Will Armstrong, who is running for the Republican nomination in Colorado’s 6th Congressional District, chatted with Denver Post readers on Monday, July 28. Following is a transcript of the chat.
Dan Haley: Welcome everyone to our noon chat with Wil Armstrong. And thank you, Wil, for joining us. The candidate will answer as many questions as he can. Keep your questions concise and on point. So let’s get started.
Peter: hi Mr. Armstrong thanks for being here. What is your stnce on illegal immigration
Shelly: I’d like to hear Mr. Armstrong’s thoughts on education — parental choice, charters, home school, etc.
Wil Armstrong: I’m with Congressman Tancredo and believe we need to 1. Secure our borders… I’m for building the wall. 2. Enforce existing laws… and no amnesty. 3. I believe we must demand English only.
Peter: Thanks for the answer
Steve: Have you ever been involved in sub-prime lending while in the mortgage business?
Wil Armstrong: i’m a big believer that parents, not the government, should make the decisions regarding how their kids are educated. I’m for school choice, am a strong believer in charters, and home school alternatives… whatever works best to educate kids. I’d add that competition can make our schools better.
Peter: Mr. Armstrong, what is your stance on keeping the Bush tax cuts?
Ken: And what is your plan for the war in Iraq
Wil Armstrong: i also believe that we must have strong public schools.
Wil Armstrong: As for the tax cuts, I believe we must make the tax cuts permanent.
Shelly: Thank you!
Peter: Thanks! I have another question, if that is alright: you claim that business experiance is important. How will business experience help you in Congress?
Kevin: How much of your own money have you spent so far? And how much of your personal wealth do intend on spending on this campaign when it is all said and done?
Wil Armstrong: The Democrats prescription for an ailing economy is to raise taxes… We need to cut personal rates, and drive rates on capital gains much lower if we’re going to spur our economy.
Dan Haley: Just an FYI, Wil is trying to answer questions as fast as he can but the overwhelming traffic slows it down. Congratulations to whatever campaign is working to shut down this chat by flooding it.
Wil Armstrong: In Congress, we have lots of political experience… look at what it’s gotten us.
Wil Armstrong: My business experience will give me a unique Main Street perspective on health care, taxes, regulation, and immigration enforcement that the career politicians in Congress just don’t have.
Stan: Wil, how do you plan to handle healthcare
John: I have seen your commercials and have 2 questions? What businesses did you run and what exactly did u do there? Do you think your attack ads against the other three candidates are benficial for our party?
Wil Armstrong: Health care decisions should be made between you and your doctor… not you, your doctor, and the government. That’s why I’m for individual ownership of health care – like health savings accounts, the ability to shop across state lines, and the tax deductibility of premiums for individuals.
Ken: What is your policy on Iraq?
Jenna: Wil, I’m also concerned about our Party, like John. It seems like many party leaders are backing YOU. Why is that?
Wil Armstrong: I think we should allow for unlimited contributions to HSA’s on a tax advantaged basis for individuals.
Wil Armstrong: On Iraq… I’m greatly encouraged by the success of the surge. I stand with John McCain, our troops on the ground, and the 25 million or so Iraqis who want freedom.
Wil Armstrong: I believe that we’re well down the road toward achieving Security in the region. Congress’s role is to provide the necessary resources for our troops on the ground and to provide strong oversight.
Ken: Do you support a timetable for withdrawl?
Wil Armstrong: Ultimately… in the long term, I believe we need to work with the Iraqi government to insure stability – rule of law, reliable financial systems, infrastructure like water and electricity… all leading to a prosperous state.
Wil Armstrong: I do not support a timetable for withdrawal.
Stan: Do you have a family Wil?
Wil Armstrong: As for my endorsements, I’m encouraged by the support I’ve received from Governor Romney, Governor Owens, Senator Allard, and AG Suthers. I think they realize that times have changed in Washington and we need more real world experience there… not more politics as usual.
Mike: Do you think you would have got those without your dad?
Ken: What Mike was attempting to say was how has your father impacted your campaign (without a cheapshot at your family)?
Wil Armstrong: I’m also proud of the 350+ grassroots volunteers who’ve come out to actively support my campaign. We broke a record for petition signatures to get on the ballot, and now believe we’ve got the momentum that will lead us to victory on August 12th.
Wil Armstrong: Mike, you reference my Dad… I’m sure glad to have his support and help… my Mom’s too. They’ve both been great role models for me through the years and taught me about service in our community, at church, and in public service.
