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Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2004

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  Here are some excerpts of his views.

The Second Amendment: As a gun owner, sportsman and as Floridaıs next United States senator, I will always vote to protect our Second Amendment rights. I know firsthand what can happen when government limits gun rights. As a child I witnessed the communist takeover of Cuba. One of the first things Castro did when he came to power was to confiscate our guns.

Stem cell research: I support the presidentıs policy on stem cell research. As a result of private research, more than 60 genetically diverse stem cell lines already exist. They were created from embryos that have already been destroyed, and they have the ability to regenerate themselves indefinitely, creating ongoing opportunities for research.

Abortion: I have a deep respect for life, and that respect will guide my voting in the United States Senate. I am opposed to abortion. I strongly support President Bushıs view that we need to create a culture of life in America.

Same-sex marriage: I believe a marriage should be only between one man and one woman. I support the Federal Marriage Amendment.

Taxes: All of President Bushıs tax cuts should be made permanent. Americans should be allowed to keep more of what they earn. Decreasing taxes permanently will permit Americans to save more of the dollars they earn and allow them to decide how to spend their money, rather than the government.

As Orange County chairman, I was able to cut property taxes by millions of dollars and manage government efficiently while increasing services such as after-school care and health clinics.

Confirming judges: I support appointing federal judges who understand that laws are made in the Congress, not in the courthouse, and, when elected, I will make it one of my priorities to break the logjam in the current judicial confirmation process.

War on terror: As a former member of President Bushıs Cabinet, I firmly believe his decision to use force in Iraq was necessary. In the days following 9/11, I sat at the Cabinet table with President Bush and Secretary Rumsfeld as we discovered the strength of al-Qaida and the severity of the terrorist attacks.

Our choice was clear. We could defeat terrorists where they live, using the finest military in the world, or we could continue to respond to their attacks on our soil. The confluence of weapons of mass destruction, terrorists willing to strike our homeland, and countries harboring terrorists created the need for the United States to reserve the right of pre-emptive action. Pre-emptive action should occur with great care and with the consent of Congress.

What Florida needs from Washington: I look forward to going to Washington to represent the people of Florida by protecting the things that make America the best country in the world. As the victim of a totalitarian dictatorship, I know first hand the value of protecting Americaıs freedom and way of life. I intend to run a positive campaign focused on the issues to win the hearts, minds and votes of the good people of Florida.

I am running for the United States Senate because Florida families deserve energetic and dynamic leadership. I know I can offer that kind of leadership.

When I ran for Orange County chairman in 1988, the Orlando Sentinel said I could never cut taxes without decimating public services. But I made a promise to the people of Orange County, and I kept my word. I cut taxes three times while improving public services.

Cuba/Castro: I arrived in this great country emigrating from Cuba as a child. I arrived alone, but with faith in God and the hope to be able to live in freedom, the same hope that has brought to this great nation thousands of fellow Cubans.

I support the strict enforcement of economic sanctions against the Cuban regime and shall fight to strengthen compliance with the embargo in all its phases. I oppose any modifications to the restrictions on travel to Cuba until the political and economic reforms I have mentioned are fully implemented.

Protecting Social Security: Social Security is a solemn promise that must be kept, and I urge Congress to preserve that sacred trust. Middle-aged workers and seniors have made plans relying on Social Security, and we must not change the rules for them. As senator I will fight for the economic security of Florida families.

Medicare/prescription drug issues: I support the recently enacted program providing prescription drug benefits to millions of Americans; for 40 years a Democrat-controlled Congress only talked about the idea. It is a monumental step in providing health care for Americans, and I look forward to further developing these programs and policies.

If the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services determines drug re-importation to be safe, I will support it. In the meantime, we must consider all options to lower drug prices.

Editor's note: