BACK IN THE TALK

The run for the 2008 Presidency began almost immediately after the 2004 elections concluded. However, for most of that time, US policy priorities in Iraq and elsewhere put Cuba on the back-burner of American political debate. Last week, that changed dramatically. The January 29th primary put the spotlight on Florida and the media suddenly noticed that the Cuban-American community could play a decisive role in the results. That was our prime motivation in publishing in a timely fashion the Cuban-American Voter’s Guide – Election 2008. It is absolutely critical for the Cuban exile community that our vote is not taken for granted, that in every election our support be up for grabs for whichever candidates truly care about the issue of freedom for Cuba. In order for our voices to genuinely be heard, we need to be a viable force in both major political parties. If we are a known entity, a “given” for either the Republicans or the Democrats, we will receive no more than the token “Viva Cuba Libre!” visit with little or no effective policy implementation on Cuba. But if our vote is really in play, then it can be won by those elected officials in either party that do what is best on Cuba policy. Based on recent reactions from the national media and the Internet & Blog communities, the Cuban-American Voter’s Guide has played a very helpful role in reinserting Cuba into the national debate. Now our task will be to keep freedom and democracy for Cuba in the limelight from here until the campaigns end in November. And once the results are in, let’s make sure the candidates fulfill the promises they have already espoused in the Guide.

What other initiatives do you think the Cuban-American community could undertake to maintain the issue of a democratic Cuba at the forefront of the national debate?

Cuban American Voter Guide

The Cuban American National Foundation would like to thank all the Presidential campaigns for their participation and cooperation in responding to our questions. The candidates’ responses to the Cuban American Voter Guide are arranged in alphabetical order, regardless of party affiliation.

The complete guide can be found on the official website of the Cuban American National Foundation.

Presidential candidates were provided with a questionnaire containing 15 questions aimed at obtaining their views on an array of specific issues concerning U.S. policy toward Cuba. In addition, candidates were asked to submit a brief statement providing a vision of what U.S.-Cuba policy would look like under their respective Administrations. As you will note, some campaigns opted to respond to the questionnaire as well as provide the statement, while others submitted a statement only.

In the preceding posts on CubaLibreBlog.com responses from each individual candidate have been posted unedited and in their entirety. Our intent is to provide a forum to share, debate and question the Presidential Candidates and their positions on Cuba.

We encourage all those who share our desire for a free Cuba to participate and we hope you will all become regular visitors to CubaLibreBlog.com as we bring you posts from some of the most informed and educated individuals on the subject of Cuba and it’s people’s strife for democracy and freedom.

Hillary Clinton

The Candidate submitted questionnaire and statement.

1. Do you support sending direct U.S. government aid to Cuban dissidents?

Yes___X__ No______

2. Do you support the ability to send direct private aid to Cuban dissidents?

Yes___X__ No______

3. Do you support Radio and Television Martí as a vehicle for providing objective news and information to Cuba?

Yes__X_ No______

4. Do you support restrictions on American tourist travel to Cuba?

Yes___X__ No______

5. Do you support restrictions on Cuban-American family, humanitarian related travel to Cuba?

Please also see statement.

Yes_____ No___X___

6. Do you believe that the United States should negotiate with Raul Castro once it is announced that Fidel Castro has died?

Yes_____ No__X__

7. Should the United States require a new Cuban government to make concessions such as freeing political prisoners or allowing a free press before the United States moves to negotiate with them?

Yes__X__ No______

8. Do you support maintaining current restrictions on trade with Cuba until there is a transition to democracy?

Yes__X__ No______

9. Do you believe the wet-foot/dry-foot policy should be reverted back to the original policy of accepting Cuban refugees into the United States for processing regardless of whether they reach dry land or are intercepted at sea?

Yes_____ No__X___

10. Should United States policy provide for increased assistance for independent Cuban civil society, i.e. independent entrepreneurs, medical clinics, libraries, etc.?

Yes__X__ No______

11. Do you believe in supporting the growth of independent micro-enterprises in Cuba with the goal of helping promote independent Cuban civil society?

Yes__X__ No______

12. Do you believe the United States should negotiate direct mail service to Cuba?

Yes__X__ No______

13. Do you believe U.S. policy should allow for the upgrade of telecommunications equipment in order to facilitate communication between the people of Cuba and their relatives abroad?

