If we have learned any lessons from history it is that combat situations require decision to be made by military leaders in the field who understand the whole picture, not by politicians in Washington trying to set their own agendas. When put in an historical perspective, our military is making incredible progress there. An evil dictator has been removed, the Iraqi people are freer, a government is set up and elections are ongoing, America is more secure, the Middle East is showing signs of more stability, and democracy is on the move. Setting artificial deadlines for withdrawal would only benefit the enemy. Those types of decisions should be made by the military leaders on the ground and should not be public.

5. Should Democrats take control of the U.S. Senate after the November elections, predict three things that will happen over the next two years because of the power shift.

First, liberal San Francisco representative Nancy Pelosi would be Speaker of the House. That's scary enough. Next, based on the bills and budgets the Democrats have proposed in the last few years, the legislative agenda would shift dramatically to the left and overall spending and taxes would likely increase significantly.

6. Considering that the U.S. budget will be in deficit again, do you favor or oppose making the current tax cuts permanent?

The question assumes that deficits and lower taxes are inherently connected, which they aren't. History has proven that when we cut taxes and let people keep, spend and invest their own money, revenues into the government actually increase. This is exactly why the deficit has been reduced over the last couple of years. The real answer to the deficit is to cut spending, not increase taxes. I favor making the current tax cuts permanent, and I have voted many times to reduce spending.

7. Please give your specific stands on the following issues, which some term as moral issues:

— Stem cell research. I oppose embryonic stem cell research which requires the destruction of existing human embryos. This research is currently allowed but it has yielded no significant treatments. I support adult stem cell research which does not require the destruction of potential human life and has already produced dozens of proven medical treatments being used today. The only issue before Congress however is which research, if any, will receive federal funding.

— Cloning of human cells. I oppose human cloning.

— Abortion. I am pro-life and oppose abortion and believe it should be illegal in all cases except those involving rape, incest, or the life of the mother. I have supported efforts to ban the heinous practice of partial birth abortion.