Kemp also said that although in theory he's against race-based quotas, he is against Rep. Charles Canady's (R-Fla.) proposed bill to end affirmative action programs.

CNN: AllPolitics - Kemp And 2000

More generally, affirmative action programs can be seen as a way of reducing the social distance between governing institutions and minority communities that tend to be under-represented in government.

FORBES: Social Distance and the Patent System

"First of all, if they say that, they just weren't paying attention, " he said, referring to his opposition to Proposition 209, the successful California ballot initiative that ended affirmative action programs.

CNN: AllPolitics - Clinton: Can U.S. Become A 'Truly Multiracial Democracy'?

In an effort to accommodate court rulings which have restricted affirmative action programs as well as the administration's desire to maintain the programs, the new Justice Department contracting guidelines may end some race-based preferences.

CNN: Mending Government Contracting

The Clinton Administration has been trying for the past two years to reconcile strong Democratic support for affirmative action programs from blacks, Hispanics and women, and a 1995 Supreme Court decision, Adarand Construction v.

CNN: Mending Government Contracting

But here is where the tricky questions arise if affirmative action programs have succeeded, and I would argue that they have been successful, that very success necessarily suggests that the programs should, at some point, come to an end as the goals of equal protection and fair play are accomplished.

FORBES: The Supreme Court Is the Supremely Wrong Place To Address Affirmative Action

Republican lawmakers in both houses of Congress oppose Lee's nomination, arguing the well-known supporter of affirmative action would defy recent court rulings which contend such programs violate the Constitution.

CNN: AllPolitics - White House Nears Decision On Lee

In 2012, the justices heard the case and then declined to act for eight months while supporters of affirmative action feared the court was poised to curtail race conscious admissions programs.

CNN: Michigan affirmative action ban upheld

It is a debate that must be had in the political arena, based on data designed to measure the success of affirmative action and the expectations we have as to what might happen were we to end these programs.

FORBES: The Supreme Court Is the Supremely Wrong Place To Address Affirmative Action