Steve Forbes - Republican Presidential Candidate

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Steve Forbes Steve Forbes - Republican Party Candidate

Overview

Steve Forbes is making his second run for the presidency, stressing his credentials as a businessman, tax reform crusader and Washington outsider. Among Republican candidates, Forbes probably is the one person who can, if he chooses, match front-runner George W. Bush dollar for dollar in the primary battles to come next spring. Four years ago, Forbes enlivened the race for the GOP presidential nomination, at least temporarily, with his successes in Delaware and Arizona, and his flat-tax ideas sparked spirited debate. This time, Forbes has continued to portray himself as an outsider, not infected by Washington's ways, and pushed front-runner Bush to debate the issues. In 1996, some GOP cultural conservatives questioned Forbes' ideological purity, and he has tried to broaden his appeal to primary voters by moving to the right and talking about more than just taxes and spending. Forbes also has made some progress in appearing less programmed on the campaign trail. But he has never held elective office and doesn't have Bush's easy-going manner on the hustings.

Stats
Name	Steve Forbes
Party	Republican
Status	Announced candidacy March 16, 1999 via Internet in Manchester, New Hampshire
Age on Inauguration Day 2001	53
Born	July 18, 1947 in Morristown, New Jersey
Residence	Fairfax, Virginia
Education	B.A. in history, Princeton University (1970)
Family	Married to Sabina Forbes, Five daughters -- twins Roberta and Sabina (25), Catherine (22), Moira (20), and Elizabeth (11).
Religion	Episcopalian
Political Experience	Candidate for Republican presidential nomination 1995-1996; Adviser to New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Christine Todd Whitman, 1993
Work Experience	Forbes has worked in all aspects of the family's publishing business since 1970, with stints in editorial, advertising and administration. Since 1990, he has served as the editor in chief, president and chief executive. President and Chief Executive Officer, Forbes, Inc. (1990-present); Editor-in-Chief, Forbes Magazine (1990-present); Chair, Forbes newspapers and American Heritage Magazine (1990-present); Deputy editor in chief, Forbes Magazine (1982-1990); President and Chief Operating Officer, Forbes, Inc. (1980-90)
Military Service	New Jersey National Guard, (1970-76); No combat duty.
Campaign Office	Forbes 2000, Inc. 209 Madison Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 1-8OO-706-0004 Web site: N/A

Political Stance
Kosovo/Yugoslavia	Forbes was critical of what he called drift and disarray in the Clinton Administration's policy in Kosovo. He says the Kosovo tragedy could have been prevented if the U.S. had told Slobodan Milosevic years ago that it was prepared to arm Kosovar Albanians and mount an air campaign.
China	Forbes says he would defend Taiwan from Communist Chinese military aggression and would denounce publicly, vigorously and consistently China's human rights abuses.
Social Security	Forbes has vowed to protect the existing Social Security system, with no tax increases or benefit cuts in the next 10 to 15 years. But he also would phase in new Personal Retirement Accounts, in which younger workers could invest their payroll taxes.
Taxes	Forbes is best known as an advocate of a flat tax. He favors junking the federal income tax code, in favor of a far simpler tax system based on a 17 percent tax rate, after personal exemptions. Forbes has called the U.S. tax system a playground for special interest lawyers, lobbyists and lifetime politicians.
Abortion	Forbes is opposed to abortion, and says he favors legislation to ban so-called partial-birth abortions, late-term abortions, fetal tissue research and federal funding of abortion. He also favors parental notification and consent laws. Life begins at conception, and ends at natural death, he says. He also says he would pick a running mate who shares his views and appoint only judges who share his views.
Crime & Guns	Forbes says there should be no parole for violent felons and he favors the death penalty. He says all law-abiding Americans have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms, and he supports the national instant check system to prevent felons from purchasing guns. He favors automatic jail time for any criminal who attempts to buy a gun, or for anyone possessing a gun in commission of a crime.
Priority Issue	Forbes says the U.S. is moving into a new era of prosperity and it's vital to give all Americans more freedom and control over their own lives. When he kicked off this campaign in New Hampshire, Forbes said, I am the only one who is not beholden to the Washington culture, special-interest lawyers, lobbyists and lifetime politicians. It's time to get the government back in the hands of the American people and once again have a government we can be proud of, not ashamed of.

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