Let's begin:
I'm a big fan of bloggers who "live blog" things, like debates. Unfortunately I don't particularly care to watch TV live, and while yesterday's debate was occurring (in the middle of the afternoon), I and most of America were working. But, 12 minutes into watching my recording of the December 12, 2007 Des Moines Register Republican Debate, I decided I wanted to blog along - so here's the result.
Once nice thing about faux-live blogging is the transcript is available, so I'm including that should you like to follow along, although I'll try to give enough context to each of my comments that you don't need to (the transcript's 27 pages long, so reading that plus my commentary would take a lot more time that I'm sure you want to commit).
MS. WASHBURN: Hello, I'm Carolyn Washburn, editor of the Des Moines Register, and welcome today one of the Des Moines Register debates. Today we're going to talk with nine Republican candidates for president of the United States. The Democrats have spent lots of quality time in debates during this campaign, but this is the first time since summer that the Republicans have gone head to head in Iowa, and it's a critical time.
Between her demeanor (obviously not captured in the transcript) and her subtle implications that the Republicans haven't been "spend[ing] lots of quality time in debates this campaign" I stopped being impressed with Carolyn Washburn right here (all of 71 words in).
(WASHBURN, con't): Six in ten Iowa republicans who say they expect to caucus told us just two weeks ago that they could still be persuaded to support another candidate, and now we're down to 22 days to go. So we're going to focus on issues Iowans say they still want to know more about. We won't talk a lot about issues like Iraq or immigration. They are important issues, no doubt, but Iowans say they know where the candidates are coming from on those. Instead we'll dig in on issues that need more clarification. Iraq or immigration may come up because, of course, everything is interrelated, but we're not going to spend concentrated time on those.
NOTE: In the transcript, it read "we're knot going to" ... My apologies if there are other (transcription) errors in the transcript...
NOTE: In the transcript, it read "we're knot going to" ... My apologies if there are other (transcription) errors in the transcript...
So we aren't going to talk about Iraq or immigration. Great. From here I moved from being un-impressed to actively disliking the job Washburn was doing.
Let me just quote Dean Barnett from the Weekly Standard and then hopefully I can move away from talking about the moderator and get to the substance:
She did the impossible--she moderated the last Iowa debate between the Republican candidates before caucuses and yet saw to it that none of the candidates engaged each other. ... A personal aside to the Des Moines Register--"boring" is not synonymous with "serious."
... From the outset, Washburn announced that the candidates would not be discussing either Iraq or immigration. Swell! It's the biggest debate of the season, so let's take the two biggest issues off the table. For what it's worth, Washburn brought all the charm to her assignment of a latter-day Nurse Ratched.
At some point, the political parties will have to begin to wonder why they entrust such a critical part of our president-choosing process to people like Carolyn Washburn, people who obviously aren't up to the task.
(WASHBURN, con't): First, I'd like to welcome the candidates. Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of the city of New York. Congressman Duncan Hunter of California. Congressman Ron Paul of Texas. Congressman Tom Tancredo, Colorado. Former Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee. Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts. Former governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas. Senator John McCain of Arizona. And Ambassador Alan Keyes of Maryland. Thanks to all of you for being with us today despite the ice yesterday. The rules are pretty simple. I'll ask the questions and let you know how much time you have. There are timing lights, you'll see a yellow light when you have ten seconds left and a red light when it's, please, time to stop. I will try not to be a grinch about it, but I do ask you to respect the time so that we cover as much time as possible. I will offer up to 30 seconds of rebuttal time for any candidate criticized by name, and I may allow other candidates to respond if we have time. I'll explain everything as we go along, so let's begin.
Question 1 - Do you agree that the U.S. faces a tsunami of debt that is a great threat to our national security?
[#]MS. WASHBURN: We're going to start with a discussion about the financial situation facing our country, which was the single biggest issue Iowans of both parties wanted you to talk about. I'd like to ask everyone briefly to answer this question, and then we're going to talk more specifically.
The comptroller general has said the U.S. faces a tsunami of debt that is a great threat to our national security. Do you agree our country's financial situation creates a security risk? And why or why not?
We're going to just go down the line, starting with Mayor Giuliani. And please limit your answers on this to 30 seconds.
The comptroller general has said the U.S. faces a tsunami of debt that is a great threat to our national security. Do you agree our country's financial situation creates a security risk? And why or why not?
We're going to just go down the line, starting with Mayor Giuliani. And please limit your answers on this to 30 seconds.
MR. GIULIANI: I believe that it's a major problem, and it's one that hasn't been addressed the way it should be over the course of the last seven, eight, maybe really 20 years. And there are three major things that we have to do.
First, we have to reduce government spending, and we have to be very disciplined about that. And we have to do it by imposing spending caps on the civilian agencies in governments -- 5 percent, 10 percent, maybe 15 percent. We have to say that we're not going to rehire half of the civilian employees that come up for retirement. Forty-two percent are coming up over the course of the next eight to 10 years. They should not be rehired. That would give us a $20 billion, $22 billion reduction. The other would even be higher. And then we have to reduce taxes. Right now we should reduce the corporate tax. We should reduce it from 35 percent to 25 percent.
It would be a major boost in revenues for the government. Most importantly, it would be a way of dealing with our fiscal policy in the same way that the Fed is dealing with our monetary policy to create more liquidity.
And then there are other taxes we should get rid of. We should get rid of death tax and a whole group of others, but the first one should be the corporate tax.
MS. WASHBURN: Okay. Yes or no. I just want to be sure that I'm clear. Is the debt a threat to our national security?
MR. GIULIANI: I would say I would look at it --
MS. WASHBURN: (Inaudible.)
MR. GIULIANI: I wouldn't call it national security. I would call it economic security. It's very, very important. I think Islamic terrorism is being national security, economic security is also very important.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman?
MR. GIULIANI: -- Islamic terrorism as being national security. Economic security is also very important.
First, we have to reduce government spending, and we have to be very disciplined about that. And we have to do it by imposing spending caps on the civilian agencies in governments -- 5 percent, 10 percent, maybe 15 percent. We have to say that we're not going to rehire half of the civilian employees that come up for retirement. Forty-two percent are coming up over the course of the next eight to 10 years. They should not be rehired. That would give us a $20 billion, $22 billion reduction. The other would even be higher. And then we have to reduce taxes. Right now we should reduce the corporate tax. We should reduce it from 35 percent to 25 percent.
It would be a major boost in revenues for the government. Most importantly, it would be a way of dealing with our fiscal policy in the same way that the Fed is dealing with our monetary policy to create more liquidity.
And then there are other taxes we should get rid of. We should get rid of death tax and a whole group of others, but the first one should be the corporate tax.
MS. WASHBURN: Okay. Yes or no. I just want to be sure that I'm clear. Is the debt a threat to our national security?
MR. GIULIANI: I would say I would look at it --
MS. WASHBURN: (Inaudible.)
MR. GIULIANI: I wouldn't call it national security. I would call it economic security. It's very, very important. I think Islamic terrorism is being national security, economic security is also very important.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman?
MR. GIULIANI: -- Islamic terrorism as being national security. Economic security is also very important.
It's not enough to make me join the Rudy camp, but Rudy says a lot I like in answering this. "We have to reduce government spending," "And then we have to reduce taxes", etc. And done carefully and with some moderation, I think his suggestion of not replacing positions created when federal employees retire using technology and improved efficiency could actually work. And his wrap up comment, "Islamic terrorism [is an issue of] national security [but] economic security is also very important" correctly addresses this rather absurd question. The national debt doesn't fly airplanes into buildings.
REP. HUNTER: There are two debts that are a threat to the national security. One is the budget deficit, which is going to be about $161 billion this year, but the real deficit, the real loss that we have right now that is a threat to national security is a trade loss. The trade loss this year is going to be $800 billion. It's going to be $200 billion to communist China, which is rapidly becoming our banker, and there's an old saying, "You don't want to have a banker who doesn't have your best interests at heart." We should level the playing field. We should stop China from cheating on trade, bring back a lot of those high-paying manufacturing jobs to this country that we pushed off-shore. That means bigger paychecks. That means more money going into the Federal Treasury and to Social Security and to Medicare, eliminate those twin deficits, and we'll be on the right track.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
We do need to stay at 30 seconds. This is not the time to get behind.
Congressman?
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
We do need to stay at 30 seconds. This is not the time to get behind.
Congressman?
The "real deficit" is the trade deficit, eh? Is this Duncan Hunter or John "We need trade without trade-offs for America" Edwards talking? My advice to both of them is the same. Stop campaigning immediately and enroll in Economics 101. If you end the class with anything but an "A", please stop making proposals on economic (including trade) policy. Or, there's also option B. Start reading the excellent Cafe Hayek blog. Perhaps they could start with this post: "My Trade Deficit with Leviathan" or this one: "Wy We Trade". Oh, and don't "Should Americans Worry That Foreigners Hold Lots of Dollar Assets?.
REP. PAUL: It's absolutely a threat to our national security because we've spent too much, we tax too much, we borrow too much, and we print too much. When a country spends way beyond its means, eventually it will destroy the currency, and we're in the midst of a currency crisis. Our dollar is going down rapidly as we speak. It's because we have lived beyond our means. We can't afford the foreign policy that we have. We have to cut back. We have to live within our means. If we're going to spend money, we ought to spend it at home, and that is why we have to change this foreign policy. We can't afford it to do what we're doing today because it will destroy our dollar.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Meh.
REP. TANCREDO: The reason why it becomes a national security problem is because the bulk of our imbalance of trade is a result of our importation of oil from countries that are not our friends. That's really where it rests. Most of the stuff that -- the rest of the stuff we bring in doesn't constitute that kind of threat to the United States. But when we are supplying funds, supplying the funds for the people in other countries that have an intent -- a malicious intent in regard to the United States, it's a national security issue.
So of course, energy independence is one huge step in the direction of trying to alleviate that problem.
MS. WASHBURN: Senator?
So of course, energy independence is one huge step in the direction of trying to alleviate that problem.
MS. WASHBURN: Senator?
"Energy independence" is ridiculous. America is not and I doubt will ever be "dependent on foreign oil." We get oil from abroad because it makes economic sense to do so. (See my alternative suggestion for Econ 101 (the above litany of posts from Cafe Hayek) above.) If every oil producing country stopped trade with me, umm, Alaska - hello?!. Plus, oil shale and all sorts of alternatives that become economical if oil prices increase. The best thing government can do? Not get involved. Again, I'm starting to wonder if this is the Republican debate or did people change parties?
MR. THOMPSON: Our country has a 9 trillion-dollar debt. A good chunk of that is owned by China. We're bankrupting the next generation without any question. Every economist in Washington who's looked at it will tell you that. It affects our national security; for one reason is because we're squeezing military spending. We're spending at below historic norms under these circumstances for our defense, and we're spending twice as much for entitlements.
That's why I put out a specific Social Security plan that'll save Social Security while saving the government $4 trillion. It's all in entitlements. We've got to spend more for the military, as a matter of fact. But we've got to look at Social Security and Medicare and do some things now that won't hurt anybody badly but will save it for the next generation.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor?
That's why I put out a specific Social Security plan that'll save Social Security while saving the government $4 trillion. It's all in entitlements. We've got to spend more for the military, as a matter of fact. But we've got to look at Social Security and Medicare and do some things now that won't hurt anybody badly but will save it for the next generation.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor?
Again, Cafe Hayek to the rescue for some perspective: Three Common Mistakes Regarding Debt Holdings. I'm in favor of lowering the national debt but only so we have less interest to pay so my taxes can go down. As for owing China money... let's suppose they try to screw with us. OK, we'll just not pay back that "good chunk" of $9MM we owe them. Not so scary stuff, is it? Thompson is right on about entitlements though and I'm glad someone has a plan for reforming Social Security, etc.
MR. ROMNEY: This is, indeed, a time of extraordinary challenges in this country, and the overspending in Washington and the overpromises that we've made are certainly among those challenges. But this is not a time for us to wring our hands and think that the future is bleak. In fact, the future is bright. We need leadership in Washington that'll rein in excessive spending, and we also need leadership that will help America grow.
The best answer for our economic woes is to make sure we have good jobs for our citizens, good schools for our kids, good health care for everyone, and that we have policies that promote the growth of the nation. We can have a little playing field around the world, get ourselves off of foreign oil, reduce the excessive spending in Washington, and have a bright future for our kids. This, again, is based upon the strength of the American people. If you want to see a strong America, you don't look to Washington; you look to ways to strengthen the American people.
The best answer for our economic woes is to make sure we have good jobs for our citizens, good schools for our kids, good health care for everyone, and that we have policies that promote the growth of the nation. We can have a little playing field around the world, get ourselves off of foreign oil, reduce the excessive spending in Washington, and have a bright future for our kids. This, again, is based upon the strength of the American people. If you want to see a strong America, you don't look to Washington; you look to ways to strengthen the American people.
Meh. Fluff.
MR. HUCKABEE: It's most certainly a national security threat because a country can only be free if it can do three things.
First, it has to be able to feed itself. It has to be able to put food on the table for its own citizens.
Secondly, it's got to be able to fuel itself. If it looks to somebody else for its energy needs, it's only as free as those are willing for it to be.
And it also has to be able to fight for itself. It's got to be able to manufacture its own weapons of defense -- tanks, airplanes, bullets and bombs.
When we start outsourcing everything and we are in that kind of a trade deficit, then just remember, who feeds us, who fuels us and who helps us to fight, that's to whom we are enslaved. So if we can't do those three things, our national security is very much at risk.
First, it has to be able to feed itself. It has to be able to put food on the table for its own citizens.
Secondly, it's got to be able to fuel itself. If it looks to somebody else for its energy needs, it's only as free as those are willing for it to be.
And it also has to be able to fight for itself. It's got to be able to manufacture its own weapons of defense -- tanks, airplanes, bullets and bombs.
When we start outsourcing everything and we are in that kind of a trade deficit, then just remember, who feeds us, who fuels us and who helps us to fight, that's to whom we are enslaved. So if we can't do those three things, our national security is very much at risk.
SEN. MCCAIN: Of course, any nation that no longer has economic strength sooner or later will lose its military strength, so it's a national security issue.
We have many trillions of dollars of unfunded liability. Obviously, we've been on a spending spree. We cannot increase taxes.
If oil reaches $100 a barrel, which many people think it may, $400 billion from America treasure will go to oil-producing countries. Some of those -- those monies will go to terrorist organizations. We have got to achieve energy independence, oil independence in this nation. I will make it a Manhattan Project, and we will in five years become oil independent.
We have many trillions of dollars of unfunded liability. Obviously, we've been on a spending spree. We cannot increase taxes.
If oil reaches $100 a barrel, which many people think it may, $400 billion from America treasure will go to oil-producing countries. Some of those -- those monies will go to terrorist organizations. We have got to achieve energy independence, oil independence in this nation. I will make it a Manhattan Project, and we will in five years become oil independent.
See my above comments on "energy independence" and apply them to McCain. Adapt them for food supply and military equipment, and apply those to the Huckster. Can I donate some money to these campaigns and earmark it for Econ 101 classes?
At least they all seem to want to cut spending...
MS. WASHBURN: Ambassador?
MR. KEYES: I think it's obviously a national security problem, but you have to understand what national security is. The Constitution defines it as securing the blessings of liberty. It has to do with the freedom of our people. If you want to secure the blessings of liberty for the American people, you cut off the spigot that funds the political ambition of our leaders by abolishing the income tax and restoring control of 100 percent of their income to the American worker. That means you replace it with a fair tax system that puts the American people in control of their money. By doing that, you will encourage the politicians to stop spending to fund their little political cliques and only limit their spending to what actually produces results for the American people.
MR. KEYES: I think it's obviously a national security problem, but you have to understand what national security is. The Constitution defines it as securing the blessings of liberty. It has to do with the freedom of our people. If you want to secure the blessings of liberty for the American people, you cut off the spigot that funds the political ambition of our leaders by abolishing the income tax and restoring control of 100 percent of their income to the American worker. That means you replace it with a fair tax system that puts the American people in control of their money. By doing that, you will encourage the politicians to stop spending to fund their little political cliques and only limit their spending to what actually produces results for the American people.
Keyes - I liked you a lot in 2000 but this isn't a good start. That's a lot of words for a pretty empty answer.
Question 2 - What sacrifices would you ask Americans to make to lower the country's debt?
[#]MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
I want to dig into the budget issue a little bit more. You'll have 30 seconds to answer this next question, and again, I want to start with Mayor Giuliani.
What sacrifices would you ask Americans to make to lower the country's debt? And I'd like you to be specific.
