Van Hollen supports withdrawing the troops and focusing more on domestic issues. “I support withdrawal of our forces as we train Iraqi forces to keep the peace and provide stability on the ground,” he said.

Law Enforcement:

Are law enforcement agencies adequately staffed to handle potential terrorist strikes?

Floyd argues that the 8th District’s law enforcement personnel lack the necessary equipment to handle potential terrorist attacks, which he said concerns him considering the close proximity of the district to the nation’s capital. Law enforcement officials “need more funds for their cars, weapons and other things that they use,” Floyd said, explaining that federal money should be funneled to improve transportation, communication and first-response units in the most vulnerable areas of the country.

Van Hollen believes that law enforcement in the 8th District is in “good shape” but could use additional funding.  

Marriage:

Should there be an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to define marriage as something that can only happen between a man and a woman?

Floyd said he supports a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as solely between a man and a woman.

“The purpose of that relationship is to produce and protect children and make our society grow,” he said. “Too many liberal judges interpret and make laws.” he added.

Van Hollen is opposed to a constitutional amendment defining marriage, saying “it is an issue that should be left to the states.”

Jobs:

Should the federal government outsource jobs to the private sector and overseas?

Floyd supports outsourcing. "I think it’s good for our economy in the 8th District. I think it’s good for our economy in the global market,” he said, adding that it is also a good way to promote entrepreneurship and jobs. Floyd has been a small business owner.

Van Hollen said he does not advocate outsourcing jobs overseas, but would support competition between the government and the private sector. “I’m not opposed to idea of competitive sourcing, but it needs to be done in a way that’s fair and balanced,” he said.

Tort Reform:

Should there be an economic cap on the amount of damages awarded in medical liability lawsuits?  

Floyd said he will vote for an economic cap on lawsuits, or tort reform.

Van Hollen does not support an economic cap, but does support a limit on the number of frivolous law suits a lawyer can file, called the three-strikes rule. “The three-strikes rule escalates sanctions for lawyers,” said Van Hollen, explaining that lawyers who file more than three “frivolous” law suits will go before a panel and lose their license.

Energy:

Would you support legislation that advocates the exploration of energy sources within the United States, like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge? Currently, drilling is prohibited in the refuge.

Floyd advocates drilling in some national refuges, like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, but also is quick to add that much more needs to be done through nanotechnology, solar, wind and fuel cells. Floyd added, “We will never be independent of foreign oil; we never will, it’s a fact.”

Van Hollen is not in favor of drilling in ANWR, or off the Florida everglades and other environmentally sensitive areas. “We produce quite a bit of oil in the U.S.,” he said. “We need to focus on renewable energy sources, like solar and wind.”

Social Security:

According to the Social Security Board of Trustees, the Social Security program is not going to endure in the long run: “In 2018, tax revenues will fall below program costs. In 2042, the trust funds will be exhausted,” the board says on its Web site.

Both candidates agree that there is a crisis with Social Security, but disagree on how it should be remedied.

Floyd is in favor of partly privatizing Social Security, allowing each citizen more freedom in investing for their future.

Van Hollen said he does not favor privatizing Social Security at all. He said privatizing it would costs trillions of dollars and would increase the deficit drastically. Instead, he advocates “fiscal discipline,” lamenting that the president’s tax cut could have gone toward preserving Social Security.

Abortion:

Both candidates said they would support a partial-birth abortion ban if such a clause were inserted and the legislation dealt with no other abortion procedures.