2008 SelectSmart.com Presidential Candidate Selector Candidate Positions Sen. Joseph Biden - Democrat (Born 20 November 1942) Professor, attorney

War authorization: He voted for the war resolution in 2002, but has since been critical of Bush's management of the war. Calls for withdrawal. Source

Security/liberties: 28% can Center for Security Policy score & 92% American Civil Liberties Union score in most recent ratings. Source

Social Security: Would not privatize.

Stem cell research: Supports federal expansion of stem cell research.

Same sex issues: Voted against constitutional ban of same-sex marriage.

Trade issues: Senator Biden supported the interests of the CATO Institute--Center for Trade Policy Studies 36 percent in 2003-2004. CATO favors free trade. Source

Budget issues: The balanced budget championing Concord Coalition gave Senator Biden a rating of 58 percent.

Business & labor issues: 44% U.S. Chamber of Commerce score & 100% AFL-CIO score in most recent ratings. Source

Abortion issues: Pro-choice; 100% Planned Parenthood score in most recent ratings. Source

Capital punishment: Supports capital punishment. “As the author of two major federal crime laws that extend the availability of the death penalty to sixty additional crimes, I support capital punishment as a crime-fighting technique. But we must implement the death penalty in a way that is consistent with our values as Americans. Just as we would not execute a 12-year-old, I have long argued that we should not execute a mentally retarded person whose mental capacity might be far more limited." Source

Marijuana: U.S. Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE): "To explain to my 15-year-old daughter or a 12-year old niece that doctors say ... that marijuana can be used as a medicine, it makes it awful hard for a parent to have a message that says, 'By the way, this is a very bad thing, this marijuana.' " Source

Gun control: Supports gun control; 0% Gun Owners of America score in most recent ratings. Source

Minimum wage: Has has voted for increases in the federal minimum wage. Source

Health care: Senator Biden supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 90 percent in 2005 (most recent evaluation). APHA states, "All Americans deserve comprehensive health coverage.". Source

Prescription drugs: Has voted "yes" on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug and similar bills. Source

Environmental issues: In most recent evalutions (2005), Biden supported the interests of the American Wilderness Coalition 100 percent, supported the interests of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund 100 percent, supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 90 percent. Source Source

Immigration issues: In 2006, Biden supported the interests of the American Immigration Lawyers Association 100 percent, the interests of the U.S. Border Control 8 percent in 2005-2006. Biden supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 0 percent in 2005. Source Source
Supports amnesty/permanent legalization for illegal aliens and temporary legalization for illegal aiens as guestworkers Source

Education issues: Voted against school vouchers. Source

Link to voting records and special interest group ratings. (If available).

Campaign website