Posted on 01/24/2004 3:52:25 PM PST by Timesink
POLL ANALYSES
PRINCETON, NJ -- The latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup New Hampshire tracking poll results show Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry continuing to have a healthy lead over the rest of the field. According to the poll, which includes interviews conducted Wednesday night through Friday night, 35% of likely Democratic primary voters say they would vote for Kerry if the primary election were held today. Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean is second with 23%. The gap between Dean and retired Gen. Wesley Clark has widened in the latest poll, from five points to nine points, with Clark now at 14%. North Carolina Sen. John Edwards (11%) and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman (10%) are vying with Clark for third place.
Likely New Hampshire Voters: If the Primary Were Held Today, for Whom Would You Vote? |
In the initial phase of this tracking poll, conducted before the Iowa caucuses, Dean led Kerry by 32% to 25%. Momentum quickly shifted to Kerry following his surprise win in Iowa, and Kerry has led Dean by at least 10 points in each individual night of interviewing after Iowa. Support for Dean has now appeared to stabilize after his immediate post-Iowa drop, suggesting the effects of the negative publicity he received following his third-place finish in Iowa and his often-criticized address to his supporters there may have run their course.
At the same time, support for Clark has been gradually diminishing. His 14% share of support among likely voters is his lowest so far in the New Hampshire tracking poll, and represents an erosion of one-third of his support compared with his 21% score in the initial tracking poll. Clark received some criticism for his performance in Thursday's debate. Aside from the debate, some have wondered what effect Kerry's performance in Iowa may have had on Clark's candidacy, since many previously considered Clark to be the likely alternative to presumptive front-runner Dean -- a position Kerry may now have seized. Clark's higher standing in the initial tracking poll may also stem from his decision not to contest Iowa, thus allowing him to focus almost all of his time on New Hampshire, while the other candidates (aside from Lieberman) were campaigning in Iowa.
Edwards' strong showing in Iowa apparently did not do much to boost his immediate fortunes in New Hampshire. The North Carolina senator's support in the Granite State has risen to only the low double digits.
This latest poll marks the first time Lieberman has reached double digits.
With just three days left until ballots are cast in the primary, 63% of likely primary voters say they are certain to support their current candidate of choice, while slightly more than one in three, 36%, leave open the possibility of changing their minds.
Among the group of likely voters who indicate they have made up their minds, 40% say they will support Kerry, 26% Dean, 11% Clark, 11% Edwards, and 10% Lieberman.
Survey Methods
New Hampshire tracking results are based on telephone interviews with approximately 280 New Hampshire residents per night who say they plan to vote in the Democratic Primary on Jan. 27. Results are reported in three-day rolling averages.
The most recent results are based on interviews conducted Jan. 21-23, 2004 with 641 New Hampshire residents deemed most likely to vote in the Democratic primary. For this sample, the maximum margin of error attributable to sampling is ±4 percentage points.
The "likely voter" model assumes a turnout rate of 60% of those who say they plan to vote in the Democratic presidential primary, approximately 25% of New Hampshire adults. The likely voter results are weighted to match this assumption (weighted sample size is 516).
All results reported here are based on likely voters.
