11-06-1999
POLITICS: Gary Bauer Profile
Born: Covington, Ky., May 4, 1946
Family: Wife, Carol Hoke; daughters, Elyse and Sarah; son, Zachary
Religion: Baptist
Education: Georgetown College, Ky., B.A. political science and economics,
1968; Georgetown University Law School, J.D., 1973
Military Service: None
Career: Director of government relations, Direct Mail Marketing
Association, 1973-80; policy analyst and deputy assistant director for
legal policy, White House Office of Policy Development, 1981-82; deputy
undersecretary of Education for planning, 1982-85; Undersecretary of
Education, 1985-87; assistant to the President and director of the White
House Office of Policy Development, 1987-88; chairman of the White House
Working Group on the Family, 1987-88; vice president, Focus on the Family,
1988-92; president, Family Research Council, 1988-98
Campaign Headquarters: 288 Shirlington Rd., Suite 900, Arlington, VA
22206
Phone: (703) 933-2000
Web Site: www.bauer2k.com
Campaign Staff: National campaign manager and finance director, Frank
Cannon; deputy campaign manager, Connie Mackey; senior consultants,
Jeffrey Bell and Robert Heckman; legal and political adviser, Robert P.
George; communications director, Tim Goeglein
Key Endorsements: Former professional football player Reggie White; New
Hampshire GOP state Reps. Mike Gilman, Gary Torressen, and Robert Boyce;
South Carolina GOP state Rep. Mike Fair; New Hampshire Right to Life
President Phil Morrison
KEY PROPOSALS
Taxes: "Our current tax code is needlessly complex and deeply unfair.
It has been written by lobbyists and special interests who could care less
about average Americans."
Bauer would establish a 16 percent flat tax on all income. He would
eliminate all loopholes and business-related deductions. Families would
receive a new "earned personal tax credit" of roughly $5,000 per
family member. This would replace exemptions and deductions. Families,
however, would retain the option of deducting home mortgage interest
payments and charitable contributions. Capital gains taxes would be
reduced to 16 percent, and estate taxes would be eliminated.
Social Security: "Social Security remains the most pro-family federal
program because it is structured to favor marriage and children. The tax
burden to support the system, however, is squeezing the middle-class
family."
Bauer would reduce Social Security payroll taxes by 20 percent without
requiring individuals to invest those funds. Current retirees would
continue to get the benefits they've paid for. Americans entering their
working years would upon retirement get 20 percent less in benefits than
they would under the old system. And workers who contributed at both the
old and new rates would be paid benefits accordingly.
China Policy: "For China...trade and commercial concessions must be
conditional--conditional upon minimum standards of civilized behavior
toward its own people and its neighbors in Asia."
Bauer would pursue a two-tiered approach to U.S.-Chinese relations. First,
he would establish an anti-missile defense shield over the United States,
Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. He would also urge Congress to pass the
Taiwan Security Enhancement Act, further committing the United States to
come to the island's defense if it was invaded by mainland China. Second,
Bauer would pursue a policy of "democratic engagement,"
immediately revoking normal U.S. trade relations with China and linking
improved trade to democratic reforms there. U.S. technology-transfer
regulations would be strengthened, as would relations with other allies in
the region. Finally, Bauer Administration officials would meet regularly
with pro-democracy leaders from China, Hong Kong, and Tibet.
OTHER ISSUES
Abortion: Has pledged to fight for a "Human Life Bill" that
would define unborn children as persons entitled to equal rights under the
14th Amendment to the Constitution. Also plans to ban so-called
partial-birth abortion and prohibit U.S. aid for abortions
overseas.
Defense: Backs increased defense spending as well as development and
deployment of the Strategic Defense Initiative, a still-experimental
missile shield over the United States.
Education: Supports "Education Savings Accounts" that would make
it easier for parents to afford private or religious schools. Would
devolve education policy from Washington to states and
communities.
Social Policy: Opposes gay-rights initiatives such as same-sex marriage,
employment nondiscrimination, and hate-crimes legislation. Supports
voluntary prayer in public schools and legislation that would allow state
facilities to display the Ten Commandments.
MONEY
Total receipts through 3rd quarter $6,306,643
Total spent $6,022,220
Cash-on-hand $284,433
Gary Bauer
Contributions below $200 $2,847,966 45%
Contributions of $200-$999 $1,395,914 22%
Contributions of $1000 $1,094,562 17%
PACs $4,750 0
Candidate self-financing 0 0
Other $941,750 15%
Top five states
California $416,551
Michigan $191,391
Pennsylvania $133,913
Tex
$124,351
Ohio $120,630
Top five occupations
Retired individuals $309,895
Health professionals $181,249
Real estate $78,737
Misc. manufacturing and distributing $66,445
Education $56,537
National Journal
