Washblog

I asked Richard Wright, 4th CD candidate against republican Richard "Doc" Hastings, to answer some questions that are near and dear to 4th CD voters and he gracioulsy provided the following interview.

Jimmy: Thanks for taking some time out to answer questions.  Campaigning is a consuming thing I am sure and raising money is a high priority for any race.  So, how is that going?  How are the prospects for getting some National Dem support?

Richard Wright: Yes, it's true; fundraising is a big priority now.  Campaigning is about striking a good balance between raising money and getting out to connect with the people of the District.  Those two things swallow up every minute of the day.  But we are energized by the support we've received from people in this District who are fed up with politics as usual.  I'm excited about putting everything I have into this race.  Our campaign team is working hard and we've just ramped up our fundraising schedule.  The main thing is getting the resources together to make sure our message touches as many people as possible.  The state Democratic Party has been very supportive.  We look forward to national level support.  It's only a matter of time, as we gain more and more momentum in this race.

Jimmy: I hear last Monday's rally at Doc Hastings office went well.  Well enough in fact that Hastings actually issued a statement.  He has been very quiet, yet he felt compelled to defend the Medicare prescription drug plan but not his "efforts" to get it passed.  What's your take on this?

Richard Wright: Our rallies in Pasco and Yakima were very successful.  We had lots of folks turn out to show their support.

What's clear is that there are no "safe" seats in Congress this year.  Republican leaders thought Hastings' district was secure when they handed him the ethics chair job, but things have changed. That was before DeLay announced his resignation and before Congress had a popular approval rating in the low twenties.  Hastings is getting nervous.  He issued a statement because the heat is on, because the citizens of the 4th District want some answers.  It's in the air; this is the year for change and I'm sure Hastings can sense it.

His statement was a weak one on a day that millions of American seniors struggled to figure out the confusing plan he's so proud of.  If he's proud of the Medicare drug plan, it's because he's out of touch with seniors in this district.  This legislation is a license to steal from aging Americans; it supports pharmaceutical companies and the insurance industry rather than supporting our aging parents and grandparents.

Since the rallies, the House Ethics Committee has begun a few investigations that should have started months and months ago.  In my book, after 16 months of doing absolutely nothing, these are merely symbolic gestures to bolster support in an election year.  It is no coincidence that Tom DeLay announced his retirement before any investigations could begin.

I will continue to pressure Mr. Hastings to open an investigation into Tom DeLay.  If he doesn't, a cloud will hang over Mr. Hastings' service in Congress.  There will always be a question of why no investigation took place.  Was it because a deal was struck when Mr. Hastings was appointed to the Ethics Committee Chair or was it because an investigation of Mr. Delay would reveal Mr. Hastings' own links to DeLay's web of corruption?  Americans deserve answers. In particular, voters in this District deserve answers.

Jimmy: In Washington's 4th Congressional District, immigration and farming largely go hand in hand.  Yet it seems congressional republicans would like to take a hard line approach to immigration.  Politically, this maneuver could yield disastrous results.  Yet, there is a public outcry now that the issue is on the table with very few realistic solutions.  How would you like to see this issue approached?

Richard Wright:  Farmers rely on migrant workers, especially for labor intensive farming like orchards.  From pruning to picking, packing, and processing, labor accounts for approximately 50 percent of the cost of producing apples. If the bottom of the labor force dropped out overnight, up to 1/3 of fruit and vegetable growers would go out of business.

We need to find reasonable solutions that reward workers and employers who play by the rules.  We can have tighter boarder security.  This is not only an issue of legal immigration but also an issue of national security.  It's wrong that over four years after 9/11, we still do not have secure borders.  This administration and our Congress has failed us.  Legal immigration takes more than just passing a new law.  It means providing the funds necessary to implement the law.  I will not support a law that reverts to measures that would not only overtax law enforcement but also would split up families and hurt farmers.

Jimmy: President Bush has called for sending troops to the border, do you think he has an exit strategy?

Richard Wright: What border are you talking about?  Iraq or Mexico?

This is not an Administration that thinks far enough ahead for exit strategies.

