Edwards: mandatory minimums esp. for first offenses, drug courts, sentence disparity for crack vs. powder, rehab, training.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 08:16:34 PM EST

Starts by not answering, just saying should decrease disparities.

Says she has problems with retroactivity "on principal".

No follow up as to what principal.

All of the others say yes, retroactive (but could not hear Richardson.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 08:18:58 PM EST

Dodd -- yes. Better for people and the financiers. Blames lack of regs. Notes three times people of color "lured in" to subprime lending even though they qualified for regular lending.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 08:21:08 PM EST

Technical difficulties?

He starts with why he is running -- the American Dream, his father-in-law,

Says he will shift tax breaks, "invest" in ed.,

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 08:23:42 PM EST

He says Bankruptcy Reform bill of 2001 -- Edwards, why did you vote for that.

Edwards: I was wrong. Any of us who did were wrong to.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 08:26:52 PM EST

Richardson asked about 90% gap in some kind of wealth, but his mic not working.

Q then goes to Kucinich, hi mic not work either.

Obama gives Dennis a mic and Dennis makes a funny: "Thanks for passing the baton in this race."

Kucinich then says WPA, universal gov paid day care and health insurance and universal college ed.  

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 08:30:27 PM EST

not persuasive since they have too many audio problems -- still being fixed.

Audience and candidates milling about.

Now more ads as they clearly have to re-wire the high school stage and such.

Embarrassing.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 08:36:40 PM EST

Claim the tech problems solved, give Richardson a chance to speak to gaps in household wealth.

Jobs and ed. Ed is key. 50% do not drad from HS.

Full day kindergarten, art in the school, tech and science programs. Get rid of NCLB.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 08:40:14 PM EST

Hispanic leadership, Dr. Andrade, for Clinton: claimed problem is immigrants' unwilling to learn English. Would you debunk that?

Clinton: yes, and GOP is demagoguing it . . . Need comprehensive immigration reform, including "earned path to citizenship.

Benjamin Chavis, Hip Hop Summit, for Obama: how embrace the hip hop generation? Obama: young people recognize, ed, climate, Darfur, and message to young generation is "you can remake the world"  . . . and "encourage young people to  . . . bridge divides . . . " Invokes MLK and Caesar Chavez "our cause is one."

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 08:45:50 PM EST

Edwards: I grew up in the segregated south. Not really answer the question in the end, says I am proud of my party.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 08:48:37 PM EST

Well, when they get to know me, they switch, as in Illinois when I ran for Senate. Voters do not vote on identity and symbolism. I believe I can, and we're doing well in Iowa . . .

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 08:50:12 PM EST

Similar plights. I do support path to citizenship, but also support raise min wage, unions, earned income tax credit all would help Af-Ams.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 08:52:21 PM EST

Says he does not have a plane and had a 7 hour drive from Chicago!

Q: what is your answer to the 12 million immigrants. This is not a zero sum game. 60% of illegals are not Hispanic. If not let out of shadows, 1.8 million are children. Don't let establishment play one against the other.

Good answer, as usual.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 08:55:04 PM EST

Until Cuban government changes "it will be very difficult for us to change our policy."

Re-engage and build relationships in Latin America.

Follow up: would you normalize? Not unless Castro changes.

Dodd: I was in Peace Corps and chaired foreign relation committee -- huge mistake, outrageous. Only nation in the world we cannot travel.

Yes/no to the rest: Edwards no, Kucinich, yes; Biden no; Obama, no, but loosen travel and remittances now;

Richardson, GIVE THE BROWN GUY HERE MORE TIME!! -- get something in return, but lift family travel and remittances restrictions.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:00:45 PM EST

How to make college tuition affordable?

4000 per yr tax credit, national service, needs to be sense of urgency. 200,000 young do not go to college because of affordability.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:03:03 PM EST

so . . .back to the Spitzer drivers license controversy . . .

HRC: problem is "it didn't bear up under a lot of scrutiny" need to keep pressure on the feds for comprehensive immigration reform.

She looks very pissed the question was asked.

Richardson: yes, license them when feds fail. So states like my own need to take steps for safety. We reduced traffic fatalities, increased % insured, protects the rights of drivers who do the right thing.

Blames congress.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:06:56 PM EST

Q to Obama, will you join me to commit to raise min wage to $9.50 an hour.

"Answer is yes"

Obama and Edwards praising each other.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:10:05 PM EST

Seems unprepared -- asks himself!!!

CLOWN.

Asks if he is the only one for single payer health care? Answers himself yes.

He is also the only one that has seen a UFO!!

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:11:38 PM EST

how to close the achievement gap

9 billion a year for pre-head start and doubling head start, 100k new teachers, 3 billion for teacher salaries, and 11 billion for all under 50,000 income gets 9600 to go to college.

30 billion total package.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:14:46 PM EST

assuming we have some involvement in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc., would you raise taxes if nec. for domestic priorities?

