratic Party?s problems at the polls.? (Joe Battenfeld, ?Jenny Craig Hit With Sex Harassment Complaint - By Men,? Boston Herald, 11/30/94)
Health Coverage - For
But Now Kerry Calls Health Care His ?Passion.? ?Sen. John Kerry says expanding coverage is ?my passion.?? (Susan Page, ?Health Specifics Could Backfire On Candidates,? USA Today, 6/2/03)
USA Today Article
Welfare Reform - Against
In 1993, Kerry Voted To Kill Bipartisan Welfare Work Requirement. In 1993, Kerry and Kennedy voted against a welfare-to-work requirement that was supported by many Democrats, including Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Harry Reid (D-NV):
Fiscal 1993 Supplemental Appropriations - Welfare Work Requirement. ?Moynihan, D-N.Y., motion to table (kill) the D?Amato, R-N.Y., amendment to sharply cut federal welfare administration aid to states that do not, within a year, require at least 10 percent of their able-bodied welfare recipients without dependents to work. The required workfare participation rate would be increased by 2 percent a year until 50 percent were working.? (H.R. 2118, CQ Vote #163: Rejected 34-64: 6/22/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
Welfare Reform - For
But In 1996, Kerry Voted For Welfare Reform. (H.R. 3734, CQ Vote #262: Adopted 78-21: 8/1/96, Kerry Voted Yea)
Motion to Table 489 Roll Call Vote
HR 3734 Roll Call Vote
Gay Marriage - For
?While I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, for 200 years, this has been a state issue. I oppose this election year effort to amend the Constitution in an area that each state can adequately address, and I will vote against such an amendment if it comes to the Senate floor."
In 1996, Kerry voted against the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as a union of a man and woman. At the time, Kerry said he opposed gay marriage, but the law amounted to gay-bashing.
Roll Call Vote
Kerry Signed Letter Backing Gay Marriage
Kerry scolded the Vatican on Gay Marriage
Gay Marriage - Against
Kerry Supports Mass. Constitutional Amendment banning gay marriage:
"If the Massachusetts Legislature crafts an appropriate amendment that provides for partnership and civil unions, then I would support it, and it would advance the goal of equal protection,"
Kerry explained his opposition to gay marriage by saying it was simply ?a matter of how I view the world. Culturally, historically and religiously I don?t believe that is a distinction that makes a difference.? Kerry said he backed civil unions of the type Dean had signed into law.
Boston Globe: Kerry Supports Gay Marriage Ban
Kerry Press Release on Gay Marriage
Kerry's stance confusing
USA Today - Kerry's letter backing Gay Marriage
Full text of Letter supporting gay marriage
Candidates Court Gay Voters
Judge Litmus Test - Against
Kerry Used To Oppose Litmus Tests For Judicial Nominees. ?Throughout two centuries, our federal judiciary has been a model institution, one which has insisted on the highest standards of conduct by our public servants and officials, and which has survived with undiminished respect. Today, I fear that this institution is threatened in a way that we have not seen before. ? This threat is that of the appointment of a judiciary which is not independent, but narrowly ideological, through the systematic targeting of any judicial nominee who does not meet the rigid requirements of litmus tests imposed ?? (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 2/3/86, p. S864)
Judge Litmus Test - For
But Now Kerry Says He Would Only Support Supreme Court Nominees Who Pledge To Uphold Roe v. Wade. ?The potential retirement of Supreme Court justices makes the 2004 presidential election especially important for women, Senator John F. Kerry told a group of female Democrats yesterday, and he pledged that if elected president he would nominate to the high court only supporters of abortion rights under its Roe v. Wade decision. ? ?Any president ought to appoint people to the Supreme Court who understand the Constitution and its interpretation by the Supreme Court. In my judgment, it is and has been settled law that women, Americans, have a defined right of privacy and that the government does not make the decision with respect to choice. Individuals do.?? (Glen Johnson, ?Kerry Vows Court Picks To Be Abortion-Rights Supporters,? The Boston Globe, 4/9/03)