I have no problem with using the National Guard to secure our borders if it is only done on a temporary basis.  Our National Guard is already over-taxed so we need to train border security patrols as quickly as possible.  Securing our borders should be part of an immigration reform that leads to planned, legal immigration and protects the American worker.

But it's time we think seriously about an exit strategy from Iraq and also a strategy to protect our own borders.   These are both issues that would enhance our nation security.  We need to send a strong message to the citizens of Iraq that our armies are not there for a long-term occupation.  The lack of an exit strategy energizes the insurgency.

Jimmy: When it comes to agriculture, what do you think is hurting area farmers most?

Richard Wright:  I have many good friends who are farmers; I see how a balance needs to be struck between regulation and commonsense.  We need fair trade agreements.  It's wrong to lose an industry like asparagus, for example, because we have trade agreements in place that put our farmers at a distinct disadvantage to Peruvian farms.  I'm in favor of producing as much food locally as possible.  This will ensure continued opportunities for local farmers and reduce costs.

The government has done nothing to ensure competitive fuel prices and farmers pay the price in profits.

Oil companies have been allowed to merge to the point that now only a handful of companies control the market.  This has resulted in very high diesel prices for our farmers and embarrassingly high profits for oil companies.  We need strong government action to ensure that price gouging stops once and for all.  I am committed to finding solutions to our energy crisis.

Jimmy: Are the problems stemming from agriculture policy or just plain economics?

Richard Wright:  I have great faith in the American farmer.  We have 4th and 5th generation wheat farmers in our state.  These are hard working people.

Being able to produce food locally is an important aspect of national security.  By producing our food locally, we also have a better handle on food safety.

Again, nearsighted energy policies have directly led to high fuel prices.  Trade policies have also put our producers at a disadvantage.  Our policies should be crafted to protect our farms and ensure that the family farm doesn't become obsolete - this is a first priority for me.

Jimmy: Hanford funding is critically tied to cleanup.  There are calls for cuts.  There is much at stake both environmentally and economically.  The Tri-Cities area economy is still desperately tied to Hanford funding.  With Federal spending gone out of control (war in Iraq comes to mind) is Hanford finally feeling the squeeze?  How do you feel we can keep Hanford cleanup on track?

Richard Wright: I was born and raised I the Tri-cities, so I've heard about Hanford clean up my whole life.  I'm very concerned about the local environment.  We need to approach the clean up with vigor, continuing to monitor the ground-water movements and working to ensure that our drinking water remains safe.

It's unfortunate that budget problems exacerbated by the Iraq war are creating problems for Hanford funding.  The residents of the district should remember that Mr. Hastings followed the administration's lead by voting for the Iraq war and questionable top-heavy tax breaks that favor primarily the wealthy.  The results of these decisions are record budget deficits.  Hanford and people in this area feel that more than anyone.

I will push for fiscal responsibility.  The clean up needs to be kept on schedule.

I asked one of my cohorts to pipe in with questions because I was especially interested in some outside the 4th Congressional District questions. So I am going to turn this over to Noemi Maxwell of Washblog.

Noemie:  While I'm not familiar with 4th CD issues.  After reviewing your website, I am pleased with your three choices of foundational issues -- upholding the Constitution, healthcare, and fiscal responsibility.  These three things all speak to me about the underlying issue of stability for the US.  I wonder if you see the same theme here.   And, if so, what are the other areas you think most need to be addressed to get us back to a better state of national security and stability.  In particular, I'm wondering if you see environmental and voter integrity issues as also related to stability?

Richard Wright:  You're right; stability is tied up into a lot of issues that I care deeply about.  We need to restore Americans' confidence in elections.  No wonder there is voter apathy when people can't be sure their votes will be counted.  Environmental stability is tied not only to good health and good food, but also to our future stability economically and in terms of homeland security.  Flagrant overspending and shaky foreign policy actions will hurt us.

Like many Americans, I am extremely concerned about environmental issues.  I happened to be in London when President Bush pulled the U.S. out of the Kyoto Protocol.  I was amazed at the firestorm of protest in Europe.  Based on this protest, I could see that the citizens of Europe were concerned about global climate change and the effects it will certainly have on the planet.

