December 2007
The Presidential Candidates and Higher Education
The Presidential Candidates and Higher Education
The 2008 presidential primary and caucus season is well underway. It began much earlier than usual and quickly hit a rigorous pace. The Iowa Caucuses will take place on Thursday, January 3 and the New Hampshire Primary is set for Tuesday, January 8. Those elections will be followed by six other primaries and caucuses. On Tuesday, February 5, 23 states across the country will hold primaries and caucuses; this is the closest the nation has come to a national primary. The presidential primary in New York State will be held that day.
The run-up to the caucuses and primaries included several debates among the Democratic and Republican candidates for president. The debates have focused on issues such as foreign policy, health care and immigration.
Higher education is also an important topic that will significantly affect the future of the United States. Unfortunately, it is an issue that is rarely addressed by the candidates. This newsletter is intended to provide a summary about the candidates and their positions on higher education matters. Links to the candidates’ Web sites are also included for those who would like more information.
The Democrats
The run-up to the caucuses and primaries included several debates among the Democratic and Republican candidates for president. The debates have focused on issues such as foreign policy, health care and immigration.
Higher education is also an important topic that will significantly affect the future of the United States. Unfortunately, it is an issue that is rarely addressed by the candidates. This newsletter is intended to provide a summary about the candidates and their positions on higher education matters. Links to the candidates’ Web sites are also included for those who would like more information.
The Democrats
Joseph Biden
Personal Data: BA, University of Delaware; JD, Syracuse University; Attorney; United States Senator, DE (1973-present)
Positions on higher education: Replace existing federal tax breaks for college expenses with a refundable tax credit of up to $3,000 and expand eligibility for such breaks by raising income limits that would be annually adjusted for inflation; commit Pell Grants for college to low-income eighth graders
For further information: www.joebiden.com
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Personal Data: BA, Wellesley College; JD, Yale University; Attorney; United States Senator, NY (2001-present)
Positions on higher education: Raise the maximum Pell Grant and make federal Lifetime Learning Tax Credit refundable; increase funds for remedial education; reform student loan programs
For further information: www.hillaryclinton.com
Christopher Dodd
Personal Data: BA, Providence College; JD, University of Louisville; Peace Corps; Attorney; United States Senator, CT (1981-present)
Positions on higher education: Use federal and state funds to allow students to attend community colleges for free; raise the maximum Pell Grant by $100 per year; create a refundable tax credit to reward families who save for college
For further information: www.chrisdodd.com
John Edwards
Personal Data: BS, North Carolina State University; JD, University of North Carolina; Attorney; United States Senator, NC (1999-2005)
Positions on higher education: Cover one year of public college tuition for students who took college-preparatory courses and work part-time in college; provide college counselors to high schools that serve many low-income students; simplify federal student-aid forms
For further information: www.johnedwards.com
Mike Gravel
Personal Data: BA, Columbia University; Real estate developer; State legislator; United States Senator, AK (1969-1981)
Positions on higher education: Use federal funds for stem-cell research; assist low-income students; allow use of race in college admissions decisions
For further information: www.gravel2008.us
Dennis Kucinich
Personal Data: BA, MA Case Western Reserve University; Mayor, City of Cleveland; United States Representative, OH (1997-present).
Positions on higher education: Use federal funds to allow students to attend public universities for free; eliminate time limits for welfare recipients to earn college degrees; allow use of race in college admission decisions
For further information: www.dennis4president.com
Barack Obama
Personal Data: BA, Columbia University; JD, Harvard University.; Attorney; State legislator; United States Senator, IL (2005-present).
Positions on higher education: Raise maximum Pell Grant to $5,400; run all federal student loans through the U.S. Department of Education; allow the use of race in college admission decisions
For further information: www.barackobama.com
Bill Richardson
Personal Data: BA, Tufts University; MA, Tufts’ Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy; Congressional staff member; U.S. Representative, (1983-1997); U.S. Ambassador to UN; Secretary of Energy; Governor of New Mexico, (2003-present).
