This selector features over two dozen names of announced candidates and politicians considered by pundits to be possible White House contenders. You may select a position for every issue, or just select those issues important to you. The candidates' positions are based upon their voting records, special interest group ratings and the candidates' statements in the public record. In cases where a would-be president has no known public record or statement on an issue, they are not given a score, which tends to reward candidates who take stands on more issues. Also candidates for president who take consistent and stronger stands tend to get higher scores. All the candidates and/or their staffs were written to and given an opportunity to clarify or correct their views as characterized here.

In The News Bonus Question.

Reflects the positions of remaining candidates who have made public their views on this issue. What would be your ideal candidate's position on a federal gas tax moratorium?

Would favor temporarily lifting the gasoline tax, labeling it as needed relief for America's drivers.

Would oppose temporarily lifting the gasoline tax, calling it a costly gimmick that would actually raise prices by increasing demand.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

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1. What would be your ideal candidate's position on the IRAQ WAR at the beginning of the war?

Would have opposed Bush’s original request to use military force against Iraq.

Would have supported Bush’s original request to use military force against Iraq.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High 2. What would be your ideal candidate's position on LEAVING IRAQ?

Would support President Bush's policy of no time line for withdrawal in Iraq.

Would support a deadline for withdrawal in Iraq.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





3. What would be your ideal candidate's position on BALANCING CIVIL LIBERTIES & SECURITY?

Would lean toward protecting civil liberties even though it might risk our security.

Would lean toward decreasing civil liberties as way to increase security.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





4. What would be your ideal candidate's position on SOCIAL SECURITY?

Would work to make it solvent, possibly raising the earnings ceiling and/or the retirement age, etc.

Would consider other options, including privatization.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





5. What would be your ideal candidate's position on EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH?

Would support federal expansion of embryonic stem cell research.

Would oppose federal expansion of embryonic stem cell research.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





6. What would be your ideal candidate's position on SCHOOL CHOICE?

Would oppose publicly funded "voucher" programs that allows students to choose to attend any of various participating private and public schools.

Would support publicly funded "voucher" program that allows students to choose to attend any of various participating private and public schools.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





7. What would be your ideal candidate's position on GAY & LESBIAN ISSUES?

Would oppose both marriage and civil unions for same sex couples.

Would support both marriage and civil unions for same sex couples.

Would support civil unions (but not marriages) for same sex couples.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





8. What would be your ideal candidate's position on TRADE ISSUES?

Would support free trade policies.

("In international trade, free trade is an idealized market model, often stated as a political objective, in which trade of goods and services between countries flows unhindered by government-imposed tariff and non-tariff barriers. Nearly all modern non-Marxist economists support the statement that free trade is a net gain to both trading partners and that the gains from free trade outweigh the losses." --Wikipedia)

Would support fair trade policies.

("Fair trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South. Fair trade organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade."--Wikipedia)

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





9. What would be your ideal candidate's position on TAXES & GOVERNMENT SERVICES? (There are two basic schools of thought on this topic. One side says, "a society is judged by the way it treats its most vulnerable members". The other side says, "reduce taxes so people can keep their money to solve their own problems".)

My ideal candidate would favor the "government should help people" positions of groups such as the Children's Defense Fund and the Alliance for Retired Americans.

My ideal candidate would favor the anti-tax positions of the National Taxpayers Union.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





10. What would be your ideal candidate's position on THE DEFICIT?

Would raise taxes and/or reduce spending if necessary to reduce the deficit and balance the budget in keeping with the philosophy of the Concord Coalition.

Would not be concerned with the deficit, in keeping with the philosophy of supply-side economics.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





11. What would be your ideal candidate's position on BUSINESS & LABOR?

Would favor the pro-business positions of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and similar groups.

Would favor the pro-labor positions of the AFL-CIO and similar groups.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





12. What would be your ideal candidate's position on ABORTION?

Would support the pro-choice positions of organizations like NARAL.

Would support the pro-life positions of organizations like National Right to Life Committee.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





13. What would be your ideal candidate's position on CAPITAL PUNISHMENT?

Would support the death penalty.

Would oppose the death penalty.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





14. What would be your ideal candidate's position on MARIJUANA laws?

Would not advocate any sort of legalization of marijuana.

Would support legalization for doctor prescribed medical use of marijuana.

Would support a general decriminalization of marijuana. What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





15. What would be your ideal candidate's position on GUN CONTROL?

Would support gun control legislation recommended by groups such as the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

Would oppose gun control legislation. Supports positions of groups such as the NRA and the Gun Owners of America.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





16. What would be your ideal candidate's position on the MINIMUM WAGE?

Would have a history of supporting increases in the minimum wage.

Would have a history of opposing increases in the minimum wage.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





17. What would be your ideal candidate's position on HEALTH CARE?

Would oppose a government-provided, universal health care program for Americans.

Would favor a government-provided, universal health care program for Americans.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





18. What would be your ideal candidate's position on PRESCRIPTION DRUGS?

Would favor allowing citizens to purchase drugs from Canada and elsewhere abroad.

Would favor the federal government negotiating with drug manufacturers to get the best possible price.

Both the above.

None of the above. What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





19. What would be your ideal candidate's position on ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES?

Would favor positions of environmental groups like the League of Conservation Voters.

Would oppose positions of environmental groups like the League of Conservation Voters.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





20. What would be your ideal candidate's position on LEGAL IMMIGRATION?

Would support the interests of groups such as the Federation for American Immigration Reform which seeks to reduce legal immigration levels.

Would favor a more open immigration policy, holding the opinion that foreign workers are a valuable and necessary addition to our labor pool.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





21. What would be your ideal candidate's position on ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION?

Would support both amnesty/permanent legalization AND temporary legalization (guest worker programs) for illegal aliens

Would oppose both amnesty/permanent legalization AND temporary legalization (guest worker programs) for illegal aliens

Would support temporary legalization (guest worker programs) for illegal aliens, but oppose permanent amnesty

Would support permanent amnesty for illegal aliens, but oppose temporary legalization (guest worker programs)

None of the above What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





22. What would be your ideal candidate's position on SLAVERY REPARATIONS? (The specific actions regarding reparations for slavery include the government apologizing to slave descendants for their hardships, and awarding them financial and/or other compensation.)

Would advocate reparations for slavery.

Would not advocate reparations for slavery.

Neither What priority do you place on your selection above?

Low High





23. What would be your ideal candidate's political or PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS? (Select none, any or all)

A national level elected representative, i.e. a member of Congress

An elected executive, i.e. a governor or mayor

Military leader

Business owner or executive

Lawyer

Journalist, broadcast commentator or author (authorship of campaign books which are frequently ghostwritten have been ignored).

Professor, teacher or lecturer

Doctor





24. What would be your ideal candidate's presidential CAMPAIGN EXPERIENCE?

My ideal candidate will be a "fresh face" who has not campaigned for the presidency before.

My ideal candidate will have the experience of campaigning for president

Not important





25. What is the PREFERABLE AGE for your ideal candidate upon assuming office? (Select none, any or all)

35-44 years old

45-54 years old

55-64 years old

65-74 years old

75 and older





26. Which of these are PREFERABLE MARITAL STATUSES for your ideal candidate? (Select none, any or all)

Single, never married

Single, divorced

Currently married to first spouse

Currently married to second spouse

Currently married to third spouse

Widowed, remarried

Widowed, unmarried