GEORGE BUSH:

[An excerpt from "Meeting our energy needs and lessening our energy dependence" at georgebush.com]
"In his second term, President Bush will...

• Increase Domestic Energy Exploration and Production
• Modernize the Electricity Grid
• Promote Conservation
• Support Clean Coal Technology
• Increasing Alternative and Renewable Energy"

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JOHN KERRY:

[An excerpt from "An Energy Independent America" at johnkerry.com]
"To create an energy independent America, John Kerry and John Edwards will:

• Explore And Develop New Energy Sources
  Tomorrow's energy economy will be fueled by new energy sources. The Kerry-Edwards plan will invest in the research and exploration needed to turn ideas into fuel and develop renewable energy sources.
• Develop Tomorrow's Technology Today
  Under the Kerry-Edwards plan, America will take the lead in developing the new technology and production methods needed to ensure that resources such as coal and natural gas are used more efficiently and cleanly, and fully integrated into the New Energy Economy.
• Make America Energy Independent Of Middle East Oil
  Our security in the war on terror demands an end to our dependence on Middle East oil. Under the Kerry-Edwards plan, we will strengthen our national security while growing our economy and protecting our environment."

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JOHN KERRY:

[An excerpt from "A Cleaner and Healthier Environment" at johnkerry.com]

"As Americans, we have the right to breathe unpolluted air, drink safe water, eat uncontaminated food, live in clean communities and enjoy our natural treasures. Over the last three years, we have seen these rights eroded. We have seen hard-won environmental gains rolled back, our air polluted and our water contaminated.

In the 21st Century, we can have progress without pollution - we can grow our economy while protecting our natural resources. But we need a leader who looks to the future and invests in innovation. "

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GEORGE BUSH:

[An excerpt from "Improving the Environment" at georgebush.com]

• "Wetlands - President Bush has changed U.S. policy from one that only promised no net loss of wetlands to a pledge to create, improve, and protect at least 3 million acres of wetlands over the next five years.
• Healthy Forests - President Bush will carry out the new authorities provided by the Healthy Forests Restoration Act to restore the health and vitality of forests and rangelands, reducing the threat of catastrophic wild fires, saving lives, property, and wildlife habitat, and reducing air and water pollution."

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GEORGE BUSH:

[An excerpt from "Job Training for the 21st Century Economy" at georgebush.com]

"America's economy is strong and getting stronger. President Bush's economic policies are creating jobs and driving steady economic growth, but there is still more work to be done. The U.S. economy is changing, and President Bush understands that many Americans are working hard to make ends meet. That is why President Bush continues to push for pro-growth policies that will strengthen our economy, help create more jobs, lower health care costs, and raise Americans' standard of living. Many of the new jobs being created require new skills..."

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JOHN KERRY:

[An excerpt from "A Plan To Create Good-Paying Jobs At Home" at johnkerry.com]

"John Kerry and John Edwards believe that a better, stronger America begins at home, with good jobs that support families and give all hard-working Americans a chance to build a better life. They believe in progress that brings prosperity for all, not just for those who are already successful. They believe that good jobs will help strengthen and expand America's middle-class - the strongest middle-class the world has ever known.

John Kerry and John Edwards believe that the private sector is the engine of economic growth and job creation, and that the government's responsibility is to create an environment that will promote private sector investment, foster vigorous competition, and strengthen the foundations of an innovative economy. And they believe companies can keep jobs in America without sacrificing competitiveness."

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JOHN KERRY:

"There is no reason that young people in our great nation should lack quality health care coverage, yet young Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 are more likely to lack coverage than any other age group. My plan will tackle this challenge by bringing down skyrocketing health care costs, which make it difficult for millions of Americans - young and old - to afford quality, reliable coverage."

[Read Senator Kerry's responses to the 18-30 VIP papers here]

[An excerpt from "Affordable Health Care For All" at johnkerry.com]

"Affordable, high-quality health care will keep our families healthy, our businesses competitive, and our country strong.

Over the last three years, family premiums have increased by more than $3,512 and prescription drug prices have grown four times faster than inflation. These skyrocketing costs have hurt our economy and forced many families into bankruptcy.

We deserve a president who understands that in America, regular check-ups shouldn't empty family checkbooks - a president who will put people ahead of insurance and drug companies.

John Kerry and John Edwards have a plan to address soaring premiums and cut Americans a break. Their plan will..."

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GEORGE BUSH:

"I have taken a specific approach to health care that focuses on improving the quality of care, lowering costs, and making more health insurance coverage options available to Americans \u2013 including Health Savings Accounts and Association Health Plans.

