Flip
Flopped On Trade With China Flip-Flopped
On Iraq War
In 1991, Kerry Supported Most-Favored Trade Status For China. “Sen.
John Kerry said yesterday that he is breaking party ranks to support
most-favored-nation trade status for China … ‘I think the president has
some strong arguments about some of the assets of most-favored-nation
status for China,’ Kerry said.” (John Aloysius Farrell,
“Kerry Breaks Party Ranks To Back China Trade Status,” The Boston
Globe, 6/15/91)
In 2000, Kerry Voted In Favor Of Permanent Normal Trade
Relations With China. (H.R. 4444, CQ Vote
#251: Passed 83-15: R 46-8; D 37-7, 9/19/00, Kerry Voted Yea)
Now Kerry Criticizes The Bush Administration For Trading With
China. “Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry said on
Monday Americans workers were paying the price for President Bush's
weak stance on trade with China and other countries. … On the bus tour,
Kerry singled out the Bush administration's handling of trade with
China and said that country was manipulating its currency.” (Caren Bohan, "Kerry Pledges Aggressive Trade
Stance," Reuters, 4/26/04)
Kerry Voted For Authorization To Use Force In Iraq. (H.J. Res. 114, CQ Vote #237: Passed 77-23: R 48-1; D 29-21;
I 0-1, 10/11/02, Kerry Voted Yea.)
In First Dem Debate, Kerry Strongly Supported President’s Action In
Iraq. KERRY: “George, I said at the time I would have preferred if
we had given diplomacy a greater opportunity, but I think it was the
right decision to disarm Saddam Hussein, and when the President made
the decision, I supported him, and I support the fact that we did
disarm him.” (ABC News, Democrat Presidential
Candidate Debate, Columbia, SC, 5/4/03)
Kerry Later Claimed He Voted “To Threaten” Use Of Force In Iraq.
“I voted to threaten the use of force to make Saddam Hussein comply
with the resolutions of the United Nations.” (Sen.
John Kerry, Remarks At Announcement Of Presidential Candidacy, Mount
Pleasant, SC, 9/2/03)
Now, Kerry Says He Is Anti-War Candidate. CHRIS MATTHEWS: “Do
you think you belong to that category of candidates who more or less
are unhappy with this war, the way it’s been fought, along with General
Clark, along with Howard Dean and not necessarily in companionship
politically on the issue of the war with people like Lieberman, Edwards
and Gephardt? Are you one of the anti-war candidates?” KERRY: “I am --
Yes, in the sense that I don’t believe the president took us to war as
he should have, yes, absolutely.” (MSNBC’s “Hardball,”
1/6/04)
Flip-Flopped
On Eliminating Marriage Penalty For Middle Class
Kerry Said He Will Fight To Keep Tax Relief For Married Couples.
“Howard Dean and Gephardt are going to put the marriage penalty back in
place. So if you get married in America, we’re going to charge you more
taxes. I do not want to do that.” (Fox News’ “Special
Report,” 10/23/03)
Said Democrats Fought To End Marriage Penalty Tax. “We fought
hard to get rid of the marriage penalty.” (MSNBC’s
“News Live,” 7/31/03)
But, In 1998, Kerry Voted Against Eliminating Marriage Penalty
Relief For Married Taxpayers With Combined Incomes Less Than $50,000
Per Year, Saving Taxpayers $46 Billion Over 10 Years. (S. 1415, CQ Vote #154: Rejected 48-50: R 5-49; D 43-1,
6/10/98, Kerry Voted Yea)
Flip-Flopped
On Patriot Act
Kerry Voted For Patriot Act. The Patriot Act was passed nearly
unanimously by the Senate 98-1, and 357-66 in the House. (H.R. 3162, CQ Vote #313: Passed 98-1: R 49-0; D 48-1; I
1-0, 10/25/01, Kerry Voted Yea)
Kerry Used To Defend His Vote. “Most of [The Patriot Act] has to
do with improving the transfer of information between CIA and FBI, and
it has to do with things that really were quite necessary in the wake
of what happened on September 11th.” (Sen. John Kerry,
Remarks At Town Hall Meeting, Manchester, NH, 8/6/03)
Now, Kerry Attacks Patriot Act. “We are a nation of laws and
liberties, not of a knock in the night. So it is time to end the era of
John Ashcroft. That starts with replacing the Patriot Act with a new
law that protects our people and our liberties at the same time. I’ve
been a District Attorney and I know that what law enforcement needs are
real tools not restrictions on American’s basic rights.” (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At Iowa State University, 12/1/03)
Kerry
Took BOTH Sides On First Gulf War
Kerry Took BOTH Sides In First Gulf War In Separate Letters To Same
Constituent. “Rather than take a side--albeit the one he thought
was most expedient--Kerry actually stood on both sides of the first
Gulf war, much like he did this time around. Consider this ‘Notebook’
item from TNR’s March 25, 1991 issue, which ran under the headline
‘Same Senator, Same Constituent’: ‘Thank you for contacting me to
express your opposition ... to the early use of military force by the
US against Iraq. I share your concerns. On January 11, I voted in favor
of a resolution that would have insisted that economic sanctions be
given more time to work and against a resolution giving the president
the immediate authority to go to war.’ --letter from Senator John Kerry
to Wallace Carter of Newton Centre, Massachusetts, dated January 22
[1991] ‘Thank you very much for contacting me to express your support
for the actions of President Bush in response to the Iraqi invasion of
Kuwait. From the outset of the invasion, I have strongly and
unequivocally supported President Bush’s response to the crisis and the
policy goals he has established with our military deployment in the
Persian Gulf.’ --Senator Kerry to Wallace Carter, January 31 [1991]” (Noam Scheiber, “Noam Scheiber’s Daily Journal of Politics,
The New Republic Online, 1/28/04)
Flip-Flopped
On Gay Marriage Amendment
In 2002, Kerry Signed Letter “Urging” MA Legislature To Reject
Constitutional Amendment Banning Gay Marriage. “We rarely comment
on issues that are wholly within the jurisdiction of the General Court,
but there are occasions when matters pending before you are of such
significance to all residents of the Commonwealth that we think it
appropriate for us to express our opinion. One such matter is the
proposed Constitutional amendment that would prohibit or seriously
inhibit any legal recognition whatsoever of same-sex relationships. We
believe it would be a grave error for Massachusetts to enshrine in our
Constitution a provision which would have such a negative effect on so
many of our fellow residents. … We are therefore united in urging you
to reject this Constitutional amendment and avoid stigmatizing so many
of our fellow citizens who do not deserve to be treated in such a
manner.” (Sen. John Kerry, et al, Letter To Members Of
The Massachusetts Legislature, 7/12/02)
Now, In 2004, Kerry Won’t Rule Out Supporting Similar Amendment.
