Elaine Marshall's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
Office:
- Secretary of State (NC), Democratic
On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for Secretary of State (NC)
Key
Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
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Elaine Marshall refused to tell citizens where she stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2010 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart, national media, and prominent political leaders.
Issue Positions
For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2010.
- Elaine Marshall. 2010. Independent Weekly.com: 2010 North Carolina Primary Election Candidate Survey. Responded: "I've been a strong, committed supporter of a woman's right to appropriate health care choices my entire career," to the question: "Do you support women's reproductive rights, including the 'right to choose' as set out by the U.S. Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade?" (www.indyweek.com)
- National Organization for Women (NOW): Elaine Marshall (D-N.C., U.S. Senate). "Marshall is a strong supporter of Roe v. Wade as well as legislation providing women access to abortion care in overseas military hospitals. She championed a North Carolina law that created a state abortion fund for indigent women, and she would work to repeal the Hyde Amendment, which denies the use of federal fund for abortion in most cases." (www.nowpacs.org)
- Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
- Elaine Marshall. 2010. Independent Weekly.com: 2010 North Carolina Primary Election Candidate Survey. Responded: "TARP stabilized the financial sector, but it was done on terms that were favorable to the industry. They were in no position to bargain, it was their greed that got them to the precipice, so it's ridiculous that TARP lacked the accountability needed. Taxpayer's got a raw deal - they should have received better terms for their investment. I would have forced the banks to have more 'skin in the game' similar to the investment terms that Warren Buffet extracted from Goldman Sachs in his loan to them," to the question: "The stimulus legislation and the bailout: What worked and what didn't? What would have done differently in hindsight? How will that inform your opinion in the future? Under what circumstances would you advocate for such legislation?" (www.indyweek.com)
- Elaine Marshall. Issue Position: Economic Recovery. "The current economic crisis is the worst we've seen since the Great Depression. [?] We need to invest in infrastructure that makes the country more competitive and leads the way in developing a new green power grid. [?] Virtually every economist agrees that getting the economy moving is going to take an increase in government spending. [?] A Tax Credit for Middle and Lower Income Families--Getting the economy to grow requires an increase in demand. [?] Offering a one-time $1,200 income tax credit to families making less than $100,000 per year puts money directly back into the economy. Job Creation Tax Credit--Businesses are wary of hiring because of the uncertainty of the economic environment. This proposal calls for a tax credit for companies that expand their payrolls. [?] Modernizing our infrastructure--We need to invest in roads, bridges, water and sewer treatment plants, fiber optics, rail, etc. The new economy requires our ability to move goods, people and ideas around quickly and efficiently." (votesmart.org)
- Elaine Marshall. TheSunNews.com - Burr, Marshall Quickly Diverge on Economic Issues. 26 June 2010. "[?] Marshall, however, said cuts alone wouldn't save the country's economy. "We've got to make appropriate investments - the same thing you would do to make your business more profitable," Marshall said. "You can't cut your way into huge profitability." [?] Marshall pointed to stronger regulation, saying the mentality on Capitol Hill has been that Wall Street will heal itself and that market forces will take care of things. She said that regulators need more funding, and that businesses have had too cozy of a relationship with the government officials that oversee them. "We've seen what happens when capitalism takes over," said Marshall, a regulator herself as North Carolina's secretary of state." (votesmart.org)
- Elaine Marshall. Marshall: Burr Picks Politics Over Small Business. 14 September 2010. "Over the last few days, over 17,000 North Carolinians called on Senator Burr to stop blocking the small business jobs bill. Thanks to those efforts, the Senate broke the filibuster! Elaine Marshall: "North Carolina small businesses create jobs. It's about time Washington did something to help them by cutting taxes and increasing credit. Unfortunately Senator Burr opposed this help. Businesses have been putting off plans to hire while Washington's been stalling and playing politics. Senator Burr bailed out Wall Street banks, but for small businesses in North Carolina all he's got is excuses." Burr voted against the bill, despite the fact that it was supported by traditional Republican Party allies like the National Federation of Independent Business, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the N.C. Bankers Association. The Small Business Jobs Act is projected to create more than 500,000 new jobs." (votesmart.org)