Young people are uninsured for many reasons, including the very high cost of comprehensive health insurance that does not meet their needs. What most young people need is coverage of preventive care combined with affordable protection against major medical expenses. Our Health Savings Accounts, established by the Medicare Modernization Act I signed in December, provide exactly that, combining a low-cost, high-deductible policy with tax-free contributions to the HSA by individuals and their employers. These accounts allow young people to save money tax-free to meet routine medical expenses and to cover future out-of-pocket costs. By keeping patients more involved in purchasing decisions, we can give them more control over how their health care dollars are spent - and in the process, help assure that health care dollars are spent wisely. Best of all, HSAs have a good track record of expanding coverage to the uninsured. In 2001, 25% of people who purchased an early version of HSAs were previously uninsured for six months or more."

[Read President Bush's responses to the 18-30 VIP papers here]

[An excerpt from "Reforming Health Care" at georgebush.com]

"President Bush believes all Americans should have access to affordable, quality health care. President Bush is working to address the root causes of rising health care costs, rather than shifting the costs to taxpayers or forcing Americans into an inflexible, one-size-fits-all bureaucratic system. The President's plan reduces the rising cost of health care; provides affordable coverage to those who need it most - low-income children and families, small businesses, the self-employed, and people who do not get health benefits through their job; and improves health care information, quality, and safety. To achieve the goal of more affordable health care, the President has..."

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GEORGE BUSH:

"America will continue to pursue terrorists abroad and enhance our security at home. Fighting terrorism requires us to use all the tools at our disposal - military, intelligence, law enforcement, financial, and diplomatic.

A good defense is not enough. We will go on the offense and we will take the fight to terrorists wherever they plot and plan and hide. By defeating the terrorists in Baghdad and Kabul, we are safer and more secure in Boston and Kansas City. The first to see our determination were the Taliban, who allowed al Qaeda's killers to make Afghanistan their primary training base. We freed the Afghan people from the oppressive Taliban regime and ended al Qaeda's safe haven. To date, almost two-thirds of the known al Qaeda leaders have been captured or killed. In Iraq, we deposed a tyrant who supported terrorists and freed an oppressed people. The whole world now knows that supporting and providing sanctuary to terrorists will carry with it enormous costs.

We are dismantling, disrupting, and destroying terrorists and their organizations. We are...."

[Read President Bush's responses to the 18-30 VIP papers here]

[Excerpt from "Defending American Lives & Liberty" at georgebush.com]

"Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, President Bush has taken the fight to the terrorists. After September 11, the President put the world on notice that we will hold any person or regime that harbors or supports terrorists as guilty of terrorism as the terrorists themselves.

America will not wait for new threats to grow and fester. We will face new challenges - swiftly, surely, and with steely resolve. We cannot forget that the terrorists remain determined to kill as many Americans as possible, both abroad and here at home, and would like nothing more than to..."

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JOHN KERRY:

"I will implement a comprehensive strategy to win the war on terror - crushing terrorist networks, cutting off their funding and fighting them with every tool. Under my leadership, American military operations will be precise and deadly. Our intelligence must be accurate and our law enforcement operations must be aggressive. When I am President, America will lead the world in a mission to lock up and safeguard nuclear weapons material so terrorists can never acquire them. At home, I will make sure our first responders have the equipment and resources they need and make homeland security one of the primary missions of the National Guard, ensuring that the Guard has a strategy for responding in times of crisis."

[Read Senator Kerry's responses to the 18-30 VIP papers here]

[Excerpt from "A Safe and Secure Homeland" at johnkerry.com]

"The most basic responsibility of a president is defending our homeland.

We've seen some progress in making America more secure since September 11 - but there is still much more to be done. Today our government is not doing enough to make us safe. Our intelligence services remain fragmented and lack coordination. Our borders and ports are full of holes. Our chemical plants are vulnerable to attack. And across America, police officers, firefighters, and other first responders still lack the information, gear, and equipment to do their jobs safely and successfully."

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DURING THESE TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY, RECENT POLLS SHOW THAT A MAJORITY OF AMERICANS ARE WILLING TO GIVE UP SOME CIVIL LIBERTIES IN EXCHANGE FOR SECURITY. HOWEVER, RECENT EVENTS CONCERNING ENEMY COMBATANTS ON AMERICAN SOIL, AMONG OTHER THINGS, SHOWCASE THE DEFICIENCIES IN CURRENT POLICY. HOW DO YOU, THE CANDIDATES, SEE THESE POLICIES AND HOW DO YOU PLAN ON IMPROVING THEM TO BETTER BALANCE OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES WITH THE NEED FOR SECURITY?

