1. Why are you running for office?

Alaska has a bright future...as long as the folks in Washington don't mess it up for us. But no matter how well we run our state, if we bankrupt the nation, or Medicare or Social Security, or we mismanage our foreign policy, Alaskans will feel the pain. We need totend to the nation's problems now.

2. The most important issue in this election is ____.

The economy is the most important problem. I want to make it the most important issue. Our dollar is no longer sound. China is beginning to own our nation. We are leaving a $10 trillion debt for our children to pay off. Medicare and Social Security are on the brink of insolvency.

3. As a nation we must move towards energy independence, by increasing domestic drilling, encouraging research and development for efficient alternate energy, build All Alaska Pipeline and develop nuclear energy.

4. If oil and gasoline prices continue to rise, could you support government price controls? (50 words or less) No. Interference in the free market will not work.

5. Do you support drilling in ANWR? If the answer is yes, tell us something new that you as a member of Congress can do to open the coastal plain to drilling.

Yes If the price of gasoline remains high, the folks in the lower 48 will demand that we open it up for drilling. We need to just keep the aware of this solution.

6. TransCanada has suggested the federal government can help the proposed Alaska gas line by acting as a "bridge shipper." That means the federal government would agree to buy enough gas to fill the line if necessary, or at least guarantee the equivalent revenue stream for the pipeline owner. Will you support legislation to do this? Yes.

7. Do you support offshore drilling in Bristol Bay ? Yes, with appropriate safeguards.

8. What can the federal government or Congress do to further a natural gas pipeline should state measures such as an AGIA license fail to pass, or fail to "induce" a pipeline? AGIA is moving forward. It would depend on the facts at that time.

9. Some say oil companies have leased vast public acreage and are now sitting on the leases without drilling. Point Thomson in Alaska has been mentioned as an example. Do you believe this has anything to do with our energy crunch? No. It is related, but it is not a cause.

10. Rural Alaska has been hit particularly hard by high fuel prices. Are there specific steps Congress or a member of Congress should take to address this?

All Alaskans, particularly lower income Alaskans, have been impacted by higher fuel costs. For some the situation is dire. Congress should not favor one group of Alaskans over another because of where they choose to live. I would make sure that our existing welfare programs re-evaluate support levels more frequently, keeping up with rising fuel prices, and fund those programs so all Alaskans, no matter where they live, can buy necessary fuel.

11. Should Congress continue President Bush's tax cuts to stimulate the economy? Explain.The tax cuts should be kept in place. Lower taxes improve business/economic climate. The budget should be balanced on the spending side.

12. How important a priority is reducing the federal deficit? Explain. Reducing the Federal budget (and trade) deficits are essential. A family or business that spends more than it earns cannot continue...this is the case with our country. We have no choice...balance the budget. The deficit causes inflation and higher energy costs. It may make us a second rate power.

13. Should the U.S. tax code be simplified? Is it fair? It needs to be simplified. It is now unfair.

14. What should the future U.S. role in Iraq be? We must develop a plan to win and withdraw.

15. How long do you believe the U.S. occupation should continue? I oppose a timetable. I support a plan to win and withdraw.

16. Should a date be set for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq? Explain. No timetable. This would give our enemies the ability to outwait us.

17. What role should Congress have in deciding the kind of military approach the U.S. uses in Iraq? Congress should establish goals and policies.

18. Under what circumstances, if any, would you support a pre-emptive military strike against Iran to percent it from acquiring nuclear weapons? The only military action America should ever take is when its in the interest of the American people.

19. How good a job is the military and the Veterans Administration doing in providing ongoing care to soldiers and ex-soldiers who served in the war? What specifically would you do to improve services? It is underfunded. It should be a greater priority. We need to forward fund future liability so that our Veterans don't have to come begging, "hat in hand" when this war is over and the spotlight has shifted.

20. What role do human-caused emissions of greenhouse gases play in global warming: None, some, most, or all? Explain. I don't believe we know. History tells us that natural events can cause global warming. We don't know the percent human actions cause. I support vigorous research into the cause and mitigation strategy.

21. What legislation currently in Congress comes closest to the policy you would advocate for dealing with climate change? Solution must be based on economic incentives.

22. Coastal erosion is a serious issue in a number of rural Alaska villages, with discussions about relocating some communities. Do you believe this is appropriate or realistic? Explain. I do not believe it is realistic.

23. Is it appropriate to use the polar bear listing as a threatened species to limit oil and gas development in the Arctic or regulate distant greenhouse gas emissions? What other steps, if any, do you think government and industry should take to protect Alaska's polar bear population? This is not appropriate.

24. What's your position on the proposed Pebble mine in southwest Alaska? How do you plan to vote on the "Clean Water" initiative on the August ballot? I plan to vote, "no." I don't know if this venture should go forward, but I don't believe an emotional media campaign with voters should determine this. I believe we have a scientific system in place to determine the merits, and that we should let the process do its work.

25. Are changes needed in the way congressional earmarks work? Under what circumstances should members of Congress be allowed to direct federal spending to specific projects in their district? The present earmark system leads to a culture of corruption. If we are to continue earmarks, they should be fully vetted, with complete transparency and should move through the complete committee process.

26. What should Congress do, if anything, to help increase the supply of doctors in Alaska? Outside of Veterans and Native Hospitals and clinics, and adequate Medicare payments, there is little federal role.

27. Some major Alaska fisheries have been "rationalized." That is, individual shares have been assigned to fishermen and even to processors. Do you support this approach for more of Alaska's fisheries? I do not support the way it has been done.