I want to dig into the budget issue a little bit more. You'll have 30 seconds to answer this next question, and again, I want to start with Mayor Giuliani.
What sacrifices would you ask Americans to make to lower the country's debt? And I'd like you to be specific.
MR. GIULIANI: Well, I think the most important thing is the federal government has to restrain its spending. That's the area in which we're hurting ourselves and in which we're creating this problem -- national security, economic security, however you define it. The problem is not the American people.
What we should be doing is restraining the amount of money that Washington spends in a concerted way, with major reductions in civilian spending, using attrition, and returning -- actually leaving more money in the pockets of the American people. The strength of America is not its central government; the strength of America are its people. Restrain the central government, give people more choice, more money to spend, we're going to see our economy booming.
That's the kind of future where we can have unlimited dreams.
MS. WASHBURN: So, Mayor, you've said you would cut non-military spending 10 percent across the board. What sort of sacrifices would that require from people who use those government services?
MR. GIULIANI: Well, that would -- that would require their trying to figure out other ways to do it. I mean, rather than moving in the direction of more people on government medicine, I'd rather see us reduce the income tax burden, create an exemption for health care so people can buy their own health care. So that's going to require they take a little bit more time, take a little more ownership of their health care. Rather than relying on government as the nanny government, let's rely on people to make choices about their health care. Let's rely on, instead of 17 million people buying their own health insurance, 50, 60, 70 million. You'll see the price come all the way down and you'll see the quality come up. That's an American solution. It's a bold one, but it's the kind of thing America has done in the past. We rely on our people, not on our government.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Congressman Paul, what sacrifices would you ask Americans to make for debt reduction?
What we should be doing is restraining the amount of money that Washington spends in a concerted way, with major reductions in civilian spending, using attrition, and returning -- actually leaving more money in the pockets of the American people. The strength of America is not its central government; the strength of America are its people. Restrain the central government, give people more choice, more money to spend, we're going to see our economy booming.
That's the kind of future where we can have unlimited dreams.
MS. WASHBURN: So, Mayor, you've said you would cut non-military spending 10 percent across the board. What sort of sacrifices would that require from people who use those government services?
MR. GIULIANI: Well, that would -- that would require their trying to figure out other ways to do it. I mean, rather than moving in the direction of more people on government medicine, I'd rather see us reduce the income tax burden, create an exemption for health care so people can buy their own health care. So that's going to require they take a little bit more time, take a little more ownership of their health care. Rather than relying on government as the nanny government, let's rely on people to make choices about their health care. Let's rely on, instead of 17 million people buying their own health insurance, 50, 60, 70 million. You'll see the price come all the way down and you'll see the quality come up. That's an American solution. It's a bold one, but it's the kind of thing America has done in the past. We rely on our people, not on our government.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Congressman Paul, what sacrifices would you ask Americans to make for debt reduction?
Cut spending, empower the individual. At least someone is giving conservative answers tonight (but count me surprised that it's Giuliani!)
REP. PAUL: I think it's absolutely unnecessary to sacrifice. We want to give people more freedom, more chance to spend their own money. It's unnecessary.
We can cut by looking at our foreign policy. We maintain an empire which we can't afford. We have 700 bases overseas. We are in 130 countries. We cut there, and then we have a better defense of this country, and the people get that money and they get to spend it here at home. There's no need to sacrifice. We need more liberty, more rights for the people to spend their own money. And in this -- in that situation, there is no sacrifice and no need for it.
MS. WASHBURN: So, Governor Huckabee, your colleagues seem to think there is no sacrifice needed to reduce the debt. Do you agree? What would you do?
We can cut by looking at our foreign policy. We maintain an empire which we can't afford. We have 700 bases overseas. We are in 130 countries. We cut there, and then we have a better defense of this country, and the people get that money and they get to spend it here at home. There's no need to sacrifice. We need more liberty, more rights for the people to spend their own money. And in this -- in that situation, there is no sacrifice and no need for it.
MS. WASHBURN: So, Governor Huckabee, your colleagues seem to think there is no sacrifice needed to reduce the debt. Do you agree? What would you do?
More liberty. Good. But in 2007,
MR. HUCKABEE: Sometimes it's not so much doing things so that people sacrifice; it's doing them differently. Let me give you an example. A lot of the federal budget goes to health care. We need to
do what most American companies are finding works in reducing health care cost. That's moving from the intervention-based health care model to a prevention-based.
Our current model is upside-down. We wait until people are catastrophically ill and then we spend the most expensive ways of trying to cure incurable diseases. If we would put the focus on prevention, we would find, like American business is finding, that there really is savings if you kill the snake rather than just treat the snakebites, which is the way our current system is built.
do what most American companies are finding works in reducing health care cost. That's moving from the intervention-based health care model to a prevention-based.
Our current model is upside-down. We wait until people are catastrophically ill and then we spend the most expensive ways of trying to cure incurable diseases. If we would put the focus on prevention, we would find, like American business is finding, that there really is savings if you kill the snake rather than just treat the snakebites, which is the way our current system is built.
Prevention based health care seems reasonable enough to consider. A better answer would have been to turn Medicare, etc. over to the private sector which is really good at coming up with cost savings measures, like, perhaps, prevention based health care.
Question 3 - What sacrifices would you ask Americans to make to lower the country's debt?
[#]MS. WASHBURN: Governor Romney, I'd like you to address this first. You'll have one minute.
Are there programs or situations that are so important that you'd be willing to run a deficit to pay for them?
Are there programs or situations that are so important that you'd be willing to run a deficit to pay for them?
MR. ROMNEY: Well, we don't have to run a deficit to pay for the things that are most important because we can eliminate the things that aren't critical. You know, in the private sector, where I spent the first 25 years of my life and most of my career, you learn how to focus on the things that are most important, and you get rid of the things that aren't. We have, in the federal government, 342 different economic development programs, often administered by different departments.
We don't need 342. We probably don't need a hundred of those. We probably need a lot fewer than that. We have 40 different programs for workforce training. There are probably five or six that are really working and a lot that are not working terribly well. We can get rid of some of those. We have 13 different programs to prevent teenage pregnancy. Well, they're obviously not working real well, and we can probably cut it down to one or that are making a difference.
And so what anyone in the private sector's learned how to do is to focus their resources on those things that have the biggest impact, that are most important. Surely, protecting our country and our defense of our military is critical. Getting our free market finally able to allow all of our citizens to have insurance, health insurance, that's something we did in Massachusetts. Improving our schools with school choice, better pay for better teachers -- these are a lot of things that we can do, but they don't require us to eliminate the things that are most critical in our society. Instead they require us to get rid of those things that are unnecessary.
And the sacrifice we need from the American people, it's this: it's saying let the programs that don't work go.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. ROMNEY: Don't lobby for them forever.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Congressman Tancredo, how would you answer that?
We don't need 342. We probably don't need a hundred of those. We probably need a lot fewer than that. We have 40 different programs for workforce training. There are probably five or six that are really working and a lot that are not working terribly well. We can get rid of some of those. We have 13 different programs to prevent teenage pregnancy. Well, they're obviously not working real well, and we can probably cut it down to one or that are making a difference.
And so what anyone in the private sector's learned how to do is to focus their resources on those things that have the biggest impact, that are most important. Surely, protecting our country and our defense of our military is critical. Getting our free market finally able to allow all of our citizens to have insurance, health insurance, that's something we did in Massachusetts. Improving our schools with school choice, better pay for better teachers -- these are a lot of things that we can do, but they don't require us to eliminate the things that are most critical in our society. Instead they require us to get rid of those things that are unnecessary.
And the sacrifice we need from the American people, it's this: it's saying let the programs that don't work go.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. ROMNEY: Don't lobby for them forever.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Congressman Tancredo, how would you answer that?
Solid answer with actual suggestions. Also, bonus points giving an answer that marks this as yet another ridiculous question.
REP. TANCREDO: I would say that there is a way and a very clear way to actually establish what the government needs to do in order to reduce its -- the cost that it incurs and to do what is right, and that is called follow the Constitution of this country. The Constitution is a limiting document. It tells the federal government what it can and cannot do. Today we do far too many things that exceed our constitutional -- the constitutional bounds that are placed there.
We have a responsibility. It is to protect and defend this country. Concentrate on that. Concentrate on doing what's right and what the Constitution itself gives us the responsibility for, and the rest of that stuff becomes extraneous. And honestly, if you think about it, if you ask America, what would you do, what would you sacrifice, the one thing I would say is this: Don't ask the government for womb-to-tomb protection for your life, to build a bubble around you because all of that will cause a humongous amount of money and money that we don't have.
But we will respond to you, politicians will do it, because they want the vote. Don't ask, and I guarantee you my administration will remain inside the bounds of the Constitution.
MS. WASHBURN: Senator Thompson, could you answer that? Are there programs or situations so important you'd be willing to run a deficit for them?
We have a responsibility. It is to protect and defend this country. Concentrate on that. Concentrate on doing what's right and what the Constitution itself gives us the responsibility for, and the rest of that stuff becomes extraneous. And honestly, if you think about it, if you ask America, what would you do, what would you sacrifice, the one thing I would say is this: Don't ask the government for womb-to-tomb protection for your life, to build a bubble around you because all of that will cause a humongous amount of money and money that we don't have.
But we will respond to you, politicians will do it, because they want the vote. Don't ask, and I guarantee you my administration will remain inside the bounds of the Constitution.
MS. WASHBURN: Senator Thompson, could you answer that? Are there programs or situations so important you'd be willing to run a deficit for them?
Meh. Also, I can't believe Tancado hasn't invoked the border yet.
MR. THOMPSON: Yes, the military, the security of our people, first and foremost, always; our infrastructure, which is coming apart; and research and development, which is going to help us solve some of the problems in the future as far as energy and a lot of other issues.
But I want to take a chance on telling the truth to the American people. Our entitlement programs, by 2040 or so we're going to eat up our entire budget. Now we'll go all day here and nobody else will talk about that obvious problem that we've got we've got to address.
The thing about it is that we can do it now without hurting those programs with -- actually strengthening those programs so that our kids and grandkids have -- I don't think we as American people are so selfish that we're going to put this off the table, kick the can down the road and let everybody else solve that problem, you know, when our grandkids get to be working age. That's not America; that's not what makes us strong.
And specifically, as far as Medicare is concerned, we need to tell people that are in Warren Buffet's category we're not going to take care of all your Medicare in the future; we can't afford it.
But I want to take a chance on telling the truth to the American people. Our entitlement programs, by 2040 or so we're going to eat up our entire budget. Now we'll go all day here and nobody else will talk about that obvious problem that we've got we've got to address.
The thing about it is that we can do it now without hurting those programs with -- actually strengthening those programs so that our kids and grandkids have -- I don't think we as American people are so selfish that we're going to put this off the table, kick the can down the road and let everybody else solve that problem, you know, when our grandkids get to be working age. That's not America; that's not what makes us strong.
And specifically, as far as Medicare is concerned, we need to tell people that are in Warren Buffet's category we're not going to take care of all your Medicare in the future; we can't afford it.
More good stuff on the entitement programs, but Fred, you'd run a deficit for research and development?!? Yick. Allow me to defer to Tancredo's response to Huckabee on the NASA question at the YouTube debate.
Question 4 - Who in this country is paying more than a fair share of taxes relative to everyone else
[#]MS. WASHBURN: Well, which leads me nicely to the next question. I want to go down the line in reverse order and hear from everyone very briefly, please, 15 seconds or so.
Who in this country is paying more than a fair share of taxes relative to everyone else: the wealthy, the middle class, the poor or corporations?
Starting with Mr. Keyes.
Who in this country is paying more than a fair share of taxes relative to everyone else: the wealthy, the middle class, the poor or corporations?
Starting with Mr. Keyes.
MR. KEYES: It's one of those let you and him fight questions the people in the media always want to get us involved in; because they would like to pretend that the tax question is about fighting amongst ourselves when the real sacrifice that's required from the American people we need to start sacrificing some of these incumbents who have funded their political ambition using our money --
MS. WASHBURN: Remember, we have 15 seconds.
MR. KEYES: -- who have spent overboard into deficits after promising us on the Republican side that they would limit the government, and then produced the highest budget deficits in the history of our country.
MS. WASHBURN: Senator McCain?
MR. KEYES: I think we need to stop listening to these phonies and start looking for people who will actually fulfill the words that they speak. That's what I think.
MS. WASHBURN: Senator McCain?
MS. WASHBURN: Remember, we have 15 seconds.
MR. KEYES: -- who have spent overboard into deficits after promising us on the Republican side that they would limit the government, and then produced the highest budget deficits in the history of our country.
MS. WASHBURN: Senator McCain?
MR. KEYES: I think we need to stop listening to these phonies and start looking for people who will actually fulfill the words that they speak. That's what I think.
MS. WASHBURN: Senator McCain?
What happened to smart and likeable 2000 Keyes? I agree with him here, but it feels like he's lecturing me...
SEN. MCCAIN: I know that I'm happy to say low-income Americans, except for payroll taxes, don't pay taxes, but we've got to reform the tax code. Nobody understands it. Nobody trusts it. Nobody believes in it. And we have to fix it. And we can't raise taxes as our Democrat friends want.
So I don't know exactly who's paying the most of the burden, but I would say that the American people need a tax code they can understand and that they know is fair.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Huckabee?
So I don't know exactly who's paying the most of the burden, but I would say that the American people need a tax code they can understand and that they know is fair.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Huckabee?
Meh.
MR. HUCKABEE: Over 80 percent of the American people know that the tax code is irreparably broken. I would lead one to a fair tax, and that means that the rich people aren't going to be made poor, but maybe the poor people could be made rich. That ought to be the goal of any tax system -- not to punish somebody, but to enable somebody so that they can have a part of the American dream. The fair tax does just that.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Romney?
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Romney?
The Huckster supports the Fair Tax?! Who knew?! /sarcasm
I like the idea of the FairTax, but I don't think it would work. My thoughts line up pretty well with those of Dale Franks over the years over at Q&O if you're looking for additional commentary.
MR. ROMNEY: I don't stay awake at night worrying about the taxes that rich people are paying, to tell you the truth.
I'm concerned about the taxes that middle class families are paying. They're under a lot of pressure. Gasoline's expensive. Home heating oil, particularly in the Northeast, is very difficult for folks. Health care costs are going through the roof. Education costs and higher education are overwhelming. And as a result, we need to reduce the burden on middle-income families in this country.
MS. WASHBURN: Okay, a little snappier, gentlemen. (Laughter.)
Senator Thompson.
I'm concerned about the taxes that middle class families are paying. They're under a lot of pressure. Gasoline's expensive. Home heating oil, particularly in the Northeast, is very difficult for folks. Health care costs are going through the roof. Education costs and higher education are overwhelming. And as a result, we need to reduce the burden on middle-income families in this country.
MS. WASHBURN: Okay, a little snappier, gentlemen. (Laughter.)
Senator Thompson.
Fluff.
MR. THOMPSON: My goal is to get into Mitt Romney's situation, where I don't have to worry about taxes anymore. (Laughter.)
MR. ROMNEY: (Off mike) -- your situation. (Laughter.)
MR. THOMPSON: (Off mike) -- you know, you're getting to be a pretty good actor actually. (Laughter, cross talk.)
Five percent of Americans pay over half the income taxes in this country. 40 percent of Americans pay no income taxes at all. I think we need to concentrate on preserving the tax cuts of '01 and '03. That's going to be a monumental battle that's going to be coming at the end of 2010.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman.
MR. ROMNEY: (Off mike) -- your situation. (Laughter.)
MR. THOMPSON: (Off mike) -- you know, you're getting to be a pretty good actor actually. (Laughter, cross talk.)
Five percent of Americans pay over half the income taxes in this country. 40 percent of Americans pay no income taxes at all. I think we need to concentrate on preserving the tax cuts of '01 and '03. That's going to be a monumental battle that's going to be coming at the end of 2010.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman.
Yay. Some kind of interaction between candidates and some humor. Also, I'm right on with preserving the Bush tax cuts, and I think it's obnoxious that "five percent of Americans pay over half the income taxes in this country."
REP. TANCREDO: Everyone that is presently paying tax, you could be -- you can make a case that they're paying too much. The reality is, of course, you need a different system entirely. We do need to move away from this archaic -- a system that taxes productivity, which is what we do, to a system that allows for a fair tax. I believe in that.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Congressman.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Congressman.
Meh.
REP. PAUL: The most sinister of all taxes is the inflation tax and it is the most regressive. It hits the poor and the middle class. When you destroy a currency by creating money out of thin air to pay the bills, the value of the dollar goes down, and people get hit with a higher cost of living.
