President Forever 2008 + Primaries: Policy Planks

[RIP Robert H Bork]

This is similar to this thread, except that it was apparently for a different version, so I decided to start a thread about the 2008 edition.

The actual policy planks can be found here, and in the post immediately after that.

[Bleeding heart conservative, HTMLdon]

Abortion: Center-Right
Balanced Budget: Center-Right
Business Tax: Center-Right
Education: Center-Right
Energy: Center-Left
Environment: Center
Gun Control: Center-Right
Health Care: Center
Homeland Security: Center-Right
Immigration: Center
Iran: Center
Iraq: Center-Right
Outsourcing: Center-Left
Personal Tax: Center
Same-Sex Marriage: Center
Social Security: Right
Unions: Center-Right
War on Terror: Center-Right

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Abortion: Left
Balanced Budget: Center
Business Tax: Right
Education: Center-Left
Energy: Left
Environment: Center
Gun Control: Center-Left
Health Care: Center-Left
Homeland Security: Center
Immigration: Left
Iran: Center
Iraq: Center
Outsourcing: Center
Personal Tax: Center-Right
Same-Sex Marriage: Center-Left
Social Security: Center-Right
Unions: Center-Right
War on Terror: Center-Right

[Lief 🗽]

Abortion: Left
Balanced Budget: Left
Business Tax: Center-Left
Education: Left
Energy: Left
Environment: Left
Gun Control: Center-Left
Health Care: Far-Left
Homeland Security: Center-Left
Immigration: Left
Iran: Left
Iraq: Center-Left
Outsourcing: Left
Personal Tax: Left
Same-Sex Marriage: Far-Left
Social Security: Center (this is actually further "left" than the Center-Left position but w/e)
Unions: Center-Left
War on Terror: Center-Left

[Associate Justice PiT]

Abortion: Center-Left
Balanced Budget: Right
Business Tax: Right
Education: Center-Right
Energy: Right
Environment: Right
Gun Control: Right
Health Care: Center-Right
Homeland Security: Center-Left
Immigration: Center-Right
Iran: Center-Left
Iraq: Center-Left
Outsourcing: Right
Personal Tax: Left
Same-Sex Marriage: Center-Left
Social Security: Right
Unions: Right
War on Terror: Center

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Abortion: Left
Balanced Budget: Center-Left
Business Tax: Center
Education: Far-Left
Energy: Center-Left
Environment: Center-Left
Gun Control: Center
Health Care: Left
Homeland Security: Left
Immigration: Center-Left (really none of these apply though, a guest worker program is just cheap corporate labor which I would oppose. This sounds like Bush's plan. My position is basically keep the current laws, no guest worker program, and completely ignore the illegals unless they are breaking other laws)
Iran: Center-Left
Iraq: Left
Outsourcing: Center-Left
Personal Tax: Center-Left
Same-Sex Marriage: Far-Left (More moderate than the Left position in my view)
Social Security: Center (and Lief is correct)
Unions: Center-Left
War on Terror: Left

A lot of those are kind of stupid, since they involve more your personal opinions than actual policy, and the far left/far right positions typically only involve rhetoric, not policy.

[Scam of God]

Abortion: Far Left
Balanced Budget: Far Right
Business Tax: Right
Education: Center Left
Energy: Left
Environment: Center
Gun Control: Center Left
Health Care: Center Left
Homeland Security: Far Left
Immigration: Far Left
Iran: Center
Iraq: Left
Outsourcing: Right
Personal Tax: Right
Same-Sex Marriage: Far Left
Social Security: Center Right
Unions: Far Right
War on Terror: Far Left

[Frodo]

I wouldn't win my district, but I could win my state:

Abortion
Center: Abortion is not an issue for government intrusion. Oppose government control over abortion. Leave it to the states.

Balanced Budget
Center: Balance lowering the deficit with other priorities. No long-term deficits.

Business Tax
Far-Right: Significantly decrease business taxation.

Education
Center-Right: School vouchers for lower-income students. Privatize failing schools. Charter schools provide competition.

Energy
Center: Renewable and non-renewable energy must be equally researched (particularly nuclear power).

Environment
Center-Left: We need to leave a healthy environment for our children. Work to reduce emissions and harmful toxins. Modified Kyoto.

Gun Control
Center-Right: We should be wary of gun control. The Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms.

