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Books by and about 2020 presidential candidates |
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Crippled America,
by Donald J. Trump (2015) |
United,
by Cory Booker (2016) |
The Truths We Hold,
by Kamala Harris (2019) |
Smart on Crime,
by Kamala Harris (2010) |
Guide to Political Revolution,
by Bernie Sanders (2017) |
Where We Go From Here,
by Bernie Sanders (2018) |
Promise Me, Dad ,
by Joe Biden (2017) |
Conscience of a Conservative,
by Jeff Flake (2017) |
Two Paths,
by Gov. John Kasich (2017) |
Every Other Monday,
by Rep. John Kasich (2010) |
Courage is Contagious,
by John Kasich (1998) |
Shortest Way Home,
by Pete Buttigieg (2019) |
The Book of Joe ,
by Jeff Wilser (2019; biography of Joe Biden) |
Becoming,
by Michelle Obama (2018) |
Our Revolution,
by Bernie Sanders (2016) |
This Fight Is Our Fight,
by Elizabeth Warren (2017) |
Higher Loyalty,
by James Comey (2018) |
The Making of Donald Trump,
by David Cay Johnston (2017) |
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Books by and about the 2016 presidential election |
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What Happened ,
by Hillary Clinton (2017) |
Higher Loyalty ,
by James Comey (2018) |
Trump vs. Hillary On The Issues ,
by Jesse Gordon (2016) |
Hard Choices,
by Hillary Clinton (2014) |
Becoming ,
by Michelle Obama (2018) |
Outsider in the White House,
by Bernie Sanders (2015) |
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Book Reviews |
(from Amazon.com) |
(click a book cover for a review or other books by or about the presidency from Amazon.com)
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| OnTheIssues.org excerpts: (click on issues for details)
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Abortion
Bob Krist: I oppose abortion rights but otherwise would run as Democrat.
Don Bacon: Life starts at conception.
Don Bacon: Support the 5-month abortion ban.
Peter Ricketts: Life begins at conception.
Shane Osborn: Human life begins at conception.
Dave Domina: Women should search their soul before deciding on abortion.
Ben Sasse: Defend the sanctity of life.
Bob Kerrey: Government should stay out of abortion decision.
Bob Kerrey: Trust women rather than regulating half the population.
Deb Fischer: I believe in the sanctity of life.
Deb Fischer: Exception for life of mother but not incest nor rape.
Deb Fischer: Look at the record: Opposes abortion.
Dave Heineman: Signs informed consent Legislation.
Steven Larrick: No government control over a woman’s body.
Steven Larrick: Supports embryonic stem cell research.
Mike Johanns: No new embryonic stem cell lines, but existing research ok.
Mike Johanns: Partial-birth abortion is a barbaric practice.
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Budget & Economy
Don Bacon: Reduce our domestic spending, and reform our entitlements.
Shane Osborn: Free enterprise is the key to national prosperity.
Shane Osborn: Nation can grow out of fiscal woes by expanding the economy.
Dave Heineman: Use $1.2 billion in cash reserves to reduce over-taxation.
Shane Osborn: Combat spending instead of kicking the can down the road.
Ben Sasse: Reform entitlement programs & live within our means.
Bob Kerrey: We balanced the budget in the 1990s without an amendment.
Bob Kerrey: Balanced budget amendment would double NE unemployment.
Deb Fischer: Balanced budget amendment forces tough decisions on cuts.
Deb Fischer: Congress spends every dime they can get their hands on.
Mike Johanns: I’m the only candidate who’s actually dealt with the budget.
Scott Kleeb: Bush & Johanns created current failed policies.
Mike Johanns: Growing the economy will balance the budget over time.
Scott Kleeb: Return to pay-as-you-go spending.
Scott Kleeb: End pork-barrel spending.
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Civil Rights
Bob Krist: Switches position, now pro-LGBT rights.
Peter Ricketts: Marriage is the union of one woman and one man.
Dave Domina: End gender paycheck inequity & all gender favoritism.
Shane Osborn: Government shouldn't redefine marriage.
Ben Sasse: Kids are best raised in a world with one mother & one father.
Ben Sasse: Children are best raised by a father and mother.
Dave Domina: Government should stay out of private matters like marriage.
Dave Domina: Feds SHOULD define marriage, but not as one-man-one-woman.
Ben Sasse: Don't redefine one-man-one-woman marriage.
Steven Larrick: Sexual orientation & gender identity in discrimination laws.
Steven Larrick: Allow same-sex couples to marry.
Steven Larrick: Continue affirmative action programs.