Instead of bowing to the interests of the oil companies and pulling out of the Kyoto Protocol, our President should have taken a strong lead to address the problems caused by greenhouse gases.  This is the biggest threat to our future.

Fifteen years ago I visited Alaska and right before my trip I read an article about a glacier that had collapsed into a lake exposing the bank.  This exposure had occurred 25 years earlier than expected.  This process has only accelerated.  I have visited Mainland China several times beginning in 1983.  The growth has been explosive and the environment has suffered there.  I visited Beijing in 1991 and the traffic was limited to mainly buses and trucks - everybody else was on a bike.  The air was clear.

I returned in 1998 and Beijing had turned into the biggest traffic jam I had ever seen and the smog was so dense that I was amazed the pilot could see the airstrip to land. The increased pollution in developing countries like China is having a significant impact on the earth.  It's time for leaders to step forward and take constructive steps to solve these environmental problems

Noemie:  Over here on the west side of the mountains, Darcy Burner is a "rock star" candidate.  Are you looking forward to serving with Darcy here in the 8th?

Richard Wright: I just want someone to call me a rock star!

But, seriously, I've said it before, but I think we should approach each race as if it were the final victory needed to secure a Democratic Congress.  With a united effort, we can have a Washington State delegation made up of nine Democrats - that would be exciting!  When Darcy Burner and I serve together in Congress it will mean a new direction for our state and our nation.  I can't wait.

Noemie:  If Democrats get control of the House, will we be able to re-establish balance without either caving in to the Republicans or creating excess/unnecessary ill will?

Richard Wright: I like this question very much because I think Democrats need to start thinking about it right now.  When we have control of Congress we will need to work effectively with Republicans and in doing so we will begin to help restore faith in our government.  We must try to eliminate extreme partisanship.

Republicans have been heavy-handed in their leadership.  We can't solve difficult problems or move forward as a nation with arm-twisting and petty bickering dragging us down.  It will be helpful to get some new faces in Congress and clean out the power-brokers motivated only by special interests.  My opponent, Mr. Hastings held the vote on the Medicare Drug Bill open an unprecedented three hours allowing the President to influence that legislation.  It will be hard for some to just forget the kind of partisan manipulation that's gone on.

The Democratic Party has always been the party of the people:  the little guy, the teacher, the small businessman, a union worker, nurses and farmers.  And when the Democrats take over the "People's House," there will be major changes, of course.  Democrats will invest again in people, not corporations.  We will invest in healthcare for all Americans.  We will invest in education, in good jobs.

Noemie:  Lastly, how can you help people from outside the 4th understand the importance of the issues there for all of us?

Richard Wright: I think everyone can understand the connection between Mr. Hastings and the culture of corruption in Congress.  That fact alone makes our race out here in the 4th District one of national importance.  Everyone has a stake in this race.  Along the same lines, everyone in this country has a stake in electing leaders who think for themselves and don't simply follow the party line or engage in petty partisanship.  I believe that most Americans are ready for a return to honest leadership and open government.

Our issues here in Central Washington are the same as yours on the other side of the Cascades and for those all over the country.  Folks here want good schools, affordable healthcare and retirement security.  We're just like everybody else.  We share your values and concerns.  We want real security.  We want to restore America's reputation in the world.  We are feeling the pinch at the gas pump and we want real solutions for the nation's dependency on foreign oil.  We want hard working families to be rewarded with fair wages.  We want to eat good local food and breathe good clean air.  And we want to feel that our government once more is truly working in our interests.

I want to thank Richard Wright for the interview and hope to have another as this campaign moves through the summer.  My casual interaction with Richard has given me the opinion that he has much to offer. And while this election cycle should provide some interesting rhetoric, I think you will continue to hear Richard Wright talking strait up to voters.  If you are listening (or reading), I think this is a contest worth paying attention to.  It is the chance to bring perhaps the most honest and honerable candidate to Congress this fall. Be sure to visit Richard Wright's web site for latest news on his campaign. You can also contribute on my Act Blue Page.