Access Candidates' and Representatives' Biographies, Voting Records, Interest Group Ratings, Issue Positions, Public Statements, and Campaign Finances

Simply enter your zip code above to get to all of your candidates and representatives, or enter a name. Then, just click on the person you are interested in, and you can navigate to the categories of information we track for them.

[x] close
Party first, country second? Who are these people?
Project Vote Smart: where conservatives and liberals join together to defend our right to the truth.
Print

Interest Group Evaluations

Interest Group Evaluations

President Barack Hussein Obama II

Current Office: President, Democratic
First Elected: 11/04/2008
Last Elected: 11/04/2008
Next Election: 2012

Filter by Issue:

Abortion Issues

2008 Planned Parenthood - Positions 100%
2007 NARAL Pro-Choice America - Positions 100%
2006 NARAL Pro-Choice America - Positions 100%
2006 Planned Parenthood - Positions 100%
2005-2006 National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association - Positions 100%
2005-2006 National Right to Life Committee - Positions 0%
2005 NARAL Pro-Choice America - Positions 100%
2003 Planned Parenthood Illinois Action - Positions 100%
2002 Illinois Federation for Right to Life - Positions 50%
2001 Planned Parenthood Illinois Action - Positions 100%
1997-2000 Illinois Federation for Right to Life - Positions 0%
1997-1998 Planned Parenthood Illinois Action - Positions 100%

Agriculture Issues

2007-2008 American Farm Bureau Federation - Positions 60%
2007 National Association of Wheat Growers - Positions 47%
2007 National Council of Agricultural Employers - Positions 20%
2006 National Council of Agricultural Employers - Positions 66%
2005-2006 American Farm Bureau Federation - Positions 35%
2005-2006 National Farmers Union - Positions 100%
2005 National Association of Wheat Growers - Positions 50%
2005 National Council of Agricultural Employers - Positions 100%

Animal Rights and Wildlife Issues

2007-2008 The Humane Society Legislative Fund - Positions on Animal Protection 67%
2007 The Humane Society of the United States - Positions on Animal Protection 75
2005-2006 The Humane Society Legislative Fund - Positions 60
2005-2006 The Humane Society of the United States - Positions 60%
2005 The Humane Society of the United States - Positions 20%
2004 Sportsmen and Animal Owner's Voting Alliance - Positions 0%

Budget, Spending and Taxes

2008 Citizens Against Government Waste - Lifetime Score 18%
2008 Citizens Against Government Waste - Positions 5%
2007-2008 National Tax Limitation Committee - Positions 14%
2007 Americans for Tax Reform - Positions 5%
2007 FreedomWorks - Positions 17%
2006 Americans for Tax Reform - Positions 15%
2006 FreedomWorks - Positions 25%
2006 National Taxpayers Union - Positions 16%
2005-2006 Citizens for Tax Justice - Positions 100%
2005-2006 National Tax Limitation Committee - Positions 8%
2005 Americans for Tax Reform - Positions 0%
2005 FreedomWorks - Positions 6%
2005 National Taxpayers Union - Positions 6%
2005 Taxpayers for Common Sense - Positions 40%
2001-2002 National Taxpayers United of Illinois - Positions 10%
1999 National Taxpayers United of Illinois - Positions 0%

Business and Consumers

2008 The Alliance for Worker Freedom - Positions 0%
2008 United States Chamber of Commerce - Positions 67%
2008 United States Chamber of Commerce - Lifetime Score 32%
2007-2008 Associated Builders & Contractors - Positions 25%
2007-2008 Associated General Contractors of America - Positions 50%
2007-2008 National Federation of Independent Business - Positions 50
2007-2008 National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association - Positions 66%
2007 Business-Industry Political Action Committee - Positions 8%
2007 The Alliance for Worker Freedom - Positions 0%
2007 The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association - Positions 33%
2007 United States Chamber of Commerce - Positions 33%
2006 Business-Industry Political Action Committee - Positions 10%
2006 National Association of Government Contractors - Positions 100%
2006 National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association - Positions 92%
2006 United States Chamber of Commerce - Positions 55%
2005-2006 American Forest and Paper Association - Positions 42%
2005-2006 Associated General Contractors of America - Positions 62%
2005-2006 International Warehouse Logistics Association - Positions 25%
2005-2006 National Association of Manufacturers - Positions 16%
2005-2006 National Electrical Contractors Association - Positions 67%
2005-2006 National Federation of Independent Business - Positions 12%
2005-2006 National Restaurant Association - Positions 38%
2005-2006 National Retail Federation - Positions 17%
2005-2006 National Small Business Association - Positions 28%
2005-2006 Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association - Positions 40%
2005-2006 Public Citizen's Congress Watch - Positions on Population Stabilization 69%
2005 Business-Industry Political Action Committee - Positions 15%
2005 International Sleep Products Association - Positions 100%
2005 Maryland Business for Responsive Government - Positions 23%
2005 National Federation of Independent Business - Positions 17%
2005 Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council - Positions 9%
2005 United States Chamber of Commerce - Positions 39%
2003 Illinois Prosperity Project - Positions 12%
2002 Illinois Chamber of Commerce - Positions 39%
2001-2002 Illinois National Federation of Independent Business - Positions 29%
2001-2002 Illinois Prosperity Project - Positions 67%
1999-2006 National Ready Mixed Concrete Association - Positions 100%
1999-2000 Illinois National Federation of Independent Business - Positions 40%

