CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS ’92 : U.S. Senate Candidates: Where They Stand

Six-year seat: NAME: Rep. Barbara Boxer (Democrat) LOS ANGELES RIOTS: Condemned violence and said those who broke the law should be prosecuted. Says the nation must reinvest in its schools, health care system, infrastructure and environment, and provide jobs that will help expand the middle class and “give everyone a stake in the future of our communities and our country.” CALIFORNIA ECONOMY: Proposes to create jobs and improve productivity by investing in reconstruction of infrastructure, improving the public school system and cleaning up environmental problems such as hazardous waste on military bases. Calls for tax credits to stimulate job creation, research and development tax credits and a lower capital gains tax rate for entrepreneurial investments. FEDERAL DEFICIT: Would demand that allies “pay their fair share” of military defense to reduce the $150 billion spent annually to defend Germany, Japan and other friendly nations. Would cut defense budget in half over the next five years, devoting 20% to 50% of the savings to deficit reduction. Increasingly inclined to vote for balanced-budget constitutional amendment. ABORTION: Favors abortion rights. Supports legislation to write Roe vs. Wade into federal law. Sponsored legislation to provide Medicaid funding for abortions for victims of rape and incest. Leader in House on overturning the gag rule. IMMIGRATION: Says existing immigration laws can do the job, but are not being adequately enforced because of lack of resources for deportation of criminal aliens, repair and construction of border barriers and adding 1,000 Border Patrol officers. Opposed fast track for Mexico trade agreement. FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITY: Says the United States must remain the leader for freedom, peace, human rights and democracy throughout the world, with allies in Europe and Asia paying fair share of their defense costs.

NAME: Rep. Mel Levine (Democrat) LOS ANGELES RIOTS: Believes the primary purpose of government is to “provide the essential protection from lawlessness.” First thing is to provide those who live in the inner cities with safe streets, safe schools and safe neighborhoods. Says increased law enforcement is needed immediately. Used riots in television ads. CALIFORNIA ECONOMY: Supports middle-class tax cut to jump-start the economy and increased investment in education, job training, infrastructure, technology development. Wants to enhance market share of growth industries such as high-definition television; supports private/public investment bank for cutting-edge industries. FEDERAL DEFICIT: Co-sponsored balanced-budget act of 1984 but opposes balanced-budget constitutional amendment and line-item veto. Calls for $100 billion in defense savings over next five years, closing of corporate tax loopholes and trimming subsidies such as the advertising deduction for tobacco companies. ABORTION: Favors abortion rights. Co-sponsor of act to codify Roe vs. Wade into law. Supports federal abortion funding for poor women, international family planning and abortion rights for women in the military. Sponsor of bill to make it a federal crime to block access to a medical or pregnancy counseling facility. IMMIGRATION: Supports enforcing existing immigration laws and implementing free-trade agreement with Mexico so that illegal emigration to the United States is not the only employment option for foreign residents. FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITY: Says the lesson of the 20th Century is that power vacuums always are filled and world is still a dangerous place; the United States needs to continue to play an important role in the international community and avoid “trendy isolationism.”

NAME: Leo T. McCarthy (Democrat) LOS ANGELES RIOTS: Says looters and others must be punished. Proposes programs, including Head Start, job training, prenatal care and strong education, to give opportunity and hope to people in hard-hit communities. CALIFORNIA ECONOMY: Top priority would be to create jobs and help people who are struggling to make ends meet. Proposed a midde-class protection and job creation act with tax credits for employers who hire additional employees earning more than $18,000 a year and a 5% credit for all other jobs. FEDERAL DEFICIT: Believes there must be a healthy economy before deficit reduction is possible. Would cut defense spending by $100 billion over eight years; scale back military protection for foreign countries; end subsidies for tobacco, honey and other products; shift priorities from response to prevention on AIDS, cancer and the like. Opposes any tax increases during recession. ABORTION: Favors abortion rights. Would co-sponsor bill in Senate to write Roe vs. Wade ruling into federal law. Supports Medicaid funding for abortion, full funding for family planning and testing and distribution of French abortion pill RU-486, if it is found to be safe.

IMMIGRATION: Sponsoring state legislation to make it easier to deport illegal alien felons so they serve sentences in the country they came from, not California. Opposes any trade agreement with Mexico that does not provide protection against jobs leaving the United States; opposes fast track on negotiating agreement. FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITY: First goal is to restructure security agreements so the United States no longer sends billions to defend Europe and Japan against a threat that no longer exists. Has proposed a ban on arms sale to non-democratic nations. Would work to open foreign markets to U.S. products.