“Asked if he would support a state constitutional amendment barring gay
and lesbian marriages, Kerry didn’t rule out the possibility. ‘I’ll
have to see what language there is,’ he said.” (Susan
Milligan, “Kerry Says GOP May Target Him On ‘Wedge Issue,’” The Boston
Globe, 2/6/04)
Flip-Flopped
On Attacking President During Time Of War
In March 2003, Kerry Promised Not To Attack President When War Began.
“Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts … said he will cease his
complaints once the shooting starts. ‘It’s what you owe the troops,’
said a statement from Kerry, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. ‘I
remember being one of those guys and reading news reports from home. If
America is at war, I won’t speak a word without measuring how it’ll
sound to the guys doing the fighting when they’re listening to their
radios in the desert.’” (Glen Johnson, “Democrats On
The Stump Plot Their War Rhetoric,” The Boston Globe, 3/11/03)
But Weeks Later, With Troops Just Miles From Baghdad, Kerry Broke
His Pledge. “‘What we need now is not just a regime change in
Saddam Hussein and Iraq, but we need a regime change in the United
States,’ Kerry said in a speech at the Peterborough Town Library.
Despite pledging two weeks ago to cool his criticism of the
administration once war began, Kerry unleashed a barrage of criticism
as US troops fought within 25 miles of Baghdad.” (Glen
Johnson, “Kerry Says Us Needs Its Own ‘Regime Change,’” The Boston
Globe, 4/3/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Death Penalty For Terrorists
In 1996, Kerry Attacked Governor Bill Weld For Supporting Death
Penalty For Terrorists. KERRY: “Your policy would amount to a
terrorist protection policy. Mine would put them in jail.” (1996 Massachusetts Senate Debate, 9/16/96)
In 1996, Kerry Said, “You Can Change Your Mind On Things, But Not On
Life-And-Death Issues.” (Timothy J. Connolly, “The
‘Snoozer’ Had Some Life,” [Worcester, MA] Telegram & Gazette,
7/3/96)
But, In 2002, Kerry Said He Supported Death Penalty For Terrorists.
KERRY: “The law of the land is the law of the land, but I have also
said that I am for the death penalty for terrorists because terrorists
have declared war on your country.” (NBC’s “Meet The
Press,” 12/1/02)
Flip-Flopped
On No Child Left Behind
Kerry Voted For No Child Left Behind Act. (H.R.
1, CQ Vote #371: Adopted 87-10: R 44-3; D 43-6; I 0-1, 12/18/01, Kerry
Voted Yea)
But Now Kerry Is Attacking No Child Left Behind As “Mockery.”
“Between now and the time I’m sworn in January 2005, I’m going to use
every day to make this president accountable for making a mockery of
the words ‘No Child Left Behind.’” (Holly Ramer,
“Kerry Wants To Make ‘Environmental Justice’ A Priority,” The
Associated Press, 4/22/03)
Kerry Trashed NCLB As ‘Unfunded Mandate’ With ‘Laudable’ Goals.
“Kerry referred to [No Child Left Behind] as an ‘unfunded mandate’ with
‘laudable’ goals. ‘Without the resources, education reform is a sham,’
Kerry said. ‘I can’t wait to crisscross this country and hold this
president accountable for making a mockery of the words “no child left
behind.”‘“ (Matt Leon, “Sen. Kerry In Tune With
Educators,” The [Quincy, MA] Patriot Ledger, 7/11/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Affirmative Action
In 1992, Kerry Called Affirmative Action “Inherently Limited And
Divisive.” “[W]hile praising affirmative action as ‘one kind of
progress’ that grew out of civil rights court battles, Kerry said the
focus on a rights-based agenda has ‘inadvertently driven most of our
focus in this country not to the issue of what is happening to the kids
who do not get touched by affirmative action, but … toward an
inherently limited and divisive program which is called affirmative
action.’ That agenda is limited, he said, because it benefits segments
of black and minority populations, but not all. And it is divisive
because it creates a ‘perception and a reality of reverse
discrimination that has actually engendered racism.’” (Lynne
Duke, “Senators Seek Serious Dialogue On Race,” The Washington Post,
4/8/92)
In 2004, Kerry Denied Ever Having Called Affirmative Action
“Divisive.” CNN’s KELLY WALLACE: “We caught up with the Senator,
who said he never called affirmative action divisive, and accused Clark
of playing politics.” SEN. KERRY: “That’s not what I said. I said there
are people who believe that. And I said mend it, don’t end it. He’s
trying to change what I said, but you can go read the quote. I said
very clearly I have always voted for it. I’ve always supported it. I’ve
never, ever condemned it. I did what Jim Clyburn did and what Bill
Clinton did, which is mend it. And Jim Clyburn wouldn’t be supporting
it if it were otherwise. So let’s not have any politics here. Let’s
keep the truth.” (CNN’s “Inside Politics,” 1/30/04)
Flip-Flopped
On Ethanol
Kerry Twice Voted Against Tax Breaks For Ethanol. (S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #44: Rejected 48-52: R 11-32; D
37-20, 3/23/93, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #68: Motion
Agreed To 55-43: R 2-40; D 53-3, 3/24/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
Kerry Voted Against Ethanol Mandates. (H.R.
4624, CQ Vote #255: Motion Agreed To 51-50: R 19-25; D 31-25, 8/3/94,
Kerry Voted Nay)
Kerry Voted Twice To Increase Liability On Ethanol, Making It Equal
To Regular Gasoline. (S. 517, CQ Vote #87: Motion
Agreed To 57-42: R 38-10; D 18-32; I 1-0, 4/25/02 Kerry Voted Nay; S.