It's the middle class that's being wiped out. It is most evil of all taxes.
It's the middle class that's being wiped out. It is most evil of all taxes.
Inflation isn't a tax. And for low/middle class people with credit card debt, inflation works in the opposite way as a tax.
REP. HUNTER: The tax that we're all paying that doesn't help anything -- it doesn't go to defense, it doesn't go to the roads, it doesn't go to medical care -- is the $250 billion-plus that we pay each year not to the federal government, to the Treasury, but to prepare our taxes, defend our taxes, and for the massive cost of the IRS. That's all overhead -- 250 billion-plus dollars. What we ought to do is have a system -- the fair tax system is a good one, or a flatter tax or a simpler tax, because that young couple that pays 1,450 bucks in taxes may pay $450 to their tax preparer. That's a second tax.
MS. WASHBURN: Mayor?
MS. WASHBURN: Mayor?
A lot of support for fair and/or flat taxes. Look at his example though - a "young couple that pays 1,450 bucks in taxes may pay $450 to their tax preparer." If all you are paying is $1,450 in taxes, your income would be well under $10,000/yr. If you are making $10,000 a year and paying $450 for tax preparation maybe you should re-examine your financial priorities.
MR. GIULIANI: A flatter tax, a simpler tax that you could file on a one page, as an option, would be a good idea. Reducing the corporate tax, as I suggested. Reducing income tax rates across the board, which would mostly benefit the middle class. That's where the focus should be.
But we've got to reduce taxes across the board, and we should give the death penalty to the death tax. It really is a very unfair tax.
But we've got to reduce taxes across the board, and we should give the death penalty to the death tax. It really is a very unfair tax.
Rudy. Fiscal conservative poster child. My amazement continues.
Free Statements 1
[#]MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Periodically throughout the debate, we'll give each of the candidates 30 seconds to make a free statement. The candidates drew for the order, and we'll hear from the first two candidates now: Senator McCain, followed by Congressman Hunter.
Periodically throughout the debate, we'll give each of the candidates 30 seconds to make a free statement. The candidates drew for the order, and we'll hear from the first two candidates now: Senator McCain, followed by Congressman Hunter.
This debate just went from odd/boring to goofy...
SEN. MCCAIN: Thank you.
I've devoted my life in uniform and in public office to keeping this nation safe. I've been involved in every major national security issue of our time.
That kind of experience is what's given me judgment, the judgment to oppose a failed strategy in Iraq, a judgment to call for the strategy that's succeeding now. And I wasn't very popular because of it. I have the judgment and the experience, and I believe that I can ask every American to serve. I have one guiding principle, one ambition, and that is to keep America safe and to achieve and maintain our greatness.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Hunter?
I've devoted my life in uniform and in public office to keeping this nation safe. I've been involved in every major national security issue of our time.
That kind of experience is what's given me judgment, the judgment to oppose a failed strategy in Iraq, a judgment to call for the strategy that's succeeding now. And I wasn't very popular because of it. I have the judgment and the experience, and I believe that I can ask every American to serve. I have one guiding principle, one ambition, and that is to keep America safe and to achieve and maintain our greatness.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Hunter?
Fair enough, McCain has done a lot of great service for the US.
REP. HUNTER: You know, I stand for a strong national defense, enforceable borders and bringing back high-paying manufacturing jobs to this country that we've pushed off-shore with bad trade deals. I've been a member of the Armed Services Committee for 26 years now, and I've chaired that committee for four years. And I'm one of the few guys up here whose worn the uniform of the United States, and my own son has done now three tours in the Middle East, coming back on Thanksgiving.
I know what it takes to secure this country, and I also built that border fence in San Diego that worked so well. And I wrote the law that takes it across Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, and as president, I will finish that border fence in six months.
I know what it takes to secure this country, and I also built that border fence in San Diego that worked so well. And I wrote the law that takes it across Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, and as president, I will finish that border fence in six months.
So, to make a Duncan Hunter, apparently you simply combine 2 parts Tom Tancredo, 1 part John Edwards, and 1 part John McCain.
Question 5 - What's your plan for keeping foreign markets open while protecting good-paying American jobs?
[#]MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
I want to come back to some issues that affect the economy. You'll have 30 seconds again. The longer you go on, the shorter we'll have to go. Thirty seconds to answer these questions, and we're going to start with Congressman Paul.
One in five jobs in Iowa depends on exports to foreign countries, but we're also exporting a lot of high-wage manufacturing jobs. What's your plan for keeping foreign markets open while protecting good-paying American jobs?
I want to come back to some issues that affect the economy. You'll have 30 seconds again. The longer you go on, the shorter we'll have to go. Thirty seconds to answer these questions, and we're going to start with Congressman Paul.
One in five jobs in Iowa depends on exports to foreign countries, but we're also exporting a lot of high-wage manufacturing jobs. What's your plan for keeping foreign markets open while protecting good-paying American jobs?
REP. PAUL: Well, we need to adopt free trade agreements with other countries. Today we inhibit the export of, say, farm products to countries like Cuba. It's time we changed our attitude about Cuba. We should be looking to open these markets, but our markets get closed for monetary reasons because our chief export is our dollar.
Because we have the reserve currency of the world, people take these dollars and our jobs go overseas. You can't solve any of these problems if you don't look at the monetary system and how it contributes to these job losses in order to provide the prosperity for our people here at home.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Romney, would you answer that?
Because we have the reserve currency of the world, people take these dollars and our jobs go overseas. You can't solve any of these problems if you don't look at the monetary system and how it contributes to these job losses in order to provide the prosperity for our people here at home.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Romney, would you answer that?
So, he's for free trade where "free trade" means heavily regulated trade. Uh, ???
I have a feeling this is going to be another (disappointing) round of merchantilism.
MR. ROMNEY: You know, I've spent the last -- as I told you, 25 years in the private sector. I understand why jobs come and why jobs go. I've done business in over 20 countries around the world, and I understand how we can build more strength in our own economy and that's by investing in education, investing in technology and innovation, getting ourselves off of foreign oil, and making sure that the playing field we play on around the world is level. It's not right now. We're going to have to re-negotiate deals with people like those in China that manipulate their currency to put their products in advantage over ours. We want to make sure that we do not have a circumstance where people close down their markets to our goods because we can compete anywhere in the world. One out of three agricultural acres is planted to go off-shore, so don't put up barriers to keep us from being able to trade.
America can compete anywhere in the world, and to remain a superpower, we must compete around the world.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Huckabee?
America can compete anywhere in the world, and to remain a superpower, we must compete around the world.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Huckabee?
"and that's by investing in education" ... yay! ... ", investing in technology and innovation," ... wonderful as long as we're talking about getting government out of the way so the private sector can do this ... "getting ourselves off of foreign oil," ... ugh ... "and making sure that the playing field we play on around the world is level" ... double ugh. Please refer back to my comments for question #1.
MR. HUCKABEE: Well, job migration is a result of three things: when you have excessive taxation that penalizes the productivity of a company; you add to that excessive regulation, which means that you've got more red tape than is possible to get through. And I would say that as president one of my goals would be I can't part the Red Sea, but I believe I can part the red tape. And the third thing is we've got too much litigation. When a company goes into business, particularly small business, from which 80 percent of all American jobs come, most small business people can't fight off the potential liabilities that they come from all of the lawsuits and litigation.
Take care of those three things, we won't see the incredible level of job migration that we see today.
Take care of those three things, we won't see the incredible level of job migration that we see today.
Reduce taxation, reduce red tape, and reduce litigation. Wow, nothing mercantilistic. Good stuff.
Question 6 - Should we alter trade policies with countries that commit human rights vioations?
[#]MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Some of our big trading partners commit human rights violations.
Considering that poverty and abuse are often blamed for fostering terrorism, should we alter trade policies with those countries?
Senator McCain.
Some of our big trading partners commit human rights violations.
Considering that poverty and abuse are often blamed for fostering terrorism, should we alter trade policies with those countries?
Senator McCain.
SEN. MCCAIN: Well, obviously we should make sure that every nation respects human rights, and we should advocate that and try to enforce it. But I will open every market in the world to Iowa's agricultural products. I'm the biggest free marketer and free trader that you will ever see.
And I will also eliminate subsidies on ethanol and other agricultural products. They are an impediment to competition; they are an impediment to free markets. And I believe that subsidies are a mistake, and I don't believe that anybody can stand here and say that they're a fiscal conservative and yet support subsidies which distort markets and destroy our ability to compete in the world, and destroy our ability to get cheaper products into the United States of America.
And I will also eliminate subsidies on ethanol and other agricultural products. They are an impediment to competition; they are an impediment to free markets. And I believe that subsidies are a mistake, and I don't believe that anybody can stand here and say that they're a fiscal conservative and yet support subsidies which distort markets and destroy our ability to compete in the world, and destroy our ability to get cheaper products into the United States of America.
Is he talking about getting rid of subsidies the U.S. hands out or subsidies other governments hand out?
Question 7 - What changes should be made in NAFTA
[#]MS. WASHBURN: I'm going to move to the next question. What specific changes should be made in NAFTA?
Mayor Giuliani.
Mayor Giuliani.
MR. GIULIANI: I think the main thing is it should be enforced. And the reality is, NAFTA has been a good thing. I was concerned about NAFTA and I became convinced, watching it, that it's actually helped us.
Our percentage of exports, percentage of our GDP, has gone up dramatically from something like 9 percent to 11 percent. It's brought more jobs to America.
America should think about free trade, global economy, as something we want to embrace. This is what we've always wanted. And America's a country of entrepreneurs and dreamers and creators, and what we should be thinking about is, how much can we sell to these people? As they're coming out of poverty -- 20 million, 30 million people in India, China -- these are new customers for the United States of America.
And then we have to make sure that we have a level playing field. That's very important. But we shouldn't lose the goal of free trade.
We're big dreamers here in this country. We've got plenty we can sell all over the world that will make up for what we're buying.
MS. WASHBURN: Senator Thompson, what specific changes would you make to NAFTA?
Our percentage of exports, percentage of our GDP, has gone up dramatically from something like 9 percent to 11 percent. It's brought more jobs to America.
America should think about free trade, global economy, as something we want to embrace. This is what we've always wanted. And America's a country of entrepreneurs and dreamers and creators, and what we should be thinking about is, how much can we sell to these people? As they're coming out of poverty -- 20 million, 30 million people in India, China -- these are new customers for the United States of America.
And then we have to make sure that we have a level playing field. That's very important. But we shouldn't lose the goal of free trade.
We're big dreamers here in this country. We've got plenty we can sell all over the world that will make up for what we're buying.
MS. WASHBURN: Senator Thompson, what specific changes would you make to NAFTA?
Wow. He continues to be a on a fiscal-conservative, free-trade roll.
MR. THOMPSON: Well, I think free trade and fair trade is the backbone of our economy. I think it's been just as good for us as it has Mexico. In fact, I think Mexico needs to think about that when they criticize us for trying to enforce our border. They export or send more people out of the country every year than we do, in terms of illegal aliens. So it's been a good thing for both countries.
It's a long, complex document. I have nothing in particular to point out. I just think we need -- need to make a commitment to free and fair trade and make -- and enforce the agreements that we've got.
The problem is, too many people close their markets to us.
They want to trade with us, but they want to place undue restrictions to our manufacturers and to our farmers. We can't stand for that.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Tancredo?
It's a long, complex document. I have nothing in particular to point out. I just think we need -- need to make a commitment to free and fair trade and make -- and enforce the agreements that we've got.
The problem is, too many people close their markets to us.
They want to trade with us, but they want to place undue restrictions to our manufacturers and to our farmers. We can't stand for that.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Tancredo?
Meh, but good enough.
REP. TANCREDO: NAFTA has been a disaster for a lot of places and especially Mexico. Southern Mexico it was a disaster. It destroyed the entire agricultural economy. Guess what happened? They all came north. If NAFTA had worked so well as everybody on the stage appears to think it did, why would we still have so much pressure on our southern border from people trying to escape from a country that does not provide them with the economic opportunities that it -- that NAFTA promised?
What, of course, is also ingrained in this whole discussion is the lack of sovereignty, the fact that our borders are now meaningless, the fact that Mexican trucks can come across essentially without being checked. These are the problems with NAFTA, and they have to be unwound.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Hunter, you wanted in on that?
What, of course, is also ingrained in this whole discussion is the lack of sovereignty, the fact that our borders are now meaningless, the fact that Mexican trucks can come across essentially without being checked. These are the problems with NAFTA, and they have to be unwound.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Hunter, you wanted in on that?
Ah, the invocation of the border. And while doing a John "NAFTA has hurt workers and families while helping corporate insiders" Edwards impression.
REP. HUNTER: Absolutely. You know, when we had a $3 billion trade surplus with Mexico when we passed NAFTA, and the advocates said we're going to build on that surplus. Today we have a massive trade loss. We went immediately to a $15 billion trade loss. We've had that now for the last many years. And let me tell you, if you take your product made in Iowa down to the Mexican border right now and tried to get it across, you will pay a 15 percent tariff, which they moved into place after we passed NAFTA.
You know, trade deals are business deals between nations, and we haven't made good business deals between nations. And NAFTA is a bad business deal.
You know, trade deals are business deals between nations, and we haven't made good business deals between nations. And NAFTA is a bad business deal.
Stop-impersonating-John-Edwards-and-take-Econ-101-trade-deficits-aren't-a-bad-thing.
Free Statements 2
[#]MS. WASHBURN: I want to move on and hear the three statements from our next two candidates, Congressman Paul first, and then Senator Thompson.
Umm... Math. Two candidates does not mean three statements?!
REP. PAUL: The goal of all political action should be to preserve liberty. We need more freedom in this country. We need to look to ourselves in what we are doing.
We have drifted so far from our Constitution that the government that -- the Constitution was written to restrain our government. Yet we turned around, and the Constitution now is used to restrain the people. But we have no chance if we don't restrain the government, all that they do in undermining our personal liberties, controlling our economic well-being and using our -- using it as an excuse to police the world. If we don't change the role for government, this country is going to suffer a very, very serious economic crisis.
MS. WASHBURN: Senator Thompson.
We have drifted so far from our Constitution that the government that -- the Constitution was written to restrain our government. Yet we turned around, and the Constitution now is used to restrain the people. But we have no chance if we don't restrain the government, all that they do in undermining our personal liberties, controlling our economic well-being and using our -- using it as an excuse to police the world. If we don't change the role for government, this country is going to suffer a very, very serious economic crisis.
MS. WASHBURN: Senator Thompson.
Ron Paul seems to always start strong ("The goal of all political action should be to preserve liberty.") but then proceed into a crazy-man rant.
MR. THOMPSON: On all these issues, I've been a strong, consistent, common-sense conservative. But the most important issue facing our country, and will be for a long time, is national security and the safety of our people.
I've spent a lot of time, both in and out of government, traveling, talking to foreign leaders, dealing with these issues. I know the world we live in. I think I know what we need to do. I think that it's going to require strong leadership.
And I would ask people to think one thing before they cast a vote. When our worst enemy is sitting down at the negotiating table thinking about what he can do to the United States of America, who do you want sitting on our side of the table representing you? That's probably the guy you ought to elect president.
I've spent a lot of time, both in and out of government, traveling, talking to foreign leaders, dealing with these issues. I know the world we live in. I think I know what we need to do. I think that it's going to require strong leadership.
And I would ask people to think one thing before they cast a vote. When our worst enemy is sitting down at the negotiating table thinking about what he can do to the United States of America, who do you want sitting on our side of the table representing you? That's probably the guy you ought to elect president.
Wow. That's hands down the best thing I've witnessed during the entire Thompson campaign. "Strong, consistent, common-sense conservative" - check. "But the most important issue facing our country, and will be for a long time, is national security and the safety of our people" - check. "I know the world we live in. I think I know what we need to do ... When our worst enemy is sitting down at the negotiating table thinking about what he can do to the United States of America, who do you want sitting on our side of the table representing you? That's probably the guy you ought to elect president." - OK, I'm actually moderately excited to vote for Thompson again.
Question 8 - Global Warming Hand Shows
[#]MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
I want to take on a new issue. I would like to see a show of hands. How many of you believe global climate change is a serious threat and caused by human activity?
I want to take on a new issue. I would like to see a show of hands. How many of you believe global climate change is a serious threat and caused by human activity?
MR THOMPSON: I’m not doing hand shows today.
MS. WASHBURN: No hand shows?
MR. THOMPSON: No hand shows.
MS. WASHBURN: And so, is that yes or no for you? Do you believe that global climate change is a serious threat and caused by human activity?
MR. THOMPSON: Well, do you want to give me a minute to answer that?
MS. WASHBURN: No, I don't. I --
MR. THOMPSON: Well, then I'm not going to answer it. (Laughter, applause.)
MS. WASHBURN: Okay.
MS. WASHBURN: No hand shows?
MR. THOMPSON: No hand shows.
MS. WASHBURN: And so, is that yes or no for you? Do you believe that global climate change is a serious threat and caused by human activity?
MR. THOMPSON: Well, do you want to give me a minute to answer that?
MS. WASHBURN: No, I don't. I --
MR. THOMPSON: Well, then I'm not going to answer it. (Laughter, applause.)
MS. WASHBURN: Okay.
Good for Fred! Candidates should be given more than 30 seconds to answer something, and "hand shows" are even sillier than stifling responses to 30 seconds! Also... have you picked up on my previous comments about how poorly I think this debate is being moderated, or should I launch into that again?
MR. HUCKABEE (?): How about 30 seconds?
MS. WASHBURN: No, I -- you know, I want --
MR. THOMPSON: You want a show of hands, and I'm not giving it to you.
MS. WASHBURN: We're going to follow up on that, but what I need to know is who believes global climate change is serious and caused by human activity.
MR. GIULIANI: I do.
MS. WASHBURN: And then we'll talk in more detail about it.
MR. : Serious? It is.
MR. GIULIANI: I believe that global climate change is a serious --
(Cross talk.)
SEN. MCCAIN: And I think climate change is real, and I --
MR. HUCKABEE (?): Let's have a chance about it --
(Cross talk, laughter.)
MS. WASHBURN: Go -- I'm going to start with Senator McCain, come back to Mayor Giuliani.
MS. WASHBURN: No, I -- you know, I want --
MR. THOMPSON: You want a show of hands, and I'm not giving it to you.
MS. WASHBURN: We're going to follow up on that, but what I need to know is who believes global climate change is serious and caused by human activity.
MR. GIULIANI: I do.
MS. WASHBURN: And then we'll talk in more detail about it.
MR. : Serious? It is.
MR. GIULIANI: I believe that global climate change is a serious --
(Cross talk.)
SEN. MCCAIN: And I think climate change is real, and I --
MR. HUCKABEE (?): Let's have a chance about it --
(Cross talk, laughter.)
MS. WASHBURN: Go -- I'm going to start with Senator McCain, come back to Mayor Giuliani.
Minus ten points to Giuliani and McCain.
SEN. MCCAIN: I've been involved in this issue since the year 2000. I have had hearings. I've traveled the world. I know that climate change is real.
But let me put -- put it to you this way. Suppose that climate change is not real, and all we do adopt green technologies, which our economy and our technology is perfectly capable of. Then all we've done is given our kids a cleaner world.
But suppose they are wrong. Suppose they are wrong, and climate change is real, and we've done nothing. What kind of a planet are we going to pass on to the next generation of Americans? It's real. We've got to address it. We can do it with technology, with cap-and- trade, with capitalist and free enterprise motivation. And I'm confident that we can pass on to our children and grandchildren a cleaner, better world.
MS. WASHBURN: Mayor Giuliani?
But let me put -- put it to you this way. Suppose that climate change is not real, and all we do adopt green technologies, which our economy and our technology is perfectly capable of. Then all we've done is given our kids a cleaner world.
But suppose they are wrong. Suppose they are wrong, and climate change is real, and we've done nothing. What kind of a planet are we going to pass on to the next generation of Americans? It's real. We've got to address it. We can do it with technology, with cap-and- trade, with capitalist and free enterprise motivation. And I'm confident that we can pass on to our children and grandchildren a cleaner, better world.
MS. WASHBURN: Mayor Giuliani?
Ugh. OK, the Pascal's wager thing is at least a new approach. But you're invoking "free trade" and "capitalism" when you are actually talking about government intervention which is the exact opposite. And "gree technology" won't be cheap, sir.
Also, in other news....
MR. GIULIANI: I agree with -- I agree with John. Climate change is real. It's happening. I believe human beings are contributing to it. I think the best way to deal with it is through energy independence.
Minus another 10 to both McCain and Giuliani. And Giuliani was doing so well on fiscal stuff ... and then, kabbaam, "energy independence"... sigh.
MS. WASHBURN: Who doesn't agree?
MR. GIULIANI: And I think energy independence is a --
MR. ROMNEY: That I agree with.
MS. WASHBURN: Who doesn't agree?
REP. HUNTER: But he said "contributing" but not totally --
MR. : No -- yes.
MR. : No.
MR. : Yeah.
MR. : Oh, okay.
MR. : Yeah.
MR. : Yeah.
MR. : Well, and I -- (laughter) --
(Cross talk.)
REP. HUNTER (?): On our party, you're getting closer --
SEN. MCCAIN: More than contributing, my friend --
MR. ROMNEY: Give us -- give us each a chance.
MS. WASHBURN: I did.
MR. GIULIANI: And I think that our party should embrace this as an issue for us, in our positions --
MR. GIULIANI: And I think energy independence is a --
MR. ROMNEY: That I agree with.
MS. WASHBURN: Who doesn't agree?
REP. HUNTER: But he said "contributing" but not totally --
MR. : No -- yes.
MR. : No.
MR. : Yeah.
MR. : Oh, okay.
MR. : Yeah.
MR. : Yeah.
MR. : Well, and I -- (laughter) --
(Cross talk.)
REP. HUNTER (?): On our party, you're getting closer --
SEN. MCCAIN: More than contributing, my friend --
MR. ROMNEY: Give us -- give us each a chance.
MS. WASHBURN: I did.
MR. GIULIANI: And I think that our party should embrace this as an issue for us, in our positions --
Question 9 - What impact on the economy would be acceptable in order to reverse global warming and greenhouse gas emissions?
[#]MS. WASHBURN: Well, let me come at this way. Let me come at it this way. What impact on the economy would be acceptable in order to reverse global warming and greenhouse gas emissions?
Governor Romney?
Governor Romney?
MR. ROMNEY: Well, it's going to help our economy because we're going to invest in new technologies to get ourselves off of foreign oil, and as we get ourselves off of foreign oil, we also dramatically reduce our CO2 emissions. That's good for the environment; it's also good for our economy. Because $300 to $400 billion worth of oil a year from other people who use it against us, that's bad for our economy, it's also bad for the environment.
MS. WASHBURN: So then our --
MR. ROMNEY: We can do these things in a way that help both the environment and the economy and national security. That's the beauty of what we're talking about here, which is, yeah, is global warming an issue for the world? Absolutely. Is it something we can deal with by becoming energy independent and energy secure? We sure can.
But at the same time, we call it global warming, not America warming. So let's not put a burden on us alone and have the rest of the world skate by without having to participate in this effort. It's a global effort, but our independence is something we can do unilaterally.
MS. WASHBURN: Mr. Keyes, what do you think about this?
MS. WASHBURN: So then our --
MR. ROMNEY: We can do these things in a way that help both the environment and the economy and national security. That's the beauty of what we're talking about here, which is, yeah, is global warming an issue for the world? Absolutely. Is it something we can deal with by becoming energy independent and energy secure? We sure can.
But at the same time, we call it global warming, not America warming. So let's not put a burden on us alone and have the rest of the world skate by without having to participate in this effort. It's a global effort, but our independence is something we can do unilaterally.
MS. WASHBURN: Mr. Keyes, what do you think about this?
More "reduce foreign oil" nonsense. Econ 101, people.
MR. KEYES: Well, what I think is that a lot of folks out there ought to understand that what you're watching represents the situation in our country. Ask yourself who represents the people they don't let you hear from, and you'll know who you should vote for in the Iowa caucuses. Who represents the voice that they're absolutely determined to overlook in the discussion of our sovereignty and the betrayal of this people's sovereignty -- on the border, on our moral principles, on the major export overseas, which is our jobs.
These folks represent the very elite, who year after year after year have destroyed our Constitution, betrayed our rights and undermined our strength, created by our people in the world. And yet the one person willing to talk about that is overlooked time and time again. That person represents you.
These folks represent the very elite, who year after year after year have destroyed our Constitution, betrayed our rights and undermined our strength, created by our people in the world. And yet the one person willing to talk about that is overlooked time and time again. That person represents you.
You. Are. Annoying. Again, I ask, what happened to 2000 Alan?!
MR. THOMPSON: I agree with Alan Keyes's position on global warming. (Laughter, cross talk.)
Ha. :) Fred, you are doing well tonight. Unfortunately, it may be too little too late.
MR. KEYES: I'm in favor of reducing global warming because I think the most important emission we need to control is the hot air -- (off mike) -- politicians, who pretend one thing and don't deliver. (Laughter, cross talk.)
Question 10 - Are you willing to increase a bio-fuel mandate?
[#]MS. WASHBURN: Let me come to a question that Iowans may not let you out of answering.
Governor Huckabee, you've said you support increasing government mandates requiring motorists to use $36 million of biofuel by 2022, which is six times what we're producing this year. Are you willing to increase that mandate, even if it will drive up feed for livestock producers or force consumers to by flex-fuel vehicles?
MR. HUCKABEE: I don't think that's what's necessary. And the reason that this issue ought to be important is because we don't own this earth. We are simply stewards of it, caretakers. And I know on a day like today, it's hard to believe there is global warming, if anybody's been in Iowa on a day like today.
But climate change and who's causing it is of less importance than what Senator McCain said, and he's exactly right.
We have done no harm if we take better care of this planet and give it to our children with cleaner air, cleaner soil and cleaner water. We have done --
MS. WASHBURN: So are you willing to increase the mandate?
MR. HUCKABEE: I am willing for us to make the decisions which will not necessarily create the mandates. And let me tell you how we do it.
You know who one of the biggest energy users is in the whole country? The United States government. If the government commits to being the primary user of alternative forms of energy, we have a market built in. And therefore, the big argument against having alternative energy is there's no market for it. Well, let the government be a marketplace and we'll create the kind of demand that lowers the price rather than raises the price.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Hunter.
But climate change and who's causing it is of less importance than what Senator McCain said, and he's exactly right.
We have done no harm if we take better care of this planet and give it to our children with cleaner air, cleaner soil and cleaner water. We have done --
MS. WASHBURN: So are you willing to increase the mandate?
MR. HUCKABEE: I am willing for us to make the decisions which will not necessarily create the mandates. And let me tell you how we do it.
You know who one of the biggest energy users is in the whole country? The United States government. If the government commits to being the primary user of alternative forms of energy, we have a market built in. And therefore, the big argument against having alternative energy is there's no market for it. Well, let the government be a marketplace and we'll create the kind of demand that lowers the price rather than raises the price.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Hunter.
Huck also gets minus 10. I'm all for what Huck and McCain are sort of suggesting ... being more environmentally minded, etc. Except there is one key stumbling block to this, which is that the reason we aren't doing most of this "going green" stuff NOW is that it's prohibitively expensive. If you want to make the entire government eco-friendly with all the energy it uses, good luck also trying to lower government spending. The two, in fact, are at odds with one another.
Also, in case you missed this from my commentary on McCain's answer - mandates are the opposite of finding free enterprise solutions (you know, the kind that work).
REP. HUNTER: You know, I'd say instead of mandates, incentives. The problem with mandating only biofuels -- and you know, ethanol's not the -- is not the greatest thing in show business. You use a lot of energy to create ethanol, and there's other biofuels out there -- biodiesel, et cetera. But by giving incentives in R&D and by bringing our government laboratories together with business, with our educational institutions, the United States can become the center with a grand new industry of energy innovation. We can be the leaders in the world in this. But you don't want to -- you don't want to push away things like hydrogen, fuel cells and other things. Incentives is the way to go. And we should take the entire array of alternative energy sources and give incentives to private enterprise to get involved and get into the business of delivering us a great product. And we can produce a great new industry for this next generation.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Tancredo, what would you do about mandates?
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Tancredo, what would you do about mandates?
Mandates. Incentives. They're both hooey. If the market doesn't see a point to innovating energy alternatives, having the government force money at something isn't going to make it work any better.
REP. TANCREDO: No, I don't believe in mandates. I don't believe that they should be increased. I believe that the market is the best determinant of exactly how these problems should be addressed.
I don't mind and I would not be opposed to any investment in research and development, but the idea that the government knows the right amount somehow, some way -- some brilliant analyst -- usually some politician who hasn't the slightest idea of the issue -- will make a decision about what is the right amount of mandate to impose on the rest of the country. And you know what? It never works out right. Let the market -- I trust the market more than I do the government.
I don't mind and I would not be opposed to any investment in research and development, but the idea that the government knows the right amount somehow, some way -- some brilliant analyst -- usually some politician who hasn't the slightest idea of the issue -- will make a decision about what is the right amount of mandate to impose on the rest of the country. And you know what? It never works out right. Let the market -- I trust the market more than I do the government.
"I believe that the market is the best determinant of exactly how these problems should be addressed." Well, at lease one of the candidates up there gets it.
Free Statement 3
[#]MS. WASHBURN: Let's hear free statements from two more candidates -- first, Congressman Tancredo, and then Governor Huckabee.
REP. TANCREDO: We have had 40 years of unlimited -- 40 or 45 years, really -- of unlimited immigration, both legal and illegal, into this country. It has become a -- that is a problem. Unlimited, massive immigration is a problem. But when it happens commensurately without the same amount of assimilation, it becomes a catastrophe.
It will become what Teddy Roosevelt warned of when he said you have -- you can have immigration, but if it happens without assimilation, all you end up with is not a nation, but a polyglot boarding house. Some of my friends on the stage, both governors and senators, said they -- we should trust their judgment. Well, their judgment is what got us into this problem, so we need to trust somebody else to get us out.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Huckabee.
It will become what Teddy Roosevelt warned of when he said you have -- you can have immigration, but if it happens without assimilation, all you end up with is not a nation, but a polyglot boarding house. Some of my friends on the stage, both governors and senators, said they -- we should trust their judgment. Well, their judgment is what got us into this problem, so we need to trust somebody else to get us out.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Huckabee.
Meh.
MR. HUCKABEE: I think people in this country are looking for leadership. They're looking for change. They're not looking that people would be elected to be so much a ruling class, but a servant class. We've forgotten that. Our Founding Fathers had a brilliant, really revolutionary idea, that the people elected would not represent the elite, but would represent the ordinary. Our Founding Fathers had the idea that when we are elected, we're not elected as a part to be elevated up, but to truly remember who it is we work for. I think sometimes that's what's happened in America: we forget that our job is to keep this country safe first and foremost, and it's to try to encourage Americans to be their best at everything they do. And I can tell you, it's a long way from the little rent house I grew up in to this stage. I'm still in awe that this country would afford kids like me the opportunity to be a president. I'll try not to forget where I came from and where this country needs to go.
In case there was any doubt, Huck clearly is the most likable candidate.
Question 11 - What educational standards does the U.S. need to adopt or improve?
[#]MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
A new topic that some Iowans say hasn't had enough debate during this campaign, and that's education. American 15-year-olds ranked behind 16 other countries in a recent assessment of science literacy. What educational standards does the U.S. need to adopt or improve to compete in the global economy, and what will you do to move us toward those standards, and what's your timetable?
Senator McCain.
A new topic that some Iowans say hasn't had enough debate during this campaign, and that's education. American 15-year-olds ranked behind 16 other countries in a recent assessment of science literacy. What educational standards does the U.S. need to adopt or improve to compete in the global economy, and what will you do to move us toward those standards, and what's your timetable?
Senator McCain.
SEN. MCCAIN: The answer to the problem in education in America is simple: We need more choice and more competition. Entrance by a good student into a college today, they have a number of choices and people are seeking them to be part of those educational institutions.
We don't have a choice in competition. We need it in K through 12. We need more charter schools. We need vouchers where it's approved by the local state and school boards. We need to have clearly home- schooling if people want that. We need to reward good teachers and find bad teachers another line of work. We need to have all of these compete.
In my home state of Arizona, we have charter schools, some have failed, but they're competing with the public schools, and the level of education is increasing. In New York City today, there's some remarkable things happening under Mayor Bloomberg and Joel Klein, who have done marvelous work with an educational system that was clearly broken. Those can be examples of a way to improve education in America, provide choice and competition and give every American family the same choice I and my family had, and that is to send our child to the school of our choice.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you. Thank you.
Mayor Giuliani?
We don't have a choice in competition. We need it in K through 12. We need more charter schools. We need vouchers where it's approved by the local state and school boards. We need to have clearly home- schooling if people want that. We need to reward good teachers and find bad teachers another line of work. We need to have all of these compete.
