Planet Jackson Hole Online - In the Hot Seat

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Planet Jackson Hole Online - In the Hot Seat

For 14 years, Wyoming's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives has known but a single tenant. Now, with Rep. Barbara Cubin (R) on the way out, Wyoming is due for a changing of the guard.

Candidates for Cubin's seat include one Democrat, Gary Trauner, who lost to Cubin in 2006 by just over 1,000 votes, and three Republicans, Mark Gordon, Cynthia Lummis and Bill Winney. All four hopefuls agreed to answer the same nine questions for Planet Jackson Hole. Each had limited space - just 70 words - to go head-to-head on issues near and dear to the people of Wyoming.

Planet Jackson Hole: In what ways would you build on Cubin's legacy and in what ways would you instead "clean house" after her term?

Mark Gordon (R): Wyoming's next Representative must be accessible and accountable to the people of Wyoming and put our state's needs ahead of Washington's or politics. I want to help lead our country into a new era of fiscal restraint working to rein in the size and scope of government. I am committed to finding bipartisan solutions to our most pressing issues. My voting record will reflect a tireless work ethic and careful analysis.

Cynthia Lummis (R): No two candidates are alike. The demands of different time periods are distinct. We need an authentic Wyoming voice in Washington. Our single member of the House of Representatives must reflect Wyoming's unique vision. I have a 25 year record in state government - all three branches - of showing up and working hard. I will aggressively advocate for Wyoming in Washington. I will work there and live here.

Gary Trauner (D): In years past, regardless of party, Wyoming had a strong voice in Congress. This is no longer the case. The problem of voting and speaking only the party line for years has diminished Wyoming's role to the point of insignificance. I will work with members of both parties to regain Wyoming's voice in the House to ensure issues important to Wyoming are once again heard. Partisanship has not solved the ongoing problems we still face - only leadership can.

Bill Winney (R): I thank Barbara Cubin for her 14 years in Congress. Whoever is elected will build their own legacy and my commitment is to serve Wyoming with competence, diligence, commitment, energy, and honor. There will be great changes in the next Congress. It is critical that our Representative enter the body with the respect to be listened to. I bring leadership, experience, credentials, background, and standing to have that respect.

PJH: If you could put one law into effect on your first day of office, with zero opposition, what would it be? Why?

MG: I believe Wyoming people want Congress to reform itself, so I would work to reconfirm congressional pay-as-you-go rules requiring Congress to live within its means, not irresponsibly burdening taxpayers and future generations with budget deficits and unbalanced budgets. This would include voting to end earmarks because they are the single greatest impediment to transparency and fiscal responsibility.

CL: I would restrict domestic non-defense discretionary federal spending to inflation minus 1 percent, make the Bush tax cuts permanent, raise the age of social security eligibility for post-draft era Americans, stop raids on the social security trust fund, limit federal Medicaid dollars to current amounts plus 4 percent per year allowing states discretion in crafting their programs, and authorize voluntary personal social security accounts.

GT: A "clean elections" law. We all know that money has an undue influence on our public policy process. Most Members of Congress spend their days "dialing for dollars" instead of doing the public's work. Public financing of elections will allow our Representatives to focus on the people they represent and the problems they want and need solved.

BW: A law to deal with the home foreclosure crisis in the country. That law would place responsibility where it belongs. For borrowers who knowingly entered into mortgages they could not pay, the federal government would not bail them out. For lenders who knowingly granted mortgages they knew, or reasonably should have known, the borrower could not service, they would be held accountable. Fraud and deceptive lending practices would be punished.

PJH: What specific experience, viewpoints or ideas distinguish you from your competitors?

MG: I have created jobs on two Main Streets in Wyoming. I have balanced budgets and I know how much sweat and blood is required to get a business up and running and keep paychecks going out. I am a rancher, I worked in conservation for Apache oil company and on government boards. This breadth of experience shows my willingness to work across sectors and political persuasions to address common challenges.

CL: Perhaps my most pertinent experience as a candidate for our national legislature is that I have served as a state legislator. For 14 years, in the Wyoming House and Senate, I was a lawmaker - drafting, researching, debating and voting on bills, chairing committees, and exercising leadership. This service and eight years as state treasurer convinced me that, like Wyoming, the Federal government must learn to live within its means.

