Editor's note:
Below are complete responses from the major candidates in the 2010 gubernatorial race to questions on social issues and values.
The answers were by compiled for the Tennessee Newspaper Network, a content-sharing coalition that includes the Chattanooga Times Free Press and newspapers in Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville.
Every month on the second Sunday of the month, the Tennessee Newspaper Network offers up questions and answers on issues of importance to Tennessee's next governor.
An edited version runs in the print edition, but the complete version is online.
1) Senate Joint Resolution 127 would amend the Tennessee Constitution with language making the constitution silent on the issue of abortion rights. The measure, which has passed in the 106th General Assembly but must pass the 107th General Assembly that begins in 2011, states, "Nothing in this constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion." Do you support or oppose amending the state constitution on abortion rights? As governor, would you work to support or oppose its passage in the legislature and if it goes on the 2014 ballot?
Republican Bill Haslam: "I believe in the sanctity of every human life. I am pro-life, and therefore as governor I will support passage of SJR 127."
Republican Ron Ramsey: "I absolutely support amending the constitution to protect the unborn. As governor, I will work very hard to support passage of SJR 127 on the 2014 ballot. Under my leadership, the state Senate has passed SJR 127, only to see it killed in the liberal, Democrat-controlled state House of Representatives. The 2008 Republican takeover of the state House means we are on the verge of passing SJR 127 and moving Tennessee out of the column of pro-abortion states by making our constitution silent on the issue."
Republican Zach Wamp: "I strongly support SJR 127, and I support amending the state constitution. I will work to support passage in the legislature and when the amendment is on the 2014 ballot. I have a strong, consistent, 100 percent record on pro-life issues in the United States Congress. I will continue that pro-life commitment as Tennessee's 49th governor by supporting the ability of our state to customize abortion laws to fit the values of Tennesseans."
Democrat Mike McWherter: "While I am personally opposed to abortions, I believe that such decisions should ultimately be resolved by a woman and her doctor. As such, I see no need to amend the state constitution on this point."
2) Efforts are under way in the legislature that would allow grocery stores to sell wine in Tennessee. Do you support or oppose such efforts?
Haslam: "I understand and respect the concerns of both consumers and small business owners on this issue. But perhaps most importantly, we must make certain that whatever solution we arrive at takes every possible step to ensure the safety of minors."
Ramsey: "I support allowing wine in grocery stores, but we need to find a way to protect our local small business owners as much as possible. If a compromise cannot be reached, then I believe local communities should make this decision, just as they do on the 'liquor-by-the-drink' issue. There are some communities in Tennessee where a majority of the population overwhelmingly support wine in grocery stores - they should be allowed to vote for it by referendum. Other communities feel it is not a good fit and they should have the option to decline it."
Wamp: "At the present time, I believe the decision on this issue is best left to the legislature, as that body already has studied and grappled with the issue during the past few legislative sessions. However, I'm hesitant to support any effort that will take revenues away from Tennessee-owned small businesses and shift them to large, out-of-state corporations."
McWherter: "I support the current state law with respect to wine sales."
3) There have been proposals in the General Assembly to bar unmarried couples, including same-sex couples, from adopting children. Do you support or oppose efforts to ban unmarried couples, including same-sex couples, from adopting children?
Haslam: "I believe that we should work to find a stable, loving home with two married parents for every child. However, I also recognize - through personal relationships with several single members of my church in Knoxville who have adopted - that there are many single, qualified individuals out there who could also provide the love and support needed to raise a child right and give that child opportunities he or she might not otherwise be afforded."
Ramsey: "I do not support allowing unmarried couples, including same-sex couples, to adopt children. Adoption is not an arena political correctness should be allowed to invade. It is a very serious matter and requires the highest level of commitment. Adoption is not an abstract policy issue. It is the most critical moment in the life of a child looking for a permanent home. When married couples wish to adopt, the adoption process should include a very high degree of scrutiny to ensure a positive environment for the child's future."
Wamp: "As a father, I believe the best environment to raise children is one in which a married mother and father cares for and raises a child, and this is true for adopted children as well. While I do recognize the efforts of single parents to adopt, I do not support allowing same-sex couples to adopt."
McWherter: "My personal preference is to see children placed in the care of loving, traditional families, but I do respect our current system that allows for judges and other authorities to make the final determination on what's in the best interest of a child."
4) Some lawmakers in recent years have sought to eliminate state funding for the family-planning efforts of Planned Parenthood groups in Tennessee, arguing that while the money does not go toward performing abortions, it supports the groups which perform abortions. Do you support or oppose efforts to eliminate state education funding for Planned Parenthood chapters?
Haslam: "I believe that state funding for Planned Parenthood should be eliminated."
Ramsey: "I led the effort to defund Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest provider of abortions. Planned Parenthood should receive zero taxpayer dollars. Just last December, I successfully fought to stop an attempt to place a two-room Planned Parenthood abortion facility next door to a Catholic high school in Shelby County. When I am governor, there will be no room in the state budget for abortion providers."
