Rocky Anderson vs Barack Obama on the issues of the 2012 Presidential election

Should the U.S. intervene in the affairs of other countries?

Their answers: Only in matters of national security, human rights violations, or specifically asked by the international communityPassion=5 Anderson has a very high passion score of 5 on Foreign Intervention Conviction=5 Anderson has a very high conviction score of 5 on Foreign Intervention SourcePassion=3 Obama has a moderate passion score of 3 on Foreign Intervention Conviction=4 Obama has a high conviction score of 4 on Foreign Intervention Source

How should the U.S. deal with Iran?

Rocky Anderson: Maintain diplomacy while discouraging use of nuclear weaponsPassion=4 Anderson has a high passion score of 4 on Iran Conviction=4 Anderson has a high conviction score of 4 on Iran Source

Barack Obama: Isolate through trade embargoesPassion=4 Obama has a high passion score of 4 on Iran Conviction=4 Obama has a high conviction score of 4 on Iran Source

How should the U.S. handle the genocide in Sudan?

Their answers: Support a NATO effort to contain the Sudanese militaryPassion=2 Anderson has a low passion score of 2 on Sudan Conviction=3 Anderson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Sudan SourcePassion=2 Obama has a low passion score of 2 on Sudan Conviction=3 Obama has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Sudan Source

Should the United States end its trade embargo and travel ban on Cuba?

Rocky Anderson: YesPassion=1 Anderson has a very low passion score of 1 on Cuba Conviction=3 Anderson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Cuba Source

Barack Obama: Yes, lift the travel ban but keep some provisions of the embargo in placePassion=3 Obama has a moderate passion score of 3 on Cuba Conviction=3 Obama has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Cuba Source

What is your stance on abortion?

Their answers: Pro-choicePassion=4 Anderson has a high passion score of 4 on Abortion Conviction=4 Anderson has a high conviction score of 4 on Abortion SourcePassion=5 Obama has a very high passion score of 5 on Abortion Conviction=5 Obama has a very high conviction score of 5 on Abortion Source

Should gay marriage be allowed in the U.S.?

Their answers: YesPassion=5 Anderson has a very high passion score of 5 on Gay Marriage Conviction=5 Anderson has a very high conviction score of 5 on Gay Marriage SourcePassion=5 Obama has a very high passion score of 5 on Gay Marriage Conviction=5 Obama has a very high conviction score of 5 on Gay Marriage Source

Should the government require health insurance companies to provide free birth control?

Rocky Anderson: YesPassion=2 Anderson has a low passion score of 2 on Government Mandates Conviction=3 Anderson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Government Mandates Source

Barack Obama: Yes, but exempt religious organizations or charitiesPassion=5 Obama has a very high passion score of 5 on Government Mandates Conviction=5 Obama has a very high conviction score of 5 on Government Mandates Source

Should children of illegal immigrants be granted citizenship?

Rocky Anderson: YesPassion=4 Anderson has a high passion score of 4 on Immigration Conviction=5 Anderson has a very high conviction score of 5 on Immigration Source

Barack Obama: Yes, but it should not grant their parents citizenshipPassion=5 Obama has a very high passion score of 5 on Immigration Conviction=4 Obama has a high conviction score of 4 on Immigration Source

Should illegal immigrants working in the U.S. be granted temporary amnesty?

Their answers: YesPassion=4 Anderson has a high passion score of 4 on Immigrant Laborers Conviction=5 Anderson has a very high conviction score of 5 on Immigrant Laborers SourcePassion=1 Obama has a very low passion score of 1 on Immigrant Laborers Conviction=3 Obama has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Immigrant Laborers Source

Is Global Warming a threat to the environment?

Their answers: YesPassion=5 Anderson has a very high passion score of 5 on Global Warming Conviction=5 Anderson has a very high conviction score of 5 on Global Warming SourcePassion=4 Obama has a high passion score of 4 on Global Warming Conviction=2 Obama has a low conviction score of 2 on Global Warming Source

Should the federal government continue to give tax credits and subsidies to the wind power industry?

Rocky Anderson: YesPassion=5 Anderson has a very high passion score of 5 on Alternative Engery Conviction=3 Anderson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Alternative Engery

Barack Obama: Yes, the wind power industry is an important alternative to coal and natural gasPassion=5 Obama has a very high passion score of 5 on Alternative Engery Conviction=4 Obama has a high conviction score of 4 on Alternative Engery

Should we expand or dismantle our Medicare program?

Rocky Anderson: Transform the system into a Canadian or European style single payer system that can negotiate pricing for medication and treatmentsPassion=5 Anderson has a very high passion score of 5 on Medicare Conviction=5 Anderson has a very high conviction score of 5 on Medicare Source

Barack Obama: ExpandPassion=3 Obama has a moderate passion score of 3 on Medicare Conviction=3 Obama has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Medicare Source

Do you support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?

Rocky Anderson: No, institute a universal healthcare systemPassion=5 Anderson has a very high passion score of 5 on Healthcare Conviction=5 Anderson has a very high conviction score of 5 on Healthcare Source

Barack Obama: YesPassion=5 Obama has a very high passion score of 5 on Healthcare Conviction=5 Obama has a very high conviction score of 5 on Healthcare Source

Do you support affirmative action programs?

Their answers: YesPassion=3 Anderson has a moderate passion score of 3 on Affirmative Action Conviction=3 Anderson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Affirmative Action SourcePassion=2 Obama has a low passion score of 2 on Affirmative Action Conviction=4 Obama has a high conviction score of 4 on Affirmative Action Source

Should the federal government regulate the internet to deter online piracy?

