Barack Obama's Statements on the Issues
Positions are categorized as
Pro, Con, Not Clearly Pro or Con, or None Found. |
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| Abortion: |
"Should abortion remain a legal option in America?" |
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Pro: "One of the things that I've always said is that abortion is a deeply moral issue. And those who would deny that there is a moral component to it I think are wrong. The reason that I make a decision to support the choice position is not because I don't think it's a moral issue but because I trust women to make a prayerful decision about this issue."
"Obama on Gay Marriage, Abortion," The Brody File, CBNnews.com, Nov. 7, 2007
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| Abortion: |
"Should parental consent be required for pregnant minors to have abortions?" |
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Not Clearly Pro or Con: "I oppose spousal notification or consent [to obtain an abortion]. Regarding parental notification, I would oppose any legislation that does not include a bypass provision for minors who have been victims of, or have reason to fear, physical or sexual abuse."
"IVI-IPO 2004 U.S. Senate Questionnaire," Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization, Jan. 5, 2004
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| Character: |
"Is competence more important than honesty in a President?" |
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Not Clearly Pro or Con: "I think what we need right now is honesty with the American people about where we would take the country. That's how I'm trying to run my campaign. That's how I will be as president."
Democratic Debate, Drexel University, hosted by MSNBC, Philadelphia, PA, Oct. 30, 2007
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| China: |
"Is China a threat to the U.S.?" |
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Not Clearly Pro or Con: "Japan has been an outstanding ally of ours for many years, but obviously China is rising, and it's not going away. They're neither our enemy nor our friend. They're competitors. But we have to make sure that we have enough military-to-military contact and forge enough of a relationship with them that we can stabilize the region."
The Democrats' First 2008 Presidential Debate, hosted by MSNBC, Orangeburg, SC, Apr. 26, 2007
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| China: |
"Should the U.S. impose economic sanctions on China as an incentive to improve its human rights policies?" |
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Not Clearly Pro or Con: "... I
am interested, as I said, in making sure that the Chinese population is fed and clothed and advancing. I think
that is important. It is not, I think, in the long-term interests of China to expand solely on the backs of lowwage
worker - work that is undermining U.S. work. If we are saying to China, raise your labor standards
that will over time improve the lot of Chinese workers as well as U.S. workers. And that's what we should be
looking at, is how can we improve the working conditions, the safety conditions, the consumer protections
that are available for all people, and that's not what's happening right now."
Democratic Candidates' Debate, hosted by NPR, Des Moines, IA, Dec. 4, 2007
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| Cuba: |
"Should the U.S. continue to support an embargo against Cuba?" |
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Pro: "That's why, when I'm President, I will grant Cuban-Americans unrestricted rights to visit families and send remitances to the island. Because that's the way to bring about real change in Cuba. Through strong and smart diplomacy, not just tough love...
As President I am not going to take off the embargo, it's an important inducement for change because we know that Castro's death will not automatically guarantee freedom."
Excerpt of a speech given in Miami, FL, Aug. 25, 2007
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| Darfur: |
"Should the U.S. send any American forces, with or without the U.N., to the Darfur region of Sudan to stop the genocide?" |
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Con: "Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama said Thursday [July 19, 2007] the United States cannot use its military to solve humanitarian problems and that preventing a potential genocide in Iraq isn't a good enough reason to keep U.S. forces there.
'Well, look, if that's the criteria by which we are making decisions on the deployment of U.S. forces, then by that argument you would have 300,000 troops in the Congo right now - where millions have been slaughtered as a consequence of ethnic strife - which we haven't done,' Obama said in an interview with The Associated Press.
'We would be deploying unilaterally and occupying the Sudan, which we haven't done. Those of us who care about Darfur don't think it would be a good idea,' he said."
"Obama: Don't Stay in Iraq Over Genocide," by Philip Elliott, The State, July 20, 2007
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| Death Penalty: |
"Should the death penalty remain a legal option in America?" |
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Pro: "While the evidence tells me that the death penalty does little to deter crime, I believe there are some crimes- mass murder, the rape and murder of a child- so heinous, so beyond the pale, that the community is justified in expressing the full measure of its outrage by meting out the ultimate punishment."
