Caucus 2004
December 8, 2003
With the Iowa caucuses only a month and a half away, presidential candidates are criss-crossing the four corners of the state, trying to convince voters they are the right person to sit in the Oval Office.
The Iowa caucuses are extremely important. Because of Iowa’s first-in-the-nation status, national news organizations and voters across the country watch the results for indications of how well candidates are doing. The events have grown in importance ever since. Since 1972, the eventual nominee of each party has been among the top three finishers in Iowa.
Since the importance of the Iowa caucuses is now understood, two questions remain: Who are the people running for president in the Democratic Party? What are the differences between them?
The Iowa State Daily recently tried to figure out the answer those questions. We interviewed eight of the nine candidates for president (Wesley Clark’s campaign opted not to be interviewed), asking them the same six questions.
After the interviews were compiled, we sent a copy of the Q&A to an ISU student representative of another presidential candidate. We asked the student to comment on what the candidate had to say. Some responses were positive, most were negative. Their responses are found next to the candidate’s interview.
— Information compiled by Scott Rank and Josh Novak
John Edwards
Q. What is the one policy issue you are most passionate about?
A. I have to pick one? I would say my “College For Everyone” proposal, which says if you’re qualified to be in college and willing to work 10 hours a week the first year you’re in school, you should be able to go tuition-free to a state university or community college.
Q. Among all the candidates, what makes you unique?
A. First, the other candidates don’t have a specific opinion on many of their policies. I’ve laid out a detailed proposal for my policies called “Real Solutions for America.” Second, I come from a family of working, middle-class people. My father worked in a mill all his life, and I was the first in my family to go to college. I spent 20 years fighting in courtrooms with the same people I grew up with. I will wake up every morning as President of the United States fighting for middle-class families. For me, it’s not a political issue; it’s personal.
Q. Taking that question one step further, what makes you appealing to young voters?
A. My College for Everyone proposal, my fight for civil liberties and my reaching out to young people. I believe young people have an enormous amount to add — not only to political campaigns, but to the future of this country, through their ideas, enthusiasm and passion.
Q. Nationwide, college tuition is skyrocketing. Is there anything you think the federal government can do about this problem?
A. Again, my “College for Everyone” proposal, which would make college tuition-free for the first year for every person who is qualified to attend a public college and is willing to work part-time.
Q. If elected, what will you do with the Iraq situation?
A. I will make it an international effort to bring our allies and friends in and relieve the burden on American troops and taxpayers and increase the likelihood of success. I also have a clear plan for how long we’ll be there and what the timetable is and when to make the transition for Iraqi self-government.
Q. Excluding tax cuts, what would you like to do turn the economy around?
A. One way is to strengthen and expand the middle class in America by helping people to make the down payment on their first home. We would do this by matching dollar for dollar the savings that middle- and lower-income families are able to make up to $1,000 per family. All of that is aimed at increasing and strengthening the middle class, which I believe is the engine of our economy.
Dick Gephardt
Q. What is the one policy issue you are most passionate about?
A. Health care. I talk about the story about my son having terminal cancer when he was 18 months old and my family getting through that. I understand this issue both personally and professionally. My health care plan enabled us to give him the treatment he needed, and I believe every American should have access to universal health care coverage.
Q. Among all the candidates, what makes you unique?
A. I think the experience factor. I’ve been in Congress for more than 25 years. I think in the war on terrorism, people want a leader with experience and that’s exactly what I have.
Q. Taking that question one step further, what makes you appealing to young voters?
A. I think I have practical and bold plans that will appeal to younger voters. I’ve got a Teacher Corps plan that will pay the college loans of students who agree to teach for at least five years. A lot of young people are coming out of college today and can’t get a job. I’ve got a plan to change that.
Q. Nationwide, college tuition is skyrocketing. Is there anything you think the federal government can do about this problem?
A. I think we need to address the level of Pell Grants and college loans. I think the whole scholarship area needs to be advanced and increased. My health care plan will give states billions of dollars in relief in health care expenses. States will be able to use money they were spending on health care in education, which will help offset college expenses.
Q. If elected, what will you do with the Iraq situation?
A. I’ll get help from the United Nations and our allies. President Bush has failed to get monetary and military help from other countries and look what it’s done — it’s costing American taxpayers billions of dollars. We need multilateral support.
Q. Excluding tax cuts, what would you like to do to turn the economy around?
A. I would call for laying aside the Bush tax cuts and using that money to provide health care for every American. My inner plan would create millions of jobs in the health care and manufacturing industries. I would also offer tax credits for companies that keep manufacturing jobs in the U.S. I’ve done this already. I did it in the Clinton administration — we created 22 million new jobs in the country over a seven-year period.
Howard Dean
Q. What is the policy issue you are most passionate about?
A. I have dedicated my life to health care. As a governor, I made a commitment to expand access to quality health care and I did it. We have 41 million uninsured Americans, many of them children. The time has come to make health care for all Americans a reality.