JOHN KERRY:

"I believe that we should not be trading off civil liberties for national security. We need both our security and our freedom. And America can have both by providing law enforcement the authority it needs to detect and prevent terrorism while assuring that there is adequate judicial oversight and other checks so our rights are not trampled in the process."

[Read Senator Kerry's responses to the 18-30 VIP papers here]

[As excerpted from johnkerry.com]

"Kerry Will Protect The Homeland While Guarding Civil Liberties:

• End the Era of John Ashcroft
• Amend the USA PATRIOT Act
• Strengthen Hate Crime Laws
• Protect Workplace Religious Freedom sustains them."

[Read the details of these steps by clicking here]

GEORGE BUSH:

"Immediately after September 11th, I made clear that our current conflict is with extremists who commit acts of evil, not against law-abiding people of any faith or nationality. There are thousands of Muslims who proudly call themselves Americans, and theirs is a faith of peace, love, and compassion. This is the exact opposite of the teachings of al Qaeda, an organization driven by evil, hate, and destruction.

In 2001, the United States Congress passed into law the PATRIOT Act to help track down terrorists and prevent terrorist attacks. The PATRIOT Act is proving to be a powerful tool in the fight against terror. It has removed the barriers between law enforcement and intelligence communities that once prevented them from sharing crucial information about terrorist plots. The PATRIOT Act has also extended to terrorism investigations the same tools that have been used for years to fight organized crime, drug kingpins, and child molesters. Virtually all of these investigative tools require the approval of a judge before they can be carried out. And similar statutes have been tested in the courts and found to be constitutional. Because it has been used effectively and responsibly, I have called on the United States Congress to promptly renew the PATRIOT Act and to make all of its provisions permanent."

[Read President Bush's responses to the 18-30 VIP papers here]

GEORGE BUSH:

"Our goal for American education must be that every student finishes high school well-prepared to go on to college or enter the workforce. For students who choose to attend college, we are making it easier to meet the rising cost of higher education.

Overall, my 2005 budget requests a record $73.1 billion in financial aid for higher education, which will help nearly 10 million students. My tax relief package passed in 2001 improved Education Savings Accounts by increasing the annual contribution limits from $500 to $2,000 and allowing for contributions by individuals, corporations, and other organizations. As a result, families have greater opportunities to set aside money in tax-free savings for their children's elementary, secondary, and college education expenses."

[Read President Bush's responses to the 18-30 VIP papers here]

JOHN KERRY:

"I believe it is time to make four years of college affordable and available to every single young American. I am proposing a new "College Opportunity Tax Credit" which will provide a tax credit for each and every year of college on the first $4,000 paid in tuition. And I have a plan to enroll 1.5 million more Americans in college by 2009. I will expand GEAR UP, which partners colleges with high-need schools to offer 7th through 12th grade students mentoring in preparing for college; make financial aid applications faster and easier; and make the "College Opportunity Tax Credit" refundable and available at the beginning of the school year so more students can take full advantage of the benefits.

In addition to the "College Opportunity Tax Credit," I have proposed a "Service for College" initiative that will offer a simple deal to hundreds of thousands of America's young people: if you will serve for two years in one of America's toughest and most important jobs, we will pay for four years of tuition at the typical public university."

[Read Senator Kerry's responses to the 18-30 VIP papers here]

JOHN KERRY:

"This election is about you. Because this is your future we're talking about, and there has never been more at stake. It's your tuition and your loans that keep rising and rising every day. It's your generation that is being sent to Iraq to risk your lives. It's your environment that's being turned over to big polluters, and your deficit you'll be paying down for the rest of your lives. My Compact with the Next Generation - your generation - says we're going to bring back the basic bargain at the heart of America: if you're willing to do right by America, than America's willing to do right by you. The Compact with the Next Generation will help put our economy back on track so that young people can graduate to new and better jobs, help more kids pay for college, and engage a record number of young people in service. We cannot and we will not pass America's problems on to our next generation. But the fact is, this election is not just about what we're going to do, it's about what you're going to do. Don't doubt you can change the world. Only doubt those who say you can't."

[Read Senator Kerry's responses to the 18-30 VIP papers here]

GEORGE BUSH:

"Most people in their late teens and twenties are just beginning to understand the full promise of being an American. They are getting an education in the world's best system of higher education, embarking on new and promising careers, or turning their energy and idealism into bold efforts to improve lives or solve problems, or simply to seek to understand the world a little better.

