This is the final installment of the presidential candidates' answers to a series of questions put to them by the National Association of Home Builders. The first three parts ran over the last three days.

BUSH: Lawmakers often forget that our Constitution sets up a federal government of limited and enumerated powers. I support the U.S. Supreme Court's recent trend toward restoring this principle and limiting the power of Congress to pass new laws without ample constitutional authority.

GORE: Our environmental statutes often provide considerable flexibility to agencies in terms of how to meet broadly stated goals. Consistent with his philosophy of reinventing government and streamlining the regulatory process, Al Gore believes that this flexibility is necessary to promote new and innovative solutions to the contentious environmental issues that have spawned excessive litigation in the past.

For example, Al Gore pushed EPA to adopt an innovative brownfields program to avoid the unintended consequences that fear of Superfund liability has had for the development community. While not specifically required by statute, the brownfields program has had broad support among home builders, other developers and state and local government leaders. The brownfields program also has opened a dialogue and consensus between EPA and NAHB on the legislative changes that are needed to address issues that cannot be addressed administratively.

Similarly, Al Gore pushed the Interior Department to advance its "no surprises policy," to promote habitat conservation plans (HCPs) and to implement other reforms that responded to serious concerns raised by NAHB members, private landowners and others affected by uncertainty concerning the impact of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Again, these reforms were not specifically required by statute, but they helped make ESA implementation more responsive to the concerns of NAHB members. Notably, these reforms also opened the door to a consensus on ESA reform reflected in the Baucus-Kempthorne bill.

The Clinton-Gore Administration's initiation of an administrative appeals process for Sec. 404 permit denials, likewise, was not provided by statute but was instead an administrative reform that helped us respond to concerns of NAHB members. Ultimately, Congress does need to reauthorize our environmental statutes in a timely way to strengthen these types of reforms legislatively and to address new concerns and challenges from a range of constituencies. Al Gore believes that this process, and our ability to respond to concerns raised by NAHB and others, is facilitated by administratively using the flexibility in our environmental laws to promote innovation and reform.

BUSH: I'm running for President to focus our national attention and resolve on a few fundamental priorities. To improve our public schools so that every child is educated and no child is left behind. To rebuild our military and America's stature in the world so we can keep the peace and spread the cause of freedom. To cut taxes for every American to keep our economy growing and make the tax system fairer, especially for those struggling to join the middle class.

To save and strengthen two vital programs for our nation's senior citizens: Medicare and Social Security. In this presidential campaign, I have repeatedly called for a clean break from the recent past, a break from the endless parade of bitter charges and political gamesmanship. I want to extend the promise of prosperity to every forgotten corner of this country, and above all I want to do it in a way that upholds the honor and dignity of the White House. The President of the United States represents everyone, not a single district or state, and he must embody every day the high ideals of that high office. I believe the presidency - the final point of decision in the American government - was made for great purposes. It is the office of Lincoln's conscience and Teddy Roosevelt's energy and Harry Truman's integrity and Ronald Reagan's optimism.

When I am President, I will strive for leadership that sets a new tone - a tone of respect, civility and bipartisanship. A President can provide that leadership. He can refrain from personal attacks and treat members of both parties with respect. He can reach across party lines and work hand-in-hand with all members. I reject today's zero-sum Washington politics where one party's win is the other party's loss, where too many adopt the politics of the roadblock, the philosophy of the stop sign. I will be driven as President by this bottom-line priority: what is best for America. That firm philosophy - aiming to improve the lives of those who sent me here, nothing else - has been my record as governor, and that will be my record as President.

GORE: As President, Al Gore will work to achieve that which is not only the goal of the NAHB and the policy behind the landmark Housing Act of 1949, but also the dream of all Americans: a decent home and suitable living environment for every American family. He knows that although we have reached the highest rates of homeownership in American history, we can do better

He is committed to achieving a record 70% rate of homeownership for the first time in history. Al Gore will work hard to make the dream of homeownership a reality for those Americans who have not yet shared in the benefits of our economic success. Al Gore knows that we have hard-working Americans like those who belong to NAHB to thank for the prosperity we have experienced, and that only through their continued success and determination can we expand this prosperity into the future, for all Americans to enjoy.

Published: October 27, 2000

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.