Topics in the News: Three Strikes
Dennis Kucinich on Drugs
: Dec 1, 2007
Reduce sentencing disparity for crack cocaine retroactively
Q: The US Sentencing Commission recently limited the disparity in sentencing guidelines for those convicted of crimes involving crack cocaine versus crimes involving powder cocaine. Should that change be retroactive? CLINTON: I believe we've got to
decrease the disparity that exists. But I have problems with retroactivity.
DODD: I'd be inclined to say yes on the retroactivity.
EDWARDS: I'm not just inclined to say yes; the answer is yes, absolutely; it should be retroactive.
KUCINICH: Yes.
Click for Dennis Kucinich on other issues.
Source: 2007 Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum
Hillary Clinton on Crime
: Dec 1, 2007
Address the unacceptable increase in incarceration
Q: Some people say your husband's crime bill is one of the primary factors behind the rising incarceration rate for blacks and Latinos. It earmarked $8 billion dollars for prisons and continued a trend to harsher sentencing. Do you regret how this has
affected the black community?A: I think that the results--not only at the federal level but at the state level--have been an unacceptable increase in incarceration across the board & now we have to address that. At the time, there were reasons why the
Congress wanted to push through a certain set of penalties and increase prison construction and there was a lot of support for that across a lot of communities. It's hard to remember now but the crime rate in the early 1990s was very high.
But we've got to take stock now of the consequences, so that's why I want to have a thorough review of all of the penalties, of all the kinds of sentencing, and more importantly start having more diversion and having more second chance programs.
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Source: 2007 Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum
Chris Dodd on Drugs
: Dec 1, 2007
Reduce sentencing disparity for crack cocaine retroactively
Q: The US Sentencing Commission recently limited the disparity in sentencing guidelines for those convicted of crimes involving crack cocaine versus crimes involving powder cocaine. Should that change be retroactive? CLINTON: I believe we've got to
decrease the disparity that exists. But I have problems with retroactivity.
DODD: I'd be inclined to say yes on the retroactivity.
EDWARDS: I'm not just inclined to say yes; the answer is yes, absolutely; it should be retroactive.
KUCINICH: Yes.
Click for Chris Dodd on other issues.
Source: 2007 Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum
John Edwards on Drugs
: Dec 1, 2007
Reduce sentencing disparity for crack cocaine retroactively
Q: The US Sentencing Commission recently limited the disparity in sentencing guidelines for those convicted of crimes involving crack cocaine versus crimes involving powder cocaine. Should that change be retroactive? CLINTON: I believe we've got to
decrease the disparity that exists. But I have problems with retroactivity.
DODD: I'd be inclined to say yes on the retroactivity.
EDWARDS: I'm not just inclined to say yes; the answer is yes, absolutely; it should be retroactive.
KUCINICH: Yes.
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Source: 2007 Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum
Hillary Clinton on Drugs
: Dec 1, 2007
Reduce sentencing disparity for crack, but not retroactively
Q: The US Sentencing Commission recently limited the disparity in sentencing guidelines for those convicted of crimes involving crack cocaine versus crimes involving powder cocaine. Should that change be retroactive? A: I believe we've got to decrease
the disparity that exists. It is really unconscionable that someone who uses five grams of crack cocaine, compared to 500 grams of powder cocaine would face such disparate sentencing. And it's further compounded because the possession of crack cocaine
really is unique in the way that it leads directly to prison for so many people. So I am going to tackle the disparity. I think it definitely needs to be prospective on principle. I have problems with retroactivity. I think that it's something that a lot
of communities will be concerned about as well, so let's tackle this disparity, let's take it on. The sentencing commission hasn't come forward yet with its specific recommendation but I'm looking forward to seeing it.
