Barack Obama vs Virgil Goode on the issues of the 2012 Presidential election

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

Barack Obama: 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 Source

Virgil Goode: No, we have more important domestic issues to worry aboutPassion=2 Goode has a low passion score of 2 on Foreign Intervention Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 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

Virgil Goode: Ignore their threats and cease all contactPassion=2 Goode has a low passion score of 2 on Iran Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Iran 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

Virgil Goode: Yes, end embargoes with all countries and allow U.S. businesses to do business with any countryPassion=2 Goode has a low passion score of 2 on Cuba Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Cuba Source

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

Virgil Goode: Yes

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

Virgil Goode: No, eliminate all federal wage standardsPassion=2 Goode has a low passion score of 2 on Minimum Wage Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Minimum Wage Source

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

Barack Obama: YesPassion=2 Obama has a low passion score of 2 on Welfare Conviction=3 Obama has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Welfare Source

Virgil Goode: Yes, adults who receive government benefits should be required to workPassion=1 Goode has a very low passion score of 1 on Welfare Conviction=2 Goode has a low conviction score of 2 on Welfare 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

Virgil Goode: No, we should pass tougher drug lawsPassion=2 Goode has a low passion score of 2 on Drug Policy Conviction=2 Goode has a low conviction score of 2 on Drug Policy Source

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

Barack Obama: 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 Source

Virgil Goode: No, and enact legislation preventing any level of government policing the internetPassion=2 Goode has a low passion score of 2 on Internet Conviction=2 Goode has a low conviction score of 2 on Internet 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

Virgil Goode: Yes, any restriction on campaign spending violates the first amendmentPassion=1 Goode has a very low passion score of 1 on Campaign Finance Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Campaign Finance Source

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

Virgil Goode: Deregulate and let the free market determine the best energy sourcesPassion=2 Goode has a low passion score of 2 on Oil Drilling Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Oil Drilling Source

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

Virgil Goode: No, and increase penalties for all non-violent drug offendersPassion=4 Goode has a high passion score of 4 on Marijuana Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Marijuana Source

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

Barack Obama: No, but their children should have accessPassion=2 Obama has a low passion score of 2 on Immigration Healthcare Conviction=3 Obama has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Immigration Healthcare Source

Virgil Goode: No, deport illegal immigrants seeking healthcarePassion=5 Goode has a very high passion score of 5 on Immigration Healthcare Conviction=5 Goode has a very high conviction score of 5 on Immigration Healthcare Source

Is Global Warming a threat to the environment?

Barack Obama: 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 Source

Virgil Goode: NoPassion=5 Goode has a very high passion score of 5 on Global Warming Conviction=5 Goode has a very high conviction score of 5 on Global Warming Source

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

Barack Obama: Yes, and expand the government’s domain to protect more landPassion=3 Obama has a moderate passion score of 3 on National Parks Conviction=4 Obama has a high conviction score of 4 on National Parks Source

Virgil Goode: No, there is no reason for the government to own so much landPassion=1 Goode has a very low passion score of 1 on National Parks Conviction=2 Goode has a low conviction score of 2 on National Parks 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

Virgil Goode: No, traditional energy sources including oil, coal and nuclear power will be reliable energy sources for many years to comePassion=4 Goode has a high passion score of 4 on Alternative Engery Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Alternative Engery

Should the federal government fund stem cell research?

Barack Obama: YesPassion=2 Obama has a low passion score of 2 on Stem Cell Research Conviction=3 Obama has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Stem Cell Research Source

Virgil Goode: NoPassion=4 Goode has a high passion score of 4 on Stem Cell Research Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Stem Cell Research Source

Do you believe the theory of Evolution?

Barack Obama: YesPassion=4 Obama has a high passion score of 4 on Evolution Conviction=3 Obama has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Evolution Source

Virgil Goode: No, and it should not be taught in public schoolsPassion=4 Goode has a high passion score of 4 on Evolution Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Evolution Source

Should we expand or dismantle our Social Security program?