Number of Interviews |
||||
Plan to vote in |
Likely |
Margin of error, |
||
2004 Jan 21-23 |
853 |
641 |
±4 |
|
2004 Jan 20-22 |
848 |
641 |
±4 |
|
2004 Jan 19-21 |
852 |
646 |
±4 |
|
2004 Jan 18-20 |
849 |
644 |
±4 |
|
2004 Jan 17-19 ^ |
854 |
657 |
±4 |
|
^ |
NOTE: All interviews conducted on Jan.19 were completed before the results of the Iowa caucuses were reported. |
2. Suppose the Democratic primary for president were being held today. If you had to choose among the following candidates, which candidate would you vote for? [ROTATED: John Kerry, Joe Lieberman, John Edwards, Howard Dean, Al Sharpton, Dennis Kucinich, or Wesley Clark]
2A. As of today, to which Democratic candidate do you lean most?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None/ other/ no opinion |
||
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
(LV) 2004 Jan 21-23 |
35 |
23 |
14 |
11 |
10 |
3 |
* |
4 |
|
(LV) 2004 Jan 20-22 |
34 |
22 |
17 |
12 |
8 |
3 |
* |
4 |
|
(LV) 2004 Jan 19-21 ^ |
30 |
25 |
18 |
11 |
8 |
4 |
* |
4 |
|
(LV) 2004 Jan 18-20 ^ |
28 |
30 |
19 |
9 |
8 |
2 |
* |
4 |
|
(LV) 2004 Jan 17-19 ^ |
25 |
32 |
21 |
7 |
7 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
|
^ |
Dick Gephardt dropped out of the race for the Democratic nomination on Jan. 20 and his name was removed from this question beginning with that date's interviewing. For data collected on Jan. 17, 18, and 19, Gephardt voters' second choice is substituted. Gephardt received 4% of the vote in the Jan. 17-19 poll. |
||||||||
(LV) Likely voters |
|||||||||
* Less than 0.5% |
3. Are you certain to vote for -- [INSERT RESPONSE FROM Q.2] -- in the primary election, or do you think you might change your mind?
Certain to vote for |
Might change mind |
No opinion |
|
% |
% |
% |
|
(LV) 2004 Jan 21-23 |
63 |
36 |
1 |
(LV) 2004 Jan 20-22 |
62 |
37 |
1 |
(LV) 2004 Jan 19-21 |
63 |
36 |
1 |
(LV) 2004 Jan 18-20 |
64 |
35 |
1 |
(LV) 2004 Jan 17-19 |
62 |
37 |
1 |
(LV) Likely voters |
I am with post #24 ... Kerry is quite scary...
Sorry, guys. You miss my point. I am not choosing my vote on who would be the best (easiest) candidate for Bush to run against. I think Lieberman is the best man in the group to be president, though it is a sorry bunch.
You are exactly correct.
No crossover voting is allowed, and the final date for changing party registration was months ago.
Dems, undeclared, and "new" voters registering at the polls on Primary day will be the only ones who can cast a ballot in the Democrat Primary in NH.
The fact is, the journalists have been following the candidates and see them at the worst and their best. Laying aside the worst and just portraying what the candidates want everyone to see is not taking the adversarial role journalists love to claim is part of their ethos. Howard Dean has less self-control than most. Even less than most so-called Democrats. And it's obvious to anyone who sees him, including TV viewers.The media vs. Howard DeanWhen the Washington Post introduced readers to Howard Dean in a long Page 1 feature July 6, part of a series of "meet the Democrats" candidate profiles, the paper went for the jugular, literally, with a cartoonish, unflattering description to open the article: "Howard Dean was angry. Ropy veins popped out of his neck, blood rushed to his cheeks, and his eyes, normally blue-gray, flashed black, all dilated pupils."
by Eric Boehlert
Jan. 13, 2004
Six months later, an extended version of that campaign narrative, polished by Republican talking-points memos and echoed day after day by the mainstream media, remains a constant of the campaign trail: Dean is a sarcastic smart aleck with foot-in-the mouth disease, a political ticking time bomb. The former Vermont governor remains the front-runner among Democratic voters, but he's gotten increasingly caustic treatment from the media, which has dwelled on three big themes -- that Dean's angry, gaffe-prone and probably not electable -- while giving comparatively far less ink to the doctor's policy and political prescriptions that have catapulted him ahead of the Democratic field. Newsweek's critical Jan. 12 cover story, "All the Rage: Dean's Shoot-From-the-Hip Style and Shifting Views Might Doom Him in November," achieved a nifty trifecta that covered anger, gaffes and electability, all three of the main media raps against Dean.
