PRESIDENT
George W. Bush
SENATOR
John Kerry
Abortion
NPR Coverage:
Bush, Kerry Rarely Discuss Divisive Issue
President Bush's and Sen. John Kerry's positions on abortion couldn't be much more different. But they have one thing in common when it comes to the divisive issue — neither of them wants to talk about it much on the campaign trail.
Bush Speaks About:
- Signing the Partial Birth Abortion Ban ActNov. 5, 2003, Washington, D.C.
- His Pledge to Prevent the New Law from Being OverturnedNov. 5, 2003, Washington, D.C.
- 'The Rights of the Unborn'Nov. 5, 2003, Washington, D.C.
Kerry Speaks About:
- Bush's Efforts to Appoint Conservative JudgesApril 23, 2004, Washington, D.C.
- Protecting Women's ChoicesApril 23, 2004, Washington, D.C.
- Women's Privacy RightsApril 23, 2004, Washington, D.C.
Immigration
NPR Coverage:
Candidates See Immigration Policy as Key to Latino Vote
On the campaign trail, President Bush and Sen. John Kerry are taking aim at U.S. immigration policies -- and at the 7 million Latino voters expected to cast ballots this November.
Bush Speaks About:
- Lt. Gen. Sanchez, Immigrant Success StoryJuly 8, 2004, San Antonio, Texas
- Immigration ReformJuly 8, 2004, San Antonio, Texas
- (Note: Audio edited due to satellite delay)
Kerry Speaks About:
- Teresa Heinz Kerry, Among 'Nation of Immigrants'July 9, 2004, San Antonio, Texas
- A Broken SystemJuly 9, 2004, San Antonio, Texas
- (Note: Audio edited due to satellite delay)
Iraq
NPR Coverage:
War Triggers Harshest Debate
The war in Iraq has polarized voters like no other issue in this presidential election year. With U.S. fatalities continuing to rise, the volatile situation in Iraq is likely to make the election as unpredictable as any in history.
Bush Speaks About:
- A Safer AmericaJuly 21, 2004, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- The Danger of SaddamJuly 21, 2004, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- The Lesson of Sept. 11July 21, 2004, St. Charles, Mo.
Kerry Speaks About:
- U.S. Troops' 'Ultimate Sacrifice'April 30, 2004, Fulton, Mo.
- Rebuilding Iraq with World HelpApril 30, 2004, Fulton, Mo.
- A U.N. Role in IraqApril 30, 2004, Fulton, Mo.
The Patriot Act
NPR Coverage:
National Security Law Provides Political Fodder for Bush, Kerry
The USA Patriot Act, enacted after the Sept. 11 attacks, stirs raw emotions in the debate over civil liberties vs. national security. Both Bush and Kerry support the law, but the Democratic senator urges changes and says Attorney General Ashcroft abuses the measure.
Bush Speaks About:
- Benefits of the Patriot ActApril 17, 2004, Presidential Radio Address
- Court Controls Over the ActJuly 14, 2004, Fond du Lac, Mich.
Kerry Speaks About:
- The Need to Change the ActApril 14, 2004, Providence, R.I.
- Balancing Liberties, SecurityMay 28, 2004, Green Bay, Wis.
Energy Policy
NPR Coverage:
Bush, Kerry Push Independence from Foreign Sources
Energy policy rarely takes center stage in a presidential race, but this year, with high gasoline prices, voters seem to be paying attention. Both President Bush and Sen. John Kerry are touting long-term plans to cut dependence on foreign oil and develop new sources of energy at home.
Bush Speaks About:
- Energy Independence, Alternative FuelsMay 3, 2004, Niles, Mich.
- The Need for an Energy BillMay 13, 2004, Parkersburg, W.Va.
- Gasoline PricesMay 19, 2004, Washington, D.C.
Kerry Speaks About:
- Energy IndependenceMay 27, 2004, Seattle
- Spurring Alternative SourcesMarch 29, 2004, Sacramento, Calif.
- Energy IndependenceMay 25, 2004, Portland, Ore.
Health Care
NPR Coverage:
Health Care Fails to Register in Campaigns
Many experts predicted that health care policy would be a key to the 2004 presidential race. Coping with the problem of 44 million uninsured Americans was supposed to be a major issue, but it hasn't been so far.
Bush Speaks About:
- Medicare ReformMay 25, 2004, Youngstown, Ohio
- Health Savings AccountsMay 25, 2004, Youngstown, Ohio
- Medical Liability ReformMay 25, 2004, Youngstown, Ohio
Kerry Speaks About:
- Cutting Waste in the SystemMay 10, 2004, Edinboro, Pa.
- Using Technology to Cut CostsMay 10, 2004, Edinboro, Pa.
- Preventive Health CareMay 10, 2004, Edinboro, Pa.