Barack Obama: 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 Source

Virgil Goode: Keep "as is"Passion=3 Goode has a moderate passion score of 3 on Social Security Conviction=3 Goode 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

Virgil Goode: No, and enact legislation preventing any future administration from passing a stimulusPassion=2 Goode has a low passion score of 2 on Economic Stimulus Conviction=3 Goode 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?

Barack Obama: 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 Source

Virgil Goode: Reform to a flat tax systemPassion=3 Goode has a moderate passion score of 3 on Taxes Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Taxes Source

Should the federal government subsidize U.S. farmers?

Barack Obama: YesPassion=1 Obama has a very low passion score of 1 on Farm Subsidies Conviction=3 Obama has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Farm Subsidies Source

Virgil Goode: NoPassion=1 Goode has a very low passion score of 1 on Farm Subsidies Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Farm Subsidies Source

Should Congress raise the debt ceiling?

Barack Obama: 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 Source

Virgil Goode: NoPassion=4 Goode has a high passion score of 4 on Debt Ceiling Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 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

Virgil Goode: NoPassion=1 Goode has a very low passion score of 1 on Financial Regulation Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Financial Regulation Source

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

Virgil Goode: YesPassion=2 Goode has a low passion score of 2 on Patriot Act Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Patriot Act Source

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

Barack Obama: NoPassion=4 Obama has a high passion score of 4 on Education Conviction=5 Obama has a very high conviction score of 5 on Education Source

Virgil Goode: The federal government should not be involved in educationPassion=2 Goode has a low passion score of 2 on Education Conviction=2 Goode has a low conviction score of 2 on Education Source

Do you support affirmative action programs?

Barack Obama: 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 Source

Virgil Goode: No, and laws should be passed prohibiting minority groups from receiving any favorable treatmentPassion=2 Goode has a low passion score of 2 on Affirmative Action Conviction=2 Goode has a low conviction score of 2 on Affirmative Action 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

Virgil Goode: No, and the federal government should pass national “stand your ground” lawsPassion=3 Goode has a moderate passion score of 3 on Gun Control Conviction=2 Goode has a low conviction score of 2 on Gun Control Source

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

Virgil Goode: ReformPassion=3 Goode has a moderate passion score of 3 on Medicare Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 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

Virgil Goode: No, open the markets so insurers can compete across state lines and drive down costsPassion=3 Goode has a moderate passion score of 3 on Healthcare Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Healthcare Source

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

Virgil Goode: Yes, and only approve future wars through CongressPassion=2 Goode has a low passion score of 2 on Afghanistan Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 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

Virgil Goode: No, cut all support and aidPassion=2 Goode has a low passion score of 2 on Israel Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Israel Source

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

Barack Obama: 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 Source

Virgil Goode: Do not get involvedPassion=2 Goode has a low passion score of 2 on Sudan Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Sudan Source

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

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

Virgil Goode: No, and remove the U.N. headquarters from the U.S.Passion=2 Goode has a low passion score of 2 on United Nations Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on United Nations 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

Virgil Goode: Yes, just like U.S. citizens, terrorists should be given a fair trial in federal courtsPassion=4 Goode has a high passion score of 4 on Terrorism Conviction=3 Goode 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

Virgil Goode: YesPassion=1 Goode has a very low passion score of 1 on Military Spending Conviction=3 Goode has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Military Spending

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

Virgil Goode: No, all illegal immigrants should be deportedPassion=5 Goode has a very high passion score of 5 on Immigration Conviction=5 Goode has a very high conviction score of 5 on Immigration Source

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

Barack Obama: 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 Source

Virgil Goode: No, remove them from the U.S.Passion=5 Goode has a very high passion score of 5 on Immigrant Laborers Conviction=5 Goode has a very high conviction score of 5 on Immigrant Laborers Source