Health Care
Center-Left: Universal health care whether public or private. Require health insurance for every child.

Homeland Security
Center-Right: Homeland security is an important priority. Focus on fighting terrorism but also provide disaster relief funding.

Immigration
Center-Right: Illegal immigration is a serious problem. Tighter border security. Reform immigration laws.

Iran
Center-Right: We should prepare to attack Iran but be sure that we have the proper intelligence.

Iraq
Center: We should seek a multilateral solution and bring in the UN/NATO and allies to help rebuild Iraq.

Outsourcing
Center-Left: End some of the tax incentives for companies sending jobs overseas. Support American labor!

Personal Income Tax
Left: Increase income tax for the rich. Reduce slightly for those in lower income bracket.

Same-Sex Marriage
Center: Retain marriage as it is but explore civil unions.

Social Security
Center-Left: Allow a small amount of private investment but keep it regulated.

Unions
Center-Left: Labor Unions provide job security and allow workers to collectively better themselves and be paid a fair wage.

War on Terror
Center-Left: Focus on better foreign policy and cut off terrorist funding, use military force if we must.
--------------------------------------------

Far-Left: 0
Left: 1
Center-Left: 6
Center: 5
Center-Right: 5
Right: 0
Far-Right: 1

[Sewer]

Abortion: Center-Left
Balanced Budget: Center-Right
Business Tax: Center
Education: Center-Left
Energy: Far-Left
Environment: Left
Gun Control: Center-Left
Health Care: Left
Homeland Security: Center-Left
Immigration: Center-Left
Iran: Far-Right
Iraq: Center-Left
Outsourcing: Far-Left
Personal Tax: Center-Left
Same-Sex Marriage: Center-Left
Social Security: Center-Left
Unions: Center-Left
War on Terror: Center-Right

[tmthforu94]

Abortion: Right
Balanced Budget: Center
Business Tax: Center
Education: Center-Left
Energy: Center-Left
Environment: Center-Left
Gun Control: Right
Health Care: Center-Right
Homeland Security: Center-Right
Immigration: Right
Iran: Center
Iraq: Center-Right
Outsourcing: Left
Personal Tax: Center-Right
Same-Sex Marriage: Center-Left
Social Security: Right
Unions: Center-Right
War on Terror: Center-Right

[Mint]

Abortion: Left
Balanced Budget: Center-Left
Business Tax: Center
Education: Far-Left
Energy: Center-Left
Environment: Center-Left
Gun Control: Center
Health Care: Left
Homeland Security: Left
Immigration: Center-Left (really none of these apply though, a guest worker program is just cheap corporate labor which I would oppose. This sounds like Bush's plan. My position is basically keep the current laws, no guest worker program, and completely ignore the illegals unless they are breaking other laws)
Iran: Center-Left
Iraq: Left
Outsourcing: Center-Left
Personal Tax: Center-Left
Same-Sex Marriage: Far-Left (More moderate than the Left position in my view)
Social Security: Center (and Lief is correct)
Unions: Center-Left
War on Terror: Left

A lot of those are kind of stupid, since they involve more your personal opinions than actual policy, and the far left/far right positions typically only involve rhetoric, not policy.

Yeah, I also noticed the social security thing. The 'right' stance on Iraq actually sounds more moderate to me than the 'center right' too. Also not a fan of any of the Iran options, really I'd just let the Euros/Israelis deal with it and pretty much maintain the status quo.

[ilikeverin]

Abortion
Left: Keep abortion as it is presently. Safe, legal, and rare. Keep partial-birth abortion legal.

Balanced Budget
Center: Balance lowering the deficit with other priorities. No long-term deficits.

Business Tax
Left: Moderate increase in business taxes.

Education
Left: No school vouchers, large increase to federal funding. Modernize school system with more after-school programs.

Energy
Left: Move towards energy independence focusing mostly on renewable energy sources. Subsidize clean energy.

Environment
Left: The environment and global warming is a major concern. Ratify Kyoto. Increase environmental regulations and pollution cleanup.

Gun Control
Left: We need gun control! Ban certain guns. Require registration/background checks. Gun control protects children.

Health Care
Center-Left: Universal health care whether public or private. Require health insurance for every child.

Homeland Security
Left: If we were more respectful to other nations they would respect us in return.  Reduce security measures and funding.

Immigration
Left: Immigration is great! The more immigrants the better. Just require a criminal record check. Full blanket-amnesty.