GT: Two things. First, I am a businessman who starts and grows new companies. My success has come from my ability to solve problems, my ease in finding common ground and my willingness to work hard with everyone involved to get results - skills sorely needed in Washington, D.C. Second, I am not a career politician, I am a husband and a father who believes that our great country is heading in the wrong direction and that the time for new direction is now.

BW: I spent 30 years on active duty in the nuclear Navy, retiring with the rank of Captain in 2002. I served in the Pentagon in three different duty assignments and was commanding officer of a nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine and a submarine tender. My extensive leadership experience, command responsibilities, and decision-making positions coupled with my experience in the Washington process enables me to best represent Wyoming in Congress.

PJH: What is your vision for Wyoming's energy future? How would you get us there?

MG: Wyoming is fortunate to have an abundance of resources and opportunities vital to our nation's future. Nonetheless, it is how we develop these resources and what we leave behind that will be our measure. I would work for a sensible energy policy, which would be predictable, address energy supply and demand responsibly, address carbon coherently, modernize our nation's antiquated energy transmission infrastructure, and encourage energy entrepreneurialism.

CL: We must capitalize on Wyoming's rich renewable and non-renewable energy resources. We must 1) develop the portfolio of all Wyoming energy assets, including coal, gas, oil, uranium, wind, biomass, and solar 2) provide transportation to markets and 3) incorporate meaningful environmental protection, without which these resources cannot be successfully developed.

GT: Wyoming should not be content with just leading the energy economy of today. We need the right vision and leadership in Congress to make Wyoming a leader in the world economy of tomorrow. We put a man on the moon - we can create sustainable energy independence. An "Apollo Moon Project" for energy independence would be based on diverse energy sources, coupled with the need to protect the special places we cherish here in Wyoming.

BW: Wyoming's energy and economy are linked closely. Coal and methane drive this nation's industry. We must continue to research ways to minimize the atmospheric effects of CO2 so that our coal remains competitive throughout the US. We must develop our uranium for nuclear power generation. The key to this is the confidence the people of the US have in our Nuclear Regulatory Commission; it must go beyond the normal bureaucracy.

PJH: As many as one in five people in Wyoming have no health insurance. What would you do to increase access to health care? How much responsibility do you think the government has in covering the uninsured?

MG: We all must have access to care and affordable insurance. To make this more feasible, I would find incentives and support for doctors and nurses in rural areas. Otherwise, offering tax breaks, allowing insurance pooling across state borders, letting small businesses and individuals deduct health insurance costs, and promoting wellness programs would help. Government is not responsible for providing health insurance, and individuals should take control of their own health.

CL: I oppose a government run health care system. I support Senator Mike Enzi's 10 point plan. I support allowing groups to form across state lines to provide affordable, accessible insurance. All health care expenses should be tax deductible, not just employer provided health plans. I support safety-tested generic prescription drugs, imported or domestic.

GT: Spread the cost and risk of basic coverage over the widest possible group of people in this country. Private and public insurers must compete on an apples-to-apples basis so consumers can make informed, rational decisions. As the richest country in the history of the world, we have an obligation to ensure that hardworking Americans know they won't lose their home or life savings if they or their children get sick.

BW: Government does cover uninsured seeking medical care, in one way or another. There are programs, state and federal, for those who cannot afford health insurance but need medical attention. We lack consistency in the provision of health care. The risk can be spread over all Americans, cost of health care would not necessarily increase - it might decrease. A path to insurance coverage, as in auto insurance, must be found.

PJH: The war in Iraq - what should we do? How would you help?

MG: I oppose congressionally mandated deadlines for withdrawal and cutting funds for troops in harm's way. Ultimately, there must be a political, not a military solution. As we proceed we must see our efforts there in a more regional and global context. As a nation we must continue to support a military capable of projecting resolve behind our diplomatic efforts. We must look after our forces well.

CL: America's military superiority must not be compromised. I support General Petraeus and our troops. Military leaders on the ground should provide military strategy. Congress should provide the resources needed to succeed. We must pressure the Iraqi government to assume leadership; provide superior medical care to returning military personnel; and expand NATO and other alliances to combat radical Jihadists.

GT: The war was poorly conceived and poorly planned. There is no easy answer right now, but even General Petraeus has said there is no military solution; politicians that refuse to acknowledge this are putting our nation or our soldiers' safety at risk. The sooner we help the Iraqis stand up, the sooner we can get back to hunting down the terrorists who hate America.