14, CQ Vote #208: Rejected 38-57: R 9-40; D 28-17; I 1-0, 6/5/03, Kerry
Voted Yea)
On The Campaign Trail, Though, Kerry Is For Ethanol. KERRY: “I’m
for ethanol, and I think it’s a very important partial ingredient of
the overall mix of alternative and renewable fuels we ought to commit
to.” (MSNBC/DNC, Democrat Presidential Candidate
Debate, Des Moines, IA, 11/24/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Cuba Sanctions
Senator Kerry Has Long Voted Against Stronger Cuba Sanctions. (H.R. 927, CQ Vote #489, Motion Rejected 59-36: R 50-2; D
9-34, 10/17/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 955, CQ Vote #183: Rejected 38-61:
R 5-49; D 33-12, 7/17/97, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1234, CQ Vote #189,
Motion Agreed To 55-43: R 43-10; D 12-33, 6/30/99, Kerry Voted Nay; S.
2549, CQ Vote #137: Motion Agreed To 59-41: R 52-3; D 7-38, 6/20/00,
Kerry Voted Nay)
In 2000, Kerry Said Florida Politics Is Only Reason Cuba Sanctions
Still In Place. “Senator John F. Kerry, the Massachusetts Democrat
and member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said in an interview
that a reevaluation of relations with Cuba was ‘way overdue.’ ‘We have
a frozen, stalemated, counterproductive policy that is not in
humanitarian interests nor in our larger credibility interest in the
region,’ Kerry said. … ‘It speaks volumes about the problems in the
current American electoral process. … The only reason we don’t
reevaluate the policy is the politics of Florida.’” (John
Donnelly, “Policy Review Likely On Cuba,” The Boston Globe, 4/9/00)
Now Kerry Panders To Cuban Vote, Saying He Would Not Lift Embargo
Against Cuba. TIM RUSSERT: “Would you consider lifting sanctions,
lifting the embargo against Cuba?” SEN. KERRY: “Not unilaterally, not
now, no.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,” 8/31/03)
Kerry Does Not Support “Opening Up The Embargo Wily Nilly.”
“Kerry said he believes in ‘engagement’ with the communist island
nation but that does not mean, ‘Open up the dialogue.’ He believes it
‘means travel and perhaps even remittances or cultural exchanges’ but
he does not support ‘opening up the embargo wily nilly.’” (Daniel A. Ricker, “Kerry Says Bush Did Not Build A
‘Legitimate Coalition’ In Iraq,” The Miami Herald, 11/25/03)
Flip-Flopped
On NAFTA
Kerry Voted For NAFTA. (H.R. 3450, CQ Vote
#395: Passed 61-38: R 34-10; D 27-28, 11/20/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
Kerry Recognized NAFTA Is Our Future. “‘NAFTA recognizes the
reality of today’s economy - globalization and technology,’ Kerry said.
‘Our future is not in competing at the low-level wage job; it is in
creating high-wage, new technology jobs based on our skills and our
productivity.’” (John Aloysius Farrell, “Senate’s OK
Finalizes NAFTA Pact,” The Boston Globe, 11/21/93)
Now, Kerry Expresses Doubt About NAFTA. “Kerry, who voted for
NAFTA in 1993, expressed some doubt about the strength of free-trade
agreements. ‘If it were before me today, I would vote against it
because it doesn’t have environmental or labor standards in it,’ he
said.” (David Lightman, “Democrats Battle For Labor’s
Backing,” Hartford Courant, 8/6/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Double Taxation Of Dividends
December 2002: Kerry Favored Ending Double Taxation Of Dividends.
“[T]o encourage investments in the jobs of the future - I think we
should eliminate the tax on capital gains for investments in critical
technology companies - zero capital gains on $100 million issuance of
stock if it’s held for 5 years and has created real jobs. And we should
attempt to end the double taxation of dividends.” (Sen.
John Kerry, Remarks At The City Club Of Cleveland, 12/3/02)
May 2003: Kerry Said He Opposed Ending Double Taxation Of Dividends.
“Kerry also reiterated his opposition to the Republican plan to cut
taxes on stock dividends. ‘This is not the time for a dividends tax cut
that goes to individuals,’ he said.” (“Kerry Says Time
Is On Dems’ Side,” The Associated Press, 5/8/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Raising Taxes During Economic Downturn
September 2001: Said Should Not Raise Taxes In Economic Downturn.
“The first priority is the economy of our nation. And when you have a
downturn in the economy, the last thing you do is raise taxes or cut
spending. We shouldn’t do either. We need to maintain a course that
hopefully will stimulate the economy. . . . No, we should not raise
taxes, but we have to put everything on the table to take a look at why
we have this structural problem today. . . .[Y]ou don’t want to raise
taxes.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,” 9/2/01)
April 2002: Said He Wanted Larger Tax Cut And Was “Not
In Favor Of” Repeal. CNN’s TUCKER CARLSON: “Senator Kerry . .
. [many Democrats] [g]et a lot of political mileage out of criticizing
[President Bush’s tax cut], but nobody has the courage to say repeal
it. Are you for repealing it?” KERRY: “It’s not a question of courage.
. . . And it’s not an issue right now. We passed appropriately a tax
cut as a stimulus, some $40 billion. Many of us thought it should have
even maybe been a little bit larger this last year … [T]he next tax cut
doesn’t take effect until 2004. If we can grow the economy enough
between now and then, if we have sensible policies in place and make
good choices, who knows what our choices will be. So it’s simply not a
ripe issue right now. And I’m not in favor of turning around today and
repealing it.” (CNN’s “Crossfire,” 4/16/02)
December 2002: Flip-Flopped, Would Keep Tax Cuts From Taking
Effect. NBC’s TIM RUSSERT: “Senator . . . should we freeze or
roll back the Bush tax cut?” KERRY: “Well, I wouldn’t take away from
people who’ve already been given their tax cut … What I would not do is
give any new Bush tax cuts.” … RUSSERT: “So the tax cut that’s
scheduled to be implemented in the coming years …” KERRY: “No new tax
cut under the Bush plan. . . . It doesn’t make economic sense.” …
RUSSERT: “Now, this is a change …” (NBC’s “Meet The
Press,” 12/1/02)
Called For Freeze Of Bush Tax Cuts In Favor Of Year-Long
Suspension Of Payroll Taxes On First $10,000 Of Personal Income.