Their answers: No, the government should prosecute copyright violators but not regulate the internetPassion=3 Anderson has a moderate passion score of 3 on Internet Conviction=3 Anderson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Internet SourcePassion=4 Obama has a high passion score of 4 on Internet Conviction=4 Obama has a high conviction score of 4 on Internet Source

Should illegal immigrants be given access to government-subsidized healthcare?

Rocky Anderson has not given a stance on this issue

You: No, but their children should have access

Should the federal government fund stem cell research?

Rocky Anderson has not given a stance on this issue

You: Yes

Do you believe the theory of Evolution?

Rocky Anderson has not given a stance on this issue

You: Yes

Should the United States increase our space exploration efforts and budget?

Rocky Anderson has not given a stance on this issue

You: No

Should the federal government subsidize U.S. farmers?

Rocky Anderson has not given a stance on this issue

You: Yes

Should the government raise the federal minimum wage?

Rocky Anderson: Yes Source

Barack Obama: NoPassion=2 Obama has a low passion score of 2 on Minimum Wage Conviction=1 Obama has a very low conviction score of 1 on Minimum Wage Source

Should able-bodied, mentally capable adults who receive welfare be required to work?

Rocky Anderson has not given a stance on this issue

You: Yes

Should the U.S. end the war in Afghanistan?

Rocky Anderson: YesPassion=5 Anderson has a very high passion score of 5 on Afghanistan Conviction=5 Anderson has a very high conviction score of 5 on Afghanistan Source

Barack Obama: No, not until all U.S. military leaders are confident the mission has been accomplishedPassion=3 Obama has a moderate passion score of 3 on Afghanistan Conviction=4 Obama has a high conviction score of 4 on Afghanistan Source

Should the U.S. continue to support Israel?

Rocky Anderson: We should give equal support to Israel and Palestine.Passion=4 Anderson has a high passion score of 4 on Israel Conviction=4 Anderson has a high conviction score of 4 on Israel Source

Barack Obama: YesPassion=4 Obama has a high passion score of 4 on Israel Conviction=4 Obama has a high conviction score of 4 on Israel Source

Should the U.S. maintain a presence at the United Nations?

Rocky Anderson has not given a stance on this issue

You: Yes

Should foreign terrorism suspects be given constitutional rights?

Rocky Anderson: Yes, just like U.S. citizens, terrorists should be given a fair trial in federal courtsPassion=1 Anderson has a very low passion score of 1 on Terrorism Conviction=3 Anderson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Terrorism Source

Barack Obama: No, they should be tried in military tribunals but not subject to torturePassion=1 Obama has a very low passion score of 1 on Terrorism Conviction=3 Obama has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Terrorism Source

Should the government cut military spending?

Rocky Anderson: YesPassion=4 Anderson has a high passion score of 4 on Military Spending Conviction=3 Anderson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Military Spending

Barack Obama: Do not change current military budgetPassion=3 Obama has a moderate passion score of 3 on Military Spending Conviction=4 Obama has a high conviction score of 4 on Military Spending

Should the U.S. military fly unmanned drones over foreign countries to gain intelligence and kill suspected terrorists?

Rocky Anderson: No

Barack Obama: Yes, the U.S. needs to use all means necessary to combat terrorism

Should we expand our offshore oil drilling?

Rocky Anderson: NoPassion=2 Anderson has a low passion score of 2 on Oil Drilling Conviction=4 Anderson has a high conviction score of 4 on Oil Drilling Source

Barack Obama: YesPassion=2 Obama has a low passion score of 2 on Oil Drilling Conviction=2 Obama has a low conviction score of 2 on Oil Drilling Source

Should U.S. National Parks and Forests continue to be preserved and protected by the federal government?

Rocky Anderson has not given a stance on this issue

You: Yes, and expand the government’s domain to protect more land

Do you support the Patriot act?

Rocky Anderson: No, and pass strict laws prohibiting any government surveillancePassion=3 Anderson has a moderate passion score of 3 on Patriot Act Conviction=3 Anderson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Patriot Act Source

Barack Obama: Yes, but limit the scope of the government’s powersPassion=2 Obama has a low passion score of 2 on Patriot Act Conviction=4 Obama has a high conviction score of 4 on Patriot Act Source

Should we limit federal funds to public schools that do not meet performance standards?

Rocky Anderson has not given a stance on this issue

You: No

Do you support increased gun control?

Rocky Anderson: YesPassion=1 Anderson has a very low passion score of 1 on Gun Control Conviction=3 Anderson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Gun Control Source

Barack Obama: No, only for assault weapons Passion=1 Obama has a very low passion score of 1 on Gun Control Conviction=2 Obama has a low conviction score of 2 on Gun Control Source

Are you in favor of decriminalizing all drugs?

Rocky Anderson: YesPassion=3 Anderson has a moderate passion score of 3 on Drug Policy Conviction=4 Anderson has a high conviction score of 4 on Drug Policy Source

Barack Obama: NoPassion=1 Obama has a very low passion score of 1 on Drug Policy Conviction=3 Obama has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Drug Policy Source

Should corporations and unions be permitted to fund broadcast advertisements backing political candidates through political action committees (Super PACS)?

Rocky Anderson: NoPassion=4 Anderson has a high passion score of 4 on Campaign Finance Conviction=3 Anderson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Campaign Finance Source

Barack Obama: YesPassion=4 Obama has a high passion score of 4 on Campaign Finance Conviction=1 Obama has a very low conviction score of 1 on Campaign Finance Source

Should marijuana be legalized in the U.S.?

Rocky Anderson: YesPassion=2 Anderson has a low passion score of 2 on Marijuana Conviction=3 Anderson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Marijuana Source

Barack Obama: NoPassion=2 Obama has a low passion score of 2 on Marijuana Conviction=4 Obama has a high conviction score of 4 on Marijuana Source