there will be tough. they will be after paul ryan and you're going to have the right wanted to take crying out for 2020. ryan need some accomplishments. and so it is up for the president to use the bully pulpit to take and find some issues where there is common consent like rebuilding the infrastructure would be one, find two or three issues such as that, and then try to do. somebody steals you may have to make in private but it is possible for her to a real accomplishment by working the politics inside the house. >> that's what she will try to do. i think you are right, and i think ryan will be tempted. the problem is that he will not remain speaker. he can't survive with the

strategy like that because republicans don't do business with democrats. >> i think that could be to his advantage. he is not going all right in 2020 if he runs. it would not be to his disadvantage to have the all right throw him out. it would be to his advantage, accomplish something and then that gives him the civil war the republicans are going to. to have. >> that would be good then why is he proposing a tax plan in which 99.5% of the benefits go to the top 1%? >> funders would be to enter. >> let's it's going to have a tough time. i think that's a fair decision and a fair conclusion.

but in wrapping up let me first thank the panel is something quite wonderful. and i thank you all very much today. [applause] >> and i want to thank you for your marvelous keynote address. thank you very much on that. [applause] let us all be remind that we are here to commemorate the work and the person of sue, who is a friend to many of us, and as we've already heard, a wonderful mentor to people going up for ph.d. not just ph.d's, of people who wanted to get educated a little bit about what this country was all about. and the books that she wrote, many of them with her husband, marty, right here, have been great additions to the literature and the politics of our time. so thank you all very much for being here, and thanks to the

george mason university for having us. and thank you all, c-span, for covering us. [applause] [inaudible conversations] >> political reporting donald trump's campaign manager said today that she did not think the election will be rigged.

osha argued that there is a larger conspiracy working against her candidate. no, i did not believe that, kellyanne conway said on msnbc when asked if she believed there would be widespread voter fraud in the election. quoting her, so absent overwhelming evidence that there is, it would not be for me to say that there is. you can read more at politico.com. here's more now on the voter fraud issue followed by several new ads in the presidential campaign. >> the banner headline this morning on the front page of "usa today," voting officials insist no fraud is the headline. one of those voting officials is the connecticut secretary of state denise merrill, she joins us on the-footer to the democratic secretary of state in connecticut and also president of the national association ofe secretaries of state. thank you for joining us. what do you say to voters who were worried about theirsa confidence in their vote?

they are worried about these claims about vote rigging and voter fraud. >> caller: yes, good morning. i agree entirely with presidentt obama. i think this is been, by the this a completely unsubstantiated claim that some of our election will be rigged. i'm not even sure what the word rigged mean-spirited sort of implies that local election officials or somebody at a veryo local level would tamper with the voting machines. and i think, i can't say it often enough, people should understand that there is no voting machine in america that's connected to the internet, first of all. and that right there tells you that it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to muster a conspiracy on a levelmu that would affect a presidentian election. >> host: what is the role of

the secretaries of state? if you could talk about how it works in statesmen who oversees the elections. >> caller: yes. that's one good thing that's come out of all this, maybe we'll all learn a little more about how our elections really do work. in most states the second has to do with the, the chief election official. we don't actually operate thect election system. we oversee it and try to maintain the laws in each state that govern elections. it's have fully regulated, and each state is a little bit different. there are federal over archingdh requirements for the standards on the machines, the actual voting machines. many states now statewide electronic voter lists which is the database that everyone is talking about, the voter registration databases that inga some cases have been, there have been attempts to get into them.e

but the voter registration database is not at all connected to the actual machines on which you vote. most states, nothing in this is standard, but most states use a simple scanning machine really and vote still on paper ballots which are then inserted into the machine and then the bow is kept and the machine has a card in it that is red and that's the results that come out at the end of the night. the entire system is overseen by local election officials.l in most states that means a tha county clerk. and then at a more local level, states like the new england states, it's been really out of town bubble. in tiny connecticut you haveha 169 pounds. each town has its own election officials and moderators and poll workers all hired by local officials. so as you can see, even at the state level it's extremely

decentralized. the los laws that govern electis are most at the state level ands they differ somewhat by state, and there is usually an election commission that actually oversee any kind of enforcement ofof inf infractions. let's say something is reported to our office, something's going on. maybe ther there's very long lit the poll for example, at somee polling place. any citizen can call our hotline come and every state has a hotline as well. we would then report any infraction that sounded seriousr to our election enforcement commission, and they would be charged with seeing whetherec something should be done aboutre it. so you can see there's about i think over 10,000 local jurisdictions actually run each election, and within that there are hundreds of polling places in each one of those jurisdictions trend what i wantt to go to -- focus on the voter

registration databases -- databases. a senior policy advisor has a column in today's "usa today" focusing part of that column onf the voter registration databases, saying there is 2.75 million people, more than 1.8 million dead people are listed as voters. if those voter registration files are wrong, what's to keep people from showing up in another name or voting twice? >> caller: there is, again, it is heavily regulated. we are very, very careful before we take anyone off a list, and that usually explains why there's so many duplications. and also most people don't realize that you to change your registration every time you move. sometimes within your own town. usually that is handled by various ways. and connecticut we have a separate list that has a star next to it. first of all the lists are

printed, so there's no, i think the chance that someone could go in, changed a lot of things on the list and then it not be detected would be very difficult, again because we print the list at least a week in advance. everything still on paper and ironically that becomes a protection of sorts. let's say someone came up to the desk and their name is either not on the list or on the list inappropriately. first of all the novels every state you have to produce some sort of id to show you are the person that you claim to be. there's been a lot of discussion about what you need as an id but almost every state has somelmost requirement that you show an id. the fight has been over what kind of id unique. but if you don't have an id and you are not on the list, you cannot vote unless youou absolutely claim you should be on the list and then in 15 states with something called

election day registration so you can go down to townhall, register with proper id and vot vote. it all comes down to the fact that you need to identify yourself. and again many of these jurisdictions are extremely local. people know people. that is a protection as well. >> host: in your time as the head of the national association of secretaries of state, how many cases of voter fraud, proven voter fraud have you seen? >> caller: we have literally tried to look for because there's been so much discussion about it. bears long academic references to this. there's been a lot of studies on this. i would refer you to that entire body. there was one study i can remember in particular that looked through over a billion votes counted between 2010-2014,

i believe it was, and dinner there was 14 possible accounts of alleged voter fraud. it's so rare that someone commented jokingly that you're more likely to be struck by lightning than to experience the voter fraud. it just doesn't happen. >> host: denise merrill is the secretary of state of connecticut, appreciate your time this morning. >> caller: thank you very muc much. >> what, are you going to cry? >> you sit down speed and sit down. >> i would look a right and a fat ugly face spirit she ate like a pig spit how stupid are the people of the country? >> get out. >> like a big baby, cry. >> i don't know what i said. i don't remember.

>> what are you going to do about people who are mean and all the bullying? >> i have asthma and i occasionally have heard people talking behind my back. >> that was really brave. i do think we need more love and kindness in a country. that's why it's important stand up to bullies were ever they are and why we shouldn't do anybody bully his way into the presidency. because that is not who we are as americans. >> we are going to take on the big donors and big business and big media. we're going to take on the rigged system that has shifted america's wealth of the country's and they keep doing so. we are going to replace our failed and corrupt establishment with a government that serves you, your family and your country. >> imagine a country where jobs are plentiful and families can

get ahead. a contour veterans are treated with dignity and respect your take country so powerful terrorism is in retreat. our families safe. a country run by a leader whose career was built on success. a leader who isn't beholden to special interest but to the people themselves. make america great again. donald trump for president. >> watch c-span's live coverage of the third debate between hillary clinton and donald trump tonight. live debate preview from university of nevada las vegas. stay with us following the debate for viewer reaction including your calls, tweaks and facebook postings. watched the debate live or on-demand using your desktop, phone or tab at c-span.org. listen to live coverage on your

phone with the free c-span we have. downloaded from the apps -- the app store or at google play. >> in the wisconsin senate race incumbent republican rob johnson and former democratic senator russ feingold debated last night about the economy, student loans, health care, trade, the supreme court, middle east policy and immigration. >> the u.s. senate debate, in partnership with marquette university law school. wisconsin contest is one of the most watched in the nation. republican incumbent ron johnson. fighting to win a second term. democratic challenger russ feingold.

trying to win back his old job. the outcome will determine control of the senate. tonight the candidates on health care, national security, at the top of the ticket. a 90 minute debate about the direction of the country, and now live from the marquette university law school. here is tonight's moderator. [applause] >> moderator: and good evening and welcome to our debate with the candidates for united states senator we are joined you tonight at marquette university law school where i work as a fellow in law and public policy. we will be hearing from the major party candidates for u.s. senate, and, republican senator ron johnson and his democratic challenger former u.s. senator russ feingold. our rules for tonight's debate are pretty simple.