In my home state of Arizona, we have charter schools, some have failed, but they're competing with the public schools, and the level of education is increasing. In New York City today, there's some remarkable things happening under Mayor Bloomberg and Joel Klein, who have done marvelous work with an educational system that was clearly broken. Those can be examples of a way to improve education in America, provide choice and competition and give every American family the same choice I and my family had, and that is to send our child to the school of our choice.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you. Thank you.
Mayor Giuliani?
Competition. Vouchers. Rewarding good teachers. Check, check, check. Plus 10.
MR. GIULIANI: I'm here because of the educational choices my parents made or I wouldn't be here or have achieved anything that I've achieved, and that's the place where the decision should be made. Instead of having these education standards done in Washington by the Education Department or some bureaucrats in a state capital or -- or in a board, the choice should be made by parents.
Parents should choose the school that their child goes to, the same way people choose higher education.
Has it ever occurred to -- to us that higher education is still the very, very best in the world? And it's -- you're asking me about K through 12. Well, higher education is based on choice. It's based on a large consumer market. It's based on competition.
It's the area of K through 12 where we have this government command sort of approach. And if we -- if we give the choice to parents, where they can choose a private school, a parochial school, a public school, a charter school, home schooling --
MS. WASHBURN: Time.
MR. GIULIANI: -- let them be the -- be the decider, I think we'll see a big revolution in education.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Hunter?
Parents should choose the school that their child goes to, the same way people choose higher education.
Has it ever occurred to -- to us that higher education is still the very, very best in the world? And it's -- you're asking me about K through 12. Well, higher education is based on choice. It's based on a large consumer market. It's based on competition.
It's the area of K through 12 where we have this government command sort of approach. And if we -- if we give the choice to parents, where they can choose a private school, a parochial school, a public school, a charter school, home schooling --
MS. WASHBURN: Time.
MR. GIULIANI: -- let them be the -- be the decider, I think we'll see a big revolution in education.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Hunter?
Choice. Local control. Check, check. Plus 10.
REP. HUNTER: Three words: Jaime Escalante and inspiration. Jaime Escalante was a great math teacher who in the barrio of Lose Angeles taught young kids calculus, and he taught them so well that the school district called up and said, "We got a problem. We think your kids are cheating on the tests." And he said, "Test them again." And he established this incredible system of calculus in the school district by inspiring young people.
How many of us have -- have our careers -- can -- can point back to a teacher and say, "That teacher inspired me"? What we have to do is take away the bureaucratic credentialing of teachers and allow people who are aerospace engineers and -- and pilots and scientists and retired folks to come in and inspire young people in third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Let -- let's inspire them to reach for the stars and give them the incentive to work hard enough to get there -- inspiration, changing the credentialing system, and school choice.
MS. WASHBURN: Hasn't that teacher since left the public school system?
REP. HUNTER: And you know why? I read the -- the -- the post- mortem on Jaime Escalante is that the unions ran him out of the school district, and I think that goes right to one of the -- one of the big problems that we have.
How many of us have -- have our careers -- can -- can point back to a teacher and say, "That teacher inspired me"? What we have to do is take away the bureaucratic credentialing of teachers and allow people who are aerospace engineers and -- and pilots and scientists and retired folks to come in and inspire young people in third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Let -- let's inspire them to reach for the stars and give them the incentive to work hard enough to get there -- inspiration, changing the credentialing system, and school choice.
MS. WASHBURN: Hasn't that teacher since left the public school system?
REP. HUNTER: And you know why? I read the -- the -- the post- mortem on Jaime Escalante is that the unions ran him out of the school district, and I think that goes right to one of the -- one of the big problems that we have.
Reach for the stars, huh? At least he got choice in there. At the very end. Meh. At least he got a jab in at the NEA.
Question 12 - Does the Fed. Gov't need to exercise (more) influence over educational standards
[#]MS. WASHBURN: If we need to improve our educational system quickly to be more competitive in the world, does the federal government need to exercise different influence than it has historically over educational standards?
If so, in what ways? And if not, how do you encourage state to meet national goals to move us forward?
Governor Romney.
If so, in what ways? And if not, how do you encourage state to meet national goals to move us forward?
Governor Romney.
MR. ROMNEY: Carolyn, these are 60-second answers, right?
MS. WASHBURN: Yes.
MR. ROMNEY: Okay, let's make sure, because time's going pretty quick here.
Education's an important topic. And the president was right to fight for No Child Left Behind, because we allow states now to test our kids and see how well they're doing, particularly in math and English. We've made the same effort in our state, actually before No Child Left Behind was passed.
We test our kids; we have high standards. We teach them in English, English immersion. We say, to be successful in America, you've got to speak the language of America.
We also put in place incentives for kids to do well. For those that take the graduation exam, which you have to take to get out of high school, we say that you're going to get, if you score in the top 25 percent on the test, a four-year tuition-free scholarship to a Massachusetts institution of higher learning.
MS. WASHBURN: But what about the role of the federal government?
MR. ROMNEY: And the federal government insists on those tests and those standards, and it's key, and let me continue. I think we also have to have higher pay for better teachers. And people who are not good teachers ought to find a different career.
And finally we need more parental involvement. And we've tested our kids in Massachusetts, along with all the other kids in the nation. 50 states get tested every two years in English and math, in 4th and 8th grade. My 8th graders came out number one in English. They came out number one in math. My 4th graders: number one in English, number one in math.
First time in history: one state, number one in all four measures. School choice, better pay for better teachers, high standards, scholarships for the best kids, English immersion: These principles work.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Huckabee.
MS. WASHBURN: Yes.
MR. ROMNEY: Okay, let's make sure, because time's going pretty quick here.
Education's an important topic. And the president was right to fight for No Child Left Behind, because we allow states now to test our kids and see how well they're doing, particularly in math and English. We've made the same effort in our state, actually before No Child Left Behind was passed.
We test our kids; we have high standards. We teach them in English, English immersion. We say, to be successful in America, you've got to speak the language of America.
We also put in place incentives for kids to do well. For those that take the graduation exam, which you have to take to get out of high school, we say that you're going to get, if you score in the top 25 percent on the test, a four-year tuition-free scholarship to a Massachusetts institution of higher learning.
MS. WASHBURN: But what about the role of the federal government?
MR. ROMNEY: And the federal government insists on those tests and those standards, and it's key, and let me continue. I think we also have to have higher pay for better teachers. And people who are not good teachers ought to find a different career.
And finally we need more parental involvement. And we've tested our kids in Massachusetts, along with all the other kids in the nation. 50 states get tested every two years in English and math, in 4th and 8th grade. My 8th graders came out number one in English. They came out number one in math. My 4th graders: number one in English, number one in math.
First time in history: one state, number one in all four measures. School choice, better pay for better teachers, high standards, scholarships for the best kids, English immersion: These principles work.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Huckabee.
Pro-NCLB, huh? Ick!. Mitt, the correct answer was "my state did great [insert litany of gubernatorial achievements] and we should leave it to the states".
MR. HUCKABEE: First of all, the whole role of education is a state issue. It's not really a federal issue. And the worst thing that we can do is to shift more burden, more responsibility, more authority to the federal government when more of it needs to go to the states.
But I think the federal government can play a pivotal role in -- primarily in helping to make sure that the best practices that are working in the states are shared with states who are struggling. Let me give you a couple of examples of what has to happen in all the states, and the federal government can at least share the data and the information.
One, personalize the learning for the student. We have 6,000 kids every day drop out in this country. They don't drop out because they're dumb; they drop out because they're bored to death. They're in a 19th-century education system in a 21st-century world. If we really are serious, then first of all we make sure that we build a curriculum around their interests rather than just push them into something they don't care.
Second thing, unleash weapons of mass instruction. I'm a passionate, ardent supporter of having music and art in every school for every student at every grade level -- (applause) --
MS. WASHBURN: Time.
MR. HUCKABEE: -- because -- let me just make sure you understand why -- it's not frivolous. It's because if we don't develop the right side of the brain with the same level of attention as we do the left, which is the logical side, we end up with an unbalanced, bored student, which is exactly what we've done, and we're dropping students out of our system because of it.
But I think the federal government can play a pivotal role in -- primarily in helping to make sure that the best practices that are working in the states are shared with states who are struggling. Let me give you a couple of examples of what has to happen in all the states, and the federal government can at least share the data and the information.
One, personalize the learning for the student. We have 6,000 kids every day drop out in this country. They don't drop out because they're dumb; they drop out because they're bored to death. They're in a 19th-century education system in a 21st-century world. If we really are serious, then first of all we make sure that we build a curriculum around their interests rather than just push them into something they don't care.
Second thing, unleash weapons of mass instruction. I'm a passionate, ardent supporter of having music and art in every school for every student at every grade level -- (applause) --
MS. WASHBURN: Time.
MR. HUCKABEE: -- because -- let me just make sure you understand why -- it's not frivolous. It's because if we don't develop the right side of the brain with the same level of attention as we do the left, which is the logical side, we end up with an unbalanced, bored student, which is exactly what we've done, and we're dropping students out of our system because of it.
"First of all, the whole role of education is a state issue." Yay! "But I think the federal government can play a pivotal role" ... making me nervous, Huck. OK, you just want sharing of data and best practices. Fair enough.
Question 13 ... wait, nope, not yet...
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Paul, what's the biggest obstacle standing in the way of improving education?
MR. KEYES: (Off mike.) Do I have to raise my hand to get a question? I'd like to address that question.
MS. WASHBURN: I'm getting to you.
MR. KEYES: I would like -- no, you're not. You haven't since several go-arounds so I have to make an issue out of it. I would like to address the question of education.
MS. WASHBURN: Go ahead.
MR. KEYES: I don't wish it to --
MS. WASHBURN: Go ahead. You have 30 seconds.
MR. KEYES: (Off mike.) Do I have to raise my hand to get a question? I'd like to address that question.
MS. WASHBURN: I'm getting to you.
MR. KEYES: I would like -- no, you're not. You haven't since several go-arounds so I have to make an issue out of it. I would like to address the question of education.
MS. WASHBURN: Go ahead.
MR. KEYES: I don't wish it to --
MS. WASHBURN: Go ahead. You have 30 seconds.
MR. KEYES: They had a minute. Why do I get 30 seconds? (Laughter.) See your unfairness is now becoming so apparent that the voters in Iowa must understand there's a reason for it, and the reason for it is what I'm about to say.
Governor Huckabee just addressed the question of education. He has stood before values voters and moral conservative claiming that he is their spokesman. You know the major problem in American education today? We allowed the judges to drive God out of our schools. We allowed the moral foundation of this republic, which is that we are created equal and endowed by our Creator, not by our Constitution or our leaders with our rights. If we don't teach our children that heritage and the moral culture that goes along with it, we cannot remain free. They will not be disciplined to learn science, to learn math, to learn history, to learn anything, and they don't want to talk about this except when they're squabbling about their own personal faith and forgetting that we have a national creed. And that national creed needs to be taught to our children so that whether they are scientists or businessmen or lawyers, they will stand on the solid ground of a moral education that gives them the discipline they need to serve the right, to exercise their freedom with dignity, and to defend the justice because they understand it is our heritage.
Governor Huckabee just addressed the question of education. He has stood before values voters and moral conservative claiming that he is their spokesman. You know the major problem in American education today? We allowed the judges to drive God out of our schools. We allowed the moral foundation of this republic, which is that we are created equal and endowed by our Creator, not by our Constitution or our leaders with our rights. If we don't teach our children that heritage and the moral culture that goes along with it, we cannot remain free. They will not be disciplined to learn science, to learn math, to learn history, to learn anything, and they don't want to talk about this except when they're squabbling about their own personal faith and forgetting that we have a national creed. And that national creed needs to be taught to our children so that whether they are scientists or businessmen or lawyers, they will stand on the solid ground of a moral education that gives them the discipline they need to serve the right, to exercise their freedom with dignity, and to defend the justice because they understand it is our heritage.
Give it a rest, Alan. All you are doing is ranting. That's no helpful. I'm starting to be embarrassed that I liked you in 2000.
Question 13 - What's the biggest obstacle standing in the way of improving education?
[#]MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Paul, what's the biggest obstacle standing in the way of improving education in the United States, and how would you address it?
REP. PAUL: Probably the federal government. We've been involved at the federal level for our 50 years. We've had a Department of Education. It used to be the policy of the Republican Party to get rid of the Department of Education.
We finally get in charge and a chance to do something, so we doubled the size of the Department of Education and we have No Child Left Behind. The teachers don't like it, the students don't like it, and the quality of education hasn't gone up; the cost of education has gone up.
So we need to look to our local resources, we need to release the creative energy of the teachers at the local level. But we can do immediately is to give tax credits -- I have a bill that would give tax credits to the teachers to raise their salaries. At the same time, we should encourage homeschooling and private schooling and let the individuals write that off. The parents have to get control of the education. It used to be parents had control of education through local school boards. Today it's the judicial system and the executive branch of government, the bureaucracy, that controls things, and it would be predictable that the quality would go down. The money goes to the bureaucrats and not to the educational system at home.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Senator Thompson, how would you answer that?
We finally get in charge and a chance to do something, so we doubled the size of the Department of Education and we have No Child Left Behind. The teachers don't like it, the students don't like it, and the quality of education hasn't gone up; the cost of education has gone up.
So we need to look to our local resources, we need to release the creative energy of the teachers at the local level. But we can do immediately is to give tax credits -- I have a bill that would give tax credits to the teachers to raise their salaries. At the same time, we should encourage homeschooling and private schooling and let the individuals write that off. The parents have to get control of the education. It used to be parents had control of education through local school boards. Today it's the judicial system and the executive branch of government, the bureaucracy, that controls things, and it would be predictable that the quality would go down. The money goes to the bureaucrats and not to the educational system at home.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Senator Thompson, how would you answer that?
"Probably the federal government." He finally nailed one!
MR. THOMPSON: The question was what's the biggest impediment to education?
MS. WASHBURN: What is the biggest obstacle standing in the way, and how would you address it?
MR. THOMPSON: The biggest obstacle, in my opinion, is the National Education Association, the NEA. I read time and time again -- every time someone wants to inject a little choice into the equation for the benefit of the kids, inject a little freedom, inject a little competition because we're not exactly doing that well because of the things that you pointed out earlier, the NEA is there to oppose it, and bring in millions and millions of dollars to go on television and work and scare people and misrepresent the situation on the ground.
I think that that just goes against everything that we know, that can make progress in this country.
We're a nation of freedom and innovation and choice, and well-to- do people are out in the suburbs. They don't seem to care that much. Inner city people need a chance to enjoy the choice that the mayor's talking about for colleges and universities.
Other people have choice too. If they're wealthy enough to move into a neighborhood because they want their kid to go to school there, that's choice too. Let's give it to everybody else and let's stop people from standing in the way of that.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Congressman Tancredo, what's your take on all that?
MS. WASHBURN: What is the biggest obstacle standing in the way, and how would you address it?
MR. THOMPSON: The biggest obstacle, in my opinion, is the National Education Association, the NEA. I read time and time again -- every time someone wants to inject a little choice into the equation for the benefit of the kids, inject a little freedom, inject a little competition because we're not exactly doing that well because of the things that you pointed out earlier, the NEA is there to oppose it, and bring in millions and millions of dollars to go on television and work and scare people and misrepresent the situation on the ground.
I think that that just goes against everything that we know, that can make progress in this country.
We're a nation of freedom and innovation and choice, and well-to- do people are out in the suburbs. They don't seem to care that much. Inner city people need a chance to enjoy the choice that the mayor's talking about for colleges and universities.
Other people have choice too. If they're wealthy enough to move into a neighborhood because they want their kid to go to school there, that's choice too. Let's give it to everybody else and let's stop people from standing in the way of that.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Congressman Tancredo, what's your take on all that?
The NEA. Bold. And he's dead-right. Even worse than the Federal Government. Wow. Nailed this one. "Every time someone wants to inject a little choice into the equation for the benefit of the kids, inject a little freedom, inject a little competition ..., the NEA is there to oppose it, and bring in millions and millions of dollars to go on television ... and scare people and misrepresent the situation."
OK, Fred, I think you've secured my vote.
REP. TANCREDO: Yeah, the -- I had the opportunity to serve under Ronald Reagan as the regional director for the U.S. Department of Education. Our task was to try to narrow it down, because we knew we couldn't legislatively get rid of it although we wanted to. And so I went -- in my region, we went from about 222 people. It took us about four or five years to get down to about 60 people.
I used to always say, we've gotten rid of 80 percent of the people in this department; has anybody been able to tell the difference? And you know what? Not a single soul said they had.