“Kerry said Bush’s tax cuts have mainly benefited the rich while doing
little for the economy. Kerry is proposing to halt Bush’s additional
tax cuts and instead impose a yearlong suspension of payroll taxes on
the first $10,000 of income to help the poor and middle class.” (Tyler Bridges, “Kerry Visits Miami To Start Raising Funds,”
The Miami Herald, 12/7/02)
Flip-Flopped
On Small Business Income Taxes Fiscal 1993 Supplemental Appropriations - Welfare Work
Requirement. “Moynihan, D-N.Y., motion to table (kill)
the D’Amato, R-N.Y., amendment to sharply cut federal welfare
administration aid to states that do not, within a year, require at
least 10 percent of their able-bodied welfare recipients without
dependents to work. The required workfare participation rate would be
increased by 2 percent a year until 50 percent were working.” (H.R. 2118, CQ Vote #163: Rejected 34-64: R 1-42; D 33-22,
6/22/93, Kerry Voted Yea) But In 1996, Kerry Voted For Welfare Reform. (H.R.
3734, CQ Vote #262: Adopted 78-21: R 53-0; D 25-21, 8/1/96, Kerry Voted
Yea)
Kerry Voted Against Exempting Small Businesses And Family Farms From
Clinton Income Tax Increase. (S. Con. Res. 18, CQ
Vote #79: Motion Agreed To 54-45: R 0-43; D 54-2, 3/25/93, Kerry Voted
Yea)
Three Months Later, Kerry Voted In Favor Of Proposal To Exclude
Small Businesses From The Increased Income Tax. (S.
1134, CQ Vote #171: Motion Rejected 56-42: R 43-0; D 13-42, 6/24/93,
Kerry Voted Yea)
Kerry Claimed He Fought To Exempt Small Businesses From Income Tax
Increases. “I worked to amend the reconciliation bill so that it
would … exempt small businesses who are classified as subchapter S
corporations from the increased individual income tax.” (Sen.
John Kerry, Congressional Record, 6/29/93, p. S 8268)
Kerry
Flip-Flopped On 50-Cent Gas Tax Increase
In 1994, Kerry Backed Half-Dollar Increase In Gas Tax. “Kerry
said [the Concord Coalition’s scorecard] did not accurately reflect
individual lawmakers’ efforts to cut the deficit. ‘It doesn’t reflect
my $43 billion package of cuts or my support for a 50-cent increase in
the gas tax,’ Kerry said.” (Jill Zuckman,
“Deficit-Watch Group Gives High Marks To 7 N.E. Lawmakers,” The Boston
Globe, 3/1/94)
Two Years Later, Kerry Flip-Flopped. “Kerry no longer supports
the 50-cent [gas tax] hike, nor the 25-cent hike proposed by the
[Concord] coalition.” (Michael Grunwald, “Kerry Gets
Low Mark On Budgeting,” The Boston Globe, 4/30/96)
Flip-Flopped
On Leaving Abortion Up To States
Kerry Used To Say Abortion Should Be Left Up To States. “I think
the question of abortion is one that should be left for the states to
decide,” Kerry said during his failed 1972 Congressional bid. (“John Kerry On The Issues,” The [Lowell, MA] Sun, 10/11/72)
Now Kerry Says Abortion Is Law Of Entire Nation. “The right to
choose is the law of the United States. No person has the right to
infringe on that freedom. Those of us who are in government have a
special responsibility to see to it that the United States continues to
protect this right, as it must protect all rights secured by the
constitution.” (Sen. John Kerry [D-MA], Congressional
Record, 1/22/85)
Flip-Flopped
On Litmus Tests For Judicial Nominees
Kerry Used To Oppose Litmus Tests For Judicial Nominees.
“Throughout two centuries, our federal judiciary has been a model
institution, one which has insisted on the highest standards of conduct
by our public servants and officials, and which has survived with
undiminished respect. Today, I fear that this institution is threatened
in a way that we have not seen before. … This threat is that of the
appointment of a judiciary which is not independent, but narrowly
ideological, through the systematic targeting of any judicial nominee
who does not meet the rigid requirements of litmus tests imposed …” (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 2/3/86, p. S864)
But Now Kerry Says He Would Only Support Supreme Court Nominees Who
Pledge To Uphold Roe v. Wade. “The potential retirement of Supreme
Court justices makes the 2004 presidential election especially
important for women, Senator John F. Kerry told a group of female
Democrats yesterday, and he pledged that if elected president he would
nominate to the high court only supporters of abortion rights under its
Roe v. Wade decision. … ‘Any president ought to appoint people to the
Supreme Court who understand the Constitution and its interpretation by
the Supreme Court. In my judgment, it is and has been settled law that
women, Americans, have a defined right of privacy and that the
government does not make the decision with respect to choice.
Individuals do.’” (Glen Johnson, “Kerry Vows Court
Picks To Be Abortion-Rights Supporters,” The Boston Globe, 4/9/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Federal Health Benefits
In 1993, Kerry Expressed Doubts That Federal Employees Health
Benefits System Worked Well. “Hillary Rodham Clinton today offered
a fresh description of one of the most confusing elements of the
Administration health care plan, the health insurance purchasing
alliances, saying they would let all Americans choose coverage in the
way members of Congress do. … Senator John Kerry, Democrat of
Massachusetts, said he was not sure that the Federal program worked all
that well.” (Adam Clymer, “Hillary Clinton Says Health
Plan Will Be Familiar,” The New York Times, 12/8/93)
Kerry Expressed Personal Dissatisfaction With His Coverage Through
Federal Program. “Earlier this month, when Hillary Rodham Clinton
came to Boston and vowed that average Americans would get as good
coverage as that enjoyed by their senators and representatives, Sen.
John F. Kerry told Clinton that he thought the country could do better.
The Massachusetts Democrat said he was thinking, among other recent
disasters, of his $500 dental bill for treatment of an abscessed tooth.
