Deseret Morning News - Sen. Bob Bennett answers Deseret Morning News questionnaire

Deseret Morning News, Tuesday, October 05, 2004

Sen. Bob Bennett answers Deseret Morning News questionnaire
U.S. Senate
Deseret Morning News

Republican two-term Sen. Bob Bennett

1. What is the major issue facing Utah today, and how would you deal with it?

The major issue facing Utah today is growth. I will do my best to continue to make appropriate federal assistance available for the state, primarily with respect to demands for infrastructure improvements, education initiatives and wise land use.

2. What are the key issues that this U.S. Senate race should focus on?

All politics is about the future. The key issue should be how each candidate will vote on major national challenges that will face us in the next six years - peace in the Middle East, free trade, transformation of the economy into the Information Age, and the economic consequences of the retirement of the baby boomers.

On the Utah side, voters should ask themselves which candidate is best positioned to assist Utah as it deals with its unique challenges.

3. Do you favor or oppose a U.S. constitutional amendment that would define marriage between a man and a woman? If yes, why? If no, why? Also, what is your position on the proposed Utah constitutional amendment on marriage, including on the debated second part?

I am very reluctant to amend the Constitution and believe that a vote to do so is perhaps the most important I cast as a U.S. senator. I became convinced that a constitutional amendment was necessary to protect the institution of marriage following the decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Court where, by a margin of 4-3, and without legislative deliberation or an opportunity for the voters to be heard, effectively changed the definition of marriage. Marriage and the creation of families has been an integral part of our society since its creation; it should not be defined without the kind of involvement by the people which a constitutional process would require.

4. Do you favor or oppose allowing U.S. citizens to buy prescription drugs from other countries like Canada. If not, what can be done to quickly reduce the cost of prescription medicines in the United States?

I would allow U.S. citizens to buy whatever they want wherever they want, but I oppose unrestricted use of the Internet to "re-import" drugs from Canada when there is no certainty these drugs were, in fact, originally produced in the United
States.

Current evidence shows that much of the "re-importation" is in fact "new importation" with the actual drugs having been produced outside the United States or Canada and therefore outside the controls of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The rush to the Internet for overseas purchases puts the health of all Americans at risk.

The best reduction in the cost of prescription drugs in the United States comes through adequate public information about generic drugs and their availability. Such information is available at 1-800-MEDICARE as a result of the bill passed in this session of Congress.

5. Knowing what you do today, would you support the Iraqi war? How much longer should U.S. troops be in Iraq? At this time, do you favor or oppose spending as much money as President Bush requests on the war? Should military operations in Iraq be considered part of the "war on terror"?

The terrorist attacks on the United States, past and future, know no national boundaries. There is no question but what al-Qaida operatives are currently active in Iraq. A premature exit before the threat they represent has been dealt with would endanger America and the prospects of eventual peace in the Middle East. Wars are never popular but have to be viewed in a worldwide context rather than through the lens of the daily news.

I continue to support the president's requests for funding the war. Our troops must have the proper equipment and supplies to successfully carry out this mission. The situation in Iraq will be long, it will be expensive and it will be difficult. But in the end, Iraq will very much be worth it. As we accomplish the goals laid out by President Bush to establish a stable, self-governing, pro-Western, free-economy state, we will strike a tremendous blow against terrorism and prove that freedom, democracy and capitalism can indeed thrive in the Middle East.

6. What is your position on nuclear weapons testing? Under what circumstances should they be conducted, if at all?

The United States stopped nuclear testing during the first Bush administration in 1992. Current government policy is clear - no testing - and while no official will say "never," no one sees any likely circumstances that would change that policy.

I support this policy; I am opposed to nuclear testing. But I am also opposed to nuclear ignorance. The research that has been conducted since 1992 has been able to give us all the information that tests would have revealed. I have supported this research because through it, testing will continue to be unnecessary, even as we maintain our national security.

7. Do you favor or oppose the United States remaining a member of the United Nations?

I favor the United States remaining a member of the United Nations. The U.N. can be very frustrating and at times impotent, but it can also be a valuable forum for discussion and resolution of world problems. We should not walk away from it just because it's failed to live up to its promise.

8. With higher-than-usual gasoline prices in the United States, do you favor or oppose releasing some of the federal government's huge oil reserves in an attempt to drive down gas prices? What are other options of helping to lower fuel costs at the pump?

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve exists for national security reasons but is not large enough that release of some of it on the open market would affect gasoline prices for more than a very short period of time. Accordingly, I am not in favor of its release purely for political reasons.

The better choice is to continue to work with other governments, such as Saudi Arabia, to try to increase world production. Also, whatever we can do to bring stability to Iraq will have a calming effect on the world markets. As long as people fear an insurgency might prevail in Iraq, energy prices will remain high regardless of what we do. An increase in domestic production is also a very important goal and would have even a more significant impact on stabilizing prices as it comes from the more secure, U.S. market.

9. The United States is now running huge budget deficits. How would you deal with this problem? Do you favor or oppose making the Bush tax cuts permanent? If so, how do you reconcile giving more tax cuts as the deficit just grows larger? Do you think tax cuts only benefit the "rich" or do they help citizens across the economic board?

The size of the deficit should concern us all. But it's important to address it in context of the myriad of challenges faced by the U.S. economy in recent years. We had an attack on our country, we faced corporate scandals, we are recovering from a recession that began in 2000, and we are at war.

Nonetheless, the economy is in the midst of a strong expansion, and as the economy improves, the deficit is already starting to come down. The actual figures for next year will be $100 billion less than projected at the beginning of the year. In historic terms, when measured against the size of economy, the deficit is now smaller than those deficits that came as a result of the recessions in the early '80s and early '90s. This reminds us that the most important way to deal with the deficit is to keep the economy as strong as possible.

