Presidential Primaries Primer: Republican Candidate Profiles Part 2 of 3 Published September 10, 2015 National Journal Presentation Credits Producers:

Presidential Primaries Primer:Republican Candidate Profiles

Part 2 of 3Published September 10, 2015

National Journal Presentation Credits

Producers: Christine YanDirector: Afzal Bari

Sources: National Journal Research; GilmoreForAmerica.com; Federal Election Commission, “2016 Candidate Summary,” July 16, 2015; Maureen Sullivan, “Jim Gilmore on Education: 6 Things the Presidential Candidate Wants You To Know,” Forbes, August 4, 2015; Josh McElveen, “Commitment 2016 Conversation with the Candidate: Jim Gilmore,” WMUR, June 19, 2015; James S. Gilmore, “My Plan for Economic Growth,” Medium, August 21, 2015

Jim Gilmore

Profile

Formerly:•Governor (VA)•RNC Chairman•Attorney General (VA)

Education: University of Virginia

Funds raised: n/a

Notable Endorsements:•None

Legislation/Regulation

Official Stance

Affordable Care Act “I will repeal and replace Obamacare”

Clean Power Plan “Obama’s regulations should be revoked immediately”

Dodd-Frank ? Not available

Iran Nuclear Deal “I will revoke if elected”

Keystone XL “The Keystone pipeline should be developed”

Trans-Pacific Partnership

? Not available Policy Issue Overview

Immigration • Would arrest all criminals living in the US unlawfully

• Plans to secure border quickly and end sanctuary cities; supports legal work status but not path to citizenship

Economy • Plans to enact the “Growth Code,” which includes lower taxes to help boost job growth and support small businesses

Foreign Policy • Would create a Middle Eastern alliance similar to NATO

• Believes Iran is biggest threat; would stand with Israel

Tax Reform • Would simplify tax code to three tax brackets with rates of 10%, 15%, and 25%; eliminate federal estate tax

• Would lower corporate tax rate to 15%

Education • Against Common Core, believes states should have authority in setting education standards

Policy Agenda

Campaign Tagline:•Gilmore for America

Policy Goals:•Increase defense spending and military size•Reject Iran deal•Protect the right to bear arms•Fight cyber attacks•Win ideological war against radical Islam•Enact the “Growth Code” to boost economy•Replace Obamacare with Association Health Plans and Health Savings Accounts and other reforms

Recent Campaign Proposals:•Aug 21: Growth Code

Updated: September 9, 2015

Sources: National Journal Research; LindseyGraham.com; Federal Election Commission, “2016 Candidate Summary,” July 16, 2015; Gerry Mullany, “Lindsey Graham on the Issues,” New York Times, June 1, 2015; Zachary Treu and Lisa DesJardins, “What does Lindsey Graham believe? Where the candidate stands on 10 issues,” PBS NewsHour, June 1, 2015; Mary Troyan, “Lindsey Graham says he would pursue Simpson-Bowles budget plan,” USA Today, September 2, 2015; Washington Post, “Transcript: GOP Aug 6 undercard debate,” August 6, 2015; League of Conservation Voters, “In Their Own Words: 2016 Presidential Candidates on the Clean Power Plan,” September 4, 2015

Lindsey Graham

Profile

Currently:•Senator (R-SC)Formerly:•House Rep. (R-SC)•Colonel (Air Force)

Education: University of South Carolina

Funds raised: $3,709,553


Legislation/Regulation

Official Stance

Affordable Care Act “We need a president who… repeals Obamacare”

Clean Power Plan “I would replace… with something more business-friendly”

Dodd-Frank “[Hillary’s] not going to change Dodd-Frank. I will.”

Iran Nuclear Deal “A strategic blunder for the ages”

Keystone XL “Build the Keystone pipeline”


Sen. Graham voted in favor of TPA legislation

Policy Issue Overview

Immigration • Supports a pathway to citizenship conditional on learning English and paying taxes; against Obama’s executive actions

• Opposes DREAM Act until border is secure

Economy • Would gradually raise retirement age• Believes spending cuts must accompany

increased debt limit• Supports Simpson-Bowles budget plan

Foreign Policy • Plans to strengthen ties with Israel; opposes improved relations with Cuba

• Would send 10,000 troops to fight ISIS

Tax Reform • Has supported a flat income tax; would increase revenues by possibly increasing tax rates to help balance the budget

Education • Against Common Core; believes only state and local governments have authority in education policy

Policy Agenda

Campaign Tagline:•Ready To Be Commander-in-Chief On Day One

Policy Goals:•Assert global leadership•Repair relationships with allies•Support groups fighting against dictatorial powers•End across-the-board military cuts•Eliminate deficit, reduce debt•Reject a bad deal with Iran•Reform Social Security•Simplify tax code•Mandate balanced budget•Take advantage of all sources of energy production•Reduce environmental damage and energy waste•Stop radical Islam•Protect right to bear arms•Protect religious liberty

