Barack Obama On the Issues

• Strategic issue is where to send & how to fund our troops. (Sep 2008)
• Islam in 1970s was not opposed to West & rule of law. (Jul 2008)
• Go after al Qaeda but also shrink pool of potential recruits. (Jul 2008)
• No torture; no renditions; no operating out of fear. (Apr 2008)
• Al Qaida is stronger now than in 2001 as Iraq distracted us. (Jan 2008)
• Colleges must allow military recruiters for ROTC on campus. (Jan 2008)
• No presidential power for secret surveillance. (Dec 2007)
• No holding US citizens as unlawful enemy combatants. (Dec 2007)
• Congress decides what constitutes torture, not president. (Dec 2007)
• No torture; defiance of FISA; no military commissions. (Dec 2007)
• Restore habeas corpus to reach Muslims abroad. (Dec 2007)
• Human rights and national security are complementary. (Nov 2007)
• Don't allow our politics to be driven by fear of terrorism. (Nov 2007)
• 2006: Obama-Lugar bill restricted conventional weapons. (Oct 2007)
• Judgment is as important as experience. (Oct 2007)
• If attacked, first help victims then prevent further attacks. (Oct 2007)
• America cannot sanction torture; no loopholes or exceptions. (Sep 2007)
• Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell. (Aug 2007)
• 2005: Passed bill to reduce conventional weapon stockpiles. (Aug 2007)
• We are no safer now than we were after 9/11. (Aug 2007)
• Close Guantanamo and restore the right of habeas corpus. (Jun 2007)
• Homeland security must protect citizens, not intrude on them. (Mar 2007)
• America must practice the patriotism it preaches. (Mar 2007)
• Personal privacy must be protected even in terrorism age. (Mar 2007)
• Get first responders the healthcare and equipment they need. (Mar 2007)
• Need to be both strong and smart on national defense. (Oct 2006)
• Grow size of military to maintain rotation schedules. (Oct 2006)
• Battling terrorism must go beyond belligerence vs. isolation. (Oct 2006)
• Going after Al Qaeda in Pakistan is not Bush-style invasion. (Jan 2006)
• We are currently inspecting 3% of all incoming cargo. (Oct 2004)
• Balance domestic intelligence reform with civil liberty risk. (Jul 2004)
• Give our soldiers the best equipment and training available. (Jul 2004)

National Service

• Expand Peace Corps and AmeriCorps to 266,000 slots. (Feb 2008)
• Put forward a national service program. (Jan 2008)
• Give 18-year-old women opportunity to serve. (Dec 2007)
• Register women for draft, but not for combat. (Jul 2007)

Nuclear Weapons

• Pursue goal of a world without nuclear weapons. (Feb 2008)
• Rebuild a nuclear nonproliferation strategy. (Jan 2008)
• Protecting nuclear power plants is of utmost importance. (Mar 2007)
• Rebuild the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. (Jan 2006)
• Increase funding to decommission Russian nukes. (Jul 2004)

Veterans

• Unacceptable to have veterans drive 250 miles to a hospital. (Feb 2008)
• Improve veterans' mental health treatment & PTSD benefits. (Feb 2008)
• Support veterans via the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act. (Aug 2007)
• Address the deficiencies in the VA system. (Jun 2007)
• The cost of the Iraq war should not shortchange VA benefits. (Jun 2007)
• Make sure the outpatient facilities work for veterans. (Jun 2007)
• Comprehensive plan for our veterans healthcare. (Mar 2007)

Voting Record

• FactCheck: Promised to repeal Patriot Act, then voted for it. (Jan 2008)
• Voted NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
• Voted YES on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months. (Jul 2007)
• Voted YES on implementing the 9/11 Commission report. (Mar 2007)
• Voted YES on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006)
• Voted NO on extending the PATRIOT Act's wiretap provision. (Dec 2005)
• Voted YES on restricting business with entities linked to terrorism. (Jul 2005)
• Voted YES on restoring $565M for states' and ports' first responders. (Mar 2005)
• Sponsored bill for Iraq budget to be part of defense budget. (Jun 2006)
• Improve mental health care benefits for returning veterans. (Jun 2008)
• Study & address suicides among veterans. (Apr 2008)
• Restore habeas corpus for detainees in the War on Terror. (Jun 2007)
• Establish global strategy to defeat al Qaeda. (Feb 2008)

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