Iowa Public Television

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ON STATEWIDE IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS THE FRIDAY, JULY 5 EDITION OF "IOWA PRESS." HERE IS DEAN BORG.

Borg: WESTERN IOWA'S FIFTH UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IS GEOGRAPHICALLY THE LARGEST IN IOWA AND CERTAINLY HAS THE LARGEST MARGIN OF REGISTERED REPUBLICANS. IOWA'S FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SPRAWLS OVER 32 OF IOWA'S 99 COUNTIES FROM THE MINNESOTA BORDER TO THE MISSOURI. THERE ARE 58,000 MORE REGISTERED REPUBLICANS THAN DEMOCRATS IN THAT DISTRICT, AND THAT'S WHY THE PRIMARY CAMPAIGN TO GET ON THE NOVEMBER 5 BALLOT AS THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE DREW SO MUCH ATTENTION. BY RAW NUMBERS, THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE COULD BE A SHOO-IN FOR ELECTION TO CONGRESS. VOTERS IN THE JUNE 4 PRIMARY, THOUGH, FAILED TO GIVE ANY ONE OF THE FOUR CANDIDATES VYING FOR THAT PRIZED REPUBLICAN NOMINATION THE REQUIRED 35 PERCENT OF THE VOTE. SO IN DENISON A WEEK AGO, REPUBLICANS MEETING IN DISTRICT CONVENTION BECAME THE FIRST DISTRICT CONVENTION IN IOWA IN THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS TO DETERMINE THE CANDIDATE FOR FEDERAL OFFICE. AND IT TOOK THREE BALLOTS AT THAT CONVENTION BEFORE STEVE KING OF KIRON EMERGED WITH THAT NOMINATION, EDGING OUT THE SPEAKER OF THE IOWA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, BRENT SIEGRIST OF COUNCIL BLUFFS. THE OTHER CANDIDATES WERE COUNCIL BLUFFS BUSINESSMAN JEFF BALLINGER AND SIOUX CITY PHYSICIAN STATE SENATOR JOHN REDWINE. SO STATE SENATOR KING NOW HOPES TO MOVE FROM THE IOWA STATEHOUSE IN DES MOINES TO THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN WASHINGTON D.C. BUT FIRST HE NEEDS A VICTORY ON NOVEMBER 5 OVER THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE, PAUL SHOMSHOR OF COUNCIL BLUFFS. SENATOR KING, CONGRATULATIONS ON THE NOMINATION. WELCOME TO "IOWA PRESS."

King: THANK YOU. IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE, DEAN.

Borg: AND ACROSS THE TABLE: "DES MOINES REGISTER" POLITICAL COLUMNIST DAVID YEPSEN AND "ASSOCIATED PRESS" POLITICAL WRITER MIKE GLOVER.

Glover: MR. KING, AS DEAN SAID, IT WAS A TOUGH FIGHT FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION. WHY DO YOU THINK YOU WON THAT NOMINATION?

King: WELL, ONE OF THE SIGNIFICANT FACTORS WAS THAT WE WON THE PRIMARY ELECTION BY A DECISIVE MARGIN. WE GOT OVER 30 PERCENT OF THE VOTE, AND THE OTHER COMPETITORS WERE AT 24 PERCENT, 24 PERCENT, AND A LITTLE OVER 21 PERCENT. IF YOU COMPARE THAT IN HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPETITION, THAT WOULD BE A LANDSLIDE IF I WERE MATCHED UP AGAINST EITHER SIEGRIST, REDWINE, OR BALLINGER. SO THERE'S THAT PART; THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE WAS REALLY EXPRESSED ON JUNE 4. AND THEN AT THE CONVENTION, WE HAD, I THINK, PROBABLY TOO LONG FOR EVERYONE TO PREPARE FOR THE CONVENTION, ABOUT TWENTY SOME DAYS TO GO OUT AND REALLY ADVOCATE TO THE DELEGATES. MANY OF THE DELEGATES WERE CONVINCED THAT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE WASN'T THE ONLY DECIDING FACTOR, AND SO WE HAD TO GO BACK AND RESELL. BUT WE HAD SUCH BROAD SUPPORT IN ALL THE COUNTIES, AND WE FOUND THAT WE HAD 124 OF THE 543 OR SO DELEGATES THAT HAD ALREADY CONTRIBUTED TO OUR CAMPAIGN. SO THAT WAS AN AUTOMATIC BASE. AND MARILYN, MY WIFE, AND I WENT AND TRAVELED THE DISTRICT, AND DID REAL DOOR-TO-DOOR RETAIL MARKETING TO THE DELEGATES. AND I THINK THAT WAS A SURPRISE AT THE END, THAT WE HAD THE STRENGTH IN SOME OF THE COUNTIES THAT REALLY -- SHELBY COUNTY, WHICH WAS CARRIED BY SIEGRIST, WE HAD 100 PERCENT OF THE DELEGATES THERE ON THE FINAL VOTE. AND ALSO MILLS COUNTY, WHICH IS THE BACKYARD OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY, IN BRENT SIEGRIST'S BACKYARD, WE WON THAT COUNTY TEN TO FIVE. SO WE HAD STRENGTH OUT THERE THAT THEY DIDN'T IDENTIFY. BUT I REALLY WANT TO COMPLIMENT ALL THREE OF THE OTHER CAMPAIGNS FOR THE EFFORT AND THE STRATEGY THAT THEY PUT TOGETHER AT THE CONVENTION IN DENISON.

Glover: AS DEAN MENTIONED, THE FIFTH DISTRICT IS OVERWHELMINGLY REPUBLICAN, ABOUT 58,000 MORE REPUBLICANS THAN DEMOCRATS. DO YOU ASSUME YOU WON'T HAVE TO BREAK A SWEAT IN THE FALL?

King: THIS GUY IS ALWAYS GOING TO BREAK A SWEAT IN WHATEVER HE DOES. IT'S NOT MY INTENTION TO RIDE THIS THING OUT AND TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED. I MADE THE STATEMENT AT THE CONVENTION ON SATURDAY THAT NOT ONLY WILL I BE IN ALL 32 COUNTIES; I WILL BE IN ALL 286 TOWNS IN THIS DISTRICT. SO IF YOU HAVE A POST OFFICE AND A FLAG IN FRONT OF IT, I WILL BE IN THAT TOWN.

Yepsen: SENATOR KING, WHAT DO YOU DO TO REACH OUT TO REPUBLICANS WHO DID NOT SUPPORT YOU? I MEAN, I SEE HOW YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, BUT YOU LOOK AT IT ANOTHER WAY, TWO-THIRDS OF THE REPUBLICANS IN THAT DISTRICT VOTED FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO BE THEIR NOMINEE. YOU ONLY NARROWLY WON AT THE CONVENTION, 51 PERCENT. WHAT DO YOU DO AT THIS POINT IN THE CAMPAIGN TO REACH OUT TO THOSE REPUBLICANS WHO DID NOT SUPPORT YOU?

King: WELL, I MADE THOSE STATEMENTS ALSO IN MY ACCEPTANCE SPEECH THAT I INTEND TO GO TO POTTAWATTAMIE AND WOODBURY COUNTY, THE LARGE METROPOLITAN CENTERS. THEY HAPPEN TO BE ALSO THE CENTERS WHERE MY OPPOSING CANDIDATES CAME FROM, TWO CANDIDATES FROM COUNCIL BLUFFS AND ONE FROM SIOUX CITY. SO I WILL GO THERE AND WORK VERY HARD FOR THE -- EXCUSE ME. I'LL WORK VERY HARD FOR THE METROPOLITAN VOTE, AND HOPEFULLY I'LL BE WORKING WITH SOME OF THE STRUCTURE THAT'S IN PLACE BECAUSE OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES. THOSE THINGS I'LL DO IMMEDIATELY AND ACTUALLY I'VE BEEN IN COUNCIL BLUFFS ONCE SINCE THE CONVENTION.

Glover: THERE'S A DYNAMIC GOING ON OUT IN WESTERN IOWA THAT'S IMPORTANT ALL ACROSS THE STATE, AND THAT'S CALLED TURNING OUT REPUBLICAN VOTERS IN THAT DISTRICT. REALISTICALLY IT'S NOT A TERRIBLY COMPETITIVE DISTRICT IN THE CONGRESSIONAL SENSE, SO THERE'S NOT A LOT OF REASON FOR REPUBLICAN VOTERS TO TURN OUT, OUT THERE. THAT HURTS REPUBLICANS STATEWIDE. HOW DO YOU DRIVE TURNOUT IN A DISTRICT THAT PROBABLY WON'T BE COMPETITIVE?

King: I DON'T HAVE THE FORMULA PUT TOGETHER YET, BUT I'VE LAID OUT THIS CHALLENGE, AND I START IT THIS WAY. THERE IS A PRECINCT IN MONONA COUNTY THAT FOUR YEARS AGO 100 PERCENT OF THE REPUBLICANS HAD VOTED BY 7:30 THAT EVENING. AND THAT'S A STANDARD THAT WE CAN HOLD UP -- TO WORK FOR IN ALL THE OTHER PRECINCTS. WE NEED TO HAVE THE TURNOUT. IF REPUBLICANS ARE TO WIN STATEWIDE SEATS, THEN THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO WIN IN WESTERN IOWA BY A 60-PERCENT MARGIN. THAT'S A QUOTE FROM TERRY BRANSTAD WHO KNEW THE POLITICS IN THIS STATE BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE, AND I WILL BE GOING ACROSS THESE COUNTIES PUTTING THAT CHALLENGE UP TO THEM TO TURN OUT THE VOTE.

Yepsen: BUT IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO? I MEAN MIKE IS RIGHT, REPUBLICANS LEAVE VOTES ON THE TABLE IN WESTERN IOWA ALL OVER THE PLACE. THERE ARE UNREGISTERED REPUBLICANS OUT THERE. THERE ARE REPUBLICANS WHO VOTE IN PRESIDENTIAL YEARS WHO DON'T TURN OUT IN NONPRESIDENTIAL YEARS. WHAT DO YOU, STEVE KING, PROPOSE TO DO ABOUT THAT?

King: I PUT OUT THE PERSONAL CHALLENGE TO EACH ONE OF THE COUNTY COMMITTEES, THE COUNTY CHAIRS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO -- AND I DON'T HAVE THIS CONFIGURED YET SO I CAN'T REALLY LAY A PROMISE OUT, BUT I'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO SET UP A CHALLENGE WHERE WE COULD REWARD THE COUNTIES THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST TURNOUT. AND WHEN I GO TO THE CONVENTION AND I SEE THAT THE COUNTIES THAT RAISE THE MOST MONEY PROPORTIONATELY SIT IN FRONT, THAT'S GOOD. BUT WE ALSO NEED TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THOSE COUNTIES THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST TURNOUT. I'LL BE PUSHING THAT AND I'M GOING TO PUT A TEAM TOGETHER TO PUT TOGETHER A CHALLENGE PLAN.

Borg: IT ISN'T ONLY COMPETITIVENESS THAT DRIVES TURNOUT, THOUGH. SOMETIMES IT'S THE MOOD OF THE ELECTORATE. HOW DO YOU GAUGE THAT? WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOOD OF THE ELECTORATE RIGHT NOW IN MOVING INTO THE FALL ELECTION?