it's a conversation but i will be asking about their views on important issues facing the state and the country. with us and answer questions directly and concisely and to stay on point. the candidates can talk to one another but i will be managing the time on any given topic and one of the freedom to move the conversation along. toward the end, each candidate will be asked to make a closing statement. we have a lot to get to tonight and the first question goes to senator johnson. thanks very much for being with us tonight. and distinctive mr. feingold. same question for both of you. this is safe to say that this race as will the number of races has been somewhat overshadowed by our presidential contest. let's begin by giving the people at home and in this room your take on what's at stake in this u.s. senate race. johnson: first of i want to thank marquette university for hosting this debate. what i think is at stake is the future of this country. literally what hosting is

president obama right before he got elected he said if i did uncle definitely transform this nation. i'm chairman of the senate committee, i could depress the audience listening all the challenges and threats that face the nation. we've got to address those. we have to admit we have these. by merely transform america, that's not what we need. what we need is returned our founding principles of limited government, primarily designed to protect our individual liberty and freedom. return to the benefits of a free market system that guarantees three things, the best possible price, that's possible called it and best customer service. i come from the private sector. i would've loved to been a monopolist. the folks at wisconsin to wake up everyday at work hard, create services with all valley and they need to be left alone. they need people to keep as much of the hard earned money as possible. that's what made this country

great. feingold: why not listen to the people on the street and all 72 counties this year and last year the total it at stake. i see as their decision what we should really be working on. what i hear is that middle income and working families are wondering when other going to get fairness? if you like they can't pay their bills. even the people at the top are doing extremely well. wall street is that basically the highest point it's ever been. unemployment is lower but their wages are stagnant and they're wondering when other going to get a minimum wage increase was we and other going to paid family leave? when is the cost of pharmaceutical medicine going to go down? when other going to do something other student loan programs? what i see at stake is i would stand with the people of the state are concerned about that and, frankly, senator johnson has voted with the corporations and the billionaires and multimillionaires who don't see it that way. to me that's a fair statement of the choice in this race. >> moderator: does the presidential contest in your eyes both of you have any

bearing on this race? johnson: first of all of that refute what he just said. i have listened to the false attack ads that say i'm in the pocket of big business and ago for corporate interest. listen, i start out in my working career a dollar 45 in augusta dishwasher. i'm proud of the fact of the last 30 years before he became a senator i help start, build and grow a very successful wisconsin family business. i not only install the equipment the ones we had installed working with no rights and the plumbers and electricians, operating the equipment. i'm not shift, continued shift operation. the fact he continued to attack, his campaign has been one of false attacks, i understand what it's like to work. he says he's for the working men and women, for the middle class. i am the working men. i've worked hard all my life. the bottom line is, sure, think the campaign will have an effect on this but on big issues growing our economy,

strengthening our military, defeating ices, appointing judges to the supreme court, i think were on the right side of the issue. traffic i hope i can respond. china will talk about a lot of what you mention of what you just mentioned but go ahead. feingold: i'm confused. why would senator john to respond to what i said in that way? all i said was we have different voting records in the past and certainly his voting record is what i said. he does with those corporations and he votes for the big business interests and if it's against the things i talk about. this wasn't a personal comment. it's something that the people of the state have a right to say. who is this guy going to go with, you know? is he going to do with their summit host the that's the fundamental issue is who is at the center going to vote with?

i think i stand on firm ground he vote for the big interests and i doubt that it would. >> moderator: you have tried to tie him in some of your tweets on twitter to donald trump. is that important industries or easy zone man? feingold: i don't know if i've tried. it's not very hard. let's face it, senator johnson is going to vote for and support the man for president of the united states which is that everybody in the heart of hard-nosed shouldn't be president. he's not qualified. he doesn't have the temperament. he's gotten where he is by dividing people against each other saying very unfortunate things about latinas and muslims. and his personal conduct seems pretty inappropriate. his colleagues in the senate some of whom are in some pretty tough races, republicans have said enough is enough, there comes a point. a senator from new hampshire, ohio, alaska of all withdrawn their support but senator johnson continue to take it responsible step of supporting. what we need is best for america. that means put party aside and kissinger so from somewhere like donald trump who should not be president cannot let me give you

a chance to respond. johnson: every phone i've taken, the way i've conducted myself is always what's in the best interest of wisconsin, wisconsin workers. i am beholden to no special interest. when i first went into it than i said i would always tell you the truth, never vote my reelection my. i never intend to run for senator but also a i was hoping to get a serious president to work with it, tell the truth, address these problems, many take the tough votes to fix these problems. that didn't happen some running again. i put myself in position to actually covers things i've done a lot. i want to finish at the term as chairman and one to address these problems. i don't senator feingold is talking about nor do see quite i was a. of the matter is i've got a real record of being independent and voted with the best interest of wisconsin in mind and by the way, coming from the private sector i know how hard, i know

how much harder the federal government makes a with overregulation. senator feingold vote in favor of tax increases 270 times during his 18 year career in the senate. he's running for a fourth term. is he going to limit himself to four terms, five, six? i'm the guy who's not worried about reelection. i'm the guy that is concerned about this country and willing to vote to solve these problems. >> moderator: two quick questions. so in the most recent market law school poll 70% said that they did not believe donald trump showed good judgment. tonight, do you think your party's nominee shows good judgment? feingold: i'm not going to defend the indefensible. johnson: i've been very up front that i'm not sure the same could be said about senator feingold. he must be the only american who thinks secretary clinton is trustworthy. we have even talked about for decades of corruption and lying, or dereliction of duty and the nazi the cost for great

americans their lives. in which he welcomed the dead bodies act to the tarmac she looked at the surviving members in the i and lied, lied boldface to them and then look at her enough scandal. took a america's top national study secrets at risk because she's trying to avoid the foia laws. he has no problem supporting or. we should be asking that question that he will get a question in the second do you think as your party's nominee has said, the election is rigged the believe it is rigged? johnson: i think with the media, the deck is stacked against them. i don't think the election is rigged. we need pollwatchers. i'm concerned about voter fraud. it does exist. i don't want to any legitimate the marginalized by a fraudulent vote. it's a legitimate concern and it is a legitimate point to talk about the bias in the media concentrate on all his problems and completely torn, almost completely ignored all the

corruption at all allies of secretary clinton. >> moderator: mr. feingold, let me ask about your support of the party's nominee. you have said she's reliable and trustworthy and get a single i referenced just a moment ago showed 66% of the people in the state do not think she's honest. how can you support someone that the people fundamentally don't believe is honest? feingold: senator johnson didn't talk about donald trump i'm going to talk about him. turchina could you talk about hillary clinton first? feingold: senator johnson completed away from talk to donald trump. because he knows that it's wrong to support him for president. senator johnson is an excellent businessman. do you know what? there's no way he would ever hired donald trump at his business or ever letting run lives in his plastic manufacturing company. because he's an irresponsible person who you can't deal with.

let me first say that you can't have it both ways. yoyou can't sing for this guy ad kissinger so. he's refused to appear with a donald trump, although he still pretends he wants to be -- that answered a question about hillary clinton. i have had a number of expenses working with hillary clinton. unique opportunity. i worked with a which was first lady. i remember being with her here in wisconsin a while back on health care issue. i worked with when she was in the senate and also worked with a bunch of second state. what i said is that in each encounter i've had, she's been reliable and trustworthy. that's my experience. i believe should be an excellent president. she's extremely well informed on both domestic and international issues. she has good judgment. she's tough. lord now she's not perfect but on balance is about as qualified to be president of the united states as anyone. >> moderator: any concerns about the way she's handled the e-mails? any concerned when she speaks to

a private group on wall street this is wall street reform should begin with wall street or that she favors open trade and open borders? does that give you any gossip? feingold: i disagreed on a number of occasions. i disagreed on the iraq war. i oppose and she was for i disagreed sometimes with campaign finance reform. i think the president should be one that is as open and as transparent as possible. she regrets some of the things she did with regard to this issue and she been open about it. she's not perfect but she's so much better than donald trump who frankly i think will destabilize the world. if they see this person become president it would be very frightening to the world. because they will not know what to expect and that's sort of trump's everything if you will. johnson: do you realize secretary clinton probably could not get a security clearance based on your extremely careless i would call grossly negligent i was an glibly reckless behavior with us in those? she could not get a security clearance.