Iran
Left: We should deal with Iran through the United Nations.

Iraq
Center: We should seek a multilateral solution and bring in the UN/NATO and allies to help rebuild Iraq.

Outsourcing
Center-Right: Outsourcing is not a problem, it is part of a globalized world and helps America.

Personal Tax
Left: Increase income tax for the rich. Reduce slightly for those in lower income bracket.

Same-Sex Marriage
Center-Left: Same-sex marriage, even if not in name.

Social Security
Left: No to private investment and personal retirement accounts, increase funding.

Unions
Center: Labor demands must be balanced with business concerns.

War on Terror
Left: We should develop an anti-terror strategy with the United Nations to stop economic and social injustice.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Abortion: CL
Balanced Budget: C
Business Tax: CR
Education: L
Energy: CL
Environment: CL
Gun Control: CR
Health Care: L
Homeland Security: CR
Immigration: C
Iran: CR
Iraq: C
Outsourcing: L
Personal Tax: C
Same-Sex Marriage: C
Social Security: L
Unions: L
War on Terror: CR

[Daniel Z]

Abortion: CL
Balanced Budget: CR
Business Tax: R
Education: C
Energy: L
Environment: CL
Gun Control: R
Health Care: CR
Homeland Security: CL
Immigration: CL
Iran: CL
Iraq: CL
Outsourcing: R
Personal Tax: C
Same-Sex Marriage: FL
Social Security: CR
Unions: R
War on Terror: CL

[Vepres]

Abortion: Center-Left
Balanced Budget: Far-Right
Business Tax: Far-Right
Education: Center
Energy: Center-Left
Environment: Center-Left
Gun Control: Right
Health Care: Right
Homeland Security: Center
Immigration: Center (I support guest worker program but strongly oppose amnesty)
Iran: Center
Iraq: Left
Outsourcing: Center (Though I oppose tax cuts for shipping jobs over seas)
Personal Tax: Right
Same-Sex Marriage: Left
Social Security: Far-Right
Unions: Center-Right
War on Terror: Center

Which makes me some weird small "l" libertarian thing. I could never win my district (Colorado's 2nd, look up Rep. Jared Polis and you will see what I mean), though I could win a state-wide race in the mountain west and New England. My positions are more complex than many of these (see sig) but they give you the general gist of a candidates positions.

[Hyperfast]

Abortion: Center-Left
Balanced Budget: Center-Left
Business Tax: Center-Right
Education: Center-Left
Energy: Center-Left
Environment: Center-Left
Gun Control: Center-Left
Health Care: Left
Homeland Security: Center-Left
Immigration: Center-Right
Iran: Center-Left
Iraq: Center-Left
Outsourcing: Left
Personal Tax: Center-Right
Same-Sex Marriage: Center
Social Security: Left
Unions: Center-Right
War on Terror: Center-Left

[Coburn In 2012]

Abortion: ban it from fetilization to birth. life in prison without parole or death for violaters.
Balanced Budget: Easy.  Eliminate most government departments except defense and few others. 
Business Tax: End most taxes entirely  Taxing kills jobs, business and the economy.
Education:  private religous or home school is preferable but for those who cannot a quality public school run by the local or state government should be sufficent.  It should teach real science, true history and not get into political correctness.  Phys ed and sports should be required for all.  There are too many fatties ruining this country and our health care.
Energy: Drill baby drill.  DUH!
Environment: A complete strawman issue of the left.  The environment takes care of itself.  We should take what we need.  Nature will make more as it always has.  Global warming is a liberal myth and not supported by true science.
Gun Control: There should be no limits on anyones right to own guns of any kind unless they have a criminal violent record.
Health Care: is a responsability not a right.  I should not have to pay because some fat ass ate too many twinkies.
Homeland Security: 100% in support of Bush administration policies.  We need to go back to that.
Immigration: I support legal immigration.  Illegals should be deported immediately. If caught smuggling drugs in they should be shot.
Iran: Give them a choice -- stop developing nukes and threatening Isreal or we will bomb them back to the stone age.  follow thru.
Iraq:  Go back to the McCain plan for the surge.  It was an amazing success and Put pertreus in charge of the whole country.
Outsourcing: Allow it.  It is good for the economy and business.
Personal Tax: End taxes entirely.  If not possible then dramatically reduce taxes on the producing classes -- that is those who have jobs, wealth and own businesses. 
Same-Sex Marriage: ban it and I think we might need to consider restoring sodomy laws to the books.  I am not 100 percent sure.  But child molesting is a serious crime.
Social Security: eliminate entirely.
Unions: outlaw them
War on Terror: see my note on Iran

