What they’re saying about the debate?

From the CNN Political Ticker:

• “[T]he eight contenders shed some of the collegiality of their previous group appearances” at last night’s CNN/WMUR/Union Leader Democratic Presidential Debate, “and made direct challenges to the votes and positions of their opponents on matters ranging from healthcare to energy policy.” (Boston Globe)

• It was “a wide-ranging, often heated debate that promised to test their appeal among influential New Hampshire Primary voters.” (New Hampshire Union Leader)

• The event “brought the top three Democratic contenders into close proximity and gave them their first real chance to joust in public.” (Washington Post)

• In “one of several striking exchanges – arguably the sharpest of the Democratic campaign” – Obama said to Edwards, “The fact is that I opposed this war from the start. So you’re about four and a half years late on leadership on this issue.” (New York Times)

• “Clinton, standing between them, happily stayed out of the crossfire.” (New York Daily News)

Democratic Debate Rap Up

• Informed Voters has an excellent debate wrap up.
• The Wall Street Journal wraps up with a post on who spoke the most, Obama lead Hillary by 2 minutes 26 seconds.
• CNN has an interesting debate score card.

All in all, I found that the democrats said nothing surprising. Obama made sure that voters knew again that he never voted to authorize the war, Kucinich acted like he was a man of the people talking about restoring a sense of self in America.

They had an interesting discussion on the issue of English as an official language. I do not know how valid Hillary’s commit was that, if English were the official language the government could not provide ballots in another language or provide translators in hospitals. I think it should be the official language, and I know many on the liberal side will say most Americans can’t speak perfect English. I am not asking any one to speak English perfectly, but if you want to live in this country and make money in this country the least you can do is speak our language.

They also touched on the genocide in Darfur, they treaded very lightly on that issue. Not all the candidates took a firm stance on the issue.

Lastly they spoke about health care reform, and their “universal” health care plans. I agree that our country’s health care system needs to be reformed, I do not agree with universal health care for several reasons. First, like our current system a universal one will have several flaws. Second, America has some of the best doctors in their respective fields, going universal would force many of those doctors to leave this country because they are not going to be paid what they deserve for their hard work.

Live Blogging: Democratic Presidential Debate 13

On Mandatory Military Service

Sen. Gravel–We should have incentives for those who serve: every year you serve you get 4 years of free schooling.

Sen. Dodd–Against the draft!! I joined the peace corp because an American President asked my generation to.

What is the definition of rich, in terms of income level?

Sen. Obama--People making over $250,000 a year–I am talking about going back to the tax levels during President Clinton administration.

Live Blogging: Democratic Presidential Debate 12

Kucinich–Would you take out Osama Bin Laden if civilian may get in the way?–NO, I don’t believe in assassination politics!–Another Ron Paul moment!

Sen. Obama–Says he would take out Bin Laden as he is a credible military target and threat.

Would you take out Osama Bin Laden if civilian may get in the way?–Many raised hands, all jumped to make comments.

Sen. Clinton--Says her husband has already tried–I think she needs to stop referring to her husband and start taking more of her own positions in these debates

 Sen. Biden–Darfur–We can end this genocide but we must act now, and we should use military force to end the genocide in Darfur.

Gov. Richardson-Darfur–I would not use force to stop the genocide in Darfur–More UN Peace Keepers, more economic sanctions, we also need a foreign policy that will care about Africa.

 Sen. Dodd–Not participating in the Beijang Olympic Games if China does not help to stop the genocide in Darfurt–He says thats going to far!–I disagree.

Live Blogging: Democratic Presidential Debate 11

On Iran–How would you approach solving the Problem with Iran, would use force or diplomacy?

Sen. Clinton–Diplomacy is way overdue, we need a process of engagement, during the Cold War we talked to the Soviet Union. Patient diplomacy is what I will do, we have to make it clear that Iran having a nuclear weapon is not acceptable.

Hillary makes a joke–sending Dick Cheney is hardly diplomacy… 

Sen. Edwards–The Iranian people rally for America, their is pro-American sentiment in Iran. Their President is politically unpopular.  Economic threat, but we will not take any option off the table.

