Former Governor Mark Warner (D-VA)

Thank you Governor Warner for taking part in NHInsiders 10 Questions internet interviews. Also welcome back to New Hampshire.

NHInsider: Some have said that our nation is in an impending energy crisis, if you were President what would be your #1 goal in energy policy and how would you accomplish it?

Gov. Warner: We need to connect the dots between national security and renewable energy sources that can create American jobs. Look at our current policy – we borrow money from China to buy oil from countries that don’t like us, from the Middle East to Chavez in Venezuela. Think about it. We spend less than $2 billion a year on alternative energy development. But we spend $7.1 billion a month on Iraq. Two weeks of Iraqi spending could triple our federal energy R&D.

If we can connect the dots between national security and energy independence and investing in renewable energy sources, along the way, we just might save the planet.

NHInsider: What is the Democratic Party’s greatest weakness? How would you resolve this problem?

Gov. Warner: Democrats are not going to lead with a strategy that says we’re going to compete in 16 states, then hope for a triple bank-shot to win Ohio or Florida. We need to be able to compete and win everywhere. The good news is, we’ve shown in states like Virginia, Wyoming, Montana, and Kansas – the reddest of the red states – that Democrats can be successful.

But, it’s not just about winning—it’s about governing. I was proud to leave office in Virginia after Governing magazine rated it the ‘best managed state in the nation.’ I was proud this week for Forbes.com to rate Virginia the “runaway winner’ in its 50-state “Best States for Business” ranking, for investments we made during my term in education, and for keeping our tax code fair. We made education reforms that helped our kids score the highest increase in the nation in math SAT scores. We put in place the strictest water standards in America for the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and backed those standards up with historic new investments.

NHInsider: What are you working on for the 2006 Mid-Term elections?

Gov. Warner: It’s no overstatement to say the future of our country hangs on the outcome of this election. That’s why our PAC, Forward Together, has been doing everything we can to try to help candidates across the country. I’ve headlined 45 events in 17 states, to help raise more than $4.9 million for candidates and committees in this cycle -- and we’ve directly donated more than $860,000 to 108 more candidates and committees.

The next Congress must start to tackle the great challenges we face as a nation--challenges that, if we don’t confront them, will each get worse and threaten our vitality and way of life. I think of them almost as snowballs, rolling down a hill, each growing in size, without meaningful action to address them.

First, we must restore America’s stature in the world and do more to keep Americans safe at home and abroad. That starts by having a foreign policy that unites our friends and divides our enemies, not the reverse.

Second, as I’ve said, we’re not connecting the dots between our national security, our energy dependence, and investment in renewable sources of energy.

Third, we haven’t outlined a national competitiveness strategy. India and China aren’t playing for second place--and we’re not going to be able to compete if we don’t have the most educated, most innovative and entrepreneurial workforce in the world.

And finally, we must focus on fiscal responsibility in Washington. Right now, we have soaring deficits, low savings rates, trade imbalances, and an Administration and Congress more interested in building a ‘bridge to nowhere’ than laying a foundation for future success.

NHInsider: Recently, Pres. Bush vetoed The Embryonic Stem Cell Research funding bill pointing to ethics as his reason. Where do you stand on Embryonic Stem Cell Research and what measures would you propose that would advance science while answering the ethical questions that cloud this issue?

Gov. Warner: President Bush used his first veto to kill a bill that would spur stem-cell research that could change the lives of millions of Americans with potentially curable diseases. As with millions of Americans, this issue is personal for me. I have a daughter with juvenile diabetes and a mother with Alzheimer’s disease. These are among the host of diseases for which stem cell research could produce a cure.

In the Bush Administration, politics has trumped science: on climate change, alternative energy research, and on medical advancement that could save lives. This country needs an administration that believes in science and brings hope to the many Americans and their families suffering from these horrible diseases.

NHInsider: Your Website forwardtogetherpac.com states that you are supportive of and have been successful with Public-Private partnerships. Could you elaborate on what these entailed and what the benefits were?

Gov. Warner: Generally speaking, I’m a big believer because some of the best thinking may be in the private sector—but needs the guidance and dedication that the public sector can bring.

Two of the most successful partnerships I worked on involved bridging the digital divide in communities that were more and more often falling on the wrong side of that divide. I started TechRiders, a program that brings free computer training classes to houses of worship across Virginia. I started the Virginia High-Tech Partnership to connect students at Virginia's five Historically Black Colleges and Universities with internships and jobs at leading high-tech companies.

