Twilight's Last Gleaming: An American Political RP Special

[New Luciannova]

First, I have advocated a balanced budget amendment consistently through my entire political career. Sometimes what happens in the house is overlooked, but that's very hard to do. I have been demanding a balanced budget since I arrived in Washington in 2003. I have proposed a dramatic cut in federal spending of $500B within my first year alone. I have fought a balanced budget in Concord, where we succeeded, and in Washington where we see a lot of tough talk, but no action. The Cush administration has radically increased spending across the board and has taken no interest in reversing that, we have raised the debt ceiling four times since 2001 and it looks like we will again this year and next. I have voted against raising the debt ceiling every time since I was elected to the House and will be voting against it the next time it comes up. I invite my colleagues on this stage to join me in this pledge tonight.

"I frankly cannot understand this hostility against President Cush. While yes, he did increase spending, this was in response to the terrorist threat after 9/11. We did what we had to do, and I would like to ask the Congressman whether or not he would support slashing the military budget - which is where most of the spending increase came from - in a time where we are at war with the people who blew apart the twin towers and people who, frankly, committed, in no uncertain terms, genocide?"

It's not President Cush with whom I am hostile. I think he is a good man with whom I have significant disagreements about certain meaningful policies. We did what we had to do and will continue to do so in Afghanistan. did in Iraq did not have to be done. If we intervene for any humanitarian crisis where does it end? Saddam Hussein was an evil guy, I was glad to see him deposed. So is the King of Saudi Arabia. So is Kim Jong Il and the Burmese Junta and Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. There are humanitarian crises and oppression in Nigeria, Sudan, Pakistan, Iran and so many other places, and we don't plan to wage war against them!
Would I slash military spending? No. However, I think we can lower it. The United States spends over 40% of the world's military budget. We spend more than the next 10 countries combined. It simply is not necessary to spend such a large amount!
Ultimately, though, I would look for ways to be more efficient. We can spend smarter without any reduction in capacity. Are you really unwilling to consider than this Wilsonian agenda you advocate is ruinous and ineffective?
Once again I encourage you and the other candidates on this stage to pledge to not raise the debt ceiling for the duration of 2007.

[Lavan Tiri]

MODERATOR

"If your administration were presented with a deal to balance the budget, where their would be a $1 tax increase for every $2 of cuts made to the budget. Would your administration take the deal?"

Everyone else here has not answered this question. Unless we do balance the budget there will be an increase in taxation. If the IRS isn't pursuing the revenue then it simply will be calculated based on inflation. I'm seeking to reduce the deficit to avoid both an increase in all taxation.
Of course, under a Putnam administration we would be legalizing and taxing cannabis and other such substances and those excise taxes would help soften the blow.

Governor Olivia Calalo
R-Hawai'i

You heard it here folks, President Putnam will raise your taxes and unleash drug dealers onto your streets

[The Sarangtus Lands]

Governor Ben Eriksen (OK)

How would raising taxes help recover from a recession, Congressman?

"Isn't it obvious? We would need funds to bailout businesses both small and large so they can stay afloat and can continue providing their services to the public."

Senator Ruskie Helms (R-NC)

"Raising taxes would only be conducive to the failures of those businesses, however, as that would mean that, as consumers have less money to spend - or, God forbid, you tax the businesses themselves - capital and labour spending would go down, causing people to be laid off, causing less investment in goods, causing the economy to further decline. This flawed economics is what destroys a country. Arthur Laffer had it right - cut taxes, and the economy will grow, meaning tax revenues will increase."

MODERATOR

"If your administration were presented with a deal to balance the budget, where their would be a $1 tax increase for every $2 of cuts made to the budget. Would your administration take the deal?"

Everyone else here has not answered this question. Unless we do balance the budget there will be an increase in taxation. If the IRS isn't pursuing the revenue then it simply will be calculated based on inflation. I'm seeking to reduce the deficit to avoid both an increase in all taxation.
Of course, under a Putnam administration we would be legalizing and taxing cannabis and other such substances and those excise taxes would help soften the blow.

Senator Ruskie Helms (R-NC)

"So basically, you're accusing me of not having answered the question - even though I categorically said no? I think maybe you ought to pay attention, Congressman Putnam. Perhaps your ego is getting in the way of you hearing me. But nevertheless, my answer remains the same: no. Frankly, that's a whole lot of garbled nonsense, and your support of legalising cannabis is highly flawed and frankly dangerous to our children: cannabis is a gateway drug, and its legalisation would not only create tens of thousands of 'weed dens' across America, getting people addicted, getting them stealing, getting them killing, it'd also massively promote the usage of crack cocaine and crystal meth, both of which I am thoroughly opposed to."

[The Sarangtus Lands]

"I frankly cannot understand this hostility against President Cush. While yes, he did increase spending, this was in response to the terrorist threat after 9/11. We did what we had to do, and I would like to ask the Congressman whether or not he would support slashing the military budget - which is where most of the spending increase came from - in a time where we are at war with the people who blew apart the twin towers and people who, frankly, committed, in no uncertain terms, genocide?"

It's not President Cush with whom I am hostile. I think he is a good man with whom I have significant disagreements about certain meaningful policies. We did what we had to do and will continue to do so in Afghanistan. did in Iraq did not have to be done. If we intervene for any humanitarian crisis where does it end? Saddam Hussein was an evil guy, I was glad to see him deposed. So is the King of Saudi Arabia. So is Kim Jong Il and the Burmese Junta and Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. There are humanitarian crises and oppression in Nigeria, Sudan, Pakistan, Iran and so many other places, and we don't plan to wage war against them!
Would I slash military spending? No. However, I think we can lower it. The United States spends over 40% of the world's military budget. We spend more than the next 10 countries combined. It simply is not necessary to spend such a large amount!
Ultimately, though, I would look for ways to be more efficient. We can spend smarter without any reduction in capacity. Are you really unwilling to consider than this Wilsonian agenda you advocate is ruinous and ineffective?
Once again I encourage you and the other candidates on this stage to pledge to not raise the debt ceiling for the duration of 2007.

Senator Ruskie Helms (R-NC)

"I do pledge that. It's fairly simple. But it shocks me to hear, and honestly makes me severely doubt your foreign policy credentials, that you would support us the deposition and a political revolution in one of our key allies in the Middle East. I don't think you even know where Saudi Arabia is on a map, let alone its relationship to the United States.

And you know why we spend 40% of the world's military budget? Because we're the guardians of the free world, because we're protecting Europe. By the grace of God, liberty shall not perish on this Earth so long as the United Staets stands. We need it to keep fighting for liberty and to keep this nation safe. Your peacenik ideas - more resembling George McGovern than Ronald Reagan - would only see us fall behind Russia, China and other such tyrannic countries. Without the military, the United States is not safe."

[The Sarangtus Lands]

Everyone else here has not answered this question. Unless we do balance the budget there will be an increase in taxation. If the IRS isn't pursuing the revenue then it simply will be calculated based on inflation. I'm seeking to reduce the deficit to avoid both an increase in all taxation.
Of course, under a Putnam administration we would be legalizing and taxing cannabis and other such substances and those excise taxes would help soften the blow.

Governor Olivia Calalo
R-Hawai'i

You heard it here folks, President Putnam will raise your taxes and unleash drug dealers onto your streets

Senator Ruskie Helms (R-NC)

"Well, of course someone with his name wants to raise taxes and let drugs go wild. He's never had to go to, let alone live in, an area ravaged by drugs. He's isolated from the effects of his actions, plain and simple, sheltered away in some dream world."

