A whole range of national security issues from the Courier Press:
Ellsworth said no weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq, but since American troops are there, it is imperative to support them with equipment and manpower.
"I oppose what is called 'cutting and running,' an immediate (troop) drawdown or giving a public timeline for getting out of Iraq," he said. "The insurgency would just ramp up their violence then, and say they defeated America."
Ellsworth said he prefers that America depart Iraq when the Iraqi government asks it to - and if American and Iraqi military experts agree that is a good idea.
Fighting terrorism, Ellsworth said, is a matter of applying the best minds in American intelligence agencies without inter-departmental jealousy or bureaucratic inefficiencies.
"I'm not against beefing up (intelligence agencies') budgets, if it's going to be practical and not to reward a contractor," he said.
On his campaign Web site, Ellsworth makes it clear he would support a full prosecution of the Iraq War, regardless of his feelings about the wisdom of entering that country.
"The flag is an ideal, not a piece of cloth," the site quotes Ellsworth. "There's not a person here that wouldn't lay down their life for it, and thank God for those overseas who do.
"We certainly didn't start this war with the terrorists, and until it's won I'm going to support the brave men and women fighting it.That means weapons, equipment, and support here at home.They're laying it all on the line for us, and they deserve nothing less in return."
Hostettler, chairman of the House Immigration, Border Security and Claims Subcommittee, did not respond to an interview request, but he has a 12-year record on national security issues and has linked the issue of fighting terrorism at home to securing our borders from illegal immigrants.
Speaking after he voted to help pass a bill implementing many of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations for combating terrorism in 2004, Hostettler said law enforcement must have the tools to catch and prosecute terrorists.
"The intent of our enemies has not changed and the threat of another attack is very real," said Hostettler, who voted against the invasion in Iraq and now supports the war effort. "The addition of this bill to our anti-terrorism arsenal goes a long way toward making America safer."
The poll also says that 48.7 percent of respondents who called a candidate's views on foreign policy "very important" support Ellsworth, compared to 33.7 percent for Hostettler.
The candidates ran evenly among poll respondents who said a candidate's view on developing a comprehensive U.S. missile defense weapons system is "very important."
Hostettler got 38.1 percent of that vote compared to Ellsworth's 40.9 percent.
