Should the US have supported Kosovo's independence?
Candidates' positions are categorized as Pro (Yes), Con (No), Not Clearly Pro or Con, or None Found. Candidates who have changed their positions are listed as Now their most recent position. (Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by party; black & white photos indicate candidates who have withdrawn or who no longer meet our criteria.)
|
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/space.gif) ![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/obama501.jpg) Obama, Barack |
Not Clearly Pro or Con |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/space.gif) |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/clinton35.jpg) |
|
Clinton, Hillary (Suspended campaign on June 7, 2008) |
Pro |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/edwards35.jpg) |
|
Edwards, John (Withdrew on Jan. 30, 2008) |
None Found |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/kucinich35.jpg) |
|
Kucinich, Dennis (Withdrew on Jan. 25, 2008) |
None Found |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/richardson35.jpg) |
|
Richardson, Bill (Withdrew on Jan. 10, 2008) |
None Found |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/vilsack35.jpg) |
|
Vilsack, Tom (Withdrew on Feb. 23, 2007) |
None Found |
|
|
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/space.gif) McCain, John |
Pro |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/space.gif) |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/brownback35.jpg) |
|
Brownback, Sam (Withdrew on Oct. 19, 2007) |
None Found |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/gilmore35.jpg) |
|
Gilmore, Jim (Withdrew on July 14, 2007) |
None Found |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/giuliani35.jpg) |
|
Giuliani, Rudy (Withdrew on Jan. 30, 2008) |
None Found |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/huckabee35.jpg) |
|
Huckabee, Mike (Withdrew on Mar. 4, 2008) |
None Found |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/hunter35.jpg) |
|
Hunter, Duncan (Withdrew on Jan. 19, 2008) |
None Found |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/tancredo35.jpg) |
|
Tancredo, Tom (Withdrew on Dec. 20, 2007) |
None Found |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/thompsonfred35.jpg) |
|
Thompson, Fred (Withdrew on Jan. 22, 2008) |
None Found |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/thompsontommy35.jpg) |
|
Thompson, Tommy (Withdrew on Aug. 12, 2007) |
None Found |
|
|
3rd Parties / Independents (3rd/I) |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/space.gif) ![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/baldwin501.jpg) |
Baldwin, Chuck (Cst) |
Not Clearly Pro or Con |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/space.gif) ![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/barr501.jpg) |
Barr, Bob (Lib) |
None Found |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/space.gif) ![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/mckinney501.jpg) |
McKinney, Cynthia (Grn) |
None Found |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/space.gif) ![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/nader501.jpg) |
Nader, Ralph (Ind) |
None Found |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/space.gif) |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/keyes35.jpg) |
|
Keyes, Alan (No longer met criteria on June 23, 2008) |
None Found |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/kubby35.jpg) |
|
Kubby, Steve (No longer met criteria on Mar. 21, 2008) |
Con |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/mcenulty35.jpg) |
|
McEnulty, Frank (No longer met criteria on Mar. 21, 2008) |
Pro |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/smith35.jpg) |
|
Smith, Christine (No longer met criteria on Mar. 21, 2008) |
None Found |
|
|
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/space.gif) |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/THELOGO550-35.jpg) |
|
|
Should the US have supported Kosovo's independence?
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Positions are categorized as Pro (Yes), Con (No), Not Clearly Pro or Con, or None Found. Candidates who have withdrawn or who no longer meet our criteria are listed last.
|
Baldwin, Chuck (Cst) - Not Clearly Pro or Con
|
Chuck Baldwin, Founder and Minister of the Crossroad Baptist Church in Pensacola, FL, issued the following statement through his Communications Director, Mary Starrett, in an Aug. 11, 2008 email to ProCon.org:
"The US should not be involved or determining negotiations between foreign governments or organizations.
We must disengage this nation from the international entanglements which generate foreign hatred of these United States, and are used as the excuse for terrorist attacks on America and its people."
Aug. 11, 2008 Chuck Baldwin
| |
|
Top |
|
Barr, Bob (Lib) - None Found
ProCon.org emailed the Barr campaign on July 19, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Aug. 22, 2008. |
|
|
|
Top |
McCain, John (R) - Pro
John McCain, US Senator (R-AZ), in a Feb. 18, 2008 press release titled "Senator McCain Welcomes Kosovo's Independence," stated:
"With its declaration of independence, Kosovo and the Balkans with it has taken a major step out of the 1990s and into the 21st century. Eleven years ago, that region was in flames, characterized by ethnic cleansing and widespread violence. Today, for the first time, the region is poised to move forward. The people of Kosovo should be commended for the great strides they have made and the bright future that lies ahead.
The United States and the rest of the international community can help solidify these gains by quickly recognizing Kosovo's independence."
Feb. 18, 2008 John McCain
|
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/space.gif) |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/THELOGO250-35.jpg) |
|
Top |
|
McKinney, Cynthia (Grn) - None Found |
|
|
ProCon.org emailed the McKinney campaign on Mar. 26, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Apr. 11, 2008. |
| |
|
Top |
|
Nader, Ralph (Ind) - None Found |
|
|
ProCon.org emailed the Nader campaign on Mar. 26, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Apr. 11, 2008. |
| |
|
Obama, Barack (D) - Not Clearly Pro or Con
|
Barack Obama, US Senator (D-IL), stated in a Feb. 17, 2008 article titled "Statement by Barack Obama on the Independence of Kosovo" on his official candidate website:
"Today's announcement of independence by the leadership of Kosovo ends a chain of events that began with the bloody break-up of the former Yugoslavia. Kosovo's independence is a unique situation resulting from the irreparable rupture Slobodan Milosevic's actions caused; it is in no way a precedent for anyone else in the region or around the world.
