|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Editorial
Editorial Archives
Friday, October 29, 2004; Page 23
Joint Center Special Report on Candidates
Recognizing the need to have President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry take positions on key issues affecting African American voters, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies conducted an exclusive report, “On the Issues: Where Do the Presidential Candidates Stand?”. The report is based on a Joint Center questionnaire submitted to both candidates.
While many of the questions that the candidates were asked in the questionnaire were the same as the ones commonly heard in the news, the report was successful in targeting issues that directly affect the future of Black America.
"The two candidates clearly have different views of the role of government in health insurance and in other areas," said Dr. Margaret C. Simms, the Joint Center's senior vice president for programs. "President Bush wants minimal government involvement, providing tax reductions and other incentives for individuals to seek services in the private sector. This, however, does not mean those with greatest needs will have them met. On the other hand, Senator Kerry sees a more proactive role, at least in health, where the government would provide the services more directly."
When asked concrete questions in the report such as “what is your ‘exit strategy’ for Iraq”, the Bush campaign used its usual “bob and weave” strategy. Rather than blatantly saying that he has no immediate intentions of laying out an exit strategy, he discussed his administration’s reasons for entering Iraq and the successes that they have achieved since the invasion.
There is something seriously wrong with Bush’s stance on Iraq: he wants American soldiers to keep on fighting when he has only fought two fights in his life: the first in the Supreme Court and the second on Inauguration Day, when he dodged angry protestors.
For more information on the report and to read the candidates’ responses to questions specifically related to the African American community, visit www.jointcenter.org. |
|
|
|