with improving education. this question comes from the moussaoui economic development aui developmentau board. what steps will you take to make sure that hawaii ranks among the top states in the nation, especially in science, engineering, and math. you have one minute, 30 seconds to answer. >> the key to the leadership question result -- revolves around education. i came to hawaii 51 years ago to enter the university of hawaii, to cut dissipate in the graduate education programs in hawaii -- to participate in the graduate education programs in hawaii. i was part of the higher education committee, talk and then a student, helped to organize the first union of professors to try to get

economic justice for people like myself, teaching assistants at the university. found myself enmeshed in education all my life. my mother and my brother were educators. what i have we need to decentralize the education through the board. if we want accountability from our schools, we need to get that authority down to the school level so they can exercise their responsibility. i will take personal responsibility to make sure the public confidence is restored in our educational system. a look forward to doing it with the superintendent and the president of the university of hawaii, but with all of you. a new day is coming for education. >> thanks. >> understanding that the 21st century economy was about being

creative, we embark on a very aggressive program to improve education in hawaii. i want to thank you for the involvement in that and take it to the next level. in 2005, we only had about 95 programs that were stem a programs in the state of hawaii. since we got involved, we made a push toward improving that. we now have over 450 schools that now have some type of stem program. i want to build on that. i want every school in the state to have a stamp program. we have -- stem program. we have all different kinds of sports. when we first bought our first robotic regional to the state of hawaii, we only had a few schools that had a robotic

program. now we have over 54% with them. one school is leading the way here in valley. -- maui. >> i am glad to see that we are trying to take maximum advantage of those tax dollars. we want to utilize them in the most effective way. i do not think there is that much confidence today in the public-school system under the last administration. we had furlough to be forced upon us.

we got a reputation that this is something none of us want. what i can assure you of is this. in our administration, you would see a new sense of cooperation and urgency on the part of the executive to see to it that our teachers, principals, and staff at the local school level engage in that we all can be proud of. >> first of all, the robotics program would be expanded upon an enlarged. we got money from the community. we have a robotics organizing committee. and because of all of you out there putting so much into it, we see what we can do.

this application has really spurred some excitement in regards to where we are going to go here in the states. we now have some achievable results. by the year 2018 every public school graduates will either work or be college ready. >> thanks. in your effort, how will you coordinate support for teachers and family with an interest on an attainable goal. >> i mentioned the excitement i feel in regards to this race to top application.

we have never talked about one objective. it is in regards to up for teachers and how we are going to compensate them. the second is are they to achieving the goals that we talked about in number one. we want to attract the achievement and progress of of teachers. last we will put our support behind the schools that need it. we identified each school in certain areas. for the first time, we have in writing. we ask why our students are not achieving. we can hoist this on the board of education and say, this is

what we said we were going to do. in addition to that, we take away this burning that we have. >> thanks. >> precisely the wrong approach is to say things like we are going to put pressure on the union. having the kind of conversation across the state, parents, teachers, and students, the teachers themselves are the ones that feel most pressed at the moment in trying to be able to do what they want to do, which is to teach. we need the support of the teachers in the classroom. we need a governor that understands that schools right now have not been getting the support they need. that is why we need this decision making. take for this is what is

happening at one school here. a proud history it has, able to sense of the size the social and economic -- synthesized the social and economic dynamics. that is what we need to have. trust in our school teachers, principals, and a governor that has the responsibility for the allocation appropriated and to see that we have that kind of partnership. that is what the teachers and principals are supporting our campaign in nomination. >> i am the only one asking for an independent comprehensive audit of the department of education. it is so that we will know what every single dollar that is invested in our educational system goes.

we want to know where it goes for every single school. when our teachers go on conferences, how and where is is getting paid? we need to know all of this so we can move the decision making process back down to the school level. we want to engage our students and teachers. there should be no reason why teachers are still digging in their pockets for supplies to help our students get educated. >> one minute rebuttal. >> we err at the point where there is a choice to be made in this election. the last thing on earth we need is a lot of the doe. we do not need to study or find out that we need the support

that the lieutenant government has mentioned for the teachers and pupils in the classroom. if it has been needed, why has it not been done for the last five years? i do not need an audit. i need an opportunity. everything starts changing in the deal before the battle on november 3 -- better on november 3. >> vocational teachers bus headed for your education degree. that left a gap in the late educators' ability. how you propose the jobs in agriculture or automotive industry are treated as priority within the deal we curriculum? -- doe curriculum?

>> every single administration goes back to previous governors who asked for an audit and never got one, because it is left to the board of education as well as the legislature. . it has been resistant to change. i am a big advocate with regards to the educational schools. the magnet schools are schools that beshore lies in the culture such as hawaiian emerging programs. for far too long, the board of education has not been willing to use a stand on our charter schools, which make a huge difference in a child's life. they are not in a box, because every child learns differently.

every child is an individual. we have to expand that in vocational and charter and mamet schools. i think this will happen in the next four years. >> i do not want to lay blame anywhere. i want to lead the charge. i have to ask the question again, if all of these things have to be done, why were they not done over the past few years? i understand about vocational education. i think in these to be applied to every country. we move from a plantation economy and you have to have the business skills to do well. my good friend says the farmers form because they were able to make a living at it.

you're not making a living if you are burning not farming. i want to support that program. i want to see these vocational education programs come into existence. the modern technology requirements are important. it has supported our campaign for that reason. they know that when our administration comes into the forefront, we will move on scene that children get to the skills they need to participate in the 21st century. i do not need an audit, but i need the opportunity to get moving. >> this is why we need an audit and evaluation so we can see where the money is going and not going. we need to bring decision making

back to the local level. what i need is for all of you to be a part of this change in be active and involved and engaged in this process of making these changes come about. it does not come about because we wished it. we will have to work together. the board of education, if still liked it, -- i hope it moves in the right direction. we have to work together on this. change has to happen because we want it to. >> comments? >> nile thank you. this is a political form

broadcasting on community television. this is sponsored by and economic development board and the maori arts and cultural system -- maui arts and cultural system. the next topic of discussion is the environment. what is your position on water allocation? >> this is a great place to talk about water and allocation and what the implications of public policy is with regard to water.

whether it is east or west maui for trying to decide how we make the transition from plantation to agricultural and what will be the development areas including work force housing as opposed to housing for visitors or resort areas, this is where the policy has to come into effect. it is very clear and reflected by the fact that the sierra club has endorsed our campaign and our approach that we understand and our middle sustainability, which is the basis for making any decision and for how development will take place along with the issue of water. at the present time, green need to think about whether the state

can be helpful with things like resevoirs.rs the combination of reformation and finishing the legal work garments is -- >> thanks. >> can you repeat the question again? >> the state water code mandates balancing the demands of agriculture, farming growth and other resources. the development of new water sources has lagged in contention with the state holders debate. what is your position on water allocation? >> we need to understand the irresponsibility that the state in the counties have with regards to water allocation. the state's responsibility to

have comprehensive management as well as serve as water. is the counties that have the responsibility or distribution of these waters. when it comes to allocation, i think we have sufficient water to meet the needs of these stakeholders. it'll take a responsible management of that to happen. when it comes to allocation, we will have to do much more than what we do now. we probably need our tipping point with regards to surface water. we need to develop those water systems. we will have to be able to reuse and recycle information from our sewage treatment facility and use it for agricultural purposes. we have to look at how we can develop new water sources.

as far as the source of water or improvement, not much we can do. working together, we can get it accomplished. >> we need to secure moorlands and open space. i want to take this opportunity to elaborate on what i said about the use of injections systems right now. a lot of the reformation or water goes back. we need partnerships. we do not need divisions between the state and the colony in private and public. we need to work with the unions and farmers see to it that the state is able to help us and perhaps building the was of resevoirs to see to it that we

put land and water together in a positive way. i want to see to it that we resolve the water question. >> thanks. >> i do not have anything to say. >> the last question is in the environment category coming from the u.s. alliance. the energy alliance has a goal of providing 95% of energy needed from sustainable sources by the year 2020. how will your administration reach those goals? >> i am glad we have such an ambitious goal for that.

we are trying to cut our bill for foreign oil by the year 2018 by half. we hope to accomplish that with our energy initiative. now we have the crown were laid to get those windmills going -- groundwork laid to get those windmills going and everything else we need to work on with three guards to renewable energy. -- with regards to renewable energy. i want to make sure that it comes to fruition. the fact that many are on board with this, i think we can make this happen. we are looking to things of that nature that can help us achieve

that goal. >> your response? >> maui has a terrific template for making energy independence for us and the entire state. some of the people associated with that had been assessed it with our campaign right from the beginning. because they believe a new administration will move much more quickly on the goals that have been established by the last ministration and legislature here in the state, we need to speed of the process. we need to take full of vintage of the federal dollars that are out there and the federal programs that can be utilized. there is wind energy authority to complement the supplements of the utilities commission and we can move a lot faster. i have been having conversations

with people and businesses across the state. they have pointed out that the frustration of energy independence with the permitting process and all of the other impediments placed in their way, an independent energy according as they have in california, with a speed of the actual projects when it comes to the regulating signed with the facilities commission. >> as i mentioned a few weeks ago, an independent energy authority will set us back several years if we adopt that. it would be a another layer of bureaucracy that we have. it would have to be a buildup of personnel. it is basically confining the

regulatory and the policy part of the administration. it is like putting the judge and the jury together with the prosecutor's office. that is not something you want. it wanted to reduce our dependency on foreign oil. here we are, and it is over 16,000 employees, a budget of a $24 billion. >> thanks. >> california energy commission is the most efficient and effective commission in the country in terms of getting alternative energy not off the books but on to the blocks and actually producing. i cannot imagine how we could be moving in the slower than where we are now. months if not years.

putting an authority together that will move and make better use of the general fund dollars that are there. what we need to do is have some energy commission that will integrate as i intend to do instead of having certain flights. we want an integrated horizontal approach and the energy authority will move the process forward. if you like energy independence, you want this authority. >> our final question is from a news department in the community at large. [unintelligible] many agree that if they need to prevent overdevelopment.

