State Sen. Steve Ward, who is running for the Republican nomination in Colorado’s 6th Congressional District, chatted with Denver Post readers on Wednesday, July 30. Following is a transcript.
Dan Haley: Welcome everyone to our noon chat with state Sen. Steve Ward. He should be joining us shortly.
Sarah: when will you post the Mike Coffman chat from yesterday
Dan Haley: The Coffman transcript should be showing up soon. It’s been posted but there’s often a delay before it appears on the page.
Dan Haley: Coffman transcript is now available.
Dan Haley: Hang with us, folks. Sen. Ward will be on shortly.
Steve Ward: Good afternoon
Dan Haley: Thanks Sen. Ward for taking time out of your day to be with us. I know this is the time of day when you’re normally walking the district, so thanks. Let’s get started. Keep your questions concise. Sen. Ward, if you need more space to answer a question, hit Shout and keep typing.
Dan Haley: Tell us why Republicans in the 6th CD should choose you over the others?
Steve Ward: Dan- Broader defense and national security experience. Record of results achieved in public office – roads and highways built, budgets balanced, taxes actually cut, water system, new jail built and largely paid for. In short, the best record of actually making limited govenment work.
doug: Col Ward – what are you going to do in Congress to cut the price of gasoline? This is killing my business.
Steve Ward: Short term: announce to the world that we are going to drill more and utilize domestic resources.
Steve Ward: Off shore, Alaska.
Steve Ward: Three year horizon: adopt an Open Fuels standard for auto manufacturers so there can be competition at the pump.
Steve Ward: Competition at the pump from alternative fuels will put downward pressure on prices.
Steve Ward: Long term, a prize for the development of batteries that can power electric cars and plug-in hybrids.
Steve Ward: Our current failed policies are raising prices and forcing us to fund both sides of the War on Terror
Steve Ward: Note that changing policies to allow more domestic drilling will not result in more oil overnight, but it will signal to the markets that more oil is coming.
Seth: What does that mean? fund both sides of the war on terror?
Frank: Hi, Steve. How do we get out of Iraq without causing a bigger problem?
Steve Ward: We are funding both sides of the War on Terror when we purchase oil from countries like Saudi Arabia. Worldwide oil demand is also funding regimes like that in Iran.
Steve Ward: Iran is using its oil revenue to export weapons to kill our troops in Iraq and, now, Afghanistan.
Steve Ward: We get out of Iraq a bit more thoughtfully than we went in. With a plan. Currently, there is no real blue print for success, just more troops on the ground.
Steve Ward: The outstanding work of our troops on the ground must be matched by corresponding efforts by other agencies and elements of national power.
Steve Ward: Let’s force the State Department, for example, to step up with it first string.
doug: What about afghanistan?
Steve Ward: Afghanistan is different from Iraq. I have served in both. We need to reengage militarily on the ground in Afghanistan.
doug: Why haven’t we found OBL?
Kelly: Senator Ward, should nuclear energy play a role in our energy future?
Steve Ward: The Congress has a role, not to micromanage, but to bring accountability to effort in Afghanistan to find OBL. Seven years on and he is still out there?
Steve Ward: Kelly – Nuclear, wind, coal, solar. All good, but all generate electricity. Electricity does not power our cars.
Steve Ward: Much of the oil we import goes to the liquid fuels for our cars, trucks and planes. That is where we need to focus the very creative energy of our country in finding alternatives.
Dan Haley: The 6th’s current rep has made a name for himself on immigration. Do you differ from Tancredo on immigration. If so, how?
Steve Ward: Long term, an electric or gas-electric plug-in hybrid technology may make nuclear and wind power useful for powering our cars. In the short term, we need alternative liquid fuels that compete for your energy dollars at the pump.
Steve Ward: Dan- we need to tone down the rhetoric and ramp up the results. The borders are still not secure. We need to secure them from those who mean us harm, while finding ways to accomodate those who wish to come here – legally – to work.
Steve Ward: Dan- Putting border security into a national security framework would allow for the building of a broader political consensus to actually get something done.
Alice: What do you think government’s role is on health care? How can I afford it?
doug: Could we talk about the economy? Between gas prices, mandatory minimum wage, trying not to hire undo***ented workers, health insurance, my small construction biz is hurting.
Steve Ward: Dan- Do not focus just on our southern land border. The sea lanes and the Canadian border need attention as well.
Judi: Steve – All of you seem to be Christian men in this race, but I want to know what you’ve done to show your family values?
Steve Ward: Doug- Our economy – and your business and mine – are caught in a vice from prolonged Federal budget deficits and trade imbalances from energy imports that are degrading the value of the dollar and running up a hidden inflation.
Pete: Steve, some people have said you voted with the liberals all the time and helped push their legislation while halting ours. What would you say to critics who call you a RINO?
Steve Ward: Doug – Congress needs to restore fiscal sanity by balancing the budget and a national energy policy that keeps our energy dollars at home.
