July 30, 2008 12:16 PM
GOP Sixth District congressional candidate Steve Ward
Mark_Wolf(Q) President Bush today signed a bill to provide mortgage relief for 400,000 struggling homeowners and stabilize financial markets. Would you have voted for the bill and why/why not?
Steve_Ward(A) I have not read the bill. However, as a general rule, I think the government should avoid bailing individuals and investors out from bad decisions. My sympathy in the mortgage situation lies with homeowners who did not participate in the over-inflation of the market but now are dealing with its consequences. There is little that can be done except to let market forces work things out. We saw this in Colorado in the late '80's with large volumes of HUD homes. Eventually, it worked itself out.
Steve_Ward(P) Now to answer the question more directly: I would not have voted for the bill.
Mark_Wolf(Q) Via e-mail from Ben: What is Mr. Ward's stance on illegal immigration in Colorado?
Steve_Ward(A) We address this issue at some length on our web site. This issue needs to be put in a broader context of national security. Doing so, and changing the rhetoric to align with that goal, will lead to more a broader consensus to actually do something about our borders and illegal immigration. The borders need to be secured from those who mean us harm. And please do not look solely at the land border to the south, but also look at the sea lanes through the Caribbean and at the Canadian border. The Federal government has a preeminent responsibility to protect its citizens. That means securing the borders. As for illegal immigration, we should reform the visa process, especially for migrant farm workers, into a system that works and permits workers to come here - legally - to work, and then return home at the end of the season. A reliable system would prevent many migrant workers from coming here and staying and would, instead, allow them to return home. There were programs in the 1950's and '60's that were more effective in this regard and they should be used again, but with greater security in terms of ID cards and accountability.
ome burbgal. Please submit your question/comment now.
Wardfan(Q) First, thank you for your service to our nation. I'm a little distressed that I see Mike Coffman and Wil Armstrong yard signs everywhere in Greenwood Village and Centennial but no Ward signs. Given that all of the 6th District Republican candidates stand for nearly the same thing, how do you distinguish yourself from the others?
Steve_Ward(A) We have far more yard signs out in yards than our opponents. We have also instructed our many volunteers to not place our signs in public rights of way or on private property without permission. Now to your real question: A 27 year career in defense and national security that is far more substantive than any other in this race. It is one thing to go to Iraq, it is another to learn from the experience and offer real policy changes as a result. This I do in many areas with regard to Iraq. In public office, it is one thing to speak of carrying legislation or supporting tax cuts, and another to actually cut taxes and balance budgets. I have cut more taxes than all the other candidates in this race combined. This year, I was the Senate sponsor (actually "Co-Prime" sponsor) for HB 1225, which cut the business personal property tax. This bill passed and has been signed by the governor. Republicans had been trying to cut this tax for years. I got it done. Results matter. Finally, contrary to what one opponent would like you to think, I have spent far more time in the private sector than in paid political work. Business experience, like service in Iraq and Afghanistan, helps inform debate and decision making in public office.
burbgal(Q) Mr. Ward, how do you propose gaining energy independence? I know you are a proponent, but what would your nuts and bolts ideas be, and how quickly could you make them workable bills?
Steve_Ward(A) FIrst, we need to let the world know that we are willing to drill domestically and off-shore. This will take time to actually produce more oil and gas, but it would have an immediate effect on the futures markets and the price of oil. Then, adopt an Open Fuels standard for auto manufacturers. This is a three year horizon, after which all new cars sold in America would be able to be fueled by gasoline or any of the flex fuels - ehtanol or methanol fuels. This would create a market for one or more alternative fuels that would allow for competition at the pump for your energy dollars. It is competition over fuel choice that will put downward competitive pressure on gasoline prices. Nuclear, coal, wind . . . these are all excellent choices for generating domestic sourced electricity. However, electricity does not - yet - fuel our cars. We need a national energy policy that aggressively pursues alternatives to the liquid fuels for our transportation needs. Much of the oil we import is refined into the liquid transportation fuels. That is where the focus should be in the short term. Long term, some sort of prize for the development of batteries that can power plug-in hybrids and electric cars would help us harness the abundant potential for domestic sources of electricity to meet much of our transportation needs.
Steve_Ward(P) One more note: let's get rid of the subsidy for corn-based ethanol, but also remove the tarrif on imports of sugar-based ethanols. Let there be real competition for alternative fuels.
burbgal(Q) Are alcohols the only option?