i doubt if she was just a normal person, of course with a two-tiered system of justice, that's obvious by the fact james comey decide not to recommend an indictment. he also realized i don't think she can be confirmed for any position for the senate is a what she did almost no scandals come and get senator feingold support for for president. what the american people ought to be suspicious of is a former first lady who leaves the white house and says she's dead broke and a few years later she and her husband are worth tens, maybe hundreds of millions of dollars. .. >> fraudulently trying to raise

money, five senate candidate and the rest on himself, his shadow campaign, a moneymaking machine. the moneymaking machine, he raised money primarily outside wisconsin, used that to attack me falsely, relentlessly, might be successful. let's hope wisconsin understand how phony he has been on campaign finance reform. >> everything you heard is simply false. the people of this state know me, they know i am an ethical person and that is how i conducted myself. we are talking the presidency. i don't know how we got off on this. who should be president of the united states. you care about your family, your kids, community within this country, if you care about the world being a stable place, the only choice is to elect hillary clinton and the idea that you would cause the leaders of china, india, france and britain

to say what are we supposed to do with somebody who changes his mind every five minutes and has no qualifications? it enables vladimir putin. >> johnson is a supporter of someone who has invited vladimir putin to mess with our domestic election. this is far greater than any specific issue involving an individual. the security of the world. >> do you want to respond to whether you change the position on campaign finance? >> sure. i believe the system was gutted and changed by the citizens united decision. that decision allowed corporations and special interests to use huge campaign contributions to overwhelm the political process. johnson loves that system. he has four times more outside independent ads in his campaign than i do. in the past i was able to maintain a majority of my

campaign contributions from wisconsin. now that it is not the case i believe it has changed. ask yourself two questions. who has more support from wisconsin? i do. 50,000 wisconsin contributory's or people from wisconsin and 110,000 contributions. he said he had 80,000 but he has not revealed it. that is the first thing. wisconsin supported greater. who has more support from outside? senator johnson. $12 million of outside attack ads, more times more than my campaign. who is wisconsin-based in this thing and who isn't? clearly i am more so. >> in 1992 during a debate, grant said he doesn't go to washington and look who patched outside money, the majority of his campaign funds in wisconsin. we said that was a pledge to the future and earlier this year when pressed on that point, that

was the term. what was it? pledge for the future or pledge for this term? he has $10 million, spent it on himself, his incentive staff campaigning away, but gloves out of bed and spent it on campus so he set up the path he tried to outlaw. between senator feingold and hillary clinton the american people are looking for dramatic change. our nominee is a change agent. if you want the status quo, you think everything is wonderful in washington you probably support a 30 year politician like senator feingold. if you want dramatic change and want the economy to reach its full potential, actually elect people who know how hard it is you can change washington. >> senator johnson, it is not

true. the fact is the group was created to fight the corporate domination of the political system senator johnson supports in many things. it gives the constitution to other candidates but that was not the main purpose, the main purpose was to raise tax contributions through email it directly for candidates which was very successful and more importantly to make sure tens of thousands of emails, when social security was on the chopping block in washington, successful in raising the alarm. trying to take away net neutrality on the internet, this organization was affected. it was 100% ethical and effective and all the things he said about personal benefit are completely false. he is trying to change the subject from what matters here, the families want to senator who will vote for things like

raising the minimum wage, do something about the cost of pharmaceutical medicine a but instead he wants to engage -- >> i can quickly close this out. a moneymaking machine which progressives, united soul, check this out, feingold's campaign, which -- all this outside money, his last report, the contribution is from outside the state. >> any changes in the current system in the way the campaigns are run? >> we will get back to a system where campaign contributions flowing to the campaigns, that was senator feingold's high profile spectacular failure, the plan that simply didn't work at all. a lot has been ruled unconstitutional. he has a lot of plans that simply don't work. >> the senate has been in office six years and has not lifted a finger, done anything whatsoever to try to change campaign finance because he loves it the

way it is. he is benefiting enormously from this corrupt system, these hidden contributions, he doesn't want to change it or he would have done something, i work on a bipartisan basis to do something about it. that law still stands, the main provision is politicians like senator jackson can't call of special interests directly and ask for direct contributions. if we can overturn citizens united which we will do in the next two years the mccain-feingold law will have the effect of preventing these correct -- these corrupt contributions which we should demand and congress should pass a law requiring these disclosures. the supreme court said we should lower the contributions, senator johnson doesn't support the effective comparison for the need of the naacp not to have their memberships, the people of this country, the people of this state deserve to know where this money is coming from. it wouldn't be pretty. >> i want to move to a topic you

mentioned in your introductory remarks. it seems there is a theme of security, national security, foreign policy and economic security. let's walk through a number of these issues. i will begin by talking about security. this is interesting. six years ago we sat in the same room at the same time. the unemployment rate was 7.8%, today 8.2%. the economy has improved and yet we see recent surveys by marketplace and research that people feel a growing sense of economic anxiety. we see a law school pool that 50% of the people feel they are just getting by or struggling. the question i give you, senator johnson, examples of things you think people in the u.s. senate can do to better the lives of

people who feel -- >> during eight years of the obama administration wages stagnated. we are still -- median household income is below 2006-2007 levels. unemployment is lower but so many people dropped out of the workforce, economic growth is the number one solution for these problems. let me show you why. we go from 3%, the slowest recovery from the recession post world war ii. last quarter was one.4 economic growth, before was 0.8%. on average the american economy has grown 2.2%, that is $14 trillion of added economic -- in ten years. even with meager economic growth 2009, federal revenue increased by $1.1 trillion. all the public policy is

directed toward a nicheing, the innovation, creativity of americans. we have to reduce regulatory burden. in my committee, to enhance economic and national security, one of our subcommittees was about regulatory reform, cost $2 trillion, the number of households, $14,800 per year per household to define federal regulations. we need to reduce the regulatory burden. i ask listeners in the audience would you rather have $14,000 in a massive inefficient ineffective government bureaucracy, your paycheck -- senator feingold supports the growth of those regulatory's and something that would put the epa in charge -- devastating for the economy. he wants a government that will require more taxes out of your paycheck. i want to grow the private

sector by reducing the size of government and make sure wisconsin keeps more hard-earned money. >> how would you address that? this trickle-down approach that somehow if we grow the economy for the top it will trickle down to those in the middle and bottom isn't what has happened. it has gone to all parts of the state, milwaukee, chippewa falls, they are telling me they don't have it. what we need to do? we need to do the opposite of what senator johnson proposed was we need to increase the minimum wage substantially. it is at $7.25 which if you have a family of two or four family members is below poverty level. senator johnson doesn't support raising it to $7.25. he has said in the past he doesn't think we should have a federal minimum wage. second, we need paid family leave. we need to make sure when you have a child you have an opportunity to have a few weeks off to bond with that child,

that is better for the employer, join the rest of the world in doing this, that would make immeasurable different a lot of young families lives would you know how worried people in this state are whether you are talking to them in milwaukee, worried sick about the cost of pharmaceutical medicine. it is overwhelming. sometimes people -- a person is tempted to cut the bill in half to pay their food and rent. senator johnson stood against and stand with the pharmaceutical industry. we can pass a law allowing the government to negotiate more drug prices under medicare that would save the country $123 billion on all these measures, 0 specifics because he will only stand for those things the corporations allow. >> when you asked about the minimum wage, proposal of $15 an hour, that would cost the

american economy 6 to 7 million jobs. senator feingold says there will be some dislocation. that is a euphemism for a father not having a job to provide for his family. there are unintended consequences. allowing medicare to negotiate prices we only have medicare part the, we have a single-payer government run bureaucratic healthcare system with senator feingold once -- for all the american people like the health care system, they have access of 82% of drugs. medicare has access to 95% of drugs because they allow different providers to negotiate prices lower. that negotiation by medicare would save minimal amounts of money. bottom line senator feingold's proposals, more government, more plans that don't pan out, have negative consequences. concentrate on some dislocation by raising the minimum wage fits

to $15 an hour. that is callous. >> a senator who doesn't believe you should have a minimum wage that comes up to the poverty level representing the people of wisconsin and having him say having medicare negotiated at the federal level doesn't save money, it is an official estimate, $123 billion. the senator has voted to open up the doughnut hole again. to make sure seniors wouldn't have their gap in their coverage or prescription medicine. he voted to open up that doughnut hole. with you tell seniors of this state, desperately scared about prescription medicine, there is nothing we can do about this. >> let's talk about how to grow the economy. i provided hundreds of wisconsinites jobs, taken 0 and make them into middle wisconsinites. he has a problem with that. i don't think anyone should apologize for working hard and succeeding. how you succeed, get the

government out of the way, reduce the regulatory burden. we have a heavy tax burden, senator feingold's policies, because of president obama's policies, skyrocket -- couldn't pass those laws through legislation so now he is passing the same policies through regulation. we need to reduce the regulatory burden, have a tax system, utilize our god-given energy resources to keep wisconsin workers competitive, don't want to maintain a clean environment. the fact is the policies final at -- senator feingold promotes makes wisconsin workers less competitive, and cost us jobs overseas. >> very quickly, very simple. senator johnson paid himself $700,000 over ten years, time at his company, he described that as recent. he doesn't think raising the

minimum wage to $7.25 is reasonable. every wisconsinite should see that. >> let me ask you. nobody should apologize for working hard and succeeding in the american economy. i worked with great people to build a great business that provided good paying jobs. that was 13 years i didn't take a salary. i left building the business to build additional jobs. senator feingold says he is fighting for the middle class, my business provided jobs, careers, some people are after 30 years, i don't know why he has a problem with successful family manufacturing, export all kinds of different countries, i don't think anybody should apologize for working hard and succeeding. he seems to do that. i never suggested doing away with the minimum wage. reasonable proposals, i am not

supportive of dramatic increases the cost families jobs and opportunities. he is for that and all that dislocation. >> nobody said anything about your business or to your hired. i said was you won't even raise the minimum wage one nickel. >> i would be willing to do it on an indexing basis. it would cost the american economy -- >> you voted consistently against raising it at all. that is the record, that is the fact, that is what the people of wisconsin need to know. >> of interest to students in the audience, affordability of college. you have talked about the need to allow students to refinance their loan debt and also talked about having free tuition for families making under $125,000.

