The Rookies: Paul Gosar On the Rise in Arizona

Gosar on the Issues

On how to balance the budget, Gosar says, "The government needs to start looking at its duplicity. You know, wasteful spending."

Paul Gosar is not your everyday candidate for Congress.

(Courtesy Gosar for Congress)

On whether gays should be able to serve openly in the military: "I've never served in the military. I have to rely on the military for how it works."

On what to do in Afghanistan: "We've got to keep a presence there because this area is so unstable and I'd rather be sitting around a table trying to make peace there than being served for dinner."

On how he feels about unemployment benefits: "We've got to get people back to work. It's called J-O-B."

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On whether there should be a minimum wage: "I'm not a real big fan. I see its purpose, but I think in some aspects it actually hurts the competitive marketplace. I think there's a push and shove. I could argue both ways -- for it or against it. But I think right now what we have to do is get people back to work."

Will his political inexperience derail his campaign? Or will it prove to be a selling point as he seeks to ride his momentum as a Beltway outsider?

Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the "Rothenberg Political Report" newsletter, takes the latter point of view, noting that Gosar is "not the most polished" candidate, but he's running at the "perfect" time.

"Does he have the polish of a guy who's been in the state legislature for 10 years and who knows how to be an insider?" Rothenberg asks aloud. "No, but this cycle that's not the requirement that it's been in the past. I like his chances a lot. I'd be surprised if he doesn't win."

Maybe that explains why Gosar is saying, "Danger, Will Robinson, danger!"