>> land-use commission is precisely as outlined. it is one of the only effective means for having decisions made in broad categories of land use throughout the state. virtually no other state has the same capacity. we recognize that more than 50 years ago, because of the unique nature of our island life and our environment that we have here on our islands in the middle of the pacific. if we did not have this commission, we would not be able to make broad stroke decisions about where developments should go, agriculture should be, conservation land should be in order to preserve our environment and allow for us to have development which brings us prosperity and not room for the

environment or the style of life. the question is not whether or not to have a land-use commission but the direction set by the governor. the governor sets the policy direction and takes them to the legislature and remove forward. we need to have a governor and government committed to environmental sustainability and those commission decisions to reflect what is best in hawaii. >> i agree with the position taken by public radio members. i believe that reform is necessary. i will give you a couple of reasons why. it does duplicate a lot with the colonies to. we need to change the structure.

it must be colossi legislative. checking the box asq -- quasi-legislative. it means checking the box. we have submitted legislation in the past to have reform done. the legislatures to not feel that is necessary. we are having a debate right now as to whether or not we should have an abolishment for reform. we need to move forward. we have a lot of products out there that are being held hostage because of this administrative stranglehold that we have between the economy and the state.

>> do you have an optional rebuttal? ok, we will remind our listeners and viewers that this is a political forum broadcast a live on community television. i am a news director at this public radio. this is sponsored by the economic development board and maui arts and cultural since -- center. next category. infrastructure. the community wants to know what is your position on the council retaining its share on the transit accommodations act? >> i have no intention at this

point in time to reduce or take all of the revenues they have in regards to our state budget. >> as one of the legislators working with one here and others, to bring about the transit accommodation tax, which we call the hotel room tax. the reason we have it is because we want to make sure those visitors that come here are able to pay their fair share and able to maintain the

infrastructure. not just physical terms but environmental terms as well. as a member of the county council, a recognized visitors use state and county facilities, roads, beaches so that's that fair share has to go to the counties as well. this should not be a contest between the state and the counties. i think that was more a legislative ploy then reality in terms of what would actually happen. the administration should be working with the counties for the distributions that comes in. >> no rebuttal.

how can into structure be more accessible and affordable for hawaii residents? >> enter island transportation. i do not think it is going to be enhanced right now with the decision that was made recently with regard to being able to cherry pick how cargo moves between the island. in my first statement, i indicated we are connected by water not separated by water. with the demise of all a hot airlines and the floundering of the super ferry,

including some of the social impact that we are so adverse in its demise, we find ourselves dependent on what the present barred system does and what a single airline and the remaining aspects of the air cargo can provide. it is crystal clear that we need to have a review of that decision as to whether or not what i call the cherry picking approach of being able to take some cargo and not others will adversely effect the neighboring islands in farmers being able to ship their goods. >> this is where we have are qualified work force in greater investment in our educational system. i am confident that one of our young students or children right now will develop this.

when it comes down to the cost of travel between the islands in the mainland in other parts of the world, it comes down to fuel costs. every day i go out there and talk to our young people. i tell them they will find the cancer and solve the problems we have right now, which is fuel costs. i am taking all of them to find the answer to it. i am hoping that somebody will find the esser for us. island ferries are very expensive. redefine the insert for us. island ferries are very expensive -- find the anser for wer for us.

island ferries are very expensive. it comes down to how innovative and creative we are going to be with regards to some of the contractors to have regarding transportation. >> i think we will have to concentrate on a genuine commitment to alternative energy. if we are going to have alternative agriculture that moves towards producing food for ourselves, we have to have a governor that will make sure that inter-island transportation takes priority.

i think we can have a cattle industry that can come back. they have to be able to transport those goods back and forth on the island. we need to think hard about having administration that will come in and concentrate on enter island transportation and make it a priority for capital investment. >> no rebuttal. >> we now turn to economical strategies. what of the competitive advantages -- or the competitive advantages? >> it is part of our tools to

strengthen our economy. you talked about them. i think we have the resources to help us become more energy secure but also be a model to the rest of the country and the rest of the world. we have the sun and the waves and the ocean. everything is there. and nesting competitive industry is what we have on the big island. astronomy is huge. the 30 meter telescope is a big project. i am a big fan of space travel. what we do not understand about

that is it is a market that is already there. if people want to travel in space, we need to get that license. we have tv, fells, social media. -- films, and social media. >> talking about the competitive advantage. look at where we are right here. we have the greatest cultural resource in the whole world. everybody loves the idea of hawaii. we should have a major cultural renaissance here and open it up to the whole world. why is it in places like charleston, little cities have conferences and exhibitions and we are failing to do it here in

hawaii to the full extent that we can. i think that opportunity is there right now. it needs support. from the hotel room tax and the tourism authority, millions of dollars, we need to rethink our priorities. investments is what is in order right now. the first place to do that is in the department of education. we need to bring cold war arts back so our creative entity that -- cultural arts back so our creative energies can flourish. i hope to get the astronomy program under way. this is our premier place on the entire planet for viewing the stars. we have just discovered a new

planet in our system. hawaii has tremendous advantages in terms of competition. >> thanks. we have time for an optional rebuttal. is there anything you like to finish with? >> nile thank you. -- no thank you. >> i am surprised about this new telescope. [unintelligible] >> neither one of a few mentioned technology. those sectors have been closed as a mean of economic diversity. many have been levied. what is your position on this for targeted growth? >> thanks a lot.

[laughter] >> would you like me to go? >> no, i can. thank you. i think a mentioned previously the high technology innovators in the state are very crucial. i have some knowledge of that and experience, because as a member of the armed services committee, working with our colleagues there, we were instrumental in some of the research projects and other offices in the military to see to it that our high-tech advantages were taken full advantage of.

right now we have in hawaii a very vital and vibrant high technology in industry and. just this morning by quinn since of some of the dual use technology -- by coincidence some of the dual use technology. those people want to have an education system to allow armored children to stay here and could dissipate in high-tech industries. we will not be silicon valley. when you have the skills and high tech abilities, we need to turn that lose here. that is five venture-capital association is supporting us. >> in other competitive industry

rehab is a dual use technology. i am glad i was able to persuade the governor on legislation that would have ended the 221 tax credit earlier than as an active in law. it really changes the rules of the game, something we did not need here in hawaii. i propose we be more -- more targeted in this technology. if we have learned anything is that it was too general and broad and not specific. when you have a broad definition, you run into some challenges and the some soul- searching in regards to how it is beneficial because tax credits is a revenue impact

with regards to our economy in the state. i am not saying that we should not target and incentivize. it would say is it relevant, useful, and beneficial. if that is the case, then we look at the specifics of how that can be applied. question high-tech alone, think about the biofuels. when i was chair of the air and land subcommittee one of the main features sought is a substitute for jet fuel.

we have a contract out right now to see how we can supply that biofuel. the technology is here in hawaii. if we are able to harness that, we will making giant strides in alternative energy. do not let anyone tell you this high-tech is not alive and well in hawaii. >> there is no question that we need to have a venture capital for these various technological industries that we have here in the state of hawaii. we have national competitive industries and we need to make sure we can do well with these companies. what i propose is a venture

capital type of a funding for these companies. it would be backed by the government and managed by an independent qualified financial manager. this is something that we can replicate and it is doing well in california. the model is out of there. this is how we get additional funding for these industries. >> thanks. several renewable energy installations -- the energy they generate will cost what benefits for the relationship? >> i am committed to seeing this

before the undersea cable. what is a concern is something that can be worked out. everyone will benefit from this in the end. whenever we infuse renewable energy, it will be affected. the can activity is crucial to be much more energy secure. when you go through something this big and significance, we need to continue the dialogue with people who are proposing these windfarms and it can be worked out. our energy department will be there. >> thanks.

the island possessed possibly the best reserves on the face of the earth with regard to a large spectrum of resources for alternative energy. geothermal, solar, wind, and biofuels. part of this program for this spectrum of possibilities has been wind. the problem is we have not had an integrated approach to do that. there are initiatives out there. it has not been reserved for republicans or democrats or political interests. the problem has been that we have not had sufficient amount

in terms of where the capital investment would be. it is to see with the board in ended the usefulness of wind would have ancillary or compatible benefits in the neighbor island. it has to do with how much it will cost to do it. they speak candidly about whether they can participate and pay for the cable so we can get the cost in such a manner that everybody can benefit from the energy produced. >> the hawaii clean energy initiative and has the objective of a certain amount of clean energy by 2013. -- 2030.

they held the cable will be done within two years. we will have the cable running from different places by the year 2014 and 2015. that is the timetable that has been set. there are several megawatts of renewable energy. it will have more renewable capacity for the people on oahu. >> human needs and preserving the local culture. how would share is ministration align with cultural, scientific, and educational opportunities

presented? >> the forbearers, those that originally populated the island and prepared the way for all of us that have come since from our different backgrounds, arrived here in hawaii because of their knowledge of the stars. the also arrived here on the basis of their faith and their capacity to sell the broad expanse of ocean. they can be seen in terms of specific pioneers as the original astronomers. we have come full circle and have the possibility now of the 21st century astronomy breakthrough with the 30 meter telescope to expand our knowledge of the heavens. human beings only have a couple

of things that differentiates them from the world. the ability to accumulate wisdom and our capacity to expand our knowledge. this telescope offers high-tech possibilities for our young people. it offers educational opportunities in terms of it getting support from interest other than those just here in hawaii. >> thanks. >> hawaii is a special place. it has a significant cultural, spiritual, history and significance. i was speaking to one person not too long ago. we look at their views in regards to how certain things

have been imposed on average native culture. when it comes to any endeavor, everyone needs to be at the table. not at the end of the project, but at the beginning of the project. if we have that kind of collaboration and thought behind it and timeline on its and participation, we will see a very smooth transition for whatever the project may be for the industry may be for all of our people here. it impacts something very special deep within our native hawaiian culture. >> anything you like to add it? ok. we want to remind -- remind our

listeners to continue to watch public radio and see a political debate. we are broadcasting live on hawaii public radio and on the statewide network. this form is sponsored by hawaii public radio and an economic development board, community television, and our cultural center. next question on local culture and human needs coming from the community. what is your strategy for battling crystal meth in our state? >> i wish there was a silver bowl at -- bullet or quick solution for such a huge problem. based on my experience, the

first administrative judge, i know for a fact that what is needed is being proactive and preventative. the courts are still reacting to everything. based on that experience and the fact that i have four children and have been involved in the community, i note it is easier to build strong children then fix broken adults. if we set the basic foundation for our children -- and they may veer off of that half, and drugs is a part of it. if that happens when they're older, it is easier to deal with them if they did not have those values when they were younger. we have to take the challenge on and be the example for our

young people when it comes to substance abuse and illicit drug use. and underage drinking is the no. 1 choice of drug for our young people. >> i review in my mind the various tragedies as a probation officer who had a particular responsibilities for drug testing. i dealt with addicts who are required to come to the probation office in jail facilities to be tested for drugs. i have seen the changes that have taken place over the years with regard to the devastation caused by methamphetamines.