And something else: If we had gone to 0, you'd never know the difference. That's because we don't need the department. It's an encumbrance on our attempt to actually teach children in this country, as is the federal government and its intervention and its rules.
But you can't, I don't think, Governor, with all due respect, you can't say on one hand, you're against having government intervention and on the other hand, tell us that you want music and art and everything else in the school. That's not the job of a president. It is the job of a governor. That's what you should run for if you want to dictate curriculum. (Applause.)
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Huckabee, would you like a rebuttal? You have 30 seconds.
I used to always say, we've gotten rid of 80 percent of the people in this department; has anybody been able to tell the difference? And you know what? Not a single soul said they had.
And something else: If we had gone to 0, you'd never know the difference. That's because we don't need the department. It's an encumbrance on our attempt to actually teach children in this country, as is the federal government and its intervention and its rules.
But you can't, I don't think, Governor, with all due respect, you can't say on one hand, you're against having government intervention and on the other hand, tell us that you want music and art and everything else in the school. That's not the job of a president. It is the job of a governor. That's what you should run for if you want to dictate curriculum. (Applause.)
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Huckabee, would you like a rebuttal? You have 30 seconds.
Yeah, whatever. Also, I'm not sure why he's going after Huckabee who made it clear the federal level would simply be an information resource for states. We'll see how Huckabee responds...
MR. HUCKABEE: Well, I made very clear to the congressman that what I suggested was that the federal government become the clearinghouse. It chose the best ideas. I was a governor 10-and-a- half years.
I had executive experience longer than anyone on this stage running a government. And I had also the most, I think, impressive education record. And you know what? I looked for what other states were doing that worked. I was looking for all the ideas. We raised standards, we measured, and we held people accountable for the results.
Any time you give governors the opportunity to know what will work, they'll use it, because it means jobs, it means economic development. That's exactly the only role.
But if anyone doubts that the president ought not to use the bully pulpit to encourage the best practices, I would say the secondmost job of importance to the president, second to being commander in chief, is to be the communicator in chief.
And we're losing a lot of kids in this country. A third don't graduate. For a president to say, "That's none of my business," is recklessly irresponsible. A president needs to say it's unacceptable that that many kids leave our schools every single day.
MS. WASHBURN: Okay. Governor Romney.
I had executive experience longer than anyone on this stage running a government. And I had also the most, I think, impressive education record. And you know what? I looked for what other states were doing that worked. I was looking for all the ideas. We raised standards, we measured, and we held people accountable for the results.
Any time you give governors the opportunity to know what will work, they'll use it, because it means jobs, it means economic development. That's exactly the only role.
But if anyone doubts that the president ought not to use the bully pulpit to encourage the best practices, I would say the secondmost job of importance to the president, second to being commander in chief, is to be the communicator in chief.
And we're losing a lot of kids in this country. A third don't graduate. For a president to say, "That's none of my business," is recklessly irresponsible. A president needs to say it's unacceptable that that many kids leave our schools every single day.
MS. WASHBURN: Okay. Governor Romney.
Nailed it. "I had executive experience longer than anyone on this stage running a government" - slick. "But if anyone doubts that the president ought not to use the bully pulpit to encourage the best practices, I would say the secondmost job of importance to the president, second to being commander in chief, is to be the communicator in chief." - oh how, after 8 years of GWB, I'll be so ready for this if Huckabee wins.
MR. ROMNEY: Just one small adjustment to what Governor Huckabee had to say. And I don't believe you had the finest record of any governor in America on education. (Laughter.) And -- because there's another one on the stand who -- who -- whose kids outperform me. The -- the kids in our state, as I indicated, scored number one in all four measures on the national exams, and they did that because of Republican principles, free market principles, applied -- and there was a partnership.
You see, education is not just the teachers' union. I agree with -- with Senator Thompson on that. Boy, they've been the biggest obstacle to change in education and -- and choice. It's not just that the -- one side of this; it's teachers, it's parents, it's the state, it's the federal government, it's all levels coming together and working together for the benefit of our kids.
And we face right now an education challenge that's really unusual. We're behind. America's behind in education. Our kids score in the bottom 10 or 25 percent in exams around the world among major industrial nations.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. ROMNEY: And we've got to have the kind of change that requires all of us working together, not just poking and saying it's someone else's job.
You see, education is not just the teachers' union. I agree with -- with Senator Thompson on that. Boy, they've been the biggest obstacle to change in education and -- and choice. It's not just that the -- one side of this; it's teachers, it's parents, it's the state, it's the federal government, it's all levels coming together and working together for the benefit of our kids.
And we face right now an education challenge that's really unusual. We're behind. America's behind in education. Our kids score in the bottom 10 or 25 percent in exams around the world among major industrial nations.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. ROMNEY: And we've got to have the kind of change that requires all of us working together, not just poking and saying it's someone else's job.
Well, that's nice that you agree with your fellow candidates, Mitt.
Question 14 - What do you believe you could accomplish in your first year
[#]MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
In light of the big needs and the financial realities we've just discussed up to this point, realistically, what do you believe you could accomplish in your first year as president?
We're going to go down the line, starting with Mr. Giuliani. And so that everyone gets a chance to talk, I need you to keep your remarks to 30 seconds.
In light of the big needs and the financial realities we've just discussed up to this point, realistically, what do you believe you could accomplish in your first year as president?
We're going to go down the line, starting with Mr. Giuliani. And so that everyone gets a chance to talk, I need you to keep your remarks to 30 seconds.
MR. GIULIANI: We can make sure that the country is secure against Islamic terrorism and on the road to winning the war against Islamic terrorists. We could end illegal immigration by beginning a border stat system. It might take two or three years, but we could begin it. We could do a major tax reduction, the ones that I indicated earlier, to stimulate the economy. I would immediately begin to reduce the size of the federal government the way I did when I was mayor of New York. And I would move toward energy independence as a goal similar to putting a man on the moon, the Manhattan Project. You can use a lot of ways to describe the imperative nature of it, but I would make sure that we accomplish energy independence. We would do things that we hadn't done before and that we previously thought were impossible. And you need bold leadership to accomplish that, and I think I can do that.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman.
Sounds good except for that pesky "energy independence" nonsense that keeps coming up...
REP. HUNTER: First, you got to strengthen the U.S. military. You know, we have to look at the horizon past Iraq and Afghanistan and see the emergence of a North Korea with nuclear capability, Iran proceeding on that path despite what the NIE says, and also the emergence of communist China as a new superpower stepping in the shoes of the Soviet Union.
So strengthening the military and meeting those horizon threats, and also strengthening our border, enforcing the U.S. border -- that means building the border fence and making sure that we know who is coming into this country, what they're bringing with them -- lastly, bringing back the industrial base of the United States that right now is fragmenting and being sent off to China and to other places around the world, which also is a security threat; bringing back high-paying manufacturing jobs to this country that will serve this next generation well.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you. That's a tall order for a year.
Congressman Paul, what about you?
So strengthening the military and meeting those horizon threats, and also strengthening our border, enforcing the U.S. border -- that means building the border fence and making sure that we know who is coming into this country, what they're bringing with them -- lastly, bringing back the industrial base of the United States that right now is fragmenting and being sent off to China and to other places around the world, which also is a security threat; bringing back high-paying manufacturing jobs to this country that will serve this next generation well.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you. That's a tall order for a year.
Congressman Paul, what about you?
When did China become on par with North Korea and Iran?!
REP. PAUL: Well, there's a limit of what you can do in one year, and at home it's more difficult. You would have to work with the Congress, but a commander in chief could end the war. We could bring our troops home. That would be a major event; it would be very valuable. We could be diplomatically -- we could become diplomatically credible once again around the world. Right now, today, we're not. Even our allies resent what we do.
We wouldn't have no more preemptive war. We would threaten nobody. We would not threaten Iran. Now it is proven once again Iraq didn't have the nuclear weapon, had nothing to do with 9/11. The Iranians have no nuclear weapon, according to our CIA. There's no need for us to threaten the Iranians. We could immediately turn the Navy around and bring them home, and I think this would be a major step toward peace.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you. Thank you.
Congressman?
We wouldn't have no more preemptive war. We would threaten nobody. We would not threaten Iran. Now it is proven once again Iraq didn't have the nuclear weapon, had nothing to do with 9/11. The Iranians have no nuclear weapon, according to our CIA. There's no need for us to threaten the Iranians. We could immediately turn the Navy around and bring them home, and I think this would be a major step toward peace.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you. Thank you.
Congressman?
Bring the troops home, huh? Swell. Your foreign policy would lead to disaster...
REP. TANCREDO: The first five minutes after taking office I would free Ramos and Compean, and that's for sure. Then the second thing I would do is to make sure that we begin the process of securing those borders and enforcing the law inside the United States against hiring people who are here illegally. Then I would use that bully pulpit that the governor talked about and is absolutely accurate in terms of the importance of it for a president of the United States for this reason, to explain that it is in fact a war -- a war is not going on in Iraq; that's a battle. We are fighting a war against radical Islam.
It is a threat to our existence as a nation. It's a threat to Western civilization. It will take someone who's willing to say that --
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
REP. TANCREDO: -- and lead Western civilization in this clash.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Senator Thompson, your first year.
It is a threat to our existence as a nation. It's a threat to Western civilization. It will take someone who's willing to say that --
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
REP. TANCREDO: -- and lead Western civilization in this clash.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Senator Thompson, your first year.
The Ramos / Compean comment is original, and I hope they are freed long before January 2009. And, I have to admit, I'm glad you've been part of the debates as it's kept illegal immigration as an important topic, and it should be.
MR. THOMPSON: Well, it wouldn't take me a year. I'd go before the American people and tell them the truth and try to establish my credibility, and tell them that we haven't come to terms yet with the nature of the threat that we're facing or what we're going to have to do to defend ourselves over the years.
I'd tell them that if they didn't already know it, we're bankrupting the next generation and nobody even wants to talk about it, much less do anything about it. I'd tell them that judges are setting our social policy now in this country and that's going to stop. And then I'd bring in members of Congress and say, look, I just got a mandate. We can work and cooperate together or I'll go over your head to the American people.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Romney?
I'd tell them that if they didn't already know it, we're bankrupting the next generation and nobody even wants to talk about it, much less do anything about it. I'd tell them that judges are setting our social policy now in this country and that's going to stop. And then I'd bring in members of Congress and say, look, I just got a mandate. We can work and cooperate together or I'll go over your head to the American people.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Romney?
Meh. You may be too much of a realist to answer this as passionately and idealistically as I might hope.
MR. ROMNEY: I want to do more than talk in my first year. There are a lot of things I want to get done. First of all, I want to establish a strategy to help us overwhelm global jihad and keep the world safe. I want to end illegal immigration. We can get that done. I want to end the growth -- the expansion growth of entitlements, rein them in. I want to end the extraordinary growth in federal spending and I want to keep our tax burden down and reduce our tax burden on middle-income families.
I want to get us on a track to become energy-independent. I want to get our schools on a track so they can become competitive globally, and I want to get health insurance for every citizen in America. It's going to take four years for that to happen, but I'll get us on track in that. We'll have a stronger military, a stronger economy and stronger values, with stronger families, after my first year in office.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Huckabee.
I want to get us on a track to become energy-independent. I want to get our schools on a track so they can become competitive globally, and I want to get health insurance for every citizen in America. It's going to take four years for that to happen, but I'll get us on track in that. We'll have a stronger military, a stronger economy and stronger values, with stronger families, after my first year in office.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Huckabee.
Solid except for "energy independent"... which rears it's ugly head yet again. And, "health insurance for every American" implies all sorts of government intervention I have no interest in seeing happen.
MR. HUCKABEE: Well, I like the laundry list that everybody's had, and I would agree that every one of those things is important. Reality is, none of that's going to happen till we bring this country back together.
I think the first priority of the next president is to be a president of all the United States. We are, right now, a very polarized country, and that polarized country has led to a paralyzed government. We've got Democrats who fight Republicans, liberals fighting conservatives. The left fights the right.
Who's fighting for this country again? And somehow, we've got to quit even fighting among ourselves as conservatives and as Republicans, and start putting the better interest of our nation. If that doesn't happen, we'll get none of these things done. We've got to be the united people of the United States, and a president has got to somehow remind us that we are a great, resilient nation that has to stick together to solve all of these problems.
MS. WASHBURN: Senator McCain.
I think the first priority of the next president is to be a president of all the United States. We are, right now, a very polarized country, and that polarized country has led to a paralyzed government. We've got Democrats who fight Republicans, liberals fighting conservatives. The left fights the right.
Who's fighting for this country again? And somehow, we've got to quit even fighting among ourselves as conservatives and as Republicans, and start putting the better interest of our nation. If that doesn't happen, we'll get none of these things done. We've got to be the united people of the United States, and a president has got to somehow remind us that we are a great, resilient nation that has to stick together to solve all of these problems.
MS. WASHBURN: Senator McCain.
Overcome polarization. I like it.
SEN. MCCAIN: Our first obligation, and my qualifications lend to making America safe. We must make America safe. This is a military, diplomatic, intelligence and cyberspace challenge. And I have the credentials and the knowledge and the background and the judgment to do that.
The second most important thing, if we're going to complete that laundry list, is restore trust and confidence in government. There is none today. We have to fix Medicare. We have to stop this wasteful pork-barrel spending that has led to corruption in Washington.
Of course we have to fix our borders. We have to sit down together and fix Medicare and Social Security. But I can lead. I can inspire confidence and restore trust and confidence in their government again. That's the key to any success we want to achieve.
MS. WASHBURN: Ambassador.
The second most important thing, if we're going to complete that laundry list, is restore trust and confidence in government. There is none today. We have to fix Medicare. We have to stop this wasteful pork-barrel spending that has led to corruption in Washington.
Of course we have to fix our borders. We have to sit down together and fix Medicare and Social Security. But I can lead. I can inspire confidence and restore trust and confidence in their government again. That's the key to any success we want to achieve.
MS. WASHBURN: Ambassador.
Meh.
MR. KEYES: Well, what I would concentrate on is restoring the sovereignty of the people of this country. I would restore their moral sovereignty, which is something I think I can do very simply as president by declaring that no action taken by the executive branch would support, aid or abet anyone who is destroying the constitutional rights of those who are in the womb. I would sign an executive order to that effect day one, and we would reestablish this government's commitment to the constitutional rights of our posterity. These folks talk about our posterity, but you can't really respect them if you're killing them in the womb. It doesn't make any sense.
And I would also want to abolish the income tax. And you say, well, it can't be done in a day. We need to start talking about it and talking about actually implementing the fair tax proposal that will end the wasteful spending by putting them under the discipline of a people who can actually withhold their taxes by changing their patterns of spending.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. KEYES: And finally, I would establish a national border guard. I would seal the borders of the United States so that only those would cross our borders who are subject to our laws and the terms of those laws.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. KEYES: And I would encourage, through this national border guard, a real respect for the security that must be maintained along that border if we're serious about the war on terror.
And I would also want to abolish the income tax. And you say, well, it can't be done in a day. We need to start talking about it and talking about actually implementing the fair tax proposal that will end the wasteful spending by putting them under the discipline of a people who can actually withhold their taxes by changing their patterns of spending.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. KEYES: And finally, I would establish a national border guard. I would seal the borders of the United States so that only those would cross our borders who are subject to our laws and the terms of those laws.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. KEYES: And I would encourage, through this national border guard, a real respect for the security that must be maintained along that border if we're serious about the war on terror.
Abortion, the FairTax, and the border, huh, Alan? At this point, Huck should start singing "everything you can do, I can do better."
Free Statements 4
[#]MS. WASHBURN: We're going to move to the last three candidate statements. Governor Romney has 30 seconds, followed by Mr. Keyes and finally Mayor Giuliani.
MR. ROMNEY: I want to begin by saying thank you to the people of Iowa. Over the last year my wife and I have visited many, many homes, many places, over 70 town meetings, 67 counties. Josh, my son, has visited all 99 counties. People here have warm hearts. They've welcomed us, and it's something that's made me feel very good about America. Anybody who's worried about the future of this great land just needs to come to Iowa, meet the people with the kind of heartland values that you have here.
People here also recognize we face real challenges, and they want somebody who will strengthen America. I know how to keep America strong. I know a lot about the economy. I'll make sure we keep good jobs.
I learned a lot about education and health care. I'll improve our schools, get our health care system working for all Americans. And I'll make sure that we have the kind of values that we can be proud of that are so essential to the great strength of this nation.
And finally, I want to say to the people of Iowa: I need your help. I'd like your vote. I want you to get -- get out and participate in that caucus.