King: WELL, THERE IS SOME CONCERN THAT THERE WILL BE COMPLACENCY IN THIS CONGRESSIONAL SEAT, AND THAT'S A VALID POINT. BUT THE MOOD OF THE ELECTORATE IS DISENFRANCHISED -- OR EXCUSE ME, DISENCHANTED WITH GOVERNOR VILSACK. THERE ISN'T ANYPLACE I GO OUT IN WESTERN IOWA WHERE IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE TOM VILSACK HAS REAL STRENGTH. PEOPLE ARE READY TO PROVIDE A NEW GOVERNOR. THAT'S GOING TO PUT SOME ENERGY INTO THIS RACE. AND OF COURSE, ALSO THE GANSKE/HARKIN RACE WILL PUT ENERGY INTO THIS RACE. AND MY JOB IS TO REALLY CONVINCE WESTERN IOWANS THAT THERE'S SOMETHING THERE TO OFFER FROM THE GROSS RACE AND FROM THE GANSKE RACE. AND I WILL BE GOING OUT AND DOING THAT. I'M SUPPORTING THIS TICKET FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.

Yepsen: SENATOR KING, WHAT KIND OF CONGRESSMAN DO YOU WANT TO BE? YOU'VE SAID YOU'RE A FISCAL CONSERVATIVE AND A SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE. I'VE WATCHED YOUR CAREER. YOU'RE INTO A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS AT THE STATEHOUSE. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SPECIALIZE IN? WHAT ISSUES DO YOU WANT TO PUSH? WHAT COMMITTEES DO YOU WANT TO BE ON? WHAT KIND OF CONGRESSMAN WOULD YOU BE IF YOU'RE ELECTED?

King: WELL, IF I'VE LACKED DISCIPLINE ON ANYTHING, IT IS THE DISCIPLINE TO NARROW MY INTERESTS DOWN. SO I DON'T EXPECT TO NARROW MY INTERESTS, AND I KNOW THAT TO BE EFFECTIVE, I WILL HAVE TO CONCENTRATE, THOUGH. AND REALLY THE FIRST AND ONLY REQUEST IS THAT I SIT ON THE HOUSE AG COMMITTEE. AND THAT IS -- IT'S NOT JUST A DUTY, IT'S A RESPONSIBILITY OF WHOEVER REPRESENTS WESTERN IOWA TO SIT ON THE AG COMMITTEE. THAT'S THE BASIS OF OUR ECONOMY OUT THERE AND, OF COURSE, THAT WEALTH THEN FLOWS TO OUR TOWNS AND TO OUR CITIES. I WILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO GET A SEAT THERE. I EXPECT I'LL BE ABLE TO DO THAT. BUT BEYOND THAT, I'LL DRIVE THESE ISSUES. I'LL SEEK TO BE THE BUDGET WATCHDOG LIKE I HAVE BEEN IN THE IOWA SENATE. AND THERE'S A SERIES OF SOCIAL ISSUES OUT THERE THAT I THINK NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. AND HOW EFFECTIVE I NEED TO BE ON THOSE ISSUES, I NEED TO GET THERE, GET THE LAY OF THE LAND, FEEL THE SENSE OF WHAT'S BEEN ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR. I DON'T WANT TO RIDE IN THERE ON A WHITE HORSE AND TRY TO SEND THE MESSAGE THAT I'M GOING TO REINVENT THEIR WHEEL. I WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT KIND OF WHEEL THEY HAVE FIRST AND THEN SEE WHAT KIND OF A CONGRESSMAN I CAN BE. BUT I BELIEVE THIS SEAT IS A LEADERSHIP SEAT THAT PEOPLE IN THIS DISTRICT WILL SUPPORT A PRINCIPLED CONSERVATIVE, AND I INTEND TO USE THAT.

Glover: YOU SAID AT THE CONVENTION THAT YOU WANT TO USE THIS SEAT TO MOVE THE CENTER OF GRAVITY IN CONGRESS TO THE RIGHT. WHAT DID YOU MEAN BY THAT?

King: WELL, THERE'S A BALANCE POINT IN POLITICS, AND IT'S THERE IN THE IOWA SENATE, IT'S THERE IN THE HOUSE, IT'S THERE IN CONGRESS. AND THAT BALANCE POINT, I CALL THAT -- IT'S LIKE A SLIDING FULCRUM FOR A TEETERTOTTER. WHEN YOU PUT WEIGHTS ON EITHER SIDE OF THAT SCALES, THEN THE CENTER -- THAT FULCRUM MOVES TO SELF-EQUALIZE. AND WHEN I GET OUT ON THE END OF THAT AND JUMP UP AND DOWN AND HOLLER, SOME OF THOSE FOLKS REALIZE THAT IT'S NOT POLITICAL SUICIDE TO SAY WHAT YOU THINK AND ACT ON WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN. THAT MOVES THAT CENTER BECAUSE THEY GET THE COURAGE TO COME TOWARDS THE RIGHT. I THINK I'LL PLAY THAT ROLE IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.

Glover: SO YOU WANT TO BE SOMETHING OF AN IDEOLOGUE IN CONGRESS.

King: WELL, I WOULDN'T SAY AN IDEOLOGUE. AND I CAN'T COMPARE MYSELF TO ANYONE THAT'S THERE RIGHT NOW. I KNOW THAT EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN TALENTS AND THEIR OWN PERSONALITIES, AND THEY SHOULD USE THEM TO THE UTMOST. BUT I INTEND TO BE ADVOCATING FOR STRONG FISCAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES AND HOPEFULLY BRINGING OTHER PEOPLE ALONG WITH ME. I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT IN THE SENATE AND, TO SOME DEGREE, I'LL BE ABLE TO DO THAT IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.

Yepsen: SENATOR, ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT YOU BACKED IN THE IOWA LEGISLATURE WAS ENGLISH ONLY. WILL YOU PUSH A SIMILAR EFFORT IN THE U.S. CONGRESS?

King: I EXPECT TO. I DO WANT TO GET THE FEEL OF THE CLIMATE THERE IN CONGRESS NOW AND NOT MAKE ANY KIND OF A PROMISE THAT I WOULD WANT TO RETREAT FROM, BUT IT'S SOMETHING I BELIEVE IN VERY STRONGLY. I'VE BELIEVED IN THIS SINCE I FIRST STUDIED NOAH WEBSTER IN ABOUT EIGHTH GRADE. AND HIS DREAM WAS TO TIE THIS NATION TOGETHER BY THE STRENGTH OF A COMMON LANGUAGE. EVERY OTHER NATION IN THE WORLD HAS AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE EXCEPT THE UNITED STATES, AND I BELIEVE THAT BONDS US AS A PEOPLE AND I WOULD BE WORKING IN THAT DIRECTION, YES.