Yes__X__ No______

14. Which statement most closely reflects your views on current U.S.-Cuba policy? (you may choose more than one)

I believe current policy is effective and does not need any change___

I believe current policy is effective but is missing a proactive element in support of Cuba’s dissidents___

I believe U.S. policy is not restrictive enough and should be toughened___

I believe U.S. policy is too restrictive and some elements of it should be relaxed___

I believe U.S. policy towards Cuba is a failure and should be completely revised___
Please see statement

15. Do you believe it is important to establish an International Democracy Fund for Cuba through an international or regional body like the U.N. or the O.A.S. in order to provide incentives for democratic change?

Yes__X___ No________

16. Please summarize (1-2 paragraphs) your vision for a U.S.-Cuba policy under your Administration.

Democracy, human rights, and the fundamental freedoms all nations of the hemisphere, including the United States, have struggled to protect, will form the foundation of my policy toward Cuba when I am President of the United States.

Over the last quarter century we have seen an unprecedented movement toward democracy and respect for fundamental rights across the world. Cuba, unfortunately, has remained under one-party rule, under a regime and a leadership that is responsible for terrible human rights abuses and political oppression that has held back 11 million talented and hardworking citizens of the Americas. The Cuban people deserve better.

I believe that this is not the time or place to consider wholesale or broad changes to our Cuba policy, including the embargo. The American people must let the Cuban people know that we are on their side in their struggle for freedom and democracy. We can do this by supporting brave voices for freedom like Oswaldo Paya and the Damas de Blanco. The Castro dictatorship has divided Cuban families for nearly half a century. I have voted to support flexibility to allow visits for immediate family members in humanitarian cases. Such ties give hope to the Cuban people and to their families in the diaspora. And they send a message that the American people recognize that the Cuban people, not their repressive government, represent the promise and possibility for a democratic future.

Likewise, supporting other humanitarian measures that will help bring direct material and moral support to Cuban civil society will help the Cuban people gain the confidence and independence to imagine a society free of repression, one in which freedom and social justice, two core values of the Cuban nation for centuries, can exist side by side.

During my presidency, I hope there may be an opportunity to undertake a review of our policy toward Cuba, because there may be changes and fundamental reforms that merit a new approach. Now, however, is not a time for unilateral steps such as lifting the embargo. We must retain a policy of support for the Cuban people, without strengthening the Cuban regime.

John Edwards

The Candidate chose not to respond.

Rudy Giuliani

The Candidate submitted the following statement in lieu of questionnaire.

To The Cuban American National Foundation: Thank you for your questionnaire and for giving me the chance to address you directly on the topic of Cuba. I have a long record of admiration for the Cuban American community and commitment to the cause of bringing freedom and democracy to a Cuba without Castro.

I have a proven record of supporting the cause of freedom in Cuba, and of letting the world know that the Castro regime is not only a horrific dictatorship, but also an unacceptable danger to the security of the free world. As mayor of New York City, I did whatever I could to call attention to Fidel Castro's outlaw status. Back in 1995, for instance, I barred Fidel Castro from attending the U.N.'s 50th anniversary celebration. In my second term in office, I also renamed the intersection of 38th Street and Lexington Avenue, directly outside the headquarters of Castro's UN mission as "Brothers to the Rescue Corner," to honor those brave Cubans who were mercilessly shot out of the sky on orders from Raul Castro.

When it comes to U.S. policy towards the Castro regime, the main subject of your questionnaire, I stand firmly opposed to any changes that would benefit those who are currently in power, or lend them an aura of respectability. As I said in the essay “Toward a Realistic Peace" in Foreign Affairs magazine:

"The death of Fidel Castro may begin a new chapter in Cuban history. But America should take nothing for granted. It must stand ready to help the Cuban people reclaim their liberty and resist any step that allows a decrepit, corrupt regime from consolidating its power under Raul Castro. Only a commitment to free people and free markets will bring a prosperous future to Cuba and all of Latin America."

Recently, I visited the Museum of Brigade 2506 in Miami, where I spoke to surviving members of the Bay of Pigs invasion, their families, and friends. I will quote at length from that speech, for it touches on many of the issues in your questionnaire.

"Cuba, I hope and pray will move closer to freedom. We've got to look beyond Fidel Castro. And as we look beyond Fidel Castro we have to look beyond his brother Raul Castro. We can't have any illusions that one Castro is particularly different than the other. After all, they were both at each others side for all the horrible acts that occurred ...

The next American president has to have a plan of action to ensure that the death of Fidel Castro - who is the world's longest ruling dictator - leads to the rise of freedom and democracy. And the next American president needs to understand that succession to Raul Castro does not represent progress. He's been at Fidel's side from the beginning and all throughout. He has spent his career as head of the secret police. He has blood on his hands… his involvement in the shooting down of the Brothers to the Rescue, those brave pilots. It has to be fully explored, fully pursued, fully investigated, and can't just be ignored among the other things that he's done ...