Wamp: "I do not support using state dollars to fund abortions, and as governor, I would support efforts to eliminate taxpayer funding for organizations like Planned Parenthood that promote and counsel for abortions. There are many other worthy organizations that provide education and support for women without performing or promoting abortions."
McWherter: "I would never support any state funding for abortions. I do support continuing to have our state agencies work closely in partnership with resources like Planned Parenthood to offer women's health-related services like family planning, birth control and exams."
5) Do you accept evolution - the proposition that cumulative changes occur in a population over time - as scientific fact? Do you support or oppose efforts to introduce the teaching of theories such as intelligent design, which holds that some aspects of the universe and of living things are best explained by an "intelligent cause"?
Haslam: "I believe that our children should master the tools of modern biology and that they should be encouraged to critically examine every theory. Personally, I view my Christian faith and understanding of science as complementary to each other and not in conflict."
Ramsey: "I believe intelligent design and evolution should both be taught in public schools. To choose one or the other would ignore the beliefs of large numbers of Tennesseans. Our young people are smart enough to come to their own conclusions if both sides are presented fairly."
Wamp: "I believe that God created the world we live in and crafted human beings in his own image, and I also believe in the scientific evolution of other species. However, most decisions on local school curriculum are best left to local school boards, educators and parents to debate and decide."
McWherter: "I believe that evolution is founded in science and should be taught in science classes at school. That does not preclude my belief and faith in God. I believe in God, and what I have learned in church has not only helped strengthen my faith, but my children's faith as well."
6) In making appointments to offices such as the Tennessee Supreme Court as well as state boards and commissions, including Tennessee's Textbook Commission, will you allow personal beliefs, religion or philosophy to influence your decision?
Haslam: "I will make appointments based on competence, qualifications and shared values."
Ramsey: "Every decision I make is guided by the conservative philosophy of government I share with the vast majority of Tennesseans. That is how I have led as lieutenant governor, and that is how I will lead as governor. As lieutenant governor, I abolished the Judicial Selection Commission, the liberal, special-interest panel that selected our judges. I replaced it with a process that gives voters a voice and finally brings accountability to the way we choose judges in this state."
Wamp: "In any appointments I make as governor, I will ensure that my appointees are the most well-qualified individuals for each position based on their experience, interest and credentials. I will examine and make each appointment individually based on the person's own merit. My administration will, however, be comprised of individuals who believe that government should maintain a very limited, but efficient and effective role when it's needed, in the lives on Tennesseans."
McWherter: "Any appointments to my administration would be based solely on the integrity and professional qualifications of the appointee, in addition to their level of commitment and desire to serve the needs of others."
7) Do you support or oppose efforts to require the written portions of the state driver's license test be conducted in English only?
Haslam: "A Tennessee driver's license should only be issued to someone legally resident in the state, and it is important that the driving portion of the test be conducted in English. The current practice of administering the written test in multiple languages should be reviewed to examine its costs and benefits."
Ramsey: "The written portion of the driver's license exam should be conducted in English unless there is a need for a waiver for someone here legally who has a direct tie to job creation. For example, if Nissan, Volkswagen or any manufacturer has a need to bring personnel to Tennessee temporarily, they should be able to procure a driver's license. As governor, I will make sure this waiver is available to legal residents only."
Wamp: "With the potential exception for foreign visitors who are only here temporarily to help us in the startup of major industry and new job creation, I support efforts that would require all written driver's license tests be conducted in English only."
McWherter: "I am concerned about any legislation that would send a message to outside business interests that Tennessee does not welcome cultural diversity."
8) Lawmakers are debating a proposal that would change long-standing law and evenly split child custody in contentious divorce cases. Many groups advocating for fathers support the change. But many others oppose it. Do you support or oppose the proposal to split child custody evenly between parents?
Haslam: "I believe that judges should be allowed to evaluate the specific circumstances of each case and make a decision based solely on the best interests of the child."
Ramsey: "I do not support any one-size-fits-all mandate from government regarding child custody arrangements. If ever there was a topic that demanded our courts assess an issue on a case-by-case basis, it is child custody suits. Child custody fights are tragic for all involved, but the priority of the courts must always be the welfare of the child. Some issues simply do not avail themselves of government fixes, and this is one of them. The best we can do is require the court system to focus on the best interest of the child and move forward."
Wamp: "At the present time, I believe the decision on this proposal is best left to the legislature, which is in the midst of examining the bill. However, I do believe that what's in the child's best interest should be paramount in most child custody battles."
McWherter: "I support the current process whereby the courts encourage divorcing parents to work out visitation schedules with the help of a mediator that's in a child's best interest. I'm concerned that the proposed changes would potentially make divorces tougher to settle and in some cases give abusive parents leverage they don't need. "
-- Compiled by Chattanooga Times Free Press staff writer Andy Sher of the Nashville Bureau. Contact him at asher@timesfreepress.com.