Subject: Politics '88 (A Special Report) Date: Published: 12/4/87 610 lines Source: WALL STREET JOURNAL. Copyright Dow Jones & Co. Inc. Politics '88 (A Special Report) --- The Candidates They are a varied lot, the 12 men who are seeking the presidency in 1988. A look at them shows a field nearly as diverse as the nation itself. They range from the scion of one of America's great family fortunes to the son of immigrants to an illegitimate child reared in a working-class black family. Their occupations differ as well. Several are lawyers. But two made their mark as men of the cloth. One spent most of his life as a professional soldier. They are from every geographic corner of the country. Some are from states -- Arizona, Delaware -- that have never before given the nation a president. Politically, they would chart widely different courses on issues from arms control to AIDS. To find out more about the candidates, The Wall Street Journal sent each a questionnaire asking about their beliefs and the experiences and influences that shaped them. Some of the answers were perhaps predictable: The most common influences on the political development of the candidates were Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson. Others were not: If he weren't in politics, one candidate says he would be excavating an archeological site; another claims he might be hosting the "Tonight" show. Here, then -- in answers drawn from their campaigns and public statements, and augmented by the Journal questionnaire -- are the candidates of 1988. Republicans George Bush -- U. S. congressman from Texas, 1967-1971; U. N. ambassador, 1971-73; Republican national chairman, 1973-74; chief of U. S. liaison office in People's Republic of China, 1974-1975; director of Central Intelligence, 1976; elected vice president of U. S., 1980. -- Greatest influence on political development: Abraham Lincoln -- Contemporary American liberal most admires: Norman Cousins -- Proudest accomplishment in politics: "Coming from nowhere to become the vice president in 1980 ... spearheading the administration's deregulation efforts, the South Florida Task Force and our efforts to interdict the flow of illegal drugs." -- Field would like to be in if not politics: "Maybe teaching; maybe foreign service." National Security Strongly supports the administration's pending agreement on intermediate-range nuclear forces, endorses further negotiations to reduce strategic weapons by 50% and advocates more emphasis on eliminating chemical and biological weapons. Favors extensive SDI research and eventual deployment. Central America Supports further aid to the Nicaraguan Contras. Expresses skepticism that Nicaragua's leaders will accept lasting reforms. The Budget Proposes unspecified spending cuts to reduce the deficit. Favors a balanced budget amendment and a line-item veto. Supports more aid to education, including tax-free savings bonds to help pay for college tuition. Taxes Flatly rules out tax increases. Favors cutting capital gains tax rate to 15% from 28% on investments held for at least a year. Trade Says protectionism would ultimately harm American businesses, particularly agriculture. Proposes instead an international agricultural summit meeting to discuss gradually phasing out farm subsidies on a global scale to open markets abroad. AIDS Won't take a position on National Academy of Sciences proposal to increase federal research funding to $1 billion per year by 1990, in addition to $1 billion for prevention, education and treatment. Says education is a local matter. Favors voluntary premarital testing and mandatory testing of prisoners and immigrants. --- Robert Dole -- Kansas state representative, 1951-1953; Russell County prosecuting attorney, 1953-1961; U. S. congressman 1961-1968; U. S. senator since 1969, Republican leader since 1984; Republican national chairman 1971-1973; Republican candidate for vice president, 1976. -- Greatest influence on political development: Abraham Lincoln, Dwight Eisenhower -- Contemporary American liberal most admires: Sen. Phil Hart -- Proudest accomplishment in politics: "The budget vote on May 10, 1985," which called for curbing growth of defense spending, freezing Social Security's cost-of-living increase for a year and restoring funds to domestic programs. -- Field would like to be in if not politics: "Law, or host of the Johnny Carson show." National Security Says he will support the INF agreement if it contains "stringent" verification procedures. Says the U. S. should aim for technological superiority over the Soviets. Supports deployment of a strategic defense system as soon as possible. Central America Strongly supports Contra aid. Says the Arias peace plan is flawed because it does not address the Soviets' presence in Central America and does not emphasize the security interest of the U. S. in the region. The Budget As president vows to produce a balanced budget. Favors a balanced budget constitutional amendment and a line-item veto. Favors limiting growth in defense spending and would consider cutting some domestic programs, including Social Security, except for those dealing with the poor. Taxes Opposes raising personal or