Notre Dame students are smart—no doubt about that—but there’s a difference between being intelligent and being informed. You may excel in the classroom, but education needs worldly context beyond your ND bubble. This weekly column exists to keep you up to date with the latest happenings around the nation in 500 words or less. We do the research, you do the reading. HCNDXO
This week, HCND is looking at some of the highlights from the recent GOP Debate.
Immigration
In one of the most notable topics of the year (especially in light of President Obama’s executive order ), candidates on the stage tended to support streamlining the process for immigrants to enter the country legally, yet many reiterated their stance against amnesty, particularly Ted Cruz, who spoke of his support for defunding sanctuary cities.
Marco Rubio noted how, contrary to popular claim, many immigrants came from South American Countries rather than mostly Mexico, and argued that strenghthening the border would recquire a more digitally oriented approach, while also noting that legal migration should be a smoother process.
Jeb Bush took a stronger stance in favor of border strengthening, a position likely influenced by repeated criticism from Republicans that he is “too soft” on immigration.
Donald Trump meanwhile, failed to provide any concrete evidence on his inflammatory claims against immigration from Mexico, despite requests from a debate moderator to do so.
Social Safety Nets
Ohio Gov. John Kasich
With regards to Social Safety nets like Medicaid and Social Security, John Kasich stood out for his previous record of expanding Medicaid in his state of Ohio. When asked how his decision to expand on Medicaid could potentially turn off Republican voters in favor of government reduction, Kasich responded by noting that the decision allowed more mentally ill patient access to critical care, and argued that his position as a Christian compelled him to focus more on helping the poor.
Mike Huckabee and Chris Christie debated Social Security funding. Christie argued that the age for social security should be raised by 2 years, and that people making over $200,000 shouldn’t be receiving social security benefits. Huckabee, meanwhile, argued that problems with Social Security stemmed from income inequality rather and proposed that Social Security be funded a National flat tax.
Trump, meanwhile, spoke of his support for a single payer healthcare system, citing Canada and Scotland as examples (however, like his Republican counterparts, he also rejected Obamacare).
Economy
Sen. Marco Rubio
Several experts noted that the economy wasn’t brought up as much during the debate, and garnered little airtime. Amongst the most notable responses, Marco Rubio noted how the internet age was changing business and that current wages and jobs weren’t enough to sustain the middle class. He also called for a repeal of the Dodd-Frank Act, which he said harms 40% of small businesses (a claim that Politifact noted was incorrect).
Chris Christie and Scott Walker were asked to defend the lackluster economic records in New Jersey and Wisconsin respectively, while Jeb Bush was asked to prove how his ambitious economic growth plan would be possible (a plan that would include a 4% growth rate and the creation of 19 million jobs, far more than either his brother or father’s presidencies have been able to accomplish).
Abortion
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker reminded viewers of his staunch pro-life credentials, noting how he rejected abortion even at the risk of a mother’s life (according to Walker, there are alternatives to save both the mother and the baby, though he didn’t necessarily provide any concrete evidence).
Marco Rubio backtracked on his previous support of exceptions in the case of rape/incest/mother’s life (though he denied he had supported these exceptions, his record demonstrates otherwise).
Donald Trump was questioned as to his previous pro-choice stance, a stance he claims changed after the birth of a friend’s child, while Huckabee made a jab at Planned Parenthood during the debate.
Christie–Paul argument
Gov. Chris Christie and Sen. Rand Paul engaged in a heated debate regarding the Patriot Act and NSA surveillance.
While Chris Christie supported NSA tracking of citizen phones in order to combat terrorism and cited 9/11 as evidence, Paul was unconvinced and argued that ordinary citizen’s privacy shouldn’t be breached by the NSA. According to experts, Paul bested Christie during the debate.
Misogyny
During the debate, Megyn Kelly asked Donald Trump about his tendency towards disparaging comments towards women (such as his insults towards Rosie O’Donell, a Celebrity Apprentice contestant, and a lawyer) and how he hoped to resonate with female voters in light of these comments.
Trump responded that he tended to avoid “political correctness” and chastised Kelly for her questioning. This prompted Erick Erickson, founder of the conservative group Red State, to eliminate Trump from an upcoming gathering in response to subsequent comments Trump made regarding Kelly. This became perhaps one of the most headline grabbing moments of the debate.
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