Recent Campaign Proposals:•Jul 8: National Security Agenda


Sources: National Journal Research; MikeHuckabee.com; Twitter, “GovMikeHuckabee”; Federal Election Commission, “2016 Candidate Summary,” July 16, 2015; Matthew Boyle, “Exclusive – Mike Huckabee to Republicans in Congress: Don’t Revive Obamatrade,” Breitbart, May 12, 2015; Gerry Mullany, “Mike Huckabee on the Issues,” New York Times, May 5, 2015; Ellen Rolfes and Lisa DesJardins, “What does Mike Huckabee believe? Where the candidate stands on 10 issues,” PBS NewsHour, May 5, 2015; Steve Benen, “Huckabee uses train derailments to push Keystone,” MSNBC, May 8, 2015; Caroline May, “Huckabee: ‘Job-killing EPA rule’ a handout to oil sheiks, Russian energy despots, D.C. insiders,” Breitbart, August 3, 2015; Mike Huckabee, “Huckabee: The best regulation for a bank is its customers,” Fox News, May 17, 2014

Mike Huckabee

Profile

Formerly:Governor (AR)

Education: Ouachita Baptist University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Funds raised: $2,004,463

Notable Endorsements:•Mike Rounds

Legislation Official Stance

Affordable Care Act “As President, I will… repeal and replace Obamacare”

Clean Power Plan “Job-killing EPA rule… completely detached from reality”

Dodd-Frank “Congress stuck it to your local bank”

Iran Nuclear Deal “A horrific, humiliating handout to Iran”

Keystone XL “An easy decision… for anybody with an IQ above broccoli”


“Obama cannot be trusted to negotiate a good deal”


Immigration • Against Obama’s executive actions and amnesty• Against path to citizenship, except for children

of immigrants living in the US unlawfully

Economy • Opposes raising the federal minimum wage and raising retirement age

• Supports Balanced Budget Amendment

Foreign Policy • Sees radical Islam as a big threat; supports military action

• Strongly supports Israel, against two-state solution

• Opposes friendly relations with Cuba

Tax Reform • Would abolish the IRS and pass the “Fair Tax” (national sales tax)

• Would veto any attempts to raise taxes

Education • Opposes Common Core and would abolish the Department of Education to give authority to states

• Make college more affordable

Policy Agenda

Campaign Tagline:•From hope to higher ground

Policy Goals:•Enact “Fair Tax”•Support Israel and a unified Jerusalem•Veterans Affairs reform•Achieve energy independence by utilizing all forms of energy•Secure the border, reject amnesty•Rebuild military•Protect Social Security and Medicare; repeal Obamacare•Protect right to bear arms•Defend traditional marriage•Protect life (starting with conception)•Mandate balanced budget

Recent Campaign Proposals:•None


Sources: National Journal Research; BobbyJindal.com; Federal Election Commission, “2016 Candidate Summary,” July 16, 2015; David M. Drucker, “Jindal: ‘I don’t trust’ Obama with trade deal powers,” Washington Examiner, May 10, 2015; Gerry Mullany, “Bobby Jindal on the Issues,” New York Times, June 24, 2015; Zachary Treu, “What does Bobby Jindal believe? Where the candidate stands on 10 issues,” PBS NewsHour, June 24, 2015;

Bobby Jindal

Profile

Currently:Governor (LA)

Education: Brown University, New College (University of Oxford)

Funds raised: $578,759



Affordable Care Act “Should be repealed in its entirety”

Clean Power Plan “Unjustified energy regulations”

Dodd-Frank ? Not available

Iran Nuclear Deal “The equivalent of the U.S. negotiating with terrorists”

Keystone XL “The time has come to approve and build the… pipeline”


? “We don’t know what’s in the deal”Policy Issue Overview

Immigration • Would focus on attracting highly skilled foreign workers

• Would strengthen border

Economy • Supports Balanced Budget Amendment• Would increase defense spending

Foreign Policy • Supports providing weaponry to Ukraine• Would bomb Iran to destroy its nuclear

infrastructure• Would be willing to send US troops to fight ISIS

Tax Reform • As governor, pushed to eliminate state income taxes

Education • Opposes Common Core, although in 2012 the standards were adopted by Louisiana under his leadership

• Would fund community colleges instead of state universities

Policy Agenda

Campaign Tagline:•Bobby Jindal for President

Policy Goals:•Expand school choice for parents and children•Increase energy production by taking advantage of all sources•Encourage innovation of renewable energy•Eliminate energy regulations•Study climate change, but first reduce emissions without hurting economy•Eliminate ISIS and radical Islam•Protect religious liberty•Enact pro-life policies•Protect right to bear arms•Support veterans•Repeal and replace Obamacare•Rebuild military



Sources: National Journal Research; JohnKasich.com; Twitter, @JohnKasich; Federal Election Commission, “2016 Candidate Summary,” July 16, 2015; Stephen Koff, “John Kasich on Ohio’s status-quo problem, trade, tenure, and the veepstakes: 8 takeaways,” Cleveland.com, April 24, 2015; Gerry Mullany, “John Kasich on the Issues,” New York Times, July 21, 2015; Sarah McHaney, “What does John Kasich believe? Where the candidate stands on 10 issues,” PBS NewsHour, July 21, 2015; Rebecca Kaplan, “John Kasich: What does he stand for?” CBS News, August 17, 2015; Tom LoBianco, “Kasich says he’s not an Obamacare hypocrite,” CNN, May 27, 2015; League of Conservation Voters, “In Their Own Words: 2016 Presidential Candidates on the Clean Power Plan,” September 4, 2015; Ben Brody, “John Kasich: Greed Isn’t So Good,” April 24, 2015

