Five years ago, candidate George W. Bush blew into town, held an impromptu press conference and chewed the fat with those willing to fork over $20 for breakfast. Today, President Bush will be screened from the public en route to a $1,000-a-plate fund-raiser for Rep. George Nethercutt.

No matter who occupies the White House, it’s difficult for Americans to catch a glimpse of their national leader, let alone share thoughts with him. So The Spokesman-Review editorial board thought it would pose some questions that might be on the minds of Inland Northwest residents:

In light of the Reagan family plea to increase stem cell research, how has your position altered on the issue? Have you discussed this issue with Congressman Nethercutt, who supports more publicly funded research?

If the latest review requested by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld again supports the plan to lease and buy Boeing 737s for use as refueling tankers, can we assume that the deal will finally move ahead?

Your father’s administration signed the 1989 Tri-Party Agreement that called for state input on the clean-up of nuclear waste at Hanford Nuclear Reservation. The Energy Department now wants to leave some radioactive waste buried on-site and import waste from other states. The state opposes both moves. Should the Energy Department proceed without congressional debate and agreement from the state?

In 2002, you lauded and signed a large increase in government subsidies for farmers. The following year, you said, “When wealthy nations subsidize the agricultural exports, it prevents poor countries from developing their own agriculture sectors. So I propose that all developed nations, including Europe, immediately eliminate subsidies on agricultural exports to developing countries.” What is your stand on subsidies and how do Eastern Washington farms fit into that picture?

Would you accept a compromise that would allow more oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in exchange for increased federal mileage standards for automobiles? Similarly, do you think it makes sense to exempt sport-utility vehicles and other “light trucks” from the current fuel and pollution standards for autos?

Recent news reports described how energy traders gleefully gamed the West Coast system and pocketed huge profits during a time of rolling blackouts and widespread suffering. Do you think the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission moved quickly enough on allegations of improprieties?

FERC is touting a standard market design to streamline power distribution across the nation, but Northwest leaders say the plan is too simplistic and would threaten the region’s hold on hydropower. Why would FERC’s plan be better for this region?

The vice president continues to say that al Qaeda had “long-established ties” with Saddam Hussein. The 9/11 Commission report says there is no evidence of that. Back in September, you said there was no solid evidence that Saddam was involved in the attacks on America. Have you changed your position? If so, why?

And finally: After the Sept. 11 attacks, the world rallied to the United States’ side in a dramatic show of compassion. A headline in one French newspaper read: “We all are Americans.” Has the war in Iraq squandered those international feelings of unity and good will?

The questions above are asked without expectation of getting answers this trip. But Washington is said to be a swing state in the 2004 presidential election, and there’s a chance both Bush and John Kerry will be back. They ought to come prepared with some answers.