it is one thing to deal with marijuana or cocaine and then see the almost instantaneous devastation that method can involve. what -- methamphetamines cannonballs. -- can involve. they need to get in programs that will address the circumstances from which they come. we need family cohesion and be able to utilize families in the community where they are to work with attics -- addicts. we need to do that in the community and not in the jails. >> there are a couple of programs essential to address

these issues. one is called access to recovery. people who are coming off their treatment program can get the support services they need. we did not get the funding we wanted, we get our people at the most vulnerable point. we give them a quick assessment. we make a creek referral -- quick referral regarding treatment. we catch them at that moment and we can give it in the bed. it is all about being preventive. >> i think we can make a much greater use than what we have at

the present time of the federal programs and dollars in this area. the department of justice has various possibilities for the utilization of federal dollars in this aspect. this is where the choice has to be made. are we going to invest in ourselves and utilize the power of the government in a positive way or not? if we take the position that government cannot do things or that the government can be a positive force in helping communities to help themselves and individuals to help themselves, not as a statement of welfare but preservation and resurrection so they can reclaim their lives when it comes to drugs, the government must be a positive force for families and communities. we should support those programs

that allow that to take place. >> what would be the role of representatives in the your demonstration when they are neighbor islands? friend.eaear >> we are talking about water does not separate us, it joins us. >> that's what he said. >senator baker has in his own constituency. is that what you are saying? do you want me to bring them into the administration? >> large a -- how large a role,

maybe into a different department, will they have more influence in your cabinet? and that is the kind of question. >> that would be a brand new concept, no question about that. in all honesty, i did not understand the question that way. >> i don't understand it that way, either. i understood to mean how we regard neighbor are led legislators in terms of reachin g out. >> can we agree on that? who said we cannot work toge ther? i have an opening in my cabinet. >> does that mean you are starting a alphabetically? >> it is all about relationships. if there is anything i learned in a years, it is all about

relationships. when they talk about, how will you be different from the governor, always say, the governor is the governor and i am myself. i have an opportunity to start fresh. i have the ability to develop new relationships. and that is what it is all about. i will have a different leadership style. i have a different style about me in regards to how i do with people and collaborate. i want to make it as inclusive as i can. make sure i discussed with them any bills that are pertinent, not only to the administration but to the people of hawaii. we will not agree on everything. obviously we do not. you want to have that kind of dialogue, that kind of transparency. that is what we need. so i am open to anyone coming into my office and having any type of dialogue with anybody. it does not matter if you are republican, independent, or a democrat. i serve all people of whathawai.

>> mr. abercrombie, your response and interpretation of that question. >> i would like to refer to my opening statement where i indicated that we began our campaign on the neighbor islands. we started out coming year because we did not want to be perceived as a campaign that was owahu centric, but rather that we were connected to all the people in all of the island. i would like to refer you to my record in that regard. remember being criticized when i is closer touequed it, when i was chair of higher education, because they said that you are from minoa. how come you're making all this

effort to get capital improvement out to the neighboring islands? i said because it is the university of hawaii system. yes, it costs a little more. sometimes you have to invest more. kids in one area have a different situation than another. so i am very pleased to say that i believe i have an excellent relationship over the years with neighbor island legislators and that they could look for it, and i look forward to the opportunity to continue their relationship in the future. >> mr. aiona, you have on minute to add anything. >> i'm ok. >> anything you'd like to add? >> hi, roz. nice to see you. >> i have some questions prepared that pertain to the topics we posts tonight but were not put into the script. i would like to take the

opportunity to do that. pertaining to education as well as other areas of our economy. the community has this question for you. hawaii has missed out on several federal funding opportunities, including matching grants. how will you aggressively seek federal grants? and we will begin with mr. abercrombie. >> when i first made this tour if you will, this conversation on the different islands, i mentioned that i thought one of the strong points that i could make in terms of trying to get your favorable attention as voters and citizens is what i called the abercrombie it is. what i meant by that is that w e do have access to the obama in administration. i have some access in a personal

way. it does not mean that the president is more favorably inclined towards me and then anybody else, or hawaii. but he was born and raised here. he understands our values. they helped to form the foundation of his character. so hawaii does not have to be explained to him. he understands as secretary arne duncan understand, when we had to in front furlough friday, that we are a special place and they can act accordingingly. the third part of the triangle is the governorship. i intend to utilize and never to relationships in washington and my relationships -- and leverage my relationships in washington to the advantage of all in this respect. the ever primary advantage will work to everyone's benefit - - the mr. abercrombie advantage

will work to everyone's benefit. >> we cannot all of our eggs in one basket and rely on relationships we have. there will be changes in november in congress. we have a presidential election in two years. to save my relationships will be there two years from now, i think it is a little bit hasty. i think we have done very well in regards to getting grants. we just got one of the biggest pies in an education. that is raised to the top funds. it was a collective effort. the department of education, the board of education, the university of hawaii systems. we got it on our second try. there are reasons why grants are not obtained and why we do not get certain grants. i do not know what the reasons are for some of these grants did not get approved, but i know one thing -- i know many of these

grants, it is the program's staff that know exactly how to work these grants, how to make it happen, and it is much more direct. the last thing you want to do is to remove that from any of the staff members within the departments. what i propose is working together, like we did with it raised to the top funds, and we will be as successful as we can. >> mr. abercrombie, o ptional rebuttal. >> these are tax dollars u.s. sent to washington to be spent for national purposes -- you have sent to washington to be spent for national purposes. education is a top target of the congress and the president at this time. we are making use of federal dollars. yes, these dollars are limited. they are here to form the foundation of the progress that we intend to make.

and so i am quite content to say that, if we can leverage to the federal dollars that are there, then we should do it. i would be quite content of the campaigning two years from now to say, if the changes meant by the lieutenant governor are such that we are going to have a congress that is not going to support education or support funding for activities like race to the top, then we want to make sure that those people do not get elected. i am in favor of taking every in advantage that we can of hawaii's possibility. >> thank you very much. next question. maui county veterans are underserved members of the community. what would you do to streamline their access to benefits and services? >> i am grateful for the veterans have

given to this country. they should be concerned that we have such an abysmal turn out in terms of voters. that is what their service is about, to give us the opportunity to vote. i have always been a supporter. we need to make changes within our office of a veteran services, but i think we have made great strides in not only out -- and educating our veterans and what their benefits and other rights they have. we will seek whatever funding a need to retain what they need. they need to be recognized. >> i realize there has been some difficulty, some challenges particularly in one area with veterans'facilities. that has been a question with regard to county permits. i do not know of the question

was elected -- related to that or not. as a former member of the armed services committee, we are very fortunate to have mel as the head of the -- now as the head of the veterans administration eric shinseki. i had the good fortune of working with him, when he was serving with general wesley clark. the entire country is the beneficiary of general shinseki's leadership. we are fortunate that senator -- is the chair of the veterans committee in the united states senate. he has been involved in seeing to it that services for veterans have been improved in terms of funding, both authorization and appropriations. if there are any veterans out

there who feel at the present time that more emphasis could be made here on maui or elsewhere, they have only to let us know. of course, we will work through the congressional delegation and the veterans administration to address deficiencies. >> thank you. any return comment? one minute. anything you like to add? >> and no, thank you. >> i would like to give you gentlemen an opportunity to expound upon one of the questions that we asked during a debate. is there something you did not get to say? i can remind you of the categories, if you like. we have education, environment, infrastructure, economic development, in human and cultural concerns. one minute if you'd like to please expound on anything you did not get to say. we will start with mr. aiona. >> well, there is so much to to

really discuss, and this is why i want to sit down and take away the time it we have of and make it a reasonable time limit. in regard to economic development and where we are right now, we understand, and when i say we, i am talking about myself and my running mate, we understand that the top party right now for the people of this state is for a strong economy and to make sure that we have businesses out there that can create the jobs for our people and maintain those jobs. that is why i am so humbled and appreciative to have had it, today received endorsements from the maui chamber association and the hawaii restaurant association. there represent thousands of small businesses. they are the ones that create jobs. they bring the wages to our people. they're the ones that make us ago. so understanding that, i want us -- i want you to know that i

will do the best i can to facilitate that. >> thank you. mr. abercrombie. >> i would like to concentrate more on the role of government. and i respect what the lieutenant governor has done. he has outlined his philosophy and his approach clearly. but i think we have to remember we are island people. we are able to see the limits of our capacity to control our own destiny. we can see the ocean. we can see the mountains right there. we know we are just a part of the society. we do not control or own it. we are not the masters or mistresses of the universe. what we have to understand is the principle that reverend akaka put for many years ago. if the canoe is to reach the shore, all of us have to put our paddles in the water. otherwise we flounder and will not make it to the shore. we have a philosophy that will be decided on november 2. are you on your own?

are you on your own or are we all in this together? i think we are all in this together. i hope i have the opportunity to work with you on that proposition. >> thank you. mr. aiona, is there anything you'd like to say in response? one minute. >> in response to the contrast between myself and nieleil, i think it is clear in regards to a couple of aspects. basically, our fiscal policy. i have stated many times and it is in my platform that we will be disciplined. fiscallybe phy responsible. we will spend within our means. i am ready to submit my budget. everyone should understand that we get elected on november 2, we get sworn in on december 4, and two weeks after we get sworn in, we have to submit a balanced budget and a six year financial plan for the legislature's review.