Campaign Finance and Election Issues

2007 League of Women Voters - Campaign Finance and Election Issues Score 100%

Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

2008 American Library Association - Positions 38%
2007-2008 American Civil Liberties Union - Positions 80%
2007-2008 Human Rights Campaign - Positions 94%
2007-2008 Irregular Times/Progressive Patriots - Progressive Action Score 75%
2007-2008 Irregular Times/Progressive Patriots - Oath of Office Score 50%
2007 American Civil Liberties Union - Positions 80
2007 American Library Association - Positions 50%
2007 Arab American Institute - Positions on Arab American Issues 80%
2007 Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights - Positions 85%
2007 League of Women Voters - Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Score 100%
2006 Association of Community Organization for Reform Now (ACORN) - Positions 100%
2006 Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights - Positions 93%
2005-2006 American Civil Liberties Union - Positions 83%
2005-2006 Human Rights Campaign - Positions 89%
2005-2006 Iranian American Political Action Committee - Positions 100%
2005-2006 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) - Positions 100%
2005 Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights - Positions 94%
2005 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) - Positions 100%
2005 National Council of La Raza - Positions 100%

Conservative

2008 American Conservative Union - Positions 17%
2008 Eagle Forum - Positions 0%
2008 National Journal - Conservative on Economic Policy Score 12%
2008 National Journal - Conservative on Social Policy Score 21%
2008 The Club for Growth - Positions 9%
2007-2008 Christian Coalition of America - Positions 0%
2007-2008 Concerned Women for America - Positions 0%
2007-2008 Irregular Times/Progressive Patriots - Right Wing Index Score 0
2007-2008 The John Birch Society - Positions 11%
2007 American Conservative Union - Positions 7%
2007 Americans for Prosperity - Positions 9%
2007 Eagle Forum - Positions 7%
2007 GOPUSA - Positions 7%
2007 National Journal - Conservative on Social Policy Score 0%
2007 National Journal - Composite Conservative Score 4.5%
2007 National Journal - Conservative on Foreign Policy Score 7%
2007 National Journal - Conservative on Economic Policy Score 0%
2007 Republican Liberty Caucus - Positions on Personal Liberties 49%
2007 Republican Liberty Caucus - Economic Liberties Score 8%
2007 The Club for Growth - Positions 33%
2007 The John Birch Society - Conservative Index Score 0%
2007 Traditional Values Coalition - Positions 33
2006 American Conservative Union - Positions 8%
2006 Americans for Prosperity - Positions 43%
2006 Eagle Forum - Positions 0%
2006 National Journal - Conservative on Foreign Policy Score 12%
2006 National Journal - Conservative on Economic Policy Score 0%
2006 National Journal - Composite Conservative Score 14%
2006 National Journal - Conservative on Social Policy Score 21%
2006 The Club for Growth - Positions 7%
2006 The John Birch Society - Positions 18%
2006 Traditional Values Coalition - Positions 20%
2005-2006 Campaign for Working Families - Positions 0%
2005-2006 Concerned Women for America - Positions 11%
2005 American Conservative Union - Positions 8%
2005 Eagle Forum - Positions 33%
2005 National Journal - Conservative on Foreign Policy Score 15%
2005 National Journal - Conservative on Economic Policy Score 12%
2005 Republican Liberty Caucus - Economic Liberties Score 5%
2005 Republican Liberty Caucus - Positions on Personal Liberties 45%
2005 Republican Liberty Caucus - Positions 25%

Crime Issues

2005 National Criminal Justice Association - Positions 75%

Drug Issues

2005-2006 National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors - Positions 100%