briefly, the first question, why do student loans need to be tackled? >> it is a crisis. everywhere you go in the state if you want to hear one issue in the context of cost-of-living's, the frightening aspect of student loans, the average student out of madison, about $28,000 in debt. >> half of the come out with no debt. >> many other people come in with just more. this is expensive and i have been to roundtables with students who tell me this is very disturbing. senator johnson says it is free money. no they don't. they inc. it is very disturbing and a terrible way to start their life. one of the young women at the university of wisconsin said to me you have to understand when you go on a first date this is what you talk about. i like to say there needs to be

a better icebreaker. that is no way for a generation to be treated. senator johnson doesn't respond to that. elizabeth warren had a straightforward bill that would allow renegotiation of interest rates like you do on a mortgage, he voted no. in a couple votes he prevented it. that is something people once. i do believe we should have a goal of having people who graduate college be debt-free when it comes to tuition and that is something i like to see. >> how do we pay for that? we have a $19 trillion debt, increasing pressure because of our aging demographic on social security and medicare. >> i offered a federal fiscal business plan that is up to $1 trillion, that is what a senator should do. >> explain what a pay for's. >> when you close a loophole, $16 billion over ten years and use it for something like student loans, reduce the deficit, senator johnson doesn't do this, he said he talks about

what the debt will be in 30 years which i offered a specific plan to close the corporate loopholes he has voted for, cut spending as we did on prescription medicine. the job of a senator is not just to say the system is bad but to say this is how we should pay for it. i have worked on specifically proposing what we would do, he has not done any of it. >> a chance to respond to that question. >> it is about college affordability. senator feingold's exhibit a on why college is unaffordable, he was paid $150,000, $8000 a lecture lecturing stanford, california. wisconsin, that much money to pay a guest lecturer, understand why the college of cost increase with inflation which i ask people what is so different what they spend their money on, the cost increased with inflation. the federal reserve bank of new

york said the federal government poured money into higher education, for every dollar the federal government poured in student loans and grants, tuition increased $.55. do the math, 2.numb $1 trillion, that is $1.3 trillion which happens to be the amount of student debt, the federal government with the best of intentions has unintended consequence of making college much less affordable, much less accessible. the solution is drive competition and drive productivity and education. productivity, utilizing technology, we are operating college and university than k-12 on 19th-century model. the information age of computers, technology, best practices and we don't utilize it. before i became a senator i was involved in volunteer education options. we did something in a catholic school system called academic

excellence, more, better, easier, at the time i typed in my yahoo search, i didn't misspell it, i got 0 results. what we need to do is drive democratization of technology into higher education. massive online open courses, move away from a degree model, certification model and here is an example. i don't care how you got educated on the accounting test, not easy test, but if you can pass it you are a cpa so do that, you find all kinds of innovation. you are seeing it in a bunch of innovations but because you have higher economic cartel, we are not seeing those types of advances in education which is why college is unaffordable. $8000 a lecture is not

reasonable. >> we will talk about that right now. senator johnson's specific idea about higher education was we should get rid of professors and put in ken burns tapes on the civil war and have proctors poke people. let's talk about something else, you know what he's talking about? this school, he refuses to acknowledge i taught at this wonderful law school for a year. i was paid the same way and calculate it the same way, beginning the work of this wonderful faculty and i had a chance to be part of it. not paid by the class time alone. let me finish please. the other day i had a chance for a nice press conference on social security, senator johnson -- afterwards a young man walked up to me, you taught me market

and i am right across the street from city hall. one of the smartest kids here, the law review, that is what i was doing teaching. senator johnson demeans higher education, and demeans the professors, pretending what they do isn't real work and he should be ashamed of that. >> there are not enough minutes to reduce the false charges, ken burns tapes was an example i was using of the academic excellence initiative for high school. i was not coming close to say we should replace teachers. i said teachers should use that excellent documentary. utilize that is a best practice way of teaching the civil war and have teachers proctor, not prod students, proctor that type of stuff. using up different approach to innovate, productivity, utilize technology to lower the cost, i

would compete in this marvel, the free market system, prices are a lot lower, it was my level of customer service. would we love to have been in healthcare and education, problems with free market disciplines out of those areas of the economy, and more government control of those things, something won't work. >> i want to talk about the affordable care act or obamacare from the political point of view. i will begin with mister feingold. we talked about that a fair amount six years ago, you have been a strong defender of your vote in favor of the affordable care act and some of the criticism has come from democrats, former president clinton said i like the idea of obamacare but this is the

craziest thing, small business owners don't make enough money to qualify for a subsidy getting killed by rising premiums. the governor of minnesota, democratic governor, the affordable care exchange, the affordable care act was no longer affordable. not exactly as you envisioned. >> it is essential everybody in this country has healthcare that is affordable and accessible. that is the goal. when i was a united states senator, that is what people want, the number one request, what the healthcare reform bill did, we would not want to give up, senator johnson wants to completely repeal. if he had his way we would be in a situation where 20 million people now covered because of success would no longer be covered. ask the hospital, the clinic, not having people come and sit there is the best way to save

money through the system. senator johnson has his way and repealed it, we will have a situation where people can be denied insurance based on a preexisting condition and that means cancer people, heart condition people and others and senator johnson has his way young people graduating high school won't be able to stay on their parents plan until they are 26 years old. those are successes. we have to work on a bipartisan basis to make it better. there is a family glitch problem where devaluation of eligibility is based on an individual rather than a family. we need to get rid of the cadillac tax do something to deal with cost of prescription medicine and figure out how to control deductibles because this is the greatest concern i heard but that can only happen by conceding the law is here to stay. senator johnson wants to get rid of the whole thing and start over but that won't work.

time to work together on a bipartisan basis to make it more affordable. >> let me bring it this way. >> i will give you plenty of time to talk about it but the other night you referred to obamacare as a massive consumer fraud and my question is this. is there value in having 20 million people or that number insured today who were not insured? >> i spoke yesterday or friday. before the affordable care act was implement and, 94% of wisconsin iced were insured coming out is 95%. it has been a disaster. in the audience, a young mom, had to quit her part-time job, leave her kids, get a full-time job because her premiums went from $500 a month to $1200 a month. the affordable care act does not

live up to its name. there are three promises, senator feingold made a couple, there is nothing in healthcare law that will was you off of the insurance plan you will likely she said premiums would be reduced, if you pass the healthcare law premiums for families would be reduced by $2500 per year. if you like your doctor you can keep them, none of this turned out. the fact of the matter is thousands of wisconsinites lost their health care plan they could afford. senator feingold said he knew what was in it. he should have known obamacare illuminated high risk, 20,000 wisconsinites there lost their plans yet he promised wisconsinites if they like their plan you can keep it. mass consumer fraud, of the 6 demographics in the study, the lowest cost increase on individual plans, 1.8 times, paying $1000, now $1800 from

1000 to $3000. you bet i would go back. if we could cut premiums to half where they are today i would go back and work towards free-market reforms, patient centered, put patients in charge, give them the freedom and choice to choose the healthcare plan, completely unworkable system. it is in a death spiral right now. >> the fraud is to pretend senator johnson, that there wasn't a premium deductible problem before the health reform act. obviously there was. a lot of cases insurance companies were ripping people off right and left. the idea that somehow this started in 2011 is ridiculous and he knows it. the fact is we have an opportunity here to broaden this government to be better for everybody, senator johnson won't raise the minimum wage a nickel, won't help student loans, he says 200,000 wisconsinites getting healthcare coverage from

the healthcare reform bill is just a little bit. it is not them. .. >> isn't as bad as some people are pretending it was. janice is brings went from 276 the amount to $787 a month is not pretending. the couple with cancer, stage four lung cancer, lost their insurance on the high-risk plan. called me panic because they could log on to healthcare.gov. couldn't even set up a website spending about half a billion dollars trying to do. they were in a panic. that was the result of his

health care plan and yes, you bet i would repeal it in a heartbeat. constantly of what works. interject free market discipline, health savings account, allow states to regulate to define insurance, allow people to purchase insurance across state lines. there's all kind of things we could do. did have to spend literally trillions of dollars on this rube goldberg scheme that is a complete disaster and disarming real people. senator feingold, they are not pretending. >> what he's going to do is repeal this. what he just said was it's a lot of stress we have cancer. you can't get health care coverage. he will eliminate and make sure you can't be denied based on preexisting conditions. he's going to stress out the whole lot of people are not i want to ask you each a question about trade. this has become a big issue. and the presidential contest is become a big issue. i want to ask mr. blue.

talking about the trans-pacific partnership outcome something president obama favors. thinks of be a good idea to open up markets in the perfect it -- pacific rim countries. when you announce your candidacy, mr. feingold, you said it's a long complex agreement. you said i'm against it. why are you against it speak with first default anyone who's been following this as i the opportunity to do those who disagree with all have a common characteristic the the our corporate handshakes. these are not legitimate deals between countries where workers and other concerns are represented. they are done in secret and always benefit the big corporations. nafta and other grievance have cost wisconsin 75,000 jobs over the years. that's certified by the government. >> moderator: it's not automation? >> we are certified to have been related to trade because of what she can't get the benefits.

