Tony Knowles in The New York Daily News

On Crime: Reform the system while protect everyone’s right in court

KNOWLES: Just like I did as governor, I’ll bring all parties together to figure out a way to reform the system while still protecting everyone’s right to their day in court. Take the most famous case in Alaska history, the Exxon Valdez damages. The 32,000 injured Alaska private property owners, fishermen and Native villagers deserve their day in court.

MURKOWSKI: Limiting liability by capping non-economic damages is necessary to reduce medical costs. In Alaska, two of our four liability insurers left the state in the past year because of large liability damage awards. The result is higher insurance rates for doctors and higher rates for patients. If the trend continues, the ability for patients to access a doctor will decrease.

On Education: No Child Left Behind made our education dream a nightmare

KNOWLES: The federal No Child Left Behind law turned our education dream into a nightmare. Alaska’s Quality Schools Initiative was working-raising student scores and teacher standards-until the federal government imposed its one-size-fits-all approach that doesn’t fit Alaska. We need to repeal these 1,200 pages of micro-management and return education decisions to our teachers, parents and school boards.

MURKOWSKI: Alaska needs flexibility from burdensome federal regulations that do nothing to improve education and threaten local control of schools. I support the goals of NCLB, but states need room to adapt NCLB to local needs-to consider growth-based models to measure yearly progress, to appropriately include disabled students in education, and flexibility in implementing the “highly qualified” teacher provisions.

On Environment: Appropriate to levy reasonable fees to upkeep public lands

KNOWLES: Public lands should be accessible to all but it is appropriate to levy reasonable user fees to pay for upkeep, improvements and maintenance for certain high-use areas.

MURKOWSKI: Individuals should not have to pay a fee to enjoy public lands as long as their actions do not place other users in harm’s way. Public lands are there for the public good and public enjoyment - not just for those who can afford to enjoy them.

On Gun Control: Oppose reauthorizing the federal assault weapons ban

KNOWLES: No. I opposed reauthorizing the federal assault weapons ban and closing the so-called “gun show loophole.” I am a strong supporter of the entire Bill of Rights, including the Second amendment right to keep and bear arms and would oppose any infringement of those rights, including a ban in any other form.

MURKOWSKI: I do not support the extension or resurrection of the ban on semiautomatic, assault-style weapons.

On Homeland Security: Support a national missile defense system

KNOWLES: I support a national missile defense system. I believe in a strong national defense and realize that threats to America exist around the world, including the threat of nuclear attack from rogue nations. America must protect itself and that includes a workable missile defense system. Alaska’s strategic location makes it a logical place to base such defensive weapons.

MURKOWSKI: Yes. It is important we have a missile defense system that protects all 50 states. Alaska is the only location that can offer that protection. While we must also be vigilante against other potential threats, we cannot ignore threats from rogue nations that have intercontinental missile capabilities or the possibility of a terrorist group obtaining a long-range missile.

On Homeland Security: Fairbanksans were not satisfied with the Alaska Fire Service

KNOWLES: Fairbanksans were not satisfied with a system that left them under a thick blanket of smoke for weeks and neither am I. Recognizing best forest practices allow wildfires to burn in remote areas, I would work with Fire Service professionals to address these problems-both here & in the lower 48-by reducing risk through controlled burns, adequately funding needed fire crews to protect homes and personal property, and ensuring the availability and safety of aerial tankers.

MURKOWSKI: Alaska is served well by the Alaska Fire Service. Officials from the state and AFS met daily to assess the fire status and set daily priorities. The process worked. Despite such cooperation, I have concerns regarding the fire protection zones that delineate Alaska. Interior communities have a right to know how their land areas are zoned. I support holding public meetings to determine if the various suppression zones need to be re-classified.

On Tax Reform: Support permanent tax cuts for most wage earners

KNOWLES: The best way to fix our budget problems is to create jobs. I support permanent tax cuts for most wage earners but would roll back cuts for the top 1% who average $1 million a year or more. This would generate $194.5 billion that should be invested in infrastructure, health care for seniors, children and veterans, and education.

MURKOWSKI: Federal tax cuts are a means to spur economic growth. I firmly believe individuals know how to better spend their money than the government does. This means more private investment instead of inefficient government-run programs. In the long run, that leads to greater prosperity and a reduced deficit for the nation as a whole.

On War & Peace: Could have assaulted on Al-Qaida and bin Laden on full-scale

KNOWLES: Based on the information of imminent threat presented to Congress by Bush, I supported the decision to invade Iraq. Knowing today this information was false, we would be safer if we had used those forces for a full-scale assault on Al-Qaida and bin Laden, who remain an imminent threat to our security. It remains in the best interests of America and the world to continue efforts to bring peace and stability to Iraq.

MURKOWSKI: Iraq will be a successful and stable democracy and the result will place greater pressure on other Middle Eastern nations to grant individuals greater civil rights and liberties. This will only come about if the US remains committed to assisting Iraq make this transformation. If not, other groups who would like to play a greater role in their own government’s decision-making process are likely to be disillusioned and unlikely to push for reform.