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CANDIDATES FOR FEDERAL OFFICE
President of the United States
The League of Women Voters of the United States has prepared a
2008
Presidential General Election Voters Guide.
United States Senator
Two United States Senators are elected to six-year staggered terms by the entire state.
Candidates must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the United States at least nine years, and a resident of the state from which elected.
The United States Senate has 100 members. One New Mexico Senate seat is up for election this year.
Candidates were allowed 65 words to respond to each question below.
Steve Pearce (Republican)
- What are the three top economic concerns facing the country? What actions would you take as a U.S. Senator to address these concerns?
1) Congress must create a successful business environment that provides growth opportunities for New Mexican businesses. I support a low tax structure. Tax cuts create jobs. Raising taxes puts a downward pressure on the economy that results in lost jobs. 2) We must lower energy costs. I introduced the Clean Energy, Lower Prices Act to allow drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf and Alaska. It takes royalties from oil drilling leases and accelerates investments in renewable energy. Nuclear energy must be expanded. 3) Providing a world class education provides higher living standards as US companies increase competitiveness in the global-market.
- What is your position on the war in Iraq, and what actions should the United States take?
Iraq is one of the many fronts in the war on terror. Congress must listen to the military commanders on the ground to ensure Iraq does not become a terrorist training ground. Iraqi forces are now securing 10 of 18 provinces with more to be controlled by the end of 2008. As Iraq stabilizes, more American troops can be rotated home. The cost of failure in the war on terror will be the fall of over 50 moderate Arab regimes. If the terrorists gain control they have promised to pull oil off the world market, causing economic and social upheaval.
- As both major party presidential candidates have supported legislation to deal with global climate change, this issue is expected to come up in the next Congress. What legislation, if any, would you support to tackle this issue?
The real question is, will the U.S. take unilateral action to reduce carbon emissions. China and other countries are not considering action so the global effect of our efforts will have minimal impact. Are we willing to bring down our living standards and lose jobs to support actions that may have no effect on climate change? In Europe, the cost of cap and trade is punitive to consumers and businesses. My bill the Clean Energy, Lower Prices Act will lower gas prices in the short-term and make us more energy independent in the long-term through investments in renewables and nuclear.
- Should Congress take steps to ensure that all people living in the United States have access to affordable, quality health care? Please explain.
Fundamental changes to America's healthcare system must be made to control rising costs. I oppose an attempt to socialize health care. I support investment in disease research, tele-medicine, ending frivolous lawsuits, access to home care, replacing emergency care with preventative medicine, promoting healthy lifestyles, and teaching people how to manage their diseases to lower healthcare costs.
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Tom Udall (Democrat)
- What are the three top economic concerns facing the country? What actions would you take as a U.S. Senator to address these concerns?
Our top economic concerns are: making the economy work again for hard-working Americans; helping the middle class being hurt by rising food, gas, health care and education costs; and getting the nation's finances back in order. I will support legislation to provide a tax credit to companies that maintain or increase the number of workers in America and will end the tax breaks for companies that outsource American jobs. I will also work to expand college scholarships, reduce energy costs by cracking down on oil speculators and expanding alternative energy, and reduce the deficit by cutting wasteful spending.
- What is your position on the war in Iraq, and what actions should the United States take?
After 9/11, I supported sending troops into Afghanistan to stop Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda. I opposed the Iraq war because it took us away from our mission. We need to start bringing our troops home from Iraq safely, and refocus on the resurgent threat in Afghanistan. We need to stop spending billions every month in Iraq that could be used at home. And we need to treat our troops with the respect they have earned. That's why I have worked for better health care for our veterans and fought for the new G.I. Bill.
- As both major party presidential candidates have supported legislation to deal with global climate change, this issue is expected to come up in the next Congress. What legislation, if any, would you support to tackle this issue?
We face the twin challenges of global warming and rising energy costs. I introduced legislation in Congress to reduce global warming pollution, while re-charging our economy with new alternative energy jobs. My energy plan addresses immediate concerns by cracking down on speculation and exploring responsible drilling, but also addresses future energy needs by investing in alternative energy. We need increased conservation, and investment in a New Energy Economy, providing long term tax incentives for wind and solar power so America can become a world leader in these and similar industries. There is no single answer — we must do it all.
- Should Congress take steps to ensure that all people living in the United States have access to affordable, quality health care? Please explain.
I support affordable, accessible health care for every American. There are three things I want to do right now to get the job done. One, allow every small business access to the same health care plan available to members of Congress and federal employees. That means everyone will be paying the lowest rate like the largest businesses. Second, allow individuals aged 55-64 to buy into Medicare. Some in this age group are retired and their previous employers don't continue health insurance for them. And three, make sure every child has health insurance by expanding the children's health insurance program.
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U.S. House of Representatives, Congressional District 3
New Mexico elects three representatives to the U.S. House of Representatives. Each serves a two-year term. District 3 includes Los Alamos, Santa Fe, and most of the northern part of the state.
Candidates were allowed 100 words to respond to each question below.
Daniel K. East (Republican)
- What are the three top economic concerns facing the country? What actions would you take as a member of Congress to address these concerns?
Energy and infrastructure are the biggest concerns right now. In Congress, I will fight to ensure America gains access to our own energy resources and I will reinvest tax dollars into our infrastructure. For every $1 billion spent on infrastructure, we create 40,000 new job. That's 40,000 families that can feed themselves and put gas in their car. We need to drill in America so we can stabilize the price of oil and we need to foster alternative sources to protect our future. We're never going to see $2 gas again, but we can stop it from hitting $5.
