Hawaii Tribune-Herald – Candidate Questionnaire
August 24, 2004

Responses of Mike Gabbard, Candidate for Congress

1. Why are you running for elected office?
Being raised in a military and Catholic family dedicated to service, I’ve always been motivated by the desire to be of service to people. I am offering to serve the people in Congress because I feel that’s where I can do the most good.

• Homeland security, national defense. Nothing is more important than the safety of our family and loved ones.
• Improve economy. Balance budget by cutting waste; reduce spending and save hundreds of billions by moving more quickly to hand over defense of Iraq to Iraqis.
• Improve education. Reduce size of Federal DOE so there will be more funds for Hawaii’s schools.

3. What’s the best way to end America’s occupation of Iraq?
Iraq is not just a problem—it’s an emergency. We need to speed up the training of Iraqi security forces and properly equip them so they can stand on their own. Americans are providing Iraqi people with the opportunity for democracy, but the Iraqis must seize it.

The fact that my daughter Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo has volunteered to serve in Iraq as a member of Hawaii’s Army National Guard gives me a uniquely personal perspective on America’s role in Iraq.

4. What can Congress do to reduce the number of jobs being sent oversees?
Congress should reduce the cost of doing business in America. Congress needs to recognize that small businesses are the heart and soul of the American economy and must act to reduce the tax and regulatory burden on small businesses so it’s less expensive to do business here at home.