corporate income tax rates; doesn't rule out approving other kinds of tax increases. Favors further efforts to close remaining tax "loopholes," but doesn't specify what they would be. Trade Opposes Gephardt amendment, but favors other kinds of retaliation against nations that erect barriers to U. S. products. Says that better research, education, labor-management cooperation and regulatory reform will enhance U. S. competitiveness. AIDS Won't take a position on NAS proposals, but says he would spend whatever it takes. Favors mandatory testing in the military and of prisoners and immigrants, but says other testing should be left to states. Education should begin at an early age, but should be left to state and local government control. --- Pierre du Pont -- Quality-control engineer at Du Pont Co., 1963-1969; Delaware state representative, 1969-1971; U. S. congressman, 1971-1977; Delaware governor, 1977-1985; chairman of Hudson Institute, 1985-1986. -- Greatest influence on political development: Winston Churchill -- Contemporary American liberal most admires: "None" -- Proudest accomplishment in politics: "Leading the state of Delaware through its worst economic crisis in 50 years and turning its economy completely around." -- Field would like to be in if not politics: "I'd work in a career where I felt I could work to bring about needed change in American society." National Security Opposes the INF agreement as currently negotiated because it doesn't cut Soviet conventional forces in Europe. Strongly advocates rapid development and deployment of a strategic-defense system. Central America Says Nicaragua's Sandinista government is a threat to American security. Strongly favors continued aid to the Contras, whose pleas for help he compares to a letter from George Washington at Valley Forge. The Budget Supports line-item veto and constitutional amendments requiring a three-fifths vote in Congress to raise taxes or spending. Would phase out farm subsidies over five years. Favors tax credits for individual "financial security accounts" to supplement Social Security. Taxes Says he will "absolutely not" raise taxes. Would consider further tax cuts to stimulate the economy, but won't say which taxes might be reduced. Trade Strongly opposes protectionist measures and the Gephardt amendment. AIDS Won't take a position on the NAS proposal. Favors mandatory testing for immigrants, prisoners, blood donors and hospital patients who put health workers at risk. Says education should be controlled by local school boards, stressing limiting "intimate relationships" to one person. --- Alexander Haig -- U. S. Army, 1947-1979; National Security Council staff, 1969-1973; White House chief of staff, 1973-1974; NATO supreme commander, 1974-1979; president, United Technologies Corp., 1979-1981; secretary of state, 1981-1982. -- Greatest influence on political development: John Locke and Edmund Burke 'conservative.'" -- Proudest accomplishment in politics: "Serving our nation and its people in a variety of challenging posts over many years." -- Field would like to be in if not politics: "Paul Newman's stand-in." National Security Calls the pending INF agreement a "serious strategic mistake" because it does not address strategic weapons and because of Moscow's conventional force superiority in Europe. Supports SDI as a supplement rather than replacement for the current nuclear deterrent, but says it is still 15 years away. Central America Opposes the Arias peace plan because it doesn't address Soviet and Cuban influence in Nicaragua. Believes the Contras should have been supported overtly from the beginning. Says Soviet and Cuban involvement in wars of liberation are the prime cause of Central American unrest. The Budget Opposes automatic mechanisms like a balanced-budget constitutional amendment and Gramm-Rudman; instead advocates gradual reduction through a compromise with Congress to ensure that neither defense nor social programs bear the full brunt of cuts. Advocates a line-item veto. Taxes Doesn't rule out a tax increase, but only after all spending areas have been thoroughly scrutinized. Says tax reform should be "revisited" and should include incentives such as investment tax credits. Trade Opposes Gephardt amendment, but calls for greater protection for intellectual property. Wants to reduce barriers to competition in financial, legal and communications services. Favors an international timetable to reduce farm subsidies. AIDS Won't take a position on NAS recommendations; says funding should reflect pace of research. Calls for greater international cooperation in combatting the disease. Favors mandatory testing for people getting married, prisoners, and immigrants. Says education ought to promote monogamy and abstinence rather than "safe sex" or promiscuity. --- Jack Kemp -- Elected U. S. congressman from New York, 1970; House Republican conference chairman, 1981-1987. -- Greatest influence on political development: Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln -- Contemporary American liberal most admires: "John F. Kennedy, for his tax cuts; Hubert Humphrey, for the length of his speeches." -- Proudest accomplishment in politics: "The passage of the Kemp-Roth tax cut in 1981." -- Field would like to be in if not politics: "College professor." National Security Criticizes the INF agreement for not addressing conventional Soviet superiority, human rights and regional issues. Says the U. S. needs to negotiate on offensive missiles with the Soviet Union. Supports full development and early deployment of a strategic defense system. Central America Author of a $310 million aid package to the Contras, criticized Reagan-Wright plan for its lack of support to the Contras. Opposes the Arias peace plan. The Budget Favors a lid on both domestic and defense spending (these would increase at the rate of inflation) but doesn't support cutbacks in Social Security. Opposes balanced budget amendment for fear it would produce automatic tax increases. Supports line-item veto. Taxes Opposes raising taxes and favors cutting capital-gains tax-rate to 15%. Has called for a freeze on the implementation of an increase in Social Security taxes scheduled to take place in 1989. Trade Co-author of legislation setting up a North America free-trade zone. As president, would veto any "protectionist" trade bill. To minimize barriers to trade, would call for an international summit to reduce agricultural subsidies and stabilize currencies. AIDS Opposes NAS recommendations. Favors $1 billion a year in federal money for testing and education, and whatever sums are needed to find a cure. Favors mandatory testing for prisoners, immigrants, drug abusers and prostitutes, as well as voluntary testing for people getting married. Advocates more education to promote chastity and monogamy. --- Pat Robertson -- Southern baptist minister, 1961-1987; founder and president of Christian Broadcasting Network, 1960-1986; founder and chancellor of CBN University, 1977-present -- Greatest influence on political development: "My father, U. S. Sen. A. Willis Robertson." -- Contemporary American liberal most admires: Lester Thurow -- Proudest accomplishment in politics: "The creation of a private sector relief agency, Operation Blessing, which has . . . assisted an estimated 26 million needy people and taught 123,000 illiterate people to read and write." -- Field would like to be in if not politics: "Religious and commercial broadcasting." National Security Opposes the pending arms-control agreement and urges distrust of Gorbachev. Says Americans must be willing to use "guns and missiles to hold the Communists at bay" when necessary. Favors earliest possible deployment of Star Wars. Central America Favors continued military aid to the Contras and setting up a Nicaraguan government in exile, with its own constitution and U. S. diplomatic recognition. Says the U. S. should encourage private investment in Central America. The Budget Calls the deficit the single worst problem facing the U. S. today. Advocates reducing unspecified waste and mismanagement of both domestic and defense programs. Would cut some domestic programs, including Head Start. Would eliminate unspecified outdated weapons systems and obsolete military bases. Taxes Opposes increasing income taxes. Would consider increasing excise taxes on liquor and cigarettes. Trade Advocates retaliation to unfair trading practices, but opposes Gephardt amendment. AIDS Won't take a position on NAS recommendations. Would consider quarantining AIDS patients. Favors mandatory testing for immigrants, prisoners and key health workers in close touch with the public. Would leave premarital testing up to state and local laws. Says education should stress chastity and marital fidelity. --- Democrats Bruce Babbitt -- Attorney, U. S. Office of Economic Opportunity, 1965-1967; Arizona attorney general, 1975-1978; governor, 1978-1987 -- Greatest influence on political development: Richard Hofstadter -- Contemory American liberal most admires: Martin Feldstein -- Proudest accomplishment in politics: "Creating a consensus in Arizona for progressive environmental and social welfare legislation." -- Field would like to be in if not politics: "Excavating a Mesopotamian archaeological site." National Security Would move toward a conventional, non-nuclear defense force for Europe. Proposes a 50% cut in offensive nuclear forces and complete ban on testing or deployment of antisatellite or antimissile systems. Favors continuing Star Wars research, but opposes deployment. Central America Strongly criticizes U. S. support for the Contras. Says more attention should be paid to the economic problems of Mexico. The Budget Calls for a $40 billion deficit reduction package, half from new taxes and 25% each from defense and domestic spending cuts. Would tie all government programs to need, including taxing Social Security benefits for higher-income recipients. Taxes To increase revenues, proposes a phased-in 5% national consumption tax that would raise $220 billion over five years. Favors phasing out the second-home mortgage deduction by 1990, saving $1.3 billion over the next five years. Trade Would renegotiate current international trade agreements to require countries to keep their aggregate trade accounts with all nations in balance or face across-the-board tariffs. Opposes