Election 2008: Primary voters' tech guide
Here's how the 2008 U.S. presidential candidates responded to a CNET News.com poll on all things technology.
Election 2008: Primary voters' tech guide
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You've likely heard where they stand on Iraq and immigration, but here's what the U.S. presidential candidates have to say on all things technology. Despite repeated queries in late 2007 from CNET News.com, some candidates chose not to respond: Republicans Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani, and Fred Thompson, as well as Democrats Bill Richardson and Joe Biden. Democrats Chris Dodd and John Edwards, who did respond, have since dropped out of the race.
Stay up-to-date with News.com's coverage from the campaign trail, which now goes past whistle-stop towns, into the far corners of the blogosphere, social networks, and beyond.
A charted summary
| Net neutrality legislation | Telecom spying immunity | DMCA fair use reform | Supports Real ID Act | ISP data retention required | Permanent Net-tax ban | Increased H1-B visas | |
| Clinton | Strong yes | No | Ducked question | Maybe | Ducked question | Ducked question | Probably yes |
| Huckabee | Maybe* | Ducked question | Ducked question | Ducked question | Ducked question | Probably not* | Ducked question |
| McCain | No | Probably yes | Ducked question | Strong yes | Ducked question | Yes | Strong yes |
| Obama | Strong yes | No | Probably yes | No | No | Yes | Probably yes |
| Paul | No | Strong no | Probably yes | Strong no | No | Yes | Yes |
| Romney | Ducked question | Ducked question | Ducked question | Yes* | Ducked question | Yes* | Yes* |
In '08 presidential race, who's the most tech-friendly?
If you're voting on Super Tuesday, you might want to check out our summary of the presidential candidates' positions on technology topics ranging from illegal wiretapping to Net neutrality.
February 3, 2008
The candidates' responses
Sen. Hillary Clinton
She supports tax incentives to extend broadband, wants open, unimpaired Internet access for all, and has serious concerns about Real ID.
Excerpt: "No other communications medium in recent history has had such a profound impact as the Internet on free expression, education, the proliferation of commerce, and the exchange of political ideas. And it is the basic principles of neutrality and nondiscrimination that have allowed the Internet to flourish."
Official campaign site: Hillary For President
Sen. John McCain
He wants strong laws protecting children from sexual predators online. He also wants to keep Net connections tax-free.
Excerpt: "We should place the federal government in the role of stimulator, rather than regulator, of broadband services, remove state and local barriers to broadband deployment, and facilitate deployment of broadband services to rural and unserved communities."
Official campaign site: John McCain For President
Sen. Barack Obama
Democrat is a staunch believer in Net neutrality and says he'll push for infrastructure improvements so the United States can lead in broadband penetration.
Excerpt: "The Internet is the most open network in history. We have to keep it that way. I will prevent network providers from discriminating in ways that limit the freedom of expression on the Internet."
Official campaign site: Obama For America
Rep. Ron Paul
Republican thinks that a free market is the key to broadband expansion and that the feds should stay out of mergers and social-networking sites.
Excerpt: "Under the Constitution, the federal government does not have the authority to regulate social-networking sites. I would return this matter to state and local governments. Ultimately, parents are the best-suited to protect their own children."
Official campaign site: Ron Paul 2008
Former Sen. John Edwards
Former candidate supports universal broadband and Net neutrality, and has pledged to "recharge" American innovation.
Excerpt: "I believe that if we do not guarantee net neutrality--and at the same time meet the goal of universal broadband access--the Internet could go the way of network television and commercial radio--with just a few loud corporate voices and no room for the grassroots and small entrepreneurs. Our country is already divided enough between the haves and have-nots."
Official campaign site: John Edwards '08
Sen. Chris Dodd
One of the casualties of the Iowa caucuses, Dodd had shared his views that he supports Net neutrality legislation and opposes the "idea of assigning people bar codes.
Excerpt: "It is time that we approach the Internet the same way we approach water, electricity and highways--as critical infrastructure our citizens require to participate fully in American society."