Large field of unknowns running for president as democrats There are nine candidates for the Democratic nomination for president who have received most of the media attention for a variety of reasons. However, polls show there are still a large number of New Hampshire voters who are undecided. What some may not realize is there are alternatives to Howard Dean, John Kerry, Wesley Clark, Joe Lieberman, Dick Gephardt, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, Carol Mosley Braun and the Rev. Al Sharpton. There are, in fact, 14 additional Democratic candidates who have paid their $1,000 fee to run in this year's first-in-the-nation primary. In an effort to supply New Hampshire voters with as much information about their primary voting options, information on those lesser-known candidates who are running as Democrats, has been included below. Candidate: Harry W. Braun Web site: www.braunforpresident.net Party: Democrat Biography: Chairman and CEO of Sustainable Partners Inc., a systems integration company that is involved in a number of renewable energy projects including the development of a 180-megawatt Mesa Wind project in New Mexico. He has been an advisory board member of the International Association for Hydrogen Energy (Coral Gables, Florida) since 1981. Braun also served as the Democratic candidate for Arizona's First Congressional District in 1984. His opponent was John McCain. Platform: Energy - Supports the Phoenix Project plan, which will shift from oil to hydrogen through the mass production of wind-powered ships -- hydrogen production systems. Candidate: Katherine Bateman Web site: www.teenvote2004.org Party: Democrat Biography: Not available Platform: Not available Candidate: Fern Penna Web site: www.pennao4@yahoo.com Party: Democrat Biography: Born in August, 1963 in Rockaway, N.Y., he completed his education in political science, law and theology in New York state. Platform: A total approach to rebuilding America by pushing for: a balanced budget; higher employment and lower taxes; strict teacher authority and zero tolerance for disruptive behavior in schools; tax breaks for children and educational support; all military weaponry to be made in USA, and health care for wounded service men and women; national health care by requiring everyone over 18 to pay $9 per month toward a national health-care program; lower crime rates by establishing Community Watch and prison rehabilitation programs; a high-speed transcontinental railroad; energy independence and fuel cell propulsion. Candidate: Gerry Dokka Web site: None Party: Democrat Biography: Not available Platform: Not available Candidate: Willie Felix Carter Web site: None Party: Democrat Biography: Studied electronic technology at Tarrant County Junior College, then joined the United States Air Force Reserve. Became Airman of the Year, promoted to master sergeant and served 28 years active and reserve duty. Carter ran for president in 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000. Platform: Homelessness - will require a serious and sincere dedication on the part of every American to end poverty; Social Security - do not privatize; Jobs - guarantee every able-bodied person desiring a job, good work and decent wages; Military - establish military capability second to none; Health care - affordable for everyone; Foreign Relations - conflict resolution through diplomacy and sensible dialogue; Crime - speedy trials and swift justice. Candidate: Robert Linnell Web site: www.my-oped.com Party: Democrat Biography: Developed and taught an environmental course on air pollution and energy, designed a three-year budget plan for University of Southern California and was principal investigator of a major study on faculty conflicts of interest resulting in the publication of "Dollars and Scholars." Was one of the first in the nation to offer retirement planning seminars for faculty and staff. Since moving to Vermont in 1992, helped Habitat for Humanity, The Community Colleges of Vermont, The Concord Coalition, and served on the Student Aid Committee of the Upper Valley Community Foundation and the Assembly of Overseers of Dartmouth Hitchcock Memorial Hospital. Platform: Energy - Legislation for mandatory rules for the operation of the nation's electric grid, to prevent another big blackout, expanded R&D and tax credits for innovative renewable energy, mandatory energy efficiency increases in vehicles and appliances, continued work on a hydrogen economy, recognizing its long-term nature and formidable scientific problems; International - Globalization of communications, transportation, trade, pollution and environmental concerns make cooperation with other nations imperative; Middle East - A stable peace in the Middle East requires Israel to draw back and at the same time Yasser Arafat and Palestinians must stop terrorism; Taxes and federal debt - Rescind massive tax cuts for the wealthy; Health care - Universal health care, change Medicare to allow containment of drug prices and remove subsidies of private health insurers; Environment - Think in terms of hundreds and thousands of years and not decades. Candidate: Edward