Education

2007-2008 National Association for College Admission Counseling - Positions 100%
2007-2008 National Education Association - Positions on Public Education Teaching Profession Issues A
2007 Association For Supervision and Curriculum Development - Positions 100%
2007 National Association for College Admission Counseling - Positions 100%
2007 National Education Association - Positions on Public Education Teaching Profession Issues A
2007 Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - Positions 100%
2006 National Association for College Admission Counseling - Positions 100%
2005-2006 National Education Association - Positions 100%
2005 National Association for College Admission Counseling - Positions 100%
2005 National Association of Elementary School Principals - Positions 0%

Employment and Affirmative Action

2007 National Employment Lawyers Association - Positions 100%

Energy Issues

2007-2008 Alliance to Stop the War on the Poor - Positions on Affordable Energy 0%
2007 League of Women Voters - Energy Score 100%
2005-2006 Campaign for America's Future - Energy Score 100%

Environmental Issues

2008 Environment America - Positions 90%
2007 League of Conservation Voters - First Session Score 67%
2007 League of Private Property Voters - Land Rights Advocacy Score 20
2006 American Wind Energy Association - Positions 100%
2006 League of Conservation Voters - Positions 100%
2006 League of Private Property Voters - Positions 11%
2005-2006 American Lands Alliance - Positions 50%
2005-2006 American Wilderness Coalition - Positions 100%
2005-2006 Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund - Positions 82%
2005-2006 Partnership for America - Positions 0%
2005 American Wilderness Coalition - Positions 100%
2005 League of Conservation Voters - Positions 95%
2005 League of Private Property Voters - Positions 17%
2003 Illinois Environmental Council - Positions 100%
1998 Illinois Environmental Council - Positions 75%

Family and Children Issues

2007-2008 Family Research Council - Positions 0%
2007 Children's Defense Fund - Positions 60%
2007 Family Research Council - Positions 0
2006 Children's Defense Fund - Positions 100%
2006 Family Research Council - Positions 0%
2005-2006 American Family Association - Positions 0%
2005 Children's Defense Fund - Positions 100%

Foreign Aid and Policy Issues

2009-2010 Council for a Livable World - Positions 0%
2007-2008 ACT! for America - Positions 0%
2007 Council for a Livable World - Positions 81%
2007 Latin America Working Group - Positions 50%
2007 Peace Action West - Positions 100%
2007 Voices for Creative Nonviolence - Positions on Iraq War Amendments 75%
2006 Latin America Working Group - Positions 67%
2006 Peace Action - Positions 67%
2006 Peace Action West - Positions 67%
2005-2006 ACT! for America - Positions 25%
2005-2006 Council for a Livable World - Positions 83%
2005-2006 Friends Committee on National Legislation - Positions 92%
2005-2006 Nuclear Age Peace Foundation - Positions 83%
2005 Citizens for Global Solutions - Global Issues Score A-
2005 Latin America Working Group - Positions 50%
2005 Peace Action - Positions 89%
2005 PeacePAC - Positions 100%

Government Reform

2008 Citizens Against Government Waste - Lifetime Score 18%
2008 Citizens Against Government Waste - Positions 5%
2007 Citizens Against Government Waste - Positions 10%
2006 State PIRGs Working Together - Positions 86%
2006 United States Public Interest Research Group - Positions 86%
2005-2006 Citizens Against Government Waste - Positions 13%
2005-2006 National Association of Counties - Positions 81%
2005-2006 Public Citizen's Congress Watch - Positions on Population Stabilization 69%
2005 Citizens Against Government Waste - Positions 13%

Gun Issues

2009 Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence - Guns in Public Score F
2009 Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence - Positions on Brady Background Checks F
2009 Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence - Gun Show Loophole Score F
2009 Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence - Gun Trafficking Score F
2009 Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence - Federal Assault Weapons Ban Score F
2009 Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence - Standing Up to the Gun Lobby Score F
2009 Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence - Leadership Score F
2006 Gun Owners of America - Positions 100%
2005 Gun Owners of America - Positions 0%
1998 National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund - Positions on Gun Rights F

Health Issues

2008 American Public Health Association - Positions 100%
2007-2008 American Hospital Association - Positions 100%
2007 Alliance For Headache Disorders Advocacy - Positions 0%
2007 American Academy of Family Physicians - Positions 100%
2007 American Public Health Association - Positions 100%
2007 Association of University Centers on Disabilities - Positions 100%
2007 Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance - Positions 0
2006 American Public Health Association - Positions 100%
2005-2006 American Academy of Emergency Medicine - Positions 100%
2005-2006 American Hospital Association - Positions 33%
2005-2006 American Nurses Association - Positions 100%
2005-2006 National Breast Cancer Coalition - Positions 60%
2005-2006 Saint Joseph Health System - Positions 75%
2005 American Public Health Association - Positions 80%

