Joseph Biden - Democrat
Grade: C
Withdrawn

Opposed to ending the embargo

Favors closing Guantanamo Bay

Voting record:

Voted in favor of family travel (Dorgan 2005)
Voted in favor of travel (Foreign Relations Committee 2003)
Voted in favor of travel (Dorgan 2003)
Voted in favor of travel (Dodd 1999)
Voted in favor of food and medicine sales (Ashcroft 1999)
Voted in favor of Helms-Burton (1996)

Color:

LA Times reports that Biden is in favor of maintaining the status quo. (08/21/07)

Hillary Clinton - Democrat
Grade: D

Opposed to family travel

Opposed to remittances

Opposed to ending full travel ban
"Until it is clear what type of policies might come with a new government we cannot talk about changes in U.S. policies toward Cuba." (08/07)

Opposed to ending the embargo
''She supports the embargo and our current policy toward Cuba, and until it is clear what type of political winds may come with a new government -- if there is a new government -- we cannot talk about changes to U.S. policy,'' Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee said. (08/22/07)

Favors closing Guantanamo Bay

Voting record:

Voted in favor of family travel (Dorgan 2005)
Voted in favor of travel (Dorgan 2003)

Color:

Clinton’s presidential campaign co-chair and person in charge of the campaign's Hispanic Outreach, Senator Robert Menendez, is staunchly pro-embargo.

Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State under Pres. Bill Clinton, in a new book entitled "Memo to the President Elect" states: the embargo may have served a purpose originally, but it has outlived its usefulness." And, "The United States has no license to dictate Cuba's future. (02/08)

Chris Dodd - Democrat
Grade: A
Withdrawn

In favor of family travel
“We must remove restrictions on the ability of Cuban Americans to provide financial assistance to their loved ones.” (08/15/07)

In favor of remittances
“Even small sums of money in the hands of ordinary Cuban families
can serve as catalysts for private investment to gain a foothold in Cuba.” (08/15/07)

In favor of ending full travel ban
“I have long supported the freedom to travel to Cuba, which is why I have joined with
twenty of my colleagues in a bi-partisan way to co-sponsor S.721 the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act of 2007.” (08/15/07)

In favor of ending the embargo
“It is time to engage before it is too late to have a positive influence on the political
landscape which is rapidly taking shape there. In a Dodd administration the United States
will engage with the Cuban people in support of a peaceful transition to democracy.” (08/15/07)

Favors closing Guantanamo Bay

Voting record:

Voted in favor of family travel (Dorgan 2005)
Voted in favor of travel (Foreign Relations Committee 2003)
Voted in favor of travel (Dorgan 2003)
Cosponsored travel legislation (S950 2003)
Introduced legislation for food and medicine sales (1999)
Introduced travel amendment (1999)
Voted in favor of sales of food and medicine (1999)

John Edwards - Democrat
Grade: C
Withdrawn

In favor of family travel
USA Today reports that “Former Sen. John Edwards staked out the middle ground calling for an end to the family travel restrictions. (08/22/07)

Opposed to remittances
USA Today also reports that "he would not immediately change the remittance limits.” (08/22/07)

Opposed to ending full travel ban

Opposed to ending the embargo
Asked about the possibility the United States might change its policy on Cuba when Fidel Castro dies, Edwards said he has supported the United States embargo of a Castro-led Cuba, but if Castro, who recently underwent intestinal surgery, should die, this country should "evaluate his successor and then decide" whether to lift the embargo. Associated Press (08/05/06)

Favors closing Guantanamo Bay
Guantanamo Bay is one of the “worst abuses and biggest mistakes of [Bush’s] administration.” (05/07)

Mike Gravel - Democrat
Grade: A

In favor of ending the embargo
“We favor normalizing relations with Cuba.” Open letter to President Bush signed by Mike Gravel (05/21/07)

Favors closing Guantanamo Bay

Rudy Giuliani - Republican
Grade: F
Withdrawn

Opposed to ending the embargo
"Rudy Giuliani believes America must stand ready to help the Cuban people reclaim their freedom, but decreasing sanctions on Cuba will only serve to boost the Castro regime," said a campaign statement. (08/26/07)

Opposed to ending full travel ban

Opposed to closing Guantanamo Bay

Mike Huckabee - Republican
Grade: F

Opposed to ending the embargo

Opposed to closing Guantanamo Bay

Color:

Recently switched position from being pro-easing agricultural restrictions to supporting all parts of the embargo. (12/11/07)

Endorsed by Marco Rubio, Florida's Cuban-American state House speaker, a strong supporter of the embargo and travel restrictions

Dennis Kucinich - Democrat
Grade: A
Withdrawn

In favor of ending full travel ban
“We must lift not only the trade embargo. We must also lift the travel ban.” (10/18/03)

In favor of ending the embargo
“Common sense dictates that we pursue a policy of normalizing relations with Cuba. We need to work for repeal of the Helms-Burton Act and the immediate lifting of the trade embargo.”

Favors closing Guantanamo Bay

Voting record:

Voted against increase for dissident funding (Diaz-Balart 2007)
Voted in favor of educational travel (Lee 2006, 2005)
Voted in favor of ending the embargo (Rangel 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2000)
Voted in favor of Cuban-American travel (2005, 2004)
Voted in favor of sending gift parcels (Flake 2005)
Voted in favor of gift parcels and increasing luggage weight to travel to island (Commerce, Justice State 2004)
Voted in favor of travel (Flake 2002, 2001)

John McCain - Republican
Grade: F

Opposed to ending full travel ban

Opposed to ending the embargo
“My administration will press the Cuban regime to release all political prisoners unconditionally, to legalize all political parties, labor unions and free media and to schedule internationally monitored elections. And, the embargo will stay in place until those terms are met.” (06/20/07)

Favors closing Guantanamo Bay

Voting record:

Cosponsored Cuba Democracy Act (tightened embargo 1992)
Has always voted against ending travel ban

Color:

Endorsed by Reps Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Mario Diaz-Balart, pro-embargo Florida legislators

Barack Obama - Democrat
Grade: B

In favor of family travel
“Cuban-American connections to family in Cuba are not only a basic right in humanitarian terms, but also our best tool for helping to foster the beginnings of grassroots democracy on the island. Accordingly, I will grant Cuban Americans unrestricted rights to visit family and send remittances to the island.” (08/21/07)

In favor of remittances
“To help advance democratic change in Cuba, we need to grant Cuban Americans the unfettered ability to visit family on the island and to send them remittances. It’s time to break from George Bush’s status quo.” (10/25/07)

Broad Latin America Issues
"But we're also going to recognize that over time what we want to develop is the kind of relationship of mutual dignity, mutual respect. We don't have, the notion that Latin American countries are a junior partner to the United States, that is outmoded. We need to be full partners with those countries, show them the respect that they deserve." (02/10/08)

Opposed to ending full travel ban

Opposed to ending embargo
“If a post-Fidel government begins opening Cuba to democratic change, the Untied States (the president working with Congress) is prepared to take steps to normalize relations and ease the embargo that has governed relations between our countries for the last five decades.”

Separating Chavez’s Bite from his Bark: Seeking a Rational Hemispheric Security Policy, Council on Hemispheric Affairs Article

Conservatives Angry at More Wars in Koran-Zone & Obama's Disappointing Incrementalism on Cuba, The Washington Note

Favors closing Guantanamo Bay

Voting Record:

Voted in favor of family travel (Dorgan 2005)

Ron Paul - Republican
Grade: A

In favor of travel
“Our current administration is perceived as irrelevant, at best, in Cuba and the message is falling on deaf ears there. If the administration really wanted to extend the hand of friendship, they would allow the American people the freedom to act as their own ambassadors through trade and travel. Considering the lack of success government has had in engendering friendship with Cuba, it is time for government to get out of the way and let the people reach out.” (10/30/07)

In favor of ending the embargo
“We need to end trade embargoes and open new markets for Texas agriculture. Economic sanctions punish Texas farmers who want to export their products to Cuba. I have always supported true free trade because it makes sense for the farmers in my district. It is time to end our 40-year failed policy and open up the Cuban marketplace to our products.” (7/25/00)

Favors closing Guantanamo Bay

Voting record:

Voted in favor of facilitating ag sales (Rangel 2007)
Voted against increasing funding for Cuban dissidents (Diaz-Balart 2007)
Voted in favor of educational travel (Lee 2006, 2005)
Voted in favor of ending embargo (Rangel 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2000)
Voted in favor of Cuban-American family travel (2005, 2004)
Voted in favor of sending gift parcels (Flake 2005)
Voted in favor of gift parcels and increasing luggage weight to travel to island (Commerce, Justice State 2004)
Voted in favor of travel (Flake 2003, 2002, 2001)
Voted in favor of sending remittances (2003, 2002)
Voted in favor of educational travel (Davis 2003)

Bill Richardson - Democrat
Grade: B
Withdrawn

In favor of family travel
“We should reverse Bush policies restricting remittances and travel to visit loved ones – family reunification.” (02/02/07)

In favor of remittances
“As president, I will allow unimpeded family visits and remittances by Cuban Americans to their relatives in Cuba.” (10/24/07)

Opposed to ending the embargo
“I am ready to reassess the trade embargo…in exchange for Cuba releasing all political prisoners and making positive moves towards democratic freedoms.” (10/24/07)

Favors closing Guantanamo Bay

Mitt Romney - Republican
Grade: F
Withdrawn

Opposed to family travel
In response to Obama’s Cuba stance, “Unilateral concessions to a dictatorial regime are counter-productive, helping to secure a succession of power and repression instead of a transition to freedom. They will only embolden those who cling to power at the expense of the Cuban people. We must not weaken our policy on Cuba until the Castro regime is dismantled (08/21/07)

Opposed to ending full travel ban

Opposed to ending the embargo
“Continue to isolate Castro with economic and diplomatic sanctions. America will never back down to the Castro brothers. There will be no accommodation, no appeasement. (03/09/07)

Opposed to closing Guantanamo Bay
“Some people have said we ought to close Guantanamo. My view is we ought to double Guantanamo.” (05/15/07)

Fred Thompson - Republican
Grade: F
Withdrawn

Opposed to family travel

Opposed to ending full travel ban

Opposed to ending the embargo
"United States policy must continue to stand with the Cuban people and against those who have oppressed, terrorized, and murdered so many Cubans over the past half-century. This was my position when I served in the Senate; it is my position today; it will be my position as President." (01/13/08)

Read more about Thompson's position on Cuba policy

Opposed to closing Guantanamo Bay

Voting record:

Voted against travel (Dodd 1999)
Voted against food and medicine sales (Ashcroft 1999)
Voted in favor of the Cuba Sanctions Bills of 1995 and 1996

Note on photographs - all photographs are taken from http://usinfo.state.gov/politics/elections/candidates.html