SelectSmart.com 2008 SelectSmart.com
Presidential Candidate Selector
Candidate Positions

Sen. Sam Brownback - Republican
(Born September 12, 1956) Attorney, teacher, broadcaster
  • Iraq war issues: Has been a reliable Bush ally. “We must win this fight, it is a critical one and three things must be done to accomplish this. We must come together and be united here as we have not been able to sustain war efforts in the past when one party is for it and one party is against it. We must have a political solution over there. There need to be someway for Sunnis and Shia to come together, which is why I have been pushing a three state one country solution. Finally, we need to get the rest of the region to come together in a positive way.” Source
  • Security/liberties: 2003-2004 Senator Brownback supported the interests of the American Security Council 100 percent in 2003-2004. Source Senator Brownback supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 25 percent in 2005-2006. Source
  • Social Security: Brownback has written a glowing blurb for a Cato-published book promoting the privatization of Social Security. Source
  • Stem cell research: Voted against a bill that allows for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that uses human embryonic stem cells. Source
  • Same sex issues: "Marriage is the union of one man and one woman." Source
  • Trade issues: The free trade advocating CATO Institute--Center for Trade Policy Studies 91 percent in 2003-2004. Source
  • Budget issues: For 2001-2002, the Concord Coalition gave Senator Brownback a rating of 69 percent. Source
  • Business & labor issues: Senator Brownback supported the interests of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 89 percent in 2005. 2005 Senator Brownback supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 7 percent in 2005. 2005 Senator Brownback supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 7 percent in 2005. Source
  • Abortion issues: "Abortion ends a human life. It destroys an individual who could have lived, worked, and contributed to our society. And has wiped out nearly an entire generation. I believe we should strive to fully embrace a culture of life through our national politics. I will continue to fight to protect life at every stage." Source
  • Capital punishment: In a follow-up to his interview on NPR, NPR reported that while conflicted, Brownback supports capital punishment for "the most heinous crimes". (03-08-2007) "Sen. Sam Brownback, [said], "Capital punishment contradicts the efforts to establish a "culture of life," a phrase that became prominent during the controversy over Terri Schiavo's fate." Source
  • Marijuana:
  • Gun control: "At the heart of the Bill of Rights is the Second Amendment. This Amendment guarantees an individual the right to keep and bear arms, which is essential, as the Amendment itself affirms, to “the security of a free state.” Restrictive gun control laws aimed at weakening this constitutional right are not the answer." Source
  • Minimum wage: Has voted for half the minimum wage increase bills that have before him. Source
  • Health care: 2005 Senator Brownback supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 20 percent in 2005. Source
  • Prescription drugs: Voted against a bill that would institute procedures for the introduction of generic drugs into the prescription drug market and would also allow importation of prescription drugs from Canada into the United States. Source
  • Environmental issues: 2005 Senator Brownback supported the interests of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund 0 percent in 2005. 2005 Senator Brownback supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 10 percent in 2005. 2005 Senator Brownback supported the interests of the Republicans for Environmental Protection 7 percent in 2005. Points for significant non-voting actions were added to or subtracted from percentages calculated from voting records. Thus, the rating may be less than 0 or greater than 100. Source
  • Immigration issues: 2006 Senator Brownback supported the interests of the American Immigration Lawyers Association 77 percent in 2006. 2005-2006 Senator Brownback supported the interests of the U.S. Border Control 33 percent in 2005-2006. Source
    Opposes amnesty/permanent legalization for illegal aliens and temporary legalization for illegal aiens as guestworkers Source
  • Education issues: "I believe that providing for choice in education is beneficial to student achievement." Source
  • Link to voting records and special interest group ratings. (If available).
  • Campaign website