Medical Marijuana - Against
Kerry Said His ?Personal Disposition Is Open To The Issue Of Medical Marijuana.? ?Aaron Houston of the Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana said that just a month ago Mr. Kerry seemed to endorse medical marijuana use, and when asked about the content of his mysterious study, said, ?I am trying to find out. I don?t know.? Mr. Kerry did say his ?personal disposition is open to the issue of medical marijuana? and that he?d stop Drug Enforcement Administration raids on patients using the stuff under California?s medical marijuana law.? (Jennifer Harper, ?Inside Politics,? The Washington Times, 8/8/03)
Medical Marijuana - For
But Now Kerry Says He Wants To Wait For Study Analyzing Issue Before Making Final Decision. ?The Massachusetts Democrat said Wednesday he?d put off any final decision on medical marijuana because there?s ?a study under way analyzing what the science is.?? (Jennifer Harper, ?Inside Politics,? The Washington Times, 8/8/03)
Affirmative Action
Against
?...today the civil rights arena is controlled by lawyers and the winners and losers determined by...rules most Americans neither understand nor are sympathetic with. ...This shift in the civil rights agenda has directed most of out attention and much of our hope into one inherently limited and divisive program: affirmative action
Senators Seek Serious Dialogue On Race,? The Washington Post, 4/8/92
Affirmative Action
For
Backtracks: "let me explain exactly what I said. Affirmative action, if you recall, back in the 1990s?Bill Clinton said this, too?needed to be mended. I was one of the early people saying we have to mend it, don?t end it."
Original Wash Post Archive$
Russert questions Kerry on both quotes - Meet the press
Death Penalty - Against
Voted No to limit Appeals
Voted no to reject racial Appeals
Introduced mandatory DNA Testing
In 1996, Kerry Attacked Governor Bill Weld For Supporting Death Penalty For Terrorists. KERRY: ?Your policy would amount to a terrorist protection policy. Mine would put them in jail.? (1996 Massachusetts Senate Debate, 9/16/96)
In 1996, Kerry Said, ?You Can Change Your Mind On Things, But Not On Life-And-Death Issues.? (Timothy J. Connolly, ?The ?Snoozer? Had Some Life,? [Worcester, MA] Telegram & Gazette, 7/3/96)
Death Penalty - For
He is pro-choice, opposes the death penalty except for terrorists, favors gun control and would repeal the President's tax breaks for the wealthy.
John Kerry Press Release
Kerry Opposes Death Penalty - USA Today
Flipped on Business
Income Taxes
Kerry Voted Against Exempting Small Businesses And Family Farms From Clinton Income Tax Increase. To shield small businesses and family farms from President Clinton's proposed tax on the wealthy, to make proprietorships, partnerships, and Subchapter S corporations exempt from President Clinton's proposed increase in the marginal individual income tax rates, and to reduce the add-on spending contained in President Clinton's plan by a corresponding amount so that no deficit increase results from exempting small businesses and family farms from the increased marginal tax rates.
S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #79: Motion Agreed To 54-45: 3/25/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
Three Months Later, Kerry Voted In Favor Of Proposal To Exclude Small Businesses From Increased Income Tax.
To limit the tax rate for certain small businesses, and for other purposes.
(S. 1134, CQ Vote #171: Motion Rejected 56-42: R 43-0; D 13-42, 6/24/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
Flopped on Business
Income Taxes
Kerry Claimed He Fought To Exempt Small Businesses From Income Tax Increases. ?I worked to amend the reconciliation bill so that it would ? exempt small businesses who are classified as subchapter S corporations from the increased individual income tax.? (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 6/29/93, p. S 8268)
S.Con Res 18 Roll Call Vote
S. 1134 Roll Call Vote
No Child Left Behind
For
NCLB Act of 2001 - Kerry voted for NCLB.
