AFFIRMATIVE
ACTION
|
| Related story: Democrats Commit
to Affirmative Action |
George
W. Bush (R): |
"At
their core, the Michigan policies amount to a quota system
that unfairly rewards or penalizes prospective students based
solely on their race. ... The motivation for such an admissions
policy may be very good, but its result is discrimination
and that discrimination is wrong." (From www.whitehouse.gov,
Jan. 15, 2003) |
| Wesley
Clark (D): |
“America
cannot be a great nation without the leadership of our very
best -- of all races, from all parts of the country. Affirmative
action brings some of those future leaders to the forefront
who might otherwise never get a chance. That's why all Americans
benefit from affirmative action -- and why I am a supporter
of it.” (Quoted
on
www.clark04.com) |
| Howard
Dean (D): |
“There
is a study in the Wall Street Journal that says you have
a better chance of getting a job if you're white and have
a criminal record than if you're black and you don't. We
still have a long way to go for equity and justice.” (At
an agricultural forum in Des Moines, Nov. 15, 2003) |
| John
Edwards (D): |
“The
civil rights movement is not over in this country. We need
to have judges who enforce our civil rights laws. I support
affirmative action programs.” (At a campaign event
in Cedar Rapids, Oct. 7, 2003) |
| Dick
Gephardt (D): |
“While
I am disappointed in the Supreme Court's decision today to
overturn the University of Michigan's undergraduate affirmative
action program, the court's ruling upholding the law school
case makes clear that race continues to be a legitimate factor
to consider in providing opportunity to all students." (Quoted
on www.dickgephardt2004.com,
June 2003) |
| John
Kerry (D): |
“John
Kerry believes in an America where we take common-sense steps
to ensure that our schools and workplaces reflect the full
face of America. He has consistently opposed efforts in the
Senate to undermine or eliminate affirmative action programs
and supports programs that seek to enhance diversity, for
example by fostering the growth of minority small businesses.” (Quoted
on www.johnkerry.com) |
| Dennis
Kucinich (D): |
“To
do nothing, to abolish affirmative action, is to use means
to fall back into the de facto segregation of the past, which
makes a mockery of democracy, equality, liberty and justice
-- the very values on which this nation was founded.” (Quoted
on www.kucinich.us, June 2003) |
| Joe Lieberman (D): |
“Lieberman
supported Clinton's affirmative action plan and still plans
to support it. He will defend affirmative action against
all criticism." (Kevin McCarthy, Iowa representative for
the Lieberman campaign, Nov. 17, 2003) |
| Carol
Moseley Braun (D): |
“The
survival of affirmative action creates hope that opportunity
exists for those who have not yet had a chance to lead and
that performance and talent will be rewarded." (Guest essay,
editorial section, Chicago Sun-Times, July 9, 2003) |
| Al
Sharpton (D): |
A statement
on affirmative action could not be obtained from the Sharpton
campaign staff. |
