Democratic Candidates 2004: Notes on the First Debate

[Editor's Note: If for the first time in nearly half a century, the Democratic party rallies around a true "people's platform" defined by the issues of restrained military strategy, civil liberties, and universal healthcare, Edwards, Gephard, Graham, Kerry, and Lieberman are all too "Republican" to be suitable representatives. As represented in this debate, each of them fails in at least one regard, and it is doubtful that any would win a Green Party vote, thus risking a Green/Democrat split as in the last election.]

Debate held at the University of South Carolina, May 3-03, hosted by George Stephanopoulos.

Candidates were asked to speak on the issues as outlined below, but not every candidate commented on every issue. Our notes precede the opinions of the individual candidates. We feel that this election is in some ways a "single-issue" election (U.S. preemptive military strategy) with two sides, the counterpoint being domestic policy. Though not mentioned in this first debate, we feel that more global topics such as environmentalism will later fit into these two issues (the common thread being the fair and nondestructive use of resources).

DEFENSE: Stephanopoulos posited that no Democratic candidate can win against Bush without a strong plan for homeland security. While several candidates state they support Bush's strategy, no candidate who opposes Bush's military and security strategy has presented clear policy!

HEALTHCARE: Kucinich is the only candidate to present a single-payer plan (the U.S. as provider). Whereas he and Dean have been the two most prominent liberal candidates on the "make-it or break-it" issues of war and healthcare, Dean's healthcare plan is not comprehensive and continues to support corporate control of care (the employer as provider).

TAX CUTS: The Democratic position seems to be against Bush's tax cuts, but it is hard to pin down from this discussion which candidates will accept a compromise (the $350 billion) or would rollback the cuts in their entirety.

CIVIL LIBERTIES: Discussion predominantly covered positions on PATRIOT legislation (of note is that the bill was passed so quickly that some may have voted for the bill without being aware of its implications). Voting record on this issue is cited where applicable; thus those who feel they mistakenly supported the PATRIOT act will need to clarify or recant their position. Dean and Kucinich have both been consistent in their opposition to this legislation, but no other candidate clearly stated he or she would repeal the PATRIOT act. Rights to privacy in sexual conduct by consenting adults were unanimously agreed upon.

FREE TRADE: While many of the candidates say they will create jobs by increasing manufacturing in this country, this is not likely under current trade agreements which shunt lesser-skilled jobs to countries furnishing cheap labor. According to Noam Chomsky (speaking to students during Gulf War I), this need for "a job" encourages emphasis on the military because our role in the world defaults to the position of "universal mercenary." Also of note is that trade agreements are notorious for sneaking in environmentally destructive practices.

Carol Mosley Braun (former ambassador, Illinois)
DEFENSE: Against Iraq war; found it unconstitutional.
HEALTHCARE: Universal healthcare but not single payer; no mention of alternate policy or payment plan
TAX CUTS: Wants tax cuts for lower and middle income
CIVIL LIBERTIES: Against abuses of PATRIOT legislation
FREE TRADE: Supports NAFTA and GATT
NOTES: No policy for homeland security or military defense; assumes these are not a problem if domestic issues are resolved (but again has no clear policies to make these happen).

Howard Dean (former Governor, Vermont)
DEFENSE: Against Iraq war, preventive war, and unilateralism; says he would be tough on homeland security (e.g. inspections)
HEALTHCARE: Universal for youth; extended Medicare for singles; employer-supported for adults (would fail to cover approximately 5% of the population)
TAX CUTS: Would take taxes back to former level under Clinton; only nominee to mention need for balanced budget.
CIVIL LIBERTIES: No actual statement on this subject.
FREE TRADE: Vague mention of support of "manufacturing"
NOTES: On healthcare, this candidate is "Kucinich Lite." Although he uses the healthcare plan of his state (Vermont) as a model for the country, the coverage (now approximately 95%) of state residents was in place before he took office. Weakness is that plan is not totally comprehensive (who gets left out?). He needs to clarify position on PATRIOT act and present actual policy for homeland security.

John Edwards (Senator, North Carolina)
DEFENSE: Supported war on Iraq with stipulation we are responsible for rebuilding.
HEALTHCARE: Vehemently opposes Gephard's plan which would put the power in the hands of the corporations. Edwards would like to cover children and seniors (but does not mention from which budget) and would let adults buy in through tax credits to small businesses.
TAX CUTS: Against Bush tax cuts; wants permanent cuts for lower and middle income.
CIVIL LIBERTIES: Voted yes on PATRIOT legislation; continued support of PATRIOT legislation assumed but would take administration from FBI and create a regulatory body to oversee.
FREE TRADE: N/A
NOTES: At this point is not a valid candidate for voters who insist on repeal of the PATRIOT act; he has a "smoke and mirrors" routine whereby he criticizes Ashcroft but appears to be willing to simply change supervising bodies.

