Jeghelian agrees that strong penal codes canreform criminals. "Transgressing the laws ofsociety brings about penalty," she says. "Withearly intervention, we can alter behavior."

But Jefferson says a lack of moralaccountability has increased criminal tendenciesamong Americans, and measures like gun controloffer only superficial answers to this problem.

And Jefferson considers a ban on assaultweapons misguided because criminals can "get themfrom anywhere."

U.S. as Peacekeeper?

The candidates criticize the ClintonAdministration's inconsistency with regard toforeign policy, but vary on the extent to whichthe U.S. should play the role of an internationalpeacekeeper.

Jefferson invokes the ideas of PresidentTheodore Roosevelt, Class of 1880, when she saysthe U.S. should serve the role of the world'spolice force.

"The U.S. has to accept the fact that we arethe last superpower in the world," she says. "TheU.N. is a paper kitty cat, not a paper tiger, sowe need to provide force to back it up."

In Bosnia, Romney says the U.S. should "exertall its diplomatic effort to lift the embargo sothat the Muslims can defend themselves."

But he opposes U.S. military involvement in theembattled region. The responsibility to takemilitary action lies with America's Europeanallies, he says.

And although Lakian and Todd advocate sendingsoldiers to the region, they say U.S. soldiersshould serve under their own nation's commanders.

"The tragedy of Somalia could have been avertedthat way," Lakian says.

Off to the Races

Although Boston Globe polls have reportedRomney as the front-runner among the sixcandidates for the Republican nomination,Jeghelian has fared best in head to head pollsagainst Sen. Kennedy.

But Jefferson says because she is the onlycandidate whose views are truly different fromKennedy's, she will win the election if she isnominated.

"I am the only one that can beat Kennedy," shesays. "We need candidates who can show they aredifferent from how he is and some of my Republicanchallengers show they are like him."