there may be others of course that were affected by what you just mentioned but that a specific to trade. the tpp, there was than simplicity -- tons of publicity. this is the same kind of thing. idea but says to our companies why don't you miss or else with lower wages, even if they the workers a fair price, you don't have the file, fall the environmental regulation. senator johnson has refused to even tell his position on a. think about that, senator from the state. is accessed and he says it's complicated. i just can't come up with a decision until after the election. again defense against the workers of the state who i know have figured out that these trade deals are a raw deal. their senator to support them every chance he's got. >> i know what i'm talking about when it comes to trading and

exporting. i export the 12 different countries. what will guide my decision is what's in the best interest of wisconsin workers. it's vitally important we keep overseas markets open to our products. senator feingold knee-jerk reaction said no. i went to the very thoughtful process, the hard work. he says he listens to people. he's not listen to anyone on this one. i'm reaching out to the complex businesses in agriculture, manufacturing and how does that deal, over 6000 pages affect their complex business with with both presidential candidates against this, paul ryan having serious reservations, it will probably never come up for a poker i'm happy to let the next president negotiate a better trade do. i also understand it's the best interest of wisconsin workers to keep those markets open. you have to negotiate trade deals. i am going to insist on fair trade deals. no doubt we've been taking

advantage of. donald trump is right on that. we've got to make sure that doesn't happen in the future some happy to support the new president negotiate a better deal but we've got to keep the overseas markets open. >> moderator: this is the first we've ever heard of meeting there might be a little problem with what's happened. unfortunately, he's doing what a politician does. it's pure political ploy. the other senators around the country, a polite rob portman one of the leading advocates of trade has come out against this deal. roy blunt of missouri is, against a. senator johnson deciding because he's worried about his reelection. he will not tell us where he stands. it's just a game. a political game. >> again doing the hard work. it's going to be a close call because we have to do the overseas markets. i've done this is i will bring people from opposing views. bring in agricultuagricultu re interest, manufacturing interest to find out where it is. we are a long ways of that so i'm not going to make a snap

judgment like senator feingold did, how incredible closemindedness that? he doesn't understand the private sector. he apparently doesn't understand how important overseas markets being able to export our agriculture, manufacturing. >> i want to spend a couple minutes on the supreme court because there are estimates we could be talking about as many as three appointments to the court for the next president. i want to get a sense from each of you whether there are certain things you must have or cannot have been a new justice. senator johnson? >> i will only vote to confirm judges, not liberal activist, not super legislators that don't have the integrity to the written law and written constitution. people like scalia. the fact of the matter is this is why this election is for all the marbles. this is for the presidency, the supreme court, for wisconsinites second and then it right to keep and bear arms to protect their

families in their own homes. ya justice ginsburg crowing about the fact the majority has been lost. she can't wait at the liberal wing, and, of course, senator feingold voted for a lot of these judges that did vote against the landmark decision that made the second amendment an individual right to keep and bear arms. they can't wait to overturn the hell are decision. these freedoms are under assault and so i will only vote to confirm judges people have the kind of -- went even the flagburning case where he was offended by the result, realized first amendment trump's his own desire for a certain result that's not what happens on the legal wing of the court. i will not vote to confirm those types of super legislators. he will be going for them all the time. >> it's amazing that senator johnson would answer in that way when he has been a key part of denying the president his role in the constitution to have an

appointment considered. i did teach a course at market as you know. it was about the senate and the constitution. synods were good in understanding the constitution doesn't give the president and the senate the option to deal with supreme court justices. it says the senate shall advise and consent. the president shall nominate and the senate shall advise and consent. senator johnson has refused to do his job. just like in the trade deal. he will not tell us where he stands. he said i'm going to meet with the guy, i will not consider but he also said something else. he said if mitt romney won the election and might be a different story. in other words, when he's pretending is the sum of it's about the next election but constitution doesn't create a three-year term. it's a four year term. he has broken the all time record of not having a vote on supreme court nominee. the notion that i wouldn't over

people the republicans would want, when i was in the senate i did the opposite. president bush had two nominations to the supreme court. i met with them for an hour each in my office. i did it for days or five days of hearings before the judiciary committee and they made a judgment. i voted against one. by the way i voted for chief justice roberts. and chief justice roberts voted on the right to bear arms decision which i happen to agree with with justice scalia. your statement about that is completely false. i think justice scalia who was the dean of this law school, would be horrified to see the united states senate doing this terrible damage to one of the most important institutions in our country. >> constitutionally -- full disclosure. they are not required, are the, to hold hearings or to think about? >> it says they shall advise and consent.

and so if they do not as you can see their struggle record, this is the most extreme polarization that has ever occurred. they are of course required to take action of some kind and all they've done is just deny the president his ability to the nominee considered. >> i would say judging the work was the most partisan. there are two political branches involved. president obama has the response but to nominate. the senate role is to advise and consent. we were so close to election but the american people have a voice to what the constitution should be. then consent, if i would've voted i would've without my consent. i would not have voted to confirm because i know he's hostile to second amendment rights. it's within the prerogative. we are fulfilling our constitutional of advising president obama not to send some of answer no constitutional role to -- >> so is it good for america to

have, by my memory, justice scalia passed away in february of this year. nomination came in march of this year. it's quite possible we could go another number of months before -- is that a good thing for american? >> listen to justice breyer who said supreme court the operating just fine. if a deadlock, the should the partisanship of the court which is a real problem, that's a shame. so many decisions. if you have a split decision, the appellate courts ruling stands. so now it's not, justice breyer said the supreme court is opera just fine, it's not a crisis, i've been doing my job protecting wisconsinites second amendment rights because justice garland would flip the court. all of a sudden a fight for liberal super legislative, liberal activist court and that something definitely does

threaten your individual liberties, freedom, first and second amendment rights. >> the founders of this country having some decide in advance what judge garland's views would be and not even giving him a hearing, not even doing the simple job of having a person come before the judiciary committee and having a hearing. judge garland is a distinguished moderate judge who many republicans voted for the past. for political reasons senator johnson just said no because he is vote on the basis of ideology and acting on the basis of ideology instead of following the constitution. the constitution contemplates he should do his job, he has that understands, join with others and maybe he will say it will be fine if we go down to seven, maybe five. maybe one will be enough. if this process will not end. was going to happen is democrats will do it, too and it will destroy the supreme court. i think this disqualifies them for this office on this ground alone. >> that's absurd. i am doing, for filling my

constitutional of advise and consent. withholding consent along with american people. there's no guarantee that we're going to get a conservative president who will go to elizabeth for example, donald trump has provided of judges, that could go the other way. the american people decide. i can't think of a more fair process. no constitutional crisis whatsoever. >> he's not going to let her have anything because he doesn't have regard for her as president and he's going to disregard it. >> totally different situation at the appointed time. the american people spoken. >> i want to spend time on foreign policy issues. i do want to talk about what's happening with isis. right now we are at this very important moment where iraqis forces with help of american forces are trying to retake the city of mosul. in the past i think we've all talked about what is the proper role for the u.s. in trying to

do with the threat of crisis. i do want to spend some time on the tonight. mr. feingold, i will begin with you. what is the problem at this moment in time? are we doing enough to defeat ices simply by using airstrikes provide using special operation forces to assist iraqi troops or coalition forces speak with this organization is the most disgusting organization and has to be destroyed. there's no question. although steps been taken i feel strongly that more has to be done. that's what i've been specific agenda. i talk to you about it before. a specific plan to enhance what's being done because some progress is being made but it needs to increase. we need special operations that are existing, i got the number two guy. greatly increased. that has to be accelerated. needs to be exhibited some. the only way that will work is greatest human intelligence, more spies on the ground in places like syria and their backs we can identify where these people are.

we have to be more aggressive in cutting off their ability to have this state or caliphate. that means cutting off their oil supply, the ability to produce and transport. we need to cut off their finances. i worked on intelligence committee with the treasury department about the ways in which we do that much more effectively. we need to make sure they can't get are coming to the turkish border. there's been some progress. there's been land taken away from isis both in syria and not in iraq but we have to make sure we'd all of these things. we need to do something else. we need to stop letting saudi arabia say they are our friend on one hand, and on the other and export a wahhabi ideology or religion that causes people to start believing americans are evil and should be killed. senator johnson had a chance to vote for resolution that would cause the saudis got to think twice before they got arms about some of the things they're doing. devoted bill. it was a bipartisan resolution and devoted know.

