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U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and Tim Bee, Republican candidate for Congress, appeared together in a debate earlier this month. We're hoping this collection of quotes, taken from a variety of sources, will give voters insight on their positions on issues.
Jill Torrance / Arizona Daily Star
More Photos (2):
answer key for district 8 issues
Economy
Quote 1 is Bee; Quote 2 is Giffords.
On the campaign trail, Bee has supported maintaining the so-called Bush tax cuts, stressing the impact that rescinding them could have on small businesses. Giffords' comments come from a debate with Bee earlier this month. She's said she supports tax cuts for "middle-class families" and that spending restraints must be balanced with what she considers vital government programs.
Energy
Quote 1 is Giffords; Quote 2 is Bee.
Both candidates have made similar comments about energy independence. But Bee has been more outspoken on drilling for new oil, while Giffords tends to underline solar power as the key. Giffords has been critical of off-shore drilling, but she voted last week for a bill that allows limited drilling on the outer continental shelf in exchange for renewable-energy tax credits. Bee says the bill doesn't open access to enough areas, and he wouldn't have supported it.
Earmarks
Quote 1 is Giffords; Quote 2 is Bee.
Giffords doesn't approve of the earmark process, which tacks spending projects onto bills without going through the traditional budget process, but says she will continue to request them in an effort to bring federal money to the area. Bee is also critical and says he would request funding only through the traditional budget process. Both candidates favor changes.
Immigration
Quote 1 is Bee; Quote 2 is Giffords.
Bee made his remarks in an interview when he announced his candidacy in January. His policy differs from that of Giffords in that he supports implementing policies one at a time if necessary, with border security his priority. And he wants illegal immigrants to leave the United States and return to their home countries before being allowed to apply for citizenship.
Giffords' comments were made in a July op-ed piece that appeared in the Star, titled "Immigration reform can happen this session." In it, she said it's time for Congress to "stop talking and start acting," and she continued to call for a policy that mixes border security with improvements to the visa system.
Iraq
Quote 1 is Giffords; Quote 2 is Bee.
Giffords has voted for continued funding of the war, despite opposing the strategy, saying anything less would constitute not supporting the troops. But overall, both candidates have been vague on the issue. Bee said troops should stay, with a timetable based on goals, not dates. He has labeled Giffords' position "surrender," which she calls a lie.
Giffords opposed the troop surge, later stating that it had reduced violence but did not improve the political situation in the country. Bee said he would have supported the surge.
Guns
Quote 1 is Bee; Quote 2 is Giffords.
Giffords often highlights the fact that she owns a gun and has been critical of the assault-weapons ban. Bee, however, has gun-lobby backing and has been more favorable toward gun-rights measures on the state level, such as voting to allow guns in bars. Giffords opposed that controversial measure, which never made it into law.
On Sen. John McCain
Quote 1 is Bee; Quote 2 is Giffords.
Bee's statement is from a press release touting an endorsement from McCain. Giffords' comments are from a January Star Editorial Board meeting, when she spoke highly of McCain after he won the New Hampshire primary. A Washington publication reported that in 2006, Giffords said she would consider voting for McCain. She has since endorsed Barack Obama.
● Contact political reporter Daniel Scarpinato at 307-4339 or dscarpinato@azstarnet.com.

Tucson Region

Test your smarts in election issues

By Daniel Scarpinato
arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 09.22.2008
T.S. Eliot once remarked that when an election is nearing, "universal peace is declared, and the foxes have a sincere interest in prolonging the lives of the poultry."
In Arizona's 8th Congressional District, opponents Gabrielle Giffords and Tim Bee have made a lot of promises over the past several months, and as a reflection of the swing district they're running in, at times they've sounded rather similar.
Of course, their specific policy stances and real records often differ greatly.
But can you match the statement to the candidate? For answers and context, look to the box on the right.
Economy
1: "We need to end wasteful spending and not cheat families and small businesses with higher taxes."
2: "We've got to look at the fact that the tax breaks put into place by this administration will cost us billions of dollars. … I support tax breaks for middle-class families, … but ultimately programs like Medicare, Social Security, protecting our soldiers … all depend on whether or not we have a sound economy."
Energy
1: "I think that we have to figure out this problem by making sure we keep America's energy supply moving forward here in America, and then realizing that we're going to really have to transition to renewables."
2: "Moving towards energy independence is an absolute necessity. There are alternative energy sources that we can, and should, tap into today, that will accelerate our energy independence."
Earmarks
1: "If I had the chance to vote on a complete abolishment of earmarks, … I would. The earmarking process has been out of control."
2: "I'm very passionate about … pushing for priorities for Southern Arizona, for our state, but at the same time, it should be done through the budget process."
Immigration
1: "The effort needs to be made to secure the border first. We need to continue with the construction of the fence, … using a lot of technologies on the border. We need to make sure the Border Patrol is able to fill the positions that have been authorized. We also need to have a temporary-guest-worker plan. Unless you solve that problem, you won't solve it with just security alone."
2: "In addition to strengthening border security, we must improve our visa system, create a reliable employee-verification system for businesses, take a realistic look at our work force needs, and require that all illegal immigrants living in the U.S. come out of the shadows."
Iraq
1: "My commitment first and foremost is to the men and women who are there. I didn't want the discussion on Iraq to be whether you're with the soldiers or against the soldiers."
2: "Congress should not be using the war as a political football, and we should rely on our military leaders that are there to give us the best guidance on what to do on the ground."
Guns
1: "My position on firearms has always been that our Constitution provides us the right to keep and bear arms. I believe when citizens have firearms and the right to protect and defend their own homes and themselves, that they are safer overall."
2: "As a long-time gun owner, I believe the right to keep and bear arms should not be dependent on the city in which you live. The provisions of the U.S. Constitution apply to all Americans, regardless of geography."
On Sen. John McCain
1: "John McCain is an optimistic leader who has worked to build consensus in Congress."
2: "I can't tell you how delighted I am to see someone who really, you know, has walked the talk. … He by far will be the toughest Republican for the Democrats to beat."
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