‘Because it was done in the dentist’s office, rather than the hospital,
they didn’t cover it. So they were urging me to go spend twice as much
in a hospital,’ said Kerry, who is covered by BACE, the Beneficial
Association of Capitol Employees.” (Ana Puga,
“Lawmakers Talk Health Care,” The Boston Globe, 12/19/93)
Now, On Campaign Trail, Kerry Is Enthusiastic About Health Care He
Receives As Senator. “As a U.S. Senator, I could get the best
health care in the world. Most people aren’t so lucky, and we need to
change that. That’s why my plan gives every American access to the same
kind of health care that members of Congress give themselves. … Because
your family’s health care is just as important as any politicians’ in
Washington.” (Sen. John Kerry, “Affordable Health Care
For All Americans,” Remarks At Mercy Medical, Cedar Rapids, IA,
12/14/03)
Kerry: “I’m Going To Make Available To Every American The Same
Health Care Plan That Senators And Congressmen Give Themselves …” (Sen. John Kerry, AARP Democrat Candidate Debate, Bedford,
NH, 11/18/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Tax Credits For Small Business Health
In 2001, Kerry Voted Against Amendment Providing $70 Billion For Tax
Credits For Small Business To Purchase Health Insurance. (H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #83: Rejected 49-51: R 48-2; D
1-49, 4/5/01, Kerry Voted Nay)
Now, Kerry Promises Refundable Tax Credits To Small Businesses For
Health Coverage. “Refundable tax credits for up to 50 percent of
the cost of coverage will be offered to small businesses and their
employees to make health care more affordable.” (“John
Kerry’s Plan To Make Health Care Affordable To Every American,” John
Kerry For President Website, www.johnkerry.com, Accessed 1/21/04)
Flip-Flopped
On Health Coverage
In 1994, Kerry Said Democrats Push Health Care Too Much.
“[Kerry] said Kennedy and Clinton’s insistence on pushing health care
reform was a major cause of the Democratic Party’s problems at the
polls.” (Joe Battenfeld, “Jenny Craig Hit With Sex
Harassment Complaint - By Men,” Boston Herald, 11/30/94)
But Now Kerry Calls Health Care His “Passion.” “Sen. John Kerry
says expanding coverage is ‘my passion.’” (Susan Page,
“Health Specifics Could Backfire On Candidates,” USA Today, 6/2/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Welfare Reform
In 1993, Kerry Voted To Kill Bipartisan Welfare Work Requirement.
In 1993, Kerry and Kennedy voted against a welfare-to-work requirement
that was supported by many Democrats, including Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Harry Reid (D-NV):
Flip-Flops
On Stock Options Expensing
Kerry Used To Oppose Expensing Stock Options. “Democratic
Senator John F. Kerry was among those fighting expensing of stock
options.” (Sue Kirchhoff, “Senate Blocks Options,” The
Boston Globe, 7/16/02)
Kerry Said Expensing Options Would Not “Benefit The Investing
Public.” KERRY: “Mr. President, the Financial Accounting Standards
Board … has proposed a rule that will require companies to amortize the
value of stock options and deduct them off of their earnings statements
… I simply cannot see how the FASB rule, as proposed, will benefit the
investing public.” (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional
Record, 3/10/94, p. S2772)
But Now Kerry Says He Supports Carrying Of Stock Options As
Corporate Expense. “On an issue related to corporate scandals,
Kerry for the first time endorsed the carrying of stock options as a
corporate expense. The use of stock options was abused by some
companies and contributed to overly optimistic balance sheets. Kerry
applauded steps by Microsoft Corp. to eliminate stock options for
employees and said all publicly traded companies should be required to
expense such options.” (Dan Balz, “Kerry Raps Bush
Policy On Postwar Iraq,” The Washington Post, 7/11/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Medical Marijuana
Kerry Said His “Personal Disposition Is Open To The Issue Of Medical
Marijuana.” “Aaron Houston of the Granite Staters for Medical
Marijuana said that just a month ago Mr. Kerry seemed to endorse
medical marijuana use, and when asked about the content of his
mysterious study, said, ‘I am trying to find out. I don’t know.’ Mr.
Kerry did say his ‘personal disposition is open to the issue of medical
marijuana’ and that he’d stop Drug Enforcement Administration raids on
patients using the stuff under California’s medical marijuana law.” (Jennifer Harper, “Inside Politics,” The Washington Times,
8/8/03)
But Now Kerry Says He Wants To Wait For Study Analyzing Issue Before
Making Final Decision. “The Massachusetts Democrat said Wednesday
he’d put off any final decision on medical marijuana because there’s ‘a
study under way analyzing what the science is.’” (Jennifer
Harper, “Inside Politics,” The Washington Times, 8/8/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Burma Sanctions
In 1995, Kerry Was Against Burma Sanctions. “‘I question whether
isolation is a successful means of promoting political change,’ Kerry
told a constituent in a 1995 letter justifying his opposition to a
Burma sanction bill.” (Geeta Anand, et al., “Menino
Gets Ahead Of Himself, Starts Contemplating Third Term,” The Boston
Globe, 5/18/97)
But Now Kerry Supports Burma Sanctions. “In his 1996 reelection
campaign, Kerry, after Governor William F. Weld took up the cause, was
badgered by advisers into shifting his position. But as he eyes a
presidential campaign and the Burma sanction movement gains
credibility, Kerry … describes the Burma regime as a ‘semi-criminalized
dictatorship … which should not be treated with respect by other
nations, but should be instead subject to limitations on travel,
investment, and access to the most developed nations.’” (Geeta
Anand, et al., “Menino Gets Ahead Of Himself, Starts Contemplating
Third Term,” The Boston Globe, 5/18/97)
Flip-Flopped
On Military Experience As Credential For Public Office
Kerry: Service Should Not Be “Litmus Test” For Leadership. “Mr.
President, you and I know that if support or opposition to the war were
to become a litmus test for leadership, America would never have
leaders or recover from the divisions created by that war. You and I
know that if service or nonservice in the war is to become a test of
qualification for high office, you would not have a Vice President, nor
would you have a Secretary of Defense and our Nation would never
recover from the divisions created by that war.” (Sen.
John Kerry, Congressional Record, 10/08/92, p. S17709)
But Now Kerry Constantly “Challenges The Stature Of His Democratic
Opponents” Over Their Lack Of Military Service. “And more than
ever, Mr. Kerry is invoking his stature as a Vietnam veteran as he
challenges the stature of his Democratic opponents -- none of whom, he
frequently points out, have ‘worn the uniform of our country’ -- to
withstand a debate with Mr. Bush on national security.” (Adam
Nagourney, “As Campaign Tightens, Kerry Sharpens Message,” The New York
Times, 8/10/03)
Flip-Flopped
On PACs
Kerry Used To Decry “Special Interests And Their PAC Money.”