i believe the specific blessedness there. senator johnson has no plan. is the chairman of -- >> will give a chance to enter. >> president obama laid out america's goal towards isis over two years ago. that would defeat it. sandip feingold fan, it's that working to get anywhere close to adequate enough. you don't have to just believe my word. listen to the cia director john brennan who testified i think until i said all of our efforts on not reduce isis global capability of global reach. factor than it is in milwaukee, plotted to murder, whenever synaptic of 30 wisconsinites it's able to murder them. isis is a growing, evolving and from my standpoint, an a more dangerous threat than it ever has been. we have not been addressing that. senator feingold in this plan, this is important to understand,

allen was offensive against during his 18 year career in the center 11 out of 18 is devoted against authorizing the top government for military. five of those years the authorization was passed by unanimous consent or by those boy. he voted twice a family to authorize defense department. that's with special ops your he's the only senator to vote against giving law enforcement the tools they need to combat against international terrorists. he's got a very phony record when it comes to these plans and his support for the elements of his plan to what we need is we have to lead. we are hollowing our military. we've got to strengthen our economy to strengthen our military and then america's leadership is void in the world. president obama and senator feingold of the plan, it's called peace through withdrawal. he was the first to call for the strategic blunders of withdrawing american troops from iraq as a stabilizing force. if that's not learning the

lessons of history. we should have done that in iraq. because we didn't isis was able to rise from the ashes of what was a thoroughly defeated, you know, al-qaeda in iraq and that's why we are having to deal with this right now. we've got to strengthen our military. we have to lead a willing coalition. >> do we need more american soldiers in a part of the world? >> we already have 6000 american troops right now. that's the estimate. those troops would not have a stabilizing force not in harm's way had with a stabilizing force. we have to lead, provide a cover, get it right. i'm not saying this is easy. it really to which everybody sits back at the don't join the coalition. if we delete enough which is happening there were not difficult to extend we need to defeat isis. two years has the isis to train additional operatives.

little children to become savages and barbarians. that is what we've allowed to happen by online isis to exist another two years. >> i'm going to cover just a couple more -- very briefly. >> senator johnson was asked to give his plan. he has no plan other than send 100,000 troops which you said -- >> no, that's not -- >> coalition troops. he said 100,000 also support of a thousand americans. he said 10,000. that's what he said. that's his plan. that's the same mistake we made them into a right to this is that the isis once. >> can you be isis with airstrikes? you talked about other things. >> not alone and that's why torture the other things where to do, and by the way, they are making progress. tonight operate people from a rock and others are actually in mosul whisking their life. senator johnson minimizes it, if nothing they're making enormous progress but there has to be more progress but he said last

week, or two weeks ago, he things we should send a force there for a generation. i want to tell you something, that is the worst possible idea. it is exactly what isis once. he is not learned the lesson of the mistake of a record that was a mistake and they can do isis was created because we went into iraq, not because we left. >> the struggle against islamic generation is a struggle, it's true. islamic terrorists declared war against america lease in the '90s when a guy bring down the twin towers with a 1300-pound bomb. i didn't say we would leave their -- leave troops there for a generation. we have a commit ourselves to success. we've go got to remain tenaciout tracking down islamic terrorists wherever they reside to defeat them. he talks of human intelligence. the way we gather human intelligence issue capture these unlawful combatants and then you put in place like guantánamo. he wants to pos close down guantánamo so we don't gather

that human intelligence. we've got to get serious about this. the longer we delay on this, the longer we will be able to drink in the great we're in federal. let me remind you, to milwaukee for arrested in texas trying to get to see. this is a growing, evolving and metastasizing threat. >> as chairman come an opportunity to fight to raise the fbi's budget so they get more agents. there's a proposal right now that would provide 225 counterterrorism agents. he hasn't acted. they need those resources. he has not acted in the way he can. the same thing goes for the intelligence budget which needs to be increased. >> we are always fighting for months funding to defend this nation. the problem is funding defense. democrats have held up defense appropriation bill because they held it hostage for other domestic programs. that's been our conundrum. we've got a divide in this country. i'm there for prioritizing

spending to the top priorities. defend this nation than someone, democrats, the allies that feingold and the senate want to spend more domestically on domestic programs that in many cases do more harm than good. >> i want to ask you what's going on in syria. we've all seen these terrible images from aleppo which has suffered greatly with the war in syria. here's my question. your party's nominee hillary clinton has talked about increasing the number of refugees allowed into this country from 10,000 to 65,000 do you favor that speak with i think we have to play a role but this could has to be serious and want to do things we can do if we increased the human intelligence budget in the region if we could learn more about these individuals before they come over. we are missing the boat on that. with regard to syria and the refugee is one issue but the human tragedy, what is happening

with the syria government and russians is something that has to be addressed. we have to take more serious action. senator johnson has not provided leadership and their things we can do. for example, i felt for many years that the moderate groups, the rebel should be given some arms. they should be restraint but they could have and th aircraftr artillery given to them that would be helpful in deterring rush in syria from doing the horrible things they're doing and aleppo. we could help cost the russians have more sanctions. >> do you support 65,000 syrian refugees? >> i don't know if there's a particular number. i'm interested in proper scrutiny and making sure we know who they are before they get here instead of having to figure out after the fact. >> i think is a myself as a pretty robust process, a screening process. >> but again, mike, defense of city would would not have spun out of control had we not done the strategic blunder, leaving a stabilizing force behind in the right.

we would not have seen the slaughter close to half a million syrians had it not been for the fact that we withdrew from iraq. we bugged out. so again at his apartment and that's the bad judgment of senator feingold wanted to withdraw. what we should be doing rather than more refugees, let's stop the refugee flow. let's provide a safe zones, provide no-fly zones, let's lead. i was the u.s. represented magnetic nation's general assembly two times i'm just most recently last september, and what i did is i met with the delegation's of the arab states. they are begging for american leadership. they say they will follow. they will provide the ground troops. they will provide the boots on the ground to not only gain territory but then hold it. these would be seized. it was completely change the dynamics on the ground -- these would be sunnis.

>> i understand you went off to newark and went to meetings that he's in the senate. he's chairman of the homeland security committee. why hasn't he done anything? why hasn't he made proposals senators can make proposals and they can proposed a no-fly zone. they can propose arms for the rebels. the fact is what senator johnson does this just criticize the president. you just criticized but you don't do your own job which is to lay out legislatively what you need to do, provide the president with the authority to do some of these things and maybe he will use our maybe he won't. senator johnson is just talking about this. he hasn't acted. >> we are being blocked from bringing bills on the floor of the senate. is leery of blocking that. the obstructionist right now are the democrats. that's why we're left with passing continuing resolutions.

massive omnibus spending bills to a terrible way to address government. we've been trying to bring bills before the senator to continue to be blocked. that's i do this thoughtful privatization. bottom line is, they are the obstructionist. we've been time to do this. i want to prioritize spending. from my standpoint on the tech industry that understands pop our government is defense of this nation. senator feingold voted 11 times to authorize against authorizing the military. think about that. >> personal this isn't about appropriation bills. this is about whether he even introduced legislation. harry reid can't stop you from introducing the bill. you haven't even done that. you haven't introduced a bill to deal with this situation. when he talks about the snow to authorization bills, everybody knows this thousands of provisions. in a number of occasions i was not the only one to vote against it. the number of republicans did including john mccain. because is loaded with pork and wasteful spending. senator johnson said friday

night was the always vote for mel to authorization. think about that for a minute. i united states senate his job to reduce legislation t, see if it's loaded with wasteful spending. now, he's going to vote for it for political reasons. senator mccain and many republicans back the military and all agencies justify their legislation. when it's good to vote for it. when it's that they don't. the idea that is just wonderful for no matter what is purely political. >> our men and women are in harm's way. you bet i'm going to authorize the military. >> a quick question about iran. the two of you have very different views on the deal that was made by the obama administration. it was a deal that was designed to dismantle keep parts of the of any nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. senator johnson, you think this is a big mistake. why? disastrous deal. it was designed to try to modify iran's behavior cipolla for the better.

it's modified behavior for the worst. we have emboldened the enemy. it is crazy to entry to a deal that paychecks $100 billion plus into the economy and military of a self proclaimed enemy of america and the largest pashtun largest state sponsor of terror. they're increasing their ballistic missile test. we can't even inspect, with both the anytime, anywhere inspections. that was a treaty. it was not an imminent so the united states senate would've stepped up to the point is that yes or no on a treaty that every senator uphold their oath of office on my commitment. in other words, to defend to support and defend the constitution. the first duty to jealously guard their power of cult equal branch of power. that amendment should the past 100%. i didn't even get 40 votes. the fact that is that a disastrous deal. it has emboldened our in.

but we should have done is ratchet up sanctions. we should've brought into negotiating table so they would negotiate in good faith so we could dismantle for all times dismantled a nuclear weapon program instead of life them in about 10 years to be full force, centrifuges spinning, weaponizing and ballistic missile technology to a disastrous deal. >> there's nothing more important than making sure that iran does get a nuclear weapon. that is exactly what this deal was about. the sanctions were put in place that a strong supported were effective in forcing them to negotiate. what happened at the negotiating table is we were just on the. the chinese, the russians and others were ready to participate in making this deal. which i was is the best chance we had to make sure iran can never get a nuclear weapon which is something we cannot possibly tolerate. senator johnson begin to succumb the deficit issue comes to succumb the other issue, he doesn't have a plan. he just wants to say look, let's jack up the sanctions but he

does have any specific idea about -- that's not a plan because the reality is what the sanctions are the things that got them to the negotiating table. i believe this program is going to work. i believe iran is i could give to get nuclear weapons because of his because we love act enforcement and that's what is most important things to do for the safety of the people of this country but also of the people of the middle east in the state of israel. you can be negative, you can check something in a partisan way but across the board i think most experts believe this is a success, it has to be proven but it was the right thing to do because we do not want iran to get a nuclear weapon. senator johnson alternative would be to go to war including also have a generational war in effect at the same time. i don't think that's a good idea spill your ratchet it up sanctions to bring iran to the negotiating table in good faith. the goal of that negotiation should be to dismantle a nuclear weapons program like moammar gadhafi libya.

