Notes from March 27th Meeting with David Leavitt

He wants to do something to save America for our families.

Government is out of control - Not supposed to take care of every need, but to protect our freedoms. All federal govt programs should be re-examined.

? - Foreign Oil
Drill in Alaska, Off the coast of Florida, Process Oil Shale in Utah, Look at Nuclear, Look at alternatives. Also believes in govt funded research for energy. We need to conserve.

? - Immigration
We have ignored the law for many years. Enforcement is #1. Policies are broken. Need more efficient legal immigration. We have an economic need for workers.
Wants to: Enforce laws, secure boarders, maintain ourselves economically.
Supports a comprehensive approach that includes:
Employers - use a smart card for employees, prosecute employers who skirt the system.
Illegals - must go home. If they have proof of US employment and present it South of the boarder, they will get a work Visa.
15% of illegals wages would be placed into a social needs account used for social/health stuff
Wants to avoid mean spirited enforcement
Border Security - Use Satellites, UAVs and some fencing
Citizenship/Naturalization process should be easier.

? - Economy
Our economy will not last with govt regulation. Wants to get rid of capital gains tax and maintain Bush tax cuts.

? - Education
Not a federal Matter. Should be dealt with at the state, local and parental levels. Does not support Dept of Education, but sees its role as one of coordinating between states with a small role. Opposed to No Child Left Behind, says that Fed should not mandate to states on Education

? - Gun Control
2nd Amendment is easy to understand. It gives us an individual right. If the supreme court doesn't see it that way in the D.C. gun control case, he supports a constitutional amendment that spells it out that way.

? - Lack of Republican Values
For Fiscal Discipline, Republicans in Washington DC have acted like drunk Democrats. They are not representing traditional values. Need to state their belief in God.

? - Social Security
50+ should be underwritten by fed govt. All others should be moved to private accounts.

? - Dept of Education, budget and size
No budget in Federal Government that doesn't need cuts. Ideal ~5-10% of current size in Dept of Education

?Reducing Entitlements
How will he convince others in congress: Focus on civility, without which there will be no progress. Hones debate on the role of govt. Foster private sector.

? - Tax Reform, Fair Tax
Tax system is broken. Likes the Fair Tax, Sees it as a reasonable alternative, also likes a flat tax

? - Why should illegals be sent to the border
Rule of Law, Centralized location for SmartCard distribution

? - Mercy for illegals
We must change immigration law. Wants to marry compassion, rule of law, and economics

? - What about those in line legally
Administer new laws without disadvantaging those in line legally

? - Why tip-toeing around immigration
Doesn't want to be mean spirited

? - You claim rare international experience - Why is that important
Experiences in Eastern Europe (Ukraine), Our policies affect the US on a Global Stage, it gives him a broad perspective.

? - Why run against a good man in Chris Cannon. He has seniority.
It will be many years prior to Republican held house again. Seniority is meaningless in the minority. Cannon has no fire left in his belly. Cannon has been there 12 years, and will be looking to retire when Republicans get back in the majority, and then we will not get the advantage of seniority. Properly functioning in the minority requires persuasion, where Cannon has bluntly attacked others across the isle. Cannon is very partisan, you need different tools to function in the minority. Most influential Republican congressmen according to congress.org's power rankings lists Blunt, Putnam and Baynor at the top. These men have been in congress the same or less time than Cannon, yet he is not among the most influential. 2 kinds of congressmen, Voters and Influencers. Cannon is a voter. We don't need a voter we need an influencer. It isn't about what Utah gets back, but how Utah can influence the rest of the nation. Cannon is ranked 318 out of 435 Congressmen.

This is where the meeting stopped, but David Leavitt stayed to answer additional questions. Here are my notes from the afterward discussion:

? - FairTax Prebate
He is opposed to the prebate portion of the FairTax

? - School Vouchers
While he doesn't believe that giving a govt check is the right solution, he voted for vouchers to send a message to public schools that he wants change in our public education.

? - Illegal Immigrants responsibility is with employers
He is for punishing employers of illegal immigrants

? - Iraq war
Regardless of how it started, We should support our troops. Stay as long as necessary

? - Didn't catch the question
Wants to find ways to infuse and enable the private sector

? - CP80 - Ralph Yaaro - Anti Internet porn
Supports zoning the Internet from porn, we have current laws that are not being enforced, likes decency standards

? - National Welfare
Wants to eliminate federal role in welfare, thinks that welfare should be managed by the states

? - ?
Wants to be able to help persuade people in other districts

? - Trade with China
Serious threat to our sovereignty, Wants to ween off slowly to avoid economic collapse

? - North American Union
Against it as a sovereignty issue, supports long term treaties with neighbors

? - Economy
Don't mess with it. Opposed to regulations, Supports the free market system

? - Illegal Immigration - Border Fence
The border fence was a farce. Congress didn't properly fund it. Doesn't think we need a fence.

? - Anchor babies
Not realistic to change the constitution

? - What committees would he serve on
There is an imbalance between state and federal governments.
Serve on the Financial Services Committee, Rules Committee,

Comment - Wants to get senators to represent states again. Get them appointed by the states as was originally in the constitution

? - Energy
Supports Nuclear, Gassification of Coal, and energy exploration in National Parks

I told him that one of the main reasons that I was skeptical about him was that his fliers and campaign material lacked specifics. His response was that he felt like I was expecting too much in a candidate, but that he was happy to answer any specific question I wanted to ask.

In general I attended this meeting with little expectations, but wanted to give every candidate a fair shake. In the end I was surprised to be impressed. That doesn't mean that I am decided, but it does mean that Mr. Leavitt is solidly in the running in my book.