Presidential candidates differ in IT questionnaire

President George W. Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry both advocate universal access to broadband and stronger cybersecurity but the two candidates disagree in their approaches in answers given in a tech policy questionnaire released by the Computing Technology Industry Association.

The Bush campaign, answering a question about broadband adoption, talked about pushing for an Internet tax moratorium and deregulating broadband infrastructure. Bush also noted broadband deployment has grown from 7 million U.S. homes in December 2000 to 28 million homes in December 2003.

"By applying 21st century policy to 21st century technology, we will encourage new investment that will bring broadband to more homes in more areas of America," the Bush campaign said in its answer.

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President George W. Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry both advocate universal access to broadband and stronger cybersecurity but the two candidates disagree in their approaches in answers given in a tech policy questionnaire released by the Computing Technology Industry Association.

The Bush campaign, answering a question about broadband adoption, talked about pushing for an Internet tax moratorium and deregulating broadband infrastructure. Bush also noted broadband deployment has grown from 7 million U.S. homes in December 2000 to 28 million homes in December 2003.

"By applying 21st century policy to 21st century technology, we will encourage new investment that will bring broadband to more homes in more areas of America," the Bush campaign said in its answer.

Kerry, a Massachusetts senator, advocated a 10% tax credit for investments in broadband technology in rural areas and inner cities. Investments in broadband technologies that are 20 times faster than current broadband technologies would receive a 20% tax credit under the Kerry plan.

"I support a telecommunications policy that will promote investment, encourage competition, deliver new services, unleash innovation, and accelerate the development of universal, affordable broadband networks and applications," the Kerry campaign wrote in its response. "By bringing more opportunity to rural America, the telecommunications revolution can strengthen the social fabric of many communities."

CompTIA's questionnaire asked both campaigns to answer 12 technology-related questions, and both campaigns returned responses within about 10 days. The questionnaire is designed to help the trade group's 20,000 business members quickly get information about the candidates' views on tech-related issues, said Roger Cochetti, CompTIA's group director of public policy.

Asked about cybersecurity, Kerry called for a "real partnership" between government and private industry. He also said he plans to push global standards and practices, although he didn't give details.

"We need a president who will devote the energy of the White House to making our networks – our 21st century infrastructure – stronger and more secure," the Kerry campaign wrote. "That means supporting a cyber security intelligence system ready to detect these threats. I will implement global standards and best practices so that weak links are strengthened."

Bush's response about cybersecurity focused on his National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, released in February 2003. The Bush campaign answer noted the strategy includes priorities such as a national security response system, and a government cyberspace security program. Some pieces of the strategy have been implemented or are being developed.

"Given the enormous importance of e-commerce, Internet-based communications, and the use of cyberspace to control portions of our physical infrastructure, cyber security is critical," the Bush campaign wrote. "The investments being made today in securing our Nation’s cyber infrastructure and in cyber security R&D are working to ensure that future generations of network software and hardware are less vulnerable to an attack and can maintain critical operations even when compromised."

The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate.