Republican Debate December 12...

Republican Iowa Debate Live Coverage

3:21 PM: New Year's Resolutions

  • Please suggest a New Year's Resolution for an opponent.
    • Keyes: "We are all created equal."
    • McCain: Raise the level of dialogue and discussion, and not accuse one another of a lack of patriotism.
    • Huckabee: Be careful of everything you say.
    • Romney: A spirited campaign that comes together when a nominee is chosen.
    • Thompson: His resolution is for himself, to try to be a better man - to be strong and have faith.
    • Tancredo: To Romney, "how will you convince America that you have changed your mind on immigration?"
    • Paul: Re-read the oath of office and the Constitution.
    • Hunter: Buy American goods.
    • Giuliani: Take another look at America and give thanks for our accomplishments.

3:06 PM: Values Videos and Leadership Questions

  • Giuliani Video: Went around Iowa to hear what the people had to say.
  • Hunter Video: "Legislation is a function of compromise."
  • Paul Video: Spends a lot of time seeking out hard-to-find information. We need correct answers and analysis.
  • To Giuliani: What will you promise to do to ensure that a Giuliani White House is open with information?
    • Response: Need transparent government. Discusses the openness of his administration as New York City mayor. "I do the best that I can to learn from my mistakes." Responds briefly to the bookkeeping scandal.
  • To Keyes: What would you do to promote transparency?
    • Response: Not abandon the heritage of the Republican Party. References Romney's "flip-flopping" on abortion. Discusses his campaign tactic of discussing opinions on open Internet forums.
    • Romney response: Not sure if he wants to respond (joking). Says he always came down on the side of life, and has become pro-life during his life, like Ronald Reagan did over time.
    • Giuliani response: Opposes abortion but feels that the government should leave that decision "to a woman and her conscience." Wants programs to help limit abortion.
  • To Thompson: When would you disagree with available intelligence and what would you do?
    • Response: We have a real problem with our intelligence community because of neglect. Nobody has real confidence in results of intelligence queries. Wants to rely on allies for intelligence more.
  • Huckabee Video: People of faith must discuss their faith. Otherwise, it's "inconsequential." His faith helps define him.
  • McCain Video: In the struggle against radical extremists, we must balance concerns about privacy with the need to combat "this evil." Requires participation of executive, courts, legislative branch and the American people.
  • To Huckabee: Two examples not previously given where faith would define policy change.
    • Response: A person who is sick shouldn't be treated differently because of their poverty. Quotes Bible: "As you do unto the least of my bretheren, so you do to me."
  • To Romney and Hunter: Is it more important that the next president be a fiscal conservative or a social conservative?
    • Romney Response: Build on the foundation of Ronald Reagan, pulling together a coalition of conservatives.
    • Hunter Response: Both go to the core of this country. You have to keep the economy running and remember the inalienable rights that apply to all citizens. Part of being conservative, as well, is in not sending useful technology to other nations.
  • Romney Video: "We're better off strictly following the Constitution." Go to the people if there's a need for a new right.
  • Tancredo Video: Wants to feed "the good side" so as not to lose control.
  • Thompson Video: Doesn't want to take the short view, but focus on what's best for future generations. "That's real patriotism."
  • To Tancredo: What assures Americans you're ready to lead our foreign policy?
    • Response: Iraq is just a battle. We're in the midst of a clash of civilizations. Whole debate boils down to this: "We can't leave Iraq...I don't care who's elected president. We can stop being a police force in Iraq."
  • To Paul: Your brand of change is one of the most sweeping...How can you balance your plans in light of political reality in Washington?
    • Response: The term "revolution" was coined by his supporters. Wants to continue the old revolution by returning to the Constitution. Unifies a lot of individuals based on common beliefs. Freedom appeals to all sides.
  • To McCain: Give us an example of a time you wished you had compromised.
    • Response: "I can not think of a time." Came to Washington to defend his principles and ideals, and this has not hurt his record of legislation and achievements. "I'm proud of my legislative record, preserving my conservative ideals and principles." Insists that he can reach across the aisle as well.

3:03 PM: Romney, Keyes and Giuliani Free Statements

    • Romney: Thanks the people of Iowa. "I'll make sure we keep good jobs." Improve schools. Wants to preserve our values.
    • Keyes: Need to restore the credibility of the Republican Party, that has been destroyed by a betrayal of limited government principles and an insecure border. "Join the political army of America's revival" at his website, AlanKeyes.com. An active people are needed.
    • Giuliani: Experience with optimistic, bold leadership during times of crisis.

