Electronic Interview with Lamar Alexander by Members of NH-Primary, July
5,1995
This is transcript of the the first, of what we hope will be a series
of "cyber-interviews" with the presidential candidates. The interview
took place on July 5, 1995, between 6:15pm and 6:45pm. Members of
NH-Primary submitted questions to NH-Primary. All questions were
submitted to Gov. Alexander in the order in which they were received at
NH-Primary, and Gov. Alexander answered the questions in that order as
well.
For your information, we include at the end of the questions and answers
those questions Gov. Alexander did not have time to answer.
From: devitt@ns.case.org
Mr. Alexander:
You once served as the secretary of the Department of Education, a department
you now say should be abolished. Why didn't you demand that the department
be abolished when you were secretary?
James Devitt
Washington, DC
>From nhinfo@lamar96.MV.COMWed Jul 5 18:28:09 1995
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 1995 18:01:21 +0100
From: Lamar Alexander for President - NH
To: Mark S Kuhn
Subject: Re: Alexander(questions from NH-Primary) (fwd)
Because there was no chance the Congress would do it. I couldn't even get
them to give 1000 poor children a $1000 scholarship to choose a better
school, or to give classroom teachers more authority. So I did the next
best thing: tried to move decisions out of Washington, D.C. In 1981 I
urged President Reagan--when I was Governor--to end federal aid to
elementary and secondary education. He couldn't get it done either. Now
we have a Republican congress. It is in the real world of possibility to
do it.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: J50BDO1@WPO.CSO.NIU.EDU
"Why do you want to be President of the United States?"
I realize it is not the hard hitting issue oriented questions you
will be getting from other people on the list...but it is still an
important question.
Bruce Oates
Paw Paw Illinois
>From nhinfo@lamar96.MV.COMWed Jul 5 18:28:24 1995
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 1995 18:03:35 +0100
From: Lamar Alexander for President - NH
To: Mark S Kuhn
Subject: Re: Alexander(questions from NH-Primary) (fwd)
Because I want to help this country recapture its confidence. We're
entering a new century. The President we are electing in 1996 will be the
President in 2000. Too many Americans have had their confidence shaken to
their roots by job loss, Washington meddling, and a breakdown in personal
responsibility.
I would like for children growing up to have the same confidence I had
growing up when my grandfather taught me "Aim for the Top, There's more
Room There" and
I believed that was possible.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: AD_GIGLIO@LARS.FORDHAM.EDU
I laud you for this cyber-first!
My question to Governor Alexander is:
How will you defend your positioning as a Washington outsider,
when you spent so many years in DC? What advantages do you have
in the race as a non-officeholder?
Joe Giglio
Fordham University
New York
Hope you make it to the NY primary, voters will respond to your
message here!
>From nhinfo@lamar96.MV.COMWed Jul 5 18:28:44 1995
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 1995 18:05:25 +0100
From: Lamar Alexander for President - NH
To: Mark S Kuhn
Subject: Re: Alexander(questions from NH-Primary) (fwd)
I was in Washington D.C. for 5 years, long enough to get vacinnated
but not infected. I know enough about Washington not to get skinned when I
go back and to know that the answers to our real problems aren't there.
I've been in Washington 5 of my 55 years and outside 50--as a Governor,
university President and I have helped to start a company that today has
1200 employees.
I believe the American people want a President from the real world.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: jmpettey@cais.cais.com
The Senate recently voted to install restrictions on access to certain
internet address and sites in order to discourage minors from retrieving
and viewing pornographic materials. These measures were adopted during
debate on the Telecommunications Bill and the amendment was authored by
Sen. Exon of Nebraska.
Although I don't favor distribution of *any* such materials in a public
environment this does raise a question of rights under the First Amendment.
What are your feelings on legislation such as this?
john pettey
davidsonville, md
terp 85
>From nhinfo@lamar96.MV.COMWed Jul 5 18:28:56 1995
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 1995 18:07:56 +0100
From: Lamar Alexander for President - NH
To: Mark S Kuhn
Subject: Re: Alexander(questions from NH-Primary) (fwd)
I believe in the first Amendment, too, but even the first Amendment
protections do not include pornography and crying "fire in the theatre".
Newt Ginrich pointed out how the Senate bill is flawed. He is right about
that. I would prefer to make it easier for parents to restrict ionternet
access. I'm not big on government snopping. I'm the governor who vetoed
the picture driver's license bill 3 times in Tennessee because I thought it
interfered too much with privacy.