Glover: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SAY WHEN THE PRESIDENT OF YOUR PARTY CALLS YOU INTO THE WHITE HOUSE AND SAYS, "CONGRESSMAN, THAT'S A LOSER OF AN ISSUE FOR REPUBLICANS, QUIT IT"?

King: WELL, I'D SAY, "MR. PRESIDENT, I APPRECIATE YOUR POSITION HERE, BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT THERE ISN'T JUST ULTIMATE WISDOM IN THE PRESIDENCY AS WELL, AND I'LL WORK WITH YOU AS MUCH AS I CAN, BUT I'M NOT GIVING UP MY PHILOSOPHIES."

Glover: ANOTHER ISSUE THAT YOU'VE BEEN ACTIVE ON IS GAY RIGHTS. IS THERE SOMETHING CONGRESS NEEDS TO DO TO MOVE ON GAY RIGHTS?

King: I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY DO. I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT THAT AS AN ISSUE TO PUSH FEDERALLY. AND HERE, YOU KNOW, IN IOWA, THERE WAS TWO POSITIONS THAT I TOOK ON THAT. ONE IS TO DEFEND OUR STATE CONSTITUTION. AND GOVERNOR VILSACK DID VIOLATE THE SEPARATION OF POWERS, AND THAT'S WHAT THE COURTS RULED. AND I THINK THE PUBLIC HASN'T BEEN VERY WELL INFORMED OF THAT. THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS IS THAT I BELIEVE IN INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, EQUAL RIGHTS, AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN OR WHAT YOU MIGHT DO IN THE PRIVACY OF YOUR HOME. BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE IN GROUP RIGHTS OR SPECIAL RIGHTS FOR ANYONE, AND I WILL DEFINITELY DEFEND THAT POSITION IN CONGRESS.

Yepsen: AS A STATE SENATOR, YOU'VE ALSO HAD A STRONG ANTIABORTION POSITION. YOU FOUGHT CLONING LEGISLATION. WILL YOU PUSH THOSE ISSUES IN CONGRESS?

King: I WILL. I WILL BE WHEREVER I AM NEEDED ON THAT CAUSE. IF THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING TO DEFEND INNOCENT HUMAN LIFE, I WILL BE THERE FOR A VOTE. IF THERE AREN'T ENOUGH LEADERS, I WILL BE THERE TO LEAD.

Yepsen: WELL, WHAT I WANT TO GET AT, SENATOR, IS BACK TO THIS QUESTION OF WHAT KIND OF CONGRESSMAN YOU'RE GOING TO BE. I MEAN, IT'S ALSO TRUE IN THE IOWA SENATE, YOU BACKED THE IOWA TELECOM BILL TO IMPROVE INTERNET ACCESS. YOU WERE BIG ON SMALL-TOWN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO LOOK AT STEVE KING AND SAY, "WHAT KIND OF CONGRESSMAN IS HE GOING TO BE? IS HE GOING TO BE SOMEBODY WORRIED ABOUT THE RURAL ECONOMY, OR IS HE GOING TO BE SOME KIND OF RIGHT-WING NUT WHO IS THE STAR OF CABLE TELEVISION SHOWS"? WHICH IS IT GOING TO BE?

King: WELL, MY ROLE IN THE IOWA SENATE I THINK HAS BEEN SOLIDLY GROUNDED ON EVERY ISSUE. THERE WILL BE PEOPLE THAT WILL CALL ME CERTAIN NAMES FROM HERE ON OUT TILL NOVEMBER.

Yepsen: AND YOU'VE HEARD THAT?

King: OH, YES. I'VE HEARD THEM ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE.

Yepsen: SO WHAT'S YOUR ANSWER TO THEM?

King: I HAVE THEM LAMINATED IN MY DESK UP THERE ON THE FLOOR TOO, BY THE WAY. AND MY ANSWER IS LOOK AT MY RECORD, LOOK AT MY INVOLVEMENT, PICK AN ISSUE. AND IF YOU CAN FIND AN ISSUE THAT LABELS ME ANY KIND OF TERM LIKE THAT, THEN LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT. BUT MEANWHILE, I HAVE A BROAD, EXPANSIVE INTEREST IN ALL KINDS OF ISSUES AND I WILL BE SOLID ON THE PRO-LIFE ISSUE AND I WILL NEVER WAVER ON THAT. BUT ALSO FROM AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STANDPOINT, I AM VERY INTERESTED IN REVITALIZING THE ECONOMY IN WESTERN IOWA IN ALL ASPECTS, AND I DO BELIEVE THAT ALL NEW WEALTH COMES FROM THE LAND, NEW WEALTH. AND THIS BEING AN AG STATE, THIS BEING AN AG DISTRICT, I'LL CERTAINLY FOCUS ON THOSE ISSUES TREMENDOUSLY. BUT WHAT TIES US TOGETHER WITH THAT ARE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ISSUES. YOU CAN'T GET PEOPLE TO LIVE OUT ANYWHERE IF THEY DON'T HAVE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET SERVICES. SO THOSE BEING THE TOOLS, I WANT THE CITIES TO HAVE THOSE TOOLS. AND BY TYING OUR CITIES TOGETHER, LIKE A FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY 20, FOR EXAMPLE, DUBUQUE TO SIOUX CITY, I WILL CONSIDER IT A PERSONAL FAILURE IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT HIGHWAY DONE IN TEN YEARS.