- Elaine Marshall. 2010. Independent Weekly.com: 2010 North Carolina Primary Election Candidate Survey. Responded: "I want to make sure we preserve these programs for future generations and I oppose privatization," to the question: "What changes, if any, do you support in federal entitlement programs (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans programs, etc.)" (www.indyweek.com)
- Elaine Marshall. Social Security. 22 June 2010. "Stand firm against risky privatization schemes: Privatization schemes like those pushed by George W. Bush and Richard Burr would hand-over our hard-earned savings to the very Wall Street firms that brought on this mess. As the backbone of a stable and secure retirement, Elaine Marshall knows that we have to protect Social Security. She'll fight schemes that would leave our Social Security vulnerable to Wall Street risk-taking." (www.elainemarshall.org)
- Elaine Marshall. Issue Position: Social Security. "Stand firm against risky privatization schemes: Privatization schemes like those pushed by George W. Bush and Richard Burr would hand-over our hard-earned savings to the very Wall Street firms that brought on this mess. As the backbone of a stable and secure retirement, Elaine Marshall knows that we have to protect Social Security. She'll fight schemes that would leave our Social Security vulnerable to Wall Street risk-taking." (votesmart.org)
- Elaine Marshall. Dem Senate hopefuls support immigration reform. 18 April 2010. "Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, also an attorney, said she's satisfied with the current standstill in North Carolina state government over the death penalty. A de facto death penalty moratorium has been in place for three years while legal challenges have been pending over how executions are carried out. 'We're not even ready to think about' carrying out death sentences in the state, Marshall said, pointing to past allegations of prosecutorial misconduct and eyewitnesses to crimes naming the wrong suspects. She said she wasn't painting federal prosecutions with a similar brush." (www.reflector.com)
- Elaine Marshall. Independent Weekly.com: 2010 North Carolina Primary Election Candidate Survey. Responded: "North Carolina has a serious problem as recent DNA and other scientific evidence has shown. We are not close to having fair and impartial trials that could cost someone their lives. Investigative misconduct, scientific reporting failures, and prosecutorial misconduct add multiple problems to the system with evident racial disparities. I support a death penalty moratorium in North Carolina," to the question: "What is your position on capital punishment?" (www.indyweek.com)
- Elaine Marshall. Issue Position: On Public Education. "My platform for improving our schools and attracting and retaining good educators is based on the following principles: [?] * There should be no unfunded federal mandates. * Not all schools or school districts are created equal. [?] Programs like No Child Left Behind (NCLB) have the right goals but the wrong strategy. Without fully funding the program, the government ensured that the program would not reach its goals. Forcing states to meet federal requirements without adequate funding puts worthwhile programs in competition with each other for diminishing state funds. Reduce Standardization NCLB has led to standardization that is more punitive than constructive. Schools and school districts are not created equal. The program must be overhauled; reducing the focus on standardized tests, replacing the current accountability system with one that gives credit for progress, and providing a support mechanism for educators and schools that are underperforming." (votesmart.org)
- Elaine Marshall. Issue Position: Energy and Environment. "Global climate change is the most pressing environmental and national security issues facing us today. We need an energy policy that will reduce the pollution that causes global warming and, at the same time, lessen our dependence on oil shipped in from other countries. The task is great, but the challenge also provides the opportunity to create new jobs in the United States and in North Carolina. [?] I believe the nation's policy on energy and global climate change must: * Reduce carbon emissions. We should no longer have to rely on foreign oil to provide the energy we need in the United States. We can create cleaner energy here, and put Americans to work providing it. [?]" (votesmart.org)
- Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
- Chamberlain, Charles. Open Left: Elaine Marshall - Progressive Leader. 28 April 2010. "Elaine Marshall isn't afraid to take positions and fight for progressive values. During our final battle for the public option, Elaine didn't hold back. While other Democrats and candidates all over the country were too afraid to take a position, Elaine signed on to the Senate letter calling for Senator Reid to put a public option in the reconciliation bill." (openleft.com)