Mike Johanns: Define marriage as between a man and a woman.
Mike Johanns: No affirmative action.
Jon Bruning: No affirmative action in public employment or contracting.
Jon Bruning: No civil unions; no same-sex marriage.
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Corporations
Jane Raybould: Fight for Main Street, not Wall Street.
Dave Domina: Stop allowing companies to outsource jobs.
Dave Domina: Big corporations pay their fair share.
Ben Sasse: FactCheck: stretched truth on job as management consultant.
Dave Heineman: We lowered taxes over last 3 years; do same for next 4 years.
Scott Kleeb: Close corporate tax loopholes; keep R&D tax credits.
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Crime
ACLU: Death penalty is a broken process; abolish it nationwide.
Peter Ricketts: First NE execution in 20 years, with new drug combination.
Bob Krist: Fix the prison system; stop the talking about it.
Peter Ricketts: Automated sentence calculation for Department of Corrections.
Dave Domina: Defended and exonerated death row inmates.
Dave Heineman: Don't reduce sentences automatically for "good time".
Pat Flynn: Supports "stand-your-ground" self-defense laws.
Don Stenberg: Supports "stand-your-ground" self-defense laws.
Jon Bruning: Supports "stand-your-ground" self-defense laws.
Steven Larrick: Eliminate the federal death penalty.
Steven Larrick: Prevent criminal behavior rather than focus on punishment.
Mike Johanns: Supports death penalty for federal crimes.
Mike Johanns: Juvenile justice package: more funding; more coordination.
Jon Bruning: End parole for repeat violent offenders.
Jon Bruning: Supports death penalty by lethal injection in Nebraska.
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Drugs
Ben Sasse: Leave marijuana regulation to states, not feds.
Dave Domina: Legal structure is not ready legal marijuana.
Dave Domina: Feds need to address marijuana in bordering Colorado.
Jon Bruning: Requested an earmark to fund a drug-war program.
Scott Kleeb: Treat kids’ substance abuse as a mental health issue.
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Education
Jane Raybould: State's public schools should be invested in.
Bob Krist: Wants voters to weigh in on education decisions.
Don Bacon: Reduce micromanagement & oppose Common Core.
Peter Ricketts: Oppose the implementation of Common Core.
Dave Domina: Treat public education as a basic right of citizenship.
Ben Sasse: Opposes Common Core State Standards.
Dave Domina: Common Core: feds have an interest in common understanding.
Ben Sasse: At Midland U., fixed broken system of higher ed.
Dave Heineman: Increasing state aid to education from $852M to $939M.
Dave Heineman: Two-year tuition freeze for State colleges via more funding.
Dave Heineman: Virtual school is good for Nebraska.
Dave Heineman: $1.5M Nebraska Internship Program for college students.
Scott Kleeb: Accountability should enhance and support, not to punish.
Scott Kleeb: More college via Pell Grants, & G.I. Bill.
Steven Larrick: Federally funded universal pre-K programs.
Steven Larrick: Federal funding for charter schools.
Mike Johanns: Opposes “No Child Left Behind”--leave it to states.
Mike Johanns: $27M for state colleges’ recruitment & diversity.
Mike Johanns: More teacher bonuses and incentives, locally decided.
Jon Bruning: Vouchers for public, private, & religious schools.
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Energy & Oil
Jane Raybould: Revoke tax breaks for oil & gas companies to pay for roads.
Peter Ricketts: Don't reduce the ethanol Renewable Fuels Standard.
Shane Osborn: No subsidies for wind and solar.
Ben Sasse: Stop Obama's war on coal; stop picking winners & losers.
Dave Domina: Impact of fossil fuels on our environment is real.
Ben Sasse: Shale oil revolution could create energy independence.
Rick Berg: AdWatch: Support oil exploration and coal mining.
Jon Bruning: Coal is good, cheap energy.
Dave Heineman: Support pipeline but not at expense of environment.
Steven Larrick: Only candidate to oppose drilling in ANWR.
Mike Johanns: New corn genetics brings 40% yield increase & more ethanol.
Mike Johanns: Opposes Warner-Lieberman Climate Security Act.
Scott Kleeb: Always a supporter of ethanol; along with solar & wind.
Scott Kleeb: Supports Warner-Lieberman Climate Security Act.
Steven Larrick: We need a renewable energy policy.
Steven Larrick: Green energy is the future of Nebraska.
Scott Kleeb: Release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Steven Larrick: More ethanol; more emission controls; more alternative fuels.