No Child Left Behind
Against
"Between now and the time I'm sworn in January 2005, I'm going to use every day to make this president accountable for making a mockery of the words 'No Child Left Behind,'" he said.
Article by Holly Ramer
NCLB Roll Call Vote
Raising Taxes during
Economic Downturn - Against
September 2001: Said Taxes Should Not Rise In Economic Downturn. ?The first priority is the economy of our nation. And when you have a downturn in the economy, the last thing you do is raise taxes or cut spending. We shouldn?t do either. We need to maintain a course that hopefully will stimulate the economy. ? No, we should not raise taxes, but we have to put everything on the table to take a look at why we have this structural problem today. ? [Y]ou don?t want to raise taxes.? (NBC?s ?Meet The Press,? 9/2/01)
We Should ?Absolutely Not Raise Taxes.? ?Well, I think it?s very clear what I favor because we voted for it early in the spring, which was the Democratic budget alternative that had triggers in it where you didn?t wind up spending money you don?t have. It had a smaller tax cut but more tax cut for a stimulus, which is what we need. So you ask me, what do we need now? Yes, we need additional stimulus. We should absolutely not raise taxes. We should not cut spending. What we need to do is drive the economy of this country. The economy is the number one issue. It is the most important thing we should focus on.? (CNN?s ?Evans, Novak, Hunt & Shields,? 9/8/01)
April 2002: Said He Wanted Larger Tax Cut And Was ?Not In Favor Of? Repeal. CNN?s TUCKER CARLSON: ?Senator Kerry ? [many Democrats] [g]et a lot of political mileage out of criticizing [President Bush?s tax cut], but nobody has the courage to say repeal it. Are you for repealing it?? KERRY: ?It?s not a question of courage. ? And it?s not an issue right now. We passed appropriately a tax cut as a stimulus, some $40 billion. Many of us thought it should have even maybe been a little bit larger this last year ? [T]he next tax cut doesn?t take effect until 2004. If we can grow the economy enough between now and then, if we have sensible policies in place and make good choices, who knows what our choices will be. So it?s simply not a ripe issue right now. And I?m not in favor of turning around today and repealing it.? (CNN?s ?Crossfire,? 4/16/02)
Raising Taxes during economic downturn - for
December 2002: Flip-Flopped, Would Keep Tax Cuts From Taking Effect. NBC?s TIM RUSSERT: ?Senator ? should we freeze or roll back the Bush tax cut?? KERRY: ?Well, I wouldn?t take away from people who?ve already been given their tax cut ? What I would not do is give any new Bush tax cuts.? ? RUSSERT: ?So the tax cut that?s scheduled to be implemented in the coming years ?? KERRY: ?No new tax cut under the Bush plan. ? It doesn?t make economic sense.? ? RUSSERT: ?Now, this is a change ?? (NBC?s ?Meet The Press,? 12/1/02)
Called For Freeze Of Bush Tax Cuts In Favor Of Year-Long Suspension Of Payroll Taxes On First $10,000 Of Personal Income. ?Kerry said Bush?s tax cuts have mainly benefited the rich while doing little for the economy. Kerry is proposing to halt Bush?s additional tax cuts and instead impose a yearlong suspension of payroll taxes on the first $10,000 of income to help the poor and middle class.? (Tyler Bridges, ?Kerry Visits Miami To Start Raising Funds,? The Miami Herald, 12/7/02)
For ending double taxation of dividends
In December 2002, Kerry said, "We should encourage the measurement of the real value of companies by ending the double taxation of dividends."
Against ending double taxation of dividends
Throughout 2003, Kerry opposed President Bush's tax plan, which, according to Bush, would eliminate the "double taxation on dividends." In May, Kerry voted against the final plan, which cut but didn't eliminate the tax on corporate dividends.
Slate.MSN
The Patriot Act - For
Kerry Voted for the Patriot Act
H.R. 3162
The Patriot Act - Against
Sen. Kerry, D-Mass., denounced the act in a speech to more than 800 people in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union. Kerry said the American people must stand up to protect the U.S. Constitution.