- Elaine Marshall. 2010. Independent Weekly.com: 2010 North Carolina Primary Election Candidate Survey. Responded: "I've been a strong supporter from day one of my campaign of the public option as I feel that's the best way to keep insurers honest, and in the Senate I'll work to get that done," to the question: "Universal health care: Why don't we have it? What have you learned from the current health care debate? What specific reforms do you support, and what will you do to get them passed? What has this process told us not only about health care but about the way that politics work?" (www.indyweek.com)
- Elaine Marshall. Elaine Marshall for US Senate. "She has been an early and strong supporter of the public option and health insurance reform overall." (www.democracyforamerica.com)
- Elaine Marshall. Marshall touts her success in office. 22 April, 2010. "Among the major Democratic candidates, she is perhaps the most liberal. She is the only candidate who opposed the administration's troop surge in Afghanistan, she was the first major candidate to call for a public option in the health care overhaul, and she [has] been the most outspoken about the growing income gap between rich and poor." (www.charlotteobserver.com)
- Elaine Marshall. Issue Position: Health Insurance Reform. "The United States is the wealthiest country in the world. As people and lawmakers we have a moral imperative to provide access to adequate healthcare for all of our citizens. [?] I believe effective health insurance reform legislation must include: [?] * Create a public health insurance option to provide more choice and drive down costs for consumers by creating competition in the industry now holding Americans hostage to spiraling costs. [?]" (votesmart.org)
- Crabtree, David. WRAL.com (Raleigh, NC): Senate candidates sound similar themes. 30 April 2010. "Arizona's controversial law to combat illegal immigration drew a sharp rebuke from all three candidates. The new law allows law enforcement to stop anyone suspected of being in the country illegally to ask for proof of their immigration status...Marshall said such laws make Latinos leery of law enforcement and unwilling to cooperate with police even if they are the victims of crime. The candidates said mass deportation and amnesty programs won't work, and the nation needs a program that sets the same standards for all states and creates a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally." (www.wral.com)
- Elaine Marshall. Marshall touts her success in office. 22 April 2010. "Among the major Democratic candidates, she is perhaps the most liberal. She is the only candidate who opposed the administration's troop surge in Afghanistan, she was the first major candidate to call for a public option in the health care overhaul, and she [has] been the most outspoken about the growing income gap between rich and poor." (www.charlotteobserver.com)
- Elaine Marshall. Issue Position: On War in Afghanistan. "[?] The war in Afghanistan, though, is diverting our attention and reducing the resources we need to solve our own problems. here at home. I acknowledge that there are no easy answers in Afghanistan and I respect the time and consideration that the President took in making his decision. However, I disagree that now is the time to commit 30,000 additional men and women to prop up a corrupt government that has shown no real effort to reform itself. The mission that we are about to undertake has too much to do with building a nation that has not had a stable or responsible government in decades and too little to do with keeping us safe at home. [?] Failed states provide havens and training grounds for terrorists. However, these states have rarely, if ever, been "fixed" by the foreign powers. They have only been made stable by long-term, expensive occupations that, more often than not, eventually fail. That is not the route we should take in Afghanistan." (votesmart.org)
- Elaine Marshall. Issue Position: National Security. "The number one priority of our national security policy should be to keep Americans safe here at home. We are currently bogged down in two wars that are draining our resources and keeping American troops at risk. Meanwhile, our most recent terrorist threat, the failed Christmas Day bomber, came from neither of those countries. We need to closely examine our national security priorities." (votesmart.org)
- Elaine Marshall. 2010. Independent Weekly.com: 2010 North Carolina Primary Election Candidate Survey. Responded: "I support LGBT rights and in fact this is on my website issues section. Specifically I support the repeal of DOMA and DADT," to the question: "What is your position regarding LGBT rights and Don't Ask Don't Tell?" (www.indyweek.com)
- Elaine F. Marshall. Issue Position: Civil Rights. "Doing away with the "Defense of Marriage Act" -- Elaine believes it is not the Federal government's job to discriminate against anybody including when it comes to sexual orientation. As U.S. Senator, Elaine would support the repeal of DOMA and fight to restore the idea of equality for all Americans." (votesmart.org)
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