Barack Obama vs Rocky Anderson on the issues of the 2012 Presidential election
Issues they side on...
the Economy
Should we expand or dismantle our Social Security program?
Their answers: Expand and increase the payroll tax on individuals making more than $250K to make up for the budget shortfallPassion=4 Obama has a high passion score of 4 on Social Security Conviction=2 Obama has a low conviction score of 2 on Social Security SourcePassion=3 Anderson has a moderate passion score of 3 on Social Security Conviction=3 Anderson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Social Security Source
Do you agree with President Obama's 2009 Stimulus Plan?
Barack Obama: YesPassion=5 Obama has a very high passion score of 5 on Economic Stimulus Conviction=5 Obama has a very high conviction score of 5 on Economic Stimulus Source
Rocky Anderson: Yes, but it was not big enoughPassion=1 Anderson has a very low passion score of 1 on Economic Stimulus Conviction=3 Anderson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Economic Stimulus Source
Do you believe the 2001 and 2003 George W Bush tax cuts should be extended?
Their answers: Extend only for those making less than $250,000Passion=4 Obama has a high passion score of 4 on Taxes Conviction=1 Obama has a very low conviction score of 1 on Taxes SourcePassion=5 Anderson has a very high passion score of 5 on Taxes Conviction=5 Anderson has a very high conviction score of 5 on Taxes Source
Should Congress raise the debt ceiling?
Their answers: Offset the debt by raising taxes on the rich and reduced spendingPassion=4 Obama has a high passion score of 4 on Debt Ceiling Conviction=4 Obama has a high conviction score of 4 on Debt Ceiling SourcePassion=5 Anderson has a very high passion score of 5 on Debt Ceiling Conviction=5 Anderson has a very high conviction score of 5 on Debt Ceiling Source
Should the U.S. have bailed out the major banks during the financial crisis of 2008?
Barack Obama: Yes, but with more restrictionsPassion=4 Obama has a high passion score of 4 on Financial Regulation Conviction=4 Obama has a high conviction score of 4 on Financial Regulation Source
Rocky Anderson: Regardless, we should instead enact legislation that prevents banks from becoming too big to failPassion=5 Anderson has a very high passion score of 5 on Financial Regulation Conviction=5 Anderson has a very high conviction score of 5 on Financial Regulation Source
the Environment
Is Global Warming a threat to the environment?
Their answers: YesPassion=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 SourcePassion=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 Source
Should the federal government continue to give tax credits and subsidies to the wind power industry?
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
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
Foreign Policy
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=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 SourcePassion=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 Source
How should the U.S. deal with Iran?
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
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
How should the U.S. handle the genocide in Sudan?
Their answers: Support a NATO effort to contain the Sudanese militaryPassion=2 Obama has a low passion score of 2 on Sudan Conviction=3 Obama has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Sudan SourcePassion=2 Anderson has a low passion score of 2 on Sudan Conviction=3 Anderson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Sudan Source
Should the United States end its trade embargo and travel ban on Cuba?
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
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
Social
What is your stance on abortion?
Their answers: Pro-choicePassion=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 SourcePassion=4 Anderson has a high passion score of 4 on Abortion Conviction=4 Anderson has a high conviction score of 4 on Abortion Source
Should gay marriage be allowed in the U.S.?
Their answers: YesPassion=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 SourcePassion=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 Source
Should the government require health insurance companies to provide free birth control?
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
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
Immigration
Should children of illegal immigrants be granted citizenship?
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
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
Should illegal immigrants working in the U.S. be granted temporary amnesty?
Their answers: YesPassion=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 SourcePassion=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 Source
Healthcare
Should we expand or dismantle our Medicare program?
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
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
Do you support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?
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
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
Domestic Policy
Do you support affirmative action programs?
Their answers: YesPassion=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 SourcePassion=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 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=4 Obama has a high passion score of 4 on Internet Conviction=4 Obama has a high conviction score of 4 on Internet SourcePassion=3 Anderson has a moderate passion score of 3 on Internet Conviction=3 Anderson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Internet Source
Issues they do not side on...
Social
Should the federal government allow the death penalty?
Barack Obama: YesPassion=4 Obama has a high passion score of 4 on Death Penalty Conviction=4 Obama has a high conviction score of 4 on Death Penalty Source
Rocky Anderson: NoPassion=4 Anderson has a high passion score of 4 on Death Penalty Conviction=4 Anderson has a high conviction score of 4 on Death Penalty Source
Foreign Policy
Should the U.S. end the war in Afghanistan?
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
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
Should the U.S. continue to support Israel?
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
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
Should foreign terrorism suspects be given constitutional rights?
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
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
Should the government cut 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
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
Should the U.S. military fly unmanned drones over foreign countries to gain intelligence and kill suspected terrorists?
Barack Obama: Yes, the U.S. needs to use all means necessary to combat terrorism
Rocky Anderson: No
Domestic Policy
Do you support the Patriot act?
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
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
Do you support increased gun control?
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
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
Are you in favor of decriminalizing all drugs?
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
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
Should corporations and unions be permitted to fund broadcast advertisements backing political candidates through political action committees (Super PACS)?
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
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
Healthcare
Should marijuana be legalized in the U.S.?
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
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
the Environment
Should we expand our offshore oil drilling?
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
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
the Economy
Should the government raise the federal minimum wage?
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
Rocky Anderson: Yes Source
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