Don Stenberg: Develop domestic energy to lower prices.
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Environment
Deb Fischer: Ease regulations that affect Omaha sewer separation project.
Don Bacon: Support REINs Act to control our bureaucracies.
Deb Fischer: Base gas tax on price, not volume, to pay for highways.
Dave Heineman: Vetoes 25% State Park Fee Increase.
Scott Kleeb: Increase flexibility in the Conservation Reserve Program.
Scott Kleeb: Develop a long-term water strategy.
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Families & Children
Peter Ricketts: More resources for Child and Family Services.
Brad Ashford: Provide prenatal care regardless of immigration status.
Dave Heineman: Reform child welfare system: collaborative & measurable.
Scott Kleeb: Support healthy childbearing & treat post-partum depression.
Don Stenberg: Strong, traditional families are foundation of our culture.
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Foreign Policy
Ben Sasse: Healthy skepticism of foreign entanglements.
Shane Osborn: Economic sanctions against Russia to stem Ukrainian crisis.
Deb Fischer: Leadership & strong messages make the world safer.
Pat Flynn: Strong support for traditional ally Israel.
Don Stenberg: Strong support for traditional ally Israel.
Jon Bruning: Strong support for traditional ally Israel.
Scott Kleeb: Stop genocide in Darfur.
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Free Trade
Bob Krist: Trump's trade war would devastate Nebraska's economy.
Peter Ricketts: Exports boost Nebraska economy.
Jane Raybould: Foreign trade important to Nebraska.
Dave Heineman: Trade mission: Nebraska exports to China grow rapidly.
Dave Heineman: Expand trade with Taiwan & Hong Kong.
Scott Kleeb: Promote fair trade, not free trade.
Steven Larrick: We need fair trade that protects people and environment.
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Government Reform
Bob Krist: State government needs overhaul to properly serve.
Peter Ricketts: Government agencies should be user focused.
Shane Osborn: Photo ID for voting.
Ben Sasse: Reduce level of influence of lobbyists with both parties.
Shane Osborn: Cut 60 redundant federal agencies and save $60B.
Ben Sasse: AdWatch: Campaign film "The Outsider", after years in DC.
Ben Sasse: Permanent bureaucracy should not write big legislation.
Ben Sasse: Optimistic about America but pessimistic about Washington.
Deb Fischer: Accused of coordinating anti-Bruning TV ad with super-PAC.
Deb Fischer: Against earmarks and would oppose them.
Pat Flynn: No earmarks: it's not my duty to bring home the bacon.
Pat Flynn: Don't renew legislative earmarks.
Don Stenberg: Don't renew legislative earmarks; and attack past ones.
Jon Bruning: Don't renew legislative earmarks, but past ones ok.
Jon Bruning: Political contributions ok from out-of-state coal companies.
Deb Fischer: No campaign contributions from industry tied to your office.
Dave Heineman: Disallow using government resources for politics.
Scott Kleeb: Johanns wastefully spent $20M studying crawdads in Australia.
Steven Larrick: Public funding of elections creates fair political system.
Don Stenberg: Judges should not impose liberal social policies on families.
Jon Bruning: No campaign donation limits; but full disclosure.
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Gun Control
Jane Raybould: Commonsense gun safety measures, like banning bump stocks.
Deb Fischer: No proposals on high capacity magazines or background checks.
Jane Raybould: Renew the assault weapons ban; they are killing machines.
Don Bacon: Gun control means only criminals have guns.
Bob Krist: Support restricting magazine capacity & registering handguns.
Peter Ricketts: Supports Nebraska's concealed carry law.
Shane Osborn: Opposes more gun restrictions.
Dave Domina: Right to enjoy weapons should have restrictions.
Ben Sasse: Self-described as pro-guns and pro-life.
Deb Fischer: Support stand-your-ground self-defense laws.
Don Stenberg: Opposed nominee for stripping Americans of gun rights.
Dave Heineman: Harsher punishment for unlawful handguns.
Scott Kleeb: Second Amendment is part of our rural way of life.
Steven Larrick: We need to reduce gun violence in America.
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Health Care
Jane Raybould: Reform ObamaCare; look at single-payer.
Don Bacon: More market-based options for healthcare.
Peter Ricketts: Cannot trust Medicaid federal matching grants.
Peter Ricketts: Oppose ObamaCare and oppose Medicaid expansion.
Bob Krist: Honored for work with nursing/assisted living homes.
Shane Osborn: Repeal ObamaCare; it's not a government responsibility.
Dave Domina: There are good features in ObamaCare, like age-26 insurance.