As president, I'll continue my support of the Cuban-American community ... Now is the time to increase the pressure on the Castro regime, not weaken it in the naive hope that the Castros would change their character ... I don't understand those people who go there and embrace him and shake hands with him ignoring all of the atrocities ...

“Somehow they can't seem to grasp the truth of what he's all about. The latest evidence [of atrocities] ... happened just this December 6th when the police raided a church in Santiago: tear gassing and arresting teenagers who were wearing white bracelets that say 'Cambio' ... When churches are tear gassed and when teenagers are arrested for wearing wrist bands that say 'Cambio,' shouldn't the civilized world see clearly that the time for change, the time for a Cuba without Castro, any Castro- Fidel or Raul -has come?"

And it's time for America to make it clear that we will not accept attempts to preserve Castroism -in any form- either in Cuba or to see it spread to other parts of Latin America under the guise of Hugo Chavez. It's time for all of us to envision a future Cuba, a free Cuba, a Cuba after Castro, and a Cuba without Castro."

I am committed to doing everything possible to weaken and remove from power those corrupt leaders who have enslaved Cuba for nearly fifty years. Since the political situation is immensely fluid in Cuba at the moment - given the impending death of Fidel and the inevitable struggle for power that will take place as soon as he is gone - I understand there are many possible scenarios that might play out, and that each of these scenarios will demand a unique response. No matter what happens in Cuba in the months before the presidential election, I will be keeping a close eye on Cuba, assessing the challenges, and staying committed to policies that will foster change without compromise.

Specifically, my Administration will veto any and all legislation that calls for weakening or altering the Trade Embargo unless the following five objectives are met, unconditionally: (1) Open multi-party elections under the supervision of independent international observers; (2) The release of all political prisoners; (3) Respect for human rights; (4) A free independent press; and (5) A market economy.

Once I am President, you can rest assured that I will remain in close touch with the Cuban-American exile community while doing everything in my power to help create a new Cuba, prosperous and free from oppression, and once again, the genuine pearl of the Antilles.

Mike Huckabee

The Candidate submitted the following statement in lieu of questionnaire.

I am committed to being a staunch ally in the cause of a free and democratic Cuba, where Fidel Castro’s communist totalitarian dictatorship has oppressed the Cuban people for nearly five decades. The United States must continue to lead the world in condemning the human rights abuses inflicted on the Cuban people and isolating Castro’s tyrannical regime both economically and diplomatically.

As President, I will oppose any efforts to lift trade and travel restrictions on the Cuban dictatorship and will veto any legislation seeking to lift these restrictions until three conditions are met: scheduling of free, fair and internationally supervised multi-party elections, freeing of all political prisoners, and legalization of all political activity and civil liberties.

For over 48 years, Cuba’s communist dictatorship has been a destabilizing force in our hemisphere. Fidel Castro has supported and promoted violent revolution as well as terrorist activity. Cuba remains on the U.S. Department of State’s list of nations that sponsor terrorism. Castro’s brand of tyranny is now evident in the dictatorial actions of Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez. In sum, the demise of the Castro regime would be a welcomed development for our hemisphere and for the Cuban people. The U.S. should continue to support pro-democracy activists inside Cuba to hasten the regime’s demise.

United States policy toward Cuba is clear. The 1996 Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act (Libertad Act) provides a road map for

America’s goal of expediting a transition to democracy in Cuba and assisting the Cuban people in a post-Castro democratic transition. As President, I will enforce and implement all provisions of U.S. law governing policy toward Cuba including the Libertad Act. I will continue President Bush’s policy of pursuing indictments against any Cuban officials, including Raul Castro, responsible for crimes against U.S. citizens. I will further support efforts to bring to justice any American fugitive criminals receiving safe haven in Cuba. The Castro dictatorship is an outlaw regime. As President, my administration will treat it as such.

John McCain

The Candidate submitted the following statement in lieu of questionnaire.

John McCain supports the Cuban people’s quest to be free and the U.S. economic embargo on the Cuban dictatorship to deny the Castro regime the resources to continue its repression.

We should increase support for the growing human rights, dissident, and civil society movement in Cuba to promote a peaceful transition to democracy.

We should reject concessions to the Castro dictatorship until democracy is restored, and Cubans are allowed to elect their own leaders and choose their own destiny.