i am ready to submit. i will tell you this -- it will be a tough budget. it will be one that requires discipline. we cannot expand government, as my upon it proposes. if you look at his new day in hawaii, you'll see many new programs. that is a basic difference between myself and my upon it. >> mr. abercrombie. one minute. >> thank you for that introduction. the reference is to a new day in hawaii. recovery and reinvestment plan. we're going to reorient, reallocate. this takes a little initiative and leadership. what it takes is the idea that we can do it. we should not spend our time figuring out reasons why we cannot get things done. we have had that for a number of years. we are being told constantly why things cannot be accomplished.

i am more optimistic. i do not have that dark view of what the next budget and proposals are going to be. i am heading for the light. i am not an advocate or profit of two. i am a profit of optimism. if the philadelphia phillies can make it to the world series, i know that hawaii can't be far behind the victorinos of maui. and that is the enthusiasm you have to have. >> thank you very much. reminder again, this is "focus 2010", a political forum on hawaii public radio. we are broadcasting from thel la hoy theatre in maui. ok, gentlemen, we are now on our closing question, which was sent to you in advance of this

debate. if you are elected governor of hawaii, what will be your biggest challenge and how will you meet that challenge? you each have two minutes to respond. there will be no rebuttal. we begin with lieutenant governor mr. aiona. >> first of all, thanks for all the are watching on television and listening on radio. there are many challenges, but the challenges we face in the next few years is to strengthen our economy, to make sure our people have jobs and are able to keep their jobs. the way we are going to do that is by in power in you, the people of hawaii, and small businesses. because small businesses are the backbone of our recovery. 99% of all our businesses are small businesses. 60% of all the jobs we have come from small businesses. 64% of all the wages come from

small businesses. we have to make sure that our small businesses are firm and ready and able to do what they need to do. i had the opportunity to visit 120 business is in 100 days to get their recommendations of how i can help them create jobs. that is what government is all about. let's remember this -- a fundamental difference between me and my opponent. government does not create jobs. if you look at his plan, you will see that he is creating jobs within government. he is growing jobs. he is not strengthening our economy or creating any private jobs. what will have to do is empower those that create jobs. that is what government is about. we need to create a business- friendly environment. that is the word i got back. what it means is that we reduce the financial budget, make -- the financial burden, make sure we have a qualified work force, make sure they have confidence in the leadership they have in government. that is why i am very grateful and humbled that the maui

chamber of commerce has endorsed me. they understand what my policies are and where my leadership will take them in these next couple years. i want to thank all of you again. have a great evening. god bless you all. >> former congressman mr. abercrombie. >> our greatest challenge is to restore confidence in our public activity. we need to restore confidence in government. we need to restore public confidence in ourselves. this is what is necessary. this is why i think this campaign is such a marvelous experience. people have asked me, how is the campaign going? i cannot tell, because my experience has been one of uplift, one of encouragement. my experience has been one of optimism coming from people that we can make a change and get control over our own destiny and away we have not had for a number of years. that is what people are looking for. they want a can-do attitude they

want to see a government that is representing the best we can bring from ourselves and the best we can bring to the young people that we see coming up in hawaii. that is what this is all about. of course the government can create jobs secured government needs to be able to create jobs. that is what the stimulus and recovery program is about. that is what this new day in hawaii is about. first, we go through recovery. we utilize the grant resources and the federal money. the university of hawaii president was in a discussion with me recently. we will bring the institute of medicine here. we will be exploring in january every opportunity to use the capital that we have here, our human capital. you can see how energized i am about what we can do and accomplished. i cannot wait to get started. i am not a profit of gloom. i am reaching for the light. i am reaching out and saying to

you, we can do this. a new day is coming to hawaii. a better way forward is here. i am looking to do it with you, for you, and let's all get together and say [speaking hawaiian] >> thanks to our candidates for participating in this debate. thanks to the maui arts and cultural center. we hope you all go home feeling more informed and prepared to vote november 2. audio archives of the forum will be posted on the hawaii public radio website and rebroadcast on your community television station. this is hawaii public radio, 88.1

honolulu 90.1 i am kayla rosenfeld. good night and thank you. >> aloha. [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] ♪ coverage's debate continues to burn night with the only debate between senate majority leader harry reid and his republican challenger sharron angle. a recent opinion poll shows

sharron angle with a 42% to 40% weed on senator harry reid. it begins at 9:00 p.m. eastern time. later, another live debate from nevada's third congressional district. the republican is seeking to unseat the incumbent democrat. that is at 11:00 p.m. eastern on c-span. >> hey, middle and high school students, didn't working on those videos. our annual documentary competition. there is $50,000 in prizes. this year's theme, washington through my lens. for complete rules and information, go to studentcam.org. >> over the next two weeks, first lady michelle obama is making campaign stops for democratic u.s. senate and house candidates.

her first event was in milwaukee where she spoke at a fund-raiser for wisconsin senator russ feingold. senator feingold is running for a fourth term, and faces a challenge from republican ron johnson. showed ron johnson leading senator feingold. the political report rate this wisconsin senate race but tossup -- a tossup. >> hello, everybody. thank you for coming. this is terrific. thank you. thanks so much. my friends, thanks so much. [applause]

this is exactly what we need. [cheers] thank you. [chanting] thank you very much. my friends, what a wonderful greeting, and i know you are here to see me. [laughter] but i am going to say a few words. three weeks to go until the election day, the race i am in here remains closed, but more importantly, i want you to know and i guarantee that we have the momentum, we are moving in the right direction. as our upon an ron johnson is moving in the wrong direction. -- our opponent ron johnson is

moving in the wrong direction. wisconsin people are finding out he would take us of the wrong direction. a lot of you have seen out of state polls showing us behind, and our opponents have been dancing in the end zone, thinking the game is over. i admit, up until last week, we were at best tied. at times, we have even been behind in our own polls. but i want to tell you today, as of this moment, i am no longer behind. i am no longer behind. [applause] and i can tell you, that as of this moment, i am actually beating ron johnson with the

voters who are most likely to vote. [applause] about why thist is. what the reality is. with three weeks ago and election day, the race remains close. we have the momentum. our opponent is moving in the wrong direction, and that is because we are the ones who are talking about the bread and butter issues that affect the working families of wisconsin and of the united states of america. mr. johnson's support for shipping wisconsin jobs to other country has been a game changer. wisconsin people understand that while ron johnson was sitting on the sidelines, i was fighting every day for wisconsin jobs throughout all those years of

public service. [applause] wisconsin people understand that while ron johnson has said that he has gotten off his rear end and stood up -- that is what he said -- he is not standing up for you. the choice is clear and the voters understand. here is what they now know. i was recently named the number one enemy of the washington lobbyists, number one out of all 100 members of the united states senate. [applause] and ron johnson is standing up for the corporate special interests in washington. after two debates, we are surging. i can tell you this will come down to the wire. we cannot let up. we have 21 days left in this fight. johnson will do everything that they can to turn this back the other way to buy this election.

we simple not allow it -- we simply will not allow it. [applause] and his strategy is not working in part because he is hiding from the media and hiding from the voters. he is hiding behind political talking. and hiding behind $7 million of empty television ads that provide no solutions to create jobs and get our economy moving forward. he is hiding behind attacks on me, also, huge attacks from out- of-state corporate special interests that have come into wisconsin and run over $2 million of misleading and negative television ads. we have done none of these eds. i have asked people to stay out of the state. we will have a wisconsin campaign and it will continue to be that way. [applause] me of you may have seen

in our debate on monday night, he did not have the backbone to tell the corporate special interests to get out of wisconsin and let the people decide this election. if ron johnson is afraid to tell them to go away know, does anyone think he can be trusted in washington? >> no. [laughter] >> of course, there are other good reasons he is hiding. he does not want anyone to know that he would be nothing more than a voice for special interests that already have too much power and influence in washington. he even called the trade agreement that he wants to ship overseas, he calls that creative destruction. i called the destruction of wisconsin families and lives and traditions. his idea for growing our economy is absent except for one thing -- giving multimillionaires like

himself more tax cuts. that is his whole concept. for everybody else, wants to repeal health care. increased costs for seniors and cut people off of unemployment benefits who are still working for works -- still looking for work. he wants to continue to outsource jobs and has offered no plan about the job creation he says he can do. is the opposite of the approach i have taken. i have specifically proposed and succeeded in getting us jobs tax credits and other programs. as you know, i have stayed connected to this day by visiting every county every year. i have fought for the people of this state. i have taken on the washington d.c. lobbyists and their corporate special interests. the reason i got this distinction of being there number one enemy as i am simply not their friend. together, working with president obama, i supported taking on the insurance companies because it

was the right thing to do. it was the right thing to do. that was reason enough, but i have not left it at that. i am the only member of the senate who is running advertisements saying, i voted for that bill. i am proud of it. it is an historic achievement, which i not only do not not regret, i am honored to have voted for the president's courageous action to bring health care after 70 years of waiting. [applause] i will quit while i'm ahead. i will get to the main show. got a pretty special guests here today. i am so lucky to have the honor

of having as a guest here. the first lady and i understand that every election is about the future. and our shared responsibility to pass on a better future to our children. like the president and first lady, i have two daughters myself, and i am so pleased that young girls around this country can look to michelle obama as an inspiration. [applause] i do not know if the first lady remembers, but when she and her husband came to washington in january, 2005, i was seated at a table with them for dinner. she was very concerned. how do you live between washington and wisconsin? what do you do with the kids? we had a nice talk about it. she figured out a better solution. she found this white house on