BW: My son is a Marine. He was deployed to Iraq in 2007. As much as I dread the thought of his return to Iraq, I have concern about another betrayal of trust to a nation that we brought into conflict. The surge was tardy, the occupation was done poorly, we could have prevailed and been out by now. A politically stable government must be in place in Iraq before withdrawal.

PJH: What are your feelings on the status of immigration, legal and illegal, in the state and country? What needs to happen? What should NOT happen?

MG: Our country must regain control of its borders with better technology on all our borders, more boots on the ground, and better coordination between local and federal law enforcement. We must also provide an adequate legal and traceable guest worker program to ensure we provide opportunities for the workforce so desperately needed, from sheep shearers to hospitality workers [and] students eager to work here in the United States.

CL: America should expand and encourage legal immigration and fight illegal immigration. America should expand guest worker eligibility and student visas, fence our southern border, disallow federal benefits for undocumented workers, penalize sanctuary cities, and implement an enforceable employer verification system. Crimes by illegal immigrants must include jail and deportation. English should be America's common language.

GT: We are a nation of laws. We need to enforce these laws, with real consequences, for illegal immigrants and just as importantly, employers. It is time to go after companies that hire illegals and stop rewarding companies that send our jobs overseas. It's time we show some backbone, to protect our children's future and to make sure our country remains the light of the world.

BW: Legal immigration built this nation. I support the continuation of reasonable and controlled legal immigration. The 1986 Simpson-Mazzoli Act should have resolved illegal immigration. It was poorly funded and inadequately enforced. First, we must secure the borders. Second, we should deport all illegal immigrants who have committed crimes against our citizens. Then we can address the other problems created by unfettered illegal immigration while ensuring needed workers are available.

PJH: What role, if any, do you believe state and/or federal government should have in deciding women's level of access to abortion? How does your stance relate to your ideals of big vs. small government?

MG: Wyoming has addressed this issue, choosing to keep government out of people's lives. I believe in a limited government, not an obtrusive one. Moreover, government cannot legislate good sense, morality, or wisdom. Government should not play a significant role in such intensely personal, spiritual and practical concerns.

CL: I believe that abortion is a sin against God, but I do not need the federal government to tell me that. I believe that each state should determine its own laws regarding such issues as abortion, adoption, marriage, education policy, and tort reform, not by judicial mandate, but through its legislature or ballot propositions.

GT: I respect the heartfelt views on both sides of this contentious issue. However, anyone who has ever had to make an agonizing medical decision for himself or a loved one knows the last thing they want is for the government to tell them what to do. Terry Schiavo comes to mind. Frankly, I do not believe government has a role in our private lives, including difficult decisions regarding birth, death or anything in between.

BW: I believe abortion is wrong. Still, Roe v. Wade is the law of the land. I do not believe abortions should be publicly funded. I don't believe that a position opposing abortion has anything to do with the "ideals" of big vs. small government. Abortion is one of the most divisive issues in the land. It is incumbent upon us, under present law, to strive to eliminate abortions through education.

PJH: What do you think is Wyoming's most dire and immediate need? How would you address it?

MG: Wyoming's economy must diversify to provide for more stability, opportunity and security. This can best be achieved through supporting and fostering small business and entrepreneurs. Sensible laws, tax policies and regulation which accurately and elegantly reflect our laws are key to fostering that climate. For economic diversification we need a reliable workforce. We have the talent and spirit in our state we need to give business the opportunity to thrive.

CL: Striking a balance between energy production and environmental protection is Wyoming's most immediate need. We must produce as many energy resources as we can without damaging our precious air and water quality and open space for wildlife, livestock and recreation. Solutions include clean energy research and tax advantages for alternative energy, and purchased protection for wildlife habitat through a natural treasures endowment funded by federal mineral royalties.

GT: Wyoming, like the rest of the country, is suffering from the lack of leadership and backbone at the national level. The result of blind allegiance to political party is a faltering economy, a broken healthcare system, an irresponsible energy policy, and mortgaging our children's future to China. I will bring true leadership to the US House with hard work and integrity. Doing the right thing will always be the rule when I represent Wyoming.

BW: Wyoming must ensure that the present and future use of natural resources benefits our people. We must ensure Wyoming residents pay no more for natural gas, electricity or similar services than people in places we export our natural resources to. Both of these are best addressed at the state level, not in Congress. But Congress, through inappropriate legislation, could trump our legislature. We must ensure Congress does not do so.

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