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Office you seek
US House of Representatives, NC's 12th Congressional District

Occupation
Retired Army Officer and R&D Engineer

Age
68

Address
1025 Faye Lane, Salisbury, NC 28146

Web site
tycobbforcongress.com

Party affiliation
Republican, though an American first and foremost

Elective experience
None; as an Amry officer and a Federal employee, I was not permitted to be in politics

Other relevant experience (boards and commissions)
Numerous community projects through life membership in Kiwanis, coaching, officiating and leading youth sports orgainzations for over 35 years and leading church organizations for 20 years.

Family
Married to Beverly Y. Cobb for 46 years; 1 son and 1 daughter; 5 grandsons.

Why have you chosen to run for this office?
Originally, my concern for the safety of our Nation, but as I studied more I realized that our Congress was not doing a very good job (approval rating, per current Gallup Poll, is but 19%); Americans deserve better from their elected officials. I pledged myself to go to Congress "with my sleeves rolled up" and motivate Congress to do likewise.

What distinguishes you most from your opponent?
I am more representative of the people of the 12th District than he. Unlike him, I am not a millionaire, a lawyer nor a career politician, thus I am more "representative" of the folks of the district. Additionally, I am a veteran and have worked at the grassroots to support America all my life.

Key qualifications you would bring to the job
I care about America ! I am not afraid of hard work and believe in compromising for the betterment of our Nation. I believe in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."

List your top three campaign issues and your stances on those issues (briefly, please)

Re-invigorating the "Do Nothing" Congress to see its approval rating doubled, if not tripled, in two years.

Resolving our Nation's fuel/energy crisis with a long term, public/private plan that pursues new oil drilling and extensive efforts in alternative energy sources, while perserving God's precious gift of the environment.

Supporting the relentless pursuit of anti-American terrorists by all Federal agencies and aiding states towards that goal. Without a secure Nation, all other problems pale.

What is your position on congressional earmarks?
They can be good or bad. Unfortunately, most are bad and unwarranted. I have a plan to limit earmarks.

What measures should be taken to boost the sagging national economy?
A month ago, I would have said keep taxes as low as practical, educate our youth in skills to re-establish America's competitive edge and reduce government interference in business. Those three steps remain, but now the most pressing issue is the price of oil, for our country is addicted to oil and cannot ease that addiction overnight. [See 14(2)] This situation affects the lives daily of all our people with the low income folks being put in an desperate financial situation.

Additionally, my plan for the interstate transfer of fresh water would not only provide jobs throughout the US, but would position America to be the leading provider of food for the world, as well as spur other enterprises that require fresh water.

When and how should the U.S. remove troops from Iraq?
A very delicate situation that requires careful planning and execution. "As soon as possible" is too simple of an answer. "As soon as practical" is a better answer. We must finish what we started or once again we become the world's "paper tiger." Our dependence, as well as that of most of the rest of the world, on oil from the Middle East demands that this region be stable. That said, I believe that we can begin re-deploying 3 or 4 brigades from Iraq this December. Afterward, a brigade each quarter of the year until we have but 5 or 6 combat brigades there to support Iraqi armed forces when they need assistance to maintain stability in their country. Two or three of these brigades would remain in Iraq, while others might be in reserve in Kuwait. The situation in the Middle East, say in 2012, might permit a total withdrawal, but we must keep in mind how the world situation dictated our long presence in Europe and Korea.