Positions on higher education: Encourage students to pursue science and math degrees; expand federal and state need-based aid; allow use of race in college admissions decisions
For further information: www.richardsonforpresident.com
The Republicans
Rudolph Giuliani
Personal Data: BA, Manhattan College; JD, New York University; U.S. Attorney; Mayor of New York City (1994-2001); Consultant
Positions on higher education: Increase number of visas available to foreign graduates of American colleges who are qualified for jobs in key industries; encourage more people to earn degrees in science and math through technical certificate and associate degrees; allow federal money for research on human embryonic stem cells as long as embryos are not created for it
For further information: www.joinrudy2008.com
Mike Huckabee
Personal Data: BA, Ouachita Baptist University; Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; LHD, John Brown University; LLD, Ouachita Baptist University; Pastor; Television Station President; Governor of AR (1996-2007).
Positions on higher education: Forbid use of race in college admissions; improve arts education at all levels; foster closer ties between high schools and colleges
For further information: www.mikehuckabee.com
Duncan Hunter
Personal Data: BS, Western State University; JD, Western State University Law School; United States Representative, CA (1984-present)
Positions on higher education: Increase federal educational benefits for members of the military; forbid educational and other public aid for illegal immigrants; ban federal money for research on human embryonic stem cells
For further information: www.gohunter08.com
John McCain
Personal Data: BS, U.S. Naval Academy; National War College; Pilot, U.S. Navy; United States Representative (1983-1987); United States Senator (1987-present).
Positions on higher education: Require more disclosure of academic earmarks in federal appropriations bills; expand educational benefits for military veterans; allow federal money for research on human embryonic stem cells
For further information: www.johnmccain.com
Ron Paul
Personal Data: BA, Gettysburg College; MD, Duke University School of Medicine; Flight surgeon, U.S. Air Force; United States Representative, TX (1976-1977; 1979-1985; 1997-present)
Positions on higher education: Abolish U.S. Department of Education; Allow all undergraduate tuition, fees and living expenses to be tax-deductible; let states, rather than the federal government, decide whether to finance research on human embryonic stem cellsFor further information: www.ronpaul2008.com
Mitt Romney
Personal Data: BA, Brigham Young University; JD and MBA, Harvard University; CEO, venture capital; President, Olympic Winter Games; Governor of MA (2003-2007)
Positions on higher education: Use merit-based aid to assist people with college costs; increase monitoring of foreign students who attend American colleges; allow federal money for research on existing human embryonic stem-cell lines but forbid creation of embryos for research
For further information: www.mittromney.com
Tom Tancredo
Personal Data: BA, University of Northern Colorado; United States Representative, CO (1999-present).
Positions on higher education: Forbid states from charging in-state tuition for students who are illegal immigrants; curtail federal and state oversight of higher education; avoid use of federal funds for research on human embryonic stem cells
For further information: www.teamtancredo.org
Fred Thompson
Personal Data: BS, Memphis State University; JD, Vanderbilt University; Congressional staff member; Attorney; Actor; United States Senator, TN (1994-2003).
Positions on higher education: Limit federal oversight of education; discourage campus leaders from curtailing students’ free speech; ban federal money for research on human embryonic stem cells
For further information: www.fred08.com
New York State’s Project Sunlight
A new website has debuted which provides one-stop service to anyone looking for data and other information about New York State government and its regulation of businesses, organizations and candidates. Under the sponsorship of Attorney General Cuomo, with the support of Governor Spitzer and the State Legislature, the site collects in one place information concerning campaign finance, corporations, legislation, lobbying activity and recipients of state government contracts. The address of the site is www.sunlightny.com
A new website has debuted which provides one-stop service to anyone looking for data and other information about New York State government and its regulation of businesses, organizations and candidates. Under the sponsorship of Attorney General Cuomo, with the support of Governor Spitzer and the State Legislature, the site collects in one place information concerning campaign finance, corporations, legislation, lobbying activity and recipients of state government contracts. The address of the site is www.sunlightny.com
The Canisius College Government Relations Newsletter is a service of the College Relations Division. John J. Hurley, executive vice president and vice president for college relations; Debra S. Park, associate vice president for public relations; Kenneth C. Kruly, director of government relations (716-888-3755).