“‘I’m frequently told by cynics in Washington that refusing PAC money
is naive,’ Kerry told his supporters in 1985. ‘Do you agree that it is
“naïve” to turn down special interests and their PAC money?’” (Glen Johnson, “In A Switch, Kerry Is Launching A PAC,” The
Boston Globe, 12/15/01)
But Now, Kerry Has Established His Own PAC. “A week after
repeating that he has refused to accept donations from political action
committees, Senator John F. Kerry announced yesterday that he was
forming a committee that would accept PAC money for him to distribute
to other Democratic candidates. … Kerry’s stance on soft money,
unregulated donations funneled through political parties, puts him in
the position of raising the type of money that he, McCain, and others
in the campaign-finance reform movement are trying to eliminate.” (Glen Johnson, “In A Switch, Kerry Is Launching A PAC,” The
Boston Globe, 12/15/01)
Flip-Flopped
On $10,000 Donation Limit To His PAC
When Kerry Established His PAC In 2001, He Instituted A $10,000
Limit On Donations. “A week after repeating that he has refused to
accept donations from political action committees, Senator John F.
Kerry announced yesterday that he was forming a committee that would
accept PAC money for him to distribute to other Democratic candidates …
The statement also declared that the new PAC would voluntarily limit
donations of so-called soft money to $10,000 per donor per year and
disclose the source and amount of all such donations.” (Glen
Johnson, “In A Switch, Kerry Is Launching A Pac,” The Boston Globe,
12/15/01)
One Year Later, Kerry Started Accepting Unlimited Contributions.
“Senator John F. Kerry, who broke with personal precedent last year
when he established his first political action committee, has changed
his fund-raising guidelines again, dropping a $10,000 limit on
contributions from individuals, a cap he had touted when establishing
the PAC. The Massachusetts Democrat said yesterday he decided to accept
unlimited contributions, which has already allowed him to take in ‘soft
money’ donations as large as $25,000, because of the unprecedented
fund-raising demands confronting him as a leader in the Senate
Democratic caucus.” (Glen Johnson, “Kerry Shifts
Fund-Raising Credo For His Own PAC,” The Boston Globe, 10/4/02)
Flip-Flopped
On Using Personal Funds In 1996 Race
In 1996, Kerry And Weld Established $500,000 Limit Of Personal
Wealth To Be Used In Senate Campaign. “In 1996, Kerry and Weld gave
their already noteworthy Senate race added significance by establishing
a spending cap. The candidates agreed to spend no more than $6.9
million from July 1 through the election. Weld ended up spending $6.6
million and Kerry $6.3 million. One key element of the agreement
limited the candidates to spending $500,000 in personal wealth, a
clause Weld favored because Kerry is married to a millionaire, Teresa
Heinz.” (Glen Johnson, “In Kerry’s Plan For A Pac, The
Resolution Of Opposites,” The Boston Globe, 12/18/01)
Kerry Broke Agreement By Spending $1.2 Million Over Limit.
“[P]ost-election reports showed a last-minute infusion of $1.7 million
from Kerry’s wife, heiress Teresa Heinz. … [K]erry denied that his
campaign violated its agreement. The money had been loaned--not
contributed--by his wife, he explained. ‘There was nothing in the
agreement that restricted us from taking a loan … and we paid it back
in $1,000 and $2,000 chunks.’” (“Global Ecology Lobby
Rocked By Defection,” Political Finance, The Newsletter, 1/02)
Flip-Flopped
On Israel Security Fence
October 2003: Kerry Calls Fence “Barrier To Peace.” “And I know
how disheartened Palestinians are by the Israeli government’s decision
to build a barrier off the green line, cutting deeply into Palestinian
areas. We do not need another barrier to peace. Provocative and
counterproductive measures only harm Israel’s security over the long-
term, they increase hardships to the Palestinian people, and they make
the process of negotiating an eventual settlement that much harder.” (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks Before Arab American Institute
National Leadership Conference, Dearborn, MI, 10/17/03)
February 2004: Kerry Calls Fence “Legitimate Act Of Self-Defense.”
“US Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, the frontrunner in the race
for the Democratic presidential nomination, described Israel’s
construction of a security barrier as a ‘legitimate act of self
defense’ after Sunday’s suicide bombing in Jerusalem, clarifying a
position he took in October when he told an Arab American audience, ‘We
don’t need another barrier to peace.’” (Janine
Zacharia, “Kerry Defends Security Fence,” The Jerusalem Post, 2/25/04)
Flip-Flop-Flipped
On Ballistic Missile Defense
Kerry Called For Cancellation Of Missile Defense Systems In 1984 And
Has Voted Against Funding For Missile Defense At Least 53 Times Between
1985 And 2000. (“John Kerry On The Defense
Budget,” Campaign Position Paper, John Kerry For U.S. Senate, 1984; S.
1160, CQ Vote #99: Rejected 21-78: R 2-50; D 19-28, 6/4/85, Kerry Voted
Yea; S. 1160, CQ Vote #100: Rejected 38-57: R 6-45; D 32-12, 6/4/85,
Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1160, CQ Vote #101: Rejected 36-59: R 1-49; D
35-10, 6/4/85, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1160, CQ Vote #103: Rejected 33-62:
R 28-22; D 5-40, 6/4/85, Kerry Voted Nay; H.J. Res. 465, CQ Vote #365:
Motion Agreed To 64-32: R 49-2; D 15-30, 12/10/85, Kerry Voted Nay;
H.R. 4515, CQ Vote #122: Ruled Non-Germane 45-47: R 7-42; D 38-5,
6/6/86, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 2638, CQ Vote #176: Motion Agreed To 50-49:
R 41-11; D 9-38, 8/5/86, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2638, CQ Vote #177:
Rejected 49-50: R 10-42; D 39-8, 8/5/86, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1174, CQ
Vote #248: Motion Agreed To 58-38: R 8-37; D 50-1, 9/17/87, Kerry Voted
Yea; S. 1174, CQ Vote #259: Motion Agreed To 51-50: R 37-9; D 13-41,
With Vice President Bush Casting An “ Yea “ Vote, 9/22/87, Kerry Voted
Nay; S. 2355, CQ Vote #124: Motion Agreed To 66-29: R 38-6; D 28-23,
5/11/88, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2355, CQ Vote #125: Motion Agreed To
50-46: R 38-7; D 12-39, 5/11/88, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2355, CQ Vote
#126: Motion Rejected 47-50: R 38-6; D 9-44, 5/11/88, Kerry Voted Nay;
S. 2355, CQ Vote #128: Motion Rejected 48-50: R 6-39; D 42-11, 5/11/88,
Kerry Voted Yea; S. 2355, CQ Vote #136: Motion Agreed To 56-37: R 9-34;
D 47-3, 5/13/88, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 2355, CQ Vote #137: Motion Agreed
To 51-43: R 38-5; D 13-38, 5/13/88, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 4264, CQ Vote
#251: Motion Rejected 35-58: R 35-9; D 0-49, 7/14/88, Kerry Voted Nay;
H.R. 4781, CQ Vote #296: Motion Agreed To 50-44: R 5-39; D 45-5,
8/5/88, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1352, CQ Vote #148: Motion Agreed To 50-47:
R 37-6; D 13-41, 7/27/89, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 3072, CQ Vote #202:
Rejected 34-66: R 27-18; D 7-48, 9/26/89, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 3072,
CQ Vote #213: Adopted 53-47: R 39-6; D 14-41, 9/28/89, Kerry Voted Nay;
S. 2884, CQ Vote #223: Adopted 54-44: R 2-42; D 52-2, 8/4/90, Kerry
Voted Yea; S. 2884, CQ Vote #225: Motion Agreed To 56-41: R 39-4; D
17-37, 8/4/90, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2884, CQ Vote #226: Motion Agreed To
54-43: R 37-6; D 17-37, 8/4/90, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 3189, CQ Vote #273:
Passed 79-16: R 37-5; D 42-11, 10/15/90, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 5803, CQ
Vote #319: Adopted 80-17: R 37-6; D 43-11, 10/26/90, Kerry Voted Nay;
H.R. 4739, CQ Vote #320: Adopted 80-17: R 37-6; D 43-11, 10/26/90,
Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1507, CQ Vote #168: Rejected 39-60: R 4-39; D
35-21, 7/31/91, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1507, CQ Vote #171: Motion Agreed
To 60-38: R 40-3; D 20-35, 8/1/91, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1507, CQ Vote
#172: Motion Agreed To 64-34: R 39-4; D 25-30, 8/1/91, Kerry Voted Nay;
S. 1507, CQ Vote #173: Rejected 46-52: R 5-38; D 41-14, 8/1/91, Kerry
Voted Yea; H.R. 2521, CQ Vote #207: Motion Agreed To 50-49: R 38-5; D
12-44, 9/25/91, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2403, CQ Vote #85: Adopted 61-38: R
7-36; D 54-2, 5/6/92, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 4990, CQ Vote #108: Adopted
90-9: R 34-9; D 56-0, 5/21/92, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 3114, CQ Vote #182:
Motion Rejected 43-49: R 34-5; D 9-44, 8/7/92, Kerry Voted Nay; S.
3114, CQ Vote #214: Rejected 48-50: R 5-38; D 43-12, 9/17/92, Kerry
Voted Yea; S. 3114, CQ Vote #215: Adopted 52-46: R 39-4; D 13-42,
9/17/92, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 5504, CQ Vote #228: Adopted 89-4: R
36-4; D 53-0, 9/22/92, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1298, CQ Vote #251: Adopted
50-48: R 6-36; D 44-12, 9/9/93, Kerry Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 63, CQ
Vote #64: Rejected 40-59: R 2-42; D 38-17, 3/22/94, Kerry Voted Yea; S.
1026, CQ Vote #354: Motion Agreed To 51-48: R 47-6; D 4-42, 8/3/95,
Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1087, CQ Vote #384: Rejected 45-54: R 5-49; D 40-5,
8/10/95, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1087, CQ Vote #397: Passed 62-35: R 48-4;
D 14-31, 9/5/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 1530, CQ Vote #399: Passed
64-34: R 50-3; D 14-31, 9/6/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2126, CQ Vote
#579: Adopted 59-39: R 48-5; D 11-34, 11/16/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R.
1530, CQ Vote #608: Adopted 51-43: R 47-2; D 4-41, 12/19/95, Kerry
Voted Nay; S. 1635, CQ Vote #157: Rejected 53-46: R 52-0; D 1-46,
6/4/96, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1745, CQ Vote #160: Rejected 44-53: R 4-49;
D 40-4, 6/19/96, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1745, CQ Vote #187: Passed 68-31:
R 50-2; D 18-29, 7/10/96, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 936, CQ Vote #171:
Rejected 43-56: R 2-53; D 41-3, 7/11/97, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1873, CQ
Vote #131: Motion Rejected 59-41: R 55-0; D 4-41, 5/13/98, Kerry Voted
Nay; S. 1873, CQ Vote #262: Motion Rejected 59-41: R 55-0; D 4-41,
9/9/98, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2549, CQ Vote #178: Motion Agreed To 52-48:
R 52-3; D 0-45, 7/13/00, Kerry Voted Nay)
Kerry Then
Claimed To Support Missile Defense. “I support the development of
an effective defense against ballistic missiles that is deployed with
maximum transparency and consultation with U.S. allies and other major
powers. If there is a real potential of a rogue nation firing missiles
at any city in the United States, responsible leadership requires that
we make our best, most thoughtful efforts to defend against that
threat. The same is true of accidental launch. If it were to happen, no
leader could ever explain not having chosen to defend against the
disaster when doing so made sense.” (Peace Action
Website, “Where Do The Candidates Stand On Foreign Policy?”
http://www.peace-action.org/2004/Kerry.html, Accessed 3/10/04)
Now Kerry Campaign Says He Will Defund Missile Defense. FOX
NEWS’ MAJOR GARRETT: “Kerry would not say how much all of this would
cost. A top military adviser said the Massachusetts Senator would pay
for some of it by stopping all funds to deploy a national ballistic
missile defense system, one that Kerry doesn’t believe will work.”