NAME: Sonny Bono (Republican) LOS ANGELES RIOTS: Supports federal aid for riot-torn areas, but only if the assistance is coupled with investment tax credits, a reduction in capital gains taxes and other tax incentives to promote economic growth. Blames the rioting on a “lack of political leadership” and deteriorating economic and social conditions, including high unemployment and crime. CALIFORNIA ECONOMY: Proposes an economic recovery plan that relies on an improved business climate in the state. Supports efforts to overhaul workers’ compensation insurance to eliminate abuse of stress claims. Calls for reduced permit fees for businesses and streamlined permitting and reporting procedures. Opposes corporate income tax. FEDERAL DEFICIT: Supports balanced-budget amendment and line-item veto. Opposes any new taxes. Proposes a 10% cut in overhead for all federal departments and agencies over five years, and supports reauthorization of the federal Paperwork Reduction Act. Blames deficit on too much federal spending, not too few tax dollars. ABORTION: As a Roman Catholic, personally opposes abortion, but as a matter of public policy believes government should not interfere with a woman’s right to choose. Opposes government financing of abortions. Supports parental notification for anyone under 18. IMMIGRATION: Calls for increased funding for Border Patrol and supports use of National Guard along the border if needed to control illegal immigration. Supports a ban on government benefits, including public education, for non-citizens. FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITY: Would continue to promote--morally and economically--democratic movements worldwide, including efforts to develop trade relationships between the United States and newly democratic nations.

NAME: Tom Campbell (Republican) LOS ANGELES RIOTS: Supports programs by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jack Kemp to encourage home ownership, tenant management of housing projects and the creation of enterprise zones. Supports federal assistance for the area and tax credits for companies that hire residents in low-income areas. Places blame for the riots on “evil people.” CALIFORNIA ECONOMY: Ties state’s economic woes to wasteful government spending, the federal budget deficit and high taxes that drive businesses out of the state. Supports spending reductions, a balanced-budget amendment and elimination of capital gains taxes. Proposes litigation reform to reduce frivolous lawsuits, and reform of the state’s workers’ compensation insurance system. FEDERAL DEFICIT: Supports balanced-budget amendment and line-item veto. Supports reinstatement of automatic spending cuts under the Gramm-Rudman deficit reduction bill. Opposes any tax increases. Proposes plan to reduce personal income taxes by 10% by putting a cap on growth of federal spending. ABORTION: Has made support of abortion rights a central issue in his campaign, with his first television spots beginning with the statement, “I am pro-choice.” Supports government financing of abortions. Opposes parental consent requirements. IMMIGRATION: Supports the Mexico free-trade agreement as the best way to reduce the flow of immigrants across the border. As a condition of the agreement, would require that Mexico house criminals who illegally immigrate to the United States and commit crimes here. Supports use of military to patrol the border. FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITY: Would remove trade barriers to U.S. exports by requiring reciprocity rather than most-favored-nation arrangements with trading partners. The policy would be aimed at leveling the playing field on trade issues by assuring that U.S. markets are open only to countries that open their markets to U.S. goods.

NAME: Bruce Herschensohn (Republican) LOS ANGELES RIOTS: Opposes any federal assistance for riot-torn areas because it would discourage rebuilding efforts by local government and private businesses. Blames the rioting on “rotten” people. CALIFORNIA ECONOMY: Supports easing of environmental regulations, eliminating capital gains taxes and creating other economic incentives to improve the state’s business climate. Opposes any reduction in defense spending; says such cuts would hurt the state’s ailing aerospace and defense industries. FEDERAL DEFICIT: Supports balanced-budget amendment and line-item veto. Opposes any tax increases, and has signed a pledge saying he will never vote for a tax increase. ABORTION: Opposes abortion except in cases of rape or incest. Says U.S. Supreme Court should overturn Roe vs. Wade and return abortion-rights decisions to the states. Opposes federal funding of abortions and supports parental consent requirements. IMMIGRATION: Supports the Mexico free-trade agreement as the best way to reduce the flow of immigrants across the border. Supports additional funding for Border Patrol. Opposes use of military troops to patrol the border. FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITY: Would increase free trade among democratic countries in conjunction with a new organization of nations, which would operate like the United Nations. The trade policies would exclude favored relations with totalitarian regimes, such as the People’s Republic of China.

