Steve Daines in Past and present Senate candidates from Montana

On Education: Expand school choice where public schools are poor

The federal government plays a limited but important role in education, especially in helping states and local governments serve disadvantaged students and those with disabilities. As I meet with educators in Montana, they seem to share a concern about "one size fits all" metrics that currently dictate federal funding as part of No Child Left Behind. While well-intended, these metrics are difficult for rural areas to achieve. As Congress works to strengthen No Child Left Behind, I will fight to ensure that all of Montana's education needs are met. As part of this effort, I will push for expanding school choice so that more parents can send their children to a high-performing school where public schools are poor.

On Energy & Oil: War on American energy is part of war on middle class

The president's imposition of a carbon pollution cap on coal-fired power plants last month has come under fire from Republicans who say it will drive up electricity costs & inhibit domestic energy production. Daines did not name the carbon cap in his address , but he did say the president & Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) are waging a "war on coal" that will hurt Indian reservations in his state

On Social Security: AdWatch: Accuses opponent of considering privatization

Here's the Q&A from April 17 that Daines refers to:

Reporter: Do you think there would ever be a circumstance where the privatization of Social Security would make sense?

Walsh: You know, I'd have to take a look at all the options--but not for those that are currently in Social Security right now. I can see, you know, maybe if there may be an option where they look at it for new employees coming into the workforce--that they may look at that--but it's not something that I'm going to support with those that are currently on the program or currently working in the program.

On Drugs: Limit federal DEA from interfering with state marijuana laws

"What we see is that conservatives in Congress are adhering to their principles in support of state's rights and reducing Big Government programs, even when it comes to subjects like marijuana policy. We applaud Steve Daines for standing up for Montana's laws, and expect Montana's senators to do the same."

Daines was one of 49 Republicans who voted to limit federal authority. The House, by a 219-189 vote, supported an amendment to deny funding for any efforts to prevent states from implementing their own medical-marijuana laws. "This is a matter of states' rights," a Daines spokesman said.

On Abortion: No exceptions for rape nor incest, but no criminalization

The ad was released May 20 by Montana Sen. John Walsh's campaign. The two men differ greatly on the issue of abortion: Walsh supports abortion rights, and Daines opposes abortion even in cases of rape and incest. This ad, titled "Melissa," features a woman who says she was raped as a 14-year-old girl and feels insulted by Daines. Melissa says, "Daines sponsored a bill to make abortion illegal for victims of sexual assault. He's even proposed making women criminals for having an abortion."

It's true that Daines "opposes abortion in all instances except life of mother," as his spokesman told us. But the ad goes too far. He has not "proposed making women criminals for having an abortion."

On Budget & Economy: Obama stimulus shipped American jobs to China

Daines says Walsh "supported shipping American jobs to China," referring to President Obama's economic stimulus. But Walsh wasn't in the Senate at the time and didn't vote on the legislation. A small portion of the stimulus did go to Chinese firms, but Walsh had nothing to do with the award of stimulus contracts.

Walsh says Daines worked to build factories in China "at the same time Daines' company was firing thousands of American workers here." Daines did help Procter & Gamble expand in China in the 1990s, but the company says Daines was not involved in strategic corporate decisions. Moreover, the implication that expansion in China came at the expense of U.S. jobs is unsupported.

On Free Trade: Worked for 6 years bringing U.S. consumer products to China

Independently, both of those claims are more or less accurate. But we think the clear implication is that one caused the other, and that Daines was responsible for it. On both of those scores, clear evidence is lacking.

Daines, then 29, worked for P&G in China from 1991 to 1997 to help expand the company bringing U.S. consumer products into China. And in 1993, P&G announced a plan to "streamline" its operations by closing 30 plants and eliminating 13,000 jobs worldwide--including four plants and 4,000 jobs in the U.S. But did expansion in China come at the expense of American jobs? Walsh campaign officials claim it did. [We rule that there's no support] that Daines was responsible.

On Principles & Values: AdWatch: Walsh appointment was "Big Sky buy-off" D.C. deal

"John Walsh can continue to deny the truth, but Montanans know that his appointment was a politically motivated, backroom deal that put Washington interests first," said Daines' campaign spokesman.

The ad says that President Barack Obama and "the D.C. insiders hand-picked John Walsh." Bullock said he chose Walsh because he was the best one for the job, and told reporters last month that he had told US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to "butt out" when Reid called and suggested Bullock appoint Walsh as Baucus' successor.

On Foreign Policy: Congressional support for Israel is bipartisan & strong

[Returning from a trip to Israel], Daines said the PLO wants a Palestinian state, while Israel is insisting that the Palestinians recognize the legitimacy of the Jewish state of Israel. He said there's some optimism that the latest peace talks could move toward resolving the issues, but Daines said "it's also couched in historical reality, that we are still a long ways away from that solution."

"The main issue for Israel is their security as well as the recognition of Israel," Daines said.

On War & Peace: The best way to ensure Mideast peace is Israeli strength

Daines said he asked the prime minister about President Barack Obama's plans to reduce America's nuclear weapons arsenal, and that Netanyahu said he had concerns because of nuclear weapons that could be developed by enemies of Israel in the Middle East. "The prime minister, as I do, believes that one of the best ways to ensure peace is to have strength," Daines said. "It's important for the United States to maintain a strong defense."

On Immigration: Comprehensive reform is the wrong approach; no amnesty