Chris: Tonight on Hardball we will be talking to Democratic Presidential Candidate Lance Lillidge, the senior Senator from California.
Senator Lillidge, welcome to the program and let's play Hardball.
Sen. Lillidge: Thanks Chris for inviting me to your show.
Chris: Senator, it seems like the economy has overtaken the war in Iraq as the number one issue on the minds of Americans. What is your plan to get our economy moving?
Senator Lillidge: First Chris let me say that I believe you are right about the American people. There are millions of Americans who are having a tough time economically. President Bush has led us to a stagnant economy, high unemployment, higher fuel cost and losing jobs overseas. I believe that our middle class and low socio-economic class needs a tax break. Now that won't get people back to work but it would provide some relief to those having a hard time. I would not make the Bush tax cuts permanent as I don't subscribe that the upper tax brackets need that break.
Second, I would invest in green energy which would in turn create thousands of new jobs for the American economy. Jobs that would stay in America. High paying jobs.
Chris: Well that leads me into our next topic which is the environment. What can we do to begin the reduction of carbon emissions?
Senator Lillidge: Chris, we need to invest in biofuels, we need to invest in carbon capturing technology, and we need to change the atmosphere in Washington. For too long, the Republicans have lied to the American people about global warming. Their position is that global warming doesn't exist. I believe it does and I believe that if we act quickly America can position itself to be the leader in green technology and cleaning up our environent.
Chris: What is your plan for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan?
Senator Lillidge: As a former member of the military, I support our troops. I have introduced a bill in the Senate that calls for adding two fully equipped divisions to the US Army because they are being stretched too thin. About the wars. I supported President Bush's decision to invade Afghanistan. We were attacked by terrorist who trained and were financed in that country. I would continue to fight Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and around the world. We can not let down our guard for a second.
Now the war in Iraq is very complicated. I did not agree with the Bush Administration in regards to the Iraqi invasion but, now that we are there, I don't think we can just cut ties and get out tomorrow. On my first day of office, I will ask the Pentagon to put together an exit strategy. I know the American people are tired of the war but we have to exit responsibly.
Chris: Moving back to the economy Senator, what do you think about free trade acts?
Senator Lillidge: Chris unless the playing field for the American worker is even with that of the other countries involved in the agreement, then I don't like them. The American economy can't afford for us to enter into more of these free trade agreements unless all of the countries within the agreement are on equal footing and so far, the agreements that we have entered into have not protected the American worker.
Chris: Lastly Senator - education. What are your plans for the education of our children?
Senator Lillidge: Education is very important Chris. With a good education a child or young adult is far less likely to get involved in criminal activity. They are more likely to become a productive, tax paying citizen.
I will continue to fight to make college more affordable to all students in the United States. I have specific plans to reduce the cost of tuition and books that have to come out of the pockets of parents. In addition to providing tax credits for higher education, I believe that we should fully fund NCLB. That act has some very good goals for American education however, President Bush has never fully funded the program and this has forced the states and local governments to pay for more mandates coming from Washington. I think that has put an unfair burden on local governments and I will end that.
Chris: Thanks for coming by Senator and good luck on the campaign trail.
Senator Lillidge: Thanks for having my on Chris and I would like to ask people to check us out on the web and
www.lance08.comChris: Coming up next the Democratic Governor of Michigan...
