Ross Anderson says debating Merrill Cook on the issues is like nailing Jell-O to the wall - he's all over the place.
Cook, the GOP candidate in the 2nd Congressional District, says that Anderson's criticisms are unfair, that when someone is in the public arena for a decade - as he's been - making statements on all kinds of issues, either one's stands will naturally evolve or an opponent can "twist" or "take out of context" previous statements to make you look bad. Either way, Cook says Anderson has flip-flopped on a couple of issues himself.Anderson, the Democratic candidate, says he can prove Cook's duplicity. He has a three-page list of statements made by Cook over the years which, on one side, shows a Cook statement and on the other side another Cook statement that Anderson believes modifies the original statement or contradicts it.
Asked about some of those "contradictions" several weeks ago, Cook said some of the comments were taken out of context. In another instance involving a radio debate, Cook said that he corrected an admitted misstatement but that Anderson doesn't ever acknowledge the correction.
Still, in answering two Deseret News questionnaires on the same issues, one before the June 25 primary election and the other now, just before the Nov. 5 general election, Cook did answer several questions differently.
For example, Cook said in June that he opposes an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would specifically ban desecration of the American flag but favors a constitutional amendment that would allow states, on their own, to criminalize flag desecration.
On his October questionnaire, Cook said he supports a flag desecration amendment that would ban the practice in the federal Constitution.
In June, Cook said he opposes the Brady law, which requires a waiting period for handgun purchases. In October, Cook said: "I support the Brady gun-control law but would prefer instantaneous background checks in lieu of waiting periods."
In June, Cook said he opposes declaring tobacco a drug and thus putting it under Food and Drug Administration regulation. "As opposed as I am to tobacco," Cook said then, "I fear federal over-regulation and specifically the overreaching authority of the FDA." In October, Cook said he agrees that tobacco is a drug. Cook then condemned the use of tobacco, saying it kills people and preys especially on young people. Cook said that if the FDA can regulate tobacco in a way that reduces consumption without criminalizing the drug's use, "then I am in favor of it (placing tobacco under FDA regulation)." "The better approach is to ban all advertising of tobacco products and end the tobacco subsidies," Cook said.
Finally, Cook said in the June questionnaire that "light rail is not a proposal I support. Light rail doesn't work." In October, Cooksaid "I have been opposed to light rail" and that other mass transit alternatives are better. However, Cook said by the time he takes office, if elected, light rail "will already be a done deal. I have said I won't be an obstructionist." If light rail is coming, Cook said he wants to ensure that the Utah Transit Authority doesn't push through a tax increase to pay for it.
On the other side, Cook said Anderson has flip-flopped on same-sex marriages. Anderson denies that.
Before the June primary, Anderson said gays and lesbians should have the same rights as everybody else, and that the principle applied to marriage as well. Laws against same-sex marriages will be seen in 10 or 20 years the same way we today view old laws against mixed-race marriages - outdated and wrong, Anderson said. After he won the primary, Anderson issued a statement saying that on the touchy issue of same-sex marriages, if a bill dealing with that issue ever comes before the U.S. House, he'll poll his constituents on the bill and vote as most say he should. (Polls show that 60 percent of 2nd District residents oppose same-sex marriages). However, he wouldn't vote for a bill that he believes to be unconstitutional, even if most of the constituents say he should. In an October debate, Anderson repeated his belief that gays and lesbians should be treated like everyone else regarding marriage.
In both the June and October questionnaires Anderson declined to directly answer a question about same-sex marriages, instead saying in both answers that same-sex marriages should not be a federal issue.
Besides answering the Deseret News questionnaire (see table), Anderson and Cook also answered a long, detailed questionnaire put out by Project Vote Smart, a nonpartisan political education group. That questionnaire covers dozens of issues and can be viewed in its entirety on the World Wide Web (http://www.vote-smart.org).
Some major issues on the Project Vote Smart questionnaire:
Budgetary issues - On AIDS programs, Anderson wants greatly increased spending; Cook says maintain spending. On education, Anderson says maintain spending; Cook says spend slightly less. On the environment, Anderson says slightly increase spending; Cook says maintain spending. On job training, Anderson says slightly increase spending; Cook says slightly decrease it. On law enforcement, both say maintain spending. On Medicare, Anderson says slightly decrease spending; Cook says maintain spending. On the space program, Anderson says greatly decrease spending; Cook says slightly decrease it. On student loan programs, Anderson says maintain status; Cook says slightly decrease spending.
