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Talk to Sen. Thad Cochran

Tue Nov 14, 10:01 AM ET

The current guest on Talk to Power is Sen. Thad Cochran (news, bio, voting record). The Mississippi Republican is taking your questions now. We'll post his responses on Friday, Nov. 17.

Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.)

Thanks in advance to our readers and to Sen. Cochran for participating.

Early questions and comments from readers ranged across a variety of topics, including

Iraq, education, farming and
Social Security.

Others focused on Sen. Trent Lott (news, bio, voting record)'s comeback election as minority whip. And many readers wrote in about the future of the Republican Party. 

Below are some highlights of these and other topics.

On Iraq and the Mideast

A reader who described himself as a naval officer wrote: "All I hear about in the news is how we (reporters, politicians, civilians) want our troops to come home from Iraq. What do you say to the tens of thousands of military personnel currently serving our country that believe they are doing the right thing and are scared we are going to be forced to leave Iraq; making everything we, and those who have fallen, pointless? "  

The war in Iraq has been a touchstone of the Talk to Power boards since our first guest in August. Comments and questions seem to split fairly evenly between those advocating a pullout and those arguing against.  Another reader wrote to Sen. Cochran: "I am now 65. In my early years I consistently voted Republican because I believed in conservative principals. But I am terribly disappointed in

President Bush and the misrepresentations he made to gain acceptance of his war in Iraq. My question to you: what is President Bush's definition of victory? What is your definition?" 

A third reader took a step back to look at the broader issue of the Middle East. "What is your understanding of the moderate Middle East states and of their role in eventually protecting their countries' interests? If securing the oil fields and protecting the state of

Israel remains the primary US focus, how does Jordan and Egypt, possibly Saudia Arabia find the means to cope with extremists? I see a continuing US military presence in the Middle East for years to come. Can you define what our long term objectives are?"

On education 

One reader, self-described as a 22-year-old University of Mississippi graduate, asked: "Our county has become very divided over certain issues, such as gay marriage and abortion. However, an issue that we all support – education – falls through the cracks. What do you think it would take to finally bring parties together to create an effective plan to fix education in the United States, and do you think that partisanship can be overcome for this cause?"

Also on the topic of education, a self-described assistant administrator in the Washington, D.C., public schools system wrote: "I am concerned about the many weaknesses of the No Child Left Behind Act, particularly the many unfunded provisions that place a burden on states and school districts that are currently unable to meet the basic funding needs to maintain and build high standard, effective education programs for kids. Please tell me how you view that current implementation of the NCLB Act, and address the issue of providing federal funding to assist states and school districts the adequate dollars to ensure the best value of the act." 

On the future of the GOP 

From the South, a reader wrote: "I am wondering about recent comments in the media after the mid-term elections that the Republican Party will primarily be a Southern-based party. Your recent election to minority leadership positions of primarily Southern senators plays this out. Will the Republican Party be able to appeal to the broader nation in future elections, with this Southern based leadership and outlook? Will the Southern Conservative values and perceptions be able to win broad appeal across the nation, and return the party to power?" 

Another reader wrote: "Senator Cochran - I am a registered Republican and a conservative of the Newt Gingrich house - I believe my party has lost its direction as indicated by the blue dog vote going to the Democrat party in the off year. I believe many things have helped sway the vote - among the one I am most concerned about is the influence peddaling that continues to this day in the House and Senate. When are we as citizens of the US going to see constructive reform and an end to lobbys giving both the house and senate money and perks to influence your votes on bills?"

On Social Security 

"Senator, I would like to thank you for your service to our country and for the State of Miss., where I was raised and my parents still live. Is there any hope of a partial privatization of SS with changes of this midterm election or is the issue totally dead?" 

****

We continue to welcome your thoughts and questions on these and other subjects of political nature. Thank you again for your participation and  be sure to check back Friday for Sen. Cochran's responses.

 

Next: Sen. Tom Daschle responds
Previous: Talk to Sen. Tom Daschle

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Comments

Join the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.

1
I am a contractor for over 30 years now, and I wonder how much money I would have right now if I had been allowed to invest the $100,000.00 I paid to Social Security. Maybe you can help the middle class gain some control over our tax money. Tom Builder
Posted by thomasyant@sbcglobal.net on Tue, Nov 14, 2006 10:08 PM ET
2
I was curious about your thoughts in regards to Disaster Legislation for crop losses as well as what will be happening in Farm Bill Talks.
Posted by iasnowflake on Tue, Nov 14, 2006 10:27 PM ET
3
As a living, breathing, feeling human being, I am concerned about the escalating violence in Iraq and what I see as "Mission Creep" - from WMD to a humanitarian attempt to overthrow a dictator to spreading democracy to stabilizing the MidEast. I see the Appropriations Committee as a 'bank' of sorts, one that the Administration comes to as a 'borrower'. When Bush started the war and had his original billions, the goal was not met. More money, goal in Iraq still not met. Again and again the same way, more money thrown at an increasing problem. I understand that another appropriations bill for war is being considered, so my question is: when does the Bush Administration have to prove that is HAS an achievable goal in Iraq so they even can get their money? Rice says we're not leaving until 'the goal that brought us to Iraq is accomplished', but that goal has changed repeatedly over the last 4 years. What kind of bank continues to give a borrower more money to do the same thing they said they were going to do time and time again? I would like the Appropriations Committee to enforce limits on money for Iraq so that money can be documented as going to reconstruction, troop training and the tangible things that we need to do to get out of Iraq and protect out soldiers. Please ask Bush to clearly define his goal in Iraq before allowing him more money to meet the phantom 'goal' and ensure that money given to the Iraq war be used for civilian reconstruction and infrastructure development. om shanti may all beings be at peace
Posted by maggie_coalson on Tue, Nov 14, 2006 10:30 PM ET
4
As a retired Air Force Veteran, I feel I have the right to voice my opinion on Immigration reform. Amnesty or whatever you call it is bad for our country. Please don't allow this to happen now that the Liberals are in power....
Posted by waltsxocai on Tue, Nov 14, 2006 10:33 PM ET
5
Dear Senator Cochrane - I am an independent voter who has been dismayed to see the poor fiscal management by Congress in recent years and in particular, by the large waste of taxpayer dollars through legislative earmarks and pork barrel projects directed at special interests and campaign contributers. As lead Republican on the Appropriations Committee, will you support a line item veto to limit this drain on this country's financial future? Regards - Don Lewis
Posted by dlewisc on Tue, Nov 14, 2006 10:33 PM ET