1600 pennsylvania avenue where they could live together. it was a good solution to the problem. michelle is an inspiration to the next generation, and her tireless efforts on behalf of building a brighter future for our kids is an inspiration. she has launched a wonderful campaign "let's move!" called-- called "let's move!", to bring together parents and teachers to address a childhood obesity. it has a truly inspiring goal -- to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. and she has had the wisdom to work with one of our best people here in the state on these kinds of issues and healthy eating -- will allen of growing power who is here today. one of my favorite people in

this state, and i know that the first lady thinks the world of him. she has devoted herself to another issue that is near and dear to my heart and that is helping the military families. [applause] as first lady, she has helped make sure we remember the sacrifices, not just of the men and women in uniform, but the husbands, wives, children and parents. they have to deal with so much when their loved ones are way, and also when they come home. michelle has shown tremendous compassion and leadership in advocating for them. [applause] she is brilliant. she is a constant reminder of what public service should be. she is standing up for people who need a voice. am delightteed to welcome the

first lady to wisconsin today. i am delighted that she has chosen us as the first visit she has taken since the inauguration on behalf of a candidate. i am honored to introduce a good friend of mine and a good friend of wisconsin, the first lady michelle obama. [cheers and applause] >> yay. thank you. thank you so much. thank you. thank you so much. [applause] thanks so much. well, it is good to see this crowd fired up. i am thrilled to be here.

all of you, rest your feet. you have a lot of work to do. i do not want you to get tired. i am thrilled to be here today. let me begin by thanking russ for that kind introduction. and thank you for inviting me here today. i am honored to be here. when my husband was here in the state a couple of weeks ago, he talked about how independent and outspoken russ is, and how russ does not always agree with him. so russ, you and i have a little something in common. [laughter] but my husband also said r said rus -- said something that i think is worth repeating. he said russ is always looking out for the people of this state. i think this is clear and about

almost everything he has done it since his time here and office. over the years, he has held more than 1200 town hall sessions to listen to the people of this state, and a day after day, he has taken a courageous and principled stance on your behalf. [applause] he has stood up for health insurance reform, stood up for campaign finance reform, and he has fought to create jobs and to cut taxes for working folks here in this state. so russ has been out there everyday working hard for families in wisconsin, and i am proud that this is my first stop on my campaign trips. let's give him another round of applause. thank you, russ. [applause] round ofso give a

applause to a few more terrific people here today -- our first lady, who has been a terrific friend and supporter to me. also, representative gwen moore, my girl, my woman, gwen. and a candidate for congress, a wonderful woman that i just got a chance to meet. let's give her a big found of applau -- round of applause. thank you all for being here today. to tell you the truth, this thing here, i don't do this very often. trail 't been on the and since this campaign a couple years ago. as mom in chief, my first

priority has been making sure that my girls are happy and helping and adjusting to an interesting life and that big white house that we live in. like every parent, i know my girls are at the center of my world, and my hopes for their future are the heart of everything i do. that is why i wanted to be here today. i come to this stuff more as a mom. when i think about the issues that are facing our nation, i think about what it means for my girls. i think about what it means for the world that we will leave behind for them and for all of our children. and i have the privilege of traveling around this country, and i meet so many beautiful children.

that is the highlight of my role. when i look into the eyes of those children, i see what is at stake. i see that in the eyes of the child whose mom has just lost their jobs. that girl were is our family will pay the bills. i see it in the eyes of the child whose father has just been deployed, and he is trying hard to be brave for his younger brother. i see it in a child stuck in a crumbling school looks around and says, what will this mean for my future? that is how i see the world. frankly, i think that is the most folks see the world. that is something we all share, that regardless of where we are from, or what we look like or how much money we have, we all want to leave something better for our kids. i know that was true in family

-- my family growing up. that is why my dad, as you know, after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, he never hardelly missed a day of work. no matter how sick or tired he was, my dad kept getting up, because he wanted something better for me and my brother. it was also true in barack's family as well. that is why his grandmother walk out before dawn every morning to catch the bus to her job at the bank. when she was passed over for promotions because she was a woman, she rarely complained, because she wanted something better for barack and his sister. that is what the american dream is all about, that fundamental belief that even if you do not have much, if you work hard, if

you do what you are supposed to do, you can build a decent life for yourself and an even better life for your children, right? [applause] that is the greatness of this country. but for too many people, that dream it feels like it is slipping away. and even before this recession hit, for too many people, all that hard work just was not adding up like it used to. for years now, middle-class families have seen their income is falling while the cost of things like health care and college tuition have gone through roof. and this is something that barack and i heard in every corner of the country during a campaign it -- folks asking themselves, are we going to go broke if we get sick?

what if we cannot pay the mortgage? how well i afford to send my kids to college if i am not rich? where can i find a good public school for my kids, and if i can not, what do i do? how will i give my kids in the same chance i had? folks all over the country worrying that may be the fundamental american promise was being broken and worse yet, that no one in washington was listening. and that is why my husband ran for president in the first place. that is why. [applause] because he knows that his w life, like mine, is only possible because of the american dream. that is why we stand here today. keeping that dream alive and within reach for all americans is what drives him every single day. trust me.

that keeps him up at night. and that is why folks like you across this country joined our campaign. that's right. [applause] and we are so grateful to you. that is why you made all those phone calls and knock on those doors and stood in the freezing snow and blazing sun. remember? and i believe that is why you and i are here today. we are not just here because of one alexian. we are not just here because we support russ, which we do. we got to keep him in office. [applause] here to renew herl that promise, to restore that dream. we are here because we all believe that no child future should be limited because of the neighborhood they are born in.

[applause] yes. we believe that every child should have access to the outstanding public schools like i had. [applause] and that every child should have a chance to go to college, even if their parents are not wealthy, just like barack and i did. we all believe basic things -- if you get sick, you should be able to go to a doctor. and if you work hard, you should make a decent wage and have a secure retirement. we all believe that if you fill -- fulfill their responsibilities, you should be able to provide for your family and have opportunities to pursue your dreams and leave behind something more for your kids. and we have to remember that

that is the vision that we all share. and it is the same vision my husband fought for as a young community organizer all those years ago, trying to bring jobs and hope to struggling neighborhoods on the south side of chicago. it is the vision he fought for in the illinois state senate and the u.s. senate. it is the same vision he talked about all those months on the campaign trail. trust me, it is the same vision that has invited him, the change he has been fighting for every single day in the white house. believe me, barack knokws that too many folks are out of work. too many paychecks to not stretched to cover the bill. that is why he cut taxes for middle-class family. he cut taxes for small businesses as well, not just once or twice, but 16 times so

that these businesses can start creating jobs again. he stopped credit card companies from jacking up rates and slapping folks with hidden fees. and if you remember, the very first bill he signed into law as president was the only ledbetter fair pay act -- lilly ledbetter fair pay act to ensure women get equal pay for equal work. barack believes every young person deserves the chances that he and i got, and that is why he is reforming our schools from top to bottom. he made investments in our community colleges. he increased student aid and tuition tax credits. he eliminated tens of billions of dollars in wasteful subsidies to big banks providing student loans, and he is sending

their money where it belongs -- to our students. [applause] and that's not just an investment in their future, it is an investment in our countries future. barack believes that it is our solemn obligation to serve our men and women in uniform as well as they have served us. so he has made one of the largest investments in our veterans in decades. he is helping them get the education they have earned, the jobs they deserve, and he is making sure they get the health care they need, and portman treatment for their moorings of today's wars l -- wounds for today's wars. i have made supporting military families one of my top priorities as first lady because i want to make sure that these hard-working families get their

respect, the appreciation, and the support they deserve. [applause] barack is also making investments in clean energy so that we can create good jobs and leave a healthier planet for our kids. he is investing in scientific research, including stem cell research that will transform our children's lives along after we are gone -- . brilliant,ted two accomplished women to serve as a supreme court justices. think about this. for the first time in history, our daughters and our sons watched with pride as three women took their seats on our nation's highest court. a wonderful day. [applause] and finally, barack knows all too well the heartbreak and

frustration that our health insurance system has caused for too many families. that is why he refused to take the easy route and walk away from health insurance reform, but heat -- because he will never forget how his own mother spent the final months of her life, not reconnecting with her family, not reflecting on her life, but fighting with her insurance company because they said her cancer was a pre- existing condition. he does not want any family to ever have to go through that again. [applause] and thanks to the reform that russ and so many of you helped pass, they will not have to. thanks to this reform, insurance companies can no longer drop your coverage just because you ge six. they can nck. kids can stay on their

parents plans until they are 26 years old. and insurance plans have to provide preventive care. important things like breast cancer screening and prenatal care, at no extra cost, at no extra fees or charges. that is not just about saving money. that is about saving lives. now, thiese are just some of the examples of the kinds of changes we are making. the truth is it is because of all of you. it is because of strong leaders like russ that so much as an accomplished in such a short period of time. it has just been a year and a half. but with that said, i know that a lot of folks are still hurting. for a lot of folks, change has not come fast enough. believe me, it has not come fast

enough for barack or russ. now when so many folks are still looking for work. when they are trying to provide for their kids. it is not been fast enough. my i think many of this came into this expecting to see all of the change we talked about happened right away, the minute barack walked into the oval office. the truth is, it will take a longer time to dig ourselves of this hole than any of us would like. the truth is, this is the hard thing. remember, that is what barack told u.s s. you remember? that is what we told each other during all those bonds on the campaign trail. he told us that what change -- change is hard.

he said change is slow. said it does not just happen on its own. and we all understood that change takes struggle and sacrifice and compromise. from the first days as a nation, every time the folks tried to make change, they faced fear and doubt, setbacks and disappointment, but remember, as americans, we have always pushed past the cynicism and kept moving forward. and that's exactly what we have to do today. wisconsin, that is exactly what we have to do today, because there is so much at stake right now. too much at stake for our future and for our children. and we've come much too far to turn back. to stopome too far

giving our kids the chances in life they deserve. we have come too far to stop rebuilding that middle-class security for all of our families. we have come too far to stop putting the american dream that i know and my husband knows that russ knows that within reach for all of us. we have come too far. again, it will not be easy. because real change never is. but let me share something with you, something that i do during those times when change seems hardest. there are hard times, right? i think about my dad. i think about how no matter how tired he got as he struggled to walk, no matter how frustrated he felt trying to address himself in the morning, he just kept getting up every day. he just kept getting up.

