Barack Obama On the Issues

Do you know where Barack Obama stands on all the issues? Here is a guide to all the facts.

Where He Stands

Barack Obama on Foreign Policy

• FactCheck: Campaign prevented committee meetings, not rules. (Sep 2008)
• Kissinger agrees with me on meeting with enemy leaders. (Sep 2008)
• FactCheck: Kissinger opposes presidential meetings with Iran. (Sep 2008)
• Important to undo the damage of the last seven years. (Feb 2008)
• Never negotiate out of fear, and never fear to negotiate. (Jan 2008)
• President must abide by international human rights treaties. (Dec 2007)
• Obama Doctrine: ideology has overridden facts and reality. (Dec 2007)
• China is a competitor but not an enemy. (Dec 2007)
• No Obama Doctrine; just democracy, security, liberty. (Oct 2007)
• $50B annually to strengthen weak states at risk of collapse. (Aug 2007)
• No "strategic ambiguity" on foreign policy issues. (Aug 2007)
• My critics engineered our biggest foreign policy disaster. (Aug 2007)
• Meet with enemy leaders; it's a disgrace that we have not. (Jul 2007)
• We cannot afford isolationism. (Mar 2007)
• Protested South African apartheid while at college. (Feb 2007)
• Never has US had so much power & so little influence to lead. (Jul 2004)
• US policy should promote democracy and human rights. (Jul 2004)

Africa

• Majored in international affairs based on living abroad. (Jul 2008)
• Moral obligation to intervene in Darfur to avoid spillover. (Jul 2008)
• Wrote 2006 law stabilizing Congo with $52M. (Oct 2007)
• Increased aid to Republic of Congo. (Aug 2007)
• Visited largest slum in Africa, to publicize its plight. (Aug 2007)
• No-fly zone in Darfur; but pay attention more in Africa. (Jun 2007)
• U.S. funds for humanitarian aid to Darfur. (Mar 2007)
• Focus on corruption to improve African development. (Oct 2006)
• Visited Africa in 2006; encouraged HIV testing & research. (Oct 2006)

Americas

• Meet with Cuban leaders only with agenda of US interests. (Feb 2008)
• Cuba: Loosen restrictions now; normalization later. (Feb 2008)
• Willing to meet with Fidel Castro, Kim Jung Il & Hugo Chavez. (Nov 2007)
• Invest in our relationship with Mexico. (Sep 2007)

Asia

• We must be tough with Pakistan & stop coddling Musharraf. (Sep 2008)
• Must be tough on Iran, but talk to them too. (Sep 2008)
• Learned privilege of being American by living in Indonesia. (Jul 2008)
• U.S. needs to ameliorate trade relations with China. (Mar 2007)

Europe

• Recent Russian actions in Georgia are unacceptable. (Sep 2008)
• Engage Russia regarding nuclear proliferation. (Jul 2008)
• Strengthen NATO to face 21st-century threats. (Aug 2007)

Mideast

• Jerusalem as joint Palestinian-Israeli capital is ok. (Jul 2008)
• Palestinian people suffer-but from not recognizing Israel. (Apr 2007)
• FactCheck: Palestinian suffering from stalled peace effort. (Apr 2007)
• Supports Israel's self-defense; but distrusted by Israelis. (Oct 2006)

Resolutions

• At college, protested for divestment from South Africa. (Aug 2007)
• Sponsored aid bill to avert humanitarian crisis in Congo. (Dec 2005)
• Implement Darfur Peace Agreement with UN peacekeeping force. (Feb 2008)
• Urge Venezuela to re-open dissident radio & TV stations. (May 2007)
• Let Ukraine & Georgia enter NATO. (Jan 2008)
• Condemn violence by Chinese government in Tibet. (Apr 2008)
• Sanction Mugabe until Zimbabwe transitions to democracy. (Apr 2008)

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