Kosovo's independence carries with it important responsibilities. The international community has devoted enormous resources to Kosovo's political, economic and social development for nearly a decade, with results not always meeting expectations. I hope that Kosovo's government and people act with urgency to ensure that Kosovo becomes a positive example of democratic governance and the rule of law."
Feb. 17, 2008 Barack Obama
| |
CANDIDATES WHO HAVE WITHDRAWN OR WHO NO LONGER MEET OUR CRITERIA |
|
Biden, Joe (D) - None Found |
|
Withdrew on Jan. 3, 2008; no position found as of that date |
|
Top |
|
Brownback, Sam (R) - None Found |
|
Withdrew on Oct. 19, 2007; no position found as of that date |
|
Top |
Clinton, Hillary (D) - Pro
Hillary Clinton, US Senator (D-NY), stated at the Feb. 21, 2008 Democratic Presidential Debate held in Austin, TX:
"I supported the independence of Kosovo because I think it is imperative that in the heart of Europe we continue to promote independence and democracy."
Feb. 21, 2008 Hillary Clinton
|
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/space.gif) |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/THELOGO250-35.jpg) |
|
Top |
|
Dodd, Chris (D) - None Found |
|
Withdrew on Jan. 3, 2008; no position found as of that date |
|
Top |
|
Edwards, John (D) - None Found |
|
Withdrew on Jan. 30, 2008; no position found as of that date |
|
Top |
|
Gilmore, Jim (R) - None Found |
|
Withdrew on Aug. 14, 2007; no position found as of that date |
|
Top |
|
Giuliani, Rudy (R) - None Found |
|
Withdrew on Jan. 30, 2008; no position found as of that date |
|
Top |
|
Gravel, Mike (Lib) - None Found
|
|
|
ProCon.org emailed the Gravel campaign on Mar. 11, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Mar. 21, 2008. |
|
|
Top |
|
Huckabee, Mike (R) - None Found |
|
Withdrew on Mar. 4, 2008; no position found as of that date |
|
Top |
|
Hunter, Duncan (R) - None Found |
|
Withdrew on Jan. 19, 2008; no position found as of that date |
|
Top |
|
Imperato, Daniel (Ind) - Not Clearly Pro or Con
|
Daniel Imperato, an Independent candidate and business entrepreneur, stated in a Mar. 11, 2008 telephone interview with ProCon.org:
"The Kosovo independence I have to study because it is something that is, in my opinion, I believe that there was a grave mistake supporting the war from the Middle Eastern communities and not supporting the Christian communities."
Mar. 11, 2008 Daniel Imperato
|
|
Top |
|
Keyes, Alan (Ind) - None Found
|
|
|
ProCon.org emailed the Keyes campaign on Mar. 26, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Apr. 11, 2008. |
|
|
Top |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/THELOGO250-35.jpg) |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/space.gif) |
Kubby, Steve (Lib) - Con
Steve Kubby, a Libertarian candidate and founder of the American Medical Marijuana Association, stated in a Mar. 12, 2008 email to ProCon.org:
"No. The US has no business dictating political affairs in the Balkans, or anywhere else outside its borders."
Mar. 12, 2008 Steve Kubby
|
|
Top |
|
Kucinich, Dennis (D) - None Found |
|
Withdrew on Jan. 25, 2008; no position found as of that date |
|
Top |
McEnulty, Frank (Ind) - Pro
Frank McEnulty, an Independent candidate and President of Our Castle Homes, in a Mar. 19, 2008 email to ProCon.org, stated:
"Yes, all people should have the right to establish their own independence as they see fit."
Mar. 19, 2008 Frank McEnulty
|
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/space.gif) |
![](http://www.2008electionprocon.org/images/THELOGO250-35.jpg) |
|
Top |
|
Paul, Ron (R) - None Found
|
|
|
ProCon.org emailed the Paul campaign on Mar. 26, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Apr. 11, 2008. |
|
|
Top |
|
Richardson, Bill (D) - None Found |
|
Withdrew on Jan. 10, 2008; no position found as of that date |
|
Top |
|
Romney, Mitt (R) - None Found |
|
Withdrew on Feb. 7, 2008; no position found as of that date |
|
Top |
|
ProCon.org emailed the Smith campaign on Mar. 11, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Mar. 21, 2008. |
|
|
Top |
|
Tancredo, Tom (R) - None Found |
|
Withdrew on Dec. 20, 2007; no position found as of that date |
|
Top |
|
Thompson, Fred (R) - None Found |
|
Withdrew on Jan. 22, 2008; no position found as of that date |
|
Top |
|
Thompson, Tommy (R) - None Found |
|
Withdrew on Sep. 12, 2007; no position found as of that date |
|
Top |
|
Vilsack, Tom (D) - None Found |
|
Withdrew on Feb. 23, 2007; no position found as of that date |
| | |