and that keeps me going. that is my inspiration. think about barack's grandmother. no matter how discouraged she felt, she kept getting up and giving her best. i think about all the folks all over this country just like her who i've met over these past few years. the folks who work that extra shift, the folks who take that extra class, the folks who wake up every morning with the complaint, without regret, and do everything they can for the people they love. those folks inspire me every single day. finally, i think about how we all felt on election night. [applause] i think about how we all felt on

inauguration day. we were excited. we were energized, hopeful, because we knew we had a chance to change the country we love for the better. and the truth is, we have that same chance, and we have that same responsibility today. the chance to continue the progress we have made, the chance to finish what we started, because this objection isn't just about all that we've accomplished these past couple of years. this election, wisconsin, is about all that we have left to do in the months and years ahead. [applause] but here is something that i ask you all when i was on the campaign trail. i asked you to make sure you had

my husband's back. i said my husband cannot do this alone. i am giving him to you, right? you remember? he cannot do this alone. he needs a stronger leaders like russ to help him. they all the folks like all of you to make this happen. they cannot do this alone, so we need you to make those phone calls for russ, not on those doors russ. did everyone your note to vote for russ. early voting has already started in wisconsin. all you have to do is log on to votenowwisconsin.com. we need you to go out there and find all those folks who are planning to sit this one out.

find them. we need you to tell them they cannot vote just once and hope for change to happen. they have to vote all of the time, every time. they have to vote for their council members and their mayors and their governors and for senators like russ feingold. we need you to get those folks up and fired up, because in the end, our campaign was never about just pulling one man and puttin ghim into the white house. the campaign was never about that. it was about building a movement voicesnge millions of strong, committed -- a movement that lasts beyond one year or one campaign. if you keep standing with russ,

if you are still as fired up and ready to go as you were two years ago, then i know we can keep this movement going. i know we can keep that american dream alive, and years from today, our children and grandchildren will be able to look back and say that we kept faith with the values we were raised with curre. . .

[captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010]

>> justice stephen breyer. >> it is sometimes hard to

avoid this and how the you see the relationship between the average person in this country. there are basic fundamentals, illegal and fundamental. it is a part. they will see an approach or the question is very open. >> stephen breyer and his books on sunday night at 8:00. >> c-span's local content vehicle are traveling the country as a lick of some in most closely contested house races leading up to the midterm election. >> in florida, if the incumbent is the democrats as been there for 14 years. he won a primary in august. they are going to be spending a lot of money would television ads with speaker pelosi and president obama.

a part of what we are seeing nationally is unhappiness with the obama administration and the economy and of the debate that went down with the health care vote. it is very big. a lot of town halls got very loud. we know how that went down. that was a precursor to what this race with the light. there will be one overriding issue. that'll be congressman floyd's vote in favor of the health care legislation. in the first round, he voted against the legislation. then he voted for it as a key swing vote in the second round and it was passed. he did have a tough primary fight against long term state legislator here. he won that 51% to 49%.

it was closer than people thought. they did not go with an obama endorsement in fact purdat. he did not want to have that a round his neck. the health care vote is emblematic of a barter space. -- better space. his back ground at a fiscal conservative, he has run this district. he has a strong defense of the military presence. he has run conservatively. that run for health care runs counter to that. >> he is a funeral director and panama city.

he won a five republican race and the primary. he raised a considerable amount of money. he is going to get a lot to help from the outside. it runs along the panhandle. it includes tallahassee where we are now. it is highly democratic. many of those registered democrats are still all line dixie craftsman. president obama to not carry it into thousand eight. and he did in florida. it is about how the democrats are going to do in this fight and whether they will win the

off-year election and how many seats they will lose in the house. >> c-span's local content vehicles are traveling the country visiting communities in congressional district as did the fed some of the most closely contested house races for more affirmation of what they are of two, visit our web site c- span.org/lcv. >> we will bring the campaign debates. more campaign 2010 coverage would tonight delaware senate debate. then the debate between california's gubernatorial candidates.

>> tomorrow, offshore. we will talk to the national defense council. and jon hilsenrath on the us economy. "washington journal" begins live at 7:00 a.m. eastern on c-span bega. >> live coverage from the texas book festival. officers on the obama presidency and panels on medical mysteries of capital punishment.

it the entire schedule booktv.org. >> what are exclusive interview with current and former justices. it is an insight into how it works. >> they met in the first televised debate tonight at the first televised debate in delaware. christine o'donnell is supported by the tea party. this is 1.5 hours.

>> item will be lifted. thank you so much for joining us. thank you so much for joining us for what is certain to be one of the most widely watched debates of the 2010 midterm election season. >> let's introduce the candidates. democrat chris coons and republican chris o'donnell. welcome. we also want to thank aarp and the american cancer society cancer action network for their support in making this debate possible. -- >> let's go through some of the ground rules. there will be a to-minute opening statement from each candidate. nancy and i will pose questions. response is limited to two minutes with a one-minute rebuttal from the other candidate, and then there will be opportunities role was to mix it up little bit and get into a discussion and follow-up.

discussion and follow-up. that is the first 60 minutes of this debate. that will be followed by a 30- minute segment during which we that is the first 60 minutes of this debate. two minutes at the end for a closing statement. our live audience here in mitchell hall understands, we hope, that there will be no applause during tonight's debate. we want everyone to be quiet and listen and learn from these two candidates. a coin toss determined earlier the order for this evening. we began with 2 minute opening statements from each of the candidates, and we began with chris coons. >> thank you to our moderators and our host. there is a great deal at stake in this election for our state,

our families, and our country. all of us, regardless of our political leanings, recognize that washington is broken. as i have traveled up and down the state listening to voters talk about the issues facing them in their daily lives, i have heard again and again their frustration with washington and with elected officials are putting narrow partisan agendas ahead of the good of our country and do little to help millions of americans out of work or on the verge of losing their homes and who are anxious about their futures. the partisan gridlock in washington has real implications for us here in delaware. there are more than 30 rock thousand delawareans out of work in nearly 3000 families have faced foreclosure this year. these are not just numbers. these are our neighbors, and we cannot stand by and watch washington ignore them any longer. delaware voters face a clear and important choice between my opponent, a candidate who wants to take our state and country back to the failed economic policies of the past, who values

partisan bickering over compromise and solutions, and who of late has extreme positions that threaten vital education programs and would abandon our commitment to our veterans. in my case, a candidate with a proven track record of balancing budgets, finding bipartisan solutions, working with delaware's businesses, large and small, helping to create jobs and spur growth. over the next nine in it, i look forward to the chance to share my ideas and values that i learned grong up and working th one of delaware's manufacturing companies. this campaign is a job interview, and tonight's debate is about giving delaware's voters and insight into which candidate has the experience, values, and ideas to best represent them and do the hard work of fixing what is broken in washington. thank you. >> thank you to our host and for everyone being here tonight. i am running because i am

concerned about the direction of oucountry. the america we knew and grew up with is being written in the most serious way. three years we will be payin$1 billion a day on the interest alone on our national debt. the common sense men and women in this room and across delaware know this is not sustainable, get my opponent wants to go to washington and rubber-stamp the failed spending bills that have cost us 2.5 million jobs. this is wrong. ofll sam needs to be cut off. with your vote in support, i want to go to washington to create jobs based on private business, not new tax dollars. i want to fight to have our nation become debt-free. i want to stop the tax hikes that are coming in january and reach sustainable energy independence, support the military, anstrengthen the serity of our homeland. i want to fight to safeguard social security, improve education, and protect our constitutional liberties.

in an election year when summoned is at stake, just about every candidate says this. what dtinguishes one candidate from another or the proposed solutions to reach these goals. i very much look forward to getting down to brass tacks with all of you over the next 90 minutes. i believe there is a clear choice in this election. a vote for my opponent will cost the average delaware family $10,000 instantly between the january tax hikes and his vote for capt. trade. most of us cannot afford that. if you think that government is too small and that you are taxed too little, if you never questioned whether america is a beacon of freedom and justice, then he is your guy. but if you want a senator who will stand up to the washington elite and put your interest ahead of the special interests, and make the tough decisions needed to rein in and out of control washington, then i humbly ask you devote a model for u.s. senate. >> -- ask you to vote o'donnell

for u.s. senate. >> americans voted overwhelmingly for democrats during the last election because most felt that the democrats would be able to fix the failing economy. unemployment is at 9.6%. almost three-quarters of americans in the most recent cnn opinion poll said that the economy is still in a recession. why should the voters of delaware trust a democrat this time around? >> i think the voters of delaware should trust this democrat because like combinion of experience, working in and with the private sector. helping one of delaware's most innovative companies expand and grow jobs and working with the chamber of commerce, our business roundtable, lots of groups to represent businesses large and small to effectively grow the economy i have also presented concrete

and real ideas. they are on my website, but i look forward to a chae to grow them in some detail tonight. i would advocate for research and development tax credit that combin with a new manufacturing tax credit, advocates for companies that invent and make things here, getting an extra incentive. we need to change the crazy tax policy in washington that gives an incentive to american companies to shut down operations here and ship jobs overseas. there are the things i have proposed, expanding the home office tax credit, a tax credit for starting a new business that employs both within the first couple of years. biting harder and trade policy to make sure we are not letting our trading partners taking advantage of us, do more in investment and innovation. at the end of the day, i think delaware has a long tradition of advancing world-class products. the best way to get out of the recession is through growth. the best way to grow is by taking event of the skills and

resources of a world-class university like this one where we are having this debate this evening, and tying that to a stronger, more capable woforce, giving it the resources and energy it needs to be the leader in the world and creating high-quality, high value manufacturing jobs. those are some of the ideas i look forward to discussing more of this evening. >> we have to keep in mind that my opponent has a history of promising not to rai taxes on the campaign trail and then breaking those promises as soon as he takes office. unemployment almost doubled in the last two years under his watch as the county executive. he will continue to rubber-stamp the spending policies come in from washington. we were promised that the stimulus bill would create jobs, but instead it cost as 2.6 million jobs. we were promised it would keep unemployment at 8%, but we see unemployment at 9.7%.

the democrats are bragging that uncommon has leveled out, but while it has leveled out, more people than ever are on food stamps and our welfare spending is higher than ever. this is not the right move. this is not a move toward real economic recovery. this is a move toward creating a culture of dependency. i believe the best thing the government could do -- >> that is time. now we can open it to discussion. >> what would you do specifically to create jobs? >> the best thing the government can do to get our economy back on real economic recovery is to get out of the way of the small business owner and the entrepreneur. the way to do that is make sure these tax hikes don't come in january, to begin to roll back some of the regation and forced them to close -- that has forced them to close their doors. a temporary two-year tax holiday to give owners of the ability to

reinvest in their businesses. it will create 1.5 million new jobs. >> we are in the discussion portion, so you can interject here as well as we continue to discuss that point. x i am not sure i'd interest in what ms. o'donnell means when she says it is simply creating cultural dependency, and her primary objective would be to end all the less regulation and red tape. just a few weeks ago, a new bill that would provide expanded sba loan capacity, $30 billion worth of new lending capability, car czar funds that have been repaid and are being read purpose toward small and midsize banks, real and concrete steps are being taken. i cannot imagine where she found the numbers that unemployment doubled in the past year under my watch. i suspect we have to keep a close eye on the numbers we will find this evening.