Thomas O'Donnell Web site: None Party: Democrat Biography: O'Donnell of Wilmington, Del., is the president of the Winthrop Foundation, a charity that donates curricula in health, mental health, philosophy and religion to high schools. He has served on over 50 charitable boards including state chairman of the United Negro College Fund, United Nations Association, Foreign Policy Association and Bread for the World. Platform: Opposition to abortion - In favor of overturning Roe vs. Wade Candidate: Lyndon LaRouche Web site: www.larouchein2004.net Party: Democrat Biography: Larouche was born in Rochester. Founder: (1974) Executive Intelligence Review weekly; co-founder: (1975) Fusion Energy Foundation; Member: Schiller Institute. Larouche is the author of "So, You Wish To Learn All About Economics?" (1984,1995)and "The Science of Christian Economy" (1991). His political career included being a candidate for U.S. presidential nomination of Democratic Party: 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000. U.S. presidential candidate, U.S. Labor Party, 1976. Candidate, U.S. House of Representatives, Virginia, 1990. Larouche was convicted and sentenced on conspiracy charges, December 1988, 1989-94. Platform: The general replacement of central banking with a national banking system envisioned by U.S. Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton; Build a just, new-world economic order as a new quality of partnership among sovereign nation-states; Emphasis on both large scale development of basic economic infrastructure, adequate food-supplies, and fostering of growth of per-capita productivity through investment in scientific and technological progress. Candidate: Caroline Pettinato Killeen Web site: None Party: Democrat Biography: Previously, she ran for president in the New Hampshire Primary in 1992 (96 votes) and 1996 (393 votes), and for U.S. Senate and Arizona governor. At age 77, the self-styled "Hemp Lady" and a sometimes homeless former Catholic nun is back for another White House run. Killeen has campaigned in the past by bicycle, usually accompanied by her dog. To raise attention over the years for her legalization fight, she has pedaled cross-country at least 10 times to date. Platform: Killeen is a frequent marijuana legalization and peace candidate. If elected, she promises to personally lobby the pope to have him endorse marijuana use. She calls her campaign platform "Killeen up America," supports converting the United States to the metric system, environmental protection laws, abolishing the electoral college, protecting smokers' rights. She opposes gay rights laws, women's rights laws, sanctions against Cuba, and war. Candidate: Randy Crow Web site: www.randycrow.com Biography: Randy Crow of North Carolina, is a small businessman and former Realtor who was an unsuccessful candidate for the Wilmington City Council in 1997. Then he ran for Congress in the 1998 primary (spending $200 and getting 6 percent of the vote). He ran for president in the 2000 primaries (he got on the ballot in New Hampshire and Louisiana), then lost a primary for Congress later in 2000 (he got 7 percent of the vote), lost for council again and most recently finished last place (1 percent) in the 2002 U.S. Senate primary. Platform: "I am involved in politics to get rid of filthy communists and lots of others." Crow said he also believes the FBI blew up TWA Flight 800 with a laser and shot down Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan's 2000 campaign plane. On his Web site, Crow repeatedly expresses open hatred toward Jews. Most of the contents of Crow's site, however, appear to be conspiracy tirades against various envisioned enemies, such as the FBI. Candidate: Vincent Hamm Web site: None Party: Democrat Biography: A computer consultant from Colorado, Hamm won 70 votes (13th place) in the 1996 New Hampshire primary and just 22 votes (19th place) in the 2000 New Hampshire Democratic primary. Platform: Hamm's platform includes drug legalization, increased educational spending, preserving our natural resources, and some other liberal views. He says he's largely running "because I can," and already plans to keep running in future years. Candidate: Leonard D. Talbow Web site: None Party: Democrat Biography: As a write-in candidate for Arizona governor in 2002, he received just one vote. Platform: Not available Candidate: Randy Lee Web site: None Party: Democrat Biography: Lee, and attorney, homebuilder and real-estate broker from Staten Island, N.Y. As a developer, Lee builds affordable housing units in the New York City area. In 2003, New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg appointed Lee to serve on the Staten Island Growth Management Task Force. Lee also serves as chair of the Building Industry Association of NYC. Platform: Not available Candidate: Jim Taylor Web site: None Party: Democrat Biography: Taylor, a young screenwriter, filmmaker and massage therapist from Minnesota claims that he first ran for president at age 16. With degrees in liberal arts, massage therapy and screenwriting, Taylor jokingly boasts that he has "the showbiz and holistic health background