[Lavan Tiri]

Governor Olivia Calalo
R-Hawai'i

Let me be clear here: the Calalo administration will not raise the debt ceiling, but we also will not touch our military funding at all. When we talk about useless spending, I personally don't think of our brave men and women in uniform. But then again, I don't support the right to deal a dangerous gateway drug, so Congressman Putnam and I are obviously gonna disagree.

[align=center](Image)
Governor Olivia Calalo
R-Hawai'i

You heard it here folks, President Putnam will raise your taxes and unleash drug dealers onto your streets

Senator Ruskie Helms (R-NC)

"Well, of course someone with his name wants to raise taxes and let drugs go wild. He's never had to go to, let alone live in, an area ravaged by drugs. He's isolated from the effects of his actions, plain and simple, sheltered away in some dream world."

As a prosecutor, as Governor, I have seen so many lives ruined by illicit drugs. I pledge to the American people, the Calalo administration will crack down on drugs--not just dealers, not just users, but manufacturers and growers. We're going to stop the problem at the source, unlike my friend Amadeus, who will let crack houses move in next door while he raises your taxes.

[/align]

[The Sarangtus Lands]

(Image)
Governor Olivia Calalo
R-Hawai'i

Let me be clear here: the Calalo administration will not raise the debt ceiling, but we also will not touch our military funding at all. When we talk about useless spending, I personally don't think of our brave men and women in uniform. But then again, I don't support the right to deal a dangerous gateway drug, so Congressman Putnam and I are obviously gonna disagree.

Senator Ruskie Helms
R-NC

Do you absolutely commit to the position, then, that you would rather shut down the government than run on a deficit?

[Kavanis]

Let me be clear here: the Calalo administration will not raise the debt ceiling

Ben's eyebrows shoot up at this.

Governor, I respect you too, but that is not a promise to be made lightly. Failing to raise the debt ceiling would lead to a global economic catastrophe if the US were to default.

[Lavan Tiri]

(Image)
Governor Olivia Calalo
R-Hawai'i

Let me be clear here: the Calalo administration will not raise the debt ceiling, but we also will not touch our military funding at all. When we talk about useless spending, I personally don't think of our brave men and women in uniform. But then again, I don't support the right to deal a dangerous gateway drug, so Congressman Putnam and I are obviously gonna disagree.

[align=center]Senator Ruskie Helms
R-NC

Do you absolutely commit to the position, then, that you would rather shut down the government than run on a deficit?

[Meretica]

FIRST REPUBLICAN DEBATE
SENATOR CASSANDRA HEPBURN-SMITH

"I would veto that deal in a heartbeat, but I would not shutdown the government to avoid a deficit. Otherwise, we'd end up with people working on the government's behalf and getting nothing in return, and rarely is it the case that it is made up to them. It is of the utmost importance that we avoid increasing the debt and deficit, but we must keep the human costs in mind."

[Lavan Tiri]

Let me be clear here: the Calalo administration will not raise the debt ceiling

Ben's eyebrows shoot up at this.

Governor, I respect you too, but that is not a promise to be made lightly. Failing to raise the debt ceiling would lead to a global economic catastrophe if the US were to default.

Governor Olivia Calalo
R-Hawai'i

Which is why, instead of simply increasing the amount of debt we accept ourselves having, my administration will balance the budget. I've done it before--actually, I didn't balance the Hawai'i state budget, I created a massive surplus. Without raising taxes or going into debt.

[The Sarangtus Lands]

Senator Ruskie Helms
R-NC

Do you absolutely commit to the position, then, that you would rather shut down the government than run on a deficit?

Governor Olivia Calalo
R-Hawai'i

I would rather not, but if it came down to it and Congress was intent on wasting money and dragging us further into debt...I couldn't unilaterally disarm. I am committing to lowering and paying down the insane deficit and debt this nation has accumulated.

Senator Ruskie Helms
R-NC

So, basically, if you get a Democratic Congress, you're going to, and I'm going to be clear and honest here with the consequences because, unlike you, I don't promise rhetorically big things that I either don't understand or don't intend on following through with. The refusal to raise the debt ceiling would mean that the United States would default. What does that mean?

That would mean we would fail on our debt obligations, essentially leaving this country at the mercy of China, to which we have a significant amount of debt to, allowing them to dictate our economy.

It would also mean that US Treasury bonds would become worthless, meaning that trillions in savings would be wiped out, along with the possible collapse of American banks.

It would also mean the end of social security, as social security invests in government bonds too, it would mean that every senior in this country who relied on social security would be unable to receive their checks and your social security savings would be entirely wiped out.

I do not speak with hyperbole when I say either that Governor Calalo is lying, and lying in a very stupid way, or has just committed the United States to economic subjugation by China, the total collapse of our banking system and the end of social security, throwing tens of millions into poverty.

#

Ben's eyebrows shoot up at this.

Governor, I respect you too, but that is not a promise to be made lightly. Failing to raise the debt ceiling would lead to a global economic catastrophe if the US were to default.

Governor Olivia Calalo
R-Hawai'i

Which is why, instead of simply increasing the amount of debt we accept ourselves having, my administration will balance the budget. I've done it before--actually, I didn't balance the Hawai'i state budget, I created a massive surplus. Without raising taxes or going into debt.

Senator Ruskie Helms
R-NC

What a cop-out. We all know that, in times of crisis, we need to bail out businesses and ensure the American economy does not collapse. You would either be breaking your promises, committing this country to its own suicide or letting small businesses across this country collapse like dominoes in a flood.

[Melovinta]

Rep. Harold Pierce Gunsley (OH-5)

Representative Gunsley's mouth was wide agap at what Calalo just said, he was struggling for a response, but then he composed himself and said: "So you're telling us that as President you would shutdown the government until Congress played ball, and not only that BUT that you wouldn't raise the debt ceiling with what would be a Democratic Congress. Say goodbye to us getting anything passed if Calalo is elected, folks."

[Lavan Tiri]

Governor Olivia Calalo
R-Hawai'i

I would rather not, but if it came down to it and Congress was intent on wasting money and dragging us further into debt...I couldn't unilaterally disarm. I am committing to lowering and paying down the insane deficit and debt this nation has accumulated.

Senator Ruskie Helms
R-NC

So, basically, if you get a Democratic Congress, you're going to, and I'm going to be clear and honest here with the consequences because, unlike you, I don't promise rhetorically big things that I either don't understand or don't intend on following through with. The refusal to raise the debt ceiling would mean that the United States would default. What does that mean?

That would mean we would fail on our debt obligations, essentially leaving this country at the mercy of China, to which we have a significant amount of debt to, allowing them to dictate our economy.

It would also mean that US Treasury bonds would become worthless, meaning that trillions in savings would be wiped out, along with the possible collapse of American banks.

It would also mean the end of social security, as social security invests in government bonds too, it would mean that every senior in this country who relied on social security would be unable to receive their checks and your social security savings would be entirely wiped out.

I do not speak with hyperbole when I say either that Governor Calalo is lying, and lying in a very stupid way, or has just committed the United States to economic subjugation by China, the total collapse of our banking system and the end of social security, throwing tens of millions into poverty.

#

Governor Olivia Calalo
R-Hawai'i

Which is why, instead of simply increasing the amount of debt we accept ourselves having, my administration will balance the budget. I've done it before--actually, I didn't balance the Hawai'i state budget, I created a massive surplus. Without raising taxes or going into debt.

Senator Ruskie Helms
R-NC

What a cop-out. We all know that, in times of crisis, we need to bail out businesses and ensure the American economy does not collapse. You would either be breaking your promises, committing this country to its own suicide or letting small businesses across this country collapse like dominoes in a flood.

Governor Olivia Calalo
R-Hawai'i

How would the United States default on our debt if we balance the budget like you promised to do, Senator? Unless you aren't serious about that? Because what I'm hearing from you is a combination of scaremongering and fear. I have experience in working with Democratic legislators to get things done, I have experience in actually balancing a budget. You're talking a big game but all I'm hearing is excuses for why things have to stay the same.