- Should Congress take steps to ensure that all people living in the United States have access to affordable, quality health care? Please explain.
Congress needs to make sure that the American people have every opportunity to join a health care program, but they do not need to provide that healthcare. The private sector needs to be allowed, with some nudging, to create a competitive free market system for healthcare. Where competition flourishes, prices drop and quality rises. It is simple economics. There are may Americans who have access and can afford programs, but they opt out. That is not society's burden, not should it become society's burden.
- What should Congress do to maintain or reinstate checks and balances among the branches of the federal government?
Checks and balances are best maintained when you have a two partisanship. That means that American's need to take notice of who's in power and make sure there are enough opposing voices to prevent corruption. If we're unfortunate enough to have a veto-proof government after November, corruption and poverty will run rampant. Poverty and Corruption go hand in hand, just look at New Mexico. Voters are the best way to check and balance our government. People need to pay attention and vote for honest, hard working representatives that will work for the good of the people, not self interest.
- Many scientists say that there is only a short time to take action to reverse the effects of global climate change. What actions should Congress take to address this issue?
I do not believe in global warming. Our Earth is cyclic in nature and we are simply going through one of those cycles. There is not a whole lot that we can do about the planetary cycle.
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Ben R. Lujan (Democrat)
- What are the three top economic concerns facing the country? What actions would you take as a member of Congress to address these concerns?
We need to get our country back on track. We should provide middle
class families meaningful tax relief and focus our attention on the
needs of the people of New Mexico. The cost of health care is hurting families and businesses, whether it is rising premiums or burdensome costs for small businesses. We need to provide affordable, accessible health care for all. Our dependence on foreign oil is hurting our economy. We need a comprehensive approach to our energy crisis that moves us toward energy independence and renewable energy and creates jobs right here in New Mexico.
- Should Congress take steps to ensure that all people living in the United States have access to affordable, quality health care? Please explain.
Yes. Accessible, affordable health care should be a right for all Americans, but unfortunately more than 47 million Americans and 400,000 New Mexicans are uninsured. Even those with insurance are paying more than ever for care and premiums. Small businesses are struggling to pay for health care for their employees. We must fix our broken system. We need to provide affordable, accessible care for all Americans and start by making sure children and veterans get the care they need and deserve.
- What should Congress do to maintain or reinstate checks and balances among the branches of the federal government?
We need to change the way Washington works. The Bush Administration has stripped away our system of checks and balances by circumventing the power and jurisdiction of our judicial and legislative branches. We need to restore habeas corpus and reinstate checks and balances to respect the judicial and legislative branches.
- Many scientists say that there is only a short time to take action to reverse the effects of global climate change. What actions should Congress take to address this issue?
With the Public Regulation Commission, I signed onto the Joint Action Framework on Climate Change with my colleagues from Western states to create regional solutions to global warming and to reduce carbon emissions. We should follow the Commission's lead on the federal level and create solutions to global warming. We need to increase fuel efficiency in our cars, create a cap-and-trade system, expand Production Tax Credits for renewable energy and make a transition to a clean energy economy.
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Carol Miller (Independent)
- What are the three top economic concerns facing the country? What actions would you take as a member of Congress to address these concerns?
Economic concerns are complex but fall into three major categories.
Energy: skyrocketing gas and food prices, protecting the environment and water while assuring NM leadership in the renewable energy economy. Human needs: healthcare, quality schools, costs of college, income security, affordable housing. Globalization: job loss, regain US R&D advantage, security, costs of war and militarism. Deregulation of banks and mortgage financing has failed and sensible re-regulation is needed to protect the public and avoid further bailouts. All issues require the same actions: Elect a leader with education and experience to listen, strategize, plan, prioritize, and build consensus in our diverse...
- Should Congress take steps to ensure that all people living in the United States have access to affordable, quality health care? Please explain.
Healthcare is a right requiring both coverage and access. Health care must be broadly defined to include public health, wellness and prevention programs as well as medical care. The public consistently identifies Medicare — publicly financed/privately delivered healthcare with a choice of providers — as the most popular federal program. I support Medicare-for-All to assure coverage. Assuring access will require an immediate and rapid expansion of primary care training and education with incentives such as scholarships and loan repayment for service in health shortage areas. We must expand the National Health Service Corps and the Community Health Center program.
- What should Congress do to maintain or reinstate checks and balances among the branches of the federal government?
The Constitution establishes three equal branches of government but this balance of power has eroded. Ending the decades-long erosion of checks and balances and restoring balance will take several strategies.
First, Congress must overturn past erosive policies legislatively; for example, prohibit signing statements and spying on American citizens. Prevent further erosion; for example I will honor my oath of office and uphold the Constitution, which states that only Congress can declare war, not the President. I support term limits, real campaign finance and ethics reform so that elected officials better represent their constituents not special interests.
- Many scientists say that there is only a short time to take action to reverse the effects of global climate change. What actions should Congress take to address this issue?
Actions for addressing climate change must be international, national, local, and individual. The Administration should sign international climate change agreements and lead, not ignore, international efforts. All Cabinet secretaries should develop plans to minimize and reverse the effects of climate change within the programs and capabilities of their departments. Congress must increase funding for both science education and scientific research. I will assure that NM labs, colleges, and universities lead the transition to a new energy economy. Fund public capital investments, business and individual tax incentives to immediately reduce carbon emissions through conservation, increased efficiency, geothermal, wind, and solar power.
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