Where the candidates stand on fighting ISIS
For many Americans, national security is the most important issue in the upcoming presidential election. So, here's how the various candidates would handle terrorist groups like ISIS.
On December 5, 2015, just a few days after the shooting massacre in San Bernardino, California, Sen. Ted Cruz escalated his rhetoric, vowing to take down ISIS by whatever means necessary.
Donald Trump on ISIS
In a radio ad released on November 18, 2015, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said, "I will also quickly and decisively bomb the hell out of ISIS... We will not have to listen to the politicians who are losing the war on terrorism."
Sec. Hillary Clinton on ISIS
On November 19, 2015, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton took a strong stance on ISIS and the global war against terrorism.
"This is no time to be scoring political points. We must use every pillar of American power, including our values, to fight terror," she said.
Sen. Bernie Sanders on ISIS
In a speech in Washington, DC on November 19, 2015, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders said, "A new and strong coalition of Western powers, Muslim nations, and countries like Russia must come together in a strongly coordinated way to combat ISIS."
Sen. Sanders believes that using U.S. military force should be an absolute last resort.
Sen. Ted Cruz on ISIS
In a November 18th news conference on Capitol Hill, Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said, "I don't believe the answer is sending boots on the ground to Syria. I think President Obama and I think far too many Republicans are eager to get us in the middle of internecine civil war in Syria."
Gov. Martin O'Malley on ISIS
In the CBS News Democratic presidential debate on November 14, 2015, former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley argued that the U.S. needs to invest in better human intelligence to combat ISIS.
"The great failing of these last 10 or 15 years... has been our failing of human intelligence on the ground," he said.
Sen. Rand Paul on ISIS
In a Time.com op-ed on November 17, 2015, Republican presidential candidate Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said he would end terror financing.
"Locate the citizens who are financing terrorism and lock them up," he said.
Gov. John Kasich on ISIS
In an interview with CBS News Chief White House Correspondent Major Garrett in November 2015, Ohio Gov. John Kasich said of ISIS, "I would say no-fly zones. I would say arm the Kurds who are taking the fight to ISIS in Iraq. And put a coalition together to get both in the air and on the ground to destroy ISIS."
Gov. Jeb Bush on ISIS
In a speech on November 18, 2015, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said of ISIS, "Militarily, we need to intensify our efforts in the air and on the ground."
Gov. Bush also wants to arm Kurdish opposition forces, enforce a no-fly zone over Syria, and embed U.S. troops with Iraqi units.
Sen. Marco Rubio on ISIS
Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida believes that, to fight ISIS, the U.S. needs to increase special forces and support a combined Sunni force on the ground.
"Ultimately, we would want to know what the outcome is -- that a combined Sunni force on the ground, made up Sunni fighters from Egypt and Jordan and Saudi Arabia and Sunnis from Iraq and Syria -- defeat ISIS militarily and ideologically," he said.
Donald Trump on ISIS
In November 2015, during a speech in Iowa, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump went so far as to say he would blow up oil reserves in the Middle East to combat ISIS.
"I'd blow up the pipes. I'd blow up the refineries. Every single inch. There would be nothing left," he said.
Sec. Hillary Clinton on ISIS
Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton took a strong stance on ISIS, November 19, 2015.
"It's time to begin a new phase to intensify and broaden our efforts, to smash the would-be caliphate and deny ISIS control of territory in Iraq and Syria," she said. "That starts with a more effective coalition air campaign, with more allied planes, more strikes and a broader target set."