Borg: YOU CALLED YOURSELF, A MOMENT AGO, A FISCAL WATCHDOG IN THE IOWA LEGISLATURE. YOU SAID YOU WANTED TO DO THE SAME THING IN CONGRESS. THAT CAUSES ME TO WONDER HOW ARE YOU GOING TO FEEL ABOUT FEDERAL DEFICITS. IOWA IS PROHIBITED CONSTITUTIONALLY FROM RUNNING A DEFICIT. NOT THE SAME, YOU'RE GOING TO BE CALLED UPON FROM TIME TO TIME TO VOTE FOR INCREASING THE FEDERAL DEBT LIMIT. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT, ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW, THE WAR ON TERRORISM RUNNING UP TREMENDOUS FEDERAL DEFICITS?

King: I WILL SUPPORT THIS WAR ON TERRORISM, AND I WILL SUPPORT OUR PRESIDENT IN HIS EFFORTS. AND, MIKE, I HAVE A CONCERN THAT THIS NATION MAY LOSE ITS RESOLVE BEFORE WE FINISH THE WAR. I WANT TO SEE THAT OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN HAVE THE LEVEL OF FREEDOM THAT WE ENJOYED ON SEPTEMBER 10, AND FOR THE GENERATIONS TO COME. SO I KNOW THAT WE'LL HAVE TO MAKE SOME COMMITMENTS THERE. BUT I'M ALSO NOT AFRAID TO CHALLENGE LEADERSHIP WHEN WE OVERSPEND IN ANY AREAS THAT I BELIEVE THAT ARE OUT OF ORDER. I HAVE CHALLENGED THE STATE LEADERSHIP ON THAT, AND I THINK THAT THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED PUBLICLY THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE LISTENED. SO I'LL BE TAKING A LOOK AT THIS. WHAT I SEE IS I BELIEVE LAST YEAR'S FEDERAL BUDGET SHOWED A BUDGET GROWTH OF ABOUT 5 PERCENT. AND ANYTIME ANY GOVERNMENT, WHETHER IT'S THE STATE GOVERNMENT, WHETHER IT'S THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IS GROWING AT A RATE FASTER THAN THE RATE OF INFLATION, THEN GOVERNMENT IS EXPANDING INTO THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND TAKING A LARGER SHARE OF IT. AND I'LL BE TAKING A LOOK AT THAT AND TRYING TO KEEP THAT IN PROPORTION. I BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO DO LESS, NOT MORE. AND I WON'T BE SPECIFIC ON WHERE I WOULD CUT, BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY POLITICAL SUICIDE TO DO THAT. YOU NEED TO REALLY TARGET THOSE THINGS, AND THEN GO AFTER THEM.

Borg: BUT JUST ON THE WAR ON TERRORISM, JUST BACK TO THAT SPECIFICALLY. ARE YOU OF THE PHILOSOPHY THAT SPEND WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN?

King: YES, I AM. I BELIEVE THAT WE CANNOT HAVE TOO GOOD OF EQUIPMENT FOR OUR MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE IN THE ARMED FORCES. AND WE CANNOT HONOR THEIR EFFORT ENOUGH. I'LL BE THERE TO SUPPORT THEM IN EVERY WAY I POSSIBLY CAN, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THAT'S THE PARAMOUNT ISSUE IN THIS NATION. THE CELLS OF TERRORISM AROUND THE WORLD ARE GOING TO TAKE NOT JUST MILITARY EQUIPMENT, NOT JUST WELL-PAID AND WELL-EQUIPPED MILITARY, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO EXPAND OUR EFFORTS WITH THE CIA, WITH THE FBI, AND OUR INTELLIGENCE EFFORTS. A LOT OF THAT WAR WILL BE WON BEHIND THE SCENES THAT NEVER MEETS THE NEWS, AND I'LL CERTAINLY BE PUSHING IN THOSE AREAS AS WELL.

Glover: BUT YOU'RE NOT REALLY ALL THAT COMFORTABLE WITH THESE BUDGET DEFICITS, I SENSE.

King: THAT'S CORRECT.

Glover: THERE'S A BIG DEBATE WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ABOUT TAXES. THERE'S A DEBATE OVER WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE A FLAT TAX, A NATIONAL SALES TAX, A SIMPLIFIED INCOME TAX. WHERE DO YOU COME DONE ON ALL THAT?

King: WELL, THAT'S SOMETHING WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT VERY MUCH IN THE CAMPAIGN, BUT FOR AT LEAST THIRTY YEARS I HAVE FAVORED A NATIONAL SALES TAX OR A CONSUMPTION TAX. AND I WORKED THAT OUT SITTING ON THE SEAT OF A BULLDOZER. I WOULD SIT THERE FOR TWO WEEKS AT A TIME AND ROLL THOSE THINGS AROUND IN MY MIND, AND I COULD SEE THE BENEFITS OF IT, BENEFIT AFTER BENEFIT. IT MADE SO MUCH SENSE TO ME THAT FINALLY AT ABOUT AGE, OH, I DON'T KNOW, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT THIRTY YEARS OLD, I CONCLUDED THAT EVERYONE ELSE KNEW SOMETHING I DIDN'T AND THAT WAS THE ONLY REASON WHY WE DIDN'T HAVE A NATIONAL SALES TAX OR A CONSUMPTION TAX. SINCE THAT TIME THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DEBATE, A LOT OF DISCUSSION, A LOT OF SCIENCE ON IT. I THINK THAT'S THE PLACE WHERE WE CAN GO, ALTHOUGH POLITICALLY WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET THERE. IF THAT'S THE CASE, I WOULD COME DOWN ON THE SIDE OF A FLAT TAX.

Glover: WHY WOULD YOU DO A NATIONAL SALES TAX AND WHAT RATE WOULD YOU HAVE TO HAVE IN PLACE?