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: 2007 Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum
Mike Huckabee on Crime
: Sep 27, 2007
Nonsense of Three-Strikes makes system overrun with people
Q: What policy would you support to guarantee young Black and Latino men a fairer equal justice system? A: We really don't have so much a crime problem in this country. We have a drug and alcohol problem. We've got to quit locking up all the people
that we're mad at and lock up the people that we're really afraid of, the people who are sexual predators and violent offenders. But the nonsense of three strikes and you're out has created a system that is overrun with people, and the cost is choking us
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Source: 2007 GOP Presidential Forum at Morgan State University
Chris Dodd on Drugs
: Sep 13, 2007
Decriminalize marijuana but don't legalize it
Let me go beyond marijuana here in terms of crack cocaine or powder cocaine, where we have differentials in prison sentences here. So I would decriminalize, or certainly advocate as president, the decriminalization of statutes
that would incarcerate or severely penalize people for using marijuana. I know there are a lot of people across the political spectrum who would just totally legalize it. I don't go that far.
Click for Chris Dodd on other issues.
Source: Huffington Post Mash-Up: 2007 Democratic on-line debate
Fred Thompson on Crime
: Sep 1, 2007
3,500 distinct crimes means over-federalization of law
There are more than 3,500 distinct federal crimes and more than 10,000 administrative regulations scattered over 50 sections of the US Code that runs at more than 27,000 pages. More than 40% of these regulatory criminal laws have been enacted since 1973.
I held hearings on the over-federalization of criminal law when I was in the Senate. You hear that the states are not doing a good job at prosecuting certain crimes, that their sentencing laws are not tough enough, that it's too easy to make bail in
state court. If these are true, why allow those responsible in the states to shirk that responsibility by having the federal government make up for the shortcomings in state law? Accountability gets displaced. Now, there are plenty of areas in
criminal law where a federal role is appropriate. More and more crime occurs across state and national boundaries; the Internet is increasingly a haven for illegal activity. A federal role is appropriate in these and other instances.
Click for Fred Thompson on other issues.
Source: Campaign website, www.Fred08.com, "Principles"
Joe Biden on Crime
: Jul 31, 2007
Supports sentencing guidelines to put away violent criminals
Since the mid-1970s I'd been working on crime issues in the Judiciary Committee, and since the mid-1980s I had been the Democrats' point man in the Senate on crime legislation. While
I have always been a defender of robust civil liberties for the accused, I have worked hard to give police the tools to fight crime--more cops on the street, better equipment, sentencing guidelines that put people away for committing violent crimes.
There have been times when my Democratic colleagues have thought I've gone too far over to the side of the police in law-and-order issues, but I have always felt that public safety and security is the first duty of government.
A government must ensure safe homes, streets, schools, and public places before it can fulfill any other promises.
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Source: Promises to Keep, by Joe Biden, p.239
Mitt Romney on Crime
: Jul 21, 2007
One Strike, You're Ours: lifetime GPS tracking
Governor Romney announced that he would propose a "One Strike, You're Ours" law for those convicted of preying on children using the Internet. Massachusetts Republican District Attorneys and Sheriffs support Governor
Romney's proposal for stiff mandatory jail time to be followed by lifetime tracking by Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) for first-time offenders: "As Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney was a strong defender of children.
He led the effort to put photos of the state's most dangerous sex offenders on the Internet and made it easier to extend civil commitments for sex offenders. As a candidate for president, Governor Romney is once-again demonstrating strong leadership in
protecting our children. His 'One Strike, You're Ours' law is an important initiative to strengthen law enforcement and protect America's sons and daughters. We are proud to stand alongside Governor Romney in his campaign for our nation's highest office.
Click for Mitt Romney on other issues.
Source: Press Release, "Law Enforcement Officials"
Hillary Clinton on Crime
: Jun 28, 2007
Mandatory sentences have been too widely used
We have to do all of these things:- We do have to go after racial profiling. I've supported legislation to try to tackle that.
- We have to go after mandatory minimums. You know, mandatory sentences for certain violent crimes may be appropriate,
but it has been too widely used. And it is using now a discriminatory impact.
- We need diversion, like drug courts. Non-violent offenders should not be serving hard time in our prisons. They need to be diverted from our prison system.