Sen. Biden-- I would do away with the policy of regime change. Understand how weak Iran is, they are a decade away from building an atomic bomb–How does he know this no one knows this fact?

Live Blogging: Democratic Presidential Debate 10

Questions from the audience:

Rebuilding the army after the war–Kucinich–This war has degraded our military and we should create a strong peace keeping force–Whats the difference?

Plan to rebuild the military–Cut Spending???–I don’t really understand his plan to fix the military by cutting spending.

Dodd–Applauds those who are serving–It is the principal responsibility to keep American safe and secure–however administration must use other option first before using the armed forces.

Why can’t veterans get care at hospitals of their choice? 

Sen. Obama–If they can’t access a VA hospital then they should be able to get health care any where.

Gov. Richardson–Provide VA Health Care card so that they can get care any where they choose.

Sen. Gravel--I am, personally satisfied with the VA care.

I think that Obama, needs to stop passing the blame of his short comings to the President.

Live Blogging: Democratic Presidential Debate 2

Different format for tonight–”No bells, No lights” according to Wolf Blitzer, no opening statements, one short scentence introductions–”I’m Wolf Blitzer and I’m with CNN.”

Is Pres. Bush’s anti-terror campaign a success?–Sen. Obama–Some have been successful however this war in Iraq has made us less safe. He continues to stand against the war, and has asserted that again.

Does the Bush administration deserve some credit for the lack of terrorist attacks on the U.S.? Sen. Obama–No!

Sen. Edwards–The “War on Terror” is a bumper sticker not a plan.

Sen. Clinton–I have seen what terrorism can do to a city, and we are not safe enough.

Sen. Kucinich–Patriot Act–It has undermined Civil Rights in this country, it is unconstitutional, Americans need to reconnect with our sense of self.

Live Blogging: Democratic Presidential Debate 1

Starting at 7 PM!

Blog The Vote-Candidates Statements on the Immigration Bill

Rudy Giuliani

“Rudy’s top priority and main objective is to ensure our borders are secure and to stop potential terrorists and criminals from coming in. The recent Fort Dix plot is a stark reminder that the threat of terrorism has made immigration an important matter of national security. We need to know who is coming in and who is going out of this country if we are going to deal with those who are here illegally.”

John McCain

“The American people expect us to work in a bipartisan fashion to resolve compelling issues that affect our nation.

This is the first step, an important step, in moving forward with comprehensive overall immigration reform. Not only will this legislation finally accomplish the extraordinary goal of securing our borders, but it will also enhance interior enforcement and will put employers on notice that the practice of hiring illegal workers will no longer be tolerated. Before we can look at any program to deal with the undocumented workers currently in the U.S., or future workers wishing to enter, we must meet certain enforcement and security triggers that will let everyone know that we are serious about enforcing our laws and we’re not going to repeat the 1986 amnesty.

Senator Isakson, long ago, had a proposal that we had to take certain steps in order to make sure the American people know that our border enforcement is as complete as much as possible before we move forward with other issues…This is the first step. We can and must complete this legislation sooner rather than later. We all know that this issue can be caught up in extracurricular politics unless we move forward as quickly as possible.

This is a product of a long, hard trail of negotiation and I’m sure that there are certain provisions that each of us would not agree with. This is what the legislative process is all about; this is what bipartisanship is about, when there’s a requirement for this nation and its security that transcends party lines. I’m proud to have been a small part of it.”

Hillary Clinton

“This afternoon, a bipartisan group of Senators, who have been working closely in conjunction with the Administration, announced that they had reached an agreement on a comprehensive approach for reforming our broken immigration system.

“As I have long maintained, comprehensive immigration reform must have as essential ingredients a strengthening of our borders, greater cross-cooperation with our neighbors, strict but fair enforcement of our laws, federal assistance to our state and local governments, strict penalties for those who exploit undocumented workers, and a path to earned legal status for those who are here, working hard, paying taxes, respecting the law, and willing to meet a high bar. In particular, we must also ensure that any bill protects the sanctity of families and does not lead to the creation of a new underclass in our country.

“I will scrutinize carefully the proposed compromise to see if it honors our nation’s principles and proud immigrant heritage while also respecting the rule of law.”

These are the only statements I have been able to find thus far, I will continue to search and post them as I find more.