Thank you.
MS. WASHBURN: Mr. Keyes?
People here also recognize we face real challenges, and they want somebody who will strengthen America. I know how to keep America strong. I know a lot about the economy. I'll make sure we keep good jobs.
I learned a lot about education and health care. I'll improve our schools, get our health care system working for all Americans. And I'll make sure that we have the kind of values that we can be proud of that are so essential to the great strength of this nation.
And finally, I want to say to the people of Iowa: I need your help. I'd like your vote. I want you to get -- get out and participate in that caucus.
Thank you.
MS. WASHBURN: Mr. Keyes?
Meh.
MR. KEYES: I think that the critical thing here is what you need to do. If you really want to see a change in government, then we need to restore the credibility of the Republican Party, a credibility that has been destroyed by the betrayal of promises to keep government limited that resulted in outrageously high budget deficits at a historic level in this country; the betrayal along the border, with the president telling us that he suddenly discovered we didn't have a secure border six years into his term.
And if you want to accomplish that, join the political army of America's Revival at AlanKeyes.com, and make sure you become part of that change. We're not going to restore self-government until you become an active people not willing to take the inadequate choices you have, but lifting up the choice that this country needs.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you. Thank you.
Mayor Giuliani?
And if you want to accomplish that, join the political army of America's Revival at AlanKeyes.com, and make sure you become part of that change. We're not going to restore self-government until you become an active people not willing to take the inadequate choices you have, but lifting up the choice that this country needs.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you. Thank you.
Mayor Giuliani?
Why is he still getting to participate?
MR. GIULIANI: I've been tested by having to provide leadership through crisis, through difficult crises, not just September 11 but in my time as United States attorney, associate attorney general, mayor of New York City.
And America needs bold leadership. We have big problems. We have problems that we haven't faced in the past and solve; problems about how to deal with terrorism effectively, problems about our border, problems about our economic security that we've talked about. And to do that, we need bold leadership, we need the kind of ideas that I've put forward in the 12 commitments to the American people, but most importantly, we need an optimistic leader who can bring us these kinds of solutions.
I've gotten results in the past. I would like the opportunity to do that for my country.
And America needs bold leadership. We have big problems. We have problems that we haven't faced in the past and solve; problems about how to deal with terrorism effectively, problems about our border, problems about our economic security that we've talked about. And to do that, we need bold leadership, we need the kind of ideas that I've put forward in the 12 commitments to the American people, but most importantly, we need an optimistic leader who can bring us these kinds of solutions.
I've gotten results in the past. I would like the opportunity to do that for my country.
Individual Questions on Leadership (effectively "Question 15")
[#]MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
We're going to shift gears a bit. Voters have told us that character and leadership qualities matter as much or more than many issues. Over the past few months, we asked candidates who have spent time in Iowa about some of their core values, and we videotaped the answers. Since we're pitching websites, you can see all the insights videos at desmoinesregister.com, but today we're going to see a few of them and then expand the conversation.
Let's watch the first one.
(From videotape.)
MR. GIULIANI (video): And I would do this as president. When I was mayor of New York, I would go get people's opinions. I'd go walk the street, sit down at a restaurant and I'd ask people what they think, and I'd go on radio, have them do a call-in show. I did 96 town hall meetings. It was all for the purpose of hearing what people had to say because maybe, even with multiple sources of advice within government, maybe if you don't hear from the people every once and awhile, you get wrong perspectives.
REP. HUNTER (video): Legislation is a function of compromise, and when you put together a budget -- for example, a budget to increase Defense spending and that budget which increases Defense spending may have also pork barrel programs that you don't like, and you promised your constituents you'll fight against pork barrel programs -- in the end, if you vote for the budget of the United States, you vote for a lot of things.
REP. PAUL (video): The Internet is delightful. It is just delightful for finding the information, and if there's a question that I need asked, you can find it.
So I spend a lot of time getting information that was -- at one time in my life was very difficult to find. There should be no excuse in this country anymore for not finding correct answers and analyzing the problems that we face, because the correct answers are out there and judgments should be made to the best of one's ability.
(End videotape.)
We're going to shift gears a bit. Voters have told us that character and leadership qualities matter as much or more than many issues. Over the past few months, we asked candidates who have spent time in Iowa about some of their core values, and we videotaped the answers. Since we're pitching websites, you can see all the insights videos at desmoinesregister.com, but today we're going to see a few of them and then expand the conversation.
Let's watch the first one.
(From videotape.)
MR. GIULIANI (video): And I would do this as president. When I was mayor of New York, I would go get people's opinions. I'd go walk the street, sit down at a restaurant and I'd ask people what they think, and I'd go on radio, have them do a call-in show. I did 96 town hall meetings. It was all for the purpose of hearing what people had to say because maybe, even with multiple sources of advice within government, maybe if you don't hear from the people every once and awhile, you get wrong perspectives.
REP. HUNTER (video): Legislation is a function of compromise, and when you put together a budget -- for example, a budget to increase Defense spending and that budget which increases Defense spending may have also pork barrel programs that you don't like, and you promised your constituents you'll fight against pork barrel programs -- in the end, if you vote for the budget of the United States, you vote for a lot of things.
REP. PAUL (video): The Internet is delightful. It is just delightful for finding the information, and if there's a question that I need asked, you can find it.
So I spend a lot of time getting information that was -- at one time in my life was very difficult to find. There should be no excuse in this country anymore for not finding correct answers and analyzing the problems that we face, because the correct answers are out there and judgments should be made to the best of one's ability.
(End videotape.)
The odd-ness continues...?
MS. WASHBURN: So this next set of questions is entirely about character and leadership.
Mayor Giuliani, your administration in New York has been accused of handling your security expenses in a way that obscured public disclosure. What specifically will you promise to do to ensure that a Giuliani White House is open with information that might be inconvenient to explain to the public?
Mayor Giuliani, your administration in New York has been accused of handling your security expenses in a way that obscured public disclosure. What specifically will you promise to do to ensure that a Giuliani White House is open with information that might be inconvenient to explain to the public?
MR. GIULIANI: The reality is that all that information --
MS. WASHBURN: Thirty seconds, please.
MR. GIULIANI: The reality is that all that information was available and known to people, known six years ago. And I would make sure that government was transparent. My government in New York City was so transparent that they knew every single thing I did almost every time I did it. (Chuckles.) So I would be extremely -- (laughter) -- I would be extremely open.
I'm used to it. I'm used to being analyzed. I haven't had a perfect life. I wish I had. And I do the best that I can to learn from my mistakes. But as far as, you know, open, transparent government, I think I've had both an open, transparent government and an open, transparent life, and it allows you to lead, then, with honesty and truth.
MS. WASHBURN: So are there things you could have done in this situation that would have been more open and not raise these concerns about obscuring public --
MR. GIULIANI: No. the reality is that this was a bookkeeping practice.
The way it was done actually made it more available to Freedom of Information Act requests. Had it been done just in the police department, nobody would have ever found it. And everything that was laid out a few weeks ago had been laid out six years ago, very well known. Some of the things that I wish, if I had lead a perfect life, would had happened differently, but it was all very well known.
And on the issue of transparency, I can't think of a public figure that's had a more transparent life than I've had.
MS. WASHBURN: Thirty seconds, please.
MR. GIULIANI: The reality is that all that information was available and known to people, known six years ago. And I would make sure that government was transparent. My government in New York City was so transparent that they knew every single thing I did almost every time I did it. (Chuckles.) So I would be extremely -- (laughter) -- I would be extremely open.
I'm used to it. I'm used to being analyzed. I haven't had a perfect life. I wish I had. And I do the best that I can to learn from my mistakes. But as far as, you know, open, transparent government, I think I've had both an open, transparent government and an open, transparent life, and it allows you to lead, then, with honesty and truth.
MS. WASHBURN: So are there things you could have done in this situation that would have been more open and not raise these concerns about obscuring public --
MR. GIULIANI: No. the reality is that this was a bookkeeping practice.
The way it was done actually made it more available to Freedom of Information Act requests. Had it been done just in the police department, nobody would have ever found it. And everything that was laid out a few weeks ago had been laid out six years ago, very well known. Some of the things that I wish, if I had lead a perfect life, would had happened differently, but it was all very well known.
And on the issue of transparency, I can't think of a public figure that's had a more transparent life than I've had.
Solid answer to a charged question.
MS. WASHBURN: Mr. Keyes, how would you guarantee an open White House?
MR. KEYES: I think the most important thing is to be absolutely authentic about who you are, not to say things today that contradict what you were two years ago, like, sadly, Governor Romney. Not to take a stand on the most important principle that faces our nation today, the question of whether we are all created equal and endowed by our creator -- not the Constitution, but our God -- with our unalienable rights from the womb to the tomb, and not to abandon the heritage of the Republican Party as Rudy Giuliani would do and as I could not follow him in doing, so I would not support him if he were nominated.
And finally, I think it would be important to do what I'm doing in my campaign. We have three phone calls every week. People from all over the country gather online to talk to me, to interact --
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. KEYES: -- state their views. We have technologies now that allow people directly to communicate to their leadership --
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. KEYES: -- and I would make creative use of those technologies.
MR. KEYES: I think the most important thing is to be absolutely authentic about who you are, not to say things today that contradict what you were two years ago, like, sadly, Governor Romney. Not to take a stand on the most important principle that faces our nation today, the question of whether we are all created equal and endowed by our creator -- not the Constitution, but our God -- with our unalienable rights from the womb to the tomb, and not to abandon the heritage of the Republican Party as Rudy Giuliani would do and as I could not follow him in doing, so I would not support him if he were nominated.
And finally, I think it would be important to do what I'm doing in my campaign. We have three phone calls every week. People from all over the country gather online to talk to me, to interact --
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. KEYES: -- state their views. We have technologies now that allow people directly to communicate to their leadership --
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. KEYES: -- and I would make creative use of those technologies.
Give it a rest. Utterly non-unique "allegations" everyone is already aware of.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Romney, would you like to respond?
MR. ROMNEY: I'm not sure. (Laughs, laughter.)
MS. WASHBURN: It's entirely up to you. (Laughter, applause.)
MR. ROMNEY: This audience and the whole nation has heard time and time again the fact that I was effectively pro-choice when I ran for office. When I became governor of Massachusetts, the first time a bill came to my life that dealt with life, I simply could not side with -- with taking a life, and I came on the side of life. Every bill that came to my desk, every issue that related to protecting the sanctity of life, I came down on the side of life. I'm pro-life. I'm not going to apologize for becoming pro-life. Ronald Reagan followed the same course, as did Henry Hyde and George Herbert Walker Bush. And I'm proud to be pro-life.
Thank you.
MS. WASHBURN: It's entirely up to you. (Laughter, applause.)
MR. ROMNEY: This audience and the whole nation has heard time and time again the fact that I was effectively pro-choice when I ran for office. When I became governor of Massachusetts, the first time a bill came to my life that dealt with life, I simply could not side with -- with taking a life, and I came on the side of life. Every bill that came to my desk, every issue that related to protecting the sanctity of life, I came down on the side of life. I'm pro-life. I'm not going to apologize for becoming pro-life. Ronald Reagan followed the same course, as did Henry Hyde and George Herbert Walker Bush. And I'm proud to be pro-life.
Thank you.
Pro-life now? Yes but also no. And the change here really just does still feel a little too expedient to me.
MS. WASHBURN: Mayor Giuliani, would you like to respond?
MR. GIULIANI: I think I've explained my position on abortion, which is that I oppose it, but I believe that ultimately the government should leave that decision to a woman and her conscience. I would like to see limitations on abortion. I brought those about in New York City. We reduced abortions. We increased adoptions by 135 percent. But ultimately, it's a position that I thought out a long time ago. For me it's a position on conscience, and it's a position that, in spite of the fact that Alan wouldn't vote for me, I'm not going to change. (Laughter.)
It will cost you my vote (for sure in the primary anyway) too, Rudy. You hold a position that makes absolutely no sense.
MS. WASHBURN: Senator Thompson -- (applause) -- Senator Thompson, you've expressed doubts that the recent report on Iran's nuclear capabilities is accurate. As president, how would you decide when to disagree with available intelligence, and then what would you do?
MR. THOMPSON: Well, that's probably the most important question that's been asked today.
We have a real problem with our intelligence community. It, along with certain parts of our military, were neglected for a long, long time in this country, and we're paying the price for it now. The fact is that nobody has any real confidence in the result that they're getting. The result you're talking about was directly contradicted by their strong beliefs just two years ago. So you've got to rebuild from the bottom up.
I think that, in the meantime, we have to rely on other people. The British are helpful to us. The Israelis sometimes are helpful to us.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. THOMPSON: In many respects, they have advancements that we don't have in terms of our intelligence capabilities. But the president cannot let --
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. THOMPSON: -- a piece of paper by a bureaucrat determine -- solely determine what his actions must be.
We have a real problem with our intelligence community. It, along with certain parts of our military, were neglected for a long, long time in this country, and we're paying the price for it now. The fact is that nobody has any real confidence in the result that they're getting. The result you're talking about was directly contradicted by their strong beliefs just two years ago. So you've got to rebuild from the bottom up.
I think that, in the meantime, we have to rely on other people. The British are helpful to us. The Israelis sometimes are helpful to us.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. THOMPSON: In many respects, they have advancements that we don't have in terms of our intelligence capabilities. But the president cannot let --
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. THOMPSON: -- a piece of paper by a bureaucrat determine -- solely determine what his actions must be.
MS. WASHBURN: Okay, thank you.
We're going to have to move on. Let's watch the next videos.
MR. HUCKABEE: (From videotape.) If a person says, I'm a person of faith, but I don't let it influence me and I don't talk about it, what they just told me is that their faith is so immaterial, insignificant and inconsequential that it really isn't a faith at all.
If it's a faith, it will drive their judgment, it will drive their value system, and therefore, it'll help define them. It's ludicrous to say that I have faith, but it doesn't impact me at all.
We're going to have to move on. Let's watch the next videos.
MR. HUCKABEE: (From videotape.) If a person says, I'm a person of faith, but I don't let it influence me and I don't talk about it, what they just told me is that their faith is so immaterial, insignificant and inconsequential that it really isn't a faith at all.
If it's a faith, it will drive their judgment, it will drive their value system, and therefore, it'll help define them. It's ludicrous to say that I have faith, but it doesn't impact me at all.
I find this videos kinda goofy, and was going to just sort of ignore them, but I really like what Huck just said in his about faith that means something.
SEN. MCCAIN: (From videotape.) I think the hardest thing in this age of struggle against radical Islamic extremism is balancing the rights of everyone's privacy plus our ability to combat this great evil of radical Islamic extremism, and that's why I think that there has to be the participation of the courts, the legislature, the executive branch and the American people to what measures we take.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Huckabee, you are distinguishing yourself from other candidates by focusing on faith. You say your faith doesn't just influence you, that it defines you. A person who chooses you for president, then, would expect that to translate to public policy. So give me two examples you've not previously given -- one in health care and one in education -- where your faith would define change you want to see in policy.
MR. HUCKABEE: The two overriding principles are you treat others as you wish to be treated. As it relates in health care, that means that we recognize that a person who is sick shouldn't be treated differently because they're in poverty than a person who has extraordinary wealth; that we have some sense of balance in how we approach that. That's the essence of what America is about.
The second basic principle is that inasmuch as you've done it to the least of these, my brethren, you've done it unto me. As it relates to both health, education or any policy, what it really means is that you go back to what the Founding Fathers said, all of us are created equal, endowed by our Creator with those rights -- life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
MS. WASHBURN: But two specific changes in policy.
MR. HUCKABEE: Well, I think I just tried to give them to you, both in education -- that everyone has an opportunity -- you give education and health care, that you don't have some that are more equal than others.
So there has to be a sense in which you have opportunity, whether it's through choice in charter schools, in the education field, you have a curriculum that touches every child, not just a few; and in health care you don't have a health care system, like Congress has, that is incredibly almost platinum, but there are a lot of Americans who can't even go to the doctor and find out if they're critically ill --
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. HUCKABEE: -- or if they have (a terminal disease ?).
The second basic principle is that inasmuch as you've done it to the least of these, my brethren, you've done it unto me. As it relates to both health, education or any policy, what it really means is that you go back to what the Founding Fathers said, all of us are created equal, endowed by our Creator with those rights -- life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
MS. WASHBURN: But two specific changes in policy.
MR. HUCKABEE: Well, I think I just tried to give them to you, both in education -- that everyone has an opportunity -- you give education and health care, that you don't have some that are more equal than others.
