This interview was held on September 2, 2020 via text, every answer is printed here as given by the candidate with edits indicated in brackets. The Candidate was asked 7 questions, some of which were individualized.
About the Candidate: Ian Duncan Halpert is the sitting Republican Speaker of the House. He previously served as Senator, House Majority Leader, Republican Party Leader, and Deputy Chief of Staff.
You are the current Speaker of the House, a powerful and demanding position. How do you feel your experience will benefit you in the White House?
Ian: As Speaker of the House, I’ve had the absolute pleasure and privilege of working with legislators, judges, and those of the executive to keep our government in check and to maintain coordination to ensure that the United States running smoothly. In fact, this ticket has experience in all three branches of government, including judicial with my running mate, Mr. Lukas, serving as a Supreme Court Justice, and in the executive, as we both served as Chief of Staff.
My role as Speaker of the House comes with the pleasure of having a different and a much more vast view on the issues of everyday Americans, our justice system, foreign policy, and much more, including of those with visions to solve the problems they see. As apart of my job, I also get to hear and listen to the ideas and legislation that is presented in our chambers of congress. These items of legislation are directly focused on the problems that face America, and ideas to resolve them. That’s what I’ve incorporated in my platform, an address to the problem, and my plans to solve them through legislation and executive action.
What is your foreign policy doctrine?
I: I’ve repeatedly stated in my platform how America is a global superpower when it comes to both military and economically. I believe that we need to continue our stance of peace through strength, and that we should remain a guard for our beliefs, without being a warrior through our militarizes.
It is important and crucial that we must work diplomatically to establish firm relationships with nations aboard, including re-establishing dominance and focusing on our wants and needs to come to a win-win situation on both sides. It is also no secret that America is one of the largest players in imports and exports, including how powerful we can be when establishing free and beneficial trade for both and all parties. This also must not happen at the expense of our militarizes and protection of the American people.
What has influenced your policy views the most?
I: I like to keep an open mind and open heart when it comes to listening and understanding policy problems and answers to such problems. It’s really all about learning the problems that Americans face and trying to and researching ways that, us as legislators, can help.
For example, with my PROTECT (Police Reform on Tactics, Ethics, Cooperation, and Trust Act of 2020), my Republican colleagues, among others, listened to the cries for change on the streets of America. Not, “giving in,” not ” submitting to the mob,” rather listening and coming up for impactful solutions to respect our communities and the law enforcement officers that so bravely protect it.
What political issue(s) have you evolved your view on since joining Virtual Congress?
I: I’ve come to the realization and further understanding of how important our civil liberties are to the American people based on the founding and founders of our nation, where a free world with opportunity of prosperity is crucial, that includes our freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and much more that are secured in our constitution.
What is your viewpoint on the political climate on Virtual Congress and how do you feel it has changed in the time you have been here?
I: Virtual Congress is very different than real life congress, to say the least. There’s so much more diversity of opinion and viewpoints, which we can all admire. As with this, I think we’ve seen a great move towards libertarian ideals from both the left and the right that protect the civil liberties of the American people that extend to minority groups, LGBTQ+, etc.
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment on VC?
I: I’m proud of my accomplishments as Speaker of the House. I’ve really been trying to push, not partisan, not just bipartisan, but good legislation for the American people. The Speakership is a traditionally partisan role, and I still represent the wishes of myself and my parties in the position. But this 132nd Congress has produced legislation and law that I believe, is genuinely good for the American public.
Finally, what do you plan to accomplish if elected for the server and the country?
I: If elected, and even if not, I intend to continue work on the platform, policy, and plan for America that I have been running under. Whether it be protecting our 2nd Amendment rights, protecting the lives of the innocent and unborn, giving immigrants and those seeking freedom an opportunity in the United States. I truly believe that I have a plan of action for the betterment of America, foreign and aboard.
When I first announced my candidacy, I ran because I saw a country in distress under and due to the death of our President. It wasn’t something I have been planning since the beginning of my career, and it isn’t for the title and sake of being President. As I was drafting and creating my platform, I had the realization of how much more needs to be done for this country, and how important it is to have a plan for it. Regardless, I only hope that the citizens of the United States will make an educated and firm decision on who they want as their President on the 10th, whether that be me or another candidate.
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