Florida Baptist Witness: Katherine Harris
Katherine Harris (R)
Published October 26, 2006
Why do you want to be United States Senator for Florida?
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives is a great honor, but I believe the State of Florida must have representation for the people of Florida that does not foster a liberal left agenda in the United States Senate. I want to serve Florida as a Senator who will fight to cut our taxes, secure the borders and protect our traditional values.
As a member of Congress, I voted to permanently abolish the death tax and eliminate the marriage penalty tax, while voting to double the child tax credit and cut wasteful government spending. My opponent has voted against these tax cuts. Nelson even voted against legislation to eliminate the onerous tax on Social Security and against a bill to provide tax credits to assist small businesses in providing lower health care costs through group purchasing alliances.
I have supported legislation to secure the borders and provide for a secure, legal identification system for temporary workers. Unlike my opponent, I will not support amnesty for illegal immigrants. Nelson supports a bill that allows tens of millions of illegal immigrants to become citizens at the cost of $50 billion according to the Heritage Foundation over the next 20 years. The Senate bill also grants more rights and privileges to illegal immigrants than U.S. citizens have today and allows them to collect Social Security while they were in the U.S. illegally.
Bill Nelson's voting record simply does not align with Florida's values. In fact, the National Journal, a well-respected non-partisan publication, rated Bill Nelson's voting record to the left of Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer. Hillary was at 71, Schumer was at 72.2, and Bill Nelson was 76.7, demonstrating Nelson's voting patterns are far to the left, and not the moderate the media claims.
Why are you the best-qualified candidate?
My record of accomplishments proves that I deliver on my promises for Florida; however, my liberal opponent is simply out of touch with the values of our State.
Bill Nelson refuses to protect traditional marriage, voted against the partial birth abortion ban, and even voted against the right of parents to know when their young daughters are being transported across state lines to have an abortion.
Throughout my career in elected office, I have set an aggressive agenda to ensure our nation's safety while at the same time fighting to reduce government spending and the undue burden of taxation on hard-working American families. Bill Nelson votes against tax relief time and time again, earning the title "Enemy of the Taxpayer" by Americans for Tax Reform.
Too many of our tax dollars are spent on useless federal projects, adding layer upon layer to our already- bloated bureaucracy. In the House, I sponsored the Federal Government Spending Accountability and Oversight Act to create greater accountability in the budget process to confront this type of irresponsible spending. Based on our voting records, Citizens Against Government Waste rated me as a "Taxpayer Hero" while designating Nelson as "Unfriendly" to the American taxpayer.
I have proven that I will not kowtow to the media or to the elite in my own party. I have a history that proves I'm not going to just do what's popular; I am going to do what's right for Florida.
What is your personal religious faith?
I am a Christian.
Are you involved in a local place of worship? If so, in what way?
Yes. Calvary Chapel in Sarasota is my base. I was raised in a godly family: my grandfather was a missionary in Africa and my aunt and uncle were missionaries in India and now they head up Arab World Missions. I accepted Christ at the age of eight after watching the Billy Graham film Run Baby Run. My brother-in-law, Wes King, is an award-winning Christian singer. My faith was greatly impacted by studying under Dr. Francis Schaeffer at L'Abri and remains the most important part of my life.
Some day all of us have to give an account before God for what we have done. Are you certain in your own heart that when you come to that point of accounting that you'll spend eternity with God in Heaven?
Yes.
One day when you stand before God, if He says to you, "Why should I let you into my Heaven?" what would you say in response?
I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died and was resurrected for my sins.
How does your faith impact the way you view your responsibilities as a public official?
My faith animates all that I do. While I wish I could tell you I never make mistakes, my faith provides an important guidepost in all aspects of my life.
What role do you think people of faith should play in politics and government?
People of faith should be actively engaged and involved in government. Otherwise, their concerns and values may not be represented.
Do you support civil rights protections on the basis of sexual preference?
No. Civil rights protections should be based upon individual rights not group rights.
Do you support a federal constitutional amendment to define marriage as being only between one man and one woman? Why or why not?
I fully support a federal constitutional amendment to define marriage as being only between one man and one woman. I have voted in support of the Marriage Protection Amendment because we should not undermine the uniqueness of an institution that continues to serve as an essential thread in the fabric of our society. A constitutional amendment is necessary to prevent activist judges from legislating from the bench.
Do you support the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment?
Yes, and I have supported it publicly.
Setting aside for the moment the public policy Bodycopy related to abortion, is abortion a moral evil? Why or why not?
Yes, because it's a life, and life begins at conception.
What public policy limits on abortion have you supported or will you support in order to decrease the number of abortions in our nation?
First, we must encourage abstinence in the schools. Second, we should encourage access to adoption and counseling services so that women know what is at stake and what options exist for them. From a public policy standpoint, I would limit abortion to rape, incest and life of the mother.
What is your view of Gov. Bush's efforts on behalf of Terri Schiavo?
It was a very difficult decision for all. We voted in the United States House of Representatives to transfer the jurisdiction of Terri Schiavo's case to the federal court for review.
Is there something wrong with Florida and federal statutes when a severely brain-damaged woman who's not in the process of dying can be starved and dehydrated to death by her husband with the assistance of the courts?
It was an unconscionable situation and a great tragedy for Terri and her family.
Should food and water be defined as extraordinary care, thus permitting such care to be denied to persons like Terri Schiavo?
Food and water should not be defined as extraordinary care ñ these are basic necessities for us all.
What is your view on state funding of embryonic stem cell research?
Unlike my liberal opponent, I am opposed to federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and have voted against it. Research confirms the strong potential of adult and cord stem cell research, and I support federal funding for these endeavors. The private sector does fund embryonic research but has not experienced the success of cord blood and adult stem cell research.
Why should Florida Baptists care about this primary election?
For all Floridians, there are key issues at stake in this election. From traditional values to immigration reform to economic policy, my liberal opponent and I provide two different paths for Florida.
I will continue to fight for lower taxes with fiscal responsibility and for our traditional values in Washington to protect our families. Nelson has a history of opposing even the most fundamental protections for the unborn, as evidenced by his failure to support the partial birth abortion ban as well as the Laci and Connor Act, a bill that says if an unborn child is killed or injured during a crime against the mother, the criminal will be charged with killing or injuring two victims.
I differ dramatically from Bill Nelson concerning economic policy and concur with President John Kennedy's assertion that "an economy hampered by restrictive tax rates will never produce enough revenue to balance our budget, just as it will never produce enough jobs or enough profits." History demonstrates that we must continue to cut taxes and reduce wasteful spending to grow our economy and create new jobs, which is vitally important to Florida families.
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