So there has to be a sense in which you have opportunity, whether it's through choice in charter schools, in the education field, you have a curriculum that touches every child, not just a few; and in health care you don't have a health care system, like Congress has, that is incredibly almost platinum, but there are a lot of Americans who can't even go to the doctor and find out if they're critically ill --
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. HUCKABEE: -- or if they have (a terminal disease ?).
Not overly inspiring, but as an evangelical, this sounds good by me, and I think should have broad appeal to Americans of whatever faith.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Governor Romney, as you look at the most pressing problems facing our country and the best opportunities to effect change in the next four years, do you think it's more important for the next president to be a fiscal conservative or a social conservative?
Governor Romney, as you look at the most pressing problems facing our country and the best opportunities to effect change in the next four years, do you think it's more important for the next president to be a fiscal conservative or a social conservative?
MR. ROMNEY: I think it's incredibly important that he be a conservative. And I'm going to build on the same foundation Ronald Reagan built. We're not going to get the White House nor strengthen America unless we can pull together the coalition of conservatives and conservative thought that has made us successful as a party. And that's social conservatives, it's also economic conservatives, and foreign policy and defense conservatives. Those three together form the three legs of the Republican stool that allowed Ronald Reagan to get elected and allowed our party to have strength over the last several decades.
And I'm going to continue to draw, as many of the states try and do, upon those strengths and to build America by virtue of those conservative principles.
MS. WASHBURN: Okay.
MR. ROMNEY: Whether in health care, education, defense, spending, entitlement reform, you name it, conservative principles work.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. ROMNEY: They've been tested time and again, and they'll keep working.
And I'm going to continue to draw, as many of the states try and do, upon those strengths and to build America by virtue of those conservative principles.
MS. WASHBURN: Okay.
MR. ROMNEY: Whether in health care, education, defense, spending, entitlement reform, you name it, conservative principles work.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. ROMNEY: They've been tested time and again, and they'll keep working.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Congressman Hunter, same question.
Congressman Hunter, same question.
REP. HUNTER: Repeat the question. I was lost in Governor Romney's explanation.
MS. WASHBURN: Do you think it --
REP. HUNTER: I thought it was quite good, though. (Laughter.)
MS. WASHBURN: Do you think it's more important for the next president to be a fiscal conservative or a social conservative?
REP. HUNTER: I think -- I think they both go to the core of this country, because you have to keep the economy running, you've got to keep the wheels turning, and of course the -- the heart of our country is -- is this idea that -- that -- that human beings have value, that they are given these inalienable rights that have been described by my friend. So those are two very important things.
But one thing that's extremely important that Governor Romney didn't touch on is this: we also, in being conservative, having a conservative leader -- part of that means not sending technology to our adversaries. And that's going to be the big threat of this next 15, 20 years.
Governor Romney's corporation that he founded, the Bain Capital Corporation --
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
REP. HUNTER: -- has joined up with a -- with a Chinese corporation to -- to buy an American defense contractor.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
REP. HUNTER: I think that is a mistake, and that's a defense contractor that did business with Saddam Hussein and with the Taliban.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you, Congressman.
REP. HUNTER: So that, I think, is a very important part of conservative leadership.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you, Congressman.
REP. HUNTER: And thank you.
MS. WASHBURN: Do you think it --
REP. HUNTER: I thought it was quite good, though. (Laughter.)
MS. WASHBURN: Do you think it's more important for the next president to be a fiscal conservative or a social conservative?
REP. HUNTER: I think -- I think they both go to the core of this country, because you have to keep the economy running, you've got to keep the wheels turning, and of course the -- the heart of our country is -- is this idea that -- that -- that human beings have value, that they are given these inalienable rights that have been described by my friend. So those are two very important things.
But one thing that's extremely important that Governor Romney didn't touch on is this: we also, in being conservative, having a conservative leader -- part of that means not sending technology to our adversaries. And that's going to be the big threat of this next 15, 20 years.
Governor Romney's corporation that he founded, the Bain Capital Corporation --
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
REP. HUNTER: -- has joined up with a -- with a Chinese corporation to -- to buy an American defense contractor.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
REP. HUNTER: I think that is a mistake, and that's a defense contractor that did business with Saddam Hussein and with the Taliban.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you, Congressman.
REP. HUNTER: So that, I think, is a very important part of conservative leadership.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you, Congressman.
REP. HUNTER: And thank you.
Oh brother.
MS. WASHBURN: We're going to look at the last video.
MR. : Okay.
MR. : Okay.
MR. ROMNEY: (From videotape.) I think we're better off by strictly following the Constitution as it existed and it was brought forward, and if we think there's a need for a new right, then going to the people or their elected representatives to establish that right, rather than having judges from their own heart or their own mind establishing new rights and new laws. It's not for judges to legislate or to create a new Constitution. That's something that only the people and their elected representatives should be able to do.
REP. TANCREDO: (From videotape.) There are two sides to your human component, you know. One is the God-filled side. One is the human side. And there are things that feed either side, you know? And whichever you feed the most becomes the dominant side. And so you have to kind of concentrate on feeding the good side, or else you will lose control over it.
MR. THOMPSON: (From videotape.) The least we can do is look at our social policies, and not just be concerned about the consuming of what's before us in the short view but what's best for the overall country, what's best for the future generations of this nation. And are we going to leave this place a better place than when we came into it? To me, that's real patriotism.
REP. TANCREDO: (From videotape.) There are two sides to your human component, you know. One is the God-filled side. One is the human side. And there are things that feed either side, you know? And whichever you feed the most becomes the dominant side. And so you have to kind of concentrate on feeding the good side, or else you will lose control over it.
MR. THOMPSON: (From videotape.) The least we can do is look at our social policies, and not just be concerned about the consuming of what's before us in the short view but what's best for the overall country, what's best for the future generations of this nation. And are we going to leave this place a better place than when we came into it? To me, that's real patriotism.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Tancredo, your foreign policy positions, on your campaign website, consist of five sentences on Iraq. What assures Americans you're ready to lead our foreign policy?
REP. TANCREDO: Because the issue, of course, as I mentioned earlier, it's just a battle going on in Iraq. The major battle is, of course, this clash of civilizations. I believe that the whole idea and the whole debate can be narrowed to a relatively small area, on my website or anyplace else, and that is this.
We cannot leave Iraq.
We are committed there and will be for a long time, and that doesn't -- I don't care who's elected president. That's the reality of the situation.
We can, however, stop, in fact, being the police force in Iraq. We are doing it; we are moving in exactly the direction that my website, the statement, anticipates.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
REP. TANCREDO: What more do I have to say? We're getting it done.
We cannot leave Iraq.
We are committed there and will be for a long time, and that doesn't -- I don't care who's elected president. That's the reality of the situation.
We can, however, stop, in fact, being the police force in Iraq. We are doing it; we are moving in exactly the direction that my website, the statement, anticipates.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
REP. TANCREDO: What more do I have to say? We're getting it done.
Meh.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
Congressman Paul, your -- you call your campaign a revolution, and I think it's safe to say that your brand of change is one of the most sweeping proposed by any candidate of either party. But getting your agenda through Congress would likely require a revolution of an entirely different sort.
So how would you adjust your plan in light of political reality in Washington?
Congressman Paul, your -- you call your campaign a revolution, and I think it's safe to say that your brand of change is one of the most sweeping proposed by any candidate of either party. But getting your agenda through Congress would likely require a revolution of an entirely different sort.
So how would you adjust your plan in light of political reality in Washington?
REP. PAUL: Well, the secret is is the term "revolution" wasn't my word, and it didn't come up on our web page. It was coined by the supporters. But in a way, it is revolutionary to go back to the Constitution, and we'd like to continue the old revolution. And believe me, freedom is unifying; we bring a lot of people together. People then are free to choose what they would like to do with their lives, free to choose how they would spend their money, and all of a sudden, we would be telling other countries how to live.
MS. WASHBURN: So getting through Congress -- REP. PAUL: This brings people together. And I think it's appealing to both left and right and middle, and our campaign really has that appeal. So therefore, we would bring the Congress together.
MS. WASHBURN: So getting through Congress -- REP. PAUL: This brings people together. And I think it's appealing to both left and right and middle, and our campaign really has that appeal. So therefore, we would bring the Congress together.
I wish Ron Paul hadn't utterly ignored the question. This has been a consistent problem for him while he's been in office. Quoting Dale Franks from Q&O:
I think the other thing about Ron Paul I dislike is that, he personifies the old-school libertarian tendency to make the perfect the enemy of the good. As the Club for Growth details in his voting record, Mr. Paul has voted against free trade agreements, school vouchers, tort reform, and has—gasp!—even done a bit of nosing around at the pork trough. In each case, these votes have been made because Mr. Paul has in mind more perfectly libertarian solutions. And if we can't have them, then, to him, that means we get nothing. To him, some imperfect progress towards more freedom in these areas is worse than no progress at all.
MS. WASHBURN: Okay. Thank you.
Senator McCain, your reputation as a maverick has put you at odds with your own party leadership from time to time. Give us an example of a time you wished you had compromised to get something done instead of holding firm on your ideals.
Senator McCain, your reputation as a maverick has put you at odds with your own party leadership from time to time. Give us an example of a time you wished you had compromised to get something done instead of holding firm on your ideals.
SEN. MCCAIN: I cannot think of a time, and I hope that I could never think of a time, because I came to Washington because I had a set of principles and ideals. But at the same time, I have more legislative achievements than anybody on this -- on this stage by far.
I have joined together across the aisle on a number of pieces of legislation, many of them very important. I'm proud of my legislative record, of conserving my ideals and my conservative principles and getting things done in Washington. And I am proud of that and I will continue to hold to those ideals, but I will reach across the aisle to the Democrats, who --
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
SEN. MCCAIN: -- I have worked with, who know me, and we know we can work together for the good of this country.
I have joined together across the aisle on a number of pieces of legislation, many of them very important. I'm proud of my legislative record, of conserving my ideals and my conservative principles and getting things done in Washington. And I am proud of that and I will continue to hold to those ideals, but I will reach across the aisle to the Democrats, who --
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
SEN. MCCAIN: -- I have worked with, who know me, and we know we can work together for the good of this country.
Meh.
Question 16 - New Year's Resolutions
[#]MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
We're going to talk about New Year's resolutions. You have 15 seconds. We're going to start with Mr. Keyes and go this way. Please suggest a New Year's resolution for one of your opponents here today. (Laughter.)
We're going to talk about New Year's resolutions. You have 15 seconds. We're going to start with Mr. Keyes and go this way. Please suggest a New Year's resolution for one of your opponents here today. (Laughter.)
MR. KEYES: I think the most important New Year's resolution is the one I suggest to the American people: Resolve to return to your respect for the principle that makes us free, that we are all created equal and endowed by God with our unalienable rights.
MS. WASHBURN: Fifteen seconds, please. Senator McCain?
MS. WASHBURN: Fifteen seconds, please. Senator McCain?
Yay, I think this is his final turn to yap.
SEN. MCCAIN: Let's raise the level of dialogue and discussion and debate in this campaign. Let's not accuse each other of a lack of patriotism or a lack of character. There are differing views on differing issues. There are difference in qualifications. There are difference in experience.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Huckabee?
SEN. MCCAIN: But I think we should all be respectful of one another, and the American people, I think, will benefit from it.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Huckabee?
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Huckabee?
SEN. MCCAIN: But I think we should all be respectful of one another, and the American people, I think, will benefit from it.
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Huckabee?
I heartily concur.
MR. HUCKABEE: I'm going to be a lot more careful about everything I say, because I find that it gets amplified to a new level. So that's my resolution.
MS. WASHBURN: (Inaudible) -- resolution for an opponent.
MR. HUCKABEE: Well, I would make it of them, too. (Laughter, applause.)
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Romney.
MS. WASHBURN: (Inaudible) -- resolution for an opponent.
MR. HUCKABEE: Well, I would make it of them, too. (Laughter, applause.)
MS. WASHBURN: Governor Romney.
Ha.
MR. ROMNEY: Let's have a resolution amongst all of us that we'll have a spirited campaign, as we have, but we'll come together, come together real soon when this is resolved, and we will fight to make sure that one of the people on this stage is the next president of the United States -- not one of the people on that Democratic stage you've had more than once.
MS. WASHBURN: Senator Thompson.
MS. WASHBURN: Senator Thompson.
Well put, Mitt.
MR. THOMPSON: Yeah, well, it would be for myself, to try to be a better man, be strong, have faith, try to be a better husband and father.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman.
It's supposed to be for another candidate, but I can't criticize too much for a faith/husband/father resolution.
REP. TANCREDO: All sounds good, but you asked what we would do, what somebody else, we think, should do in terms of a resolution.
I have to say it, because you're leading the pack now, and congratulations to you, Governor. But I have to ask you, no, no, no, pointing right over there, right over there. (Laughter.)
MS. WASHBURN: Okay.
REP. TANCREDO: No, just a minute, you know, laughter does not count.
MS. WASHBURN: Okay, I've got to --
REP. TANCREDO: I have to ask you a question.
MS. WASHBURN: I have to keep moving.
REP. TANCREDO: And the question is, how are you going to convince America that you in fact changed your mind, on the issue of immigration, from when you were a governor? That's all I want to know.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Paul.
I have to say it, because you're leading the pack now, and congratulations to you, Governor. But I have to ask you, no, no, no, pointing right over there, right over there. (Laughter.)
MS. WASHBURN: Okay.
REP. TANCREDO: No, just a minute, you know, laughter does not count.
MS. WASHBURN: Okay, I've got to --
REP. TANCREDO: I have to ask you a question.
MS. WASHBURN: I have to keep moving.
REP. TANCREDO: And the question is, how are you going to convince America that you in fact changed your mind, on the issue of immigration, from when you were a governor? That's all I want to know.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Paul.
Meh.
REP. PAUL: My advice would be to reread the oath of office, take it seriously, obey the constitution. We can -- we are well defended against all enemies foreign. We should be much more careful about defending against the enemies domestic.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Hunter.
MS. WASHBURN: Congressman Hunter.
Classic Ron Paul. Start strong. Get crazy for the end.
REP. HUNTER: Yeah, to all my colleagues and, I think, to the American people, we've got lots of folks coming back from the Afghan and Iraqi theaters, lots of young people who need jobs. One thing we could do here, just a couple of weeks before Christmas, is buy American goods. And if we buy American goods, we may save the job of our neighbor or provide a job for that young serviceperson.
OK. One last time. Econ 101. Comparative advantage. Hunter: get a clue.
MR. GIULIANI: I would resolve to -- all of us to take a better look at America and realize how lucky we are, how fortunate we are, not to have this kind of pessimistic feeling that some have abroad in this land. America has accomplished great things. We've faced crises like this before.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. GIULIANI: We've always overcome them. A sense of optimism --
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. GIULIANI: -- is the thing I would wish for.
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. GIULIANI: We've always overcome them. A sense of optimism --
MS. WASHBURN: Thank you.
MR. GIULIANI: -- is the thing I would wish for.
Yay! America! :)
MS. WASHBURN: And we're out -- and we're out of time.
You can find out more about this debate at pbs.org and at DesMoinesRegister.com. And tomorrow at 1:00 we'll have our debate with the Democratic presidential candidates.
I want to thank all of the candidates for being here today, as well as our broadcast partner, Iowa Public Television, our studio audience, and everyone at home and at work. Happy holidays, everyone. (Applause.)
You can find out more about this debate at pbs.org and at DesMoinesRegister.com. And tomorrow at 1:00 we'll have our debate with the Democratic presidential candidates.
I want to thank all of the candidates for being here today, as well as our broadcast partner, Iowa Public Television, our studio audience, and everyone at home and at work. Happy holidays, everyone. (Applause.)
2 comments:
I disagree with you on the National Debt.
The debt that is owed to other countries could really hurt us in the long run. If China really wanted to screw us, all they have to do is sell off the dollar and convert it into other currency. That would trash the value of the dollar and led to unprecedented inflation.
Also, the idea that we can just "not pay back" the debt would be met with international opposition on a massive economic scale. This could lead to heavy tariffs and barriers being put up against the US and destroy free trade. This would led to staggering inflation, good shortages, and a vast economic decline.
At a minimum, China's dictatorship could act unilaterally by blocking all trade. This would led to a huge trade problem with the US. Though China might be hurt worse, they have the political will to take the heat. The American people would not accept the heat...we're pansies. Just look at the Iraq war and why we're "losing."
Hey David.
It's been a while. Merry Christmas!
Also, I'm glad someone at least made it at least into question 1 of my longest blog post ever. It's farther than I expected anyone to get. :)
To your comment - please see my my new post on the topic.
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