[Edu]

Abortion: ban it from fetilization to birth. life in prison without parole or death for violaters.
Balanced Budget: Easy.  Eliminate most government departments except defense and few others. 
Business Tax: End most taxes entirely  Taxing kills jobs, business and the economy.
Education:  private religous or home school is preferable but for those who cannot a quality public school run by the local or state government should be sufficent.  It should teach real science, true history and not get into political correctness.  Phys ed and sports should be required for all.  There are too many fatties ruining this country and our health care.
Energy: Drill baby drill.  DUH!
Environment: A complete strawman issue of the left.  The environment takes care of itself.  We should take what we need.  Nature will make more as it always has.  Global warming is a liberal myth and not supported by true science.
Gun Control: There should be no limits on anyones right to own guns of any kind unless they have a criminal violent record.
Health Care: is a responsability not a right.  I should not have to pay because some fat ass ate too many twinkies.
Homeland Security: 100% in support of Bush administration policies.  We need to go back to that.
Immigration: I support legal immigration.  Illegals should be deported immediately. If caught smuggling drugs in they should be shot.
Iran: Give them a choice -- stop developing nukes and threatening Isreal or we will bomb them back to the stone age.  follow thru.
Iraq:  Go back to the McCain plan for the surge.  It was an amazing success and Put pertreus in charge of the whole country.
Outsourcing: Allow it.  It is good for the economy and business.
Personal Tax: End taxes entirely.  If not possible then dramatically reduce taxes on the producing classes -- that is those who have jobs, wealth and own businesses. 
Same-Sex Marriage: ban it and I think we might need to consider restoring sodomy laws to the books.  I am not 100 percent sure.  But child molesting is a serious crime.
Social Security: eliminate entirely.
Unions: outlaw them
War on Terror: see my note on Iran

LOL

[Democratic Hawk]

Abortion
Center-Right Some restrictions on abortion. Allow abortions in cases of rape, incest, or life of the mother. Ban partial birth abortions.

Balanced Budget
Center-Left Focus on real priorities. More funds for military and social programs.

Business Tax
Center-Right Reduce taxes for small businesses

Education
Center-Left Support our public school system. Private school vouchers drain resources from public schools. Increase funding.

Energy
Center-Left Invest in clean energy and end oil company subsidies. Cut oil use significantly by 2025.

Environment
Center Balance environmental policies with sound economic policies.

Gun Control
Right Gun ownership is constitutionally protected. Protect sportsmen's rights and the Second Amendment.

Health Care
Center-Left Universal health care whether public or private. Require health insurance for every child.

Homeland Security
Center-Right Homeland security is an important priority. Focus on fighting terrorism but also provide disaster relief funding [also favor renewing Patriot Act]

Immigration
Center Enforce current laws and tighter border security but allow room for a guest-worker program.

Iran
Center Keep diplomatic channels open and use economic sanctions. Go to war as a last resort.

Iraq
Center-Right We have successfully liberated Iraq. We must train security forces in Iraq and maintain our presence there

Outsourcing
Left Remove tax incentives on companies that send jobs overseas to discourage outsourcing. Protect American labor.

Personal Tax
Center-Left Keep taxes progressive because it is fair and balanced. Exempt the very poor from taxes [and reduce them for middle class]

Same-Sex Marriage
Center Retain marriage as it is but explore civil unions.

Social Security
Center-Left Allow a small amount of private investment but keep it regulated.

Unions
Center-Left Labor Unions provide job security and allow workers to collectively better themselves and be paid a fair wage.

War on Terror
Center-Right We should not hesitate to use military force against terrorism.