Q. Among all the candidates, what makes you unique?
A. I am the only governor in the race and I’m the candidate with a record of results. I’ve balanced budgets, I’ve expanded access to quality health care to all children in Vermont and I’ve cut the unemployment rate nearly in half.
Q. Taking that question one step further — what makes you appealing to young voters?
A. Younger voters want some one who stands up to George W. Bush and provides them with a clear and strong alternative. My campaign is reaching out to the millions of young people who have never had a reason to vote or have never thought about getting involved.
Q. Nationwide, college tuition is skyrocketing. Is there anything you think the federal government can do about this problem?
A. The first step to curbing the increases in college tuition is to balance the federal budget. The revenue cuts have been passed on to states and then passed on to students and parents in the form of tuition hikes. I would also like to dramatically expand programs like AmeriCorps. Students who are willing to give a year in service to communities in need should be able to take advantage of federal grant money or have their loans forgiven.
Q. If elected, what will you do with the Iraq situation?
A. We must begin by establishing security and getting electricity, water and sanitation running. This is fundamental to success in other areas. We must also establish a government that does not destabilize the region and a new more representative Iraqi government. The U.S. must put Iraq’s future in Iraqi hands as soon as possible.
Q. Excluding tax cuts, what would you like to do to turn the economy around?
A. The first thing we need to do in this country is repeal the Bush tax cuts that only really benefited the richest of Americans. We need to restore this country to economic policies based on fiscal responsibility by balancing the budget. Deficit spending is not going to create jobs and it’s not going to increase wages.
Dennis Kucinich
Q. What is the one policy issue you are most passionate about?
A. Peace. We must work with the community of nations to create a world where peace is inevitable. I do not believe in the inevitability of war. As president, I will work to affirm international law, international cooperation and international peace building.
Q. Among all the candidates, what makes you unique?
A. I grew up in the city of Cleveland and my parents never owned a home. I lived in 21 different places by the time I was 17, including a couple cars. I experienced eviction. I understand the kind of ups and downs people can have in life. Anyone should have the chance to make it in this society.
Q. Taking that question one step further, what makes you appealing to young voters?
A. I still possess within my heart that rebellious spirit of youth.
Q. Nationwide, college tuition is skyrocketing. Is there anything you think the federal government can do about this problem?
A. Absolutely. We have money for tax cuts for the wealthy. We’ve got money for war. We have money for an expanded Pentagon budget, which is at $400 billion a year. When I’m president of the United States, we’re going to change the priorities of this country and we’re going to have money for college tuition. We’re going to make sure that every young person who wants to go to a public college or university can go tuition-free. That’s my goal.
Q. If elected, what will you do with the Iraq situation?
A. I’m calling for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. They’re talking about a draft now in Washington. I don’t want anyone to have to go to war. We should go to the U.N. community with a new resolution where the U.S. gives up any ambitions to control the oil, the contracts or the Iraqi government. Let the U.N. create the context for Iraq to take over its own affairs.
Q. Excluding tax cuts, what would you like to do to turn the economy around?
A. We need full employment economy and we need to rebuild America. We’ve got to put money into people’s pockets. Fully paid tuitions at public colleges and universities would put money right back into people’s pockets. Breaking up the monopolies in business would lower the cost of goods. That would put money into people’s pockets.
Joe Lieberman
Q and A with Adam Kovacevich, Lieberman press secretary
Q. What is the one policy issue Lieberman is most passionate about?
A. The economy. He has a plan to give tax cuts to businesses so they can create 10 million new jobs to create tax cuts for citizens. He wants to make tax cuts fairer for the middle class and invest in high-tech innovation.
Q. Among all the candidates, what makes him unique?
A. He has the ability to match George Bush in the areas where he is thought to be strong, such as defense and values. And he can beat Bush where we know he is weak, in issues like the economy and his right-wing social agenda. Although Lieberman is a moderate Democrat, this won’t alienate him from the rest of the party because Democrat voters ultimately end up with the moderate candidate.
Q. Taking that question one step further, what makes him appealing to young voters?
A. There are two things. First of all, young voters care less about stances on specific issues and more about showing young people that you’re not afraid to stand up for what you believe in, even if it’s not always popular. Secondly, when asked, young people identified their ability to find a job after graduation as their top concern. We have a plan to create 10 million jobs and give students hope they’ll find employment when they graduate.
Q. Nationwide, college tuition is skyrocketing. Is there anything Lieberman thinks the federal government can do about this problem?
A. This week, he released a comprehensive plan to help families with skyrocketing college costs by increasing the maximum Pell Grant from $4,050 to $6,150 in 2004, and to $7,760 in 2008.
Q. If Lieberman is elected, what will he do with the Iraq situation?
A. Before the war began, he outlined a series of steps to stabilize postwar Iraq, including working with the United Nations to hand over control of Iraq to an international civilian administrator, establishing an international security force to help keep the peace and developing a timetable for transition to self-governance.