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Source: 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University
John Edwards on Crime
: Jun 28, 2007
Our justice system is not color-blind
Q: In the last decade, whites were 70% of persons arrested, but only 40% of inmates. Why?A: Changing mandatory minimum, changing the disparity between crack and powder cocaine--those things are correct. If you're African-American, you're more likely
to be charged with a crime. If you're charged with a crime, you're more likely to be convicted of the crime. If you're convicted of the crime, you're more likely to get a severe sentence. There is no question that our justice system is not color-blind.
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Source: 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University
Chris Dodd on Crime
: Jun 28, 2007
Mandatory minimum sentencing has been a disaster
I think the mandatory minimum sentencing has been a disaster. And then obviously, as well, we need to have a Justice Department that is not going to be politicized, as we've watched this one, with
US attorneys who do the political work rather than doing the justices' work in our country. As president, I will insist upon that. I'm sure the rest of my colleagues would here. We'll get better justice with Democrats in the White House.
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Source: 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University
Joe Biden on Drugs
: Jun 28, 2007
Divert drug offenders out of prison system
- The bulk of sentencing inequity is at the state level, not at the federal level.
- We need diversion out of the system. I'm the guy that wrote the drug court legislation that is in the law right now.
- You have to eliminate the disparity
between crack & powdered cocaine. I've introduced legislation to do that.
- You have to find a way in which you insist that the states apply the law equally--they don't.
- 300,000 will come out addicted from the prison this year
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Source: 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University
Chris Dodd on Crime
: Jun 28, 2007
Eliminate distinction between crack cocaine & powder cocaine
Q: In the last decade, whites were 70% of persons arrested, but only 40% of inmates. Why?A: I think the mandatory minimum sentencing has been a disaster. I'm a strong supporter of Charlie
Rangel's efforts here to eliminate the distinction between crack cocaine and powder cocaine. That'll have a big difference in terms of who actually goes to jail in this country.
Click for Chris Dodd on other issues.
Source: 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University
Mike Gravel on Crime
: May 23, 2007
Eliminate mandatory minimum sentencing laws
The US incarcerates more people and at a higher rate than any other peacetime nation in the world. The number of US residents behind bars has now reached 2.3 million. We are losing an entire generation of young men and women to our prisons. We must
eliminate mandatory minimum sentencing laws. We must increase the use of alternative penalties for nonviolent drug offenders. Prisons in this country should be a legitimate criminal sanction--but it should be an extension of a fair, just and wise society
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Source: Campaign website, www.gravel2008.us, "Issues"
Mike Huckabee on Drugs
: Jan 4, 2007
Supports drug courts for non-violent drug offendors
80% of all those incarcerated were there because of drugs or alcohol; and were drunk or high when they committed their crime, or committed the crime in order to get drunk or high. We don't have a crime problem; we have a drug and alcohol problem.
While those who deal drugs and entice others into enslaving addictions deserve prison sentences, we end up locking away many non-violent drug users, some of whom spend longer periods in prison than they would if they committed a violent crime.
A major reform in dealing with drug offenders in Arkansas was the establishment of drug courts, where a non-violent drug offender could be directed to enroll in drug treatment programs or heavily supervised community service.
The recidivism rate dropped to 31%. More significantly, the cost per day was lower than that of prison, while at the same time allowing the offender to regain his or her life.
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Source: From Hope to Higher Ground, by Mike Huckabee, p. 89
Rudy Giuliani on Crime
: May 3, 2006
Prefers death penalty for 9/11 conspirators
Giuliani reacted with a mixture of disappointment and respect to the announcement of a life prison sentence for Zacarias Moussaoui, the only person convicted for involvement in the Sept. 11 attacks. "I would have preferred to see the death penalty, but
I kind of stand in awe of how our legal system works that it can come to a result like this," Giuliani said. Giuliani noted that he had testified in the penalty phase of Moussaoui's trial. "I would have preferred a different verdict. But it does show
that we have a legal system that we follow, that we respect it. And it is exactly what is missing in the parts of the world or a lot of the parts of the world that are breeding terrorism. Maybe there is something good that comes out of this in showing
these people that we are a free society, a lawful society . that we have respect for people's rights and that we can have disagreements about whether the death penalty should be imposed on somebody like Moussaoui."
