* EDITOR’S NOTE: The Daily Pilot asked...

* EDITOR’S NOTE: The Daily Pilot asked leading Republican

congressional candidates Marilyn Brewer and John Campbell the

following questions about issues in this election. Here are their

answers.

How can the federal government help alleviate Orange County’s

growing airport and traffic needs?

Brewer: I strongly oppose any further expansion of John Wayne

Airport. The time has come to look at a joint-use (San Diego and

Orange County) International Airport at Camp Pendleton. I recently

served as the public member on the Orange County Transportation

Authority. A need that most cities agree upon is countywide signal

synchronization, which will improve traffic flow throughout the

county.

As your congresswoman, I will work to make both issues a reality.

Campbell: We do not need to increase capacity at John Wayne

[Airport], and I will fight any effort to do so. Ontario Airport and

March Air Force Base have the capacity to handle Orange County’s

airport needs, but we must make it easier for Orange County

passengers and cargo to reach those destinations in a timely manner.

We need additional freeway capacity and quicker access to the Inland

Empire. The economic health of our region depends on improved

transportation corridors. With Orange County’s increased traffic and

a growing need for additional airport capacity, our region must

receive its fair share of federal transportation dollars.

*

With government spending about to rise because of the two

hurricanes that just hit the Gulf Coast, is it necessary for the U.S.

to begin pulling out of Iraq in order to manage the government’s

budget?

Brewer: We have serious needs here at home, yet we can’t cut

Social Security or reduce healthcare. The money needed to rebuild the

Gulf Coast will not all need to be expended at once. More likely,

they will be disbursed over an extended period.

It is difficult to wage a war and cut taxes at the same time. A

gradual withdrawal of the U.S. military in Iraq seems to be a

workable solution. As fewer military dollars are needed, that money

can be reallocated to rebuilding the Gulf Coast.

We need to rebuild American cities first and only then consider

rebuilding foreign cities.

Campbell: Absolutely not. We must finish the mission to ensure

democracy is given a chance to flourish in Iraq. Abandoning our

efforts now will create additional instability in the region --

seriously jeopardizing our long-term national security interests.

Doing so would also send a dangerous message to the world’s

terrorists that we are not committed as a nation to finishing a war

that threatens Americans both at home and abroad.

While rebuilding after hurricanes Katrina and Rita will cost

billions of dollars, we can still bring government spending under

control by eliminating unnecessary and duplicative programs.

Hurricane relief should be paid for by a reduction in other domestic

spending.

We cannot allow government waste and pork-barrel spending to force

us to choose between national security and helping citizens in need.

We must make sure future federal budgets contain sufficient reserves

in order to deal with unexpected disasters that inevitably happen.

*

What can or should the federal government do about illegal

immigration?

Brewer: The federal government can begin by enforcing the laws

presently on the books. Secondly, border patrol officers need to be

better trained for the conditions that exist today on our borders.

Those who smuggle illegal immigrants across state borders need to

be prosecuted and those convicted of crimes need to be immediately

deported once their sentence is complete. I support the McCain plan

that includes a guest worker program. Its time for a tamper proof

green card that cannot be counterfeited.

Campbell: Illegal immigration is a tremendous problem costing

taxpayers billions of dollars each year and threatening our national

security. We must adopt solutions, such as a security fence,

increased border patrols and increased enforcement of laws against

knowingly transporting or hiring illegal immigrants.

While I am a co-chairman of the California Border Police Act,

controlling immigration is ultimately a federal responsibility, and I

will work to see that they meet that obligation.

*

What makes you the best candidate for the congressional seat?

Brewer: I have been a Newport Beach resident since 1986 and have

lived in Orange County for 48 years. I have served as chief financial

officer for my manufacturing company for more than 20 years. I have

signed more paychecks on the front side than the back. My hands-on

business background was a valuable asset during my tenure in the

state Assembly and will be once again in Congress. I have 34 bills

signed into law versus John Campbell’s 13 bills. My style is

proactive and productive. As your state assemblywoman, I fought on

your behalf. I was the first elected representative to secure money

for the dredging of Newport’s Back Bay, $1 million in the 1996

budget. My Assembly Bill 2612, a tax equity bill, saved California

taxpayers $40 million over five years. I am principled and do not

waver on issues. I believe citizenship is a privilege. John Campbell

has voted for in-state tuition for illegal immigrants and calls it a

“rookie” mistake. I voted against that very same issue. In Congress

there will be a strong need for someone with experience and wisdom --

someone who thinks clearly -- and doesn’t make “rookie mistakes.” I

am that candidate.

Campbell: I am the one candidate with a proven track record of

leading on issues important to voters.

I fought against the massive spending increases that brought

California to the brink of bankruptcy and fought to prevent Gray

Davis and big labor bosses from raising taxes to pay for their

mistakes. I am the author of the Deficit Prevention Act -- a measure

to apply a strict spending limit on the growth of state government

spending. I look forward to working in Congress to bring federal

spending under control.

I am a strong opponent of illegal immigration; I am statewide

co-chair of the California Border Police initiative; and I will work

to ensure that the federal government does its job and secures our

border.

I am endorsed by the California Republican Party, Gov. Arnold

Schwarzenegger, more than 140 leading elected officials and scores of

business leaders across our region. I will bring the proven and

trusted leadership that Orange County needs and deserves. I would be

honored to serve the people of the 48th District.