Blog Interview: U.S. Senate Candidate Scott Syme

This is our third blog interview with a Republican U.S. Senate Candidate. This time, it’s Scott Syme’s turn:

Q1:Why are you running for the U.S. Senate?

Syme: I am running for the United States Senate for three principle reasons. First, I was raised with Idaho values which include a strong sense of responsibility of service to our country. I have served my country in the military and now I would like to use that experience and knowledge to serve the people of the state of Idaho in the United States Senate. Secondly, at this time in history, we are faced with huge national security issues. I want to bring my extensive experience in this arena to the United States Senate to represent the people of Idaho. Lastly, I believe the people of Idaho want a change from career politicians who cannot relate to the realities of everyday life most of us are facing in the costs of heating our homes, paying for gas and filling our refrigerators.

Q2: What would be your top three areas of focus if you were to be elected to the United States Senate?

Syme:

The war in Iraq is not just costing American lives, but also siphoning off American dollars. It is imperative that we elect a United States Senator who understands what is going on in Iraq from the political, economic and military aspects. We need to bring this war to the most favorable conclusion we can as quickly as possible. I have served in Iraq and I know what we need to do to accomplish this. Success in Iraq is critical to our National Security strategy. There are countries around the world that are breeding grounds for terrorism and we need people in the United States Senate who know what to do to reduce these threats.

When I first decided to run for this open United States Senate seat, I sat down for coffee with former Senator Jim McClure. He told me that at times of war like we are facing today; we are making choices between “bombs or butter.” As we extract ourselves and our resources from Iraq, we need to re-focus on the economic instability Idahoans are facing each day as they try to make ends meet.

Immigration is the second priority. It is imperative that we find a common sense solution to this problem. We must secure our borders, provide employers the tools they need to verify employee status, stream-line the guest worker process and enforce the laws.

I want to limit government. I am not a career politician and my campaign is not financed by PAC’s who will restrict me from taking decisive actions. As Idaho’s United States Senator, I will work diligently to uncover duplications and excessive regulations which are costing us money. Like most Idahoans, I have been tightening my belt in our business and household to try and make ends meet. Food costs more, fuel costs more, heating oil costs more and we are paying more in taxes. It must stop and government must do more with less, just as Idahoans are doing in their personal lives.

Q3: Could you tell us a little about your past community and political involvement?

Syme:

While campaigning recently in northern Idaho, one of my opponents’ supporters indicated that to be a “good Republican” you had to be involved in the Republican Party as a “precinct person.” I responded to her that I was unaware that you had to be a “precinct person” to be a Republican. I thought that being a Republican was about the values you live in your daily life. I have served 26 years in the United States Army Reserve, to ensure that she has the opportunity to serve as a “precinct person.” I enlisted as a Private and worked my way up through the ranks to Colonel. I have worked on five of the seven continents and served in Iraq. While there, I was sent on a fact-finding mission for the United States Department of State to Afghanistan. Serving my country has taken up most of my free time since being at the rank of Colonel requires much more than a one week-end a month – two week a year commitment. My wife and I have been active in our church for many years and I am the Commander of the Wilder Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.

Q4: What is your greatest concern about the current state of the federal government?

Syme: My greatest concern is that our federal government seems to be less and less an entity serving our needs and more and more an adversary to us. I see one of the major functions of Idaho’s United State’s Senator as being an advocate for the people of Idaho when they bump up against big government. It is troubling how more and more the federal government seems to be less and less responsive to the needs of the everyday Idahoan.

Q5: Is there a political leader in Washington or at the state level that you can cite as an example of the type of leadership you would seek to provide in the U.S. Senate?

Syme: I would like to emulate the example of Senator Jim McClure who is a humble man and who has integrity. He worked well with everyone while in Washington. Ronald Reagan’s philosophies of less government and lower taxes fit my philosophies. He was an accessible man. I am not an extraordinary man, just an Idaho farm boy who has worked hard and who shares Idaho values with the people of Idaho. If elected, I will never forget who elected me and what I was sent to Washington to do.

Q6: What are some other factors you believe Idaho Republicans should consider when they go to cast their votes this May?

Syme: It is important to understand that this is a United States Senate seat, not a position in the State of Idaho. No other candidates in this race have national security experience or the global perspective necessary to make the important decisions made by a United States Senator.