The Las Vegas Democratic Debate

I viewed the Las Vegas Democratic debates on November 15^th. Here are a few responses to questions to the candidates for President without all the caveats and political double talk used to provide both a "yes" and "no" answer to a question and then be able to subsequently argue the issue both ways depending on their audience. Basically, I tried to determine their answers to four questions and then compare them. In doing the research, I found most of the candidates flip-flopped on at least one issue or really don't want to answer the question with specifics.

Do you support drivers licenses for illegal immigrants?

When they conflict - are human rights more important than American national security?

Is General David Petraeus correct when he says that the troop increase is bringing security to Iraq?

Was NAFTA a mistake?

These questions have been the subject of continued discussion. How do you feel about them and how do your thoughts match up with the Democratic candidates? Do their answers or actions match your thinking?

Question: Do you support drivers licenses for illegal immigrants?

Clinton - "No"

Biden - "No"

Obama - "Yes"

Richardson - "Yes"

Edwards - "-- and what I will do as president of the United States is move this country toward comprehensive immigration reform and anyone who's on the path to earning American citizenship should be able to have a drivers license." One has to believe that is a yes.

Kucinich - "I take issue with your description of people being illegal immigrants. There aren't any illegal human beings; that's number one. Number two, they're undocumented." One has to believe that is a yes.

Dodd - "No"

Question: When they conflict - are human rights more important than American national security?

Clinton - "No"

Biden - No

Obama - non-answer

Richardson - "Yes"

Edwards - a skillful non-answer

Kucinich - (not provided opportunity to respond)

Dodd - "you promise to do two things, and that is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and protect our country against enemies both foreign and domestic. The security of the country is number one, obviously, yes, all right?"

Question: Is General David Petraeus correct when he says that the troop increase is bringing security to Iraq?

Clinton - (was not asked to respond)

Biden - (was not asked to respond, but has been extremely critical of Patraeus in the past)

Obama - No

Richardson - No

Edwards - In April, Edwards said that the war has already cost this country more than $500 billion. He also said President Bush's plan to increase troop levels won't work.

Kucinich - "No"

Dodd - (was not asked to respond)

Question: "Was NAFTA a mistake?"

Clinton - Yes

Biden - did not answer, but voted for it in the Senate and subsequently suggested it was a bad idea

Obama - No

Richardson - no answer, but has been a strong supporter in the past. Difficult to determine position now.

Edwards - Yes. Speaking to union carpenters in Las Vegas earlier this year, Edwards described the North American Free Trade Agreement as a "blow to the middle class".

Kucinich - Yes

Dodd - In a previous town hall meeting in Iowa, Senator Dodd admitted voting for NAFTA but said he learned his lesson. He said that as President he will never sign a trade bill that doesn't benefit working people.

Commentary:

It seems that the majority of the American public clearly does not want illegal aliens to have driver licenses. Are the candidates that are ok with it listening to the people?

American security is the number one job of the President of the United States. As much as one would like others across the globe to enjoy freedom and basic human rights, it is hard to imagine that it is more important than American security.

One would have to be deaf and blind not to see that the surge is working and the safety and security of Iraqis has improved dramatically. A rational individual would then have to see if this change will impact the political process in Iraq. Sadly, many politicians have been so critical of the US in Iraq, that any sign of success might be threatening to their careers.

NAFTA is good for consumers as it drives prices down. Not so good for trade unions. It depends on where you work and what you do.