When my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and we went through a frustrating search for support, I realized health care could benefit from the exciting new technologies that were emerging in the 90s. I started SeniorNavigator.com, a program that uses the Internet and volunteers to help older Virginians and their caregivers find answers to medical questions, locate senior health services, and connect with other seniors in their communities. And I was particularly proud to serve as the founding chair of the Virginia Health Care Foundation, which has provided health care to more than 600,000 underserved Virginians in rural and urban areas.

NHInsider: How have your experiences as a businessman influenced your understanding of the role of government and your style of governing?

Gov. Warner: One of the most important lessons I took from my business experience was that “that which gets measured, gets done.” We won’t get meaningful accountability for all the kids in our school system if we can’t track things like graduation rates or proficiency. Once we get a better understanding of a problem, we can better understand how to fix it. If we’re honest about needed change, and have data to back it up and track our progress, we can make real differences in people’s lives.

NHInsider: Do you support the New Hampshire first-in-the-nation presidential primary?

Gov. Warner: Yes!

NHInsider: The South has been heavily Republican ever since the political realignment of the 1960s, and the Democratic ticket made no significant advances there in 2004. What will it take for a Democrat to compete in all parts of the country?

Gov. Warner: In Virginia, we showed that if you go into rural areas and small cities, and you show respect for the culture, and you talk about real plans for economic recovery, folks will respond. They’ll at least listen to your ideas. In a lot of areas in Southside and Southwest Virginia, I got the most nods on the line “you shouldn’t have to leave your home town to get a good job.” And you know what, again in Virginia, we got results. The most economically hard hit areas of our state saw dramatic drops in unemployment, and community leaders started to really work on some innovative ways to revitalize. We launched the largest rural broadband project in the nation—hoping to wire 700,000 Virginians to high speed Internet.

Folks don’t care whether ideas have a D or an R next to them if they make sense. And Democrats across America are proving that in so-called Red States.

NHInsider: What lessons from your time leading Virginia do you think are most applicable as solutions to the problems America faces today?

Gov. Warner: When I came into office, we had a record budget shortfall, that grew to over $6 billion. People had lost faith in state government. And we weren’t able to keep up with our obligations to education, health care, and public safety.

It would have been easy to play partisan games, and pass the buck onto the next guy or gal. But together, Republicans and Democrats, we tackled the tough problems. We were honest with the people about the state of Virginia’s finances, and what it would take to fix them. We made some tough cuts, protecting only schools and health care. We put together a budget and tax reform package that cut some taxes, and raised others. We were recognized as “best managed state”, made the single largest investment in K-12 education in Virginia history, and I hope, helped restore people’s faith in government.

Mr. John Cox,  Businessman

Chicago, IL

2008 GOP Presidential Candidate

www.cox2008.com

Mr. Cox, thank you very much for participating in NHInsider’s 10 Questions section.

1. Liberals and conservatives alike have begun to question the value of the "No Child Left Behind" act; what reforms, if any do you think should be made to the public education system in America?

Education always has been properly a local function. Why? Because parents should know what is best for their children and will be the ones most interested in making sure their children are educated well. No Child Left Behind had a noble goal - alerting parents and others to the miserable job done by many inner-city and other government monopoly school systems - but it was a huge mistake because it expanded the federal role in education and did not include vouchers. I would push for two major reforms - end NCLB and dissolve the Federal Department of Education in favor of block grants to the states. At the same time, I would argue strongly for states to adopt voucher programs to return the power over education to the parents and allow competition to improve our primary and secondary education.

2. Some have said that our nation is in an impending energy crisis, if you were President what would be your #1 goal in energy policy and how would you accomplish it?

Diversity and increasing supply are the major ways I would improve energy policy in America. Our nation runs on energy and it is foolish to put all our eggs in one basket - we need to do more to diversify our sources with more nuclear power, coal gasification, wind and solar energy. I would argue for more investment in new technology, including electric cars, that would diversify away from oil and be less polluting. More investment will be available when we end the tax code and adopt a consumption tax, which is one of my major domestic priorities and the kind of major reforms that Republicans should be leading on. I would also argue for more supply in America, including drilling in an environmentally sensitive way in the Artic, outer Continental shelf and using new technology to derive oil from shale. I would also encourage investment in renewable and cleaner biofuels, although I disagree with subsidies - I want the free market to work, not political power.

3. Many would say that the chances at the Presidency of a businessman with no service in major office would be extremely low, how and why are you different?

Given the experience of the past dozen years, with the corruption and excessive partisanship exhibited in Washington, I believe the American people are ready for a political outsider to bring some common sense and civility to bear in solving our many challenges. We can do better than the political dynasties of the Bushes, Doles, and Clintons. We have too many leaders who have gone into politics as a career to make money for themselves and their families. We need to return to statesmanship; to the idea of public service of a limited time; with a return to the private sector to make money to support one's family. I am a different kind of Republican; I have struggled, I worked my way through school and built a successful business while giving back to the community and country that made my success possible. That is the essence of the American Dream and my candidacy will signify a commitment to that dream for all our citizens.

4. Social Security is the so-called Third Rail of Politics, what is your position on Social Security; does it need fixing, how would you make it solvent while protecting the people's retirement?

As a CPA and investment adviser, I have implemented many pension plans for my clients and managed their money for decades. I understand the value of investing and savings and appreciate that this is the only way to save Social Security from certain demographic financial disaster. There just aren't enough new workers and the beneficiaries are living longer. The only realistic way to make it solvent for the long term is to convert it to a guaranteed private account plan. In simplistic terms, this means taking a large chunk of the tax dollars paid in by those under 40 years old and putting them into a private account for those workers. These accounts will, with conservative assumptions, build to provide much larger benefits than those workers could expect from Social Security. As we are losing those tax dollars, Social Security will run a deficit and we will have to issue debt to cover this - this is the so-called transition cost - but this is no different than the liability for future benefits that exists now. The payoff is that in 25-50 years, when those under 40 today retire, they will no longer be in the system and the revenues that would have been needed for their benefits can be used to pay back the transitional debt. Thus, in around 50 years, we would have all workers deriving benefits from a guaranteed private account that would provide more than is promised today and would be able to be left to heirs. That is a vast improvement over the plan that exists today.

5. Who do you consider the greatest American President and what was his most admirable quality?

I believe Ronald Reagan was our greatest President and his most admirable quality was the courage of his convictions and his willingness to stand on principle in the face of harsh criticism. Reagan's buildup of our military, his placing of the Pershing missiles in Europe and his standing up to Mikhail Gorbachev on missile defense resulted ultimately in the fall of the Soviet Empire and a lessening of nuclear tensions. His supply side tax cuts awakened the slumbering animal spirits of the American economy and launched an unprecedented growth spurt we are still enjoying today. His defense of values instilled confidence in the goodness of America and pride in our communities. I have admired other Presidents who gave so much of themselves to their country in the face of extreme difficulties, like Washington, Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and John Kennedy but Reagan stands out head and shoulders in his ability to lead and stand by his principles. Reagan was not a career politician and that is one of the reasons I identify so much with him (especially since we will be the only two Presidents born in Illinois).

6. Legal and illegal immigration have been in the news as of late, what do you believe should be done to solve what many see as a broken immigration system?

This crisis is born of a failure to adhere to principle; that is a failure to enforce the rule of law. This problem exists because Mexico cannot employ its workers and our government has looked the other way as US businesses continue to employ undocumented workers. We need to enforce the law and secure the border, plain and simple. We also need to totally reform the immigration bureaucracy; streamline the admission of legal immigrants and increase the quotas based upon market needs. It is ridiculous for us to send back home engineers educated at our colleges while we allow millions of illegal unskilled workers to steal across the border.

7. Your website says that you believe "in the Reagan principle of peace through strength; we need to make sure we use diplomacy and involve the world as much as we can. But in the end, we may have to take the reins and make our point clear." In what ways would your foreign policy be the same or different from President Bush's?

I would more strongly address the economic promise and opportunity of people living in nations under the duress of dictatorial tyrants. I agree with President Bush in the spread of democracy but that alone, without economic opportunity, will not lead to lasting peace and coexistence. Reagan knew this was the key to breaking down the barriers that separate us; he stood up for the Polish people and other peoples of Eastern Europe who were politically and economically depressed under the thumb of the Soviet oligarchs. They secured their freedom but did so with the information and military backing provided by the US. We need to do the same for the oppressed people of North Korea, Iran, Syria and Lebanon, not to mention those under the thumb of Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez and his satellite partners in Latin America.

8. What is currently the Republican Party's greatest weakness? What should be done to resolve this problem?

I think the Republican Party's greatest weakness is a failure of confidence in its foundational idea of limited government. The rise of Big Media and the career politicians has led to sacrificing those principles on the altar of re-election. In the short term, that may appear to work, but in the long term, it means an erosion of our values and the base of support we count on. We need to be the party of Big Ideas and long-term thinking; people count upon us to be good fiscal stewards, which we haven't been recently. We are due for a shake up and I think that may happen this year. We must remake our party along the lines of the Reagan Revolution; reaffirming our commitment to the free market and individual liberty and responsibility.

