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

Ex-Sen. John Edwards - Democrat
(Born June 10, 1953) Lawyer
  • War authorization: Voted for Military Force Authorization resolution two days after 9/11, but now calls that vote a mistake Source
  • Security/liberties: Voted for the USA Patriot Act of 2001. On votes that the American Civil Liberties Union considered to be the most important in 2001-2002 , Edwards voted their preferred position 60 percent of the time. Source Edwards supported the interests of the American Security Council 75 percent in 2002 Source
  • Social Security: Edwards supported the interests of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare 100 percent in 1999-2000. Source
  • Stem cell research: Supports expansion of stem cell research.
  • Same sex issues: Supports civil unions, but not same sex marriages.
  • Trade issues: On the votes that the CATO Institute--Center for Trade Policy Studies considered to be the most important in 2001-2002, Edwards voted their preferred position 17 percent of the time. Source
  • Budget issues: The balanced budget advocating Concord Coalition gave Edwards a rating of 69 percent. Source
  • Business & labor issues: Edwards supported the interests of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 15 percent in 2003. Source Edwards supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 75 percent in 2003. Those who supported or provided other assistance in connection with a UAW organizing drive are given an extra 10% bonus. He supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 100 percent in 2003. Source
  • Abortion issues: Edwards supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 0 percent in 2003-2004. He supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2003. Source
  • Capital punishment: Believes the death penalty is appropriate for some crimes.
  • Marijuana: Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) has said publicly that [he opposes] arresting and jailing patients for using medicinal marijuana, but has [not] endorsed the drug's legalization. Source Has admitted to smoking pot himself.
  • Gun control: Edwards supported the interests of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 77 percent from 1988-2003 (Senate) or 1991-2003 Source
  • Minimum wage: He has voted for minimum wage increases.
  • Health care: John Edwards believes we need to reform our health care system to provide truly universal coverage - not mere access to insurance - and get better care at lower cost. Source
  • Prescription drugs: Voted to pass 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: John Edwards believes that Americans must be patriotic about something other than the war. We must act now by investing in clean, renewable energies like wind, solar, and biofuels to create a new energy economy, developing a new generation of efficient cars and trucks, and putting new energy-saving technologies to work in buildings, transportation, and industry. Source
  • Immigration issues: Edwards supported the interests of the Americans for Better Immigration 12 percent in 1989-2003. He supported the interests of the Americans for Better Immigration 17 percent in 1989-2002. Source
  • Education issues: Edwards supported the interests of the National Education Association 83 percent in 2003. Source
  • Link to voting records and special interest group ratings. (If available).
  • Campaign website