The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and asked of all candidates for this office.

See below for questions on UN Dues, Health Care, Campaign Finance Reform

Click on a name for other candidate information.

Answer from Richard Cordray:

Yes, If we want to exercise leadership in the world, as we should, we should begin by carrying out our own international obligations. We should build upon that basic responsibility by setting a positive example for other nations in terms of critical issues such as nuclear proliferation; for that reason, I strongly oppose the recent vote in the Senate not to ratify the Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty. This vote means turning our back on decades of work to make the world safer and promote the peaceful solution of international disputes

Answer from Frank A. Cremeans:

The United States should pay its dues to the United Nations, but should not write a blank check to an organization that has little if any accountability. The UN must become ore transparent. Examples of waste, fraud and abuse are abundant. Before repaying dues, the UN must open its books so that Americans are aware of just how their taxpayer dollars are being used.

Answer from Theodore S. Celeste:

As a Signatory to the UN charter, United States has a binding legal responsibility to pay its full dues or risk losing its voting rights in the UN General Assembly. The United States, as the wealthiest nation and the sole superpower, must support international institutions that advocates social progress, higher standard of living for families and education for children; promotes cooperative relations among nations, carries out peacekeeping and humanitarian operations and protects the environment. Only after paying our dues, can the US regain its leadership role, credibility and leverage to demand reforms that will result in a more efficient organization.

Answer from Mike DeWine:

I support paying our fair share of United Nations dues, and also support funding to pay our outstanding arrears with the U.N. I voted for legislation that included a bipartisan agreement to provide $351 million for U.N. arrears.

Answer from Marvin A. McMickle:

Yes, The United States should not sit as a member of the Security Council with out being amember in good standing of the General Assembly. We should not withhold dues as leverage to limit the spread of information about birth control and family planning.

Answer from Daniel I. Radakovich:

Yes. I have many objections to current UN policies but being a world's greatest "deadbeat" nation is not how to encourage change.

Answer from Ronald R. Dickson:

We are paying a disproportionate amount of the operational of the UN other countries are using our funds to hit us over the head for proposals that are not in our best interest. We should reevaluate our portion of payment as in relation to the payments made by other countries.

Answer from Theodore S. Celeste:

The U.S. must provide affordable, quality health care to all citizens and guarantee their right to pursue a coarse of treatment recommended by their physician. This includes: 1) protecting a patient's right to choose a doctor; 2) requiring medical decisions be made by doctors, not insurance companies; 3) ensuring equal coverage for mental and physical health benefits; 4) providing Medicare funding for home-based care; 5) enforcing criminal background checks on LTC employees and report cards on facilities; and 6) simplify enrollment of families with children eligible for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Answer from Ronald R. Dickson:

I am not happy with HMO's Everyone should be able to chose what doctor they want to see or hospital to go to.

Answer from Richard Cordray:

Fist, I support the Patient's Bill of Rights, which the Senate Republican have blocked. The legislation would grant patients the right to appeal a denial of treatment, more access to specialist, and coverage of emergency room treatment. It also would hold HMO's accountable by providing legal recourse when they deny treatment recommended by the doctor. Second, I favor expanding health care coverage by ensuring that all children have access to quality health care, get the immunizations they need and receive primary pediatric care. Third, I would use any surpluses to protect Medicare and cover prescription drugs for senior citizens.

Answer from Daniel I. Radakovich:

I would promote the establishment of a "safety-net" incorporating preventive care, amelioration of treatment costs (prescription and equipment costs including vision-glasses/contacts- and hearing-aide needs) passage of the Patient's Bill of Rights* access to catastrophic care for all possibly along the lines of assigned-risk auto insurance. (*In 1998 I gathered more signatures for this program in the Fisher/Coleman campaign's effort than I personally got this year running for the Senate.)

Answer from Mike DeWine:

I believe the following components need to be a part of health care reform: Guaranteed emergency room care Direct access to an OB-GYN or pediatrician Ensure pregnant mothers have continuity of care The ability to see the doctor of your choice Higher investments in medical research, which will improve the quality of care Prescription drug coverage to seniors that can't afford it Measures to make health insurance more affordable and accessible A timely and inexpensive appeals process for all patients to contest a denial of coverage.

Answer from Frank A. Cremeans:

America has the strongest health care system in the world, yet too many Americans cannot afford health insurance. Returning a family's hard-earned income through tax cuts would make health insurance more affordable for many. Similarly creating tax incentives for purchasing health care through Medical Savings Accounts would also expand coverage. However, we must not permit a government take-over of our health care system has been proposed

Answer from Marvin A. McMickle:

Support a patient's bill of rights Support expanding Medicaid to cover prescription drugs for Seniors Seek funding to assist the 45 million Americans presently uninsured Invest more in prevention messages and programs

Answer from Mike DeWine:

I co-wrote a bipartisan campaign reform bill that would: increase disclosure requirements. The support of individuals and organizations for candidates should be public. Expand broadcast ad reporting requirements. Interest groups that place political ads should meet the same reporting requirements for candidates that buy political ads. Cap soft money contributions at $60,000. Most experts believe a soft money ban is unconstitutional. I support a middle ground, rather than leave it unrestricted. Adjust individual limits for inflation. If we cap soft money and do not adjust hard-money limits, more money will go to third-party ads, away from public view.

Answer from Daniel I. Radakovich:

Any measure to alter the current system must be "playtested" to assure it does not wind up as futile as the last several attempts at "reform" which have complicated the political process in a discouraging way for the average citizen. I've no objections to PACs per se, but people should be aware of the ability they give individuals and interest groups/causes to get their voices heard. If the monopoly of a class or clique, their positive aspects will chiefly benefit such a class or clique rather than the citizenry at large... so citizens must educate themselves about them.

Answer from Theodore S. Celeste:

Campaigns must be financed only by individuals in limited amounts and the public treasury at levels based on a state's population and media requirements. Limitations on soft money usage must include prohibiting elected officials and members of their staffs or representatives from making direct solicitations for soft money for party/non-party committees and issue advocacy/lobbying organizations. Acceptance of public funding would require participation in at least 2 joint appearances. To ensure equal TV time, broadcasters must grant candidates time 60 days prior to 70 an election as enforced through the FCC.

Answer from Ronald R. Dickson:

I support full disclosure of all contributions and increasing the amount from $1000 to $5000 for individual contributions.

Answer from Marvin A. McMickle:

I would begin by supporting public funding of federal and statewide elections, would support ending 30 second attack ads in favor of 1-2 minute campaign position views by the candidate, would support shortening the campaign season for Presidential elections, would support the restricted use of soft money contributions, and would support asking TV stations to provide equal access to the air waves for all "major" candidates at a drastically lower cost than is the case today. I would support a reasonable cap on the maximum amount of money spent on a campaign.

Answer from Richard Cordray:

I strongly support the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform legislation, both in its current form (banning soft money) and in its previous, stronger form (including broader and more comprehensive reforms). I also would support and work toward public financing of congressional campaigns, to level the playing field between incumbents and challengers. Finally, I support measures ( both at the federal and state level) to provide a fairer, nonpolitical apportionment of legislative districts to encourage competition that benefits the voters by giving them more of a choice.

Answer from Frank A. Cremeans:

Our Campaign Finance system laws are riddled with loopholes and are in serious need for reform. Greater transparency is needed in the political process. As Senator, I would sponsor reform legislation to require candidates to file disclosures electronically, and in turn require the FEC to post these disclosures in the Internet within 24 hours. As they say, sunshine is the best disinfectant. Making it easier for citizens to know who funds the campaigns of those who represent them would go a long way towards cleaning up the system.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.