Steve_Ward(A) No. Let the market determine what the best alternative fues are. But let the government set the goal of achieving real energy independence. Our current failed policies have left us funding both sides of the War on Terror.
Mark_Wolf(Q) You've had boots-on-the-ground experience as a Marine in both Iraq and Afghanistan. What do you believe would constitute victory in Iraq and do you believe we need more troops in Afghanistan?
Steve_Ward(A) Victory in Iraq needs to be defined. No one knows what the end state is. As a result, there is no real blue print on how to get there. Congress has a role here. Now to answer the question. The "purple finger" election some years ago was a disservice. I do not think a Western-style democracy is what is needed in Iraq at the moment. We are trying to build a federal structure in Iraq with a weaker national government. Iraq is an oil power with all of its revenue in the central government. Better to encourage a system that is structured around this instead of pretending it does not exist. As for representative government, there are many Iraqi citizens who would be more comfortable identifying with loyalties other than elected officials. This preference, too, needs to be accounted for in developing a new government in Iraq. Bottom line for me, though, is that much of this needs to be left to agencies other than Marines and soldiers on the ground. There are other U.S. government agencies that have not been forced to step up in the manner that they should. Finally, those agencies need to work more aggressively with the Iraqi's for them to ultimately step up and take control of their own country. As for Afghanistan, we left prematurely. In our haste to go into Iraq, I believe we dropped the ball on the ground in Afghanistan. Yes, in the short term, I think more troops in Afghanistan are warranted, but there also needs to be a blue print for ultimate success there as well. "War is the continuation of politics by other means." When a nation goes to war, the political objectives need to be clearly established.
SlouchingtowardBoulder(Q) Senator Ward, I supported and continue to support our actions in Afghanistan and Iraw. However, I have never worn the uniform. Based on past statements that you have made, does this make me a "chicken hawk" in your eyes?
Steve_Ward(A) I believe I used the term "draft dodging chicken hawk." Now to answer your question directly. A chicken-hawk is one who is in a policy making role and is perfectly willing to send other mothers' children and grandchildren off to do the nation's bidding in war, but were never willing to go there themselves. I did not coin the term, but I like it and use it often. War is a serious matter. There are too many people who are willing to send others off, but do not comprehend the cost of doing so. Our nation suffers as a result. So do the soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines on the ground.
SlouchingtowardBoulder(Q) Follow-up. You do understand, Senator, that "chicken hawk" or "draft-dodging chicken hawk" is a favorite pejorative of the radical left in this country, don't you? Given that, how does usage of such term further your effort to get Republican votes?
Steve_Ward(A) I recognize the term as having universal appeal. Mothers who are saying goodbye to their children as they go off to war do not know partisan divides, they just see their children leaving to do the nation's bidding. They deserve to know that the debate preceding the decision to send them into harms way was informed, and included knowledge and understanding of the costs.
Mark_Wolf(Q) What taxes would you seek to eliminate in Congress and would you vote to make the Bush tax cuts permanent?
Steve_Ward(A) I would seek to make the Bush cuts permanent. Especially the death tax. Note, however, that the energy 'tax' from failed energy policies have more than eclipsed any benefit the average American family has derived from the Bush cuts. Note also that Republicans need to return to real fiscal responsibility. I have cut many taxes over the years, but I have also voted for more balanced budgets - that were actually passed and adopted - than all of my opponents. Tax cuts need to be matched with spending cuts. It is the only way to stop the runaway federal deficits that, coupled with our trade imbalances that are driven by oil imports, have degraded the value of the dollar. This, in turn, has led to a hidden inflation that is harmful to our economy.
Sarah(Q) I met you when you knocked on my door. You asked my opinion. No one else has done that. Aside from your style of campaigning, what sets you apart from the other candidates?
Steve_Ward(A) Sarah, thanks for your question. I answered much of it earlier and would ask that you see my response above. To summarize: broadest defense and national security experience. Substantial business and private sector experience. More real results in public office - roads, bridges, water system, lower taxes and balanced budgets.
Steve_Ward(P) Thanks for the chat. Have to run to a competitor's chat.
Mark_Wolf(P) Thanks to Steve Ward for his time and responses. And thanks to participants for the excellent questions.
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