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream, 2006
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| Economy: |
"Is outsourcing jobs to other countries good for America?" |
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Not Clearly Pro or Con: "The No. 1 priority is jobs and job loss and that is something that is hitting communities downstate as well as here in Chicago. Everywhere I go people are out of work or they are insecure with the jobs that they have. The whole issue of outsourcing is enormously important. Not only are blue collar jobs being exported now, but you have got white collar jobs going to India and Singapore, and so people feel enormous economic insecurity and that has to be priority No. 1."
Public Affairs with Cliff Kelly, interview on WVON, 1450 AM, Chicago, IL, Feb. 27, 2004
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| Economy: |
"Should the U.S. include mandatory regulations for labor rights in free trade agreements?" |
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Not Clearly Pro or Con: "We're not going to stop globalization in its tracks, but we shouldn't be standing idly by while American jobs are shipped overseas. It's time to put Main Street ahead of Wall Street when it comes to trade. The only trade agreements I believe in are ones that put workers first - because trade deals aren't good for the American people if they aren't good for working people. That's why I opposed CAFTA [Central American Free Trade Agreement]. That's why I oppose the South Korea Free Trade Agreement. That's why I voted to block Mexican trucks from entering this country. And that's why we need to amend NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement]."
"Remarks of Senator Barack Obama as Prepared for Delivery," United Auto Workers Conference, Barack Obama's official candidate website, Nov. 13, 2007
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| Economy: |
"Has the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) had an overall benefit for the U.S.?" |
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Con: "We can't keep passing unfair trade deals like NAFTA that put special interests over workers' interests...
...I don't think NAFTA has been good for America - and I never have.
I didn't just start criticizing unfair trade deals like NAFTA because I started running for office - I'm doing it because I've seen what happens to a community when the factory closes down and the jobs move overseas."
"Remarks for Senator Barack Obama: National Gypsum in Lorain, Ohio," Barack Obama's official candidate website, Feb. 24, 2008
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| Education: |
"Has the No Child Left Behind Act been effective at improving public education?" |
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Con: "No Child Left Behind Left the Money Behind: The goal of the law was the right one, but unfulfilled funding promises, inadequate implementation by the Education Department and shortcomings in the design of the law itself have limited its effectiveness and undercut its support. As a result, the law has failed to provide high-quality teachers in every classroom and failed to adequately support and pay those teachers."
"Issues: Education," Barack Obama's official campaign website (accessed Jan. 28, 2008)
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| Education: |
"Is the increasing cost of college and university tuition pricing America's middle class out of higher education?" |
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Pro: "And so, as I stood in those Illinois colleges listening to students tell me about their problems, I started thinking, when did the cost of college stop becoming our problem? When did the headlines about skyrocketing tuition start getting crowded out by Michael Jackson and Martha Stewart, and when did this national priority start playing second fiddle to the latest partisan food fight in Washington?
I'm not sure, but I do know that I've met enough good citizens who think about the other guy and want to change this. And I believe there are enough members of both parties who want to start this country down the path of making college affordable and accessible for every American...
I believe it's time for Congress to follow your lead. This week, I'm introducing the Higher Education Opportunity through Pell Grant Expansion Act - the HOPE Act. This bill will make college more affordable for 430,000 Americans by increasing Pell Grant awards."
"Remarks of Senator Barack Obama at the Herblock Foundation Annual Lecture," Barack Obama's official candidate website, Apr. 6, 2005
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| Education: |
"Should the federal government fund school voucher programs?" |
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Now Not Clearly Pro or Con: "If there was any argument for vouchers, it was 'Let's see if the experiment works'...And if it does, whatever my preconception, you do what's best for kids."