>> we will have the statistics on our website by tomorrow. i want to point out that he said we are not creating a culture of dependency. how would you explain what is happening when unemployment has leveled out, but more and more ople are on food stamps? we have to ask ourselves, what do we want delawareans to be receiving, food stamps or paychecks? >> obviously paychecks. we would like to have americans able to receive the benefits they neeto get through incredibly difficult times, but to simply denounce people as independent is they are replying -- applying for and receiving food stamps -- >> that is not fair of you to say that. that is not at all what i am doing. i amot the person who would cut tax benefits for disabled and low-income senior citizens, as you did as county executive. what i am proposing is to give these -- to make sure the tax cut for all delawareans do not

expire this january. you have said that he will stop the tax cuts for the so-called rich. what you fail to realize is that the so-called bridge or the small business owner, the dry cleaner owner down the street, the pizza shop owner who makes $300,000 before th pay their for empyees. >> we are boring to try to have a conversation rather than just a diatribe -- going to have a conversation. >> it is important for folks to look closely at some of the thingshe has thrown out on her new website. most of them are untrue. some of them are just flat-out lies, some of them are just factually untrue. i am not going to stop every single time there is something she throws out that i disagree with or that is factually untrue. most of what you put out an the way you characterize my record is untrue.

>> the support keeping the bush tax cut for all americans, or only for those making under $250,000 a year? >> i support extending the tax cuts for the overwhelming majority of americans. the value i will apply in deciding how much to extend, whether it goes up to $1 million or five men in dollars. we have a tou choice to make. every extension that is given is going to increase the deficit and add to the debt. in deciding whether to extend all the tax cuts and for how longi think we should do the tax cuts that have the best chance of getting our economy going again. >> you will have an opportunity to get back into this discussion. this is easy number one, jobs, jobs, jobs. also the deficit. i want to get into the deficit right now. you have made the point that the national debt is exploding right

now. i want some specific, meaningful cut. if your elected senator from delaware, what would you cut in the federal budget, and don't just say waste, fraud, and abuse, because everybody says that. what would you cut specifically? >> first of all, we have to tackle the deficit and the debt. our deficit is almost becoming equal to our gdp. when a country's deficit equals your gdp, that is when your currency and market collapses. glaxo what would you cut? >> first of all, canceled the unbent stimulus bill. second, put a freeze on discretionary spending. put a hiring freeze on non security personnel, and tn when we are talking about cutting government spending, we have to talk about waste, fraud, and abuse. a recent report came out that we spend over $1 billion in

medicaid waste, fraud, and abuse. we are talking about pharmacies billing for prescriptions given to dead people. we are talking about home health-care companies billing for patients who were in hospital. senator coburn put out a report that disclosed millions of dollars that were supposed to go to education funding that instead went to special favors. special favor something my opponent knows very much about because he created 12 contingency funds so that he could pay out favors to special interest gros. the courts forced into close 11 of them, but the one that remained open paid $53,000 in a men's fashion show. he paid more than $50,000 to appease liberal special interest groups, at a time when he brags about balancing the budget by raising our taxes, cutting

police pay, this is how he chooses to spend our tax dollars. we have to ask, do we want to send this gentleman to washington, d.c? i would say no. he is a career politician who has proven he knows how to play the use correct my back, i'll scratch yours game. >> and get back to the bogus of the qstion, which is what would you do to tackle the deficit and the debt. we have some large challenges in front of us. federal the spending is made up federal defense spending and interest on the de. i would consider supporting a freeze on non-defense discretionary spending for three years, which would achieve significant reductions. i have also identified a series of reductions are would support. some are in agricultural price supports. several of them are in defense programs. defense acquisitions at the pentagon is already said.

there is a variety of platforms and programs that i think we can simply do away with as we invest in making our defense and our military more modern, flexible, and responsive to the real threats we face in the modern world. >> let's open the discussion on correcting some of the financial issues here by talking about some of your own personal financial problems. most people know about it by now. there was the 2008 mortgage default judgment on your home. you just received a bachelor's degree and into the decade to pay off thtuition. the question then is, how can voters relied upon your thoughts on how to manage the deficit if you are having such personal financial issues of your own? >> first of all, the irs tax lien, the admitted iwas a

computer error, and my opponent should not be bringing that up. i have discovered there are thousands of delawareans who have faced the same thing. an irs mistake that cost them greatly, which is all the more reason we need to reform the irs, not put them in control of our health care. you mentioned education. i don't have a trust fund. i did not come from a privileged background, as my opponent says he did. >> is a matter of paying bills and managing finances. >> i paid for my own college education. i know how hard it is to earn and keep the dollar. one of the reasons why the delawarean should be able to trust me is because in this economy, i work for nonprofit groups. when i fell upon difficult times, i made the sacrifices needed to set things right. i sold my house and i sold a lot

of my possessions in order to pay off my personal debts and to become in a stronger position. i have worked hard in order to get to the position that i am. so i can relate to the thousands of delaware families that are suffering right now, and i am stronger for it. i made it through to the other side, and that is where leadership does not count in whether or not you fall, it counts in if you have gotten up, and that is what i have done. >> i frankly think that we need to focus in this debate this evening and in the campaign not on personal financial difficulties are background issues, but on the issues in front of us. the things that delawarea are concerned about. how do we tackle the deficit? how do we get delawareans back to work? there has been a lot of discussion that i think is a distraction from the core ises that delawareans asked about.

>> let's go through some of the accusations and we will give you a chance to respond. >> on the idea that somehow i was the one responsible for being sued for -- she is convincing me with my predecessor. >> as a county executive, you raised property-tax is, a 25% hike in the last fiscal year. proposed new taxes on hotels, paramedic services, even 911 call from cell phones. is that true? >> no. it is not true that we proposed a tax on calls to the 911 center. research into that would reveal that. it is difficult and complicated. next did increase taxes as the county executive? >> blanda walk you through what happened.

one of the tax my opponent has made repeatedly is that i he driven the county to bankruptcy. nothing could be further from the truth. today, new castle county has a surplus. when i became the executive in 2005 it had a deficit. i have work to the then as significant reserve that is made it possible for us to continue to have a aaa bond rating. roughly 30 counties in america have aaa bond rating. >> you have been criticized for saying that you brought the county to aaa bond rating. you inherited that good rating, and how would you justify cutting the tax exemption for low income seniors and disabled seniors, cutting our police pay when you wastefully spent so much money on keeping the special interest groups? recently cannot justify that. that is a career politician. that is cronyism.

we don't need any more of that in washington. >> it will be difficult to respond in 30 seconds. i am proud of my record as new castle county executive. the hard choices that d to be made to clean up the government, every time you get a bond rating, you earn the bond rating. ms. o'donnell is not familiar with how bond ratings work. moody's just two weeks ago said it was because of the conservative fiscal policies of my administration that we have reaffirmed a aaa bond rating from all three agencies. >> on national security, foreign policy, 100,000 amecan men and women are serving in the military in afghanistan right now. the president' of afghanistan, hamid karzai, has acknowledged he is in direct talks with the taliban leadership and wants to create what the cause of peace council. here is a question for mr. coons.

we use aboard a negotiated settlement in afghanistan that includes taliban -- would you support a negotiated settlement between hamid karzai and the taliban? >> i am concerned about the security of our troops in the field and honoring the service and sacrifice of our veterans. i think the war was justified by a direct attack on the united states. the taliban was the are of the 9/11 attack. we have to look good weather will continue to contribute to american security by having 100,000 troops on the ground -- we have to look at whether we will contie to contrute. it allows the opportunity to read engage, should the taliban take control again, or allow al qaeda to reemerge as a real threat to the region or to the united states. we have spent $1.30 trillion in

iraq and afghanistan. have lost more than 5000 american servicemen and women. we have asked a lot of our men and women in the field. they have delivered brilliantly, but frankly, the mission has exceeded the scope that we could initially have expected. i am more concerned about the threats to our security posed by an unstable pakistan, by iran, and by an endless war in a country where we are trying to build a nation where there has not been one in modern times. >> light on the campaign trail has he said -- y on the campaign trail has he said he supports this random time to withdraw all? iran and withdraw that he says he supports will simply embolden the terrorist to come after us even more.

when we withdraw from iraq, we need to make sure there are nchmarks in place. those benchmarks are making sure there is a government, a representative government over there that serves the needs of the people and that can defend themselves. when we have reached these benchmarks, that is when we withdraw. >> she said withdraw from iraq. >> that i say iraq? i am sorry. i meant afghanistan. >> frankly, i come from a family of veterans. i come from a family that has dedicated a lot to the service of our nation, and i wear a flag in every day to remind me of a man who grew up next door to and was killed in iraq in december 2005. i never take lightly the enormous sacrifice our servicemen and women have made and that we'd ask them to continue making. i don't know how long is too long, but to endure strikes me awfully long. i question whether your

standards and principles give us any hope of winding up this war on any reasonable time line. frankly, the government of hamid karzai h proven itself to be largely corrupt and ineffective of establishing control of the whole country. we have dedicated hundreds of billions of dollars to this conflict, and i am deeply concerned that it is a conflict without a reasonable in the inside. we have to come up with a plan to responsibly wind down the conflict. >> it should be based on established benchmarks that mean we have had success. he sd that your top priority is the concern for the safety of others on the homeland, if you seriously support this random time withdrawal. all we are going to do is embolden the terrace to think they have more power than they do. would ask you, whether it is the tax cut, you have gone back and forth on what you said on

afghanistan. do you support the president or don't you support the president? >> let's stay focused on the issue in front of us, which is afghanistan. >> you have jump around. >> the core iue is, what reasonable prospect the have for these gauzy benchmarks and time lines to actually result in withdrawal? in iraq, there was in for structure in place. in afghanistan, there has not been a nation in decades. despite 10 years of increble effort, we are not succeeding in building a nation. if the benchmark is self- governing, stability, security, wead a decent shot at that in iraq. >> when we were fighting the soviets in the 1980's and 1990's, we did not finish the job. now we have a responsibility to finish the job.

