Candidate Responses
Supports same-sex civil unions
"Senator Gravel supports same-sex marriage and opposes the Defense of Marriage Act," his web site states.
Opposes constitutional ban on gay marriage and in fact supports gay marriage. He opposed the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.
In an open letter to the gay community, Gravel wrote, "Denying gays and lesbians equal rights, including marriage, is immoral."
Supports abortion rights. "Senator Gravel supports a woman's right to decide if and when to have children and to make the difficult decision about abortion without interference by government," his campaign web site states.
Supports immediate withdrawal of troops. Opposed use of military force in Iraq and says Congress should demand an end to the war.
"Our nation's borders should not be fenced nor should they be militarized," he said during an interview with NH Insider.
Supports creating legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Supports guest worker programs.
Opposes a military confrontation with Iran and advocates a diplomatic solution.
Supports relaxing restrictions on federal financing of embryonic stem cell research.
Favors a "fair tax" and eliminating the IRS and income taxes with a national sales tax.
Gravel proposes issuing vouchers to everyone based on their need. The vouchers would have a modest co-pay and deductible. If an individual – say an older person – needs more insurance, then they pay for a larger voucher. He also proposes to eventually phase out Medicare and Medicaid.
He proposes that his health plan would be paid for by the federal government and from fees from U.S. citizens.