9. Some fiscal conservatives have criticized the Bush administration over large deficits and increased spending do you believe that the size of Government must be reduced, and if so, how?

As I have noted, the Republican Party has become the party of incumbent career politicians looking to do anything to be re-elected, including vastly increasing spending. We are the party that understands that the growth of government crowds out the private sector and it is in the private sector, not government, where the innovation and creation that improve our lives takes place. Liberty and freedom are not just buzzwords; they are founding principles of not only our Party but also our country. We have to do more than just mouth the words; we must act to reduce the size and scope of government and that means major reductions in spending, particularly in the areas where the spending threatens to consume us, as in the so-called entitlement spending.

10. Do you support New Hampshire's first in the nation primary?

Absolutely. The people of New Hampshire are used to being the first in the nation primary and are very open to discussing politics. I often joke that this is not the case in Illinois, where there has been so much corruption and criminal prosecution of political leaders, that any attempt to discuss politics indicates to people that you might be from the U.S. Attorney's office. On a more serious note, tradition is very important, New Hampshire has a strong tradition of welcoming independent and outsider candidates and that is a good thing for the future of our country.

Senator Gravel, Thank you for traveling to New Hampshire and agreeing to take part in NH Insider’s 10 Questions feature.

1. Liberals and conservatives alike have begun to question the value of the “No Child Left Behind" act; what reforms, if any do you think should be made to the public education system in America?

Mike Gravel There is good reason to question “No Child Left Behind." It is too rigid, too small a program and under funded; classic political imagery.

Education must be developed and funded as the top priority––from K 12 to graduate school or to trade schools––it must be if our democracy is to survive. (funds to come from the Fair Tax). The people as lawmakers will address the issue of education with civic creativity that is difficult to imagine today, far beyond my capability or that of any other presidential candidate.

2. Some have said that our nation is in an impending energy crisis, if you were President what would be your #1 goal in energy policy and how would you accomplish it?

 Mike Gravel I would launch and lead a massive global , integrated, scientific effort to end energy dependence on oil and carbon within ten years. I would invite scientists from China, Japan, India, Europe and South and North America (to name a few) to join in this effort and help fund it since all the world would be beneficiaries in the result.

3. Your website www.gravel2008.us refers to your support of a national sales tax. Some would call a sales tax regressive because it affects poor people more than the rich, why do you feel a national sales tax is the best alternative to the income tax?

Mike Gravel Because it is simple and transparent. I know what you pay and you know what I pay.

Our present income tax system disadvantages average Americans and the poor and is more regressive than any serious alternative. More than 70% of American taxpayers pay more in Social Security and Medicare taxes––the most regressive––than they do income taxes. The wealthy will always be advantaged because their wealth permit them to game whatever system is put in place. Our revenue system is corrupted and unfair––to not reform our tax system is a national tragedy. I support the Fair Tax and the repeal of all income taxes and closing down the IRS. The Fair Tax has a pre-bate feature protecting average Americans and poor with a monthly cash flow to all taxpayers to cover the cost of necessities like food, medicine, lodging and clothing. This removes the regressive nature of a sales or VAT tax. The Fair Tax does not redistribute wealth; but holding any reform hostage to the redistribution of wealth denotes a deep ignorance of history. The Fair Tax will change the focus of the economy from consumption to saving. It will reverse the flight of jobs and capital abroad and create the largest tax haven in the world––the American economy. The projected investment of global capital flowing into the U.S. is estimated to produce growth of around 10%––that’s comparable to China––and would provide needed funds for education and a whole host of needed undertakings to equip and refurbish our nation for the 21^st Century.

 4. Social Security is the so called Third Rail of Politics, what is your position on Social Security, does it need fixing, how would you make it solvent while protecting the peoples retirement?

Mike Gravel Again this situation is shameful and the Democrats refuse to even acknowledge the problem while the Republicans demagogue the issues with no intentions a really doing anything about it. Solving the problem means denying the Congress 10% to 20% of its revenue. The cash from Social Security taxes need to be deposited in the Trust Fund––rather than the non-negotiable 2% bonds––and properly invested, rather than continue to let the Congress spend the money for the day-to-day operations of government. The national debt is about $84 trillion. About half is Social Security debt that our grandchildren will have to pay. This plan has no effect on present or future benefits.

 5. Who do you consider the greatest American President and what was his most admirable quality?

Mike Gravel George Washington because he was an ordinary man who with courage and integrity met the challenges of extraordinary times. For me, he is the greatest military and political leader in all history, and ranks with Solon the Greek of 593 BCE.