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Source: MSNBC on msn.com, "Disappointed in Moussaoui verdict"
Bill Richardson on Drugs
: Nov 3, 2005
Pushed "War on DWI"--you drink, you drive, you lose
When I took office, drunken driving in NM had reached epidemic proportions. Our rate of DWI arrests was running 50% above the national average. DWI was the leading cause of death & injury among New Mexicans 44-years old & younger, and the estimated cost
in medical bills, higher insurance rates, and other expenses topped $1 billion per year.We now have one of the best programs in the country. We started with stiffer laws for repeat offenders--an additional four years added to a drunk driver's sentence
for each prior conviction. Before, jail time was not mandatory for DWI offenders who violated the terms of their probation; it is now. We also cracked down on repeat offenders in other ways, lowering the DWI blood alcohol limit from .8 to .6 and making
participation in a treatment program mandatory. We set up a hotline to report suspicious driving and created a radio/TV advertising campaign that featured me hammering home the anti-DWI point in six words: "You drink, you drive, you lose." No exceptions.
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Source: Between Worlds, by Bill Richardson, p.323-325
Newt Gingrich on Crime
: Oct 1, 2005
3-strike laws are constitutional; enforce courts compliance
Anyone who thinks the various decisions of the Supreme Court are not adequately worrisome need only look at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to see how far the Left-liberals will go and how domination by secular Left-liberal judges will change America.
For example, consider the following Ninth Court decisions: - Andrade v. Attorney General of California, (2001): The Ninth Circuit said the California three-strikes law was unconstitional; the Supreme Court reversed it.
- Summerlin v.
Stewart, (2003): The Ninth Circuit ruled that death sentences must be enacted by a jury, and not a judge, and that the ruling applied retroactively, voiding the death sentences of over 100 inmates. The Supreme Court reversed the retroactive ruling.
When a court is reversed this often, it clearly fails to meet the "good behavior" test of the Constitution. The good behavior test should be enforced. It wold certainly focus the Ninth Circuit's attention on survival rather than radicalism.
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Source: Winning the Future, by Newt Gingrich, p. 58-60
Dennis Kucinich on Crime
: Jan 25, 2004
Ban the death penalty-98% of those convicted are poor
Q: Do you support the death penalty?A: I oppose the death penalty and would ban it. Ninety-eight percent of defendants sentenced to death have been people who could not afford their own attorneys. One death row inmate is found innocent for every seven
executed. African-American defendants are more likely to receive death sentences than others who committed similar crimes. And the death penalty does nothing to deter crime that can't be accomplished at least as well without it.
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Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, "Death Penalty"
John Edwards on Drugs
: Jan 1, 2004
Disparity in penalty for crack vs. powder is not justified
Improve Drug Sentencing: Today, a drug user with the same amount of cocaine is punished very differently depending on the type of cocaine - for crack cocaine the penalty is 100 times greater than for powder cocaine.
This disparity is not justified. Edwards will address this disparity while at the same time imposing harsher sentences on drug crimes involving weapons, violence, or other aggravating circumstances.
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Source: Campaign website, JohnEdwards.com, "Real Solutions"
Dennis Kucinich on Drugs
: Sep 9, 2003
Emphasizes rehabilitation over incarceration
Q: Most of the people who use drugs are white. Most of the people who are sentenced for drug possession and sales are black. What will you do to reverse this unfair trend?KUCINICH: First of all, we have to acknowledge that drug sentencing
ends up being discriminatory, that our drug laws are harsh in that they emphasize not just criminalization but they emphasize incarceration. We need different thinking today. My presidency will mean that we will begin to emphasize the rehabilitation
of people who are afflicted with drug use. And we will begin to emphasize giving people an opportunity to fully recover. This is one of the reasons why we need a not-for-profit health care system which includes treatment of substance abusers.