>> we are about to wrap up this topic. yes or no ansr, is this nation more secure than it was under president bush? >> yes. >> no. >> we will move on to our next topic. >> it can i say why? >> we do need to move on. >> the statements out in the national media, the "saturday night live" skids or a distraction. to the voter in delaware, is the message they are receiving. we would be remiss if we did not address this issue. the comments you have made in your own lawyer have bome fodder for the late night tv shows. a local newspaper columnist said that the comments you have been seen to be making make delawareans cringe.

what you say to voters who want change but or uncomfortable by these remarks? >> this election cycle should not be about comments i made on a comedy show over aecadand a half ago. the election cycle should be about what is important to the people of delaware. hell are going to get real jobs back to delaware? -- how are we going to get real jobs back to delaware? these are the issues that delawareans are concerned about. i have not welcomed at this media attention. you have been asking for an interview for quite a long time. my priority has been meeting as many voters, going to as many community forums as possible so we can counter these things. my opponent has said the statements we made should be off the table. after he made that statement, days later he started running ads.

he is going back on his work, using those statements to misrepresent my character. again, i thank you for the opportunity for the delaware voters to get to know who i am and what i am all about. i can assure them that while i made statements, my faith has matured over the years. regardless of m personal fate, when i go down to washington d.c., is the constitution i will defend and it is by the constitution that i will make all my decisions. that will be the standard >> i was surprised to see in a newspaper a profile about the bus. it was pretty similar to what you just heard from her, that she would not let her faith in the central driver of her decisions when elected. your suggestion that the constitution would be your guide -- i am interested in hearing if it is the constitution passed by

the founders, the constitution of the 1930's and 1940's, or the constitution at the day. protecting a woman was the right to choose, protecting reproductive freedom, making sure we have miss o'donnell's views on prayer, abortion -- these are important. these ar not random statements on a late-night tv show. what can a judge is wihy confirm? what sort of issues witchy take up? i will stand firmly behind the constitution as it stands today. the case law that governs the united states. >> you were a student pastor at yale. you said that you thought you would end up a preacher, a professor, or a politician. you have casionally been a guest speaker at some of the churches in our community -- baptist churches. what role does faith in your life have on your politics.

>> faces a central part in how my wife and i raise our children. ours is a faith that we think is a general motivation toward public service, to try to create a committee that is more tolerant, inclusive, and just. we think that is the central message of our faith. i also think that someone who has been elected 10 years -- my -- thespect of my private faith does not influence the decisions i have made for the public in my 10 years in office. >> let us give you a chance to respond. in a television appearance back in 1998, you said evolution is a myth. do you believe evolution is a myth? >> i believe -- i was talking about what a local schoo taught. that should be decided by the

local mmunity. please let me respond to what he just said. >> answer the question -- is evolution a myth? >> local schools should make that decision. >> what do you believe? >> what i believe is irrelevant. >> why is it irrelevant? >> what i would support in washington, d.c., is the ability for the local school system to decide what is taught in their classrooms. what i was talking about on that show was a classroom that was not allowed to teach creationism an equal theory as abolition. that is against the constitutional rights and that is an overreaching are of the government. please allow me at least a full minute to respond to what he said. he said the statements that we made should be taken into consideration when casting your vote. i would be remiss not to bring up the fact that my opponent has recently said that it was -- that he was studying under a

marxist professor that made him become a democrat. when you look at his decisions on things like raising taxes, this is one of the tenants of marxism, not supporting eliminating the death tax is a tenet of marxism. i believe people support my catholic faith more than his marxist beliefs. >> a lot of people -- because they have learned in the last few weeks, he once described yourself when you were in college as a bearded and marxists. >> i hope people will go and read the article. it is an article i wrote as a senior, the day of our commencement speech. th title and the content clearly makes it obvious that it was a joke. there was a group of people i had shared a room with who were in the young republicans and who thought when i returned from kenya and registered as a democrat that doing so was proof th i had gone over to the far left. date -- they jokingly call me a

bearded marxist. if you read the article, it was clear on the face tt it was a joke. despite that, my oppont and those in the right-wing media have spun this. i had never been anything but a clean shaven capitalist. [laughter] >> i would stand to disagree because first of all, if you are saying what i said on a comedy show is relevant to this election, then you're writing an article -- forget the bearded marxist comment, he wrote an article saying you learn your police from an articulate marxist professor and that is what made you become a democrat. that should be assigned to every delaware voter. >> if it were true, i would agree. >> you said at -- >> there's an issue you brought up about schools. this goes to you mr. coons.

schools are trying to get an accountability in the classroom. it is very difficult to dismiss an underperforming teacher because of the stringent contracts that had been negotiated with the individual school system. do you feel that teachers' unions are too powerful? >> one of the things i have complemented, both -- is the remarkable progress on the "race to the top" program. i like but the process and the outcome. the president and vice presidents at a very high bar. they had money for states re willing to make significant changes. delaware's teachers' union came to the table and was the leadership of gov. markel. been a significant changes. they embraced charters and made a more powerful. then made it possible for

schools to war underperforming to be shut down or restructured. they change the system so teachers compensation could be tied to approval by children in the classroom. i think our teachs deserve our support. i think our teachers have a long tradition of contributing significantly to building a stronger and better community. my own mother and grandmother were schoolteachers. i respect the hard work that they do. earlier today i was at a school in new castle. . the work that our teachers do, the work that is done in early education, the work that is done here and that other great public universities in the state and country is critical to lay the groundwork for our future. i have no problem with recognizing that the people who do the hard work are entitled to a good standard of living. they are entitled to be able to live a life where they have health care, they have a pension, and they have job security. i think there are issues we have to tackle. i think "rice to the top --

"race to the top" help to do that. >> he did not answer the question about whether the teachers' unions were too powerful because he got their endorsemt. in delaware we spent so much money on education that it goes to the six-figure salaries, not to the teachers in the classroom. it is appalling that in a state where we spend so much federal and state dollars on education that teachers who want to get extra materials have to do so out of their pockets. i have met many teachers. i have talked to them about their concerns with "grace to the top." whether democrat or republican, a lot of them have expressed that we are not spending our education dollars appropriately. what is going to happen when this funding dries up? we'll be broken system. in wilmington, we have an extremely high dropout rate.

why spend moneyn a broken system? it is not one to work. we need to sit down and have conversations with the teachers, not the unions. >> over the years, a number of conservatives have proposed eliminating the department of education in washington. the support that? >> i do not think that we need to go to that aspect of a step. the report has been released that shows millions of dollars of department of education money has been abused. that is the kind of stuff we have to stop. we also have to make sure that the money we are putting into education goes to the classroom and make them more effective. that is something we are ignoring. every time there is a problem, which is for more money at it. we are not getting to the root of the problem. that is what we need to do, start gettg to the root of the problem. that means talking to the teachers and putting the powers back to the parents over where

they send their children to school. >> in a recent survey of 30 industrialized countries, the united states ranked 25th in math, 21st in science. finland was first in math. south korea was first in science. specificallywhat would you do to make the united states number one and once again in math and science? >> great question. as someone who has spent 20 years working with a nonprofit organization that raises money for private individuals and helps provide scholarships for students, teachers, and for a colleg education -- i have been hands on and engaged. some teachers are cynically under supported by their district. i think there is a significant role for the federal government in providing financial support and encouragement. scholarships for those teachers and -- -- we need a new

generation of teachers who are fully prepared and lly qualified to engage their students in the classroom, to teach to the standards that "no child left behind" the established. we need to use collaborative learning techniques. >> i will give you a very quick chance to respond. what would you do, specifically, to make the united states number one? >> we have to empower the teachers to do what they need to do to be more effective. they are the ones on the first line of defense. they had the most influence over our students. but we also ha to empower the parents. i support charter schools and i support student vouchers -- school vouchers so that it gives parents, regardless of and from, regardless of status, an opportunity for their students

to have a shot at great edation. >> let's switch gears and talk about health care what is such an important issue to millions of americans right now. under the new health care all that was recently signed into law by the president, children can now stay on their parents' insurance policies until the age of 26. people can no longer be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions. ensures but the big insurance compans, are prohibited from rescinding coverage if a customer become sick and they cannot impose any lifetime limits on essential benefits like expensive treatment or hospital site -- hospital stays. you ought to repeal all of that? >> nobody is saying that the health-care system did not need to be reformed. that is part of insurance reform, not health care reform. in the course of the public debate we have begun to use coverage with care. our goal should be to make

health care more affordable. even with obama care, almost vulnerable in delaware are still left uninsured and without access to quality health care. when we passed obamacare we were promised it would make more people ensured. it is not. it is actually causing people to drop their policies becse of compliance standards are so high. this should not force businesses to break our laws. second of all, we were promised that more people -- that health- care costs would be lowered. it has not. it has increased health-care costs according to recent reports. what i want to do is fight to fullyepealed it so we can begin to enact real reform. that real reform would include allowing policy ability when changing jobs. allowing someone to get policies across state lines. right now we only have three

options. that is not right. i would also fight for some sort of court reform that would allow doctors to not have to worry and practice of medicine to prepare for the court room as compared to the examination room. this reform also have to protect those patients who are victims of true medical malpractice. >> you have one minute to rebut. >> i think the health-care bill has many advances. itrevents state -- it recrus and traina whole new generation of doctors and nurses by expending support for community health centers. it also improves the efficiency of our health-care system. it makes a landmark investment of $350 million over a decade to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. there were strategic investments in electronic medical systems that would allow medical