Richard Gephard (Member of Congress, Missouri)
DEFENSE: Contradictory; says he wanted diplomacy but agrees with preventive war on Iraq; insists we will find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
HEALTHCARE: Has introduced plan where seniors buy in to Medicare, but plan is run through tax credits to corporations.
TAX CUTS: Would repeal "almost all" of Bush cuts.
CIVIL LIBERTIES: Voted Yes on PATRIOT act.
FREE TRADE: Says he would alter existing agreements to reflect interests of labor and environmentalism; says he wants to bring back manufacturing jobs
NOTES: Seems to have positioned himself in the middle of the road but the result is a series of contradictions: favors diplomacy but also supports unilateral strike; favors comprehensive healthcare but leaves the distribution with the corporations.

Bob Graham (Senator, Florida)
DEFENSE: Supported preventive war on Iraq and would like presidential privilege to strike widened to such groups as Hezbollah, Jihad, and others
HEALTHCARE: Status quo [assumed]
TAX CUTS: In favor of tax cuts but wants smaller amount than Bush's original plan.
CIVIL LIBERTIES: Voted Yes on PATRIOT act.
FREE TRADE: Supports free trade agreements; says he would like to increase environmental standards
NOTES: Hawkish, Republican in orientation.

John Kerry (Senator, Massachusetts)
DEFENSE: Contradictory; cites past record of anti-war activities; says he would have preferred diplomacy, but supported preemptive strike on Iraq; insists U.S. must stay the strongest military on the face of the earth.
HEALTHCARE: Very vague. Wants to provide for children and seniors (no mention of how financed), but adults would have to buy into employer plans [status quo]
TAX CUTS: Wants tax breaks for workers instead of corporations.
CIVIL LIBERTIES: Voted yes on PATRIOT act.
FREE TRADE: For free trade agreements; does not support manufacturing and instead wants to export our "technology . . . capitalism, and democracy."
NOTES: Appears to have already undermined his own credibility by supporting both ends of mutually exclusive positions.

Dennis Kucinich (Member of Congress, Ohio)
DEFENSE: Does not argue that America is the strongest military in the world, but does not clearly state his intention to keep it so. Wants to cut wastage in the Pentagon.
HEALTHCARE: The only candidate to support healthcare for all, with no exceptions, as well as a plan to pay for it (increase of 7% tax on employers). Wants to eliminate the profit from healthcare.
TAX CUTS: [Assume against Bush's cut]
CIVIL LIBERTIES: The only candidate (called upon to vote) who voted No on PATRIOT act.
FREE TRADE: Would repeal current trade agreements; wants to bring back manufacturing and enforce environmental policies.
NOTES: The strongest candidate in terms of universal healthcare; needs to come up with defense and homeland security policies pronto. He also needs to address strategies which would replace current trade agreements.

Joe Lieberman (Senator, Connecticut)
DEFENSE: Pro-war in terms of preemptive strikes, not just on Iraq but [implied] elsewhere.
HEALTHCARE: Supports Clinton plan of furnishing care to children, and parents could buy in at reduced rates (leaves many uninsured); of note is that he represents state where large insurance companies abound.
TAX CUTS: Against Bush tax cuts [but has reputation for supporting the interests of the wealthy].
CIVIL LIBERTIES: Voted Yes on PATRIOT act.
FREE TRADE: Supports free trade; wants to encourage manufacturing through tax credits and purchasing of American goods.
NOTES: Very hawkish (also against even the registration of guns). Another "closet" Republican.

Al Sharpton (Reverend and activist, New York)
DEFENSE: Against preventive war; says we should have worked with UN
HEALTHCARE: No actual mention, but does want to develop social programs
TAX CUTS: Against Bush cuts.
CIVIL LIBERTIES: No actual mention [but assumed does not support PATRIOT act]
FREE TRADE: No actual mention.
NOTES: No actual policy on major issues. Makes good point that the issue of tax cuts is often confused is with raising taxes. Gives a great metaphor on tax cuts to lower-income families: "Like Jim Jones' Kool-Aid, it tastes great going down, but it will kill you."

 

  
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