This is why we need to make sure we focus this country on a cause which takes us away from this punitive approach that we use for people who are trapped in drug use. We need an approach which emphasizes rehabilitation over incarceration.
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Source: Congressional Black Caucus Institute debate
Mike Huckabee on Drugs
: Nov 1, 2002
Stricter penalties for drug-related crimes
Indicate which principles you support to address crime. - Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
- Support the .08 blood-alcohol-content limit defining drunk driving.
-
Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
- Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
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Source: 2002 AR Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test
Mitt Romney on Crime
: Sep 17, 2002
Reform sentencing process; appeal too-lenient sentences
Romney and Healey pledged to enact strong sentencing guidelines, especially for sex crimes, and vowed to level the playing field for prosecutors by giving them the right to appeal lenient sentences imposed on criminals.
Click for Mitt Romney on other issues.
Source: Campaign web site, www.romney2002.com, "Issues"
Mitt Romney on Crime
: Mar 21, 2002
Favored mandatory sentencing and three strikes
- Supported death penalty
- Wanted to abolish parole, limit probation, and end furloughs and release programs for violent or repeat offenders
-
Favored mandatory sentencing and three strikes and you're out
- Supported restrictions on plea bargaining
- His crime prevention efforts also focused on instilling family values.
Click for Mitt Romney on other issues.
Source: Boston Globe review of 1994 canpaign issues
Tommy Thompson on Crime
: Jan 31, 2001
Building more prisons reduces the crime rate
We restored public confidence in the criminal justice system with truth in sentencing, strengthened our juvenile code by replacing a soft touch with tough love, and kept sexual predators off our streets until they’re deemed not to be a threat.
While no one likes to build prisons, there is an unmistakable correlation between rising prison populations and the lowest crime rates in 30 years. When the bad guys are behind bars, they’re not committing crimes.
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Source: State of the State Address
Tommy Thompson on Crime
: Jan 8, 2001
Two strikes and you’re out for serious child sex crimes
Gov. Thompson has added a protective layer of security around our playgrounds, and neighborhoods from sex offenders who prey on children by creating a “two strikes, you’re out”
provision for serious child sex offenders. Any person convicted of a second sexual assault against a child will be sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Click for Tommy Thompson on other issues.
Source: WI Governor’s website
Tommy Thompson on Crime
: Jan 8, 2001
Three strikes and you’re out for felony convictions
“Three Strikes, You’re Out” - Gets tough with habitual criminals with mandating life in prison for the third felony conviction.
Click for Tommy Thompson on other issues.
Source: WI Governor’s website
Tommy Thompson on Crime
: Dec 25, 2000
Truth in Sentencing, no exceptions
Gov. Thompson eliminated the charade of parole and mandatory release, imposing a new program called Truth in Sentencing.The program is as straightforward as it sounds: a criminal will serve 100 percent of his or her sentence. No exceptions.
No excuses. From now on, when a judge hands down a 20-year sentence, the criminal will serve 20 years behind bars. “We are weighting the scales of justice back in favor of the law-abiding citizens of Wisconsin,” Gov. Thompson said.
Judges will now hand down two sentences: a prison sentence and an extended supervision sentence. The extended supervision sentence must be at least 25 percent of the prison sentence. Therefore, on a 20-year prison sentence, the
criminal must spend at least five years under extended supervision after serving his sentence.
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Source: Wisconsin Governor’s web site
Tommy Thompson on Crime
: Dec 25, 2000
Life means life, no possibility of parole
Gov. Thompson also eliminates time off for good behavior and replaces it with more time for bad behavior. Prison officials can now extend a disruptive prisoner’s time behind bars as well as transfer a prisoner to a more secure and strict prison.
The governor created a “life means life” law that allows judges to sentence murderers to prison without the possibility of parole.