 6. Legal and illegal immigration have been in the news as of late, what do you believe should be done to solve what many see as a broken immigration system?

Mike Gravel New law will be in place by the time I or other candidates can do something about it. Since I am no longer in the Senate all I can do is give you my present opinion and the concepts I would bring to the problem.

The 10 plus million illegal immigrants living here should be put on the road to citizenship providing they do not run afoul of the law. To expel them would be national tragedy equaling the “Trail of Tears” of President Jackson. Our nation’s borders should not be fenced nor should they be militarized. We can beef-up the Border Patrol and the Coast Guard, if need be.

However, the long term solution––and that is what really concerns us––is the issue of helping Mexico and the Central American nations secure economic growth and prosperity at home. We need to do for them what American companies did for China. If they had jobs at home they would have little incentive to come here.

My parents were immigrants from Quebec, Canada. They came south because of the attractive New England job market in the 1920s. In point of fact, we are all immigrants and revolutionaries. If jobs need to be filled we should just raise immigration quotas. A guest worker program, in my opinion, is not a viable long term solution. However, with the National Initiative in place, anybody who disagrees with me may vote to cancel my vote––that’s all I would have as president one vote––when I put an immigration policy before the voters in a national initiative election.

 7. Your website says that you believe in “The National Initiative” could you explain briefly how it would work and why you feel this is the best solution to our nation’s problems?

 Mike Gravel Look around! Our economy is headed for a crash with the debt piling up. We need to become a saving nation not a consuming one. Our foreign policy is immoral and reviled around the world. There on only two venues to change our system: the government or the people. The former is the problem therefore we must take recourse to make the fundamental changes needed to equip our nation for the 21^st Century by going to the people. But the people have no procedures under the Constitution to take on the task; that’s why the people need to enact the National Initiative for Democracy which amends the Constitution and setup legislative procedures bringing the people into the operations of government as lawmakers in a partnership with their elected officials. The Congress will not dilute their power to do this. Your readers can go to: www.gravel08.us or www.nationalinitiative.us to read in detail about the National Initiative and vote for it and contribute to help make it happen.

Bear in mind the central power in government is lawmaking, not voting on Election Day, when you disempower yourself by giving your power to political candidates who manipulate the electoral system with special interest money to get your vote. People are qualified and should vote on all policy issues that affect their lives and thereby free up their representatives to do a better job on the day-to-day operations of government.

 8. What is currently the Democratic Party’s greatest weakness? What should be done to resolve this problem?

Mike Gravel The Democratic Party has no leadership that can lead and no real program that will turn this country around to lead with. The party seems to be after power for power sake. The Center for American Progress (CAP), the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) and the Leadership Council (DLC) are democratic or liberal wannabe conservative type think tanks. On foreign policy they are Bush-lite and on domestic issues they offer a rehash of the same old programs.

If the heart and soul of the Democratic Party is really for the people, and I believe it is, then is should take up the National Initiative to empower the people as lawmakers. If the party supports the people, the people will support the party that puts the people first. The Republicans––a fine party that has lost its way––will then have to match the Democrats and also support the National Initiative––imagine a real by-partisan effort focused on what’s good for the people.

 9. Some are criticizing the Bush administration over large deficits and increased spending do you believe that the size of Government should be reduced, and if so, how?

Mike Gravel You bet I do! Bush’s and the Congress’ profligacy has no conscience or morality. The people are more conservative than their political leaders, regardless of which party is in control of government––after all it’s their money. So by enacting the National Initiative the people become the senior partners in government’s lawmaking department and they will be more than able to handle government’s growth.

Enacting my proposal for Social Security will cut spending by 10% to 20%. Enacting the Fair Tax will remove the power of Congress to corrupt the revenue system by rheostating the implementation of social programs. These programs will then have to stand or fall on their own merit. The results of the Fair Tax, which is revenue neutral, may well permit us to lower the sales tax rate––which is almost a wash with the embedded income taxes in the system––as a result of the flow of global investment into the U.S. economy.

10. Do you support New Hampshire’s first in the nation primary?

Mike Gravel … Very much so! The present primary schedule is vital to my type of candidacy––no money but great ideas and solutions. The presidential shouldn’t be first and foremost about the million from specials interests you can raise. Just imagine Rupert Murdock is holding a fund raise for Hillary Clinton.