unilateral retaliation as protectionist, and says Gephardt amendment could trigger a trade war. AIDS Won't take a position on NAS recommendations. But supports increases in research and education to about $1 billion this year. Opposes mandatory testing except for prisoners and immigrants. Advocates explicit prevention advice in public schools, especially in fifth to seventh grades, as well as instruction "about abstinence and restraint." --- Michael Dukakis -- Massachusetts state representative, 1963-1970; moderator of public television's "The Advocates," 1971-1973; elected governor 1974, defeated 1978; lecturer at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, 1979-1982; re-elected governor, 1982 and 1986 -- Greatest influence on political development: John F. Kennedy -- Contemporary American conservative most admires: Justice Lewis Powell -- Proudest accomplishment in politics: "Helping turn Massachusetts from an economic basketcase into an economic showcase with good jobs for the people of Massachusetts and an unemployment rate in July of 2.5%." -- Field would like to be in if not politics: "Teaching public policy." National Secuirty Regards this period as the "best opportunity in our lifetime" for an agreement on arms control. Believes that Soviet relations may improve with the new generation of leadership. Strongly opposes deployment of Star Wars; favors research but at lower levels than current funding. Central America Endorses Arias peace plan. Opposes military aid to the Contras, favors U. S. economic aid to the region. The Budget Calls for freezing defense spending at current levels, with no increase for inflation at least in first year. Would cancel Midgetman missile. Favors increased spending on schools, infrastructure and technology to strengthen the economy. Taxes Does not rule out increasing taxes. Proposes a five-year enforcement plan to collect what he says are $110 billion in overdue federal taxes, though many experts believe that figure is high. Trade Advocates limited and temporary import restrictions to protect industries while they modernize. Would vote against Gephardt amendment. AIDS Favors NAS proposals. Opposes mandatory testing except in the military and of prisoners and some immigrants. Favors age appropriate health education to prevent drug abuse, teen pregnancy and AIDS starting in grade school. Says there's no such thing as "safe sex" and urges abstinence. --- Richard Gephardt -- St. Louis board of alderman, 1971-1976; elected U. S. congressman, 1976; chairman of House Democratic Caucus, 1985 to present -- Greatest influence on political development: Harry Truman, Richard Bolling -- Contemporary American conservative most admires: Kevin Phillips -- Proudest accomplishment in politics: "Tax reform." -- Field would like to be in if not politics: "Center field, Busch Stadium." National Security Supports pending agreement on intermediate-range missiles. Strongly opposes Star Wars deployment but favors low-level research. Supported nerve gas production to rehabilitate existing stockpiles, but opposes additional development. Central America Opposes all aid to Contras. Favors Arias peace plan; says he would appoint special envoy to encourage direct negotiations among all parties in the region. The Budget Opposes balanced budget constitutional amendment and line-item veto. Supported House-passed version of Gramm-Rudman, but opposed Senate version as being too hard on domestic spending. Favors sharply limiting after-inflation defense-spending levels, but supports some increases in education and health. Taxes Proposes $5 a barrel oil import fee that could raise approximately $20 billion over three years. Doesn't rule out additional taxes as last resort. Trade Author of the House-passed Gephardt amendment, which would mandate automatic U. S. retaliation against trading partners failing to reduce surpluses unless the president specifically waives such action. Favors increased funding for research and technology to boost U. S. competitveness. AIDS Endorses NAS recommendations for greater spending on research, education and prevention. Calls for education efforts beginning in grade school, emphasizing monogamy and drug-free lives. Supports shortening the time for AIDS patients to qualify under Medicare. All testing programs should be voluntary. --- Albert Gore Jr. -- U. S. congressman from Tennessee, 1977-1985; U. S. senator since 1985 -- Greatest influence on political development: "Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson, and my father." -- Contemporary American conservative most admires: Barry Goldwater -- Proudest accomplishment in politics: "The most serious challenge facing our civilization is the need to control the nuclear arms race ... I have had a positive impact on our political system's approach to that challenge." -- Field would like to be in if not politics: "A political reporter for The Wall Street Journal." National Security Favors pending INF agreement and reductions in strategic weapons and defense systems. Advocates replacing multiple warhead missiles with single warheads. Favors continued research on Strategic Defense Initiative, but opposes accelerated