you do that peace through strength. we should unbelievable weakness. this was a horrible to you. i don't trust press obama to negotiate a good deal. >> i want to take the remainder of our time to talk about something that really directly affects the people of wisconsin and that is the opioid and heroin epidemic in the state. you conduct law enforcement people in families all around the state, and they know someone who has suffered from this. they know someone who has fought addiction. they know someone who has died from their addiction. what is the role of the just senator in dealing with this? >> you have to acknowledge this and emergent. it affects every community in the state. poor, rich, doesn't matter. it's one of those times when you have to be willing to make sure the resources are there. the resources have to be there for treatment, make sure doctors

are trained and other drugs are available for emergency situations. we have to make sure that we prevent it. that means making sure there's resources to get individually kids are still in high school. we have to make sure these big companies that been pushing these painkillers have a little accountability. they have a responsibility to some of the big pharmaceutical industry. this isn't opium addiction issues. this a people who began taking these painkillers and then get addicted and then move on to other things. window was a chance to vote on this, $622 million in march, senator johnson talked about the issue and they give them credit for raising it but when there's a bipartisan amendment to provide the funding, he voted no and said we can't just throw money at the problem. we do need resources to fight this crisis. it is an emergency. >> we provide funding and the conference of addiction act which i supported. this is one of the more disgusting false attacks he is

lodged against me in this negative campaigning. fact of the matter is my nephew died of that no overdose of january this year. we have held multiple hearings in my committee. roundtables. we have laurie in august. she testified. she lost her son archie. i have been active. understand what animals challenge this is. all of our work on to get out why our borders are so porous, it has to do with our insatiable demand for drugs and the fact we are all this heroin coming into medically decreased the price of heroin. i've been at the forefront of this. it was my act promoting responsible albeit prescription that doctor wesley said despite the most important piece of legislation we need to enact on the subject to prevent these tragedies. it was so important medicare picked up my act and begin to implement its regulations because they have the authority.

as a vasectomy i will make sure it is government and what it does is it no longer allows medicare to reimburse based on a survey in terms of how patients do their pain and it is given the same for doctors overprescribed opiates which is one of the leading gateway drugs and addiction to i've been active on this. the fact he attacked me sing i do nothing on this completely false and what i was effort discussing false attack. >> i didn't say nothing. >> the radio ad said send it johnson essentially did nothing. >> when he had a chance to vote for the funding that was needed he didn't act. and is not really talk about the fundament issue which is people become addicted to painkillers. it's not about drugs coming over from mexico. it's about the process where people start having painkillers and t they become addicted and then have to figure out other ways to deal with the problem. this requires resources that is unwilling to vote for that's based on his record.

>> just didn't offer as many resources as he would one. you have to be in the senate hearing what we're talking utter problem, often unsuccessfully but government programs with a government witness, with the solution wasn't another government program. like the student program. with 38 of those and more government funding. point also that in catholic the different industries. he will always have plan to grow government and help wisconsinites are smart enough, it will come and take more money out of your pocket. i am looking for solutions that actually work. i in touch with i think the real problems that wisconsinites are facing, a lack of the type of opportunity, a slow economy because of massive government over regulation, so i've been incredibly engaged on this opiate issued a will continue to be engaged at it for myself in a position to us as chairman of homeland security to actually accomplish things, we passed

legislation. the product is one of them as being implemented. >> i want to follow up on something you said. we talked about porous borders and those part of the problem, in your opinion. why do we say goodbye to do that. that. what do you do about border security? donald trump says he wants to build a wall. >> i was up front when it took over chairmanship, my concept of border security bill would have a robust guest worker program. pretty well governed by the state. they can set how many people have guest worker programs and they set the prevailing wage rate difference we don't give us any american or any wisconsinites wages. it's a commonsense approach. once you eliminate that you have a whole lot less number of people come into this country illegally. unique better fencing. in so many areas our fence is a joke. you need better fencing. i don't think it's 1700 my wall but you can use technology to we

probably need more boots on the ground but what we need is a commitment by the commander-in-chief and we haven't had that on a bipartisan basis. we have to commit ourselves. we have to secure our borders. public health and safety. because the board are so porous on this issue a gram of heroin in the '80s gaza $3200 a gram? now it's about $150 a gram. it's an affordable edition because our borders are completely porous. >> the puppet is businesses business as agreement about the border issue. stephen do you think we need a greater security? >> i'm sure we do but i voted for nine him a just and i would have no problem. the issues will we do but 11 the undocumented people here in this country. we need to cover his immigration reform. senator johnson has used the excuse the only thing with the border issue to avoid getting with that problem. that's bad for the family to i was up in green bay, a group of latinos i met with talked about

how scary it is to try to go to work at some of the compass because they can't get a driver's license the it's very bad for them. it's bad for our business climate. businesses in the state stronger what comprehensive immigration reform. the dairy farms in the state desperately need a legal status for these individuals but senator johnson again hasn't lifted a finger. he said we can't do that until we close the border. you're never going to one of% close the border. this is one of the most important issues of our time to the is a bipartisan issue. president bush acted on. john mccain can even marco rubio for a little while was working on this thing. when he came in with a tea party they just shut it down. one of the most important issues to the economy of the state of wisconsin, for the jobs in wisconsin is covering his immigration reform and you stood against it and only talk about the border. i find that troubling. >> the question is what do we do about the -- >> the reason i vote against the competence of bill that cost

$261 of benefits are immigrants. that's called an incentive for illegal immigration. got in those instances. my guess worker program would address that. a very practical approach and the rails is coming to secure the board will not have the border you another the publicly to set some kind of legalization. once we secure the border we will treat the people that are not committing crimes that are not in games, not feeding off the welfare system, treated with humanity. no doubt about that. that would be my proposal but to get a comprehensive of the offers $260 billion of benefits to illegal immigrants? when he had a chance is also scary to make sure that illegal immigrants would not give salsas good benefits, he basically voted to table the amendment that would've prevented exactly that. again he will continue to send for illegal immigration. that's the first thing we have to do spirit that is false.

it's been proven to be false repeatedly. no effort by senator johnson to to work with other senators on a bipartisan basis recover his immigration reform. he decides a flaw in this i can't vote for it. where's his leadership with keys that should have been. by disney introduced a comprehensive bipartisan bill to allow some kind of a solution to make sure that 11 million people have a legal status can pay some kind of penalty can get in line for citizenship. that's what a manufacturers and leaders in the state actually want but he will not act on. >> i have been acting. i could take a step-by-step approach. i passed the board america's bill which is the first step to secure the border the you need to match its and we don't have to. the problem with this administration will only secure the border with a comprehensive approach. that approach is going to work. we have confidence of health care reform. what a disaster that is. i don't the perfect -- judo

passed 83 peace legislation 20 insight into law without an incredibly bipartisan approach. that's been my record. soaking his false attacks are something that, they are untrue. >> the only chance they have is to have a different century because he will never work for confidence of immigration. >> they want a secure border first. >> is it possible to do a competent supplant or do you have to do it piece by piece just -- >> no question that there was almost an earlier. the bipartisan efforts were made in the '90s. almost done with a combination of marco rubio and some of the other senators. he wanted to block it but until then, i think that's what will happen. i think this election will treat they get sick, a different price an obvious and i think it will be cover his immigration because the business community wants to create jobs, want this done.

>> i've gone through a listing of all the bills that have been passed and how the immigration population has continued to increase. these bills of that work. what he was proposing doesn't work. >> i have to wrap it up. it is that time is being in we flipped a coin to determine the order and we begin with senator johnson. >> i first read in 2010 because i -- there was panic for the station. i made two promises but i've always treated to a november vote with reelection in my. i've honored those. i'm not running because i want to be a syndicate. i don't want to be somewhere that i'm running because i understand this nation faces enormous challenges and we need people coming from the private sector, having the perspective of a accomplish and something in life. that's what i am doing this. so the fact of the met is as chairman of all listed at myself in position to accomplish something. 83 peace legislation, 28-cent into law.

i'm doing exactly folks in wisconsin have asked. can't you guys get along into something? the fact that it's i want to solve these problems. i'm asking for your support, and asking for you vote. this'll be my last true. i will never stand for reelection again. i don't know how many times senator feingold is going to run for election. >> i have so enjoyed getting around the state and seeing the exciting innovations, things like urban evolutions in appleton would they take down part and take gym for some schoolchildren beautiful home appliances and, frankly, i find support either 6% of these craft breweries around the state as well as a distillery that is a great part of this great state ththat metropolitan about the future but a fortune i've heard great concern from people that they're not able to make ends meet the people at the top are doing great not doing so well. that's because people like senator johnson vote against

their interest to a vote against the minimum-wage increase. devoted his family. ever do anything about the student loan program. you deserve a senator who will stand with you. if i'm elected that's exactly what i will do. site ask you for your vote. >> thank you mr. feingold. and with that our time is up to the we do want to thank the candidates for being here. thanks to send it to johnson and mr. feingold for joining us. want to thank all the folks at home for watching and the people in this audience tonight. we would also like to knowledge our editor partner and a network of stations carrying tonight's broadcast live. i remind you, these get out and vote on november 8. have a great night. [applause]