I favor keeping the Bush tax cuts in place. Most economists agree they played a key role in starting the current recovery. They provided immediate economic benefit and will continue to benefit the economy in the years ahead by encouraging saving, investment and job creation.

The Congress has already eliminated income taxes on the bottom 50 percent of American workers, and some of those who paid no taxes will still get a "refund." The tax cuts benefitted all Americans, reducing tax burdens across the economic spectrum.

10. What should be done about health care in the country, if anything? Should it be the government's responsibility to provide affordable health care to all of its citizens?

Experience in other countries has shown that a government-run program of health care breaks down as a population ages and the ratio of retirees to workers goes up. Our present system is preferable to a government-run system to address this challenge, but it still needs dramatic improvement.

Reforming our tax code is the first and most important step to fundamentally restructuring health care in our country. Our current tax code provides the wrong kinds of incentives for businesses to provide health care for their employees, and it does not give individuals control over how to spend their health-care dollars. This is the most serious, long-term economic challenge we face.

As chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, I have held a series of hearings that point to a variety of possible solutions. I will continue to pursue this in the next session of Congress.

11. What is the one personal trait/characteristic that you want voters to know about you, and why is that important in this race?

I have an open mind and am willing to consider new ideas and new solutions, as well as a determination to try to solve problems without regard for where the solution came from or who gets credit. Given the enormous changes we're going through, I believe this attitude is essential.

12. As you know, having Hill Air Force Base closed would be a great blow to Utah's economy. What will you do specifically to help keep the base open?

I have been working with the members of the Utah delegation, regardless of party, to carry Utah's story to the highest officials in the Air Force and the entire Defense Department and will continue to do so. I've also worked with my colleagues in the Senate to make sure they understand the level of excellence that has been achieved at Hill. As the DoD has identified its priorities for Hill, I've worked with my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to provide necessary resources to strengthen and modernize Hill's infrastructure.

Additionally, it appears that in the next round of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission, much more emphasis will be placed on dual-use and multi-use of our facilities by various services. I expect many realignments of missions and operations. With this in mind, I am pro-actively touting Hill as the ideal location for many new missions, including depot work for the new Air Force fighters, the F-22 and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

13. Wilderness has become the black hole of Utah/federal politics. While a few state inholdings have been traded out for other federal lands which can now be developed, what will you do to move the wilderness issue forward?

I would like to see progress made on the wilderness debate and will maintain my open-door policy wherein I talk to all those on all sides of this issue. During the first 10 years of my service in the Senate, there had not been a real interest in pursuing a resolution to the question of wilderness; however, in recent years, I have sensed a growing desire to find one.

This issue can be resolved, but only if everyone deals in good faith. Though there have been those in the past who have been unwilling to come to the table, I'm encouraged by signs that some parties have opened a dialogue to discuss a solution.
I hope this exchange will continue and see results in my next term. It's time for all of us to stop yelling at each other and start working together to get things done.

14. Do you favor or oppose No Child Left Behind? If you don't favor it, would you support plain repeal, or short of that how can it be fixed?

I voted against No Child Left Behind and would consider amendments to it that would decrease the heavy federal hand on state education. Since such amendments are not likely to pass, I have been working with the U.S. Department of Education to identify areas of flexibility for the state. My office has been a liaison between the Department and the State Board of Education. I have worked to get additional funding for specific Utah needs related to this new law and will continue working with the state office and educators in Utah to identify and address problems that need attention.

15. There is no federal term limit law for the U.S. Senate. Are you willing to say now that you will limit your own terms? If so, how long before you would retire and not seek re-election?

I learned to not get caught in that trap. I intend to retire voluntarily, but I won't make any iron-clad commitments as to when that will be.

16. Early polls have shown a large advantage to Sen. Bennett. Will this large lead in the opinion polls influence how you campaign? What is your campaign strategy?

I'm gratified by the large advantage, but I will not sit on that lead. For that reason, I've proposed a number of debates with my opponent because I believe Utahns have the right to hear what both of us have to say. My advertising is geared toward reminding people of my personal attributes, in the hopes that the high approval ratings I have will turn into a significant vote in my favor.

17. How have you funded your campaign, and what, if anything, does it show voters about your candidacy?

I've funded my campaign through traditional campaign contributions - from sources both inside and outside the state. This shows voters that I am in the mainstream as far as fund-raising activities are concerned.

18. Why should Utah voters select you over your opponent? What accomplishments and achievements have you made that voters should be aware of?

Voters will have to decide which candidate best reflects their values, which candidate's team - Republican or Democrat - has the best solutions for our problems. And which candidate is best positioned, by virtue of seniority and committee assignments, to be of help to Utah. After 12 years in the Senate I have a record of support for Utah projects - funding for TRAX and commuter rail, Olympic security, Hill Air Force Base, national parks improvements, Utah Museum of Natural History and drought assistance, to name a few.

I now serve as chief deputy majority whip of the Senate where I advise the Senate Majority Leader, Bill Frist, and help set the Senate agenda. I'm also a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee where I serve as chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee - a significant assignment for rural Utah. And, as chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, and next in line to chair the Senate Banking Committee, I'm able to contribute to the national debate on key economic issues such as health-care reform, tax simplification, employment, savings and job growth.

19. Why should voters not pick your opponent? For example, does he lack experience, education, vision, does he bring conflicts of interest, etc.?

See above

20. What is your greatest non-political achievement?

With the help of my wife, raising six children who have become successful, well-functioning adults, each with a family of their own.