"Obama Addresses State, U.S. Topics," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 13, 2008
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[Editor's Note: Prior to Barack Obama's Feb. 13, 2008 Not Clearly Pro or Con position above, his position was Con as indicated in his July 10, 2007 statement below.] |
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Con: "We need to invest in our public schools and strengthen them, not drain their fiscal support. And for this reason I do not support vouchers. In the end, vouchers would reduce the options available to children in need. I fear these children would truly be left behind in a private market system."
"2008 U.S. Presidential Candidate Questionnaire," American Federation of Teachers, July 10, 2007
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| Election Reform: |
"Should voter verified paper audit trails (VVPAT) be mandatory in elections?" |
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Pro: Cosponsor of the "Ballot Integrity Act of 2007" (S.1487), a bill "To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require an individual, durable, voter-verified paper record under title III of such Act, and for other purposes":
"TITLE II-BALLOT INTEGRITY
Sec. 201. Promoting accuracy, integrity, and security through individual, durable, voter-verified paper records.
Sec. 202. Requirement for mandatory manual audits."
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| Election Reform: |
"Should there be restrictions on campaign contributions?" |
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Pro: "In 1998, Obama joined forces with former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon (D-IL) to pass the toughest campaign finance law in Illinois history. The legislation banned the personal use of campaign money by Illinois legislators and banned most gifts from lobbyists. Before the law was passed, one organization ranked Illinois worst among 50 states for its campaign finance regulations."
"Ethics," Barack Obama's official candidate website (accessed Jan. 8, 2008)
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| Election Reform: |
"Should the election campaigns of candidates for public office be publicly financed?" |
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Pro: "I have been a long-time advocate for public financing of campaigns combined with free television and radio time as a way to reduce the influence of moneyed special interests. I introduced public financing legislation in the Illinois State Senate, and am the only 2008 candidate to have sponsored Senator Russ Feingold's (D-WI) bill to reform the presidential public financing system. In February 2007, I proposed a novel way to preserve the strength of the public financing system in the 2008 election. My plan requires both major party candidates to agree on a fundraising truce, return excess money from donors, and stay within the public financing system for the general election. My proposal followed announcements by some presidential candidates that they would forgo public financing so they could raise unlimited funds in the general election. The Federal Election Commission ruled the proposal legal, and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has already pledged to accept this fundraising pledge. If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election."
"Presidential Candidate Questionnaire," Midwest Democracy Network, Nov. 27, 2007
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| Energy: |
"Should drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) be allowed?" |
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Con: "I strongly reject drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge because it would irreversibly damage a protected national wildlife refuge without creating sufficient oil supplies to meaningfully affect the global market price or have a discernable impact on U.S. energy security."
"Presidential Candidates Views on ANWR [Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]: The Democrats," anwr.org (accessed Oct. 24, 2007)
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| Energy: |
"Should the U.S. tap into its emergency oil reserves to help bring down the price of gasoline?" |
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Not Clearly Pro or Con: "I agree with the President's decision to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help replenish supply shortages resulting from Hurricane Katrina. Nearly all oil and natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut down, and releasing this oil will help increase production and stabilize prices. However, I do believe that this tragedy makes it very clear that that the reserve should only be used in the event of an emergency, and that we shouldn't be tapping the reserve to provide a small, short-term decrease in gas prices.
Catastrophic events like Hurricane Katrina are the reason the Strategic Petroleum Reserve was created, and releasing oil at this time is appropriate. But to truly provide Americans relief from skyrocketing oil prices, we must get serious about decreasing America's dangerous dependence on foreign oil by increasing fuel efficiency and investing more in the renewable fuels that can lead us down the path to energy independence."
"Obama Statement on the President's Decision to Release Oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve," Barack Obama's official candidate website, Aug. 31, 2005
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[Editor's Note: ProCon.org emailed the Obama campaign on Mar. 11, 2008 and called them on Mar. 18, 2008 to acquire a Pro or Con position on this question. We had not received a reply as of Mar. 21, 2008.]