Official campaign site: Chris Dodd For President
Election 2008: Primary voters' tech guide
Election 2008: Primary voters' tech guide
You've likely heard where they stand on Iraq and immigration, but here's what the U.S. presidential candidates have to say on all things technology. Despite repeated queries in late 2007 from CNET News.com, some candidates chose not to respond: Republicans Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani, and Fred Thompson, as well as Democrats Bill Richardson and Joe Biden. Democrats Chris Dodd and John Edwards, who did respond, have since dropped out of the race.
Stay up-to-date with News.com's coverage from the campaign trail, which now goes past whistle-stop towns, into the far corners of the blogosphere, social networks, and beyond.
A charted summary
| Net neutrality legislation | Telecom spying immunity | DMCA fair use reform | Supports Real ID Act | ISP data retention required | Permanent Net-tax ban | Increased H1-B visas | |
| Clinton | Strong yes | No | Ducked question | Maybe | Ducked question | Ducked question | Probably yes |
| Huckabee | Maybe* | Ducked question | Ducked question | Ducked question | Ducked question | Probably not* | Ducked question |
| McCain | No | Probably yes | Ducked question | Strong yes | Ducked question | Yes | Strong yes |
| Obama | Strong yes | No | Probably yes | No | No | Yes | Probably yes |
| Paul | No | Strong no | Probably yes | Strong no | No | Yes | Yes |
| Romney | Ducked question | Ducked question | Ducked question | Yes* | Ducked question | Yes* | Yes* |
In '08 presidential race, who's the most tech-friendly?
If you're voting on Super Tuesday, you might want to check out our summary of the presidential candidates' positions on technology topics ranging from illegal wiretapping to Net neutrality.
February 3, 2008
The candidates' responses
Sen. Hillary Clinton
She supports tax incentives to extend broadband, wants open, unimpaired Internet access for all, and has serious concerns about Real ID.
Excerpt: "No other communications medium in recent history has had such a profound impact as the Internet on free expression, education, the proliferation of commerce, and the exchange of political ideas. And it is the basic principles of neutrality and nondiscrimination that have allowed the Internet to flourish."
Official campaign site: Hillary For President
Sen. John McCain
He wants strong laws protecting children from sexual predators online. He also wants to keep Net connections tax-free.
Excerpt: "We should place the federal government in the role of stimulator, rather than regulator, of broadband services, remove state and local barriers to broadband deployment, and facilitate deployment of broadband services to rural and unserved communities."
Official campaign site: John McCain For President
Sen. Barack Obama
Democrat is a staunch believer in Net neutrality and says he'll push for infrastructure improvements so the United States can lead in broadband penetration.
Excerpt: "The Internet is the most open network in history. We have to keep it that way. I will prevent network providers from discriminating in ways that limit the freedom of expression on the Internet."
Official campaign site: Obama For America
Rep. Ron Paul
Republican thinks that a free market is the key to broadband expansion and that the feds should stay out of mergers and social-networking sites.
Excerpt: "Under the Constitution, the federal government does not have the authority to regulate social-networking sites. I would return this matter to state and local governments. Ultimately, parents are the best-suited to protect their own children."
Official campaign site: Ron Paul 2008
Former Sen. John Edwards
Former candidate supports universal broadband and Net neutrality, and has pledged to "recharge" American innovation.
Excerpt: "I believe that if we do not guarantee net neutrality--and at the same time meet the goal of universal broadband access--the Internet could go the way of network television and commercial radio--with just a few loud corporate voices and no room for the grassroots and small entrepreneurs. Our country is already divided enough between the haves and have-nots."
Official campaign site: John Edwards '08
Sen. Chris Dodd
One of the casualties of the Iowa caucuses, Dodd had shared his views that he supports Net neutrality legislation and opposes the "idea of assigning people bar codes.
Excerpt: "It is time that we approach the Internet the same way we approach water, electricity and highways--as critical infrastructure our citizens require to participate fully in American society."
Official campaign site: Chris Dodd For President