Shane Osborn: AdWatch: Never waver to repeal ObamaCare & protect freedom.
Dave Heineman: Nebraska will not be pressured into expanding Medicaid.
Ben Sasse: Job change causes uninsurance; so make insurance portable.
Ben Sasse: I'm the national anti-ObamaCare Senate candidate.
Shane Osborn: Propose better options, then repeal ObamaCare.
Deb Fischer: I won't steal $700 billion from Medicare.
Deb Fischer: Replace ObamaCare with free market reforms & competition.
Bob Kerrey: Supports ObamaCare even though he knows it's unpopular.
Deb Fischer: Repeal ObamaCare health overhaul.
Jon Bruning: Signed lawsuit opposing ObamaCare.
Dave Heineman: Don't spend money on ObamaCare until Supreme Court decision.
Mike Johanns: Didn’t phase out adult mental health care services.
Mike Johanns: Giving all taxpayers federal coverage would cost $480B.
Scott Kleeb: Shouldn’t phase out adult mental health care services.
Scott Kleeb: Give all taxpayers access to federal coverage like Congress.
Mike Johanns: Alternative community hospitals got 9000 more people treated.
Scott Kleeb: Alternative community treatment not adequately funded.
Scott Kleeb: Parity for mental health; coverage for dental health.
Steven Larrick: I support universal single-payer health care.
Mike Johanns: Opposes a single-payer government run program.
Mike Johanns: Use tobacco settlement for biomedical research.
Mike Johanns: $6M increase in funding for mental health.
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Homeland Security
Jane Raybould: Fight to modernize GI benefits.
Todd Rokita: World is a dangerous place; America needs strong defense.
Don Bacon: Keep Guantanamo Bay for the worst of the worst.
Don Bacon: Peace through strength: retool military with latest tech.
Shane Osborn: Maintain a superior nuclear arsenal.
Dave Domina: Drones are no exception to Fourth Amendment protections.
Ben Sasse: Spend to maintain the greatest fighting force the world.
Shane Osborn: Reducing size of military makes us look weak.
Dave Heineman: Our military personnel work to preserve our freedom.
Ben Sasse: Global preeminence essential our nation's interests.
Shane Osborn: Hawkish on defense, but measured response.
Bob Krist: Wants veteran's social security to be exempt from state tax.
Mike Johanns: Negotiating with rogue nations squanders American prestige.
Scott Kleeb: We have forgotten how to use diplomacy.
Scott Kleeb: Refocus war on terror on Afghan-Pakistan border.
Steven Larrick: We spend more for war than all other nations combined.
Steven Larrick: Opposes monitoring domestic communications & federal ID card.
Steven Larrick: Respect international law; no pre-emptive military strikes.
Mike Johanns: Military tribunals for terrorists; domestic spying ok.
Mike Johanns: Expand missile defense; & pre-emptive military strike policy.
Don Stenberg: Defeat terrorists at home & abroad.
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Immigration
Bob Krist: Supports prenatal care for illegal immigrants.
Jane Raybould: Supports letting "DACA" youths stay.
Don Bacon: More employer enforcement; more secure borders.
Peter Ricketts: No state services for illegal immigrants.
Shane Osborn: Protect the borders; prevent illegal entry.
Ben Sasse: Neither party has gotten serious about border security.
Shane Osborn: Begin with strict border control but don't allow citizenship.
Bob Krist: Provide prenatal care regardless of immigration status.
Dave Heineman: No taxpayer-funded prenatal care for illegal immigrants.
Dave Heineman: End Medicaid services for illegal immigrants.
Scott Kleeb: Build border fence; increase border patrol.
Scott Kleeb: No amnesty for lawbreakers.
Steven Larrick: Supports amnesty & a pathway to citizenship.
Mike Johanns: Secure the border, provide no amnesty.
Don Stenberg: Strengthen our borders.
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Jobs
Bob Krist: No job discrimination by race, religion, or orientation.
Peter Ricketts: Grow Nebraska: create jobs by recruiting new businesses.
Dave Heineman: NE needs more middle-class jobs; so lower income tax rates.
Deb Fischer: More crop insurance in the new farm bill.
Scott Kleeb: Johanns left Secretary of Agriculture job & let down farmers.
Scott Kleeb: Fight discrimination in the workplace.
Don Stenberg: Assist our family farmers to compete globally.
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Local Issues
Dave Heineman: Lower ag land valuations from 75 percent to 65 percent.
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Principles & Values
Bob Krist: Reputation for being a pragmatic, fair conservative.
