ELPAC Report January 2000

The ELPAC Report January 2000

Presidential Candidates' Position on English

McCain
"We don't need English Only laws"

Republican Presidential candidate John McCain has a long history of opposition to official English laws (including Arizona's successful ballot initiative to declare English the state's official language) and other efforts to protect our common language. For example, on October 9, 1997, McCain issued a press release which said: "We don't need English Only laws [sic] that cause people to think that we scorn their contributions to our culture. We are a better country than that."

Forbes
"It's the Language of Opportunity."

Steve Forbes, who has his best chance for building momentum in the Iowa caucuses this month, is the only major party Presidential candidate who has long supported English. For example, in a September 29, 1999 interview in The Washington Times newspaper, Forbes turned a question on immigration into a personal statement in support of the English language:

"The key on legal immigration is making sure that not only these newcomers but most importantly, immediately our own children, understand what America is about. Which means learning the language. It is the language of opportunity. That's why I supported immersion [in English] in the schools. Kids can learn the language very quickly if you immerse them in it."

Bush
"Si"

George W. Bush, the Republican front-runner amidst massive fund-raising, is not a strong supporter of English. In September, the Washington Times newspaper interviewed Bush and asked "You've been going out of your way to court the Hispanic vote." Bush replied "Si."

Gore
Changed As a Member of Clinton Administration

Gore has not taken a public position recently on English-language-related issues. He is, however, a strong supporter of statehood for Puerto Rico, and has supported bilingual education rather than English-language instruction.

As a Senator (before he became Vice-President), Gore accepted ELPAC contributions for his support on official English. He was supportive privately, but cautioned in private meetings that he could not publicly support English because it would offend powerful special interests, including those in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

Gore appointed pro-Statehood Governor Pedro Rossello as his campaign co-chairman; there will likely be some repayment for Rossello's loyalty.

Bradley
Nothing on the Issues

Bill Bradley has not taken a public position on English-language issues. He has said that he will support statehood for Puerto Rico at any time that the voters in Puerto Rico vote in favor of statehood.