The U.S. should continue to pressure the Cuban regime to release all political prisoners unconditionally and to hold free and fair elections. Unless these conditions are met, lifting the economic embargo would only serve to strengthen the Castro dictatorship and delay Cuba’s inevitable transition to democracy. John McCain favors U.S. Government funding for political prisoners and their families, human rights activists, and others seeking a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba.

Barack Obama

The Candidate submitted statement and answers to questionnaire.

1. Do you support sending direct U.S. government aid to Cuban dissidents?


Yes___X__ No______

2. Do you support the ability to send direct private aid to Cuban dissidents?


Yes___X__ No______

3. Do you support Radio and Television Marti as a vehicle for providing objective news and information to Cuba?


Yes_____ No______


Comment on No. 3: I support Radio Martí but have voted against Television Martí. The U.S. government funded Television Martí tries to broadcast TV news and cultural programs to Cuba, but it is unfortunately jammed by the Cuban government and does not provide objectives news and information to Cuba.


4. Do you support restrictions on American tourist travel to Cuba?

Yes___X__ No______

5. Do you support restrictions on Cuban-American family, humanitarian related travel to Cuba?


Yes_____ No___X___

6. Do you believe that the United States should negotiate with Raul Castro once it is announced that Fidel Castro has died?

Yes__X__ No______

Comments on No. 6: A crucial component of the Obama plan to promote freedom and democratic change in Cuba will be aggressive and principled bilateral diplomacy. I will send an important message: if a post-Fidel government begins opening Cuba to democratic change, the United States is prepared to take steps to normalize relations and ease the embargo that has governed relations between our countries for the last five decades. That would be the best means of promoting Cuban freedom.

7. Should the United States require a new Cuban government to make concessions such as freeing political prisoners or allowing a free press before the United States moves to negotiate with them?

Yes_____ No___X__

8. Do you support maintaining current restrictions on trade with Cuba until there is a transition to democracy? ¿Apoya usted mantener las presentes restricciones comerciales hasta que tome lugar una transición a la democracia en Cuba?
Yes__X__ No______

9. Do you believe the wet-foot/dry-foot policy should be reverted back to the original policy of accepting Cuban refugees into the United States for processing regardless of whether they reach dry land or are intercepted at sea?

Yes_____ No__X___

10. Should United States policy provide for increased assistance for independent Cuban civil society, i.e. independent entrepreneurs, medical clinics, libraries, etc.?

Yes__X__ No______

11. Do you believe in supporting the growth of independent micro-enterprises in Cuba with the goal of helping promote independent Cuban civil society?

Yes__X__ No______

12. Do you believe the United States should negotiate direct mail service to Cuba?

Yes__X__ No______

13. Do you believe U.S. policy should allow for the upgrade of telecommunications equipment in order to facilitate communication between the people of Cuba and their relatives abroad?

Yes__X__ No______

14. Which statement most closely reflects your views on current U.S.-Cuba policy? (you may choose more than one)

I believe current policy is effective and does not need any change___

I believe current policy is effective but is missing a proactive element in support of Cuba’s dissidents___

I believe U.S. policy is not restrictive enough and should be toughened___

I believe U.S. policy is too restrictive and some elements of it should be relaxed___

I believe U.S. policy towards Cuba is a failure and should be completely revised___

Commentary on No. 14: I believe U.S. policy has failed. That’s why I have called for a new policy that would permit unlimited family travel and cash remittances, but maintain the embargo as an inducement for democratic change on the Island.

15. Do you believe it is important to establish an International Democracy Fund for Cuba through an international or regional body like the U.N. or the O.A.S. in order to provide incentives for democratic change?

Yes__X___ No________

16. Please summarize (1-2 paragraphs) your vision for a U.S. Cuba policy under your administration:

After nearly 50 years of failure, we must turn the page and begin to write a new chapter in U.S.-Cuba policy to help advance the cause of freedom and democracy in Cuba. To write this new chapter, I will keep U.S. national interests, and not partisan or electoral interests, at the forefront. I will strive to empower the Cuban people and aim to position the United States to help foster a stable and peaceful transition in Cuba to avoid potential disasters that could result in mass migration, internal violence, or the perpetuation of the Cuban dictatorship. A democratic opening in Cuba is, and should be, the foremost objective of our policy. I believe we need a clear strategy to achieve this objective—one that takes some limited steps now to spread the message of freedom on the island, but preserves our ability to bargain on behalf of democracy with a post-Fidel government. The primary means we have of encouraging positive change in Cuba today is to help the Cuban people become less dependent on the Castro regime in fundamental ways.

