Articles
on the
Candidate Forums
Keyes, Obama to talk
Faith in Naperville
By Beth Sneller Daily Herald Staff Writer
9/14/2004
Obama, Keyes to speak at local faith forums
By Katie Foutz Naperville Sun Staff Writer
9/23/04
Obama spreads the word
U.S. Senate candidate makes local stops to address issues
By Kathy Cichon Naperville Sun Staff Writer
10/06/04
Churches tread carefully in
election process
By Marni Pyke, Daily Herald
10/31/04
Questions Asked of Each
Candidate
Question 1 Dr. Mueller Asking
Mr. __________, please summarize your personal ethical perspective and then
explain how you would apply that ethical stance as a senator if elected to the
United States Senate. Tell us how you would respond to the increasing religious
pluralism in America and the reality that as a nation we need to find ways to
relate to other nations where the majority of the people in that nation belong
to a variety of world religions. For example, as a senator from Illinois how
would you represent and relate to your constituents who are Jews, Buddhists,
Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Christians and Sikhs to merely mention some of the
religious perspectives of citizens of Illinois? Specifically, (1) how will your
own religious and/or moral convictions guide your interactions with people who
hold a religious and/or moral perspective that is different than the one you
embrace? And (2) how will your personal faith perspective shape your position(s)
on major public policy issues being debated in the Senate?
Question 2 Dr. Brodhead Asking
Mr. __________, home ownership has traditionally been a measure of economic
success, and rates of home ownership higher than they ever have been nationally,
at 68.6%, partially driven by low mortgage interest rates. However, with median
home values at $254,000 (according to the 2000 Census) purchasing a home in a
town like this clearly makes it difficult for many who might want to buy a home
here. Is home ownership a valid measure of economic health? What are the factors
essential to promoting a healthy economy in Illinois?
Question 3 Rev. Matheney Asking
“Mr. _______, money aside—what would you do to improve education in the U.S.
on both the federal and local levels?”
Question 4 Dr. Mueller Asking
Mr. ________, many Americans are deeply concerned about a variety of issues
related to terrorism and national security. First, what is your understanding of
the best way to foster homeland security and simultaneously continue to
guarantee the civil rights of all our citizens? Second, how would you
characterize the current expenditures for counteracting terrorism at home as
well as abroad and why do you think the current expenditures in this area are
too little, too much or about right?
Question 5 Dr. Brodhead Asking
Mr. __________, according to the Federal Election Commission, in the 2000
Election, fewer than 70% of Illinois registered voters went to the polls, and
slightly more than half of the eligible voting age population were even
registered to vote. Although we don’t know exactly how many people will vote in
the upcoming election, clearly a large percentage of Americans, including
Illinoisans, opt not to vote. One theory about low voter turnout is that
citizens sense that government is not doing anything for them. How will you
involve the people who live in our democracy but don’t participate in our
democracy?
Question 6 Rev. Matheney Asking
Mr._________, the organizing team that has initiated and convened us today
reflects the rich religious diversity of this nation. They have worked hard to
show us a future of diversity that has at points created conflicting views over
questions of separation of church and state. There are many examples of this
essential tenet of the United States. We would ask you as our elected official,
how do you frame the issues of separation of church and state, and then in your
understanding, how will you promote that understanding in policy development and
voting patterns?