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| Environment: |
"Should the U.S. ratify an international environmental agreement (such as the Kyoto Protocol) that mandates reductions in carbon emissions?" |
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Pro: "Barack Obama will take seriously the U.S.'s leadership role in combating climate change. Obama will signal to the world the U.S. commitment to climate change leadership by implementing an aggressive domestic cap-and-trade program coupled with increased investments in clean energy development and deployment. Obama will build on our domestic commitments by creating a negotiating process that involves a smaller number of countries than the nearly 200 countries in the current Kyoto system. Obama will create a Global Energy Forum -- based on the G8+5, which included all G-8 members plus Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa -- of the world's largest emitters to focus exclusively on global energy and environmental issues.
Maintaining a standing international body focused on these issues will give a forum for all of the major emitters -- past, present and future -- to discuss efforts to combat climate change."
"Meeting Energy Needs," Barack Obama's official candidate website (accessed Nov. 20, 2007)
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| Environment: |
"Should the federal government mandate an increase in fuel efficiency standards for automobiles?" |
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Pro: "The Fuel Economy Reform Act of 2006 [co-introduced by Barack Obama] seeks to break the decades-long logjam on increasing fuel economy standards by taking a new, more flexible approach. The bill charges the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) to create regular annual increases in fuel economy with a target of 1 mile per gallon each year. The experts at NHTSA will base these standards on attributes of a vehicle such as size and weight, and will be able to revise the annual increase if they conclude that the target cannot be reached with current technology or without compromising the safety of the entire fleet, or is not cost-effective when compared to the economic and geopolitical value of a gallon of gasoline saved.
This legislation flips the current debate about increasing fuel economy standards on its head, from a debate about whether standards will be raised to [a] presumption that they will be raised."
"Senators Introduce Legislation to Reduce Gasoline Consumption by Half a Trillion Gallons," Barack Obama's U.S. Senate website, July 19, 2006
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| Environment: |
"Are humans substantially responsible for global climate change today?" |
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Pro: "Global warming is real, is happening now and is the result of human activities. The number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has almost doubled in the last 30 years. Glaciers are melting faster; the polar ice caps are shrinking; trees are blooming earlier; oceans are becoming more acidic, threatening marine life; people are dying in heat waves; species are migrating, and eventually many will become extinct."
"Barack Obama's Plan to Make America a Global Energy Leader," Barack Obama's official candidate website (accessed Mar. 13, 2008)
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| Gun Control: |
"Are more federal regulations on guns and ammunition needed?" |
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Not Clearly Pro or Con: "The second area which may be fought by the NRA [National Rifle Association], but I think has to be looked at is the availability of 19-round clips. I'm a strong believer in the rights of hunters and sportsmen to have firearms. I'm a believer in homeowners having a firearm to protect their home and their family. It's hard for me to find a rationale for a 19-clip semi-automatic. I said at a forum earlier this week, 'If you need 19 rounds to shoot a deer, you probably shouldn't be hunting' and so that I think is something that we should be able to have a reasonable conversation about."
"Clinton, Edwards, Obama on Gun Control," Radio Iowa, Apr. 22, 2007
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| Health Care: |
"Should all Americans have a right to government or employer subsidized basic health care?" |
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Pro: "...I also believe that every American has the right to affordable health care. I believe that the millions of Americans who can't take their children to a doctor when they get sick have that right....
My plan begins by covering every American.
If you already have health insurance, the only thing that will change for you under this plan is the amount of money you will spend on premiums. That will be less...
If you are one of the 45 million Americans who don't have health insurance, you will have it after this plan becomes law...
If you cannot afford this insurance, you will receive a subsidy to pay for it...
To help pay for this, we will ask all but the smallest businesses who don't make a meaningful contribution today to the health coverage of their employees to do so by supporting this new plan. And we will allow the temporary Bush tax cut for the wealthiest Americans to expire."
"Cutting Costs and Covering America: A 21st Century Health Care System," Barack Obama's official candidate website, May 29, 2007
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| Health Care: |
"Should Americans be allowed to purchase their prescription drugs from other countries?" |
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None Found: ProCon.org emailed the Obama campaign on Dec. 13, 2007 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Jan. 9, 2008.
