Tony Knowles on Principles & Values 2004 former Democratic Challenger for Senate (AK; previously served as Governor)

Raise the level of conversation in political debates

Religious political beliefs are part of freedom of speech

KNOWLES: Freedom of speech. I don’t mind what is said from the pulpit. I also look at ways at which we can, to public policy, in a positive way, bring religious beliefs. I did so with a subsistence summit that I held here in Anchorage. And I wanted to get beyond the stakeholders which for decade it seemed like had been fighting tooth and nail. So I [brought in] business leaders and religious leaders. I think it’s important to remember that kind of sense and understanding brought good public policy.

PALIN: A pastor, a priest, a rabbi, certainly they have the freedom to say whatever they want to say. And you know, thank the lord that we do have that freedom of speech. Faith is very important to so many of us here in America, and I would never support any government effort to stifle our freedom of religion or freedom of expression or freedom of speech.

Didn’t make nepotism an issue in this campaign

MURKOWSKI: “I have made no point hiding from the fact that my father appointed me to this seat. I didn’t ask Alaskans to accept that or get over that, if you will,” she repeated her stock answer. “What I’ve asked is that Alaskans look at the job I’m doing in the US Senate.”

Should’ve gotten subsistence on the ballot as an issue

KNOWLES: Knowles, however, expressed regrets for a policy failure, not campaign gaffes. He said he wished he had gotten subsistence on the ballot as an issue when he was governor.

Religious affiliation: Nondenominational.

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What’s an adherent?

Such factors as religious service attendance, belief, practice, familiarity with doctrine, belief in certain creeds, etc., may be important to sociologists, religious leaders, and others. But these are measures of religiosity and are usually not used academically to define a person’s membership in a particular religion. It is important to recognize there are various levels of adherence, or membership within religious traditions or religious bodies. There’s no single definition, and sources of adherent statistics do not always make it clear what definition they are using.

Member of Democratic Governors Association.

Governors are, by definition, a different type of politician. They must be independent and pragmatic leaders, often reaching across party lines to get the people’s business done. Democratic Governors bring these skills to bear for the benefit of all of their citizens. They are leading the way with innovative ways to strengthen families, improve the quality of life, and prepare for the future. These principles are why Democratic Governors are good executives, good candidates, and will regain the majority of statehouses in 2002.
• Balancing budgets, investing in priorities and providing responsible tax cuts: support tax relief that is fair for working families.
• Creating new jobs and succeeding in the new economy: sustain economic development, particularly for small businesses that create the majority of new jobs.
• Supporting economic development in rural areas: ensure that rural and underserved communities have the technology needed to participate in the New Economy.
• Improving public schools and investing in our youngest children: the most important aspect to insure a child’s education is to have the best possible teachers in the classroom.
• Protecting patients’ rights and providing seniors with affordable prescription drugs: guarantee that doctors and patients, not HMO bureaucrats, make medical decisions.
• Keeping streets, schools and communities safe: anti-crime measures that promise swift, severe and certain punishment, [plus] smart prevention measures like community policing.
• Improving quality of life through smart growth: excessive growth and sprawl threaten our communities
• Promoting clean air, clean water and clean neighborhoods: the old debate between environmental protection and economic development presented a false choice.
• Promoting personal responsibility through the next generation of welfare reform

Member, National Governors Association/Economic Development.

The National Governors Association (NGA) is the collective voice of the nation’s governors and one of Washington’s most respected public policy organizations. NGA provides governors with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and before the Administration on key federal issues to developing policy reports on innovative state programs and hosting networking seminars for state government executive branch officials. The NGA Center for Best Practices focuses on state innovations and best practices on issues that range from education and health to technology, welfare reform, and the environment. NGA also provides management and technical assistance to both new and incumbent governors.

Since their initial meeting in 1908 to discuss interstate water problems, governors have worked through the National Governors Association to deal with issues of public policy and governance relating to the states. The association’s ongoing mission is to support the work of the governors by providing a bipartisan forum to help shape and implement national policy and to solve state problems.

Fortune Magazine recently named NGA as one of Washington’s most powerful lobbying organizations due, in large part, to NGA’s ability to lead the debate on issues that impact states. From welfare reform to education, from the historic tobacco settlement to wireless communications tax policies, NGA has influenced major public policy issues while maintaining the strength of our Federalist system of government.

There are three standing committees—on Economic Development and Commerce, Human Resources, and Natural Resources—that provide a venue for governors to examine and develop policy positions on key state and national issues.

[Note: NGA positions represent a majority view of the nation’s governors, but do not necessarily reflect a governor’s individual viewpoint. Governors vote on NGA policy positions but the votes are not made public.]

Member of the Western Governors' Association.

Established in 1984, the Western Governors' Association is an independent, non-partisan organization of governors from 18 western states and three U.S.-flag Pacific islands. The Association was formed to provide strong leadership in an era of critical change in the economy and demography of the West. The Western Governors recognize that many vital issues and opportunities shaping our future span state lines and are shared throughout the West.

Mission

The WGA has six basic objectives:
1. Develop and Communicate Regional Policy
2. Serve as a Leadership Forum
3. Build Regional Capacity
4. Conduct Research and Disseminate Findings
5. Form Coalitions and Partnerships to Advance Regional Interests
6. Build Public Understanding and Support for Regional Issues and Policy Positions

Endorsed by MoveOn, for moderate progressive principles.

MoveOn is working to bring ordinary people back into politics. With a system that today revolves around big money and big media, most citizens are left out. When it becomes clear that our "representatives" don't represent the public, the foundations of democracy are in peril. MoveOn is a catalyst for a new kind of grassroots involvement, supporting busy but concerned citizens in finding their political voice.

Many of our current national leaders actively disregard public opinion and common sense, recklessly placing the interests of their big-money donors ahead of the good of our society. For these politicians, our only alternative is electoral action. It's time for a change in leadership. We need more new talent and new vision.

MoveOn PAC’s nationwide network of more than 2,000,000 online activists provides financial support to congressional candidates who embrace moderate to progressive principles of national government.