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THE ISSUES / HOWARD DEAN
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About Howard Dean:
Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean was the first Democrat in the race, filing papers with the Federal Election Commission on May 31, 2002. He gained momentum when he led the Democrats in fund raising through most of 2003. He was the front-runner going into the Iowa caucuses but the race tightened days before the January 19, 2004, contest. Dean's campaign never recovered from his third-place finish in Iowa. A day after finishing third in the February 17 Wisconsin primary, Dean ended his campaign, saying he was "no longer actively pursuing the presidency."
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Editor's note: This chart features brief summaries of candidates' viewpoints on some issues, based on their statements and records. Most candidates have offered more comprehensive explanations of their positions on these and other issues. More information may be found on their campaign Web sites.
Compare this with all candidates
TOPIC
POSITION
Affirmative Action
Supports affirmative action policies
Gay marriage
No public position, but opposes DOMA and backs civil unions
Gays in the military
Favors allowing gay men, women to serve openly in military
Gay adoption
Supports adoption by gay men and women
Hate crime legislation
Define racial profiling as discrimination
Compare this with all candidates
TOPIC
POSITION
National Missile Defense
Divert some NMD money for nonproliferation effort
Increase size of Army
More troops to Iraq and Afghanistan; promises world's "strongest military"
Program budgets
Raise pay, benefits of troops, veterans to previous levels
Compare this with all candidates
TOPIC
POSITION
Drilling in ANWR
Opposes oil exploration in Arctic refuge
Alternative fuels
Develop renewable energy sources; foster efficiency
Energy policy
Undo Bush policies; end conflicts of interest; open energy market
Gas mileage requirements
End SUV gas mileage exemptions; give conservation incentives
Compare this with all candidates
TOPIC
POSITION
Drug costs
Supports re-importation of prescription drugs from Canada
Medicare solvency
Guarantee Medicare funding for retirees
Prescription drugs benefit
Supports benefit legislation pending in Congress
Nationalized health care
Add programs to expand coverage, not full nationalization
Sue HMOs
Dismisses this issue to focus expanding health coverage
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TOPIC
POSITION
Enemy combatants
Against military tribunals, labeling of "enemy combatants"
Patriot Act
Repeal parts of Patriot Act that restrict basic liberties
Immigration
Protect immigrants' rights; allow more to become citizens
Intelligence agencies
Call for inquiries on agencies' failings, work with others
Compare this with all candidates
TOPIC
POSITION
War in Iraq
Opposed U.S.-led war from the outset
Iraqi reconstruction
Increase international cooperation, role in Iraq
Pre-emption policy
End President Bush's "first strike" policy
Afghanistan
Backed invasion; calls for more resources, troops
Middle East
Become more fully engaged with Israelis, Palestinians
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TOPIC
POSITION
Abortion
Supports a woman's right to an abortion
Death penalty
Apply only for extreme crimes; calls for inquiry into system
Drug policy
Do not decriminalize drugs, but drug use public health issue
Gun control
Keep federal laws; improve enforcement; give states leeway
Education reform
Calls NCLB Act a "huge unfunded mandate"
Supreme Court
Appoint judges based on experience and merit, not litmus tests
Compare this with all candidates
TOPIC
POSITION
Social Security
Guarantee Social Security funding for retirees
State fiscal crisis
Boost aid to states, cities for homeland security
Tax cuts
Repeal Bush tax cuts; offer health care tax credit
Budget deficits
Steer the nation back toward a balanced budget
Job creation
Invest in job-creating infrastructure (roads, schools, etc.)
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NOTE
• AG: Attorney General; ANWR: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; CAFÉ: Standards that provide tax and other incentives for consumers to purchase and alternative fuel vehicles; COPS: Community Oriented Policing Program; DOMA: Defense of Marriage Act; GLBT: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered; NCLB: No Child Left Behind; NMD: National Missile Defense.
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