>> this has been a special presentation of marquette university law school. thank you for joining us. >> c-span credit by america's cable television companies and brought to you as a public service by your cable or satellite provider. >> in the vermont senate race patrick leahy, scott milham and several third party candidates debated last night about the presidential nominees, immigration and national security and the economy. >> good evening and welcome to the studios of channel 17 in burlington, vermont. i mark johnson to i work at the online news publication in

vermont. welcome to the debate with the candidates in vermont for the united states senate. this will be of course as usual a six year term that will be fight for my five candidates. you meet all of them today. this is the first debate of the season that the candidates are together at. we will have five candidates joining us tonight. we will also be taking phone calls from you and across the nation. let me give you the phone number right off the top. it is it 028-62-3966. we will have some questions for the candidates before we get to some of yours. let me introduce the candidates and then they will be join us on the program tonight. we will go from i left outward to my direct left is senator patrick leahy, incumbent in the race. he is a democrat.

trundle is to his left, the republican candidate. next to him is jerry who is running as an independent and chris erickson is also join us and she is with the united marijuana party. peter diamondstone who is with the liberty union party is also affected to be join us during the program. our format for tonight will have the candidates answering questions. will limit them to too many. we've asked them to honor each other's time so that each can get the maximum amount. let's begin. let me start with a five of you. i like to ask you and limit it plays to juan, the single biggest issue in the 26th in u.s. senate race is what? senator leahy, let's start with you. >> first of all, i want to thank you and channel 17 having me back again. i want to thank the thousands of

vermonters who urged me to run. i think for the senate, the biggest thing is to make the city what it should be. and often has been. i think it can be done as we did with the violence against women act, immigration and other things but especially watch what's happened in the national races. we have got to somewhere where republicans and democrats can work together as often we have in the past and be the conscience of the nation. >> i agree with my opponent but i don't have a 42 year track record of not living up to the market i think the biggest single issue is a dysfunctional united states senate. the problem i believe is caused by career politicians being cropped up election after election with special interest money. my opponent has been in office for 42 years. the problem has really taken root in the last 42 years. i'm offering vermonters a voice

who think it's a big problem and want an alternative and i'm looking forward to the next three weeks which is election day, three weeks away from today. >> mr. trudell? >> regarding conscious, what about yours? the medal issue is the economy because what every vermonters are struggling to survive your tied for first place is the early endorsement of hillary clinton. do you know what i have? i have an st card. at his recordings that i took myself to prove the veracity of my claim that there are so many vermonters that are upset with you to varying degrees. you have lost their vote, senator. now, i have, i did say the issue boils down to classic political cronyism. you had a fundraiser a year ago. your former chief of staff who is now the campaign manager for secretary clinton, you guys are such close bedfellows this isn't funny.

you have is all lined up years in advance and, of course, burning up such a apple cart a little, give me? what you say to those vermonters who in my opinion you betrayed their trust? that's what i say, beside the economy itself as the perennial issue. >> ms. ericson. >> first of all we represent the united states marijuana party, usmj party.com. the biggest issue in the united states of america is where something from a lack of democracy and the whole election system is un-american. just to give you an example because i asked barbara at the woodstock school in windsor county vermont to allow for eighth graders to watch this program, and eighth graders are concerned about things like bullying. well, senator leahy has been a bully. he has been a bully in the political playground the way children are bullied in the schoolyard playground. and bible late i mean that i ran

as a democratic candidate for the united states senator this past summer and senator leahy refused to even one debate or one forum with me. he's a bully, a political playground bully. he's sexist. he's totalitarian, fascist, undemocratic and un-american, and he should be ashamed of himself. thank you stephen let me give you an opportunity to respond for a moment. >> kind of hard to respond to them. as the person who wrote the violence against women act and greatly expanded it, i don't think there's any group of women in this country that would call me sexist. >> excuse me. talk about the violence against women act -- >> hold on a minute spent and diverted senator sanders, i admire senator sanders. i insert within.

he and his wife were close friends. i am pleased that bernie has taken my computer to where i was born to a rally this week, to endorse me and to endorse the rest of the democratic ticket. he and i are both supporting hillary clinton at the national convention to he and i both voted for. i admire him. i admire the issues he raised. had he been the nominee i would've gladly been supporting him. >> i would like a quick rebuttal. right at the past speed excuse me. >> no. i need a quick rebuttal. might have to pass the act i found in court without and i had been assaulted and battered by an actor named patrick swayze on a movie set. i found out years later that you to campaign donations from opposing attorney. you ought to be ashamed of yourself. >> want to pick up on issue about integrity of the electoral process.

mr. milne company concerns was not the election is in jeopardy in terms of integrity? >> if we look at history, i'm someone's account although i grew up in orange county, if i'm fortunate to serve in the senate, beginning on november 9 or genuine at inauguration i will be the first senator from windsor county. i think was in a dialogue at the national level we've not seen since the mccarthy era. ralph flanders stood up and was a global leader at ending the as a united states senator. i'm concerned about on a national level a lot of the rhetoric both from my opponent and his candidate who are calling the of the people supporters a basket of the portals and vice versa from both sides. i'd like to have an issue-based campaign which i would congratulate my opponent. i will clearly called the things that i disagree totally with i think are borderline

hypocritical if not completely hypocritical. that's what campaigns should be about, people's records and plans and whether what they say they're going to do matches what you've been doing up until now. i'm comfortable what i'm saying i'm going to do is completely consistent with the campaign we designed to defeat and income send for the first time in 100 years in vermont, to defeat a senior member of the senate for the first time in history. will give us a lot of momentum to change america. >> the question is about integrity of the campaign and electoral system. are you confident in the integrity of the system speak was yes. >> mr. trudell? >> wind are paper ballots. in vermont we have paper ballots. what it this way, first of all it is the fact that there's a very low incidence of voter fraud. i'm not that concerned about voter fraud. other people are chomping the issue of for the sake of their own agenda. however, if you don't have a

paper ballot, diebold which is the company that manufactures a lot of these election machines which is run by republicans, he claimed he was going to deliver ohio. i think electronic voting without a paper trail is potentially suspect. >> in the last election in 2014, when i ran against congressman peter welch, for sobriety on this stage he lied and said dide had not taken campaign donations from defense contractors were asked in fact it's a couple of days before that he was in a photograph with patrick leahy in the burlington free press with both of them waving their checks for thousands of dollars from lockheed martin. so peter welch bold faced lied on this very state and that's the campaign. number two when the votes came in, my votes were cut in half the next day and so were two other candidates.

the secretary of state said that there was just some kind of accident, there was some kind of accident and accidentally doubled might and that's what had to cut them in half the next day. there's a lot of nonsense going on. furthermore, there's a real problem. brooke paid in of the democratic candidate this past summer was also excluded from a lot of debates and forums told me the people running the state democratic committee, not the democrats, the democratic people in vermont are wonderful but the leaders of the state democratic party he said came from out of state, that they were out of state actors and that one of them was from ireland. when you think one of them is from ireland and could be a member of the higher pay, the irish republican army, and look at the things going on in north carolina like that firebomb republican office could just be concerned. the leaders of the democratic party, they should be vermonters. >> thank you very much. >> i trust the election system.

i remember once when there was a recount i was asked about that as a democrat. i pointed out that the machinery was a town clerks and city clerks of vermont i think that's an 85% were republicans. i said i knew two things. one, they're totally honest and two, they can count. i think jim place to do this. he said he's not concerned somebody will vote twice. that doesn't happen. he just wants them to vote and that's what i would urge people were voting for me or any of my four opponents, get out and vote. we have to have a higher turnout in this country. >> peter diamondstone, good evening. how are you my friend? we will catch you on the next round of questions. mr. trudell, we will start the next round with you. who are you going to vote for for president and talking about the tone of the presidential debate.

>> deplorable is one word, and i don't want to depress myself even more than that. the most depressing spectacle i've ever seen a contest of insults? that's all we have. this thing has degenerated to such a low level but i'm embarrassed and so are a lot of other people. >> who are you going to vote for? >> i'm not sure. i'm really not sure. >> ms. ericson? >> we have a secret ballot and it should stay that way. spume what do you think about the tone of the presidential debate speak with i'm disgusted, shot, horrified. it turns my stomach. i'm just totally complete shock. the main thing is people over and over again have been voting for the candidates who have the biggest campaign funds, the most money and that's in president

treki got to go back to reading the holy bible that says you should worship man. you shouldn't worship money. because when you're worshiping money you in the up with the worst candidates, not the best candidates. >> peter, who are you going to vote for for president? >> gloria. and it's really interesting how the so-called alternative candidates within the capitalist system think that they should be allowed into the debate, but they have made the effort to get the socialists into the debate. and if you're looking for high quality candidates, that's where you will find them. there are three of them. the socialist party candidate is a guy named -- and the workers world candidate is .

.. this was not really the fifth. and i bring messages from the liberty union. arming saudi arabia to bomb