Housing and Property Issues

2003-2008 Housing Action Illinois - State Senate Historical Voting Record 100%

Immigration

2011 NumbersUSA-2012 Presidential Hopefuls - Immigration Score F-
2007-2008 American Immigration Lawyers Association - Positions 50%
2007-2008 Federation for American Immigration Reform - Positions 25%
2007 English First - Positions 0%
2006 American Immigration Lawyers Association - Positions 88%
2006 English First - Positions 0%
2005-2006 Americans for Better Immigration - Positions 28%
2005-2006 Federation for American Immigration Reform - Positions 43%
2005-2006 Iranian American Political Action Committee - Positions 100%
2005-2006 United States Border Control - Positions 8%
2005 Federation for American Immigration Reform - Positions 0%
2003-2006 Americans for Better Immigration - Positions 14%

Labor

2009 Illinois AFL-CIO - Positions 100%
2009 Illinois AFL-CIO - Lifetime Score 94%
2009 International Brotherhood of Boilermakers - Positions 0%
2008 American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) - Lifetime Score 98%
2008 American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) - Positions 100%
2008 American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) - Positions 100%
2008 American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) - Lifetime Score 100%
2008 International Brotherhood of Boilermakers - Positions 75%
2008 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) - Positions 100%
2008 The Alliance for Worker Freedom - Positions 0%
2008 Utility Workers Union of America - Positions 100%
2007-2008 International Foodservice Distributors Association - Positions 16%
2007-2008 United Food & Commercial Workers - Positions 100%
2007 American Federation of Government Employees - Positions 62%
2007 American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) - Positions 100%
2007 American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) - Positions 100%
2007 Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers - Positions 100%
2007 Federally Employed Women - Positions 10%
2007 International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers - Positions 100%
2007 International Brotherhood of Boilermakers - Positions 50
2007 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) - Positions 75%
2007 The Alliance for Worker Freedom - Positions 0%
2007 The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association - Positions 33%
2007 United Auto Workers - Positions 62%
2007 Utility Workers Union of America - Positions 100
2006 American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) - Positions 93%
2006 American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) - Positions 100%
2006 International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers - Positions 75%
2006 International Brotherhood of Boilermakers - Positions 40%
2006 National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors - Positions 100%
2006 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) - Positions 94%
2006 Transportation Communications Union - Positions 75%
2006 United Auto Workers - Positions 85%
2005-2006 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Positions 100%
2005 American Federation of Government Employees - Positions 100%
2005 American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) - Positions 92%
2005 American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) - Positions 100%
2005 International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers - Positions 100%
2005 International Brotherhood of Boilermakers - Positions 100%
2005 National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors - Positions 0%
2005 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) - Positions 92%
2005 Transportation Communications Union - Positions 100%
2005 United Auto Workers - Positions 93%
2005 United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers - Positions 100%
2003 Illinois AFL-CIO - Positions 89%
2001 Illinois AFL-CIO - Positions 89%
1999 Illinois AFL-CIO - Positions 92%

Liberal

2009 Americans for Democratic Action - Positions 95%
2008 Americans for Democratic Action - Positions 45%
2008 National Journal - Liberal on Social Policy Score 75%
2008 National Journal - Liberal on Economic Policy Score 87%
2007-2008 Irregular Times/Progressive Patriots - Progressive Action Score 75%
2007 Americans for Democratic Action - Positions 75%
2007 National Journal - Liberal on Economic Policy Score 94%
2007 National Journal - Liberal on Social Policy Score 94%
2007 National Journal - Composite Liberal Score 95.5%
2007 National Journal - Liberal on Foreign Policy Score 92%
2006 Americans for Democratic Action - Positions 95%
2006 National Journal - Liberal on Social Policy Score 77%
2006 National Journal - Liberal on Economic Policy Score 87%
2006 National Journal - Liberal on Foreign Policy Score 85%
2006 National Journal - Composite Liberal Score 86%
2005 Americans for Democratic Action - Positions 100%
2005 National Committee for an Effective Congress - Positions 95%
2005 National Journal - Composite Liberal Score 83%
2005 National Journal - Liberal on Economic Policy Score 87%
2005 National Journal - Liberal on Foreign Policy Score 76%
2005 National Journal - Liberal on Social Policy Score 77%

Military Issues

2005 Women's Action for New Directions (WAND) and-WILL - Positions 66%

National Security Issues

2005-2006 Center for Security Policy - Positions 21%

Science and Medical Research

2006 Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology - Positions 0%
2006 Parkinsons Action Network - Positions 100%
2005 Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology - Positions 0%

