Raising Kaine recently had the privilege of interviewing David Ashe, a Democratic candidate for U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. As you may recall, Ashe - a U.S. Marine who served in Iraq and who continues as a Marine Corps reservist - ran against right wing Republican incumbent Thelma Drake in 2004, and lost (by a relatively small margin in a strongly Republican district formerly represented by homophobic closet case, Ed Schrock). Now, he's trying again, although he first must defeat a Democratic opponent named Troy Farlow. Anyway, on to the interview!
1) Why, in your own words, have you decided to run for the U.S House of Representatives?
Once you get a taste for public service, it's hard to give it up. During my seven years of active duty, and during my deployments to Kuwait and Iraq, I saw outstanding leadership and service. I want to bring my experience and training to bear to help ensure the strength of our economy, the security of our region and the vision of freedom of our forefathers.
Like thousands of Virginians, I am thrilled with Tim Kaine?s victory. His success proves that voters value true leadership and reject the culture of negativity. Like thousands of Virginians, I spent 13 hours at the polls on election day helping to ensure voters knew that Tim Kaine fights for working families. I also had the pleasure of hosting Tim for a fundraiser and speaking on his behalf around the district. It was an honor to have played a small part in the efforts and to
have gained a terrific preview of what we'll accomplish together in 2006.
2) You currently have a primary opponent, Troy Farlow. What sets you apart from him, and what will you do for the Eastern Shore if and when you win?
I think very highly of Troy Farlow. If runs for other public office, I will support him. However, my experience and aptitude for this office, and for this campaign, is battle-tested and battle-hardened. Thousands who voted for President Bush split their ticket and did not vote for the incumbent. I plan to earn their votes, and more, again.
I personally knocked on just under 10,000 doors, I shook 15,000 hands and made over 11,000 phone calls. I made this personal contact with the families of Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore because that kind of personal contact is representative of how I will conduct myself when elected.
By the way, the Democratic primary may not be the only primary in the Second District.
Regarding the part of the question about the Eastern Shore; as a Hampton Roads native, I am a regular on the Eastern Shore, either on the ground or fishing 50 feet from it. When elected, I will help ensure that residents of the Eastern Shore enjoy the balance of a strong economy with the quiet, beautiful quality of life they enjoy today.
3) What are your main criticisms of Thelma Drake, the current Representative from the 2nd District? Do you believe, for example, that she is too far to the right on issues like abortion and civil liberties?
If the incumbent was doing a good job, I would not run against her. But, she is not, so I am. As a veteran and as a voter, I am deeply disappointed by her performance so far. As the campaign moves forward, I will detail my fact-based, issue-oriented criticisms of her campaign. Immediate examples include her failures in the BRAC process, her enthusiastic effort to bring government control into our personal lives, and the re-direction of $10.8 million of taxpayer money so that Pat Robertson can have his own highway project. The incumbent never misses an opportunity to disappoint me. As for her campaign style, she has demonstrated that no low is too low, and I doubt that will change in her next campaign.
4) If you had been a member of Congress in 2002, would you have voted to authorize President Bush to use force in Iraq?
Yes. Though there was no connection between Hussein and 9/11, Saddam was a threat before 9/11 and this did not change over time. However, let me say this about those who opposed the decision to use force: Those who dissent are patriots who love their country. The arguments that I have heard against the use of force are principled and reasoned, even though I disagree. Those who attack, denigrate and otherwise discourage principled, reasoned dissent should be ashamed of themselves.
5) Regardless of how you would have voted on Iraq, what would you do now? Immediate withdrawal, exit strategy, or "stay the course?"
There is no soundbite answer to this. Our foremost objective is, and will remain, an independent Iraq that needs no American troop presence. Return of our service members is a priority. However, we cannot immediately withdraw. The Iraqis are attempting to stand up a new government. And, a government must have muscle. Unfortunately, the disastrous lack of post-war planning has resulted in an absence of a functioning Iraqi military and security forces. I spent months on the streets of Iraq all day every day. My fellow service members and I gave 100% every day. However, our efforts were hindered by the failures of Paul Bremer and others charged with post-war structure.
I trained countless Iraqi police and then patrolled the streets with them. The new Iraqi police and soldiers are brave, but they are still under-resourced. When they can stand on their own, then the new government can stand on its own, and we'll have reached a point where we can begin significant withdrawal. As well, I keep in touch with many of my Iraqi sadiirq (friends) who help me understand the divisions and tension between the tribes and the various Muslim sects.