____________________________________________________________________________
From: litten!johnwirth@uunet.uu.net
Reply to: RE>Alexander "Cyber-interview"
My name is John Wirth, and I am a resident of Virginia. Governor Alexander,
while I appreciate and agree with your campaign theme of federalism and state's
rights, I have to wonder why, as U.S. Secretary of Education, you sought more
and more funds every year for an department you now rightly say should be
abolished. Bill Bennett did not seek higher budgets when he was education
secretary.
To: J. Wirth
From: uunet!unh.edu!NH-Primary
>From nhinfo@lamar96.MV.COMWed Jul 5 18:29:14 1995
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 1995 18:11:04 +0100
From: Lamar Alexander for President - NH
To: Mark S Kuhn
Subject: Re: Alexander(questions from NH-Primary) (fwd)
I sought more funds for a half billion dollar a year program called a GI
Bill for kids that would have given poor parents $1000 scholarships so that
they, too, might have for their children a choice of the best schools. I
also supported increases for student loans and scholarships which I believe
a very important in this world of people changing jobs. I have always put a
high priority on education, including money--and I have always balanced
budgets.
Basically, I believe in local control of education by parents and communities
which means abolish the U.S. Dept of Education. But of whatever money is
available in a balanced budget, it is hard to think of a higher priority
than education.
_______________________________________________________________________
From: dao@christa.unh.edu
Question. I hear alot about your program in Tenn. to pay teachers more
for teaching better. How do you decide who gets more for "teaching better?"
Also what do you think of eliminating the income tax and going to a
consumption tax. You could have no taxes on medical, food, housing
under $100,000 and singular clothing items under $50. It would tax
illegal income to give you a much larger tax base.
Thanks for your time,
Dean Ouellette
Dover NH
>From nhinfo@lamar96.MV.COMWed Jul 5 18:29:24 1995
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 1995 18:13:33 +0100
From: Lamar Alexander for President - NH
To: Mark S Kuhn
Subject: Re: Alexander(questions from NH-Primary) (fwd)
There is an evaluation system created by teachers who help decide whether a
Master teacher is paid more for teaching well. The program is 10 years old.
We're the only state that has it. Not perfect, but it's hard to see how
you can keep good peopple in the classroom wirthout rewarding them for
their
excellence. I favor a flatter tax more than a national sales tax which I'm
afraid would end up taking away power from states and communities by
transferring a big new taxing authority ot Washington. It would also make
it more like that states like New Hampshire and Tennessee would be pushed
toward an income tax which I don't favor.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: WKDR@together.net
Would you please give us a short list of your prominent supporters in
New Hampshire and New England--that is, people whose names would be
recognized by those familiar with regional affairs.
--Andy Potter
News Director
WKDR-AM
Burlington, VT
>From nhinfo@lamar96.MV.COMWed Jul 5 18:29:39 1995
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 1995 18:17:13 +0100
From: Lamar Alexander for President - NH
To: Mark S Kuhn
Subject: Re: Alexander(questions from NH-Primary) (fwd)
Andy, I'll get someone to give you a good list but I'll start with New
Hampshire. Former councilor Bill Cahill is campaign manager. Reps. Ann
Torr and Donna Sytek from the legislature a very involved. Tom Rath and Pat
Griffin.
Sens. Russman and Leo Fraser. Concord atty Jim Bassett. We have close to
40 legislators. We're organized in 13 cities, 10 counties and about 80
towns.
Mark Thurston from Laconia, Dick Cheney's former chairman, is a part of
ouor leadership as it Wes Colby. These are just a few.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: MikWeir@aol.com
I have a question for Mr. Alexander. My question is this
I have a lot of praise for Mr. Alexander on his clear outlook on the domestic
side of being President. What does he have to say about the future of the
U.S. in international scope. What does a man from outside Washington know
about how to deal with Boris Yeltsin, Saddam Hussein, and most importantly
the eventual successor to Deng Xioping in China?
