CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Sen. Jim Oberweis, a Republican challenging Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin in November, sat down with The Associated Press this week for a wide-ranging interview. Here are excerpts of what he said and his stands on the issues:
CANDIDACY
Oberweis, who has spent just two years in public office, says his biggest selling point is that he’s a successful businessman who understands what’s needed to create jobs.
“I’m not a politician,” he said. “Dick Durbin is a much better politician. I’ll never out-Dick Durbin Dick Durbin.”
GOP SUPPORT:
Oberweis says he hasn’t received as much support from national party officials as he’d like because they haven’t seen the race as competitive. He said that could change if polls show the race tightening.
“We’re having conversations,” he said. “I’m confident that in the coming weeks we’re going to get a lot more support from them.”
IMMIGRATION
Oberweis said he has softened his stance on allowing immigrants who entered the country illegally as young children to stay in the U.S. He now believes kids shouldn’t be punished for their parents’ actions.
He told AP he doesn’t support all parts of a federal immigration bill that has stalled in the House because it sends a message that breaking the law is OK. He said he’d first like to see more border security. He said President Barack Obama’s intention to act without congressional approval would be “disastrous.”
GLOBAL AFFAIRS
Oberweis agrees with GOP Sen. Mark Kirk’s suggestion that the U.S. “bomb the hell out of” the Islamic State group, despite its pledge to retaliate.
“We cannot afford to bow to threats,” he said.
Oberweis also said that on issues of foreign policy he would tend to listen to the military generals, and that if he lost confidence in them he’d “find some other generals.”
He believes President Barack Obama has erred by drawing a “line in the sand” and warning U.S. enemies not to step over it, only to see them do so. Oberweis said he’d be “very very careful” about drawing a similar line.
“But if I did and someone stepped over it, I’d cut off their toes,” he said.
HEALTH CARE
Oberweis told AP in a candidate questionnaire that he would work to repeal Obama’s Affordable Care Act in his first 100 days, if elected.
“That was something that was rammed down throats of Republicans instead of trying to compromise,” he said in the interview. “The result has been a disaster, a public relations disaster, a real disaster.”
REGULATIONS, SPENDING AND TAXES
Oberweis said reducing regulatory burdens and government spending and simplifying the tax code would be among his top priorities.
He said the Affordable Care Act and government involvement in pricing milk have resulted in “incredible expense” for businesses and are “pure government regulation gone whacko.” He offered no other specifics, saying that doing so “makes it partisan.”
Oberweis said a starting point in cutting spending is the plan proposed by Republican Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Oberweis was one only a handful of Senate Republicans who voted in favor of Illinois’ medical marijuana pilot project, which allows people with some medical conditions to use the drug.
He said his daughter, a college professor, tried to convince him about the merits of medical marijuana but he had concerns heading into the floor debate. After listening to arguments on both sides, he decided the state should try it.
“If it helps some people with very serious diseases, why not give them that help,” Oberweis said.
