Office Sought:  United States Senator

Name:  Benjamin Cardin

Marital Status:  Married

Website:  http://www.bencardin.com/

1.                  Why are you running for this office?

I am running for the United States Senate to be an independent voice serving the interests of all Marylanders.  I have a solid record in Congress as an effective, experienced leader who can work with Democrats and Republicans to solve the real problems of Americans in an increasingly complex world.  I want to improve education, get the United States out of Iraq, expand access to healthcare, protect the environment, break our dependence on foreign oil and take on other challenges.

2.                  If you are elected, what do you intend to do to improve the quality of education in the United States?  

Education is the foundation of opportunity and I will work to see that all children have access to a high quality learning environment.  When elected to the Senate I will support full funding for the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Individuals with Disabilities in Education (IDEA) acts.  I will reintroduce the Master Teacher Act bill which will get the most qualified teachers into the lowest performing schools.  I will also work to make changes in NCLB that will give states and local school districts more flexibility in measuring academic progress and determining the best way to improve failing schools.  I also believe we must make college education more affordable for families.

3.                  To date the United States has committed thousands of men and women and countless billions of dollars to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Should we continue to commit men, women, and dollars to this effort? If so, why? If not, why not?

I am convinced that we must change course in Iraq.

The President came to Congress in October 2002 and asked Congress to authorize force against Iraq.  I voted against giving the President this authority.  I have remained an outspoken critic of President Bush's policies in Iraq.

We need to immediately change course in Iraq, which should include the drawdown of U.S. troops from Iraq.  The Iraqis need to start taking responsibility for the defense of their own country.

The United States should convene an international conference on Iraq which would include the government of Iraq.  As the sole remaining superpower, the United States needs to mend diplomatic fences.  Such a conference should achieve three primary goals.  First, it should produce a verifiable cease-fire.  Second, it would establish a mechanism for the completion of the training of Iraqi security forces.  Finally, it would coordinate all international humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to the new Iraqi government. 

4.      What in your mind is the biggest problem facing United States as it enters the 21^st century and how do you expect to correct this problem?

The 21^st Century will bring rapid globalization, with ever-closer ties between nations.  International trade and economic competition will grow quickly.

Education will be essential to preserving the American way of life into the future.  We will be competing with well-educated and motivated young adults around the world.  Assuring that our children are receiving first class educations will be a great challenge and the federal government must an active partner with schools.

As outlined under question 2, we must fulfill federal obligations as a start.  We must also find new ways to make college and technical education more accessible.