Senior and Social Security Issues

2008 Alliance for Retired Americans - Positions 100%
2008 Alliance for Retired Americans - Lifetime Score 100%
2007 Alliance for Retired Americans - Positions 100%
2006 Alliance for Retired Americans - Positions 100%
2005-2006 National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association - Positions 100%
2005 Alliance for Retired Americans - Positions 100%

Social Issues

2008 National Association of Social Workers - Positions 100%
2007 Drum Major Institute for Public Policy - Positions on Middle Class Advocacy 100
2007 NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby - Positions on Social Justice and Peace 68
2007 Population Connection - Positions on Population Stabilization 100%
2006 National Association of Social Workers - Positions on Professional Advocacy 100
2006 NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby - Positions 77%
2006 Population Connection - Positions 100%
2006 Secular Coalition for America - Positions 90%
2005-2006 Population Action International - Positions on Reproductive Health 100%
2005 Drum Major Institute for Public Policy - Positions 75%
2005 Mennonite Central Committee - Positions 90%
2005 National Association of Social Workers - Positions on Professional Advocacy 100
2005 NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby - Positions 100%
2005 Population Connection - Positions 100%
2005 The Population Institute - Positions 100%
2003 Citizen Action Illinois - Positions 96%
2002 Illinois Churches in Action - ILLCAAAP - Positions 0%
2002 Illinois Family Institute - Positions 50%
1999-2000 Illinois Churches in Action - ILLCAAAP - Positions 100%
1998-1999 Illinois Churches in Action - ILLCAAAP - Positions 100%
1998 Illinois Family Institute - Positions 80%
1997-1998 National Association of Social Workers - Illinois Chapter - Positions 100%
1997 Illinois Churches in Action - ILLCAAAP - Positions 0%

Technology and Communication

2008 CNET News - Positions 33%
2007-2008 Information Technology Industry Council - Positions 100%
2007 Computer & Communications Industry Association - Positions 86%
2006 CNET News - Positions 50%
2005-2006 Information Technology Industry Council - Positions 75%

Trade Issues

2008 The Alliance for Worker Freedom - Positions 0%
2007-2008 International Foodservice Distributors Association - Positions 16%
2007 The Alliance for Worker Freedom - Positions 0%

Transportation Issues

2005-2006 American Road and Transportation Builders Association - Positions 100%
2003 Automotive Parts and Service Association of Illinois - Positions 40%

Veterans Issues

2006 Disabled American Veterans - Positions 80%
2006 The Retired Enlisted Association - Retired Military Benefits Issues Score 12%
2005 Disabled American Veterans - Positions 92%

Welfare and Poverty

2007-2008 Alliance to Stop the War on the Poor - Positions on Affordable Energy 0%
2005-2006 RESULTS - Positions 100%

Women's Issues

2007-2008 National Organization for Women - Positions 100%
2007 Federally Employed Women - Positions 10%
2005-2006 Business and Professional Women USA - Positions 100%
2005-2006 Federally Employed Women - Positions 100%
2005-2006 National Organization for Women - Positions 91%
2005 National Organization for Women - Positions 100%

Conservative

2005 National Journal - Conservative on Social Policy Score 18%

How to Interpret these Evaluations

Project Vote Smart displays all known interest group ratings for each candidate and official, regardless of issue or bias.

Keep in mind that ratings done by special interest groups often do not represent a non-partisan stance. In addition, some groups select votes that tend to favor members of one political party over another, rather than choosing votes based solely on issues concerns. Nevertheless, they can be invaluable in showing where an incumbent has stood on a series of votes in the past one or two years, especially when ratings by groups on all sides of an issue are compared. Website links, if available, and descriptions of the organizations offering performance evaluations are accessible by clicking on the name of the group.

Most performance evaluations are displayed in a percentage format. However, some organizations present their ratings in the form of a letter grade or endorsement based on voting records, interviews, survey results and/or sources of campaign funding. For consistency and ease in understanding, Project Vote Smart converts all scores into a percentage when possible. Please visit the group's website or call 1-888-VOTESMART for more specific information.

2012 Endorsements

About Project Vote Smart

Help Us If You Can

Media & Communications

Education

For Candidates

One Common Ground, Philipsburg, MT 59858 Hotline: 888-Vote-Smart (888-868-3762)
All content © 2002 - 2012 Project Vote Smart unless otherwise attributed - Legislative demographic data provided by Aristotle International, Inc.

Back to top