Why do you want to be a U.S. Senator?
My grandparents emigrated from Norway to America in the early 1900’s for opportunity. My grandfather opened a shoe repair shop in Greeley in the 1930’s for opportunity. If this government continues to recklessly spend money on social programs and creates massive deficits, my children and grand children will not live in the same land of opportunity that my grand parents lived in.

As senator, I will fight to control spending, a limit government intrusion in businesses, doctors’ offices and to create jobs and spur our economy through the private sector, rather than through a bloated federal government.

What are the most pressing problems facing our country that you hope to address as a member of the U.S. Senate?
There is no bigger challenge facing our country today than our economy. With our nation’s unemployment rate skyrocketing, the value of the dollar dropping and a national deficit that is crippling our standing in the world, we need a Senator who will fight for policies that will control spending and create jobs.

As a member of the Senate what specifically would you do to help the country recover from the recession?
America needs to attract high paying manufacturing jobs and change the current trend toward becoming a service economy. We need to reduce taxes and regulations on manufacturing businesses in this country. As a Senator I will also champion the role of small business in America. Approximately 72% of employees in this country work for small businesses. The Congress is creating more burdens for small business with energy policy, health care policy, pro-union policy, and tax policy. I will fight to repeal unnecessary burdens on small business.

What do you think is the most egregious thing your Democratic opponent has done that you plan to oppose if elected in 2010?
Spending in Washington is out of control. Pres. Obama’s first major piece of legislation was the massive stimulus package has not created jobs as the American people were told, but has put our country’s financial future in jeopardy. My opponent, Michael Bennet did not even read the $787 billion stimulus bill before voting for it. I will not vote for outrageous spending bills that we cannot afford, or that legislators do not have time to review. I will also support legislation to rein in spending by balancing the budget and requiring that requests for earmarks be completely transparent.

Has the Republican Party failed to live up to its stated ideals in the past several years? If so, how?
Yes, the GOP is in a weakened state due to years of deficit spending, expanding the federal government and focusing on reelection, rather than on what was best for our country. It’s time that we have a senator who has never shied away from his conservative values of having a limited government and ending Washington’s addiction to pork. We can not afford to send politicians to Washington who have deceived us in the past.

What do you bring to the job of Senator that your primary opponents do not?
As district attorney, I understand the role that government can play in helping Americans. Because of this understanding, I have been able to reduce crime in Weld County, and have worked with law enforcement and community leaders to keep kids in school, instead of on the streets.

Being district attorney has also given me the chance to stand up to an overbearing government. As U.S. Senator, I will always do what’s right for Colorado.

What should the federal government’s role be in reducing the cost of healthcare? What specific things would you propose or support? What kind of laws would you oppose?
Too many people are struggling to afford health care coverage in Colorado and in the country as a whole. Yet the only solution that Democrats and special interests in Washington are fighting for is more government. As senator, I will fight for health care reform that will focus on patients, doctors and the free-enterprise, instead of Washington bureaucrats. This includes allowing people to buy insurance across state lines, removing government mandates, and standing with Colorado’s doctors in support of malpractice reform. I will oppose any proposals that expand the role of government in the doctor-patient relationship.

How are you going to deal with the federal government’s deficit spending? What specifically would you cut to balance the budget? Would you raise taxes?
I will not raise taxes and I have signed a pledge clearly stating my opposition to increased taxes. I will vote to cut social programs that are better left to the states.

What are your thoughts on Global Warming and what do you think about the cap and trade legislation pending before Congress as a solution to deal with the problem?
My wife Perry and I live in Colorado because we are in awe of our state’s natural beauty, and believe we must take measures to protect it. Unfortunately, Democrats and special interests in Washington are pushing legislation such as Cap and Trade that pit the environment and our economy against one another. I believe we can have a robust economy and still protect the environment. As senator, I will fight against Cap and Trade legislation, which puts our country’s economy at risk.

What judge currently on the US Supreme Court most accurately reflects the type of judge you would like to see placed on this court in the future and why?
Chief Justice Roberts is an example of my ideal U S Supreme Court Justice. He is a strict constructionist who will not legislate from the bench. Understanding the role of the three branches of government is a critical asset in my opinion.

Do you think there is a Constitutional right to abortion? Explain your answer? Would you vote to make abortion illegal? Would you have exceptions?
I am pro-life. While there is currently a constitutional right to abortion, I believe the case law is an unconstitutional extension of the Court’s power. I would vote to ban abortions except if the mother’s life was in jeopardy. I have spent my professional life as a prosecutor protecting people and as a Senator I will continue to protect people, both born and unborn.

Do you think government has an obligation to legally recognize same-sex relationships with a marriage license or some other form of official recognition? Explain your reasoning.
No, I am for traditional marriage.

What do you think is the most pressing foreign policy problem facing this country and what do you think the federal government should do about it?
Because of our failed energy policy, the United States’ is addicted to foreign oil. This addiction funds our enemies overseas, giving them a stranglehold over our economy and providing financial support to people and organizations who want the United States to fail. It also forces us to engage in military actions to protect our energy sources that cost U S lives and billions of dollars. As Senator, I will stand up with America’s business community to harness conventional forms of energy, and to advance sustainable forms of alternative energy.

How would you deal with illegal immigration? What do you think the government should do with all the illegal immigrants living in this country?
For decades, the United States Congress has refused to confront our nation’s immigration problem. Being the grandson of immigrants, and by living in a college and agricultural community, I understand the value of immigration to our state and nation. Though we need immigration, our current system is broken. For many, entering our nation illegally is easier than playing by the rules. As Senator, I will support legislation that will make it easier for immigrants to obtain worker visas, while cracking down on those entering our country illegally. We can and we must secure our borders.

I do not support amnesty.

Do you think gun ownership in this country is over regulated or under regulated? Explain your answer.
Many in Washington are finding ways to use the Democratic majority to increase the already over regulated gun industry and to infringe on the rights of everyday citizens. As senator, I will take an oath to protect the Constitution of the United States from all enemies, foreign or domestic. That includes the Second Amendment of the constitution.

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