Homeland Security
NPR Coverage:
Parties at Odds over Defense Against Terrorist Attacks
One of the larger questions hanging over the presidential election is whether the country is safer from another terrorist attack because of steps the Bush administration has taken since Sept. 11. It's an issue that President Bush and Sen. Kerry have only begun to debate.
Bush Speaks About:
- Government ResponsesMarch 2, 2004, Washington, D.C.
- Aviation SecurityMarch 2, 2004, Washington, D.C.
- Protecting InfrastructureMarch 2, 2004, Washington, D.C.
Kerry Speaks About:
- Homeland PreparednessMarch 15, 2004, Washington, D.C.
- Port SecurityDec. 17, 2003, Portsmouth, N.H.
- Future PrioritiesMarch 15, 2004, Washington, D.C.
College Costs
NPR Coverage:
College Costs Emerge as Campaign Issue
Making college more affordable has emerged as a major domestic policy debate between President Bush and Sen. John Kerry. According to recent polls, Americans rank education -- and growing concern about the rising cost of college -- as one of the most important domestic issues.
Bush Speaks About:
- Pell Grants, Community CollegesJan. 20, 2004, State of the Union Address
- Job TrainingJan. 21, 2004, Perrysburg Township, Ohio
Kerry Speaks About:
- College AffordabilityJune 29, 2004, Chicago
- College Tax Credit ProposalJune 29, 2004, Chicago
Gay Marriage
NPR Coverage:
Debate over Amendment May be Key in Some States
With the defeat in the Senate of a constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriages, President Bush expressed disappointment, but urged continued debate on the issue. Sen. Kerry also opposes gay marriage but does not favor the amendment. The controversial issue could sway the election in key battleground states.
Bush Speaks About:
- The Definition of MarriagePress conference, July 30, 2003
- The Defense of Marriage ActState of the Union speech, Jan. 20, 2004
- State Legal ArrangementsWhite House, Feb. 24, 2003
Kerry Speaks About:
- Equal Protection Under State LawsDes Moines, Iowa, Nov, 24, 2003
- The Massachusetts Court Ruling on Same-Sex MarriagesDes Moines, Iowa, Nov, 24, 2003
- Civil UnionsInterview with NPR's Melissa Block, aired Feb. 9, 2004
Environment
NPR Coverage:
Candidates Court Voters with Environmental Policies
While the environment has never played a deciding role in a presidential election, these issues are often a critical part of how the candidates define themselves and each other. This election is proving to be no different.
Bush Speaks About:
- Pollution and WetlandsApril 22, 2004, Wells, Maine
- Proposed Expansion of WetlandsApril 22, 2004, Wells, Maine
- Government Involvement in Environmental RegulationApril 22, 2004, Wells, Maine
Kerry Speaks About:
- PollutionApril 20, 2004, speech in Tampa, Fla.
- Protecting Coastal EcosystemsApril 20, 2004, Tampa, Fla.
- Superfund SitesApril 22, 2004, Houston, Texas
No Child Left Behind
NPR Coverage:
Bush, Kerry Spar over 'No Child Left Behind'
Growing criticism of the No Child Left Behind Act and its uniform testing standards makes it unclear if the president's record on education will give him an edge against his Democratic challenger.
Bush Speaks About:
- 'No Child Left Behind' TestingMay 11, 2004, Van Buren, Ark.
- Tying Federal Funding to Schools' AccountabilityMay 11, 2004, Parkersburg South High School, Parkersburg, W.Va.
Kerry Speaks About:
- Proposed Changes to the 'No Child' LawMarch 29, 2004, Sacramento, Calif.
- Raising Salaries to Ease Teacher ShortagesMay 6, 2004, Colton High School, Colton, Calif.
Jobs
NPR Coverage:
Democrats, GOP Spin Latest U.S. Jobs Figures
April marked the ninth consecutive month of U.S. job growth with 250,000 new jobs. The Bush administration hailed the numbers, but Sen. Kerry called the growth too slow, noting that the nation's overall unemployment rate did not change. Both are trying to tout their rival plans for job growth as the election nears.
Bush Speaks About:
- The EconomyMarch 30, 2004, Green Bay, Wisc.
- OutsourcingMarch 30, 2004, Green Bay, Wisc.
- Tax Cuts and Job PromotionMarch 30, 2004, Green Bay, Wisc.
- Tax CutsFrom a speech given March 30, 2004, in Green Bay, Wisc.
Kerry Speaks About:
- Economic PolicyMarch 26, 2004, Detroit, Mich.
- OutsourcingMay 7, 2004, Phoenix, Ariz.
- Tax CodeMarch 26, 2004, Detroit, Mich.
- Trade AgreementsMay 7, 2004, Phoenix, Ariz.
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