America is looking for in a president." After directing an independent film about some of the lesser-known presidential candidates in 1996, Taylor decided to run in 2000 and made his own presidential campaign the topic of his film entitled "." Taylor competed in the 2000 New Hampshire primary (87 votes) - and completed his film (with cameos from President Bush, Al Gore, Mary Matalin and others). To raise money for his 2000 campaign/film, Taylor jokingly "sold" future ambassadorships. Contributors even get a certificate commemorating their future diplomatic posting. His 2000 slogan - "Everything is crappy!" - was intended just to grab attention for his humorous run. Platform: Taylor wants a 30 hour work week with no cut in pay. Candidate: Mildred Glover Web site: None Party: Democrat Biography: Not available Platform: Not available
|
1. How do you think Britain, Spain, Italy, Australia, Poland and Americas other allies in the Iraq war and the War on Terror would react if they knew that in your campaign rhetoric you have completely ignored their contributions to these efforts and repeatedly insisted on characterizing President Bushs foreign policy as entirely unilateral, as if no other nation joined America in defeating the Taliban and Saddam Hussein?
CLARK: I made it clear that the world was acting together in defeating the Taliban and supporting Americas efforts in Afghanistan. I praised the international communitys initial response to 9/11. I would point out that, as Ive discussed, many of the governments you mention share my concerns that President Bush has shown little regard for international opinion. I have praised Prime Minister Blair before, during, and after 9/11. In fact, I worked closely with him in defeating Slobodan Milosevic and saving 1.5 million Albanians from ethnic cleansing.
As NATO Supreme Allied Commander, I also worked closely with the leaders of many of the countries you mentioned and would do so in the future. I have not ignored their contribution; rather, I regretted that after months of diplomacy, the Bush Administration was unable to generate more support for the operation in Iraq. In other words, stating that President Bushs failed diplomacy has weakened Americas standing in the world is not to deny the role of a few key allies.
2. Four years from now Baby Boomers will begin to retire. Not long after that retirees in America will greatly outnumber those who pay Social Security taxes. Specifically, how will you keep Social Security from running out of money?
CLARK: Saving Social Security is going to take strong and responsible leadershipthe kind that I will bring to the White House. My economic plan will save $2.35 trillion over ten years. It will reduce the deficit and free up money to invest in priorities like education and health care. Under my plan, the deficit will be reduced every year providing a down payment on the twin goals of a balanced budget and full readiness for the retirement of the baby boomers. Of course, further tough steps will be needed. But as a first step, we must stop the explosion of the deficit that has occurred under the Bush Administration. As president, I will restore responsibility to the budget process: all tax and spending proposals will be paid for without increasing the deficit; government will be streamlined and more efficient; and corporate welfare and loopholes will be closed.
3. Would you ever use military force without United Nations approval, and if so, under what circumstances?
CLARK: I have said repeatedly that I would not hesitate to use military force with or without UN approval if necessary to defend Americas interests. However, as a General who has commanded forces during a time of war, I believe that military force should only be used as a last resort, and that it is better to act with others than to act alone. The US should work with its allies and friends if possible and alone if necessary to defend American interests.
I realize that using force often requires the ultimate sacrifice from Americas soldiers and their families. When we use the power of international law, diplomacy, and international engagement, we can achieve decisive results, even without decisive force. I believe that if we work with our allies and friends, we can engage in diplomacy, developmental assistance, and legal action to deal with crises before they erupt into war, and to ameliorate the conditions which might lead to those crises in the first place.
4. Should the United States always wait until attacked before using military force against an enemy?
CLARK: No. Every president must and has had the option of acting preemptively if necessary to defend and protect Americas interests. But I would not turn an option that every president has into the defining characteristic of American foreign policy, as President Bush has. Contrary to the claims of the Bush Administration, the threat from Iraq did not pose the kind of danger to the US to merit the preemptive use of force. In fact, no weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq, even though the Bush Administration cited these as their justification for the preemptive war in Iraq.