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| Immigration: |
"Are illegal immigrants a net gain to the U.S. economy?" |
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Not Clearly Pro or Con: "To keep from having to go through this difficult process again in the future, we must also replace the flow of undocumented immigrants coming to work here with a new flow of guestworkers. Illegal immigration is bad for illegal immigrants and bad for the workers against whom they compete.
Replacing the flood of illegals with a regulated stream of legal immigrants who enter the United States after background checks and who are provided labor rights would enhance our security, raise wages, and improve working conditions for all Americans."
"Floor Statement of Senator Barack Obama on Immigration Reform," Barack Obama's U.S. Senate website, Apr. 3, 2006
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| Immigration: |
"Should illegal aliens receive any of the rights or benefits that lawful permanent residents enjoy?" |
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Pro: "When I was a state senator in Illinois, I voted to require that illegal aliens get trained, get a license, get insurance to protect public safety. That was my intention...
The problem we have here is not driver's licenses. Undocumented workers do not come here to drive... They're here to work. And so instead of being distracting by what has now become a wedge issue, let's focus on actually solving the problem that this administration, the Bush administration, had done nothing about it."
Democratic Debate, hosted by CNN, Las Vegas, NV, Nov. 15, 2007
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| Immigration: |
"Should the U.S. build a physical barrier, such as a fence, along the U.S.-Mexico border?" |
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Pro: "Well, this is an area where Senator Clinton and I almost entirely agree. I think that the key is to consult with local communities, whether it's on the commercial interests or the environmental stakes of creating any kind of barrier...
As Senator Clinton indicated, there may be areas where it makes sense to have some fencing. But for the most part, having border patrolled, surveillance, deploying effective technology, that's going to be the better approach."
Democratic Presidential Debate, hosted by CNN, Austin, TX, Feb. 21, 2008 |
[Editor's Note: Senator Obama also voted in favor of the "Secure Fence Act of 2006" (H.R.6061) on Sep. 29, 2006 which allowed for the following:
"SEC. 3. CONSTRUCTION OF FENCING AND SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS IN BORDER AREA FROM PACIFIC OCEAN TO GULF OF MEXICO...
(1) SECURITY FEATURES.-
(A) REINFORCED FENCING.-In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide for least 2 layers of reinforced fencing, the installation of additional physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors..."]
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| Iran: |
"Should the U.S. use military force against Iran if Iran does not dismantle its nuclear program?" |
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Not Clearly Pro or Con: "Q. If you were to open such a discussion with Iran, would you retain a military option for striking Iran's nuclear facilities if they persisted on that course, or do you believe that it would be wiser to craft a deterrent and detainment strategy for Iran and acquiesce their nuclear capability?
A. I don't think the President of the United States takes military options off the table, but I think that we obviously have to measure costs and benefits in all the decisions that we make. Iran is one problem. Pakistan is another problem. Afghanistan is another. Iraq is yet another. My decision making, with respect to military options versus diplomatic options, a containment strategy versus a strike strategy, is going to be informed by how is that going to impact not just Iran, but how is that going to impact the stability of the region and how's that going to impact our long-term security interests."
"Interview With Barack Obama," New York Times, Nov. 1, 2007
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| Iraq: |
"Was it a mistake to attack Iraq in 2003?" |
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Pro: "I am proud that I opposed this war from the start, because I thought that it would lead to the some -- the disastrous conditions that we've seen on the ground in Iraq."
Democrats' First 2008 Presidential Debate, Orangeburg, SC, Apr. 26, 2007
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| Iraq War: |
"Has the war in Iraq made America safer?" |
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Con: "Perhaps the saddest irony of the Administration's cynical use of 9/11 is that the Iraq War has left us less safe than we were before 9/11. Osama bin Ladin and his top lieutenants have rebuilt a new base in Pakistan where they freely train recruits, plot new attacks, and disseminate propaganda. The Taliban is resurgent in Afghanistan. Iran has emerged as the greatest strategic challenge to America in the Middle East in a generation. Violent extremism has increased. Terrorism has increased. All of that is a cost of this war."