Q. Excluding tax cuts, what would Lieberman like to do to turn the economy around?
A. He would go further than any of his rivals by giving new tax cuts to the middle class and reforming the tax code from top to bottom to make it more fair. He would also invest in measures to stimulate innovation and high-tech growth in the technology sector.
Al Sharpton
Q. What is the one policy issue you are most passionate about?
A.I am most passionate about the war in Iraq and bringing our troops home. I delivered the eulogy for Special Darius Jennings of Cordova, S.C., and he was just 22 years old. Young men and women are dying senselessly and our entire future is contingent upon how we handle this crisis and exit strategy.
Q. Among all the candidates, what makes you unique?
A. I am the youngest candidate and the only African-American male. I am also the only candidate with a national organization that has constituents in 35 states around the country. Finally, and most uniquely, I am the only minister.
Q. Taking that question one step further, what makes you appealing to young voters?
A. I am the father of two teenage girls. They advise me on issues concerning young people daily. In my teens, I started the National Youth Movement and later the National Action Network to help young people with important issues. Hip-hop artists P. Diddy and Jay-Z, as well as Russell Simmons, have supported me in my presidential quest. Young people are concerned about education, the war, employment, the deficit, health care and the escalating cost of living. Racial equality is also important to young people.
Q. Nationwide, college tuition is skyrocketing.
A. Is there anything you think the federal government can do about this problem?
The federal government can redirect monies that are being spent on the war in Iraq back to education.
Q. If elected, what will you do with the Iraq situation?
A. We will withdraw the troops from Iraq and go to the United Nations to say we were wrong to initiate a unilateral attack and we will submit to a multilateral redevelopment plan for submission by the United Nations and [U.N. Secretary General] Kofi Annan.
Q. Excluding tax cuts, what would you like to do to turn the economy around?
A. [No response given.]
John Kerry
Q. What is the policy issue you are most passionate about?
A. There’s a grouping of issues. The most important issue is security: job security, income security, education security and national security — all of which add up to the quality of our life.
Q. Among all the candidates, what makes you unique?
A. I have the best record of any of the candidates of taking on special interests and fighting to put our values into policy. This began from the time I opposed the Vietnam War to my refusal in my Senate campaigns to accept special interest money. I only accepted contributions from individual Americans and I’ve have had a 35-year record in fighting for values of our party.
Q. Taking that question one step further, what makes you appealing to young voters?
A. My idealism and passion in the issues I’ve fought for through the years, such as the environment and fighting for affordable college tuition. I believe in what young people have done historically in some of the great struggles of our country, such as civil rights and the women’s movement.
Q. Nationwide, college tuition is skyrocketing. Is there anything you think the federal government can do about this problem?
A. I have several proposals: a four-year, $4,000 tuition tax credit, raising Pell Grant levels and a plan to pay loans for students who go into teaching or early childhood development. Finally, I have a plan to pay for the in-state college tuition for any high school student who commits to two years of community service.
Q. If elected, what will you do with the Iraq situation?
A. I will bring the world to our side in an effort that transfers authority to the United Nations. And I will bring other countries to the table in a way President Bush has failed to do. We will get the American soldiers home and I will set a date for the transfer of authority to Iraqis.
Q. Excluding tax cuts, what would you like to do to turn the economy around?
A. First, I would create a tax credit for companies who chose to not move abroad. Second, I will only assign trade agreement that raises environmental and labor standards, as opposed to NAFTA.
I will cut the cost of health care so American businesses can be more competitive. Finally, I will have a major infrastructure investment program so we invest in our communities around the country.
Carol Moseley Braun
Q. What is the one policy issue you are most passionate about?
A. Education.
Q. Among all the candidates, what makes you unique?
A. In addition to the obvious answer that I am the only woman in the campaign, I am uniquely qualified for the presidency having served at the local, state, national and international levels.
Q. Taking that question one step further, what makes appealing to young voters?
A. I am the voice of change —not just symbolic change, but policy change as well. I believe that we have an obligation to leave no less for the coming generation than we were given by our parents.
Q. Nationwide, college tuition is skyrocketing. Is there anything you think the federal government can do about this problem?
A. We can fully fund Pell Grants and student loans. Additionally, we can increase the opportunity for work-study programs.
Q. If elected, what will you do with the Iraq situation?
A. First we must work multilaterally to address the situation. We must rebuild our relationships with our allies and work together to stop international terrorism. We must not cut and run; we have created the mess in Iraq and we have a moral obligation to leave it at least as good as we found it.
Q. Excluding tax cuts, what would you like to do to turn the economy around?
A. I would balance the budget, reinvest in manufacturing and infrastructure and create a new sector of environmental technology. I would implement and fund national service programs. I would fight, just as I did in the Senate, for equal pay for equal work. And finally, I would create equal opportunities for everyone — regardless of race, creed, gender or sexual orientation.