I have no intent to march on Washington and demand things go my way. I will work with Congress to find areas where we can cut spending and reduce taxes, to balance the budget without accepting more debt.

[The Sarangtus Lands]

Senator Ruskie Helms
R-NC

So, basically, if you get a Democratic Congress, you're going to, and I'm going to be clear and honest here with the consequences because, unlike you, I don't promise rhetorically big things that I either don't understand or don't intend on following through with. The refusal to raise the debt ceiling would mean that the United States would default. What does that mean?

That would mean we would fail on our debt obligations, essentially leaving this country at the mercy of China, to which we have a significant amount of debt to, allowing them to dictate our economy.

It would also mean that US Treasury bonds would become worthless, meaning that trillions in savings would be wiped out, along with the possible collapse of American banks.

It would also mean the end of social security, as social security invests in government bonds too, it would mean that every senior in this country who relied on social security would be unable to receive their checks and your social security savings would be entirely wiped out.

I do not speak with hyperbole when I say either that Governor Calalo is lying, and lying in a very stupid way, or has just committed the United States to economic subjugation by China, the total collapse of our banking system and the end of social security, throwing tens of millions into poverty.

#

Senator Ruskie Helms
R-NC

What a cop-out. We all know that, in times of crisis, we need to bail out businesses and ensure the American economy does not collapse. You would either be breaking your promises, committing this country to its own suicide or letting small businesses across this country collapse like dominoes in a flood.

Governor Olivia Calalo
R-Hawai'i

How would the United States default on our debt if we balance the budget like you promised to do, Senator? Unless you aren't serious about that? Because what I'm hearing from you is a combination of scaremongering and fear. I have experience in working with Democratic legislators to get things done, I have experience in actually balancing a budget. You're talking a big game but all I'm hearing is excuses for why things have to stay the same.

I have no intent to march on Washington and demand things go my way. I will work with Congress to find areas where we can cut spending and reduce taxes, to balance the budget without accepting more debt.

Senator Ruskie Helms
R-NC

There is no need to yell at me, Governor. I do promise to balance the budget, but that is a long-term goal; I recognise that there are short-term reasons to run deficits, which is why we run surpluses too, so that we can save up for a rainy day. My point still stands, and you beating your chest doesn't make it any less true. So, I say it once again.

Suppose there was an economic recession during your time in office, and you were asked to bail out businesses. What would you do?

[Kavanis]

Governor Ben Eriksen (OK)

I can answer that. I would let failing businesses fail, exactly as the market intended them to. The government should not be in the position of propping up businesses, or in having taxpayers underwrite market failures.

[Lavan Tiri]

Governor Olivia Calalo
R-Hawai'i

How would the United States default on our debt if we balance the budget like you promised to do, Senator? Unless you aren't serious about that? Because what I'm hearing from you is a combination of scaremongering and fear. I have experience in working with Democratic legislators to get things done, I have experience in actually balancing a budget. You're talking a big game but all I'm hearing is excuses for why things have to stay the same.

I have no intent to march on Washington and demand things go my way. I will work with Congress to find areas where we can cut spending and reduce taxes, to balance the budget without accepting more debt.

Senator Ruskie Helms
R-NC

There is no need to yell at me, Governor. I do promise to balance the budget, but that is a long-term goal; I recognise that there are short-term reasons to run deficits, which is why we run surpluses too, so that we can save up for a rainy day. My point still stands, and you beating your chest doesn't make it any less true. So, I say it once again.

Suppose there was an economic recession during your time in office, and you were asked to bail out businesses. What would you do?

Governor Olivia Calalo
R-Hawai'i

Senator, I'm sorry that you're so fragile that being spoken to clearly makes you feel hurt. Nobody is yelling.

