Words: Kucinich believes that the “war on terror” is a pretext for aggressive warfare. He advocates cutting the defense budget (largely through addressing “bloat and waste”) and promoting “strength through peace”. He feels we should abandon plans for a missile shield, end the ban on gays in the military, and repeal the PATRIOT Act.

Actions: Kucinich was rejected for military service due to a heart murmur. He voted AGAINST the missile defense initiative (1999), AGAINST permitting airline pilots to carry firearms (2002), AGAINST the authorization for the use of force in Iraq (2002), AGAINST an emergency appropriation for Afghanistan and Iraq (2003), AGAINST adopting the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission (2004), AGAINST establishing a Director of National Intelligence (2004), AGAINST military recruitment on college campuses (2005), AGAINST intelligence gathering without civil oversight (2006), AGAINST allowing electronic surveillance without a warrant (2006), and FOR restricting no-bid defense contracts (2007). Peace Action has given him a rating of 100% and the Center for Security Policy has given him a rating of 11%.

More about: Dennis Kucinich, National Security.