Left: 1 ; Center-Left: 7 ; Center: 4 ; Center-Right: 5 ; Right: 1

[Associate Justice PiT]

Abortion: Center-Left
Balanced Budget: Right
Business Tax: Right
Education: Center-Right
Energy: Right
Environment: Right
Gun Control: Right
Health Care: Center-Right
Homeland Security: Center-Left
Immigration: Center-Right
Iran: Center-Left
Iraq: Center-Left
Outsourcing: Right
Personal Tax: Left
Same-Sex Marriage: Center-Left
Social Security: Right
Unions: Right
War on Terror: Center

     1 L, 5 CL, 1 C, 3 CR, 8 R

[Mint]

Abortion: Center-Left
Balanced Budget: Right
Business Tax: Right
Education: Center-Right
Energy: Right
Environment: Right
Gun Control: Right
Health Care: Center-Right
Homeland Security: Center-Left
Immigration: Center-Right
Iran: Center-Left
Iraq: Center-Left
Outsourcing: Right
Personal Tax: Left
Same-Sex Marriage: Center-Left
Social Security: Right
Unions: Right
War on Terror: Center

     1 L, 5 CL, 1 C, 3 CR, 8 R

Do you also favor a compulsory health insurance system with some subsidies for the poor?

[Associate Justice PiT]

Abortion: Center-Left
Balanced Budget: Right
Business Tax: Right
Education: Center-Right
Energy: Right
Environment: Right
Gun Control: Right
Health Care: Center-Right
Homeland Security: Center-Left
Immigration: Center-Right
Iran: Center-Left
Iraq: Center-Left
Outsourcing: Right
Personal Tax: Left
Same-Sex Marriage: Center-Left
Social Security: Right
Unions: Right
War on Terror: Center

     1 L, 5 CL, 1 C, 3 CR, 8 R

Do you also favor a compulsory health insurance system with some subsidies for the poor?

     Compulsory? That sounds too much like single-payer, which I unconditionally oppose.

[Mint]

Abortion: Center-Left
Balanced Budget: Right
Business Tax: Right
Education: Center-Right
Energy: Right
Environment: Right
Gun Control: Right
Health Care: Center-Right
Homeland Security: Center-Left
Immigration: Center-Right
Iran: Center-Left
Iraq: Center-Left
Outsourcing: Right
Personal Tax: Left
Same-Sex Marriage: Center-Left
Social Security: Right
Unions: Right
War on Terror: Center

     1 L, 5 CL, 1 C, 3 CR, 8 R

Do you also favor a compulsory health insurance system with some subsidies for the poor?

     Compulsory? That sounds too much like single-payer, which I unconditionally oppose.

As in everyone is required to purchase insurance with some bare bones subsidies for the extremely poor (think medicaid).

[Associate Justice PiT]

Abortion: Center-Left
Balanced Budget: Right
Business Tax: Right
Education: Center-Right
Energy: Right
Environment: Right
Gun Control: Right
Health Care: Center-Right
Homeland Security: Center-Left
Immigration: Center-Right
Iran: Center-Left
Iraq: Center-Left
Outsourcing: Right
Personal Tax: Left
Same-Sex Marriage: Center-Left
Social Security: Right
Unions: Right
War on Terror: Center

     1 L, 5 CL, 1 C, 3 CR, 8 R

Do you also favor a compulsory health insurance system with some subsidies for the poor?

     Compulsory? That sounds too much like single-payer, which I unconditionally oppose.

As in everyone is required to purchase insurance with some bare bones subsidies for the extremely poor (think medicaid).

     If people are allowed to purchase private insurance, I am fairly indifferent towards it. I would not stop it, but I would rather spend time to pursue free market solutions, such as supporting the importation of prescription drugs from Canada.

[Mint]

Abortion: Center-Left
Balanced Budget: Right
Business Tax: Right
Education: Center-Right
Energy: Right
Environment: Right
Gun Control: Right
Health Care: Center-Right
Homeland Security: Center-Left
Immigration: Center-Right
Iran: Center-Left
Iraq: Center-Left
Outsourcing: Right
Personal Tax: Left
Same-Sex Marriage: Center-Left
Social Security: Right
Unions: Right
War on Terror: Center

     1 L, 5 CL, 1 C, 3 CR, 8 R

Do you also favor a compulsory health insurance system with some subsidies for the poor?

     Compulsory? That sounds too much like single-payer, which I unconditionally oppose.

As in everyone is required to purchase insurance with some bare bones subsidies for the extremely poor (think medicaid).

     If people are allowed to purchase private insurance, I am fairly indifferent towards it. I would not stop it, but I would rather spend time to pursue free market solutions, such as supporting the importation of prescription drugs from Canada.

I'd agree with that approach as well as deregulating insurance so people can buy across state lines.