Michael Weir
Snellville, GA
(From Georgia's Fourth Congressional District)
>From nhinfo@lamar96.MV.COMWed Jul 5 18:29:50 1995
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 1995 18:19:49 +0100
From: Lamar Alexander for President - NH
To: Mark S Kuhn
Subject: Re: Alexander(questions from NH-Primary) (fwd)
I have more than most people running what the next President needs to
be a strong President in national security and foreign policy matters:
experience in making executive decisions. We're not electing someone to
give a running commentary on Bosnia. Casting Senate votes is not the same
as making executive decisions. I am as comfortable outside the Unityed
States as any of the candidates, having lived in Austrlia and spent a great
deal of time overseas. Bill Clinton's problem is not that he doesn't know
the world; his is that he doesn't seem to know anyone else who does.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
From: ebucy@wam.umd.edu
I would appreciate an answer to the following question for Lamar Alexander:
As a major candidate for the Republican nomination, yet not a "leading
contender" according to the national press, how difficult do you find
achieving fair and adequate press coverage of your campaign? At this
early stage, does the press have too much power to annoint a frontrunner
and define his erstwhile opponents while effectively marginalizing
others? Given our current media-dependent political system, what can be
done to give all qualified candidates a fair shot at winning the nomination?
submitted by Erik P. Bucy, University of Maryland, College Park
>From nhinfo@lamar96.MV.COMWed Jul 5 18:30:24 1995
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 1995 18:23:24 +0100
From: Lamar Alexander for President - NH
To: Mark S Kuhn
Subject: Re: Alexander(questions from NH-Primary) (fwd)
A very perceptive question. Beacuse I'm from outside Washington, D.C.,
most people have never heard of me. Of couorse that will be true with
anyone with real executive experience because--except for the
President-youo gain that experience outside Washington. The people know
that and seem to compensate fopr it. Only 3 times have we elected a
President who comes directly from the Congress. What to do? Take off the
$1000 campaign contribution limit; it sounds good but it really favors
billionaries and people who live in Washington and have access to money and
media. Create a third C-Span network with no one from Washington allowed
on it, only Governors, mayors, sheriffs, etc. Our best executive leaders
are outside Washington, in the real world; our system makes it hard for
them to run.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: GMKURZON@aol.com
THE TIMES MIRROR POLL SHOWS THAT 61% OF AMERICANS SUPPORT NATO. HOWEVER, I
BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN ANSWER GIVEN BY PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW THE COST OF
NATO TO THE AMERICAN TAXPAYERS. I TOOK A POLL RECENTLY IN CLAREMONT, N.H. OF
30 VOTERS WHO WERE ASKED IF THEY WOULD SUPPORT A REDUCTION OF NATO COSTS TO
AMERICAN TAXPAYERS FROM $57 BILLION PER YEAR DOWN TO $1 BILLION PER YEAR . 24
VOTERS ANSWERED YES AND 6 VOTERS WERE UNDECIDED. WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO
INFORM VOTERS OF THE COST OF NATO TO TAXPAYERS AND THEN RECOMMEND THAT THIS
COST BE REDUCED AS CLOSE TO $1 BILLION PER YEAR AS POSSIBLE?
GEORGE KURZON
>From nhinfo@lamar96.MV.COMWed Jul 5 18:30:35 1995
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 1995 18:25:36 +0100
From: Lamar Alexander for President - NH
To: Mark S Kuhn
Subject: Re: Alexander(questions from NH-Primary) (fwd)
I would support a reduction in NATO costs but not too a level that our
participation is an empty gesture. NATO is important to us--to keep a hand
in Europe, to keep an eye on the Russians, to help get down some things
that otherwise our dollars and our troops might have to do. Its mission is
outdated, needs clarification.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: ACappannel@aol.com
Please ask Gov. Alexander the following question:
I personally don't think the White House or Congress needs all the staff
people, limos, etc. Will Gov. Alexander pledge to eliminate unnecessary
White House positions? i.e. Do we really need a Chief of Staff and all the
people, equipment, etc that goes with the job?
>From nhinfo@lamar96.MV.COMWed Jul 5 18:37:11 1995
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 1995 18:30:06 +0100
From: Lamar Alexander for President - NH
To: Mark S Kuhn
Subject: Re: Alexander(questions from NH-Primary) (fwd)
The answer is yes. But the President needs a Chief of Staff. He needs
more protetcion than we would like to admit. You wouldn't like it much if
he didn't answer youor mail. I'll cut it all I can but I don't want to
mislead you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: GMKURZON@aol.com
Margaret Thatcher has stated that the United States and the Western
Democracies have a responsibility to lift the arms embargo on Bosnia and to
defend the civilians with massive air strikes against the Serbs. HOW SAY YOU?