If there's an economic recession during my time in office, we would do the least amount of market interference necessary. I'd rather avoid such a thing happening, though, through the policies I've already explained. But no, I don't believe in bailing out businesses that can't do their accounting right and budget for a rainy day.

[Meretica]

Governor Ben Eriksen (OK)

I can answer that. I would let failing businesses fail, exactly as the market intended them to. The government should not be in the position of propping up businesses, or in having taxpayers underwrite market failures.

"We must be careful, though, to not let that recession become a Depression-- otherwise, we will have proved that nothing was learned from Herbert Hoover. Limited intervention is a necessary evil."

[The Sarangtus Lands]

Governor Ben Eriksen (OK)

I can answer that. I would let failing businesses fail, exactly as the market intended them to. The government should not be in the position of propping up businesses, or in having taxpayers underwrite market failures.

Senator Ruskie Helms
R-NC

That's certainly an answer, but I think the question is, what about war or other matters of national security? If America found itself at war, and this is definitely, 100% a hypothetical, with no bearing to real events, absolutely not," he said, jokingly, "with terrorists due to these terrorists attacking our country, say for example if we had to intervene in Libya or Yemen due to that government sponsoring a major terrorist attack at us, and therefore requiring an increase in military spending, how would you deal with that, budget-wise?

[The Sarangtus Lands]

Senator Ruskie Helms
R-NC

There is no need to yell at me, Governor. I do promise to balance the budget, but that is a long-term goal; I recognise that there are short-term reasons to run deficits, which is why we run surpluses too, so that we can save up for a rainy day. My point still stands, and you beating your chest doesn't make it any less true. So, I say it once again.

Suppose there was an economic recession during your time in office, and you were asked to bail out businesses. What would you do?

Governor Olivia Calalo
R-Hawai'i

Senator, I'm sorry that you're so fragile that being spoken to clearly makes you feel hurt. Nobody is yelling.

If there's an economic recession during my time in office, we would do the least amount of market interference necessary. I'd rather avoid such a thing happening, though, through the policies I've already explained. But no, I don't believe in bailing out businesses that can't do their accounting right and budget for a rainy day.

Senator Ruskie Helms
R-NC

There's no need to be so uncouth, Governor, I simply wished for civility. Isn't that something we must strive towards? Regardless, how would you spend the necessary money in a recession to ensure that the economy got back up again - suppose we needed a large round of tax cuts to boost the economy, how would you not increase the debt then?

[Melovinta]

Representative Harold Pierce Gunsley
R-OH-5

"Lemme explain to the folks at home, unless those extraordinary conditions I talked about earlier are met, I would continue cutting taxes across the board, ESPECIALLY for the middle class.

[Meretica]

MODERATOR

"If your administration were presented with a deal to balance the budget, where their would be a $1 tax increase for every $2 of cuts made to the budget. Would your administration take the deal?"

Everyone else here has not answered this question. Unless we do balance the budget there will be an increase in taxation. If the IRS isn't pursuing the revenue then it simply will be calculated based on inflation. I'm seeking to reduce the deficit to avoid both an increase in all taxation.
Of course, under a Putnam administration we would be legalizing and taxing cannabis and other such substances and those excise taxes would help soften the blow.

"Actually, Congressman, I did... I would veto that deal in a heartbeat, but I would not shutdown the government to avoid a deficit. Otherwise, we'd end up with people working on the government's behalf and getting nothing in return, and rarely is it the case that it is made up to them. It is of the utmost importance that we avoid increasing the debt and deficit, but we must keep the human costs in mind."

[Kavanis]

"We must be careful, though, to not let that recession become a Depression-- otherwise, we will have proved that nothing was learned from Herbert Hoover. Limited intervention is a necessary evil."

Governor Ben Eriksen (OK)

It wasn't "intervention" that led the recovery from the Great Depression, it was monetary expansion. NIRA actually killed off the nascent recovery in 1933 for another 4 years...

