Senate hopefuls talk

Arizonans will head to the polls Nov. 2 to cast their votes in the general election. Jewish News invited candidates for an Arizona seat in the U.S. Senate to share their views on three issues.

The questions:

"The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 restricts the amount of money that can be donated by individuals to a political campaign. However, individuals may donate to interest groups, without similar limitations. What effect do you believe this act has had on the 2004 presidential election?"

"Public education is a hotly debated national issue. What is the Bush administration's No Child Left Behind program doing to improve the success of Arizona students? Who is it leaving behind?"

"The Bush administration has dismissed Yasser Arafat as a partner in the Middle East peace process. What role should the United States play in the process and what type of relationship should the United States have with Israel to achieve peace in the region?"

The answers:

ERNEST HANCOCK (L)

Hancock has run un-successfully for U.S. Con-gress and several other offices. He is former chair-man of the Maricopa County Libertarian Party.

Campaign finance: "Politics by special interest has been instituted in legislation clearly for all to see ... as was the intent from the beginning. The more individual Americans are insulated from the political process, the less influence they have. Con-stitutionally, Americans are free to peacefully use their property (money) any way they want."

Public education: "Mc-Cain hasn't faced a single Arizona voter publicly. The separation of child and state, war, national service (aka draft), national debt, the entire Bill of Rights voided by 'law,' have not been 'debated,' and the media has allowed itself to be manipulated into silence ... which makes it irrelevant."

Peace process: The U.S. government should play absolutely no role what-soever."

JOHN MCCAIN (R)

McCain is seeking re-election for a fourth term in the U.S. Senate. He previously served two terms in the U.S. House.

Campaign finance: "The BRCA, the law authored in part by Russ Feingold and me, sought, among other things, to ban soft money contributions to political parties. Senators Feingold, (Joseph) Lieberman, and I, along with Representatives (Christopher) Shays and (Marty) Meehan, are seeking to pass legislation to end the illegal practice of 527 groups spending soft money ... to influence federal elections."

Public education: "I supported No Child Left Behind as a first step towards improving education. Re-cognizing that it is not a perfect law, I remain com-mitted to balanced im-provements. I recognize that the program has placed additional requirements on states and local school districts, and I have sup-ported increasing funding in a fiscally responsible manner."

Peace process: "The United States should con-tinue to seek ways to promote the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. We share democratic values with Israel and sympathize with its constant threats of terrorist attack. The United States, Israel and the Palestinian people should work together for real reform of the Palestinian Authority."

STU STARKY (D)

Starky teaches eighth-grade math at C.O. Green-field School in Phoenix, in the Roosevelt School District. He has run unsuccessfully for U.S. Congress and the Arizona Congress.

Campaign finance: "The campaign reform act has had a huge unforeseen impact on the presidential campaign moving the power from the people to special interests at an even greater rate. True campaign reform can only be done when candidates show their own respect to fight against special interests."

Public education: "As an eighth-grade teacher in south Phoenix, I can tell you directly that NCLB is a failure when it comes to helping students. It is structured poorly and has not focused on helping students, only labeling schools. I will bring to the Senate a teacher's and parent's per-spective to improving edu-cation."

Peace process: "I agree that Arafat should be excluded from the peace process. He has a lifetime history of destroying the peace process. The United States should play a pivotal role in developing a two-state solution which protects the integrity of Israel's borders and assures our partnership in providing a peaceful future for Israel."

Contact the writer here

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