Two-year seat:

NAME: Gray Davis (Democrat) LOS ANGELES RIOTS: Used footage of beating of truck driver Reginald O. Denny in television commercials that blame “liberals and conservatives” for allowing “mob rule.” Supports federal assistance for the riot area and the creation of enterprise zones if 50% of new employees are local. Wants to encourage investment in riot-torn areas by guaranteeing investments against civil unrest. CALIFORNIA ECONOMY: Proposes using tax codes to promote and expand manufacturing base, including tax credits for companies that retain aerospace workers laid off because of defense cuts. Supports indexing capital gains taxes for inflation and reducing capital gains taxes on long-term investments in manufacturing. FEDERAL DEFICIT: Supports a flexible balanced-budget amendment, which would allow deficits during a recession and encourage surpluses during growth periods. Opposes new taxes to reduce the deficit during a recession. Opposes line-item veto. ABORTION: Supports abortion rights and federal financing of abortions. Opposes parental consent requirements. Supports legislation establishing penalties for intentionally blocking access to abortion clinics. IMMIGRATION: Supports strengthening Border Patrol along Mexican border, but says immigrants are not to blame for the nation’s economic problems. Believes most immigrants come to the United States to work, not obtain government benefits, such as welfare. FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITY: Support for Israel. Would back unconditional loan guarantees. Would oppose efforts to force Israel to give up land for peace. Opposes weapons sales to Arab countries that have not established diplomatic relations with Israel.

NAME: Dianne Feinstein (Democrat) LOS ANGELES RIOTS: Proposes an “urban reconstruction corps” to train and employ young inner-city men and women. Supports enterprise zones and a private-public community reinvestment bank to provide low-interest loans. Supports business incentives, including elimination of capital gains taxes and forgiveness of federal taxes for 10 years if businesses hire 50% of employees from the area. CALIFORNIA ECONOMY: Proposes using so-called peace dividend from defense cuts to create five-year, $135-billion “invest in America” fund to build schools and housing, repair infrastructure and retrain displaced workers. Proposes spending at home some of the $100 billion sought by President Bush for European-based military operations. FEDERAL DEFICIT: Supports balanced budget amendment and line-item veto. Opposes congressional pay raises until the President submits and Congress approves a balanced budget. Proposes immediate tax cut for the middle class to stimulate consumer activity, and partial restoration of tax credits to encourage investment. ABORTION: Supports abortion rights. Favors proposed legislation to codify Roe vs. Wade. Supports federal financing of abortion. Opposes parental consent legislation. IMMIGRATION: Supports deporting illegal immigrants who commit crimes. Favors using “technological know-how” to stop the flow of illegal immigrants into the state, which she says cannot afford to take care of them. FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITY: Worldwide peace.

NAME: William Dannemeyer (Republican) LOS ANGELES RIOTS: Opposes federal financial aid package for riot-torn areas. Supports enterprise zones and tax cuts to attract new businesses, but places primary responsibility for rebuilding on local community. Traces the roots of the unrest to a breakdown in moral standards that followed the elimination of prayer in public schools. CALIFORNIA ECONOMY: Proposes cutting capital gains taxes and reducing environmental regulatory burdens on businesses, including suspending implementation of Clean Air Act. FEDERAL DEFICIT: Supports balanced-budget amendment and line-item veto. Opposes any new taxes and received one of the top ratings from National Taxpayers Union for support of balanced budget and federal spending controls. Each year introduces budget that would freeze federal spending. ABORTION: Opposes abortion except in cases where the woman’s life is in danger. Supports parental consent legislation. Opposes federal aid to doctors and clinics performing abortions. IMMIGRATION: Supports placing military troops on border and erecting a fence along the border from the Pacific Ocean to 17 miles inland as short-term remedies. Supports North American Free Trade Agreement as long-term solution. FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITY: Ensuring the “victory of freedom” around the world after the collapse of communism, by supporting--militarily, when necessary--democratic movements and helping contain outbreaks of violence. Opposes foreign aid bills, however, characterizing them as “foreign welfare.”

NAME: JOHN SEYMOUR (Republican) LOS ANGELES RIOTS: Favors federal financial aid package designed to further education, jobs and economic development programs in the inner city. Used riot footage in television ads. CALIFORNIA ECONOMY: Supports $5,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and penalty-free withdrawals of up to $10,000 from IRAs for first-time home purchases, education or medical expenses. Supports eliminating taxes on first $2,500 of interest income from bank savings, and reducing capital gains tax for investments held longer than three years. Supports federal funds to retrain aerospace workers. FEDERAL DEFICIT: Favors line-item veto and balanced-budget amendment. Proposes slashing the budget of Congress. Opposes pay raises for Senate members until they pass a balanced budget. ABORTION: Supports abortion rights. Co-sponsor of act to codify Roe vs. Wade. Supports federal funding of abortions and parental notification requirements. Supports measures that would overturn so-called “gag rule” prohibiting health clinics from providing information on abortions. IMMIGRATION: Favors more agents for Border Patrol and use of military troops if necessary. Supports expedited deportation of illegal felons. Voted to grant President Bush fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements with Mexico. FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITY: Cultivation of a stable democratic and capitalist Russia that poses no threat to the rest of the world. Supports food and humanitarian assistance to the other former Soviet republics, but opposes any massive Marshall Plan-style bailout until there is evidence that democratic and capitalist changes are taking hold.