2:55 PM: Question #12

  • What could you realistically do in your first year as President?
    • Giuliani: Secure the country against Islamic terrorism and illegal immigration.
    • Hunter: Strengthen the border, strengthen the military, return the industrial base to America.
    • Paul: No more preemptive war and no threats made towards other countries. (He explicitly mentions Iran as a country he would approach in a diplomatic, non-aggressive manner.) Steps towards peace.
    • Tancredo: Explain that a "battle" is happening in Iraq, part of a larger war on Terrorism and Fundamentalist Islam.
    • Thompson: Tell the American people the truth to establish credibility, that we haven't come to terms with the threats that we face. "We're bankrupting the next generation, and no one even wants to talk about it." Stop judges from setting social policy. Collaborate with Congress or go over their head if they won't cooperate.
    • Romney: "Strategy to help us overwhelm global jihad." End illegal immigration, growth in entitlements, and reduce tax burden on middle-income families. Health insurance for every citizen in America. (He feels this will all take four years.)
    • Huckabee: First priority is to unite the nation and end partisan polarization. "We've got to be the united people of the United States."
    • McCain: First obligation is to make America safe. "This is a military, diplomatic, intelligence and cyberspace challenge." Wants to restore trust and confidence in the government.
    • Keyes: Restore the moral sovereignty of the American people. Would sign an executive order prohibiting abortion. Cant respect citizens if you're "killing them in the womb." Abolish the income tax and seal the border.

2:46 PM: Question #11

  • Does the federal government need to exercise more influence over educational standards?
    • Romney: Approves of No Child Left Behind program and increased testing. Standards are key. Wants higher pay for better teachers. More parental involvement.
    • Huckabee: Education is a state issue, not a federal issue. Doesn't want to shift burden to federal government. Role of the federal government is to institute best practices from successful states in less successful states. "Personalize the learning for the student." "Unleash Weapons of Mass Instruction."
    • Keyes: Upset that he doesn't get a full minute to discuss education as opposed to 30 seconds. The major problem in American education today is the lack of God in our schools. Hurts the nation's moral foundation.
  • What is the biggest obstacle standing in the way of education?
    • Paul: Doubling the size of the Department of Education with NCLB was a mistake. "We need to look to our local resources." Wants to give tax credits to raise teacher salaries and encourage homeschooling.
    • Thompson: The biggest problem is the NEA, which spends taxpayer dollars fighting individual choice. "We're a nation of freedom and innovation and choice."
    • Tancredo: Can't be against government intervention and insist on what we should teach in schools. (Directed at Huckabee's sentiments.)
    • Huckabee Responds: Defends his education record as a governor and endorses once again collaboration between states. Governors will use information about what works in education.
    • Romney Responds: Defends his own education record as governor.

2:42 PM: Question #10

  • What educational standards does the U.S. need to adopt and improve in order to compete globally?
    • McCain: "We need more choice and more competition...We need more charter schools. We need vouchers...We need homeschooling if people want that."
    • Giuliani: "I'm here because of the educational choices my parents made. That's the place where the decision should be made." Wants to model K-12 like higher education - more choice and competition.
    • Hunter: References Jaime Escalante, the real teacher depicted in the film Stand and Deliver. Take away credentialing of teachers and let private citizens come in and inspire young people.

2:40 PM: Tancredo and Huckabee Free Statements

    • Tancredo: Unlimited immigration is a problem, but when it happens without assimilation, it becomes a catastrophe.
    • Huckabee: People are looking for change and leadership, not a ruling class.

2:37 PM: Question #9

  • Do you support biofuel mandates, even if it drives up the cost of feed for livestock or forces people to buy flex fuel vehicles?
    • Huckabee: We are stewards of the Earth and caretakers. Climate change is less important than taking care of this planet generally. Wants the government to start using more alternative energy.
    • Hunter: Instead of mandates, wants to use incentives. "Ethanol's not the greatest thing in show business," as it requires energy to create.
    • Tancredo: Doesn't believe in mandates. Wants to let the market figure it out.

2:32 PM: Question #8

  • How many of you believe global climate change is a serious threat facing the world today? (By show of hands)
    • Thompson refuses to participate in a show of hands.
    • McCain: Believes climate change is real. He's been focused on this issue since the year 2000. "Suppose that climate change is not real and all we do is adopt green technologies...All we've done is given our kids a cleaner world."
    • Giuliani: Agrees with McCain. Best way to deal with it is energy independence.
    • Romney: Getting off of foreign oil helps our economy and reduces CO2 emissions.
    • Keyes: He represents the people "they don't let you hear from." He says he's in favor of reducing global warming, and the most important emission to control is politician's hot air.

2:28 PM: Question #7

  • What specific changes should be made to NAFTA?
    • Giuliani: It should be enforced. NAFTA is working. "America is a country of entrepreneurs, dreamers, traders."
    • Thompson: NAFTA has been as good to us as Mexico. It's a long, complex document. "I have nothing in particular to point out."
    • Tancredo: "NAFTA has been a disaster for a lot of places, especially Mexico." If NAFTA had worked, we wouldn't still have immigration problems.
    • Hunter: NAFTA created a massive trade loss.