Compared to Alaska my last experience, 26 year ago, New Hampshire is great––I could literally bicycle the state if need be to campaign. I would also enjoy the winters. There’s another asset: I am a first generation Franco-American and proud of it. I would be the first Franco-American president to occupy the White House as I was the first Franco-American to get elected to the U.S. Senate. I don’t think people should vote for me because of that––it took no talent on my part. However, I hope it would generate sufficient interest in my candidacy for some to look more closely at what I advocate to improve our great country.

 I hope the governor of New Hampshire and its legislature will fight the Democratic leadership hard to not change the primary schedule. I will add my voice to any effort in that regard.

 Thank you for the opportunity to answer your questions. I applaud your civic responsibility. Gratefully, Mike Gravel

May 21, 2006

January 25, 2006

Senator Allen, Thank you for agreeing to take part in NH Insider’s new feature, “10 Questions.” Now, let the questioning begin…

Many Republicans are displeased with current levels of spending and the correlating deficits; what is your plan to reduce both?

I was one of only eleven Republican senators to vote to eliminate spending hundreds of millions of dollars for a “bridge to nowhere” in Ketchikan, Alaska. It’s a prime example of wasteful, absurd spending. This project was not a priority: it did not preserve heritage for education or tourism and it had nothing to do with national defense or key research.

I believe it is vitally important that the President and Congress get control of frivolous spending and work to reduce our nation’s deficits. That is why I support a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. In addition, I have introduced a Constitutional Amendment that would provide the President the power to curb superfluous spending by Congress on a federal level; it’s the same power I used as Governor of Virginia to line-item veto wasteful pork barrel projects at the State-level. Given the challenges we face today in the War on Terror and the long tradition of Congress to lard appropriations with non-essential spending, it's important that the President finally has the ability and responsibility to eliminate some of the waste that Congress is so efficient in producing.

Your father was a Hall of Fame football coach who never had a losing season, you spent much of your childhood with him on the sideline during this time what are some of the lessons on winning and life that you learned from him?

My father (and football) taught me some truly important lessons that are applicable to success in life: always be prepared; when you get knocked down, you get back up; learn from setbacks or mistakes; and stick together as a team. These are important lessons. But the most important lesson he taught me was how football is a true meritocracy: no matter someone’s race, ethnicity, religion or background – what matters most is if you can produce on a level playing field. I believe this is an important, instructive model for our country. We should aspire to that same meritocracy in our society where all people have the equal opportunity to compete and succeed based on one’s own hard work, creativity and character.

What living politician do you admire most, why?

My favorite living politician has to be “The Iron Lady,” Margaret Thatcher who was part of the triumvirate (along with President Reagan and Pope John Paul II) who provided the steady, principled leadership that won the Cold War. She is a magnificent leader for freedom loving people everywhere. In America – two of my favorite living politicians are Democrats - Zell Miller and Joe Lieberman - I admire them for their courage and principled leadership in adhering to an honorable approach in a time of war: that all politics must end at the water’s edge. I also admire President Bush. And, of course, my all-time political heroes are Thomas Jefferson and Ronald Reagan.

You have been quoted as saying, "Less taxation, less litigation, greater energy independence in this country. These are the foundational ideals that [Americans and Virginians] believe in." In what ways are you prepared to deliver these values in ways that Democrats are not?

The successful tax cuts I’ve strongly advocated and sponsored in Congress over the past few years have been tremendous for the growth of our economy and jobs – and we’ve seen tax revenues actually increase as a result. Almost every Democrat and a few Republicans opposed these tax cuts for individuals, families and small business owners. If tax-increasing politicians had their way, Americans would be paying higher taxes and fewer jobs would have been created. In the future, I will continue working to make these tax rate cuts permanent to prevent tax increases.

We’ve also passed class action lawsuit reform and worked to limit frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers. We’re working to reduce America’s dependence on foreign sources of energy such as through the exploration of the barren north slope of Alaska (ANWR); this despite most Democrats’ continued obstruction and delay.

Republicans trust free people and free enterprise. I believe that our party will continue advancing ideas and solutions that will have a positive impact on people’s lives. Meanwhile, Democrats will represent, for the most part, the party of obstruction, higher taxes, more litigation, burdensome regulation and energy dependence.

You have served as both Governor and now as Senator what have you found to be the biggest differences? Which role have you enjoyed most?