5. As President, what, if any, business regulations would you attempt to repeal?
CLARK: I dont support onerous regulation, but as the corporate scandals of the last three years have shown us, some regulation and oversight of business is necessary to protect consumers and investors. But, I think it should be as efficient and effective as possible. I think we can consolidate some regulators. For example, I would eliminate the Office of Thrift Supervision. Instead of having a separate system to regulate savings and loans, I would shift the regulation of S&Ls to one of the other federal bank regulators.
6. Do recent medical advances allowing unborn children to survive outside the womb sooner than ever before require any re-examination of abortion policies?
CLARK: I am pro-choice. The government has no business coming between a woman, her family, and her doctor in making such a personal, private decision. I support the recent ruling by a United States District Court requiring New Hampshires parental notification law include an exception for the health of the mother.
7. Will you pledge never to appoint a pro-life federal judge? What other litmus tests would you apply to the judiciary?
CLARK: I am committed to only appointing judges with the highest qualifications who are committed to upholding the law and enforcing fundamental constitutional guarantees including the rights of privacy and equality. We, as a nation, have embraced several simple important constitutional values, including one person one vote and the right to privacy. These are both settled law. I dont consider appointing judges that will uphold our settled law a litmus test. They are existing rights that I, and hundreds of thousands of men and women, have fought to protect. I believe judges should be just as committed to protecting them.
8. Should sales over the Internet remain tax-free?
CLARK: Taxing sales on the Internet wouldnt be an issue if state and local governments werent facing the worst fiscal crisis in decades. I think we need to provide immediate aid to state and local governments for homeland security, infrastructure, and schools. Thats why I am proposing a state and local tax rebate of $40 billion dollars over two years to lessen the need for states and local governments to raise taxes (including property taxes), raise state college tuition rates, raise other fees, and/or cut critical expenditures (e.g., in health care).
9. If the rich should pay a larger portion of their income in taxes because they can afford to, shouldnt they also receive fewer Medicare, Social Security and other benefits from the federal government?
CLARK: Social Security and Medicare are fundamental parts of the social contract that all Americans share. They are a form of social insurance that bonds Americans together everyone pays in, everyone gets back their fair share. When Americans pay their payroll taxes, they expect to get benefits in return. But overall, I believe that both Social Security and Medicare should maintain their progressive structure.
10. Does every qualified American have the right to attend college, with government subsidies if necessary?
CLARK: No one should be denied the opportunity to attend college just because of the cost of higher education. Thats why I am proposing to help make a college education more affordable by consolidating the Pell and Hope grants into one universal grant that will expand the current maximum to $6,000 for the first two years of college. In addition, I am proposing a state and local tax rebate to help states keep the tuition costs of public universities down.
11. Are pharmaceutical companies good corporate citizens?
CLARK: I think there are many pharmaceutical companies that are good corporate citizens. They support important research and development of new medical treatments. However, we certainly need to address the high price of prescription drugs in this country. We can start by providing Americas seniors with a comprehensive, meaningful, and affordable prescription drug benefit through Medicare. The prescription drug bill passed by Congress fails to provide this benefit because it forces seniors into HMOs, increasing prescription drug costs for many seniors, and prohibiting seniors from purchasing low-cost prescription drugs from Canada. We should allow Americans to import less expensive medications from Canada, with the appropriate safety precautions. We should also cut the corporate tax shelters and red tape that keep inexpensive generics from entering the market. And we should also allow Medicare to use the same purchasing tools that are available to the private sector, including the power to negotiate directly with drug companies for bulk discounts on popular drugs.
12. In what areas of life would you prevent the federal government from interfering?
CLARK: I strongly believe in protecting the privacy of individuals in all aspects of our lives from medical decisions to security. However, I believe that law enforcement should have access to all necessary tools to deal with the problems of terrorism. That is why I have called for an immediate investment in homeland security. But I dont believe that we can win a war on terror if we give up the essence of who we are as Americans. Thats why I think that Congress should fully review the so-called USA PATRIOT Act and repeal the provisions that go too far.
