The Sun Gazette offered candidates for the 8th Congressional District seat on the Nov. 4 ballot the opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer session.
Democrat Don Beyer and Libertarian Jeffrey Carson responded to the request; their replies are printed below. Candidates were given a finite number of words for their total response to all questions, but no specific limit for each individual response.
What is the single NATIONAL issue you plan to give the most attention to during the next two years if elected to Congress?
Beyer: Climate change is the single greatest issue of our time and we must act soon to abate it. I will work to pass a carbon tax, which would finally put a price on this pollutant. Much of the revenue from the tax would be returned to low and middle-income households, so that the tax is truly progressive.
Carson: Our spending/debt problem! I’m the only candidate in the race that intends to actually reduce overall (on net) spending. I’m also the only candidate that intends to pass a balanced budget amendment. In other words, I’m the only fiscal conservative in the race, and it’s not even close.
Between my Democrat and Republican opponents, I’m also the only candidate that intends to pursue a non-interventionist foreign policy, end the drug war and eliminate corporate welfare – every dime of it!
What single LOCAL issue (to Northern Virginia) is one that a member of Congress can have the most impact on?
Beyer: As a member of Congress, I will work to improve the economic conditions of Northern Virginia through passage of a national budget, passage of President Obama’s infrastructure plan and raising of the minimum wage, among other actions.
Carson: I’m always going to be just a phone call away for the many hard-working state delegates and senators here in this district. I’d prefer to leave the local issues to them, generally speaking, as I have a high confidence in their abilities, and they would no doubt be the subject-matter experts.
Assign President Obama a letter grade for leadership during his six years in office, and explain.
Beyer: I ran the transition team at the Commerce Department in 2008-09 for President Obama and served as his ambassador to Switzerland, so I am a longstanding fan of his vision and his optimism. I would give him an A-minus for the improved economy, deficit reduction, passage of long overdue improvements to American health care and his efforts on climate change.
Carson: I actually remember the day he got elected, one of the few times in my adult life I was tearing up. At the time I was so happy because I thought that we, as an American people, really learned some lessons regarding the last administration, on our interventionist foreign policy, the drug war, the erosion of our civil liberties and so on. We elected a smart guy from Harvard who was going to come in, talk straight and tell the truth. I was excited. I could relate to him. Most of all, I was hopeful.
Today, I’m sad to say, I’m no longer hopeful about this presidency. I’m just utterly disappointed. I think I stand with a lot of voters out there who really wanted this president to succeed and unite people. But after six years, we’ve just seen the partisanship and silly political games get worse. And if we want to blame things on the Republicans or Democrats, fine, but at the end of the day, the buck stops with the guy in charge. Leadership grade, D-minus.
Which party do you expect to control Congress in the next session, and how will that impact how you would approach your first term in office?
Beyer: The House of Representatives will remain under Republican control for now and the U.S. Senate will, I believe, remain Democratic. I know that I must be a bipartisan problem solver. I have a proven record of working across party lines to bring people together, and I will continue this work in Congress.
Carson: Odds are the Republicans are going to take control of the Senate and retain control of the House. This will have zero impact on how I approach my first term.
Rep. Moran has been in office for more than two decades. What will his legacy be?
Beyer: Jim is a longstanding friend and my deep respect and appreciation for him only grew during this campaign season. His legacy will be that of someone who had a constant energy and presence throughout the district and who worked tirelessly, as did his staff, to find solutions to the district’s largest issues, and to also pay heed to the needs of every citizen who came to them.
Carson: No idea. Not my concern.