A recent article on the “WorldNetDaily” Web site reported that “Minuteman Project” founder Jim Gilchrist might be interested in running for President as the Constitution Party’s nominee. This article quotes CP Chairman Jim Clymer as being excited about the possibility of such a Gilchrist candidacy. Gilchrist’s views on immigration are well-known. John Lofton interviewed him about some other important issues.
Originally found here:
GILCHRIST SAYS he likes Bush Supreme Court nominees John Roberts (shown here) and Sam Alito though neither man is pro-life
Q: What do you think of Mr. Bush’s Supreme Court appointees?
A: Let’s see —.
Q: John Roberts and Samuel Alito.
A: I like them both, but I did not study them very closely. I don’t think I dislike either of them. I think they were both conservatives. There was one that stood out a little more, and I think it may have been Robert, the one who seemed to have a more moral background. The one who - not that Alito didn’t - it may have been that Roberts was the last one to be appointed, but I remember them both.
Q: A quick related question. What is the first thing that you think ought to guide a judge?
A: (Pause) The rule of law, along with his conscience. A reasonable man’s conscience — a reasonable woman’s conscience. And I may be playing with words here.
Q: What about God’s Word, Scripture?
A: Yes, but should we become a theocracy? No.
Q: What about capital punishment. Where are you on that?
A: I’m for it.
Q: What about Federal aid to Katrina victims?
A: I would prefer that it came from private donations, but with a cost that big, yeah, I would have to support it (Federal aid.) — salvaging that part of the country.
Q: Alright, what about the Federal Government’s role in education? Should it have any role?
A: No. That should be local. Only somewhat of a supervisory role. But to come down and say you can’t have - here we go - Ten Commandments. Next thing they’re going to do is outlaw the American flag in the classroom.
Q: What about foreign aid?
A: Against it except for an extreme circumstance, or if it were very, very limited. Not the kind of foreign aid we’re doing now.
Q: So some kind of foreign aid would be Constitutional?
A: Yeah, yeah, but I’m reluctant with that, John, because - once you start making exceptions it starts getting carried away - I would have to say extremely limited foreign aid - and that could be either none or very little.
Q: What about what they call free trade? You for that? Where are you on the tariff question, or the free trade?
A: I’m for getting rid of taxes, if that’s what you’re calling free trade.
Q: No, no all these international agreements.
A: Against it - I don’t see any benefit to the American middle class - American society in general over this NAFTA and CAFTA - this stuff. I see it as a negative. Long ago when they first started it it sounded like it might be a good idea - but Congress, in its typical wisdom, does not consider the public’s opinion. They just go ahead and pass things.
Q: I assume that you agree that private individual’s have a right to keep and bear arms?
A: Yeah.