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Source: Wisconsin Governor’s web site
Al Gore on Crime
: Jul 18, 2000
Victims need protection and justice
Al Gore today announced a Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights that will include a Constitutional amendment guaranteeing important protections for crime victims such as the right to be heard in the sentencing process or to be notified of a perpetrator’s
release. Other measures would entitle victims to leave from work to attend legal proceedings and help protect women and children from domestic violence. “I am proposing a Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights -- so our justice system puts victims and their
families first. “I’m not satisfied when accused criminals have all kinds of rights, but victims don’t have rights that are always protected and guaranteed.” Gore’s Crime
Victims’ Bill of Rights would cost $685 million over ten years, be paid for out of the budget surplus.
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Source: Press Release, “Victims’ Bill of Rights”
Al Gore on Crime
: Feb 21, 2000
Three Strikes should apply only to truly violent crimes
GORE: [Regarding race-biased sentencing], the disparities between crack & powder cocaine are not justified by the scientific evidence. The practices of many law-enforcement agencies need to be changed.BRADLEY: The issue of the criminal justice system
is deeper than simply the death penalty. There is unequal justice in this country, not only racial profiling, not only crack cocaine, but also in terms of kids getting mandatory sentences for first-time non-violent drug use and being put away 20 years.
That should not happen.
GORE: We should review of the kinds of penalty that are calculated under the [policy of] “three strikes and you’re out.” The focus ought to be on truly violent crime. We need to continue reducing the crime rate, and community
policing is a good strategy. But we also need more prevention.
BRADLEY. This is a deeper moral issue for the country. We have to stop denying the plight of black Americans and the indignities that they’re experiencing.
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Source: (X-ref to Bradley) Democrat debate in Harlem, NYC
Al Gore on Crime
: Jan 17, 2000
Recognizes disparities in sentencing blacks
We need to recognize the inequities in our criminal justice system which have, in part, resulted in the very high incarceration rate for African Americans. We have to recognize that while everyone in our country, from every group, wants to see
vigorous enforcement of the law and reduction in crime, there has to be equal enforcement, including in sentencing. And there are disparities in sentencing that need to be addressed.
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Source: Democrat Debate in Des Moines, Iowa
John McCain on Crime
: Jan 13, 2000
More death penalty; stricter sentencing
McCain supports the following principles regarding crime:- Broaden use of the death penalty
- Impose stricter penalties for violent felons
- Increase spending to build more federal prisons
- Impose “truth in sentencing” for violent criminals so
they serve full sentences
- Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
- Support programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
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Source: Vote-Smart.org 2000 NPAT
Al Gore on Drugs
: Nov 19, 1999
Decrease disparities in punishing crack vs. powder cocaine
Al Gore all but said the laws that treat crack cocaine far more harshly than powdered cocaine should be eliminated. A person currently caught with 5 grams of crack cocaine would get the same 5-year sentence as a person caught with 500 grams of powder,
a 100-to-1 ratio. The Senate voted to reduce the ratio to 10-to-1. But Gore said that is not enough. “The remaining disparities should be dealt with,” Gore said. The 100-to-1 law had become the top symbol of racism in the criminal INjustice system.
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Source: Derrick Z. Jackson, Boston Globe editorial
John McCain on Gun Control
: May 10, 1999
Youth Violence Prevention Act restricts guns for kids
McCain has introduced the “Youth Violence Prevention Act.”The legislation would:- prevent juveniles from illegal access to weapons and punish those who would assist them in doing so
- prohibit juveniles who commit acts of gun violence from
purchasing guns in the future
- sentence juveniles convicted of violent crimes under adult guidelines
- and punish juveniles who illegally carry or use handguns in schools.
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Source: www.mccain2000.com/ “Press Releases”
Newt Gingrich on Drugs
: Nov 1, 1998
Increase penalties for illegal drugs
Indicate which principles you support concerning illegal drugs. - Increase penalties for selling illegal drugs.
- Impose mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs.
- Impose capital punishment for convicted international drug
traffickers.
- Strengthen current laws dealing with non-controlled substances.
- Other: "Overhaul Border Patrol, INS, U.S. Customs, & DEA handling of drugs. Use National Guard & triple fencing to seal off the border."