6) Do you believe that the President lied to the country in order to take us to war in Iraq? Specifically, do you believe that the supposed connection between Saddam Hussein and 9/11 was exaggerated to help convince Congress and the American people to support the war?
The failures in intelligence gathering and intelligence analysis do not change the fact that Saddam was a threat even before 9/11.
7) Recently, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation?s annual State of the Bay report gave the Bay an overall health rating of "D." The Foundation's President, William C. Baker, was quoted as saying, Today, more than halfway to the 2010 target date, instead of seeing significantly improved water quality, we have a bay that is dangerously out of balance and in critical condition. Obviously, that's not acceptable. If elected to Congress, what would you do to restore this invaluable and amazing ecosystem? In general, do you consider yourself a strong environmentalist?
I'll debate many things in Congress, but the issue of whether we should poison the water we drink, the air we breathe and the soil we plant is not up for debate. A strong environment equals a strong economy. Period. The Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act have demonstrated effectiveness and must be supported. As well, our community leaders have taken the initiative with outstanding projects such as Lynnhaven River 2007. And, I strongly encourage everyone to join the Sierra Club and to attend their regular meetings.
8) What is your opinion of President Bush's current nominee to the Supreme Court, Samuel Alito? In general, what is your philosophy regarding the role of the Federal courts - do you believe they should be "strict constructionists," "neutral referees," "judicial activists," or none of the above? Also, should nominees to Federal courts face a "litmus test" on abortion or any other issue?
You don't have to be a lawyer like me to love the Constitution and you don't have to be a US Marine like me to want to protect it. Judges apply the law, legislatures make the law. It?s simple as that. I disagree with Samuel Alito's opposition to a woman's right to choose. If confirmed, I pray he will apply the law, respect precedence and protect women from government control of their bodies.
9) Are you more of a "free trader" or "fair trader" in terms of international economic policy? Do you believe that labor, environmental and human rights guarantees should be part of trade agreements?
Again, there is no soundbite answer to this. Proponents of agreements like CAFTA shamefully leave out the critical parts of the analysis: Labor standards. There is no worker like an American worker. However, American companies can find cheap labor overseas. And, there is a reason: Workers in some countries have no ability to enforce their rights or demand a living wage. Chinese workers have only the minimum amounts of salary, safety and rest to keep them alive, no more.
In the United States, miserable sweatshop conditions are a thing of the past thanks to the efforts of union workers and leaders. When we turn a blind eye to sweatshop labor, as we?ve done with CAFTA, we threaten American jobs.
10) What is your view of the PATRIOT Act? In general, what is your view of the tradeoff between security and civil liberties, 4 years after 9/11?
I was on active duty when the PATRIOT Act was passed and have a thorough understanding of how it works. There are very important operations enabled by the Act but much of the Act?s effectiveness is overshadowed by some of the sensational aspects of it, such as the ability to monitor library check-out habits. Part of the problem was the extremely rushed and emotionally charged nature of the Act. After all, it was passed in September of 2001. The PATRIOT Act should be revisited, with proper time for comment and critique. Then, when public trust has been earned, it can be reauthorized and then more wholly endorsed by the American people.
11) Which past President do you most admire and why?
President Truman. He was not driven by polls or pundits, he was driven by a desire for accomplishment. Perhaps my next most admired president will be Mark Warner?
12) If you had been a member of Congress in 2001 and 2002, would you have voted for President Bush's huge tax cuts? Given that we are at war and are running huge budget deficits, would you support a repeal of these cuts, at least for the wealthiest Americans?
As Mark Warner has shown us, responsible government means paying bills. Who among us would counsel our children, friends or colleagues to spend recklessly and ignore debt? The incumbent has repeatedly stated that wealthier Americans deserve more tax relief. I disagree. All Americans deserve tax relief, but the 2001 round of tax cuts did not provide equal tax relief.
13) Some people have drawn analogies between you and Paul Hackett, if for no other reason than you are both Democrats who served in Iraq. Do you believe that this analogy is accurate?
There are many proud Democrats in the Marine Corps and Paul and I are just two of them. It?s very natural and important for veterans to reach out to fellow veterans. Paul and I disagree on a few issues, but he proved to all of us that he is a man of principle and potential. I even have a few Marine Corps buddies who were stationed with Paul on Okinawa. If people have compared Paul and I, I?m proud of such a comparison.