The NPR Radio Debate is available on NPR's web site. No cameras. No audience. Only three big topics to be covered. (Note: Richardson is attending a funeral and is not present.)
Topic continues to be China.
And... we're back.
Question: Many candidates have talked tough about human rights in China, but trade always seems to win out over rights.
Biden: I've pushed that we hold China accountable at the UN, but we won't even hold them accountable. That's capitulation. We wouldn't allow any other country to get away with this.
Clinton: Agree with Joe. I've been to China and stood up for rights, but my speech was blocked. Chinese will respect us if we call them on their bad behavior. This administration has given neither smart enforcement or informed cooperation. (follow up on whether Clinton advised Bill after overseas trips). Yes, deeply involved.
Dodd: Praised the Dali Lama visit. We need to do more of that. Have to keep a balance. They have huge resources and we need to work with them.
Edwards: We hold the accountable in the WTO. Mills closing across the country because trade policy caters to big corporate interests. Need a policy that supports American jobs. We have not held China accountable, and that causes American families to struggle. (followup: do we want those low wage jobs back?) We've catered to corporate profits, not the interests of workers.
Obama: If China is manipulating their currency -- and they are -- we need to take strong action. Bush has shown no leadership. Chinese population needs to be clothed, fed, and advancing, not in China's interest to expand on just low-wage work. How do we improve conditions for all people?
Biden: If France or UK was acting like China, we'd be tough on them. Need a conference to rationalize currencies.
Clinton: Not a policy of confrontation. Operate from strength with a coherent policy.
Topic III: Immigration
Question: What obligations to citizens have when it comes to illegal immigrants? Should they turn them in?
Obama: We don't deputize the American people. Federal government needs to do it's job. Tougher enforcement for employers. Ordinary citizen doesn't know if someone is illegal or not. Criminalizing priests or doctors helping people in need is a mistake.
Question: Hiring a nanny. What should you do?
Dodd: Knowingly hiring an illegal immigration needs more penalties. Hatemongers trying to change the debate. Should be a welcoming people, but we have to control borders and immigration. CAFTA causes a race to bottom and causes more people to come to US.
Kucinich: Don't rely on vigilantism. That leads to Gitmo, etc. Economic refugees caused by NAFTA.
Question: Okay for a teacher to teach without confirming citizenship?
Clinton: Agree with everyone. Federal government at fault. Don't expect people to enforce the broken laws. Have government fulfill responsibilities. Demagogues want to turn every American into a suspicious vigilante. I reject that.
Biden: People providing a service is different than trying to hire someone at a low wage. Many illegals applying for his nanny job were from Ireland. 60% of illegals not Spanish-speaking. (followup: Pew says 56% from Mexico and 22% from other Latin America) My data is that 60% are not Latin American.
Dodd: recent arrivals are from Latin America, people who have been here longer, overstayed visa, etc. are more often not.
Edwards: Academic studies inclusive on whether illegals drive down wages. Illegal workers often abused because they don't dare complain. Loss of middle-class jobs driving down wages. We need to strengthen and grow the middle class (followup: what rights do immigrants have when working without papers?) Answer is comprehensive immigration reform. Enforce laws on employers. Federal government should ensure they're not abused.
Obama: Illegal immigrants can sometimes drive down wages. Hold employers accountable. Provide pathway, enforce border. Make sure they are protected, can join union.
Kucinich: Passage of NAFTA drove wages down. Wall Street speculation drives wages down. Everyone has to be accorded rights.
Gravel: Unemployment is low. We have to have people to fill jobs. We're playing to crazy nativists who are upset about anyone coming in since they got here. Making a mountain out of a molehill.
Question: Is there a contradiction in cracking down on employers while supporting workers?
Clinton: No. Stronger borders. Crack down on employers. Provide path to citizenship. Contentious debate is because the economy is not performing for average Americans. Many have given up looking for work. Voices saying "deport people" not realistic. Would take $200 billion people and tens of thousands of law enforcement.
Obama: Getting comprehensive reform will take some time -- and some leadership. We put together a package two years ago, passed it in the Senate.
Dodd: Failure of leadership by administration. Legal applicants all around the world. Extreme Republicans want this issue on the table because they don't want to talk about Iraq or health care.
Question: Do we need more H1-B visas?
Edwards: Why isn't America providing for these jobs? (followup: some say we are, but they can't compete with cheaper workers on H1-B) If there are American workers we should be training them. Underlying issue: are we making it easier for kids to go to college and take engineering, math, etc. If we don't, we can't compete.
Biden: Employers not doing their part. Illegal to hire offshore and undercut, but we're not enforcing. Woman who comes forward who has been beaten will be effectively prevented from being deported.
Question: Will you remove question about what language we speak when we call a government office?
Obama: No. There are Spanish-speaking US citizens.
Clinton: We need English as a common, unifying language. There are a lot of Americans who speak different languages. We do expect people who want to become legal to learn English.
Kucinich: I defeated English-Only proposal in Ohio. We shouldn't be insular and isolated. World is one.
Question: Immigration to change American culture?
Gravel: Of course it will. It always has, but it'll change it for the good.
Biden: And they'll speak English, like every other wave of immigrants.
Dodd: We need to talk more about languages and benefit from immigrants.
Obama: Next generation of children of Spanish speakers learn English. We have a broken legal immigration system.
Bonus topic: What do you think the toughest choice you haven't made up your mind on is?
Clinton: How are we going to repair our situation around the world.
Gravel: How to persuade American people they are the answer, not their leaders.
Obama: Climate change. Science shows it accelerating ever more quickly, we may need more drastic steps.
Dodd: Education is toughest issue. Convincing everyone of that is critical.
Biden: How to rationalize completion and trade policy.
Edwards: Who would be vice-president. Restoring power to people and taking it away from corporations.
Kucinich: Should Bush and Cheney be held accountable. I've been right all along on... everything. Ready to be president. Bush and Cheney should be impeached.
Clinton: How are we going to balance what we need to do in some very difficult economic times ahead with what we inherit from the Bush administration.
(That's all, folks.)
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