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Source: Congressional 1998 National Political Awareness Test
Barack Obama on Crime
: Jul 2, 1998
Supports alternative sentencing and rehabilitation
Principles that Obama supports to address crime:- Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
- Increase state funds for programs which rehabilitate and educate inmates during and after their prison sentences.
- Provide funding for military-style "boot camps" for first-time juvenile felons.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: 1998 IL State Legislative National Political Awareness Test
John McCain on Drugs
: Jul 2, 1998
Stricter penalties; stricter enforcement
McCain supports the following principles concerning illegal drugs:- Increase penalties for selling illegal drugs
- Impose mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs
- Impose capital punishment for convicted international drug traffickers
- Strengthen current laws dealing with non-controlled substances, including inhalants and commercially available pills
- Increase funding for border security to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the US
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Source: Project Vote Smart, 1998, www.vote-smart.org
John McCain on Crime
: Jul 2, 1998
Pro-death penalty; more prisons; increased penalties
McCain supports the following principles to address crime:- Broaden use of the death penalty
- Build more federal prisons
- Impose “truth in sentencing” for violent criminals
- Fund programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and
job-related skills
- Expand funding for community policing programs
- Increase penalties for the possession of any illegal firearms
- Prosecute youths accused of a felony as adults
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Source: Project Vote Smart, 1998, www.vote-smart.org
Tommy Thompson on Crime
: Feb 23, 1997
All felons will serve complete prison sentence
If a felon is sentenced to 20 years, he should serve 20 years. No exceptions. The current system provides the possibility that inmates can be eligible for parole after serving one-fourth of their sentences.
There will be time off for good behavior. Parole and mandatory release from prison will no longer exist. Time can be added on for the prisoner who misbehaves.
Click for Tommy Thompson on other issues.
Source: Speech on crime
Bill Richardson on Drugs
: Nov 1, 1996
Mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs
Indicate which principles you support concerning illegal drugs. - Increase penalties for selling illegal drugs.
- Impose mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs.
-
Impose capital punishment for convicted international drug traffickers.
- Increase funding of federally-sponsored drug education and drug treatment programs.
Click for Bill Richardson on other issues.
Source: 1996 Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Bill Richardson on Crime
: Nov 1, 1996
Impose "truth in sentencing" for violent criminals
Indicate which principles you support to address crime. - Broaden use of the death penalty for federal crimes.
- Impose "truth in sentencing" for violent criminals so they serve full sentences with no chance of parole.
- Limit the number of
appeals allowed to inmates on death row.
- Fund programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills.
- Expand funding for community policing programs.
- Prosecute youths accused of murder as adults.
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Source: 1996 Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Fred Thompson on Crime
: Nov 1, 1994
Impose truth in sentencing for violent crime
If elected to Congress, which of the following proposals will you support to address the problem of crime? - Impose "truth in sentencing" legislation for violent criminals so they serve a full sentence with no chance of parole.
-
Prosecute as adults youths who are third-time violent felons.
- Impose the death penalty for certain federal crimes.
- Impose mandatory life sentences for third time violent felons.
- Other: "Habeas corpus reform."
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Source: Congressional 1994 National Political Awareness Test
Mitt Romney on Crime
: Oct 24, 1994
Supports death penalty and "three strikes" sentencing
Romney's crime platform contains little that is radical or new - pro-death penalty, tough sentencing for violent offenders, support for "three strikes," and support for judges who are tough on crime.
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Source: Anthony Flint in Boston Globe
Hillary Clinton on Crime
: Aug 10, 1994
Supports “Three Strikes” and more prison
There is something wrong when a crime bill takes six years to work its way through Congress and the average criminal serves only four.We need more police,
we need more and tougher prison sentences for repeat offenders. The three strikes and you’re out for violent offenders has to be part of the plan. We need more prisons to keep violent offenders for as long as it takes to keep them off the streets.
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: Unique Voice, p.189-90: Remarks at Annual Women in Policing