2:31 PM: Paul and Thompson Free Statements

    • Paul: The Constitution was meant to allow the people to control their government, but instead it's used by the government to control the people.
    • Thompson: National security is the most important issue. "I know the world we live in. I know what to do. It will require strong leadership...Who do you want sitting on our side of the table representing you?"

2:27 PM: Question #6

  • Should we alter trade policies with countries that violate human rights?
    • McCain: "I would open every market in the world...I'm the biggest free-marketer and free-trader you will ever see."

2:23 PM: McCain and Hunter Free Statements

  • McCain: "I've been involved in every major national security issue of our time. That kind of experience is what has given me judgment." Called for the strategy that's succeeding now in Iraq - meaning the Iraq Troop Surge.
  • Hunter: Strong national defense, enforceable borders and returning manufacturing jobs that have been outsourced. Discusses experience in military and the Armed Services Committee, along with his son's service.

2:24 PM: Question #5

  • What's your plan for keeping foreign markets open while protecting American jobs?
    • Paul: Change our attitude about Cuba and open those markets. Feels like the problems with the decreasing dollar hurts us overseas.
    • Romney: Invest in education and technology, and make sure the playing field around the world is level. Wants to renegotiate with China.
    • Huckabee: Put an end to "excessive taxation and excessive regulation." "I can't part the Red Sea, but I can part the red tape"

2:18 PM: Question #4

  • Who is paying an unfair share of taxes in comparison to everyone else?
    • Keyes: "We need to sacrifice incumbents who secure their positions with our money." Wants to limit government, reduce defecits.
    • McCain: "We need to reform the tax code. Nobody understands it, nobody trusts it..." Won't raise taxes.
    • Huckabee: Wants to institute a fair tax.
    • Romney: "I'm concerned about taxes that middle-class families are paying...We need to reduce the burden on middle-income families."
    • Thompson: Doesn't want to worry about taxes anymore (joking). "5% of Americans pay over half the income tax in this country..." Wants to preserve Bush's tax cuts.
    • Tancredo: We need a fair tax system rather than one that punishes productivity.
    • Paul: We need to reduce the cost of living.
    • Hunter: Opposes the massive cost of the IRS. Also wants a fair tax, or a flat tax.
    • Giuliani: Also wants a simpler tax code and reduced income tax, across the board. "Give the death penalty to the death tax."

2:14 PM: Question #3

  • Are there programs so important you would run a defecit to pay for them?
    • Romney: He feels there are too many programs and too much beaurocracy. 13 different programs to prevent teen pregnancy, we could cut that to one. Focus resources on things that have the biggest impact. "Let the programs that don't work go."
    • Tancredo: "Follow the Constitution of this country." Doesn't want the government to provide "womb-to-tomb" protection for citizens.
    • Thompson: Security, Research & Development and Infrastructure are important enough to run a defecit. Wants to strengthen entitlement programs to save money.

2:11 PM: Question #2

  • What sacrifices should we make to lower the country's debt?
    • Giuliani: "What we should be doing is restraining the amount of money Washington spends...The strength of America is not its central government..." Doesn't want universal health care, but wants to reduce the tax burden so people can provide their own health care.
    • Paul: No need for sacrifice. Cut foreign policy spending.
    • Huckabee: Focus on prevention for health care, and save money that way. No need for elaborate sacrifice.

2:05 PM: Question #1

  • Iowans wanted to discuss the economy and finances. Do you agree that our country's financial situation creates a security risk? Why or why not?
    • Giuliani: "I believe it's a major problem." He doesn't feel it has been properly addressed.
      • First, reduce government spending
      • Second, reduce taxes (corporate tax, death tax, etc.)
      • Feels it is a threat to economic security, not national security
    • Hunter: "Real loss that we have right now that is a threat to national security is the trade loss"
    • Paul: "It is a threat to national security." He feels we tax and spend too much, and we print too much currency. "We have lived beyond our means. We can't afford the foreign policy we have. We have to spend within our means."
    • Tancredo: Threat concerns the importation of oil. "We are supplying the funds to people in other countries that have a malicious intent as regards the United States."
    • Thompson: "We're bankrupting the next generation, without any question." He complains that we're squeezing military spending in favor of entitlements.
    • Romney: The overspending and over-promises made by Washington is a challenge, but the future is bright. "We need leadership in Washington that will reign in excessive spending."
    • Huckabee: The country needs to feed itself, fuel itself and fight for itself
    • McCain: Any nation that does not have economic strength will not have military strength. "We have got to achieve energy independence." Wants to fund a new Manhattan Project.
  • Keyes: "It's obviously a national security problem...It has to do with the freedom of our people." He wants to abolish the income tax and replace it with a fair tax

2:00 PM

  • Host Washburn introduces the candidates and discusses the rules

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