The News-Letter sat down with U.S. Senator Ben Cardin to discuss the upcoming congressional elections. Cardin is currently a junior U.S. Senator and a member of the Democratic Party. He represented Maryland’s 3rd congressional district in the House of Representatives from 1987 to 2007, and is running for his second term in the Senate.
The News-Letter (N-L): What do you think the most important issue in your upcoming election?
Ben Cardin (BC): I think it’s about jobs, about getting our economy back on track. It’s about growing America’s economy so we can do what we need to do to be competitive. It’s also about, how do you invest in creating jobs? That means investing in our schools, making college more affordable for families. It also means building a better infrastructure - roads, bridges, transit systems, energy grids. We’ve got to do a better job. Then how do we balance the budget? We have to look at a balanced approach that reduces spending... and brings in additional revenue so that we can balance our budget.
N-L: What about the presidential election?
BC: I’m a strong Obama supporter. I think President Obama is going to win reelection, but there is obviously a long time from now until November. With the economy improving, I think his chances are much better and now that the Republicans appear to have their nominee, I think we’ll see the contrast between President Obama and Governor Romney. I expect to see people start to pick sides. I think President Obama is going to do well.
N-L: Going back to Israel, what solution would you support?
BC: I’m for a two-state solution. I’m for two states living side by side in peace. It’s the only viable option.
N-L: How are you going to get more students to register to vote?
BC: We want to get people registered. This is your future. It’s a lot at stake. There’s some fundamental issues being determined that affect our college students: war, peace, how we deal with higher education, how we deal with our environment. These are issues that college students have [are] very strong … there are fundamental differences between Governor Romney and President Obama so we’re hoping that that will be motivation to get college students, especially here at Hopkins, registered.
