Incumbent John Kline, a Republican, is in his third term of office. He is being challenged by Steve Sarvi, a Democrat from Watertown. The pair answered questions posed by the Minnesota Newspaper Association. Here are Kline's answers:

Q: Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications.

A: Congressman John Kline, 61, was elected to represent the suburbs and rural counties south of Minnesota’s Twin Cities (the 2nd District) in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002, and was re-elected to a third term in 2006.

As the only active-duty career Marine Corps veteran serving in Congress, Kline has been able to draw from his extensive military experience in his work on the House Armed Services Committee. Kline also serves on the Education and Labor Committee, where he is the ranking Republican member on the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee. Additionally, Kline was appointed by House leadership to serve on the bipartisan House Ethics Committee.

Prior to his congressional service, Kline spent several years in Washington during his 25-year career in the Marine Corps. He distinguished himself as a helicopter pilot and earned the responsibility of flying Marine One, the president’s personal helicopter. Kline was also hand-picked to serve as a personal military aide to Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. Kline’s responsibilities during this period included advising the president and our country’s senior civilian and military leadership and carrying the nuclear “football” – the briefcase containing the nuclear war plans and strike options in case of a national emergency. Kline served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He retired from the Marine Corps with the rank of colonel.

Born in Allentown, Pa., on Sept. 6, 1947, Kline received his undergraduate degree in biology from Rice University in 1969, and his master’s degree in public administration from Shippensburg University in 1988. Kline and his wife, Vicky, live in Lakeville. Kline is especially proud of his two children and four grandchildren. His son is a helicopter pilot in the Army who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Q: Terrorism: Should the United States maintain its current military strength in Iraq, or do you support a specific timetable for withdrawal of troops? If you support a specific timetable, what is it? Would you vote to end the war in Iraq?

A: I am proud of the men and women of our armed services and their progress in reducing violence and stabilizing the ground situation in Iraq. I am particularly pleased the United States has been able to reduce troop strength and anticipate continued reductions. I believe my colleagues share my enthusiastic esteem for these individuals and the service they provide. As we move forward, we must carefully weigh the strategies put forth by the commanders who lead our brave soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen. Decisions about troop strengths must be based on conditions in Iraq, which are much improved in 2008.

Q: Health care: Do you support universal health care coverage?

A: All Americans deserve access to affordable, high-quality care. To make this a reality, our current health care system needs to change. Ultimately, we must decide between a system that enables patients and doctors to make decisions about their care and the undesirable alternative of a government-run system that provides limited – if any – choice for individuals. I support a health care approach that harnesses the power of the marketplace to provide Americans with more and better health insurance choices and reduce the number of Americans who have been unable to find affordable coverage.

Q: Education: Do you support or oppose the No Child Left Behind Act? Can it be strengthened, or should it be scrapped?

A: The “No Child Left Behind” Act demonstrates the limitations of writing federal education policy that meets the needs of all students. This overly restrictive policy limits innovation in the classroom and imposes financial and administrative requirements that place a significant burden on schools and localities – without providing the resources necessary to meet the standards. While I was not serving in Congress when the bill became law, I did my part to address the shortcomings of the legislation. As you may know, despite numerous hearings and proposed changes the bill still falls short of its goals of ensuring every child receives a high quality education. Accordingly, I co-sponsored the “A-Plus” Act, which would provide states the option of withdrawing from federal education programs while maintaining their full share of federal funding and assuming full responsibility for the educational needs of students.

Q: Energy: Should the United States allow additional oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge? Should additional nuclear plants be part of the energy mix in this country? Please explain.

A: Rapidly rising energy costs are generating corresponding increases in the price of food and other basic essentials for families across America. Our nation needs a diversified, “all of the above” energy policy, such as the American Energy Act. This bill – of which I am a proud co-sponsor – would increase the supply of American-made energy – including expanding access to domestic resources in the Outer Continental Shelf and ANWR, improve conservation and efficiency, and promote new and expanding energy technologies – such as nuclear – to help lower the price at the pump and end America’s increasingly costly and dangerous dependence on foreign sources of energy.

Q: Agriculture: Do you support the farm bill passed by the 2008 Congress? Why or why not?

A: While it was far from perfect, I felt it was important to support and help override the president’s veto of the farm bill that became law this spring. Without action, we risked reverting to the law written in 1949 – which would be a considerable disservice to our nation’s farmers. Instead, the bill we passed includes real reforms to address the critical needs of our farmers while making investments in agriculture research and conservation programs.

Q: Job creation: What policies do you support so U.S. companies can compete effectively in overseas markets?

A: In a diverse economy, a results-oriented job training system can effectively serve job seekers and workers in need of retraining. Last year, the Workforce Investment Improvement Act was introduced to build on past reforms and improve programs and services under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) administered through the nation’s one-stop training center system. I am a co-sponsor of this bill that will strengthen coordinating infrastructure, eliminate duplication, enhance the role of employers, and increase state and local flexibility to better serve our nation’s workers. Together, these reforms will ensure the nation’s workforce development system can respond quickly and effectively to the changing needs of job seekers.

In addition, for U.S. businesses to compete globally, we must bring down foreign barriers to our exports. Free trade equalizes the playing field for our workers and industry and expands opportunities for American businesses.

Q: Immigration: What are your priorities in any immigration reform legislation?

A: America is a nation of immigrants. Our grandparents and great grandparents came to this country legally to work hard, learn English, assimilate to the culture, and make contributions to this great nation. We are also a nation of laws, and we must enforce our laws. Since I have been elected to Congress, I have been an outspoken advocate of securing our borders and strengthening immigration policies that empower local officials to enforce the laws.

Q: Economy: What role, if any, should the federal government play in protecting homeowners against bank foreclosures?

A: It is important for Congress to develop housing legislation that advances home ownership and strengthens the housing market without placing additional burdens on American taxpayers. In considering the appropriate role for Congress, we must recognize that the “crisis” in the housing market is not universal: while the number of delinquencies and foreclosures has been rising, it does not comprise the majority of Americans. Congress has a responsibility to help those homeowners who are victims, enhance consumer protections, and provide more transparency in the housing market without rewarding reckless behavior. Additionally, Congress must address the systemic problems in the financial services and mortgage markets.

Q: Federal Shield Law: Do you support the enactment of a strong federal shield law to protect journalists‚ confidential sources and unpublished materials? Why or why not?

A: As the son of a newspaper man, I understand the importance of a free and open press, and I am a strong defender of the First Amendment. But the protections we provide to ensure the men and women of the media can inform the public without fear of recrimination must come with a corresponding responsibility not to disclose information that unnecessarily threatens or makes it more difficult to protect the physical security of Americans.

Earlier this year, I joined 397 of my colleagues in voting for the Free Flow of Information Act, which reflects reasonable compromises that address law enforcement and national security concerns while protecting the rights of reporters to safeguard the identity of sources that need to remain confidential.