13. Regardless of whether it is a federal issue, has the time come for gay marriage?
CLARK: I dont think anyone should be discriminated against because of their race, gender, background or sexual orientation. There shouldnt be any room in this country for discrimination. I support civil unions so that gays and lesbians have equality and full rights under the law. Families in the United States come in many shapes and sizes. It is the best interest of our country to promote stable communities and families, this includes both heterosexual and same-sax families. Accordingly, I believe that same-sex couples shouldnt be denied rights to pensions, health insurance, family medical leave, bereavement leave, hospital visitation, survivor benefits, and other basic legal protections that all families and children need.
14. Will there ever be a day when affirmative action is no longer needed?
CLARK: Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand the meaning, consequence, and importance of affirmative action. I was proud to join a group of retired military officers who filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of affirmative action at the University of Michigan. I think such policies are necessary to facilitate diversity within, and the legitimacy of, the nations leadership. The Supreme Court agreed on the importance of diversity, relying on the successes of the military model. America cannot be a great nation without the leadership of our very best of all races, from all parts of the country. Affirmative action ensures that future leaders who might otherwise never get a chance are brought to the forefront. As a result, Americans all Americans benefit.
15. Name a war that America has fought for oil.
CLARK: Maintaining access to oil supplies is one important US interest. When I served in the military during the time of the first Gulf war, we did not believe we went to war solely for oil, but in reaction to Iraqs invasion of Kuwait. Still, I believe America must decrease its dependence on Middle Eastern oil. President Bushs policies would have the US remaining dependent indefinitely on oil from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
16. Is it appropriate for the billionaire George Soros, one of the richest men in America, to spend his money trying to discredit and oust a President?
CLARK: I think it is appropriate for everyone to participate in our political system, as long they follow the law. Participation in our democracy is based on the core principles of freedom and transparency. I strongly support our campaign finance laws that limit and require reporting of individual and special interest expenditures. In addition, I am committed to remaining within the spending caps of the public finance system.
17. To what degree did Bill Clintons behavior in office damage the presidency?
CLARK: I very much admire what Bill Clinton did as President of the United States. In foreign policy, he helped structure us to face a very uncertain world. We had success in the Balkans. We saved a million and a half Kosovar Albanians from ethnic cleansing. And at home, we created more than 22 million jobs. And for the first time in a generation, we began to lift people out of poverty. Bill Clinton was a terrific president, and I think any other Democrat should be very proud to follow in his footsteps.
18. Why have Americans elected a Republican President and Congress?
CLARK: In this post-9/11 world, Americans and voters are concerned with national security. I believe that voters in the last election were still reeling from the shock and horror of the attacks on New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. I think it is time that Democrats took back national security as their issue and I am the candidate to do it. I have the military and leadership experience to wage an effective, multilateral war on terrorism. As voters begin to consider the Bush Administrations record on domestic issues like jobs, education, and health care, I believe they will turn to Democrats because we have offered real solutions that help working families instead of special interests.
19. In every other nation in which health care is paid for by the national government, that care is rationed and citizens must wait months, even years, for treatment. How would you avoid this outcome in the United States?
CLARK: We must reform the health care system in the United States. My plan is the only plan that improves care while expanding coverage and makes it more affordable for American families. I will provide health insurance for 31.8 million Americans who are currently uninsured, including all 13.1 million children and college-age Americans who are uninsured. My plan also gives tax credits to reduce premiums for millions of Americans who currently have health insurance but are struggling to pay their premiums. My emphasis on improving quality and constraining cost growth would provide better medical outcomes at a lower cost for all Americans.
20. Suppose you win the nomination. If, in the general election, President Bush wins the popular vote by a few hundred thousand votes, but you win the Electoral College vote, will you concede the election to Bush, as so many Democrats said President Bush should have done for Al Gore in 2000?
CLARK: I plan to win the Electoral College and the popular vote. There wont be any question about the winner of the 2004 election.
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