King: I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RATE IS, NOT BEING ABLE TO DO THE ACTUARIALS. BUT WE'LL BE TALKING IN A RANGE OF AROUND 15 PERCENT, I SUPPOSE, PLUS OR MINUS 3 OR 4 PERCENT. AND I WOULD SUPPORT IT FOR A LOT OF REASONS. ONE WOULD BE IF YOU REMEMBER WHEN CLINTON WAS ELECTED, HE ASKED FOR A $30-BILLION ECONOMIC INCENTIVE PLAN IN 1992. AND THAT WAS GOING TO BE SPENDING 30 BILLION TAX DOLLARS TO STIMULATE OUR ECONOMY. THAT GOT NEGOTIATED DOWN TO 17 BILLION, AND FINALLY THEY DIDN'T DO IT AT ALL BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH IMPACT. BUT AROUND $700 BILLION A YEAR IS BEING CONSUMED BY OUR INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE IN THE COST OF COMPLIANCE AND THE LOSS OF PRODUCTIVITY AND THE DISINCENTIVES THAT ARE THERE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT MAKING THAT PROFIT. THAT WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS ECONOMIC INCENTIVE PLAN IS TO GET THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE OUT OF THE WAY AND LET FREE PEOPLE UP TO DO WHAT THEY DO BEST, WHICH IS PRODUCE GOODS AND SERVICES FOR A PROFIT. AND LET'S TAX CONSUMPTION, NOT PRODUCTION.

Yepsen: HOW DO YOU DO TAX POLICY AND RUN A BULLDOZER AT THE SAME TIME? [ LAUGHTER ] >> King: I DIDN'T KNOW IT AT THE TIME, DAVE, BUT I WAS WORKING OUT MY PHILOSOPHIES YEAR BY YEAR OUT THERE. NOW I LOOK BACK ON IT, IT'S NICE TO HAVE TIME TO --

Yepsen: SERIOUS QUESTION OUT THERE AND A BIG ISSUE IN WESTERN IOWA IS THE MISSOURI RIVER. SOME PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE THE FLOWS GO UP AND DOWN TO CREATE A MORE NATURAL HABITAT. OTHER PEOPLE WANT TO MAKE THE CHANNEL DEEPER AND TRY TO FOSTER A BARGE INDUSTRY. WHERE DO YOU COME DOWN ON THAT ISSUE? HOW DO YOU BALANCE OFF THESE CONFLICTING INTERESTS?

King: I HAVE BEEN ON ALMOST EVERY MILE OF THE MISSOURI RIVER FROM YANKTON ON DOWN TO NEBRASKA CITY AND WORKED UP AND DOWN THAT CORRIDOR IN THE BOTTOM GROUND. I WORKED WITH SOIL CONSERVATION PEOPLE DOWN THERE AND TILERS AND DRAINAGE PEOPLE. THAT RIVER IS AN ECONOMIC LIFELINE TO AGRICULTURE IN RURAL IOWA. AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT PICK-SLOAN, IT WAS THERE FOR FLOOD -- FIRST FOR FLOOD PREVENTION AND THE SECOND WAS POWER GENERATION. AND THE THIRD WAS FOR BARGE TRAFFIC. NO ONE WAS TALKING ABOUT RECREATION AND FISHERIES UP IN THE DAKOTAS AT THAT TIME. SO I'M COMING DOWN ON THE SIDE OF WHAT'S GOOD FOR IOWA'S ECONOMY, WHICH IS MAINTAIN THE FLOWS. AND I DON'T BELIEVE WE CAN CREATE AN ARTIFICIAL FLOOD WITHOUT TREMENDOUS DAMAGE TO IOWA'S ECONOMY. AND EVEN IF THE BARGE TRAFFIC ISN'T REAL INTENSE, IT STILL SETS A FLOOR ON THOSE FREIGHT RATES. BUT IF THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO FEED SOME WATER INTO THOSE BACKWATER SHOOTS AND CREATE A LITTLE MORE HABITAT, I'M WILLING TO GO THAT WAY. BUT I'M NOT WILLING TO SACRIFICE BARGE TRAFFIC, AND I'M NOT WILLING TO SACRIFICE IOWA'S AGRICULTURE.

Yepsen: WHAT ABOUT THE ARGUMENT THAT IT WOULD BE ECONOMICALLY WORTH MORE TO IOWA TO CREATE THE TOURISM AND THE RECREATION THAN THE AGRICULTURAL BENEFITS?

King: WELL, I WOULD SAY SAY, SHOW ME THE NUMBERS. I'VE SEEN A LOT OF ENVIRONMENTALISTS PRODUCE SOME NUMBERS THAT DIDN'T HOLD UP VERY WELL UNDER SCRUTINY. AND I'M A SOIL CONSERVATION CONTRACTOR. I MEAN I CARE ABOUT OUR SOIL AND OUR WATER. THAT'S BEEN MY LIFE'S WORK. AND ON TOP OF THAT, I'M A HUNTER AND A FISHERMAN. AND SO THE OUTDOORS ARE SOMETHING THAT EVERY GENERATION OF KINGS AS FAR BACK AS WE CAN TRACK HAVE LIVED THEIR LIFE AND OUR CHILDREN WILL AND DO AS WELL. SO I WILL PAY ATTENTION TO THOSE THINGS. AND WHERE WE CAN MAKE ACCOMMODATIONS, I'LL BE LOOKING TO DO THAT. BUT I STILL WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE NUMBERS. IF THAT'S ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE, I WOULD WANT TO SCRUTINIZE THEM AND TAKE A LOOK.

Glover: YOU JUST WENT THROUGH A BIG DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATURE OVER REGULATING BIG HOG PRODUCTION FACILITIES. ARE YOU LEAVING THAT DEBATE BEHIND IF YOU GO TO CONGRESS OR WILL YOU -- OR IS THERE A ROLE FOR CONGRESS IN HOG REGULATION?

King: IT IS A STATE ISSUE. I REALLY DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD BE PASSING FEDERAL REGULATIONS, AT LEAST FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF IOWA. WE'RE THE CLOSEST TO THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY HERE IN IOWA AS ANYONE IN THE COUNTRY IS. AND IF WE CAN'T MAKE GOOD DECISIONS FROM DES MOINES, IT ISN'T VERY LIKELY THERE WILL BE BETTER DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE FROM WASHINGTON D.C.

Glover: WERE YOU SUPPORTIVE AND DID YOU LIKE THE HOG LOT BILL THAT GOT PASSED THIS YEAR?

