Maria Cantwell in The Washington Times

On Principles & Values: Voted for Kerry in 2004; he matched Northwest values

CANTWELL: I voted for John Kerry. He matched our Northwest values. He won Washington state because he understood our values and would fight for them.

McGAVICK: I voted for George Bush because he understood that the single most important issue facing America was the war to defeat radical Islamic terrorism. I also thought it was more likely, given Bush’s record, that he would do more to reduce the debt than John Kerry.

GUTHRIE: The American people could see that the choices we had were terrible. Only 40% of registered voters voted-60% were not served, and were disgusted with the Democrats & Republicans. I voted for change. I voted for Michael Badnarik, who represented a new sensible center in politics, without the extremes of the Democrats & Republicans. My vote represented the values of America; we’re socially tolerant yet fiscally responsible. My vote counted because I didn’t fall into the trap of voting for the lesser of two evils.

On Social Security: Tax cut on $1.2M earners would keep system solvent 75 years

On Social Security: Keep progressivity and guaranteed benefit

CANTWELL: I want to protect Social Security. What I like about Social Security is that it’s a guaranteed benefit. It has progressivity, like for women who make less or live longer. To change that, by making proposal. We must guarantee benefits to those who are nearing retirement, while for younger workers, there should be personal accounts. But, I oppose them being privatized.

GUTHRIE: First, we must keep our promises to our senior citizens. But young people 25 and undershould have personal savings accounts. For the gap between 25 and 50, they can either opt-out and accept a lump-sum payment, or they can continue with the current system.

On War & Peace: Change the course in Iraq; we can’t stay indefinitely

McGAVICK: We have got to win the war against radical Islamic terrorism. To suddenly withdraw from Iraq would give our enemy heart & would give them a staging ground for terrorism against us.

GUTHRIE: Currently we have a civil war. Our brave soldiers are doing their best, but we need to bring them home as quickly as is consistent with their safety.

CANTWELL: We do need to change the course in Iraq. To say that we’re going to stay there as long as it takes, or have permanent bases, is the wrong message. We do need a plan, which includes these things:

1. We need the rest of the international community to step up political support for the new Iraqi government.
2. We need to send to the Iraqi people the message that we’re not going to stay there indefinitely. They have to take charge of their security.
3. We need to set a Dayton Accord summit to resolve issues like oil that keep the Shiites & Sunnis battling each other.