KERRY ADVISOR RAND BEERS: “He would not go forward at this time because
there is not a proof of concept.” (Fox News’ “Special
Report,” 3/17/03)
Flip-Flopped
On 1991 Iraq War Coalition
At The Time, Kerry Questioned Strength Of 1991 Coalition. “I
keep hearing from people, ‘Well, the coalition is fragile, it won’t
stay together,’ and my response to that is, if the coalition is so
fragile, then what are the vital interests and what is it that compels
us to risk our young American’s lives if the others aren’t willing to
stay the … course of peace? … I voted against the president, I’m
convinced we’re doing this the wrong way …” (CBS’
“This Morning,” 1/16/91)
Now Kerry Has Nothing But Praise For 1991 Coalition. SEN. JOHN
KERRY: “In my speech on the floor of the Senate I made it clear, you
are strongest when you act with other nations. All presidents,
historically, his father, George Herbert Walker Bush, did a brilliant
job of building a legitimate coalition and even got other people to
help pay for the war.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,”
1/11/04)
Flip-Flopped
On View Of War On Terror
Kerry Said War On Terror Is “Basically A Manhunt.” “Kerry was
asked about Bush’s weekend appearance on ‘Meet the Press’ when he
called himself a ‘war president.’ The senator, who watched the session,
remarked: ‘The war on terrorism is a very different war from the way
the president is trying to sell it to us. It’s a serious challenge, and
it is a war of sorts, but it is not the kind of war they’re trying to
market to America.’ Kerry characterized the war on terror as
predominantly an intelligence-gathering and law enforcement operation.
‘It’s basically a manhunt,’ he said. ‘You gotta know who they are,
where they are, what they’re planning, and you gotta be able to go get
‘em before they get us.’” (Katherine M. Skiba, “Bush,
Kerry Turn Focus To Each Other,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2/13/04)
Two Weeks Later, Kerry Flip-Flopped, Saying War On Terror Is More
Than “A Manhunt”. “This war isn’t just a manhunt – a checklist of
names from a deck of cards. In it, we do not face just one man or one
terrorist group. We face a global jihadist movement of many groups,
from different sources, with separate agendas, but all committed to
assaulting the United States and free and open societies around the
globe.” (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At University Of
California At Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 2/27/04)
Flip-Flopped
On Funding For Our Troops In Iraq
Kerry Pledged To Fund Reconstruction With “Whatever Number” Of
Dollars It Took. NBC’S TIM RUSSERT: “Do you believe that we should
reduce funding that we are now providing for the operation in Iraq?”
SEN. JOHN KERRY: “No. I think we should increase it.” RUSSERT:
“Increase funding?” KERRY: “Yes.” RUSSERT: “By how much?” KERRY: “By
whatever number of billions of dollars it takes to win. It is critical
that the United States of America be successful in Iraq, Tim.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,” 8/31/03)
Then Kerry Voted Against Senate Passage Of Iraq/Afghanistan
Reconstruction Package. “Passage of the bill that would appropriate
$86.5 billion in fiscal 2004 supplemental spending for military
operations and reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill would
provide $10.3 billion as a grant to rebuild Iraq, including $5.1
billion for security and $5.2 billion for reconstruction costs. It also
would provide $10 billion as a loan that would be converted to a grant
if 90 percent of all bilateral debt incurred by the former Iraqi regime
of Saddam Hussein has been forgiven by other countries. Separate
provisions limit reconstruction aid to $18.4 billion. It also would
provide approximately $65.6 billion for military operations and
maintenance and $1.3 billion for veterans medical care.” (S. 1689, CQ Vote #400: Passed 87-12: R 50-0; D 37-11; I
0-1, 10/17/03, Kerry Voted Nay)
Kerry Later Claimed: “I Actually Did Vote For The $87 Billion Before
I Voted Against It.” (Glen Johnson, “Kerry Blasts
Bush On Protecting Troops,” The Boston Globe, 3/17/04)
Flip-Flopped
On Tapping Strategic Petroleum Reserve
In February 2000, Kerry Said Release Of Oil From Strategic Petroleum
Reserve Would Not Be “Relevant.” “Without being specific, Kerry, a
key member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, suggested the US
could retaliate economically in other trade areas. He also said he does
not want a release of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. A
release ‘is not relevant. It would take months for the oil to get to
the market,’ he said.” (Cathy Landry, “US Energy Chief
Warns Of Gasoline Crisis,” Platt’s Oilgram News, 2/17/00)
Now, In March 2004, Kerry Called For Stop In Filling Strategic
Petroleum Reserve To Reduce Prices. “Kerry would pressure
oil-producing nations to increase production and temporarily suspend
filling the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, according to campaign
documents. ... ‘The Bush administration has put the SPR fill program on
automatic pilot without regard to the short-term effect on the US
market,’ the campaign documents said. ‘The program needs better
management ... Kerry would temporarily suspend filling SPR until oil
prices return to normal levels.’” (Patricia Wilson,
“Kerry To Offer Plan To Reduce Record Gasoline Prices,” Reuters,
3/29/04)
Flip
Flopped On Internet Taxation
In 1998, Kerry Voted To Allow States To Continue Taxing Internet
Access After Moratorium Took Effect. Kerry voted against tabling an
amendment that would extend the moratorium from two years to three
years and allow states that currently impose taxes on Internet access
to continue doing so after the moratorium takes effect. (S.
442, CQ Vote #306: Motion Rejected 28-69: R 27-27; D 1-42, 10/7/98,
Kerry Voted Nay)
In 2001, Kerry Voted To Extend Internet Tax Moratorium Until 2005
And Allow States To Form Uniform Internet Tax System With Approval Of
Congress. (H.R. 1552, CQ Vote #341: Motion Agreed
To 57-43: R 35-14; D 22-28; I 0-1, 11/15/01, Kerry Voted Nay)
Kerry Said “We Do Not Support Any Tax On The Internet Itself.”
“We do not support any tax on the Internet itself. We don’t support
access taxes. We don’t support content taxes. We don’t support
discriminatory taxes. Many of us would like to see a permanent
moratorium on all of those kinds of taxes. At the same time, a lot of
us were caught in a place where we thought it important to send the
message that we have to get back to the table in order to come to a
consensus as to how we equalize the economic playing field in the
United States in a way that is fair.” (Sen. John
Kerry, Congressional Record, 11/15/01, p. S11902)