"Remarks of Senator Barack Obama: Turning the Page in Iraq," Barack Obama's official candidate website, Sep. 12, 2007
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| Iraq War: |
"Should the U.S. set a timetable for troop withdrawal in Iraq?" |
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Pro: "The first part of this strategy [in Iraq] begins by exerting the greatest leverage we have on the Iraqi government - a phased redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq on a timetable that would begin in four to six months.
When I first advocated steps along these lines over a year ago, I had hoped that this phased redeployment could begin by the end of 2006. Such a timetable may now need to begin in 2007, but begin it must. For only through this phased redeployment can we send a clear message to the Iraqi factions that the U.S. is not going to hold together this country indefinitely - that it will be up to them to form a viable government that can effectively run and secure Iraq."
"A Way Forward in Iraq," Barack Obama's official candidate website, Nov. 20, 2006
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| Israel: |
"Should Israel continue to receive the current level military and economic aid from the U.S.?" |
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Pro: "Support Foreign Assistance to Israel: Barack Obama has consistently supported foreign assistance to Israel. He defends and supports the annual foreign aid package that involves both military and economic assistance to Israel and has advocated increased foreign aid budgets to ensure that these funding priorities are met. He has called for continuing U.S. cooperation with Israel in the development of missile defense systems."
"Issues: Foreign Policy," Barack Obama's official campaign website (accessed Jan. 28, 2008)
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| Israel-Palestinian Conflict: |
"Should the U.S. allow Hamas to join future Israeli-Palestinian negotiations?" |
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Not Clearly Pro or Con: "The Israeli people, and Prime Minister Olmert, have made clear that they are more than willing to negotiate an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that will result in two states living side by side in peace and security. But the Israelis must trust that they have a true Palestinian partner for peace. That is why we must strengthen the hands of Palestinian moderates who seek peace and that is why we must maintain the isolation of Hamas and other extremists who are committed to Israel's destruction."
"Obama on U.S. Policy in the Middle East," Council on Foreign Relations website, Mar. 2, 2007
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| Israeli Palestinian Conflict: |
"Should there be an independent Palestinian state?" |
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Pro: "Obama will make progress on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a key diplomatic priority. He will make a sustained push - working with Israelis and Palestinians - to achieve the goal of two states, a Jewish state in Israel and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security."
"Foreign Policy," Barack Obama's official candidate website (accessed Feb. 22, 2008)
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| Kosovo: |
"Should the U.S. have supported Kosovo’s independence?" |
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Not Clearly Pro or Con: "Today's announcement of independence by the leadership of Kosovo ends a chain of events that began with the bloody break-up of the former Yugoslavia. Kosovo's independence is a unique situation resulting from the irreparable rupture Slobodan Milosevic's actions caused; it is in no way a precedent for anyone else in the region or around the world.
Kosovo's independence carries with it important responsibilities. The international community has devoted enormous resources to Kosovo's political, economic and social development for nearly a decade, with results not always meeting expectations. I hope that Kosovo's government and people act with urgency to ensure that Kosovo becomes a positive example of democratic governance and the rule of law."
"Statement by Barack Obama on the Independence of Kosovo," Barack Obama's official candidate website, Feb. 17, 2008
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| Marriage: |
"Should there be a Constitutional amendment or federal law defining marriage as only between a man and a woman?" |
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Con: "Today, we take up the valuable time of the U.S. Senate with a proposed amendment to our Constitution [the Federal Marriage Amendemnt] that has absolutely no chance of passing...
Now, I realize that for some Americans, this is an important issue. And I should say that personally, I do believe that marriage is between a man and a woman...
I agree with most Americans, with Democrats and Republicans, with Vice President Cheney, with over 2,000 religious leaders of all different beliefs, that decisions about marriage, as they always have, should be left to the states."
