McCaskill vs. Talent: Inside the issues
2006-10-02
Source: Kansas City Star
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rss feedThey agree that Americans should be allowed to import cheaper prescription drugs from other countries and that too many rules have handcuffed public education.
But Republican Sen. Jim Talent and Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill are on different planets as far as stem-cell research. And McCaskill is far more troubled than Talent by America's direction.
The Star's David Goldstein and Steve Kraske asked each of the candidates in the Missouri Senate race for their views on several prominent issues.
Privacy
What worries you more: that the government will not pass anti-terrorism laws that are strong enough, or that in fighting terrorism, it will damage civil liberties?
Talent: I'm much more worried about the terrorists than I am about the American government. I make a distinction between government surveillance on Americans domestically and foreign intelligence operations focusing on suspected terrorists.
McCaskill: I think it's a false choice being fueled by politics. We are a nation of laws, and there's absolutely no reason we cannot update our laws to embrace the new tools necessary to fight this unique kind of threat. We can effectively fight terror and still have a legal framework.
Iran
If the government becomes convinced that Iran is developing nuclear power for military use, should we take military action to stop them?
Talent: We cannot allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. There is a great danger that they would use them or give them to terrorists. We need to develop a united Western response or an approach to Iran that imposes sanctions on that country until it abandons its nuclear program or allows inspections. We also need to keep a military option on the table in case diplomatic efforts and economic sanctions are not successful.
McCaskill: Diplomacy needs to be embraced. We need to talk to Iran. Some of the toughest conversations occur face to face. We have really made Iran more powerful by the mistakes in Iraq. Obviously, you must always have the military option on the table. But it would be a grave mistake under present circumstances to take any kind of military action.
Health care
Should Americans be allowed to import cheaper prescription drugs from other countries?
Talent: Yes. I've always supported permitting reimportation through a process that guaranteed safety. Many of these drugs are manufactured in third world countries, and I want to make sure our consumers are protected. I have voted in the Senate to allow reimportation and support a provision in the Homeland Security funding bill that would allow U.S. citizens to bring a 90-day supply of prescription drugs for personal use back from Canada.
McCaskill: Absolutely. If Congress is going to remain under the thumb of the pharmaceutical industry, Americans ought to have the choice to import prescription drugs from other countries that haven’t been put under its spell.
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