George Kurzon
Peterborough, N.H.
>From nhinfo@lamar96.MV.COMWed Jul 5 18:36:52 1995
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 1995 18:28:57 +0100
From: Lamar Alexander for President - NH
To: Mark S Kuhn
Subject: Re: Alexander(questions from NH-Primary) (fwd)
I disagree. Our policy should be: we should not become involved in someone
else's civil war unless we're prepared to pick a side and win it. We are
not prepared to do that in this case, so our participation should be
limited to helping allies' troops leave safely (if they choose to), to
helping NATo contain the conflict without our ground troops participation.
We should lift the arms embargo only after giving our allies an opportunity
first to withdraw their forces if they choose to.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
___________________________________________________________________________
END OF ANSWERS FROM GOV. ALEXANDER
__________________________________________________________________________
The following questions were not answered by Gov. Alexander, because he
ran out of the time he had available in his schedule. We include them here
because they illustrate well the concerns of members with regards to
Gov. Alexander's candidacy.
*******************************
Date: Mon, 3 Jul 1995 21:21:32 -0400
From: jcrossen@pwa.acusd.edu
To: NH-Primary@unh.edu
Gov. Alexander,
I am aware that you are for returning federal power to the states. Could
you give me an idea of the magnitude of power you believe the fed. govt.
should return to the states as well as list cabinet level departments you
would favor eliminating.
Thank You,
John Crossen
University of San Diego
jcrossen@pwa.acusd.edu
____________________________________________________________________________
Date: Tue, 4 Jul 1995 10:09:10 -0400
From: RMAPMoore@aol.com
To: NH-Primary@unh.edu
The comments by the two letters expressed the feelings of many of us, I
believe. I have been impressed with Gov. Alexander but I too, feel this is
not appropriate.
You have said we will receive a copy of the questions. Will we see all the
questions selected or all the questions submitted? If we see all the
questions submitted, then we for ourselves can determine if the questions are
softballs or not.
Don't sell out to anyone as many of us are depending on a straight scoop from
you. You may not be selling out but it seems as though this is a directed
dialog.
My question for Gov. Alexander "Since you have spent time visiting with the
homeless in the country on your visits thoughout the US last year, what can
the GOP congress and you if elected president do to increase the
opportunities for these individuals and reduce the numbers of individuals
releying on this local and state aid?"
Rich Moore
Wahoo, NE
____________________________________________________________________________
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 1995 14:58:48 -0400
From: Rkoskinen@newsoft.com
To: NH-Primary
Dear Mr. Lamar,
What is your opinion about gun control ? I feel that when a citizen has lost
the freedom of going about their daily lives without having to carry a
dangerous weapon with them, we have lost one of the most prestigious freedoms
in this country. The freedom NOT having to carry a gun is the reason why so
many people have came to this country.
If I see armed bandits, militias and gangs around my neighborhood I think I
would have to get a weapon to protect myself and my family as people did in the
Feudal times in Japan, Europe and in the Wild West hundreds of years ago. Do
you think we should go back into the Feudal- frame of mind; all for themselves ?
Rami, NH
____________________________________________________________________________
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 1995 06:16:45 -0400
From: ARAE6024@bureau.ucc.ie
To: nh-primary@unh.edu
A question for Lamar from Ireland: Do you think that President Clinton was
correct to allow Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams into the U.S. to raise money,
against the objections of John Major and the British Govt.? What would your
policy be toward Ireland and N.Ireland should you become president?
John Francis Kelly University College Cork, Ireland
___________________________________________________________________________
From: capare@aztec.asu.edu
To: NH-Primary@unh.edu
I would like to ask Governor Alexander a question and the moderators*
a question:
1) Governor Alexander, given you're "outsider" message, how do you propose
to use that against Clinton, who, while in government for most of his
life, is spending his first time in D.C. as President? He has been
fighting many of the entrenched interests (witness health care, lobby
reform, defense industry) and has lots Washington folks uncomfortable.
Further, as a former Governor, he is a big fan of sending power back
to the states and has gone a long way toward shrinking the federal
government. A similar message to yours. How are you that different?
Thanks for the service. All the noise about censorship is a bit
hysterical, if you ask me. I trust your judgement and I appreciate
the efforts.
Cheers.
Ken Chawkins
*note: The question for NH-Primary was removed from this message for
transmission to Gov. Alexander since it had to with another candidate.
_____________________________________________________________________________