Where Candidates Stand on Animal Issues

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I've become a single issue voter. If a candidate is not able to demonstrate that s/he has sponsored and actively and consistently supported animal friendly legislation, s/he does not get my vote. This is an issue of fundemental importance and speaks to the basic ethics by which s/he lives. Here is information to make your choices. Margaret From Humane Society Legislative Fund: http://hslf. typepad.com/ political_ animal/2008/ 01/elephants. html Wednesday, January 02, 2008 The Presidential Files: Evaluating the Elephants With the Iowa caucuses tomorrow, and the New Hampshire primaries next week, I want to provide an overview of the Republican presidential candidates. Ive already commented on Mike Huckabees terrible approach to animal cruelty issues and pandering to the sport hunting lobby, and Ron Pauls philosophical opposition to even the most modest animal welfare policies in Congress. Heres what we know about the other presidential hopefuls in the party of the elephants: Rudy Giuliani: As mayor, Giuliani did not have as many opportunities to take a

position on animal issues as those who served as governor or a member of Congress, but he did take some proactive measures in America's largest city. In 2000, he proposed and signed a bill to promote the spaying and neutering of dogs and cats and open an animal shelter in each borough in order to help curb New York's pet overpopulation. He is the first Republican candidate to release a public statement on animal issues, which is reproduced here in its e ntirety: "Animals play an important part in the lives of many Americans. We should all work to reduce animal suffering by advocating for sensible public policies, investigating animal cruelty and strongly enforcing the laws that are already on the books. I will continue to support efforts to educate the public about animal issues,

and work with corporations to develop animal-friendly policies." Duncan Hunter: In the U.S. House of Representatives, Hunters record has been relatively poor but hes been a supporter on some issues. He has earned scores ranging from zero to 42 percent on the Humane Scorecard over the years, having backed a few animal protection proposals, including those to stop animal fighting,

horse slaughter, and the processing of downer livestock. He has been leading the fight to continue the trophy hunting of deer and elk on Santa Rosa Island, in a controversial battle over whether the animals will be exterminated from the island or allowed to remain in a canned hunteither way a bad outcome for the

animals. John McCain: In the U.S. Senate, McCain has been a strong supporter of numerous animal welfare issues, earning scores of up to 75 percent on the Humane Scorecard. He has voted for and co -sponsored legislation to stop horse slaughter, and voted to eliminate a $2 million subsidy for the mink industry. He has co-sponsored bills to stop the interstate shipment of birds for cockfighting and to stop the poaching of bears by ending the trade in their gall bladders and other viscera. He took an anti-animal position by supporting an amendment to the California Desert Protection Act which would have allowed sport hunting in the Mojave National Park. Senator McCain has been a leader in the effort to stop global warming, and he opposes drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to many wildlife species. Mitt

Romney: Romney attracted the ire of animal advocates when they learned that during a 1983 vacation, he put the familys Irish setter, Seamus, in a carrier and strapped him to the roof rack of the station wagon. When the terrified dog urinated and defecated during the twelve-hour drive, Romney pulled over, hosed down the dog, and continued the voyage from Boston to Ontario. As chief executive of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Romney also came

under fire from animal protection groups for allowing a rodeo exhibition that included calf roping. His term as governor didn't exactly inspire confidence in his judgment on animal issues, either. He appointed a raft of animal-unfriendly people to the state Fisheries and Wildlife Board. He did, however, leave the governor's mansion on a high note by signing a bill passed in 2006 to strengthen the Massachusetts animal fighting law and prevent a convicted animal abuser from getting the animal back. Fred Thompson: Thompson rarely supported animal protection issues in the U.S. Senate, but his highest score was 50 percent on the Humane Scorecard. On the positive side, he voted to eliminate a $2 million subsidy for the mink industry. On the negative side, he voted to continue spending tax dollars to allow the use of two particularly inhumane trapssteel-jawed leghold traps and wire neck snaresfor commercial and recreational trapping on National Wildlife Refuges. And he opposed an amendment to protect dolphins from drowning in tuna fishing nets. Thursday, January 03, 2008 The Presidential Files: Discussing the Donkeys In advance of the Iowa caucusesthe first official event of the 2008 election seasonI've been introducing you to the candidates from both sides of the political spectrum. Yesterday I provided a round-up of where the Republican presidential candidates stand on animal issues, and today its time to summarize the Democrats. Its a tougher task, because there are not as many clear distinctions. All of the Democratic contenders have been friends of animal welfare, and have received high marks year after year on the Humane Scorecard. Ive attempted to highlight some of the things that stand out. Joe Biden: In the current session of Congress, Sen. Biden is a co-sponsor of measures to stop horse slaughter, upgrade the penalties for animal fighting, ban the possession of fighting dogs and attendance at a dogfight, and call on Canada to stop its annual massacre of baby harp seals. He has consistently voted for animal protection during his career, and he led the fight with Sen. Barbara Boxer to ban the netting of dolphins by commercial tuna fishermen. He was the lead author of a bill in the 107th Cong ress to prohibit trophy hunting of captive exotic mammals in fenced enclosures, and he successfully passed the bill through the Senate Judiciary Committee. Hillary Rodham Clinton: In the current session of Congress, Sen. Clinton is a co-sponsor of legislation dealing with horse slaughter and animal fighting, and she previously co-sponsored legislation to stop the processing of downer livestock and to crack down on abusive puppy mills where dogs are treated like production machines She led efforts in the 108th and 109th

Congresses to stop the overuse of antibiotics in farm animals, which allow them to be crammed in overcrowded, stressful, unsanitary conditions on factory farms. She had a perfect 100 percent score on the Humane Scorecard in the 108th and 109th Congresses. Chris Dodd: In the current session of Congress, Sen. Dodd is a co-sponsor of measures to stop Class B dealers from trafficking in random-source pets for research, end horse slaughter, upgrade the penalties for animal fighting, and call on Canada to stop its annual

massacre of baby harp seals. He has consistently voted for animal protection during his career, and can always be counted on by animal advocates. John Edwards: A leader on the issue of factory farming, Sen. Edwards has called for a moratorium on the construction or expansion of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). His campaign has released a positive statement on

animal welfare, and you can read more about his record in my longer entry, John Edwards on Animals and Rural America. Dennis Kucinich: An ethical vegetarian, Rep. Kucinich has been one of the true leaders on animal protection issues in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is currently a co-sponsor of 14 animal protection measures in the 110th Congress, one of the highest numbers among all 435 members. He led the effort in 2001 and 2002 to secure more funding for the U.S. Department of Agricultures enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act at puppy mills, research laboratories, zoos, circuses, and other facilities When animal issues are considered on the House floor, Rep. Kucinich can often be found speaking in favor of the animal protection position. In November, he hosted an online forum to discuss

animal issues. Barack Obama: In the current session of Congress, Sen. Obama is a co-sponsor of measures to stop horse slaughter, upgrade the penalties for animal fighting, and crack

down on dogfighting. He has had a strong record for animals in both the Illinois State Senate and the U.S. Senate. Read more about his responses to the Humane Society Legislative Funds questionnaire in my longer entry, Barack Obama and the Dog-acity of Hope. Bill

Richardson: New Mexico banned cockfighting in 2007 thanks to Gov. Richardsons leadership, and the chief executive signed numerous animal protection bills into law and issued a comprehensive animal welfare package for the state.

Read more in my longer entry, Bill Richardsons Animal Magnetism in the Land of Enchantment. ** written by Michael Markarian ** Karen Loveless NC Voters for Animal Welfare Board www.NCVAW.org

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