Main Presidential Candidates of 2004

	BUSH KERRY ABORTION Pro-life *oppose abortion except in rape, incest, or threat to mother Pro-choice *support woman's right to have an abortion DEATH PENALTY Supports *but is regrettable about the numerous instances of deaths under his 4 year term   Opposes *unless for terror-related crime COLLEGE FUNDING Support *increase Pell Grants up to $1,000 a year for recipient's first 2 years of college Supports * give Pell Grant recipients up to $2,500 more annually for 4 years of college ENVIRONMENT Supports drilling for oil *depend less on Middle East oil by drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (in 1% of the refuge) *supports controlled expansion of nation's wetlands over next 5 years *supports Clear Skies Initiative to reduce harmful power plant emissions and enforce tightened state quality standards *provide $4 billion from tax incentives to spur energy technology use Opposes drilling because harmful to environment while   Supports reducing dependency on foriegn oil by investing in new technologies and alternative fuels, creating tax incentives to help automakers make fuel efficient cars, and rewarding consumers who purchase them   Supports Integrating New Energy Economy or increasing energy conservation by creating and making use of renewable, unseizable, indestructable resources such as coal and natural gas       GAY MARRIAGE Oppose *support Constitutional amendment banning it Opposes it *supports civil unions so that gay/lesbain couples are provided with equal treatment by means of making medical decisions, right to inherit property, equivalent access to health insurance, social security, and retirement benefits *oppose discrimination against gay/lesbains IRAQ Support America's maintaining a leading role in rebuilding Iraq Supports creating partnerships whith other countries to rebuild Iraq HOMELAND SECURITY Support plan to improve quality and quantity of intelligence by investing more and improving ability to disrupt and prevent terrorist attacks, continue working with worldwide coalition to keep War on Terrorism off of American soil * reconstruct and strengthen legislative oversight of intelligence and homeland security *create a National Counterterrorism Center to be the information provider on suspected terrorists and threats *use Federal resources more wisely and better coordinate individual agencies *tighten security of borders, airports, and seaports by way of video surveillance and additional patrols  Support a plan to coordinate intelligence to be better equipped in tracking and stopping terrorists, protect and secure airports, seaports, and borders to not intrude personal liberty laws, prioritize American safety, take action to reduce likeliness of terrorist attacks on targeted American areas, and use resources to ensure that first responders are equipped to protect communities HEALTH CARE Supports providing  high-quality, affordable coverage to low-income families, small businesses, self-employed, and those who do not recieve health benefits or insufficient coverage and is working to find the root of the rising healthcare issue Supports a plan to make high-quality, or the equivalent of the coverage that a senator would get, coverage available and affordable extending it to 95% of Americans, lower family premiums, lower price prescription drugs, and cut out the excess costs STEM CELL RESEARCH Opposes because of the abundance and availibility of research from other subsidary sources such as human embryos and in vitro fertilization and because it is, at this point of knowledge, too risky, potentially unnecessary, and somewhat inclusive Supports  *supports research used to better knowledge of current generations and lead to discoveries, in the hopes of improving the world and future generations by opening up new opportunities for jobs and industries * improve K-12 math and science education to expand science and engineering workforce