First question is on gun violence. Scott calls it a public safety issue; calls fo repeal of Dickey amendment (yes!), background checks, ban bump stocks and high capacity magazines, increase age limit, increase security at schools
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Howe: biggest threat to US national security lives inside the White House. Need to fully staff state department, promote democracy instead of embrace dictators. Calls again for impeachment!
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SJC believes in power of diplomacy. State Department is hollowed out. Speaks five languages, has traveled all over the world, believes in the power of engagement. Need capable diplomats
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Scott has been fighting America’s wars for a while. Cites treaties we are withdrawing from or abrogating. Bullying and insults make others question our leadership. Must regain lost stature and trust
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Ding stresses American soft power. Has worked in many countries, in Jordan for many years. Build clinics and refugee care so grateful patients like the US
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Now immigration. SJC disturbed by xenophobia, cites our mixed national history on immigration. Good things: attracting skilled workers, beacon of hope and security. Bad: we need to repair our reputation abroad, among our own immigrants
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Scott talks about immigrants adding 2.5 trillion to economy each year. Fuck that; I’m not here to make you money. Tired of hearing about immigration in economic terms
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Ding is an immigrant, says we’re all immigrants. Sees America as a Voltron of immigrants. Wants more green cards and Einstein visas. Brings up importance of immigrant ag workers to local economy
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Hartman is proud of America’s history off immigration. Wants comprehensive reform, clean DREAM act, wants to grow that sweet sweet economy.
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Howe frames it in moral terms! Original reason for immigration restrictions was racism. Return to treating immigrants as human beings. Economic argument is that jobs are outgrowing population. Undocumented immigrants showed heart by coming here
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Howe asked about race relations. Cites Jefferson as ideal. Uh...
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Howe calls for terrorism laws to be applied to domestic nazis and kkk. Condemns private prisons, independent body to investigate police shootings
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Hartman on race: start conversation at local level. Then take it to state level, and hell, why not—federal. “I’ve had the fortune of working in South Africa for five months”.
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Ding grew up in inner city housing and attended Salvation Army summer camps. Calls for integration to broaden perspectives. Calls for immersing teachers as a driver of community integration
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Scott: concerned about “overly broad brush when talking about the law enforcement community.” End mandatory minimum sentences, stop asking about misdemeanor convictions on employment forms. Pastoral language about healing
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SJC this is a daily issue for me. You can’t legislate away hate. And representation matters. One person of color in Congress, none in senate. We need to believe people’s stories. Running to make sure everyone has a voice on Capitol Hill
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Ding asked about dealing with rancor in Congress. As a scientist, he gives shout out to facts and data. Need to accept the reality of climate change and its impacts
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Hartman asked if she’ll be just another rubber stamper. Then praises Democrats “from areas like ours” who have mentored her for the last few years that she’s been “running in this district”. Impassioned cry for... moderateness
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Howe on gridlock: cites ACA passage and then repeal attempts. Gridlock is not necessarily bad. Republicans want tax cuts for the wealthy and pain and suffering for the rest. Will embrace any republican who breaks that pattern
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SCJ happy to reach across the aisle, has Democrats, independents, Republicans, and now even a Green Party member on staff. Says her values have not changed and she is an authentic candidate
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End of conversation
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