Serving as the 67^th Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia was the highest honor bestowed on me by the people of Virginia. As Governor, our Administration seized the opportunity to serve the people of Virginia; we led by accomplishing the promises we made for historic changes in abolishing the lenient, dishonest parole system; promoting work ethic and personal responsibility with welfare reform; instituting high academic standards and accountability in our schools; reducing taxes; enacting a concealed carry law; and passing a parental notification abortion law for unwed daughters under the age of eighteen. During my four years as Governor, we set out to positively impact people’s lives and we made the Commonwealth a better place to live, work, learn and raise a family.

As a Senator, one is no longer the chief executive but a member of a larger body – a board of directors. The Senate is a very collegial body with knowledgeable, articulate and experienced national leaders. Being accustomed to making decisions and taking action, the worship of process in this extremely deliberative body can be frustrating. However, it is an honor to again represent the people of Virginia at the federal level to advance proven, positive ideas and principles for the people of our nation, especially in the areas of foreign relations, education, innovation and economic competitiveness.

You recently returned from a trip to Asia where you met with leaders from China, India, Pakistan and Taiwan; recently some have criticized our trade deficits with these countries, what steps, if any, should the U.S. take to resolve this problem?

I believe that free and fair trade is a net plus for Americans because it reduces barriers to U.S. products and services. However, it is essential that trade agreements are properly enforced by all parties. The U.S. cannot allow countries such as China to cheat and violate trade rules on furniture, semi-conductor chips and textiles. And China should accurately value its currency which would allow U.S. companies to compete on a level, appropriate currency field. Moreover, China and other countries steal our intellectual property, robbing U.S. inventors tens of billions of dollars.

We need to review our tax and regulatory laws in this country to make sure we are as competitive as possible in the global marketplace for investment and jobs. Most importantly, we need to keep innovating, inventing and adapting while encouraging more of our young people to become scientists and engineers, so that America can continue to be the “world capital of innovation.”

What would you say to Democrats who argue that troops should be removed from Iraq immediately?

Immediately withdrawing our troops from Iraq would be forfeiting to the terrorists. I disagree strongly with the Democrats who believe we should precipitously leave Iraq. Those who are saying that we cannot win this war or that our troops are “terrorizing” Iraqi children are making ill-advised, dangerous statements. Our troops have done a tremendous job helping Iraqis build a democracy in a formerly repressed, terrorist-friendly state.

Tucking tail and running will not win the War on Terror and would give the terrorists hope that America does not have the will and resolve that we’ve had throughout our great history. We must remember the historic progress that has been made with a vast majority of Iraqis taking part in free elections. I believe we must stand with our troops as they continue their difficult but vital mission for our security. Today, we see that the tree of liberty is starting to take root in Iraq with the Iraqi people voting in remarkable numbers for a free and just society

What is currently the Republican Party’s greatest weakness? What should be done to resolve this problem?

Our party is at its best when advancing ideas that motivate and inspire people to action. It’s important for us to address several issues, especially, energy independence; educational improvements in science and engineering; illegal immigration and making this country more competitive.

When I travel around Virginia, one of the issues I hear about most is illegal immigration. First and foremost, I believe we need to secure our borders. Secondly, we should not reward illegal behavior because doing so only encourages more illegal actions. Finally, we need to reform legal immigration by devising a better legal guest worker program. This is a pressing national concern and I believe Americans rationally want action

As a constituent of Governor Warner what do you think the greatest success and failure of his administration have been?

On issues that Governor Warner and I found common ground – such as education – we have worked well together. One of the most important things that Governor Warner did was to resist calls for watering down Virginia’s Standards of Learning and wholeheartedly support the education reforms that were begun when I was Governor. As a result, Virginia’s students have continued to make significant progress in learning and are receiving the best education in the nation.

We also disagreed on issues. Governor Warner’s tax increase was the largest in Virginia’s long history. Some will applaud it, others will criticize. I think everyone knows where I stood on it. I did not believe that it was necessary and I think that our recent surpluses since have tended to support my view that a tax increase was undesirable. I felt it was wrong to raise the taxes without letting the people vote on it. Governor Warner won office by promising he would not raise taxes. I did not support his tax increase and I was joined by Governor Wilder and others on both sides of the aisle.

Do you support the New Hampshire first-in-the-nation presidential primary?

Yes. I enjoyed several visits with many active political and entrepreneurial folks in New Hampshire over this past year. I love New Hampshire’s motto, “Live Free or Die,” and I think the people of New Hampshire certainly live up to that way of living which to me is so uniquely American.

November 3, 2005 

Senator Edwards, thank you for agreeing to participate in NH Insider’s inaugural “10 Questions.” First, we would like to wish the best to your wife Elizabeth who we hope is feeling better and also to your family.

1. During the course of your Presidential campaign in what ways did your family have to adapt to handle the constant traveling and the public scrutiny?

