DON EMMERT / AFP / Getty Images§ 2012: Cites judicial opinions prohibiting school prayer as one reason, as he said in 2011, to use presidential power to throw federal judges out of office. Also says Supreme Court case banning school-sponsored prayer “reflect[s] hostility to religion and an erosion of religious freedom.”
2006: Said that “evolution should be taught as science and intelligent design should be taught as philosophy in public schools.”
§ 2012: Wants to allow any employer or any insurer to discriminate and deny insurance coverage for a broad range of health care services – including but not limited to contraception – based on the CEO’s own religious or moral beliefs.
§ 2012: Has pledged to create a presidential commission on religious freedom if elected because of what he says is the current “misconception” that the First Amendment is “anti-religious.” He claims that important Supreme Court cases upholding separation of church and state “arguably reflect hostility to religion and an erosion of religious freedom.”
§ 2010: Opposed building Park51, an Islamic community center with a prayer room in downtown Manhattan.
§ 2011: Questioned whether someone who doesn’t pray should be president.
§ 2011: Supports vouchers that could be used for tuition at private and religious schools.
§ 1996: Helped pass the welfare reform bill that contained a provision allowing houses of worship to receive federal grants.
Voter Suppression (Read more on this)
Newt Gingrich's Rating:
§ Supports a South Carolina law that would restrict the number of voters able to participate in elections and disproportionately affect minorities by requiring photo identification at the polls; and opposes Justice Department’s attempts to block the law.
Racial Profiling (Read more on this)
Newt Gingrich's Rating:
§ Supports state immigration laws, like those in Alabama, Arizona and South Carolina, that promote racial profiling by requiring law enforcement officers to check the immigration status if they suspect illegal entry;
§ Said in December 2009 that “our opponents are radical extremists of the irreconcilable wing of Islam” and this means it is time “to profile for terrorists” and “actively discriminate” based on suspicion.
Humane Immigration Policy (Read more on this)
Newt Gingrich's Rating:
§ Signed a pledge in December 2011 to build a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border;
§ Proposes a more “humane” pathway to account for undocumented immigrants already living in the U.S. In June 2011, Gingrich said, “No serious citizen […is] for totally kicking out 20 million people in a heartless way. There are humane, practical steps to solve this problem.”;
§ Supports parts of the DREAM Act, which opens up a path to citizenship through military service for many, regardless of immigration status.
Closing Guantanamo Bay & Indefinite Detention (Read more on this)
Newt Gingrich's Rating:
§ Proposes to expand Guantanamo Bay and have a two-tiered justice system that includes military panels and tribunals.
Gays & Lesbians Serving Openly In The Military (Read more on this)
Newt Gingrich's Rating:
§ Said “I would listen to the commanders” and reinstate “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Ending Torture (Read more on this)
Newt Gingrich's Rating:
§ Supports “enhanced interrogation techniques” like waterboarding – both euphemisms for torture and illegal under U.S. law.
Ending A Surveillance State Under The PATRIOT Act (Read more on this)
Newt Gingrich's Rating:
§ Wants to reauthorize the PATRIOT Act and further expand its already extensive surveillance powers.
Freedom To Marry For Gay Couples (Read more on this)
Newt Gingrich's Rating:
§ Co-authored the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which passed in September 1996 and which defines marriage as only a legal union between a man and a woman;
§ Supports a federal constitutional marriage amendment;
§ Affirmed the conservative Family Leader’s “marriage pledge” in December 2011. The pledge asks candidates to support the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act, back a constitutional marriage amendment and encourage legislative changes to “anti-marriage” aspects in divorce, tax and welfare laws.
Reproductive Choice (Read more on this)
Newt Gingrich's Rating:
§ Supports a ban on the use of federal funds for abortion services;
§ Voted in favor of the so-called “Partial-Birth” Abortion Ban Bill in March 1997;
§ Signed the Susan B. Anthony List’s “Pro-Life Pledge” in June 2011 that mandates a pro-life agenda in office;
§ Supports an Ohio law that criminalizes abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detectable.
ACLU Liberty Watch 2012 is the voice for the Constitution in the this year’s presidential election.
We're watching the issues, the candidates and the media to hold them accountable to the Constitution and our civil liberties. Because words matter. Because our rights matter. Because we're choosing a president, not our liberties.
