Words: Edwards feels we should close Guantanamo Bay, condemn torture and rendition, and comply with the Geneva Conventions. He argues that the president is not above the law and that we should never sacrifice the rights and freedoms that define America. He opposes don’t-ask-don’t-tell and feels our troops should be fully trained and equipped before deployment, and guarantee veterans’ benefits. His security priorities include improved intelligence capabilities and ending the funding and sheltering of terrorists.

Actions: Edwards has not served in the US military; during the Vietnam conflict, his draft number was nor called. He voted FOR a military pay raise (1999), FOR deploying National Missile Defense (1999), AGAINST cutting nuclear weapons to below START levels (1999), AGAINST another round of military base closures (1999), and FOR adopting the Comprehensive Test ban Treaty (1999). Peace Action has given Edwards a rating of 40%.

More about: John Edwards, National Security.