"Floor Statement of Senator Barack Obama on the Federal Marriage Amendment," Barack Obama's U.S. Senate website, June 5, 2006
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| Marriage: |
"Should an affair outside of marriage disqualify a candidate for public office?" |
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Not Clearly Pro or Con: "[Katy] Couric: Should infidelity qualify someone, or should infidel...
Obama: Disqualify.
[Katy] Couric: ...infidelity disqualify someone?
Obama: You know...I'm very cautious about applying strict moral rules to...or a blanket universal rule to...people. Because, you know, I mean, there are some people who might say that the fact that, you know, I indulged in drugs when I was young, disqualifies me. I mean, there are a lot of ways that you can apply that kind of morality. What I'm always hopeful of is that people...judge our public servants based on their passion, their commitment, their public integrity, how they operate with that public trust. And, you know, if we start getting too sanctimonious about some of these issues then there aren't going to be that many people who are able or willing to serve."
"Candidates Offer Views on Infidelity," CBS Evening News with Katy Couric, Dec. 19, 2007
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| Medical Marijuana: |
"Should marijuana be a medical option?" |
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Now Pro: "When it comes to medical marijuana, I have more of a practical view than anything else. My attitude is that if it's an issue of doctors prescribing medical marijuana as a treatment for glaucoma or as a cancer treatment, I think that should be appropriate because there really is no difference between that and a doctor prescribing morphine or anything else. I think there are legitimate concerns in not wanting to allow people to grow their own or start setting up mom and pop shops because at that point it becomes fairly difficult to regulate.
I'm not familiar with all the details of the initiative that was passed [in Oregon] and what safeguards there were in place, but I think the basic concept that using medical marijuana in the same way, with the same controls as other drugs prescribed by doctors, I think that's entirely appropriate.
I would not punish doctors if it's prescribed in a way that is appropriate. That may require some changes in federal law. I will tell you that...the likelihood of that being real high on my list is not likely. What I'm not going to be doing is using Justice Department resources to try to circumvent state laws on this issue simply because I want folks to be investigating violent crimes and potential terrorism. We've got a lot of things for our law enforcement officers to deal with."
Interview with Editorial Page Editor Gary Nelson, Mail Tribune, Mar. 22, 2008
[Editor's Note: Prior to Barack Obama's Mar. 22, 2008 Pro position, his position was Not Clearly Pro or Con as indicated in his Nov. 24, 2007 statement at a town hall meeting below.]
Not Clearly Pro or Con: "My attitude is, if the science and the doctors suggest that the best palliative care and the best way to relieve pain and suffering is through medical marijuana then that's something I'm open to, because there's no difference between that and morphine when it comes to just giving people relief from pain. But I want to do it under strict guidelines. I want to make sure that it is prescribed in the same way that other painkillers or palliative drugs would be prescribed. I'm concerned about folks just kind of growing their own and saying it's for medicinal purposes, because that's kind of a slippery slope."
Town Hall Meeting, Audubon, IA, Nov. 24, 2007
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| Medical Marijuana: |
"Should the federal government stop raids against people for using medical marijuana in states where medical marijuana use is legal?" |
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Pro: "I would not have the Justice Department prosecuting and raiding medical marijuana users. It's not a good use of our resources."
Campaign event in Nashua, NH, YouTube.com, Aug. 21, 2007
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| National Service: |
"Should the U.S. institute a military draft?" |
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Con: "[Anderson] Cooper: Senator Obama, should women register for Selective Service?
[Barack] Obama: ...I think that if women are registered for service -- not necessarily in combat roles, and I don't agree
with the draft -- I think it will help to send a message to my two daughters that they've got obligations to
this great country as well as boys do."
CNN/YouTube Democratic Presidential Debate, Charleston, SC, July 23, 2007
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| National Service: |
"Should openly gay people be allowed to serve in the U.S. military?" |
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Pro: "It's time to turn the page on the bitterness and bigotry that fill so much of today's LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender] rights debate. The rights of all Americans should be protected -- whether it's at work or anyplace else. 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' needs to be repealed because patriotism and a sense of duty should be the key tests for military service, not sexual orientation."