deployment. Central America Strongly supports the Arias peace plan. Opposes funding the Contras except for $3.5 million maintenance and relocation aid. The Budget Favors reductions in defense spending through arms-control agreements; for example, would be willing to reduce SDI spending as part of an accord. Would consider unspecified domestic spending cuts, but calls for increases on education and training. Taxes Says he opposes new taxes, but does not rule them out if all other efforts to cut the budget deficit are inadequate. Refuses to be more specific. Trade Opposes the Gephardt amendment, but supports trade restrictions in case of "overwhelming unfairness" or when a U. S. industry's survival is threatened by imports. AIDS Supports NAS recommendations on spending. Supports anti-discrimination legislation to protect privacy of patients. Opposes mandatory testing except for prisoners and immigrants, but says positive test should not bar amnesty under the immigration law. Says educational efforts should stress both "safe sex" and abstinence. --- Jesse Jackson -- Executive director, Operation Breadbasket, 1966-1971; president, Operation PUSH, 1971-1983; Democratic presidential candidate, 1984 -- Greatest influence on political development: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Lyndon Baines Johnson -- Contemporary American conservative most admires: Sen. Ernest Hollings -- Proudest accomplishment in politics: "The completion of the 1984 campaign and the registration of millions of voters and the building of the Rainbow Coalition." -- Field would like to be in if not politics: "I would be more involved in the ministry and business." National Security Says our military should be strong, but would decrease defense spending. Calls for agreements freezing nuclear testing and cutting strategic weapons by at least 50%. Would eliminate MX and Trident II missiles; would cut SDI budget to $1.2 billion for research only. Central America Opposes Contra aid, including humanitarian aid. Favors the Arias peace plan. Budget Favors a rise in spending for a host of domestic programs. Calls for a $60 billion American investment Bank financed by public pension funds guaranteed by the government that would pay for low-cost housing, mass transit, new roads, bridges and sewer lines. Taxes Favors increasing tax revenues from business and the wealthy. Also favors an oil import tax and excise taxes on luxury goods, with revenues used for infrastructure repairs and deficit reduction. Trade Emphasis on negotiation to determine fair market shares for all producers. Calls for international conference on food and agriculture. Would vote for Gephardt amendment, but says the country isn't prepared for possible international reaction to it. AIDS Favors increasing funding for medical research to seek development of a vaccine and effective drug treatment. Calls for an educational campaign including public-service ads, condom promotion and public school education as early as child can comprehend it. Says large-scale mandatory testing is unneccessary and counterproductive. --- Paul Simon -- Illinois state representative, 1955-1963; state senator, 1963-1969; lieutenant governor, 1969-1973; U. S. congressman, 1975-1985; U. S. senator since 1985 -- Greatest influence on political development: His father, Abraham Lincoln, former Sen. Paul Douglas and Hubert Humphrey. -- Contemporary American conservative most admires: Sen. Alan Simpson -- Proudest accomplishment in politics: "Helping to improve education for handicapped young people; promoting foreign language study ... exchanges and understanding between nations, especially the U. S. and the Soviet Union." -- Field would like to be in if not politics: "Journalism." National Security Advocates elimination of U. S. intermediate nuclear forces in Europe and a build-up of NATO conventional forces. Calls for a moratorium on nuclear testing, a decrease in the total number of nuclear weapons and a ban on chemical weapons. Opposes Star Wars deployment; favors research but at less than current levels. Central America Opposes assistance to the Nicaraguan Contras. Supports the Contadora and Arias peace initiatives and favors reducing the U. S. military presence in Honduras. Promotes targeted economic assistance to Central America. The Budget Sponsored a balanced budget constitutional amendment. Proposes an $8 billion program to stimulate jobs; would boost funding for education and job training. To control the deficit, would curb the growth in defense expenditures and review federal spending programs to eliminate unspecified waste. Taxes Supports excise tax increases, such as cigarettes and energy. Trade Opposes Gephardt amendment because retaliation isn't limited to specific sectors of the economy where unfair practices exist. Co-sponsored his own legislation providing for retaliation, focusing on specific industries where the unfair trade was detected. AIDS Supports NAS spending recommendations. Education should begin in kindergarten; older children should be taught both chastity and use of condoms. Opposes mandatory testing except for prisoners and immigrants. 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