My approach is built around empowering the Cuban people, who ultimately hold Cuba’s destiny in their hands. There are few better ambassadors for freedom than Cuban Americans. And the money they send to Cuba makes their families less dependent on the Castro regime. 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. As President, I will grant Cuban Americans unrestricted rights to visit family and send remittances to the island. But as we reach out in some ways, it makes strategic sense to hold on to important inducements we can use in dealing with a post-Fidel government, for it is an unfortunate fact that his departure by no means guarantees the arrival of freedom on the island. I will also do what this President has not done, engage in aggressive and principled bilateral diplomacy.

Ron Paul

The Candidate chose not to respond.

Mitt Romney

Candidate submitted the following statements in lieu of questionnaire.

“There are four major points of pressure that can change any regime and particularly the regime in Cuba. First is economic pressure. It’s important for us to maintain our sanctions and help reduce the price of oil by becoming energy independent ourselves because the high price of oil is giving money to Hugo Chavez. The second pillar is to exert diplomatic isolation to make sure that the Castros are recognized as tyrants anywhere they travel. The third is to communicate more effectively to the people of Cuba and the world about the human rights abuses in Cuba. This can be done particularly through students, who naturally have great concern when they understand about human rights abuses. The final pillar is military strength. America must always be ready in the event of any military incursion by Castro or Chavez against the people of America. We must always be prepared so that the leaders of those countries understand that America will not ever be intimidated.

“Perhaps looking over these four pillars is the recognition that it is time to do more thinking and acting about Cuba. For too long America has forgotten Latin America.”

"For a half-century, the Castro dictatorship has been a terrible reality for millions of Cubans - on the island and in exile. Every person that values liberty should help the Cuban people bury a cruel dictatorship and usher in a free and democratic Cuba. I applaud President Bush's leadership in supporting the Cuban people and for calling upon world leaders to do so as well.”

"As President, I pledge my commitment to support the Cuban people as they reclaim their future and rebuild their country. We know from our own Cuban-American community that these are industrious, talented, and freedom-loving people who can achieve extraordinary things. Those on the island will be able to count on my help, the help of the American people, and international solidarity and assistance as they seize the opportunity for genuine change.”

“We need to continue to insist that we will not normalize economic relations nor grant political recognition until all of Cuba’s political prisoners are free and they can join their Cuban brothers in building a legitimate democracy through free and fair elections. Until that moment comes, the United States needs to continue to be innovative and generous in supporting those who struggle for liberty.”

"To keep faith with the Cuban people, we must make clear that there will be no deals with the illegitimate Castro regime which clings to power in Cuba. We must continue to hold back normal economic ties and political recognition until all political prisoners are free to join their fellow Cubans in building a genuine democracy through free and fair elections. Until then, we must continue to be innovative and generous in backing those who demand freedom."

"Even if Fidel Castro does not return to power, Cuba's government remains the brutal regime that he founded nearly 49 years ago. Regardless of his newfound desire to not 'obstruct the path of younger people,' the fact remains that Cuba's youth are currently subject to constant surveillance, harassment and violence for demanding their freedom and are among the many political prisoners in Cuba today."

"CAMBIO is desperately needed in Cuba, not a succession of power to Raul Castro or the next generation of Castro cronies. Cuba's future should be shaped by its freedom-loving youth. We must maintain our current policy until the Castro regime is dismantled, all political prisoners are freed and a transition to free and fair elections takes place."

Fred Thompson

The Candidate submitted the following statement in lieu of questionnaire.

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.
Fidel and Raul Castro are unaccountable dictators who can serve no role in Cuba’s future. We must continue supporting the growing internal opposition in Cuba while also denying the regime any source of funding that could prop up this cruel, illegitimate government. This means keeping current sanctions in place, and increasing our efforts to bring about change, until all political prisoners are freed, human rights and basic freedoms are restored, elections are held, civil society is established, and a working democracy exists in Cuba. Any actions or concessions prior to then will only embolden Cuba’s tyrants and give the regime the opportunity to survive beyond the current dictators.

Cuba’s illegitimate leaders are enemies of the United States and the values of freedom and democracy we hold dear. They have consistently espoused anti-Americanism and opposed our interests around the world, and have sent their spies to the United States to infiltrate our government and communities. And a Cuban government aligned with Venezuela’s dictator Hugo Chavez constitutes a real threat to America’s interests, values and policies in the hemisphere. That is why the United States must remain steadfast in its position, articulated well by Cuban-American leaders now serving honorably in the United States Congress: no concessions until political prisoners are freed, basic human rights are restored, and free and fair elections are conducted so that the Cuban people are free to determine their own destinies.