HRC: I want to end the war. Bush irresponsible not to pay for the war. Take stock of "investments we need to make." Can do it if not allow the wealthiest the tax breaks. I "tell you how I would pay for" priorities.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:17:01 PM EST

Like me, Bill Clinton was a CEO and successful, balanced budget, etc. Don't you think governors make good presidents?

HRC: they also make good vice presidents!

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:18:23 PM EST

Statehood via referendum?

Obama: all Puerto Ricans do not agree. I am committed to a process so the people can make a decision.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:21:58 PM EST

all say eliminate it.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:22:25 PM EST

Obama: would completely revamp it. Separation of Church and State must be maintained.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:24:49 PM EST

No, owuld end war . . . and I am the only one . . .  (you know what comes next -- he always says it in every debate)  . . . who has a plan for a federated Iraq.

Kucinich says he has a plan, too, HR 1234.

Biden makes fun of Kucinich, disparages it.

Michelle Norris disses Kucinich for having wasted his earlier question.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:27:09 PM EST

Aff action works. Just try harder. American resident needs to use bully pulpit.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:29:13 PM EST

Seems to be Vietnamese or Chinese.

HRC: economy not working for average Americans, people worried. Get economy moving, move toward comp imm reform, employers need to be prevented from abusing. Broad, aggressive approach.

Biden, do you believe there are jobs Americans won't do? Will do any job if you pay them properly, but should base jobs on need. Guest workers.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:33:15 PM EST

States like Iowa will have 150,000 worker shortage at end of Pres. next term, what will you do?

Edwards: raids that separate parents from children . . . (let me tell you what I learned at soup kitchen) . . . I made a poverty tour . . . Canton, Miss. poultry workers . . . Employers ask immigration status everytime fair lablr law enforcement is at stake.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:36:01 PM EST

AIDS is growing, esp. among Afr. American and Latina women, esp. aged 25-34 . . .  will you pledge to help?

Of course they agree.

Richardson says Marshall Plan to deal with this issue.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:39:13 PM EST

What can Pres do and can we afford it?

Can do it IF WE CAN BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

He does not emphasize enough his ability to unite people or the need for it.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:41:40 PM EST

vesrus the dollar

R: con amndment to balance budget, line item veto, fiscal discipline. Note: EMPHASIZE YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE!!

Drifts off into ed investments, teachers, sci and math, art in schools, sculpture, even!!

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:43:46 PM EST

Dodd: whatever it takes. $10 billion a month on war in Iraq. Says it was because they were people of color.

Same q. for Richardson:

R: we shouldn't be talking dollars . . .

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:48:30 PM EST

What leadership on access to capital more inclusive for entrepeneurs.

HRC: name check Russell Simmons, Harlem, Abyssinian, young people, small busness admin., empowerment zone, micro finance, faith based, urban, rural.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:51:33 PM EST

Hate Crimes legislation:

Biden says we can and should move it forward. Need a justice dept. that is aggressive.

Richardson notes gap in House version on transgender discrim.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:55:46 PM EST

$8 billion for prisons, defend your husband?

HRC: result at state and fed level was rise in incarceration. There were reasons for congress to have passed that then. Crime rate was very high in early 1990s. I want to have a thorough review. More diversion, youth opp program, etc.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 09:57:54 PM EST

Dodd: I am the only one here . . . I served in the Peace Corps. Farm workers, civil rights, etc. Retirees, Kennedy,

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 10:00:53 PM EST

HRC: yes
Edwards: patriotic about something other than war
Kucinich: move away from militarism, Kennedy ask not . . . say no to a draft
Biden: Yes, Nunn and I introduced mandatory national service.
Obama: yes, I moved to Chicago to be a community organizer.
Richardson: yes, I outlined a plan. I will also ask people to sacrifice on fossil fuels.

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 10:05:03 PM EST

Edwards is, of course, strong with answer. Card check ("if you can join the Republican party . . . ).

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 10:07:06 PM EST

Edwards: Wall built around Washington, D.C. (his new rhetoric), and noone understands that better than African Americans and Latinos.

Richardson; starts by speaking Spanish then says more than anything we need to bring this country together. I am positive. We minorities care about ALL issues.

Kucinich: I have my pocket constitution here . . . . but it is being shredded, IMPEACHMENT. Cleveland, we were renters.

Biden: Experience? Change? ACTION. Iraq is a boulder sitting in the middle of the road. Must move quickly. My career based on civil rights, etc. Pragamatic.

Obama: "I am running for President because of what Dr. King called 'the fierce urgency of now.'" I am here because someone in the past stood up when it was hard and risky.

Dodd: In 33 days this state will make a decision on . . . ELECTIBILITY!! We have to tone things down.

HRC: SCHIP, bipartisan, Bush/Cheney, health care, energy, green collar jobs, ed, college, pre-K, . . . (alomost but not quite said she was the one best prepared).

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by Ross Smith on 12/01/2007 10:19:20 PM EST