This article presents an unbiased comparison of the political positions and policies of Jeff Flake and Richard Carmona, candidates for the 2012 senate election in Arizona.
Flake defeated Carmona and won the election.
Comparison chart
| Jeff Flake | Richard Carmona | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Biography | Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Arizona; incumbent member of the U.S. House of Representatives | Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Arizona; former U.S. Surgeon General |
Economic Policy
Social Security
- Carmona Mar 2012 No privatization; no Trust Fund as slush fund
- Flake May 2001 Voted YES on raising 401(k) limits & making pension plans more portable
Tax Policy
- Carmona Mar 2012 Tax cuts for corporations are wrong & unconscionable
- Flake Dec 2005 Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends
Social Issues
Abortion
- Flake Dec 2000 No federal funding of abortion, but no litmus test
- Carmona Mar 2012 Give every woman access & choice in reproductive healthcare
- Flake May 2011 Voted YES on banning federal health coverage that includes abortion
Congressional Ethics
- Carmona Mar 2012 Require financial analysts to disclose contacts in Congress
- Flake Nov 2011 Ban stock trading based on Congressional insider knowledge
Immigration
- Flake May 2005 Sponsored comprehensive immigration reform, without amnesty
- Carmona Mar 2012 Secure the border AND pass the DREAM Act
- Flake Sep 2006 Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border
Education
- Flake Jul 2011 Long-time advocate for charters & school choice
- Carmona Mar 2012 Reinvest $1 billion cut from our schools
- Flake May 2009 Voted NO on $40B for green public schools
Civil Liberties and Homeland Security
- Flake Mar 11, 2008 Voted NO on Veto override: Congressional oversight of CIA interrogations
- Carmona Mar 2012 Remain vigilant about terrorism; it still threatens US
- Flake Dec 2005 Voted YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent
Healthcare Policy
- Flake Jul 2011 says Obamacare is not the answer; choice & competition are.
- Carmona Mar 2012 Preserve Medicare benefits, but modernize it
- Flake Jan 2011 Repeal the Job-Killing Health Care Law
Energy Policy
- Flake May 2001 Repeal the gas tax
- Carmona Mar 2012 Make Arizona the solar energy capital of the world
- Flake Jan 2009 Bar greenhouse gases from Clean Air Act rules
Foreign Policy
Iran
- Carmona Mar 2012 Consider all options in preventing Iranian nukes
- Flake May 2011 Boycott & sanctions against Iran for terrorism & nukes
Debates
In the first debate, Richard Carmona and Jeff Flake debated with each other and with Libertarian Marc Victor on October 10, 2012. The debate was hosted by Arizona Horizon. The full video is presented below:
The second debate was held on October 16 and saw both candidates attacking each other and claiming that their opponent was unfit for elected office.
Flake vs Carmona in Opinion Polls
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Richard Carmona (D) | Jeff Flake (R) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Poll | October 4–10, 2012 | 44% | 40% |
| Public Policy Polling | October 1–3, 2012 | 45% | 43% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 25, 2012 | 41% | 47% |
| LCV/Public Policy Polling | September 7–9, 2012 | 43% | 44% |
| LCV/Public Policy Polling | July 23–25, 2012 | 38% | 38% |
| Rasmussen Reports | June 26, 2012 | 31% | 47% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 4–5, 2012 | 41% | 43% |
| Public Policy Polling | May 17–20, 2012 | 35% | 48% |
| Magellan Strategies | April 30–May 2, 2012 | 40% | 44% |
| Rasmussen Reports | Mar. 13, 2012 | 34% | 47% |
| NBC News/Marist | Feb. 19–20, 2012 | 29% | 42% |
| Public Policy Polling | Feb. 17–19, 2012 | 35% | 46% |
| Public Policy Polling | Nov. 17–20, 2011 | 36% | 40% |
Democrat 
Liberal 
Mitt Romney 
Obamacare 
Elizabeth Warren 
George Allen
Comments: Jeff Flake vs Richard Carmona
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