King: I VOTED NO ON THE BILL, AND THERE WAS A SERIES OF REASONS FOR THAT. I BELIEVE THERE WAS AN ASPECT OF IT THAT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. AND THAT IS THE PROHIBITION TOWARD PLACING FILL IN A FLOODPLAIN TO BUILD A LIVESTOCK CONFINEMENT FACILITY. SO NOW WE HAVE A LAW IN IOWA THAT'S ENACTED NOW THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO PLACE FILL IN A FLOODPLAIN TO BUILD A CHURCH OR A TOXIC WASTE STORAGE BUILDING, IF YOU'D LIKE TO DO THAT, BUT YOU CAN'T PUT A HOG CONFINEMENT OUT THERE OR A LIVESTOCK CONFINEMENT. AND I THINK THAT IF YOU OWN THAT LAND IN THE FLOODPLAIN AND YOU RAISE THAT FILL UP SO THAT IT'S ABOVE THAT 100-YEAR EVENT, WHICH THE REQUIREMENT WAS BY THE AMENDMENT THAT I OFFERED, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO ALSO DO PRODUCTION LIVESTOCK.

Yepsen: SENATOR, IF YOU'D BEEN A CONGRESSMAN, HOW WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED ON THE FARM BILL? I SEE REPUBLICANS HAVE TWO MINDS ON IT. PRESIDENT BUSH WAS FOR IT. YOU'VE GOT SENATOR GRASSLEY WAS AGAINST IT. CONGRESSMAN GANSKE WAS AGAINST IT. HOW WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED?

King: I HAVE TAKEN A POSITION ON THAT THING THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN ANY OF MY OPPONENTS ALL ALONG. IT'S ABOUT 421 PAGES LONG. I FINALLY MET A PERSON WHO'S READ THE BILL. BUT I DON'T HAVE THE STAFF TO ANALYZE ALL THE IMPLICATIONS OF THAT. WHAT I SAID IS THAT I WOULD NOT DECLARE A "YES" OR A "NO." THE BILL IS NOW SIGNED INTO LAW. THERE ARE GOOD THINGS IN IT, AND THERE ARE BAD THINGS IN IT. AND NOT BEING PART OF THE POLITICAL CLIMATE, I CAN'T TELL YOU WHERE I'D COME DOWN.

Yepsen: NOW, SENATOR, YOU WOULDN'T BE DUCKING MY QUESTION, WOULD YOU?

King: I'VE ALWAYS BEEN BOLD IN ALL OF MY POSITIONS, DAVE, BUT ON THIS ONE, THERE ARE GOOD THINGS WITH SOIL CONSERVATION AND WATER QUALITY ISSUES THAT I WOULD FAVOR IN THERE. AND THE OTHER SIDE OF IT IS NOT HAVING THE PACKER OWNERSHIP OF LIVESTOCK BAN. THAT'S A PIECE THAT I REALLY REGRET WE DID NOT GET INTO THAT BILL. AND NOT HAVING -- THE CAPS THAT ARE THERE HAVE GOT RAISED. IT'S HARD TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE CAP. WHAT IT DOES IS, I THINK, IT BUYS TIME AND IT PERPETUATES THE CURRENT STRUCTURE FOR ANOTHER SIX YEARS. WHILE THAT'S GOING ON, THE VERTICAL INTEGRATION OF THE GRAIN PRODUCTION IN THIS STATE WILL BE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY. I'M CONCERNED THAT WE WILL LOSE THE POLITICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL SUPPORT OF AMERICANS FOR OUR FAMILY FARMS. WHEN THEY BEGIN TO REALIZE THE EXTENT OF CORPORATE AGRICULTURE, WE COULD LOSE THE FULL SUPPORT OR A BIG PIECE OF IT SIX YEARS FROM NOW. THAT'S THE PART I'M MOST CONCERNED ABOUT.

Glover: YOU WERE WORRIED ABOUT VERTICAL INTEGRATION OF THE GRAIN INDUSTRY. ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT VERTICAL INTEGRATION OF THE MEAT INDUSTRY AS WELL?

King: EVEN MORE SO AND I THINK IT'S, OF COURSE, HERE MORE -- IT'S ESTABLISHED HERE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE THAN GRAIN INDUSTRY. GRAIN IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. ONCE SOME MOMENTUM STARTS ON THESE ISSUES, IT'S VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP THEM AND ROLL THEM BACK. IT WOULD TAKE ANOTHER TEDDY ROOSEVELT TO DO THAT.

Glover: YOU TALKED ABOUT REPRESENTING A RURAL DISTRICT. THE DISTRICT YOU WOULD REPRESENT, IF YOU'RE ELECTED, WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST IN RURAL AMERICA. WHAT CAN YOU DO -- EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT REVITALIZING THE ECONOMY OF THESE SMALL TOWNS. WHAT, IN REALITY, CAN CONGRESS DO TO HELP THAT DOWN THE PATH?

King: YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVE A VERY GOOD ANSWER FOR THAT FROM A CONGRESSIONAL STANDPOINT. I CAN PROVIDE A LEADERSHIP ROLE, AND I CAN HELP BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER. BUT WE NEED TO PROVIDE SOME THINGS FOR EVERY COMMUNITY IN IOWA. AND GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT PICK WINNERS AND LOSERS, AND WE SHOULD PROVIDE THE TOOLS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE FORM OF UTILITIES. SO THAT WOULD BE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ISSUES. AND I THINK THE STATE DOES A GOOD JOB ON EDUCATION. BUT THOSE THREE THINGS ARE THE BUILDING BLOCKS TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THEN WE NEED TO HAVE A FAVORABLE TAX CLIMATE AND A FAVORABLE REGULATORY CLIMATE. WITH THOSE FIVE THINGS THAT I'VE LAID OUT, LOCAL LEADERSHIP, THEN, PROVIDES THE SOLUTIONS. BUT I WOULD WORK CLOSELY WITH LOCAL LEADERSHIP: PRIVATE SECTOR, PUBLIC SECTOR. AND I'D LIKE TO BUILD AN ORGANIZATION THAT NETWORKED THOSE COMMUNITIES SO THAT THEY WERE WORKING OFF THE SAME PAGE AND THAT THERE IS FINALLY A VOICE, FINALLY A VOICE FOR OUR LOWER POPULATION AREAS WITHIN THE STATE.

