Foreign policy -- The primary obligation of the federal government is to limit its actions to those set out in the Constitution. Our borders must be closed. ... The right to issue visas by countries known to be enemies of the U.S. should be rescinded. All illegal immigrants incarcerated because of breaking our laws, state or federal, shall be returned to their country of origin.
Daniel `Wig Man' Vovak
Date of birth -- May 15, 1972
Residence -- Rockville
Education -- Bachelor of Arts, Baldwin-Wallace College, 1993; majored in business, psychology and communications
Professional experience -- Ghost writer and owner of Greenwich Public Relations; operations manager, North American Van Lines; editor, Greenwich Post in Connecticut; editor, Movers & Shakers, Ohio
Energy -- The foremost goal of our U.S. Senate's energy policy needs to be to tap into the Iraq oil immediately to lesson the burden of cost on Maryland and national residents.
Health care -- I have believed Medicare is for older people and Medicaid is for the poor. However, it has become so blurry and the restrictions so complicated, I am as confused as you are. National health care needs to be merged into one department, not multiple departments.
Immigration -- If millions of residents remain undocumented in 2006, then there has been no effective handling of terrorism since Sept. 11, 2001. All legal immigration begins at the front door of the embassies of sovereign nations.
Iraq -- I am an isolationist, not an interventionist. I support an immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq, though even an immediate withdrawal will take about a year. However, I do support the war in Afghanistan.
Democratic
Benjamin L. Cardin
Date of birth -- Oct. 5, 1943
Residence -- Pikesville
Education -- B.A., University of Pittsburgh, 1964; LL.B./J.D., University of Maryland School of Law, 1967
Professional experience -- U.S. House of Representatives, 1987-present; member, Ways and Means Committee, 1989-present; ranking member, Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, 2003-present; Maryland House of Delegates, 1967-1986; House of Delegates speaker, 1979-1986; practicing attorney, 1967-1987
Energy -- We need an Apollo-type commitment to energy independence. I authored the American Energy Independence Act to deliver energy independence. My bill would raise Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards and establish a renewable portfolio standard.
Health care -- I support universal health coverage. I have worked to strengthen Medicare, Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program. I oppose privatizing these programs. I oppose the President's Medicare prescription drug plan and support a real prescription drug program within Medicare.
Immigration -- America is a nation of immigrants. Congress should pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation which restores the rule of law at our borders, and is fair to long-term undocumented workers who come forward.
Iraq -- I voted against invading Iraq. We must change the course and start bringing our troops home. We need to refocus our efforts against international terrorism by cutting off their foreign financial support. We need to focus on defeating al-Qaida, strengthening homeland security and pursuing active diplomacy.
David Dickerson
Date of birth -- Aug. 27, 1962
Residence -- Sparks
Education -- Bachelor of Business Administration, Loyola College, 1984; Master of Administrative Science, the Johns Hopkins University, 1990; Ph.D., Cambridge University, Magdalene College, 2002
Professional experience -- Principal, Stratconsult Ltd.; international sales director, Motorola; business development director, Sony Europe International; U.S. Air Force reserves
Energy -- We need to begin developing an alternative form of energy for transportation in the event our country is deprived of oil and gas. It would be in our best interest to meet with OPEC and the other world oil producers to gain a promise of supply to alleviate our tension.
Health care -- I support a European system of a state and private system of health insurance that allows for free choice. We could also institute a Child Welfare Card that provides insurance for all children, up to 18, and saves small business from providing insurance to the children of employees.
Immigration -- We need to be humane and protect our citizens and legal residents by increasing our border security, monitoring visa status, expedite working visas for business, and provide the processes for illegals to apply for temporary residency. We do not want the 12 million that are here to seek refuge.
Iraq -- Our government needs to announce to the world our plans for withdrawal, which will also weaken the support of al-Qaida operatives. We need the support of Europe, Russia and China. ... We need to work with the Arab League and Israel to discuss post Iraq. We need to get the Iraqi troops trained as soon as possible because our troop recruitments are diminishing.
George T. English
Date of birth -- Feb. 5, 1940
