Jack Carter on Principles & Values

I'm fed up with this administration & my opponent

And my opponent is responsible for it. He has voted with this admin 96% of the time. This is the last chance we have to get rid of this administration and the people who work for them.

Campaign funding source doesn't matter; "we the people" do

CARTER: People should elect me because I'm going to refocus the government on we the people instead of the special interests.

ENSIGN: My opponent has actually raised more money in California than he has in Nevada. He says he wants to be Nevada's voice in Washington, but if Nevadans aren't supporting him how can he be Nevada's voice in Washington?

There are certain values that are intuitive to all Americans

Corruption in government turns people off

A: 1) There is a disconnect between what people think the government ought to be and what it is. 2) A lot of people are concerned. As long as government sort of goes along in its proper direction, then it's not surprising to me that people don't participate very much. 3) When you have a lot of corruption in the government or when it makes obviously stupid mistakes, then that tends to turn people off and they feel like their vote doesn't count.

Common sense, honesty, integrity are our American Values

When I came home from the Navy, I earned degrees in physics and law before I joined my father's race for the Presidency. During that campaign in 1975 and 6, I was struck by the intelligence, the common sense, and the unselfish drive for honesty and integrity by the average Americans I met. They had no hidden agenda, no special requests for themselves. All they wanted was good government.

Common sense, honesty, integrity and a desire for good government: these are part of our American Values.

Core values have brought America to pinnacle of world power

• At our heart is LIBERTY-personal freedom-to be who we want to be without government interference.
• Next comes DEMOCRACY-the idea that all are created equal, and, to the extent that we need a government, everyone should take responsibility for it.
• Our forefathers brought forth the CONSTITUTION-the foundation of our government.
• We value the RULE OF LAW-the structure that protects our freedoms, defines our property rights, enforces our contracts, and punishes our criminals.
• We believe in FAMILY & COMMUNITY VALUES like helping our neighbors in need, welcoming new friends, caring for the old & sick, educating our kids.
• We believe in COOPERATION-that in banding together, whether in unions, corporations or communities, we can reach unbelievable heights of accomplishment.
• These are the values we Nevadans hold dear. They have brought America to the pinnacle of world power.
• I'm proud to be an American. I'm proud to be a Nevadan. And I would be honored to be your Senator.

Running because government moved away from our core values

• It has abandoned international cooperation by unilaterally rejecting long-term agreements.
• In violation of common sense, our invasion of Iraq has been one faulty political judgment after another, punctuated by brilliant military actions.
• And where has Good Government gone? This administration has appointed political cronies to important positions where their lack of experience can be harmful.
• This administration has pulled a cloak of secrecy over its operations at the expense of the openness we citizens require.
• This administration has encouraged industry lobbyists to write laws which have a sweeping impact on us all.
• And it has done all this while piling up the up the largest budget deficit in history in sharp contrast to the sound economic judgment we NEVADANS practice in our homes and businesses.

Replace Washington's voice to NV with NV's voice in DC

I don't want to be "one of the Democrats" like my opponent is one of the Republicans. I am a Nevadan and an American concerned with what is best for our State and our Country. I don't care who else is for it or against it. I am a businessman. I want results, not partisan bickering. I want to bring my experience to bear on every major problem we have to develop a long-term solution that will last beyond the next election.

I declare that I am running for the US Senate from the State of Nevada on this premise: I want to replace my opponent who is WASHINGTON'S VOICE TO NEVADA. I WANT TO BE NEVADA'S VOICE TO WASHINGTON. Strong and Independent and as ready to fight as the Battle Born State we are.

My opponent votes with the Administration 96% of the time

I SAY INDEPENDENCE IS AN AMERICAN VALUE. The singular difference between the current junior Senator from Nevada and me is that He works for the Bush Administration, and I am going to work for NEVADA.

On listening tour, deciding when to get into race

Carter declined to comment on his race except to say: "If I say something now, it will be brought up 10 months from now." He said he is cobbling together a fundraising team. Many Nevada Democrats say Carter's chances of success will hinge, in large part, on Reid's help. Earlier this year, some Democrats questioned Reid's enthusiasm about recruiting a challenger to take on his colleague, the junior senator.

Avoided media during father's presidency

In Nevada, he has been an active party member, a Nevada Democratic Party spokeswoman said.

Like his father, Carter is a Navy veteran. Unlike the former president, he was discharged in 1970 for drug use. Last year, he campaigned for Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) in Nevada; Kerry lost the state.

Jack Carter avoided the media lens so scrupulously, it appears, that Ensign, like many Democrats and Republicans in Washington, was unaware of him. "Like most people, we did not know [he] had a son," Ensign said. "We all knew about Amy."

Candidacy supported by Sen. Harry Reid

Carter and his wife, Elizabeth, have lived in Las Vegas since 2003, operating an investment consulting firm.

Social liberal with conservative Southern roots