Mike: Thats great but you didn’t answer my question. Do you think without your dad’s connections you would have earned these endorsements?
Kyle: What is your plan to address the energy problem? Will you promote drilling in America and Off Shore?
Jenna: Do you support what’s been going on with ethanol?
Wil Armstrong: Stan… my family has been very helpful in the campaign. My wife Kristy, 9th grader Elisabeth, 6th grader Kathryn, and 3rd grader Jack… have all helped make my run for Congress a family affair.
Stan: Thanks Wil!
Wil Armstrong: Energy is an issue that I think the voters are way ahead of the career politicians. For months, people have been telling me as I walk door to door that we need a more thoughtful energy plan.
Joan: Wil, I read that Jared Polis has put millions of dollars into his own campaign. Have you or any of your opponents done that same, and if so how much?
Wil Armstrong: Specifically, I believe we must pursue alternatives AND domestic production today.
Michelle: A questin was asked earler… How much of your own money have you spent on your campaign and how much of your own money will you spend in total?
Wil Armstrong: I’ve been for drilling in ANWR, off the coasts, for natural gas development on the Roan… am a believer we must pursue nuclear and other alternatives like wind, solar, thermal.
Kyle: Where do you stand on Oil Shale technology
Dan Haley: Wil, lots of folks interested in how much you’re putting into your campaign. That will all be public record eventually, but can you give us an estimate?
Wil Armstrong: Let’s not buy into the false argument that we can either have a clean environment or more domestic traditional exploration. We must do both for our national security and economic security
Wil Armstrong: I supported Senator Allard’s proposal to allow for more oil shale development and permitting. Look, we’ve got to have a long term strategic plan for energy and Congress just doesn’t seem to get it.
Kyle: Back to healthcare, do you support universal government payed coverage?
Wil Armstrong: Our campaign’s financial reports are going to be released in a few days.
Kyle: paid*
Jenna: If you’re elected, what are your TOP priorities?
Dan Haley: 10 minute warning.
Wil Armstrong: I don’t believe that any kind of government signal payer system will work. Honestly, as someone who’s had to deal with the government in the business world, I agree with Reagan… and “am just glad we’re not getting all the government we’re paying for.
Kyle: thanks
Pete J: When you say you supported, you mean as a private citizen or from your mortgage business. You haven’t been in elected office have you?
Wil Armstrong: More individual freedom, choice, and responsibility are the best cures for our health care system.
Kyle: I would like to second Jenna’s question about yout top priorities if you are elected
Wil Armstrong: My top priorities are: 1) a sensible long term energy plan; 2) Budget reform to get spending and wasteful earmarks under control; and 3) make sure that our immigration laws are being funded and enforced.
Foster: What makes you a better candidate than your competitiors?
Wil Armstrong: While we have four good candidates in the race, I believe we need more career businessmen and women – real world experience back in Congress. I don’t think we’re lacking in political experience – that which my opponents have; rather, I imagine a Congress with more doctors, ranchers, teachers, etc.
Wil Armstrong: I think we need citizen legislators to get our country, Congress, and our party here in Colorado back on track.
Michelle: What as the head of the Mortgage Lenders Association did you do to curttail ths current fiasco?
Michelle: *of Colorao:
Jenna: Would you sign a term limits pledge?
Kyle: Thanks Wil for tking the time to chat with us. Is there anything you want to mention that you didnt have the chance to say.
Wil Armstrong: Thanks for the opportunity. We need more real world people in Congress who have dealt with the issues of the day on Main Street… people who have dealt with the working end of regulations, taxes, health care and the economy.
Candy Nunez: I’ve heard you speak at my women’s club. You mentioned you have had many successes and even a few failures. Could you elaborate? In particular I heard a rumor about a mortgage company you owned in California that went bankrupt. Is this true?
Wil Armstrong: While I support the ideal of term limits, but unless it is enacted by all of Congress it’s self defeating… the good guys come home and the career politicians stay forever.
Dan Haley: Thanks to all 700-some folks who joined us today. It was a record-breaking day. I invite you all to stay here and click away the afternoon. Come back tomorrow, all 700 if you, for Mike Coffman at noon. And special thanks to Wil, for handling all of the questions and taking time out of his busy campaign schedule.
Foster: Thanks Wil!
Kyle: Thanks Wil.
Stan: Thank you Mr. Armstrong
Wil Armstrong: Thanks everyone!