Health care - Anderson says implement a universal health care program and/or provide vouchers so the working poor can buy private health care. Cook supports "managed competition," allowing middle- and low-income families to deduct yearly health care costs and setting limits on medical malpractice lawsuits. They both support tax incentives for small businesses that provide employee health care, and they both favor tax-free medical savings accounts.
Welfare - Cook wants to limit welfare payments to two years for people able to work, require unwed mothers to live with their parents (if possible) and attend school to get welfare and limit benefits to single women who have additional children while on welfare. Anderson disagrees with Cook on those matters, but the pair agree on other welfare issues in the questionnaire.
Military spending - Anderson wants to slightly decrease spending on CIA, defense plant conversions and military hardware, and greatly decrease spending on military space shuttle missions and development of new hardware. Anderson says eliminate spending on the Strategic Defense Initiative and maintain spending on armed forces training and personnel pay. Cook says maintain spending in all military categories, but slightly decrease spending on SDI.
Block grants - Anderson says don't give block grants to the states for education, farm subsidies, food stamps, Medicaid, Medicare, school lunches and welfare. Cook says do give block grants for education, agriculture, farm subsidies, food stamps, school lunches and welfare.
Education - Anderson supports "Goals 2000" standards and wants to increase spending on preschool programs. Anderson is against a constitutional amendment to allow voluntary prayer in schools; he's for the AmeriCorps program. Cook is for a school prayer amendment and against AmeriCorps. Cook favors parental vouchers to allow children to attend any public school or any private or religious school.
Environment - Anderson and Cook agree on several issues, including strengthening the Clean Air Act. But Anderson would increase grazing fees on federal lands; Cook wouldn't. Anderson would increase the amount charged mining companies using federal lands; Cook wouldn't. Cook would require the federal government to reimburse citizens when environmental regulations limit private land use; Anderson wouldn't.
Abortion - Anderson says abortions should be legal in all circumstances within the first trimester; Cook says abortions should be legal only in cases of incest and rape or to protect life of the mother.
Guns - Anderson says increase restrictions on the purchase and possession of firearms and maintain all federal registration and restrictions now in place. Cook says repeal all bans and measures that restrict law-abiding citizens from owning legally obtained firearms and allow good citizens to carry legally obtained and registered concealed firearms.
Term limits - Anderson doesn't support limits; Cook says he supports 12-year limits for both House and Senate members.
*****
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
U.S. Congress - 2nd District
What is the main issue facing the 2nd District, and how would you address it?
MERRILL COOK
There are two. First is crime; second is growth and transportation. Stop illegal immigration by beefing up the INS. Stop drugs at the border. Most crime fighting is at a local level, but we can strengthen families, which would help keep kids out of gangs and off drugs. I want to sit on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee so I can ensure sufficient funds for I-15, light rail without a tax increase, the Legacy (highway) Project. Those will help cut air pollution in the county.
ROSS ANDERSON
The security of our citizens - physical, social and financial. I support community-oriented police programs, zero tolerance for drug dealers, responsible regulation of gun sales, vigorous prosecution of violent gangs. I'll oppose tax cuts primarily benefiting the wealthy; oppose cuts for the needy in Social Security and Medicare; oppose cuts for education, Head Start, child nutrition, Title I and low-cost housing.
Do you favor President Clinton's 1.7-million-acre national monument in southern Utah?
MERRILL COOK
I'm not opposed to the designation per se. Much of the land may deserve such protection. But I oppose the process, which was predatory, arbitrary and capricious. I think Utahns deserve a say in all public-land management. Luckily, Congress can redraw the boundaries, if necessary.
ROSS ANDERSON
I favor the designation and will work effectively in negotiating with the federal government to assure that Utah's schools are treated fairly in conjunction with the trade of school trust lands.
How much wilderness should Congress adopt for Utah?
MERRILL COOK
We should stop shouting and work together. I want to study the matter fully, then come to a conclusion. I don't support Interior Secretary Babbitt's re-inventory of land, but we still must make it fair, legal and honest.
ROSS ANDERSON
I support HR1500, which would protect as wilderness 5.7 million acres. I also support a new inventory of wilderness so that all disputes can be resolved in good faith.
In the next two years would you ever vote to increase a tax?
MERRILL COOK
No.
ROSS ANDERSON
I will vote to increase alcohol and tobacco taxes. I support a $20,000 annual cap on home-mortgage interest deductions so taxpayers no longer subsidize vacation homes and mortgages that exceed $300,000.
What taxes, if any, do you want cut over the next two years and why?