Americans concerned about the cost and accessibility of higher education should know that my Administration is providing more financial aid than ever before to help students afford college or get technical training to jump-start their careers.

Americans embarking on a new career should know everything that can be done is being done to ensure that they will have a strong economy in which to begin.

Americans who are receiving their first paychecks should know that they are keeping more of their hard-earned money thanks to the tax relief we've passed over the last three years. That's more money to spend on rent or groceries, or to invest to meet long-term goals.

Americans who are searching for an outlet for their idealism should know that we created the USA Freedom Corps to help direct the tremendous compassion of Americans toward meeting needs in communities here in America and around the world.

Young Americans serving in the military should first know how grateful I am for their courageous service. They should also know that as Commander in Chief, I will make sure they have all the tools and training they need to accomplish their missions. And that I take the needs of military families seriously. My budgets have increased funding for military pay, housing, and benefits.

And all Americans should know that their government is more vigilant than ever before, on guard against the threat of terrorism at home and deployed around the world to stop terrorists before they strike.

America is the best place in the world for people - young or old - who want to pursue their dreams in any profession or commit themselves to any compassionate cause. I am committed to making sure that every generation enjoys the full advantages of American freedom and opportunity."

[Read President Bush's responses to the 18-30 VIP papers here]

DURING THIS ELECTION A LOT OF TALK HAS SURROUNDED YOUTH VOTING AND PARTICIPATION. BUT WHEN ELECTIONS ARE OVER, YOUTH ARE NOT PROVIDED WITH QUALITY AND WELL-FUNDED PROGRAMMING RELATED TO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO IF YOU ARE ELECTED TO ENSURE THAT YOUTH WILL HAVE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH WELL FUNDED AND DIVERSE PROGRAMMING TO ENHANCE LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND INTEREST IN ONGOING CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND COMMUNITY CONNECTEDNESS?

JOHN KERRY:

"I will listen to the voices of young people not only while campaigning, but while determining the policies that guide our country. Too often, young people feel that their voice is overlooked or that their vote doesn't matter. We must speak to the issues facing young Americans: a volatile economy with too few high paying jobs, millions of young workers with no health insurance, and rising college tuition. We can move this country in a new direction. So I ask you to do three things. First, I want you to vote. Second, register 10 of your friends and family members to vote. And finally, get involved - go to www.johnkerry.com and join our campaign. Together, we can build a stronger America."

[Read Senator Kerry's responses to the 18-30 VIP papers here]

GEORGE BUSH:

"Every day since I took office I have listened to the voices of the American people and responded with policies designed to make our Nation safer, stronger, and better. I have focused on securing our homeland, defeating terrorists, strengthening our economy, and improving America's schools.

I meet with Americans of every age when I travel around the country, visiting communities where the laws we pass in Washington have a direct impact on people's lives. We have made great progress in a short time, yet I know people still have concerns - about jobs and health care, terrorism, and security - and I have laid out an agenda for building on the successes of my Administration in a second term as President.

The best way for any American to make his or her voice heard is to vote on Election Day. Everything that gets done in Washington, in state capitals across America, and in local communities throughout our land depends on the will of the people. By casting a vote, every American has a chance to voice an opinion on the vital issues of our day and to help determine the direction of our Nation."

[Read President Bush's responses to the 18-30 VIP papers here]

GEORGE BUSH:

[As excerpted from "Promoting a Culture of Life" at georgebush.com]

• Defend the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban - President Bush will vigorously defend the Federal law banning the violent and brutal practice of partial birth abortion.
• Prevent Federal Funding for Abortion - President Bush will continue to enforce restrictions that prevent the expenditure of Federal funds to support or promote abortion.
• Support Parental Notification - President Bush supports the right of parents to be involved in the decisions of their minor daughters.
• Emphasize Abstinence Education - President Bush will develop research-based best-practices education curricula; will increase funding for abstinence-only education; and will work with faith and community groups to encourage parents and children to communicate about these issues.

[read more by clicking here]

JOHN KERRY:

[excerpted from "On the Issues"]

• "Kerry staunchly resists restrictions on abortions
• Kerry staunchly resisted restrictions on abortions, including a ban on the partial birth abortions
• Partial-birth abortion ban undermine women's right to choose
• No criminalization of a woman's right to choose
• Voted NO on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime
• Voted NO on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions
• Voted NO on banning partial birth abortions."

[Read details and sources by clicking here]