"Obama Statement on Pride Month," Press Release, Barack Obama's official campaign website, June 1, 2007
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| Presidential Power: |
"Should the U.S. President's powers be expanded to include a line item veto?" |
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None Found: ProCon.org emailed the Obama campaign on Feb. 22, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Feb. 29, 2008.
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| Religion: |
"Should federal funds be given to faith-based (religious) organizations and initiatives?" |
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Not Clearly Pro or Con: "...[A] sense of proportion should also guide those who police the boundaries between church and state. Not every mention of God in public is a breach to the wall of separation - context matters. It is doubtful that children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance feel oppressed or brainwashed as a consequence of muttering the phrase 'under God.' I didn't. Having voluntary student prayer groups use school property to meet should not be a threat, any more than its use by the High School Republicans should threaten Democrats. And one can envision certain faith-based programs - targeting ex-offenders or substance abusers - that offer a uniquely powerful way of solving problems."
"'Call to Renewal' Keynote Address," Barack Obama's Senate website, June 28, 2006
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| Religion: |
"Should a candidate's religion matter to voters?" |
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Not Clearly Pro or Con: "Our faith informs our values, and I think we'd all agree that our values inform our politics more than they have over the last six years."
"Obama: Religion Should Play Role in Climate Change," CNN, Oct. 14, 2007
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| Social Security: |
"Should Social Security be privatized?" |
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Con: "...[W]e should be willing to do anything that will strengthen the system to make sure that we are being true to the sake of trust of those who are already retired as well as young people in the future.
And we should reject things that will weaken the system, including privatization, which essentially is going to put people's
retirement at the whim of the stock market."
Dartmouth Democratic Debate, Hanover, NH, Sep. 26, 2007
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| Stem Cells: |
"Should the federal government fund embryonic stem cell research?" |
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Pro: "And I'm proud to be a cosponsor of the stem cell bill before us today ["Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005" (H.R. 810)]. This bill embodies the innovative thinking that we as a society demand and medical advancement requires. By expanding scientific access to embryonic stem cells which would be otherwise discarded, this bill will help our nation's scientists and researchers develop treatments and cures to help people who suffer from illnesses and injuries for which there are currently none. But the bill is not without limits; it requires that scientific research also be subject to rigorous oversight.
I realize there are moral and ethical issues surrounding this debate. But I also realize that we're not talking about harvesting cells that would've been used to create life and we're not talking about cloning humans. We're talking about using stem cells that would have otherwise been discarded and lost forever - and we're talking about using those stem cells to possibly save the lives of millions of Americans...
Americans are looking for that kind of leadership today. All over the country, patients and their families are waiting today for Congress and the President to open the door to the cures of tomorrow."
"Statement of Support for Stem Cell Research," Barack Obama's U.S. Senate website, July 17, 2006
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| Taxes: |
"Should the Bush tax cuts be made permanent?" |
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Con: "Those kinds of progressive tax steps, while closing loopholes and rolling back the Bush tax cuts to the top 1 percent, simply restores some fairness and a sense that we're all in this together, as opposed to each of us being in it on our own."
Democratic Presidential Debate, Philadelphia, PA, hosted by CNN, Oct. 30, 2007
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| Turkey: |
"Should Turkey be able to enter Iraq or other countries unilaterally in search of its enemies?" |
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Con: "Prevent the War's Spread Beyond Iraq: To prevent spillover -- in particular, Turkish or Iranian adventurism -- the Obama plan would promote a regional compact that would ensure commitments by Iraq's neighbors to non-intervention and to Iraq's territorial integrity."
"Barack Obama: Turning the Page in Iraq," Barack Obama's official candidate website (accessed Mar. 13, 2008)
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| U.S. Constitution: |
"Should the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights be altered or updated in any way?" |
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Not Clearly Pro or Con: "The Framers made it difficult to amend the Constitution b |
.org
(PDF) 175 KB, May 24, 2007