This web page is part of an assignment at Davidson College
North Carolina Senate Race 2004
Erskine Bowles (D) vs. Richard Burr (R)
Homeland Security
Candidates' Positions:
Bowles says that the government "still has not done nearly enough to protect our citizens against future terrorist attack" and he points out that he saw the need to assess homeland security in 1998 (Bowles 1). Bowles clearly states that defending America requires bipartisan cooperation and he cites his experience as White House Chief of Staff to prove that he can "work with ALL sides on this issue" (Bowles 1). His three-step "Protect America First" plan addresses not only what needs to be done, but how to pay for it.
Burr believes that "the CIA and other intelligence services need to be built back after post-Cold War cuts" and that America needs to continue to take an aggressive stance in fighting terrorism (Burr). Burr reminds voters that through his service on the House Select Committee on Intelligence and the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland security, he has "worked to improve the communication among U.S. intelligence services" and all levels of law enforcement (Burr). He also provides examples of legislation that he has voted for, such as The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, and figures that show how America is safer as a result of his work in Washington, such as the "242% increase in Counter-Terrorism funding since September 11th" (Burr).
Representation of Constituents
Bowles and Burr know that the people that they will represent could be security moms that live near one of North Carolina's three nuclear reactors, dockworkers employed in the ports at Wilmington and Morehead City or military families from Fort Bragg or other military installations. Each candidate is trying to strike a balance between the delegate and trustee approach to representation. For example: Bowles realizes that members of the military want him to go forward with legislation to assist military families with the costs of attending in-state colleges, while citizens with less knowledge of military affairs delegate responsibility to him to keep them safe based on his experience investigating the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Burr does the same, appealing to voters who favor substantive representation by voting for increased military funding and reaching out to those who prefer symbolic representation by associating himself with President Bush's strong leadership in the war on terror (washingtonpost.com). Each candidate is doing a good job of representing the voters of North Carolina. Burr and Bowles are both successfully connecting with their constituents. Burr has a slight advantage, however in that he is in his fifth congressional term and can point to specific legislation that he has supported (Burr). Furthermore, North Carolina voters may view Bowles' ties to Bill Clinton negatively. Ultimately, the candidate which best represents his constituents will emerge on election day.
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Created: 10-15-04
Davidson College
Politics 318