Probably one of the more frustrating aspects of the NY-24 race is the fact that it’s hard to get solid information on the candidate’s position on different issues. Arcuri’s and Meier’s websites don’t give information on all their positions and it takes a lot of time to listen to every interview and debate. Fortunately, you can also call the campaign office to ask about a position. This is something I’ve done in a couple questions with both the Meier and Arcuri campaigns. The Meier campaign responded forthrightly; I have yet to hear back from the Arcuri campaign.

In this post I’m going to attempt to give a detailed rundown of Ray Meier’s position on a variety of issues that I’ve gleaned from his website, statements to the media and debates and interviews he’s taken part in. In a couple days I’ll do the same for Mike Arcuri.

The information below is what I could find at the moment, I’ll update this post as we collect more information. If I’ve made an error, missed an topic, or misrepresented Meier’s position please respond by commenting or emailing me at coyote.soundingthetrumpet [at] gmail.com. Also, just because there is no information under a topic, doesn’t mean that Meier has not addressed this topic. It just means that so far I haven’t been able to find information about it.

War on Terror

Iraq
Although unhappy with how the president has fought this war he does not support a date specific pullout of Iraq. (Source: Forum hosted by local veterans)

“It would not serve our fighting men and women or the Iraqi people to raise the white flag and withdraw immediately. If elected to Congress I promise to support our troops, giving them the funding and supplies they need to finish the job.” (Source: Ray Meier for Congress)

Interrogation
Meier supports the Military Commission Act, “but disagrees with the president’s policy concerning the interrogation of terrorism suspects.” (Source: Press Connects)

Economic Issues
Taxes
“Meier said he supported the president’s tax cuts.” (Source: Press Connects)

“I’ll fight the hidden tax increase known as the “alternative minimum tax” which threatens next year to rob many struggling middle class taxpayers of the fruit of their own hard work. The tax code of our country should be fair and understandable, not a collection of baffling loop holes for the favored, or a set of barriers to economic progress for the hard working and creative. ” (Source: Ray Meier for Congress)

Minimum Wage
Supports raising the federal minimum wage to $7.15. (Source: WSYR debate)

Energy Dependence
5 Point Plan
1. CHANGE THE TONE
2. CONSERVATION
3. INCREASE OIL SUPPLY
4. DEVELOP A MARKET IN ALTERNATIVE FUELS
5. LOOK AT ENERGY ISSUES COMPREHESIVELY
(Source: Ray Meier for Congress)

Health Care
“If I am elected to Congress I’ll work to see that all health care policy should center on the principle that the individual patient needs the ability to be involved in and have control over his or her own health care free of the dictates of a distant bureaucracy.” (Source: Ray Meier for Congress)

Social Issues
Abortion
Is pro-life, does not support partial-birth abortion and supports the Human Life amendment. (Source: Eric Kuhn interview, communication with the campaign)

Same-sex marriage
Supports traditional marriage. Would support a federal marriage amendment. (Source: Eric Kuhn interview, communication with the campaign)

Assorted other Issues
Gun Ownership

Academic Freedom
Supports academic freedom, sponsored a bill in the NY state senate on academic freedom. (Source: Eric Kuhn interview)

Stem Cell Research
Supports stem-cell research, but does not support embryonic stem cell research. (Source: Eric Kuhn interview)

Illegal Immigration

“We must first secure the border and demand that the Department of Homeland Security do its job, ensuring that immigrants here legally, don’t overstay their visas or otherwise remain here and become illegal,” Senator Meier continued.

“I oppose automatic amnesty for the estimated 12 million illegal aliens here now. However, before we start that debate, we must secure our borders and actively enforce our immigration laws,” Meier stated, laying out his specific platform on illegal immigration.

(Source: The Spectator (Hamilton College) via Ray Meier for Congress)

Update: Arcuri’s positions are here.