MERRILL COOK
I think we need to reform the entire tax system to make it flatter and fairer. I support Bob Dole's 15 percent tax cut because I believe that American families need to keep more money to care for their families. All benefit from a tax cut, which would get the economy growing faster.
ROSS ANDERSON
I support a cut that would directly benefit middle-class working men and women. I strongly support tuition tax credits and tax-exempt savings accounts for medical costs, job training and higher education.
Do you favor or oppose light-rail mass transit in Salt Lake County?
MERRILL COOK
I have been opposed to light rail. I believe other alternatives, such as commuter rail, would have a bigger impact on congestion. However, by the time I take office, if elected, light rail will already be a done deal. I won't be an obstructionist. I want to ensure that UTA doesn't come back to taxpayers to make up any shortfall.
ROSS ANDERSON
I favor light rail running from 100th South to South Temple. I'll work with UTA to ensure a better transportation system, especially in the western part of (Salt Lake) county, which now is underserved.
Do you favor balanced-budget, flag-desecration or anti-abortion amendments to the Constitution? Do you favor laws allowing same-sex marriages; the federal death penalty; the Brady gun-control law; or declaring tobacco a drug, thus placing its use under FDA regulation?
MERRILL COOK
I support a balanced-budget amendment, support a flag-desecration amendment, support an anti-abortion amendment. I oppose laws allowing same-sex marriages, support the federal death penalty. I support the Brady gun-control law, but I prefer instantaneous background checks in lieu of waiting periods. Of course tobacco is a drug; it kills people, and we must do everything we can to keep it out of the hands of young people. But 22 percent of Americans are addicted to tobacco, and (FDA regulation) could result in the arrest, prosecution and imprisonment of up to 40 million Americans. If the FDA can regulate in a way that reduces consumption without criminalizing tobacco use by adults, then I favor (FDA regulation).
ROSS ANDERSON
I favor a balanced-budget amendment. I oppose a flag-desecration amendment. As offensive as flag-burning may be, it's a constitutionally protected symbolic expression. I oppose an anti-abortion amendment; let's stop dividing our country over this issue and dedicate ourselves to preventing unwanted pregnancies. The federal government shouldn't deal with same-sex marriages. I have a personal moral objection to the death penalty, but don't expect my personal views to impact federal legislation. I support the Brady law. I favor existing FDA regulation of tobacco as a drug.
Anderson's question for Cook: You stated two years ago that "the idea we can give tax cuts and balance the budget is an out-and-out fraud." Now you advocate huge tax breaks that would benefit primarily the wealthy. Specifically, how do you propose balancing our budget while significantly cutting revenue?
MERRILL COOK
I led the fight on about every tax-limitation proposal in Utah. I have always said, "Cut taxes and reduce government." As demonstrated by Ronald Reagan, tax cuts stimulate the economy and result in higher revenue to the treasury. The Republican Party's tax-cut proposal will result in the average Utah family getting $150 a month more. I believe that families are best able to decide what is best for them.
Cook's question for Anderson: You said that the state of Utah murdered William Andrews, convicted of the notorious HiFi Shop murders. Many Utahns support the death penalty. Please explain why you accused the state of murder, why you oppose the death penalty, and why your position wouldn't make you an ineffective crime fighter in Congress against international terrorists.
ROSS ANDERSON
You, Merrill, stated that religious and racial prejudice contributed to different sentences for William Andrews and (convicted bomber-murderer) Mark Hoffman. Rather than simply talking about it, I have worked hard as a private citizen to fight crime, bringing two killers to justice, protecting the rights of crime victims and advocating restitution programs.
Anderson's question for Cook: You've spent over $3 million running unsuccessfully for various public offices. In the primary this year you spent more than all other candidates combined. Do you think it is appropriate for you to try to buy your way into public office?
MERRILL COOK
I believe you fail only when you stop trying. I believe in the causes I support, like lower taxes and smaller government. I've spent time in every part of this district listening to people. My most recent FEC report proves my message is supported by mainstream groups and individuals.
Cook's question for Anderson: Many Utahns believe that marriage is a sacred institution, ordained by God and sanctioned by society. Would you please explain your support for same-sex marriages?
ROSS ANDERSON
We should all respect each other, regardless of our religion or sexual orientation. We should demonstrate love and compassion for each other, and promote dignity and equal treatment under the law for all, rather than seeking political advantage by exploiting prejudices and fears that divide our community. Same-gender marriage will not be decided by Congress; it is a legal matter for the states and courts to decide.