"We will not be silenced, we will not be intimidated," he said. "We will be heard and we will stand up for our rights."
Patriot Act Roll Call Vote
Iowa State Daily
Is Black
"President Clinton was often known as the first black president. I wouldn't be upset if I could earn the right to be the second." John Kerry
Ain't Black
Kerry is quite obviously white. So was Bill Clinton.
Article: US News
Blacks react to Comment
Is Irish
''For those of us who are fortunate to share an Irish ancestry, we take great pride in the contributions that Irish-Americans ?" (Congressional Record, March 18, 1986).
"As some of you may know, I am part-English and part-Irish. And when my Kerry ancestors first came over to Massachusetts from the old country to find work in the New World, it was my English ancestors who refused to hire them."
Ain't Irish
Kerry was accused of using such comments to make his Irish-American constituents think he is one of them when, in fact, he isn't. His grandparents were Jewish who changed their names.
Kerry now claims he never said it.
Slate.MSN
Kerry's Roots
Intelligence - Against
1994: Proposed Bill To Gut $1 Billion From Intelligence And Freeze Spending For Two Major Intelligence Programs. Kerry proposed a bill cutting $1 billion from the budgets of the National Foreign Intelligence Program and from Tactical Intelligence, and freezing their budgets. The bill did not make it to a vote, but the language was later submitted (and defeated ? see below) as S. Amdt. 1452 to H.R. 3759. (S. 1826, Introduced 2/3/94)
1995: Proposed Bill Cutting $1.5 Billion From Intelligence Budget. Kerry introduced a bill that would ?reduce the Intelligence budget by $300 million in each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000.?
No cosponsors of Kerry?s bill, Never Made it to floor
S. 1290, Introduced 9/29/95
1995: Voted To Slash FBI Funding By $80 Million. (H.R. 2076, CQ Vote #480: Adopted 49-41: R 9-40; D 40-1, 9/29/95, Kerry Voted Yea)
1997: Kerry Questioned Growth Of Intelligence Community After Cold War. ?Now that that [Cold War] struggle is over, why is it that our vast intelligence apparatus continues to grow even as Government resources for new and essential priorities fall far short of what is necessary? ?? Congressional Record 5/1/97, p. S3891)
Kerry proposed cutting $1 billion from the National Foreign Intelligence Program and Tactical Intelligence budgets, and freezing their budgets. Defeated:
(Amdt.. To H.R. 3759, CQ Vote #39: Rejected 20-75: R 3-37; D 17-38, 2/10/94, Kerry Voted Yea; Graham, Lieberman And Braun Voted Nay)
Intelligence - For
"Kerry Strongly Supports Increased Intelligence Funding"
Campaign slogan from JohnKerry.com
NoJFK2 Archive of S1290, S1826
Search 104th for S 1290, S 1826, HR 2076
Congressional Record 5/1/97, p. S3891
S.AMDT.1452 to H.R.3759
- All Amendments
- Bill HR 3759
Cuban Sanctions
Against Them
H.R. 927: Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996 Measure Title: A bill to seek international sanctions against the Castro government in Cuba, to plan for support of a transition government leading to a democratically elected government in Cuba, and for other purposes. - Passed 74-22 Kerry voted Nay
Voted Against Stronger Cuba Sanctions:
S. 955: To decrease the amount of funds available to OPIC for administrative expenses to carry out the credit and insurance programs. Vote #183: Rejected 38-63 7/17/97, Kerry Voted Yea
S. 1234, CQ Vote #189, Motion Agreed To 55-43: R 43-10; D 12-33, 6/30/99, Kerry Voted Nay;
To establish a National Bipartisan Commission on Cuba to evaluate United States policy with respect to Cuba.
S. 2549, CQ Vote #137: Motion Agreed To 59-41: R 52-3; D 7-38, 6/20/00, Kerry Voted Nay
Link