John Kasich

Profile

Currently:•Governor (OH)Formerly:•Chairman of the House Budget Committee•House Rep. (R-OH)

Education: Ohio State University

Funds raised: n/a

Notable Endorsements:•Robert Bentley•Tom Rath•Gregg Harper•Trent Lott•Alfonse D’Amato


Affordable Care Act “I don’t support Obamacare; I want to repeal it”

Clean Power Plan “The EPA is too punitive… I’m not for that”

Dodd-Frank “[Dodd-Frank] went overboard”

Iran Nuclear Deal “Scrap the President’s Iran deal”

Keystone XL “Mr. President, give us the Keystone Pipeline”


“I’m for open [trade], but… workers have been shafted”


Immigration • Would consider giving legal status to immigrants living in the US unlawfully if they register and pay a fine

Economy • Would reduce regulations, balance budget, and move profits abroad back to the US to stimulate growth

• Opposes raising federal minimum wage

Foreign Policy • Would send US troops to Iraq to fight ISIS• Supports Israel; supports sending weaponry to

Ukraine

Tax Reform • Would lower corporate tax rate, but also eliminate some corporate tax breaks

• Supports flat tax with no exemptions; sales tax at state level

Education • Supports Common Core• Advocates school choice

Policy Agenda

Campaign Tagline:•Kasich For Us

Policy Goals:•Balance federal budget; pass the Balanced Budget Amendment•Cut taxes•Create jobs•Strengthen military – especially the navy•Strengthen alliances•Improve cybersecurity



Sources: National Journal Research; GeorgePataki.com; Federal Election Commission, “2016 Candidate Summary,” July 16, 2015; Rachel Wellford, “What does George Pataki believe? Where the candidate stands on 10 issues,” PBS NewsHour, May 28, 2015; George M. Walsh, “Where They Stand: George Pataki on issues of 2016 campaign,” Washington Times, May 28, 2015; Gerry Mullany, “George Pataki on the Issues,” New York Times, May 28, 2015; Maureen Sullivan, “George Pataki on Education: 6 Things the Presidential Candidate Wants You To Know,” Forbes, June 11, 2015; Nancy Stiles, “Sen. Stiles endorses Pataki,” Seacoast Online, May 28, 2015; CSPAN, “South Carolina Freedom Summit, Former Governor George Pataki,” May 9, 2015; Mark Hensch, “Pataki: ObamaCare is ‘worst law’ of my lifetime,” The Hill, March 25, 2015; T.A Frank, “The Psychology of the Impossible Campaign: An Investigation Featuring George Pataki,” National Journal, July 24, 2015; Jim Meyers and John Bachman, “Ex-Gov. Pataki o Newsmax: Obama’s Record Will Doom His Re-Election Bid,” Newsmax, May 11, 2012

George Pataki

Profile

Formerly:•Governor (NY)•NY State Senator•NY State Assembly•Mayor (Peekskill)

Education: Yale University, Columbia Law School

Funds raised: $225,795

Notable Endorsements:•Nancy Stiles


Affordable Care Act “It is wrong, it should be repealed, it’s unconstitutional”

Clean Power Plan “Stop the EPA trying to shut down American energy”

Dodd-Frank “Dodd-Frank… is driving businesses out of the country”

Iran Nuclear Deal “Congress should act immediately, reject this deal”

Keystone XL “President’s veto… is a set back for more jobs”


“[Probably yes], but I haven’t seen it”


Immigration • Supports a path to legal status for immigrants living in the US unlawfully

• Opposes Obama administration’s executive actions

Economy • Cut government spending by reducing size of government and repealing Obamacare

Foreign Policy • Would send US troops to fight ISIS• Would end negotiations with Iran• Supports Israel; opposes normalizing relations

with Cuba

Tax Reform • Would rewrite the tax code and cut tax rates

Education • Against Common Core• Would reduce the size of the Department of

Education and give power back to the states

Policy Agenda

Campaign Tagline:•People Over Politics.

Policy Goals:•Reduce the size of government by 15%•Rebuild the military•Repeal Obamacare and give power to states to implement own solutions•Lower tax rates, overhaul tax code and keep only a few deductions•Abolish EPA regulations



Source: National Journal Research

Notes on Our Methodology

Total receipts from FEC July quarterly reports. Candidates with “n/a” have not reported campaign finance information as of the slide’s updated date

Summary of platform found on official campaign website(s)

Detailed policy plans released by campaign in the months of July, August, and September

Public endorsements from current or former politicians, organizations, and individuals of high influence; list of endorsements is not meant to be comprehensive

Direct quotes from campaign website, interviews, statements, speeches, debates, or official social media accounts

Documents

Presidential Primaries Primer: Republican Candidate Profiles Part 2 of 3 Published September 10, 2015 National Journal Presentation Credits Producers: