Where do the Candidates Stand on Cluster Bombs? (Ouch!)
Clinton—for; McCain—for; Obama—against

Although the Senate—and then the entire Congress—passed a law in December banning cluster bomb exports during 2008, no vote was taken on this particular measure.  The only recorded vote on cluster bombs took place in 2006, when Senators Diane Feinstein and Patrick Leahy offered an amendment to a military spending bill that would have prevented funds from being spent on the purchase, use or transfer of cluster munitions unless the Defense Department ensured that the weapons would not be used in or near civilian areas. The amendment was rejected by a vote of 30-70.  Presidential hopeful Barrack Obama voted for the amendment (i.e., against the use of cluster bombs in civilian areas), while Hillary Clinton and John McCain voted against the amendment.

None of the three presidential candidates have endorsed the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act (S. 594).  Ask them about it.  Click here for “questions for candidates”, including one on cluster bombs.

Also, read David Rees’ blog on their positions.  He’s the creator of the “Get Your War On” comic strips, which he started because of America’s use of cluster bombs in war-beleaguered Afghanistan.