Don Bacon: Priorities: be a good Christian, husband, father and citizen.
Don Bacon: I was raised reading National Review and Human Events.
Shane Osborn: Judeo-Christian values established our government framework.
Ben Sasse: Endorsed by Freedom Works' founder & other Tea Party groups.
Shane Osborn: Endorsed by Tea Party-oriented group, Freedom Works.
Deb Fischer: Ran underdog primary campaign on shoestring budget.
Deb Fischer: Do Nebraskans want more career politician in Washington?
Deb Fischer: TV ad: "End the political bull".
Don Stenberg: Our country's going in the wrong direction.
Don Stenberg: Most campaign funds come from South Carolina PAC.
Jon Bruning: OpEd: Became multimillionaire while serving in public office.
Pat Flynn: Endorsed by Republican Liberty Caucus.
Pat Flynn: I'm the only candidate who is not a "career politician".
Mike Johanns: Focus on small towns.
Scott Kleeb: Always keep Nebraska’s interest first.
Steven Larrick: Healthy world relations; healthy planet; healthy Americans.
Mike Johanns: Priorities: tax relief, education, family.
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Social Security
Jane Raybould: Fight against reductions in benefits.
Don Bacon: Adjust long-term policies for future generations.
Dave Domina: It's not an entitlement; and it shouldn't be privatized.
Dave Domina: Keep promises made to the elderly.
Ben Sasse: Entitlement reform needed: guilty of generational theft.
Bob Kerrey: We must keep our commitments & do right for the future.
Bob Kerrey: Entitlements are $60 trillion liability; must do something.
Bob Kerrey: Raise payroll cap & raise retirement age to 69.
Deb Fischer: Don't change benefits for people over the age of 40.
Deb Fischer: Raise retirement age & limit benefits.
Deb Fischer: Look at means testing & higher retirement age.
Scott Kleeb: Strengthen, not privatize, Social Security.
Steven Larrick: Increase Social Security tax on higher income individuals.
Mike Johanns: Honor our commitment on Social Security.
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Tax Reform
Bob Krist: People's voices will be heard on taxes.
Jane Raybould: Don't shift tax burden onto poor.
Don Bacon: We need a simpler, flatter tax code.
Peter Ricketts: Provide tax relief through property tax regulations.
Peter Ricketts: Protect taxpayers from bureaucracy & burdensome regulations.
Ben Sasse: Taxation should be as simple as possible.
Dave Heineman: Eliminated sales tax exemptions, to eliminate income tax.
Deb Fischer: No increase in local property taxes.
Dave Heineman: To build economy: no new taxes.
Mike Johanns: No tax increase for research on celluosic ethanol.
Scott Kleeb: Supports $1B in tax funds for research on celluosic ethanol.
Scott Kleeb: Keep middle-class out of AMT, estate tax, and capital gains.
Mike Johanns: $60M in property tax relief over next two years.
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Technology
Deb Fischer: $21B for infrastructure, with funds from border customs.
Deb Fischer: Develop broadband via rural development matching grants.
Jane Raybould: Develop broadband via rural development matching grants.
Jane Raybould: Design infrastructure to withstand climate change flooding.
Scott Kleeb: Invest in roadway infrastructure to help farm productivity.
Scott Kleeb: Broadband computer access in rural schools.
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War & Peace
Don Bacon: Defeat ISIS with assertive leadership & special forces.
Ben Sasse: Americans should be realistic about the dangers we face.
Dave Domina: No drones to kill Americans in foreign countries.
Shane Osborn: We let Syria & Iran cross the red line.
Bob Kerrey: We all get worked up about Iran, but there's a price.
Bob Kerrey: Be conscious of what it means to draw a line for Iran.
Deb Fischer: Draw a line on Iranian nukes; no mixed signals.
Deb Fischer: Prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability.
Steven Larrick: Invasion of Iraq was based on false premises.
Scott Kleeb: Draw down US troops, but no timetables.
Steven Larrick: End the Iraq war as soon as possible.
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Welfare & Poverty
Bob Krist: Voted against $32M budget cuts to the needy.
Peter Ricketts: $56M of vetoes sustained, to cut budget.
Peter Ricketts: People-centric services: hand up to get back on their feet.
Ben Sasse: Churches & charities are the lifeblood of society.
Ben Sasse: Replace entitlements with an opportunity society.
Scott Kleeb: Stop predatory lending; close mortgage loopholes.
Steven Larrick: Supports federal welfare block grants.
Jon Bruning: Fund welfare via faith-based organizations.
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