Who Is Running for President?

The Turkish Heritage Organization (THO) has invited 22 U.S. presidential candidates to respond to a detailed questionnaire about the most pressing issues facing the U.S.-Turkey relationship.

THE REPUBLICANS

TED CRUZ

UNITED STATES SENATOR
Mar 23
“The power of the American people as we stand up and fight for liberty knows no bounds.”
<< WAITING FOR A RESPONSE >>
Views on critical issues
  • Pro settlements; Supports moving US Embassy to Jerusalem.
  • Supports Kurds, suggests carpet bombing ISIL positions.
  • Supports banning Muslim Syrian refugees.
  • Reinforce alliances, increase defense against cyber threats and hacking.
  • Undo nuclear deal.
  • Increase sanctions; increase missile defense in eastern Europe; give Ukraine defensive weapons.

JOHN KASICH

OHIO GOVERNOR
Jul 21
“We are going to take the lessons of the heartland and straighten out Washington, D.C., and fix our country.”
<< WAITING FOR A RESPONSE >>
Views on critical issues
  • Iran deal is a major threat to Israel.
  • Joint action by NATO; increasing support to Kurdish military, creating safe heavens and no fly zones.
  • Combatting human trafficking in refugees.
  • Work with regional allies to increase military presence in the region.
  • Strongly opposed to the nuclear deal.
  • Work with European allies to strengthen NATO, training and arming Ukrainian forces.

DONALD J. TRUMP

REAL ESTATE MOGUL
Jun 16
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am officially running for president of the United States.”
<< WAITING FOR A RESPONSE >>
Views on critical issues
  • Praises Netanyahu; support moving U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.
  • Fight with coalition, air strikes should target oil production.
  • Supports banning Syrian refugees; believes many are “probably ISIL”.
  • Accuses China of unfair trade practices; would increase military presence in the region.
  • Supports adding new restrictions to current deal.
  • Pressure Europe to support Ukraine; has praised Putin.

THE DEMOCRATS

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE
Apr 22
“Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion.”
<< WAITING FOR A RESPONSE >>
Views on critical issues
  • Settlements are “illegitimate”.
  • Supports Kurds; increase air strikes.
  • Against refugee ban.
  • Reinforce alliances in the region; increase cooperation in areas of common interest.
  • Uphold nuclear deal; sanctions on ballistic missile programmme.
  • Increase sanctions; increase missile defense in Eastern Europe.

BERNIE SANDERS

UNITED STATES SENATOR
Apr 30
“I think people should be a little bit careful underestimating me.”
<< WAITING FOR A RESPONSE >>
Views on critical issues
  • Boycotted Netanyahu’s speech in Congress.
  • Fight with coalition; Muslim, not U.S. troops on the ground.
  • Against refugee ban.
  • Tighten trade restrictions; increase cooperation in areas of common interest.
  • Uphold nuclear deal.
  • Maintain sanctions; supports creating NATO-like coalition including Russia.