Yepsen: SENATOR, ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT'S LIKELY TO FACE THE NEXT CONGRESS IS PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT. WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO PROVIDE A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT FOR AMERICANS?

King: WELL, I'LL BE SUPPORTING AT LEAST SOME ASPECT OF THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT PLAN THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS PROPOSED. AND THE DETAILS OF THAT, I DO NOT HAVE WORKED OUT AT THIS POINT, SO I THINK THE COST OF THAT TO LOW-INCOME IOWANS AND RECOGNIZING ALSO THAT THIS NEW FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTINCT, THIS WESTERN THIRD OF IOWA, HAS 10 OF THE 12 MOST SENIOR COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF IOWA, AND WE'RE ONE OF THE MORE SENIOR STATES. AND I WILL PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION TO THAT, AND WE'LL WORK A POLICY OUT. I'VE NOT GOTTEN IT WORKED OUT YET.

Yepsen: WELL, HOW CAN THE COUNTRY AFFORD ANY BENEFIT, GIVEN THE DEFICITS THAT DEAN WAS MENTIONING EARLIER? I MEAN WE'VE HAD SOME BIG TAX CUTS. WE'VE GOT A WAR TO PAY FOR. THE ECONOMY IS A LITTLE WEAK. WHERE DO YOU GET THE MONEY?

King: THAT'S ALSO -- THAT'S A SELECTIVE QUESTION. WHEN WE SIT DOWN AND CRUNCH A BUDGET, THERE ARE WINNERS AND LOSERS IN THAT BUDGET. AND THERE ARE SO MANY ASPECTS TO THE FEDERAL BUDGET, I NEED TO DEFER TO CONGRESSMAN NUSSLE ON SOME OF THESE ISSUES. HE'S DONE A GOOD JOB, BY THE WAY, WITH MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT. I CERTAINLY WILL BE SITTING DOWN WITH CONGRESSMAN NUSSLE TO TALK THESE ISSUES THROUGH.

Glover: HE'S DONE SUCH A GREAT JOB WITH MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT THAT IOWA RANKS 50TH IN THE NATION IN MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT?

King: JUNE 28 HIS AMENDMENT PASSED ONTO THE HOUSE BILL. AND THAT PARTICULAR AMENDMENT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BRING IN OVER $120 MILLION INTO IOWA MEDICARE OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS AND RAISE PHYSICIAN REIMBURSEMENT RATES BY ABOUT $7 MILLION. SO THAT HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO BE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR. AND I DON'T MEAN HISTORICALLY, BUT I MEAN THE LAST STEP, JUNE 28.

Glover: YOU MENTIONED EARLIER THAT YOU HAVE SOME VERY SENIOR AREAS IN YOUR DISTRICT AND YOU WILL REPRESENT ONE OF THE OLDEST DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTRY IF YOU WIN ELECTION. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY? THE PRESIDENT HAS PRESENTED A PLAN THAT WOULD PARTIALLY PRIVATIZE IT. WILL YOU SUPPORT THAT?

King: YES, I WILL. AND I BELIEVE IN IT WHOLEHEARTEDLY. WE HAVE A GUARANTY AND I SAY THAT WE HAVE A SACRED COVENANT WITH OUR SENIORS TO SUSTAIN OUR SOCIAL SECURITY, OUR SOCIAL SECURITY COMPENSATION THAT'S THERE. I WOULD NOT VIOLATE THAT IN ANY WAY, AND I WOULD DEFEND THAT WITH EVERYTHING I HAVE. IT'S A SACRED COVENANT. YEAH, THERE'S ROOM WITHIN THAT. AND I KNOW THAT THE STOCK MARKETS HAVE GONE SOUTH SINCE THE PRESIDENT WAS ELECTED ON THAT PARTICULAR AGENDA, BUT I'M NOT WILLING TO GIVE UP ON THAT. I THINK THERE'S A REAL FUTURE FOR US, AND I WANT TO SEE MORE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY IN INVESTMENTS. IF WE CAN GET PEOPLE THAT PARTIALLY PRIVATIZE AND INCREMENTALLY MOVE INTO THE PARTIAL PRIVATIZATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY, WE'RE BUILDING A NATION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE BETTER INFORMED ON THEIR OWN INVESTMENTS. THAT DOESN'T JUST FLOW INTO THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY INVESTMENTS, BUT IT FLOWS INTO THEIR PRIVATE INVESTMENTS AS WELL. THAT WILL HELP, I THINK, CHANGE THE CULTURE OF AMERICANS SO THAT WE ARE MORE PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR RETIREMENT.

Borg: ON THAT I HAVE TO CALL TIME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SPENDING TIME WITH US TODAY.

King: THANK YOU. I REALLY APPRECIATE BEING HERE, DEAN.

Borg: ON OUR NEXT EDITION OF "IOWA PRESS," WE'LL FOCUS ON ANOTHER ISSUE OF THE CAMPAIGN OF 2002. THAT'S A REFERENDUM ON WHETHER OR NOT TO REAUTHORIZE GAMBLING LICENSES IN NINE IOWA COUNTIES INVOLVING NINE CASINOS AND THREE PARI-MUTUEL RACETRACKS. JOINING US ARE WES EHRECKE -- HE'S THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE IOWA GAMING ASSOCIATION -- AND TOM COATES; HE'S VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANIZATION CALLED "TRUTH ABOUT GAMBLING FOUNDATION." THAT'S "IOWA PRESS" NEXT WEEKEND: 6:30 FRIDAY, SUNDAY AT NOON. I HOPE YOU'LL WATCH. UNTIL THEN, I'M DEAN BORG. THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY.

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