2008 SelectSmart.com Presidential Candidate Selector Candidate Positions Gov. Mark Sanford - Republican (Born October 6, 1949) Lawyer

War authorization: Source

Security/liberties: Source

Social Security: Source

Stem cell research: Opposes federally funded stem cell research. Source

Same sex issues: Source

Trade issues: Source

Budget issues: Source

Business & labor issues: Pawlenty supported the interests of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce 82 percent in 2002 and 100 percent in 2001. Pawlenty supported the interests of the Minnesota AFL-CIO 14 percent in 2001. Source

Abortion issues: Pawlenty supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota 0 percent in 2001. Pawlenty supported the interests of the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life 40 percent in 1999. Pawlenty supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota 67 percent in 1999. On the votes that Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life considered to be the most important in 1998, Governor Pawlenty voted their preferred position 100 percent of the time. Source

Capital punishment: Proposed instituting the death penalty in Minnesota. A state senate committee overwhelmingly voted to reject the proposal. Source

Marijuana: Source

Gun control: Based on lifetime voting records on gun issues and the results of a questionnaire sent to all state legislative candidates in 2000, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund assigned Governor Pawlenty a grade of A (with grades ranging from a high of A+ to a low of F). Source

Minimum wage: As governor vetoed a bill that would boost the minimum wage in Minnesota to $7.75 an hour. Source

Health care: Made it a priority to "Work together to pass health care reform that is market-driven, restores the relationship between doctors and patients, and uses savings from the system to hold down the cost of health care premiums." Source

Prescription drugs: "Gov. Tim Pawlenty has unveiled a plan that would make it easier for Minnesotans to buy lower priced prescription drugs from Canada. Pawlenty wants the state to create a Web site that lists Canadian pharmacies that meet state standards for safety. He's also asking state officials to look at importing foreign-made, government-approved drugs for Minnesotans." Source

Environmental issues: "Deepening his involvement in the global warming debate and in national affairs, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is lending his voice to a nationwide radio ad sponsored by the activist Environmental Defense Action Fund." Source "Twenty-seven environmental and family farm groups are calling on Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty to withdraw his proposal to significantly weaken the rules governing environmental review of the largest feedlots in the state." Source

Immigration issues: Declaring that unchecked illegal immigration is undermining the entire legal system, Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed a sweeping array of state responses on Tuesday, including a Minnesota enforcement team, more screening by local authorities, and increased penalties for false identification, human trafficking and hiring of illegal immigrants. "We have benefited immensely from immigration," the governor said at his State Capitol office before flying off to present his proposals in several outstate cities with significant immigrant populations. "But it needs to be legal and reasonable and orderly." Source

Education issues: Source

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

Campaign website