U.S. Senate.  Term is six years; there is no limit on number of terms a person can serve.  Salary is $165,200 in 2006; it may be higher in 2007 if Congress allows automatic cost of living adjustments to take effect.  Retirement and health benefits are identical to that for other Federal employees. The winner will join Sen. Mike Enzi, the other Wyoming Senator, whose second term will be up in 2008. Craig Thomas (R) is the incumbent, seeking his third term in office.  Challenger is Dale Groutage (D).
           
Biographical Information:
 

Dale Groutage (D): I was born in Rock Springs and raised in the Reliance coal camp.  I worked on ranches and oil-drilling rigs to earn money for my education at UW: (B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees).  Nancy and I have been married for 39 years, have three children, and are members of the LDS church.  I am Secretary/Treasurer of the FCSWDD Board.  As a scientist for the U.S. Navy, I designed our nation’s missiles and submarines; was honored as one of the top-ten engineers in government, and inducted into UW’s Engineering Hall-of-Fame.  I am a sportsman…

 

Craig Thomas (R):  I attended public schools in Cody and graduated from UW with a degree in Agriculture.  Upon graduation, I served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps.  I have been a small business owner and served in the Wyoming State Legislature.  I have had the honor to serve the people of Wyoming in the United States Senate for the past twelve years.  My experience and honest leadership on the issues that are important to our state and my growing seniority in the Senate have put me in a strong position to continue to fight for Wyoming. 
 
How important is an independent judiciary?  Does the present appointments process facilitate judicial independence in Federal courts?  Explain. 
 
Dale Groutage (D): Article 2, Section 2, Clause 2 of the Constitution gives the President the power to nominate judges; and with the advice, consent and approval by a majority of the Senate presidential judicial nominations are confirmed.  I believe this process has been carried out successfully since the founding of our great nation producing independence and balance in our nation’s judiciary.   I do not support amending our nation’s constitution to change the way our federal judiciary is constituted.
 
Craig Thomas (R):  An independent judiciary is critical as part of our constitutional system of check and balances.  It is also a part of that very system that a president, regardless of party, who wins a national election, has the prerogative to nominate judges he sees fit.  The appointment process is not perfect and has been subject to abuse recently.  But it is apt for maintaining balance and reflecting the will of the electorate, as the Framers intended.
 
A report about the classified National Intelligence Estimate (New York Times, Sept. 24, 2006), states “the Iraq war has made overall terrorism worse”.  What options should we follow to reduce this threat?
 
Dale Groutage (D): Selected and flawed intelligence data was used to make decisions to take our nation to war.  Now, intelligence agencies are held accountable to produce credible information.  A recent intelligence report states that the war in Iraq has become a “cause celebre” for Islamic extremists, breeding deep resentment against the U.S.  With new leadership in our government, the U.S. can once again have respect around the world and cooperation with partner nations to solve this problem of spreading terrorism. 
 
Craig Thomas (R):  Defeating Islamic extremism in Iraq and the Middle East through the introduction of freedom and the foundations of stable democracy will fundamentally change the conditions of oppression, tyranny and fanaticism that breeds and exports terrorism.  This makes us safer. The politically motivated leaking of classified information doesn’t give a fair or complete picture of the entire document.  The same document states that victory in Iraq will deal a severe blow to the terrorist enemy.