Thanks for your thoughts about Elizabeth. She is doing great and really appreciates all the support she has received from our friends in New Hampshire and all over the country.

On to your question - obviously, the campaign changed our life a great deal, but we all truly felt that it was such an amazing opportunity to be able to travel all across the country, meet so many wonderful people and talk about the ideas and policies we care about so deeply. Cate and our younger kids joined us on the campaign trail a lot, and those times are some of my best memories. When I traveled alone though, I constantly talked to Elizabeth and Cate and got updates about how everyone was doing.

2. What do you see as the Democratic parties’ greatest weakness?

The reason I am a Democrat and will always be a Democrat is because we give voice to those who have no voice. The one thing we shouldn’t do as a Party is to try to shift or nuance our core beliefs. We have a clear set of convictions and we need to fight for them passionately.

3. What do you envision as being accomplished during your tenure as Director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity?

First, we want to shine a bright spotlight on poverty and raise awareness about the need to do something to help those who are struggling. Second, we want to bring the best minds from around the country together to examine the root causes of poverty and develop new ideas for ending poverty.

4. There are a lot of rumors that you will be running for the Democratic Presidential nomination again in 2008. Do you think you have the ability to distance yourself from what some Democratic Party activists consider a failed 2004 campaign?

I’m focused on two things right now - making sure Elizabeth is well for the long-term and doing something about poverty. I’ll let the pundits yap about the past, but I’m very proud of the campaign John Kerry and I waged for the American people.

5. What have you found to be the greatest differences between your former role as a policy maker and your current role in academia as a policy analyst?

It’s so refreshing to be outside of Washington and focused on the issues that truly make a difference in the lives of all Americans. When you’re outside of Washington, it’s much easier to hear directly from people about the issues they deal with everyday and come up with the most effective and viable solutions for the people who need help the most. Also, it allows me to focus on grassroots efforts to end poverty.

6. Some said during the 2004 Presidential Election that your background in international affairs and military issues was thin; in what ways have you strengthened these credentials since the end of the campaign?

There is a huge vacuum of moral leadership from our country on some of the most pressing global issues facing us today. We are not leading on fundamentally moral issues like climate change, Darfur , global poverty and we are not even doing as much as some other countries to address these challenges. I have been traveling extensively to learn more about what we should be doing to restore America 's role as a true leader on the global stage. I have been to Britain and Russia already this year and will be traveling to India in the next couple of weeks. I am also remaining very focused on some of the national security challenges that I worked on in the Senate - like nuclear non-proliferation - as a part of my work as a co-chair of the Council on Foreign Relations Task Force on U.S.-Russian Relations with Jack Kemp.

7. The South has been heavily Republican ever since the political realignment of the 1960s, and the Kerry/Edwards ticket made no significant advances there in 2004. What will it take for a Democrat to win the south, and your home state of North Carolina?

First of all, Democrats have shown repeatedly that we can win in my home state and states across the South. Americans want leaders who stick to their convictions. We need to hold firm to our core beliefs and not try to shift our or nuance positions. We believe everyone deserves a fair chance and that we have a moral responsibility to help those who are struggling to get by. We show true leadership by staying true to what we believe.

One of the most important things Democrats can do is to begin our efforts as early as possible, and not try to start to build a grassroots network three months before an election. We need to build the party from the ground up and that is why I’m traveling all across the country to help raise money for state legislative candidates and caucuses for my Raising the States initiative.

8. It is well known that you like Diet Coke and drink lots of it; have you considered switching to Coca-Cola Zero or original Coca-Cola in light of recent scientific findings?

I used to drink an obscene amount of Diet Coke and realized after the campaign that I definitely needed to cut back. In January of this year, I actually quit cold turkey and I only drink Diet Sprite now. Diet Cokes are still really tempting, but I haven’t given in yet.

9. In the past you have opposed caps on medical malpractice law suits; if a compromise was offered to expand federal health care to children, but included a strict cap on malpractice suits, would you support it as a means to both help low income children and curtail costs doctors pay in insurance premiums?

That's a false choice. If we change the Republicans' spending priorities, we can provide quality, affordable health care to everyone who needs it. We can start by rolling back George Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and eliminating wasteful spending. Taking the rights of children and families wronged by powerful insurance companies doesn't help pay for anybody's health coverage.

10. While your home state is North Carolina you have spent a lot of time here in New Hampshire; if you had the choice would you choose New England clam chowder or jambalaya?

Both are great, but I prefer North Carolina Bar-B-Que.