Xpress is expanding its political coverage this year to include some of the bigger political races outside Buncombe County. All the state-level candidates we interviewed were hit with the same three questions. Races taking place in our core distribution area received more in-depth coverage.
In addition, candidates were asked, on the spot, to list or describe the Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments to the Constitution) and the Ten Commandments. Candidates were given a corresponding Civics Score and Bible Score; if an answer was even close, we awarded the point.
Civics Score/Bible Score
Tom Apodaca – Civics: 3 / Bible: 3
Brian Barber – Civics: 7 / Bible: 10
R L Clark – Civics: 4 / Bible: 5
Mark Crawford – Civics: 5 / Bible: 10
Bruce Goforth – Civics: 0 / Bible: 6
Sherry Hill – Civics: 0 / Bible: abstain
Jean Marlowe – Civics: 4 / Bible: 9
Steve Metcalf – Civics: 8 / Bible: 7
Martin Nesbitt – abstained from both
Robert Parker – Civics: 7 / Bible: 5
Bill Porter – Civics: 5 / Bible: 8
Joe Sam Queen – Civics: 4 / Bible: 9
Mike Ruby – Civics: 5 / Bible: 7
Gregg Thompson – Civics: 0 / Bible: 4
Trudi Walend – Civics: 2 / Bible: 5
Clarence Young – Civics: 8 / Bible: 6
How well do you know ’em?
The Bill of Rights
Amendment 1 Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment 2 A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment 3 No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment 4 The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment 5 No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment 6 In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Amendment 7 In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment 8 Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment 9 The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment 10 The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
The Ten Commandments
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honor thy father and thy mother.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house … nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
— abbreviated from Exodus 20:1-17, King James Version
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