10.  Describe your general strategy for accomplishing your objectives and goals for
governing America.

 

Mike Huckabee:

I am a conservative, but I’m not angry at anybody.  I believe that I would be able to work well with Congress to find the common ground that will take all of us to higher ground.  The American people want action on the issues they discuss around the dinner table – issues that don’t focus so much on left or right, but in lifting all of us up.  I call this “vertical politics,” and having practiced it both as Governor and as Chairman of the National Governors Association, I am confident I can practice it as President.  I also would communicate more effectively and more often to the American people, both in general and specifically about the war on terror.  I don’t believe the Administration has done an adequate job explaining the theology and ideology behind Islamic terror or convincing us of their ruthless fanaticism. 

John McCain:

When it comes to getting things done, there is no substitute for strong presidential leadership.  Americans are not looking for a caretaker president who simply manages the daily affairs of state and presides over business-as-usual in Washington.  Republicans lost their majorities because we increased the size of government in the false hope that we could bribe the public into keeping us in office.  And the people punished us.  We lost our principles and our majority.  There is no way to recover our majority without recovering our principles first to regain the trust of Americans soured by empty election-year promises. 

As president, I will regain that trust.  I will offer a clear direction for America.  I will adhere to our principles.  I will work with those who act in good faith to solve our nation’s challenges consistent with my conservative principles.  But I will also regularly make my case to the American people that our principles of limited government and individual freedom are for our country’s sake.  I will use the bully pulpit should Congress obstruct needed reforms and play politics to advance their parochial interests at the expense of the national interest.  I won’t hesitate to wield my veto pen when necessary to show the American people that business-as-usual is over in Washington.  I know the American people will respond. 

Ron Paul:

[Did not respond]

 

Mitt Romney:

For too long, Washington has been dominated by partisan gridlock and bickering.  If we are to build a stronger America, I believe the most important element of our success will be the ability to work in a bipartisan manner to achieve results.  We need to lay down our verbal weapons and try to work together to meet the great challenges that America is sure to face in the coming years.

I am proud that, during my time as Governor of Massachusetts, I was successful at bridging the partisan divide.  Time and time again, I worked with an overwhelmingly Democratic legislature to achieve conservative results.  We balanced the budget every four years without raising taxes, put in place a healthcare plan that expands access to private insurance and implements market-based reforms, improved the schools in our Commonwealth, and made important improvements to our transportation system.  I am proud that bipartisanship was a hallmark of my time as Governor.

If elected president, I intend to bring this bipartisan spirit to Washington and to focus on getting results.  Too many politicians in Washington are too worried about claiming credit for success or launching personal attacks.  I believe that the partisan dithering, credit-claiming, and personal attacks must stop.  I will work to find common ground with Democrats and build relationships of friendship and trust so we can achieve the results that the American people deserve. 

 

Fred Thompson:

The American people are looking for leadership and ideas.   I believe the American people should have more control over their lives and that the federal government’s role in their lives should be limited at best.  I plan to take on the tough issues by proposing bold solutions to the real challenges facing our nation.   These solutions will seek to empower State and local communities as well as the private sector to take the lead in addressing the concerns of the American people.   I will strongly oppose those solutions that infringe upon the lives of Americans and increase the control of the federal government.

Courage, honesty and integrity will be hallmarks of my strategy.   I will not down-play the need for reforms nor diminish the importance of acting quickly.   I believe the American people value leaders who are straight-forward with them and tell them the real challenges facing our nation.  I also believe the American people are resourceful and independent.  They appreciate and are constantly looking for opportunities to succeed.  My goal is to give them those opportunities.

 

Rudy Giuliani

As a matter of policy, Rudy Giuliani does not respond to questionnaires, but his campaign provided a letter summarizing his positions. Click the above link to read the letter.

 

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All responses are listed in alphabetical order. The American Conservative Union provides these responses for public information only. ACU neither endorses these candidates nor their responses.