Holds up hand.

But, I'm sure we're not here to argue the history of the Great Depression. We can probably disagree on more substantial matters. Suffice it to say: I am opposed to the federal government bailing out failing businesses, or even causing the moral hazard of sending a signal to businesses that they can freely fail and expect taxpayers to bail them out.

That's certainly an answer, but I think the question is, what about war or other matters of national security? If America found itself at war, and this is definitely, 100% a hypothetical, with no bearing to real events, absolutely not," he said, jokingly, "with terrorists due to these terrorists attacking our country, say for example if we had to intervene in Libya or Yemen due to that government sponsoring a major terrorist attack at us, and therefore requiring an increase in military spending, how would you deal with that, budget-wise?

Senator, the US rescinded Libya's designation as a sponsor of state terrorism last year. Yemen has been an admittedly not always faithful partner in the Global War on Terror. I have no interest in speculating on our allies turning against us nor any plans, as President, to pursue a course that would cause them to do so.

But constraining wasteful spending is actually vital to ensuring our military have the means at their disposal to protect our freedoms. We are spending half a billion dollars on transport aircraft that don't meet DoD specs. The GAO warned Congress not to fund the F-22A program. Instead, Congress poured more funding into this wasteful boondoggle. Hawaii and Alaska have earmarked tens, hundreds of millions apiece in defense spending projects that do nothing to protect our country.

I would never compromise necessary operation resources to defend America, but (realizing his time is running out, hurriedly says) that does not mean approving every wasteful earmark in the Congressional pork butt.

[The Sarangtus Lands]

"We must be careful, though, to not let that recession become a Depression-- otherwise, we will have proved that nothing was learned from Herbert Hoover. Limited intervention is a necessary evil."

Governor Ben Eriksen (OK)

It wasn't "intervention" that led the recovery from the Great Depression, it was monetary expansion. NIRA actually killed off the nascent recovery in 1933 for another 4 years...

Holds up hand.

But, I'm sure we're not here to argue the history of the Great Depression. We can probably disagree on more substantial matters. Suffice it to say: I am opposed to the federal government bailing out failing businesses, or even causing the moral hazard of sending a signal to businesses that they can freely fail and expect taxpayers to bail them out.

That's certainly an answer, but I think the question is, what about war or other matters of national security? If America found itself at war, and this is definitely, 100% a hypothetical, with no bearing to real events, absolutely not," he said, jokingly, "with terrorists due to these terrorists attacking our country, say for example if we had to intervene in Libya or Yemen due to that government sponsoring a major terrorist attack at us, and therefore requiring an increase in military spending, how would you deal with that, budget-wise?

Senator, the US rescinded Libya's designation as a sponsor of state terrorism last year. Yemen has been an admittedly not always faithful partner in the Global War on Terror. I have no interest in speculating on our allies turning against us nor any plans, as President, to pursue a course that would cause them to do so.

But constraining wasteful spending is actually vital to ensuring our military have the means at their disposal to protect our freedoms. We are spending half a billion dollars on transport aircraft that don't meet DoD specs. The GAO warned Congress not to fund the F-22A program. Instead, Congress poured more funding into this wasteful boondoggle. Hawaii and Alaska have earmarked tens, hundreds of millions apiece in defense spending projects that do nothing to protect our country.

I would never compromise necessary operation resources to defend America, but (realizing his time is running out, hurriedly says) that does not mean approving every wasteful earmark in the Congressional pork butt.

"No, but my question was would you be willing to run a temporary deficit in times of war. Yes or no, it's a fairly simple question."

[Kavanis]

"No, but my question was would you be willing to run a temporary deficit in times of war. Yes or no, it's a fairly simple question."

Governor Ben Eriksen (OK)

Yes. The Balanced Budget Amendment contains a specific waiver for times of military conflict. That does not mean we should allow wasteful military spending under the shaky guise of "national security". Economies can be made without sacrificing security.