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Bill Bradley
(Democrat)
"A national missile defense system has not been adequately tested, so it's too soon to say that it is an effective way to defend America against nuclear attack. Even if it is shown to be both technically feasible and strategically desirable, a NMD cannot defend America against nuclear attacks delivered by other means, for example in a terrorist's suitcase. In any case, arms control and diplomatic pressure may be more effective in reducing the possibility of a nuclear attack, and the United States should continue to rely primarily on the threat of nuclear retaliation to deter nuclear attacks."
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Al Gore
(Democrat)
"The decision to proceed toward deployment of a national missile defense system needs to be based on: 1. the level of our confidence in the technology; 2. its impact on our ability to protect arms control; 3. an assessment of the cost; and 4. an evaluation of the threat. As President, I would be willing to consider changes to the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty restricting missile deployment and even abandoning the treaty if the United States was seriously threatened by a missile attack from a 'rogue' nation."
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Gary Bauer
(Republican)
"As one of my first acts in office, I will order deployment of a strategic missile defense to begin defending the American people against nuclear attacks."
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George W. Bush (Republican)
"Yes. At the earliest possible date, my administration will deploy anti-ballistic missile systems, both theater and national, to guard America and our allies against attack and blackmail. I will work to persuade Russia that it is in both our nations' best interests to amend the anti-ballistic missile treaty to allow these defense systems to protect our people from rogue attacks. If Russia refuses, we will withdraw from the treaty. The President of the United States has a solemn obligation to protect the American people and our allies from nuclear attack."
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Steve Forbes
(Republican)
"We could construct viable missile defense systems for ourselves and our allies in Europe, Israel, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea - to name a few - by integrating new missile defense innovations with existing technologies on the Navy's Aegis cruisers. American taxpayers have already invested some $50 billion in missile defense research. Experts believe it would take less than $10 billion to finish the job."
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Orrin Hatch (Republican)
"Yes. Beginning with my support of Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative, I have consistently and without exception supported or co-sponsored every congressional initiative to research, fund and deploy at the soonest possible time a theater missile defense of the United States."
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Alan Keyes (Republican)
"Yes."
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John McCain (Republican)
"Yes. I believe the American people can and must be protected from the possibility of a missile attack on our soil. Recent reports of successful tests of a missile defense system demonstrate that such a system can work. I supported legislation stating that it should be the policy of the United States to build a national missile defense system as soon as technologically possible. As President, I would make the deployment of a national missile defense system, as well as defense systems for our Armed Forces deployed overseas, one of my highest priorities."
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Pat Buchanan (Reform Party)
"Yes. The U.S. must not allow a 30-year-old ABM treaty, with a defunct Soviet Union, to prevent us from defending our people from a nuclear missile attack. Test a ballistic missile defense until it works; then build it, without apology. U.S. security is paramount."
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