Washington, D.C. – Council for a Livable World today released responses to seven critical questions on national security issues that were posed to all declared presidential candidates from both parties. Joseph Biden, Hillary Clinton, Christopher Dodd, John Edwards, Barack Obama, and Bill Richardson responded to the Council's questionnaire. Their responses exhibited noteworthy unity while differing on some important details.
The seven questions were on reducing nuclear weapons stockpiles, new nuclear weapons, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, Iraq, space weapons, nuclear non-proliferation, and negotiating with Iran and North Korea.
Senator Gary Hart, chairman of Council for a Livable World and a longtime expert on arms control and security issues, found more agreement than disagreement in the responses. "What struck me most is the degree to which these candidates passionately seek to reverse the failed policies of the current administration that have undermined U.S. leadership and made us less safe," Hart remarked.
Council for a Livable World submitted its questionnaire to all Democratic and Republican declared presidential candidates. Democrats Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel, along with all of the Republican candidates, did not return the Council's questionnaire.
Christopher Dodd endorsed all of the Council's positions with one word responses, choosing neither to explain nor equivocate. The other candidates offered detailed explanations, leaving numerous shades of gray that offer valuable insight into their priorities and how they will implement them if elected.
Hart added: "If any of these six Democrats get elected, I expect significant improvements in American nuclear weapons policy, the war in Iraq, nuclear non-proliferation, and U.S. leadership on important international issues in general and Iran and North Korea in particular."
"We intend to work with the new President to fulfill these important commitments," Hart concluded.
Click here for analysis and the full text of the candidates' responses.