Steve Ward: Judi – My wife of 22 years and I have raised a healthy family.
Steve Ward: Pete- look at my voting record. I voted with the Dems about as many times as all the other Republicans. Please name one piece of Republican legislation I did not support? One? There is none.
Seth: What makes you think you can get anything done with the Democrats in control of Congress?
Steve Ward: Seth- Look at my voting record. I get things done without compromising my values. I just got a cut in the business personal property tax through a Democrat controlled legislature and signed by a Democrat governor. I know how to advance the Republican agenda even from a minority position.
Steve Ward: Seth- and remember, this question applies to all the candidates. Whoever gets elected will be a freshman in the minority.
Dan Haley: Steve, there was a question below about health care.
Steve Ward: Alice- “If you think health care is expensive now, wait until it is free.” Government centric solutions are not the answer. Consumers need more control over how our health care dollars are spent.
Judi: It seems like once someone goes to Washington, they change. How will stay connected to the people you represent?
Steve Ward: Alice – More emphasis on Health Savings Accounts, coupled with SImple Care type solutions. Give consumers more control, not the government and not the insurance companies.
Steve Ward: Judi- The same way I always have. My campaign team this year is the same one that was there when I ran for County Commissioner in 1996. They know I keep in touch.
doug: You said something about a contest to develop a bettery for electric cars?
Steve Ward: Judi- Our campaign this year has been the only one that has been out door to door every day. We get in touch, and we will stay in touch.
Steve Ward: Doug- I would prefer a prize type arrangement that places the emphasis on the private sector, not on a government program. The government can and should set national priorities — a man on the moon ( and back), split the atom, real energy independence. Let the markets develop the alternatives.
Judi: I’m worried about my retirement. If Obama wins, I think the economy will be in bad shape. What are your ideas about Social Security?
Pete: Door to door is great for a commissioner’s race. But with your lack of money, how are you going to get your message out?
Steve Ward: Judi- If you are worried about your retirement, you should be worried about Obama. And about Congress with its destructive borrow-and-spend habits that has degraded the value of the dollar and your retirement accounts. More . . .
Steve Ward: Judi- The real budget crunch at the Federal level will require entitlement reform. Entitlements are the largest part of the budget, and they grow every year. Privatizing S.S. for younger workers should be an option.
Mike: Wil Armstrong’s latest poll shows you in last place at 8%.If you dropped out who would you support?
Steve Ward: Pete- Door to door works when you knock on over 10,000 doors, and we have to date. Our message is getting out. And you can always send a check.
Steve Ward: Mike- Remember that old Mark Twain line? Lies, damned lies and statistics? Add polls to the list. There is only one poll I trust – we take it every day at the doors of Republican voters all over the district, and we are doing very well there. Then there is the poll that matters. That is 8/12.
Seth: Your website shows you’ve served all over the world, as a Marine Colonel, how do you evaluate the threat of terrorism now?
Steve Ward: Seth- The threat is real. Remember, AQ takes years to plan and execute its attacks.
Judi: Note to Pete – I’m voting for Steve because he came to my door. And I’m telling all my friends to vote for him too. He’s the only real one of the bunch – except, Ted, but he won’t win.
Dan Haley: We have about 15 minutes left. Fire off any final questions for Sen. Ward.
doug: Not to beat a dead horse (or an empty gas tank), but could explain about the “hidden inflation”?
Steve Ward: Doug- remember “demand pull” inflation, then there was “cost push” after the oil shocks in the ’70’s. The steady erosion in the value of the dollar has led to a different source of inflation, but it is having the same result. You are paying more for the same things. This time from a devalued $.
Seth: Steve – the only knock on you I’ve heard is that you’re too smart. I think Congress could use more intelligence.
Robert: Wil Armstrong has included you in the career politicians category. Given your track I would have to agree.
Steve Ward: Seth- Congress certainly needs something. Another Twain line comes to mind, but I will avoid repeating it at the moment.
Steve Ward: Robert – What track record are you referring to? The 27 year career in the Marines? The 15+ years in the private sector?
Steve Ward: Robert- or the 6 years I have spent in paid political offices? Hardly a career in politics.
catherine: why are you running?
Robert: Just seems like you don’t have the experience Wil has.
Steve Ward: Catherine- Because our country has serious issues that need to be addressed directly, and my opponents only like to give standard rhetorical answers. We need real solutions in Iraq. A real energy policy, economic and fiscal policies that make sense.
Steve Ward: Robert – You are correct. I have far more experience in far more areas that impact the constituents in the 6th CD than all of my opponents, including the one you are endorsing.
Dan Haley: Thanks to Sen. Steve Ward for taking time out of his campaign schedule to be with us, and thanks to everyone else who stopped by today. Come back tomorrow for our final chat with Ted Harvey.
Steve Ward: Dan- Thanks.
