Howard University Dem Debate Thread II

QUESTION -- Still HIV/AIDS

GRAVEL:  War on drugs is the root cause of the scourge of HIV/AIDS.  End war on drugs "which is ravaging your community!"

CLINTON: If HIV/AIDS was the primary cause of death of young white women, it would be the biggest story in the USA.  Need to expand Ryan White, address all dimensions of the problem -- but we need to take it seriously before we can fix it.

BIDEN:  Says he's focusing on prevention.  Wants to get black men to understand that it's not unmanly to wear a condom.  He got tested for AIDS, Obama got tested -- everyone should get tested.  Educate!

(Al Sharpton did NOT like that answer!  Looked like he'd just eaten a lemon slice.)

OBAMA:  I got tested with my wife, not Biden!  (Much laffs from crowd)

Question:  Economic Disparity, Taxes, and Opportunity

EDWARDS:  Can't let genetic lottery dictate life.  Tax fairness.  Equalize cap gains and income taxes.

OBAMA:  No one really wanted tax cuts for rich -- let them lapse to pay for universal health care.  People want economic fairness.  Fortunate should make fair contribution.

FORBESGRAVEL:  SALES TAX! SALES TAX! SALES TAX!  I'M CRAZY!

DODD: Let's reward job-producers in manufacturing as part of our tax policy!  

BIDEN:  Wage earners shouldn't be paying more than the weathy.  Republican ideology, ideology of last couple years, is fundamentally wrong.

RICHARDSON:  Wow!!  Avoids saying that all other Democrats like to raise taxes.  It's a start.

Question: Crime and Punishment in black community

OBAMA:  Complicated question.  Lots of ins and outs, what have yous.

KUCINICH:  End mandatory minimums, end death penalty.

GRAVEL:  If you don't have money, you don't get justice.  Become lawmakers, people.

CLINTON:  Go after racial profiling, mandatory minimums.  More drug diversion programs.  Need a real AG.

BIDEN:  Need diversion, end crack/powder disparity.

RICHARDSON:  Fight crime with the earned income tax credit and unions.

EDWARDS:  Everything that's been said is correct -- and make sure that justice system is colorblind.  Work to give ex-cons a real second chance.

Q:  Federal law ensuring right to return to New Orleans based on UN standards?

KUCINICH:  Yes.  And New Orleanians should have a fair chance at jobs in rebuilding.

DODD:  Yes.  It's the least we can do.

HRC:  10 point plan to rebuild Gulf Coast.

BIDEN:  UN isn't necessary -- it's an American problem, and we need to guarantee reconstruction.

RICHARDSON:  Yes.  Endorses Rep. Waters' Katrina recovery act.  Need to make sure FEMA is directly under president.

EDWARDS:  Would make a high-level person in White House responsible solely for N.O. rebuilding.  Give N.O residents job opportunities.

OBAMA:  Agrees with Edwards, Kucinich on job opportunities.  Makes point that President needs to understand that people in NO were neglected prior to hurricane -- couldn't drive to hotel and check in when hurricane came.