John King, USA
The latest political news and information on the most important stories affecting you.
Moderator John King gets preparation help from Arizona State University students sitting in for the remaining GOP candidates. Tonight's event will be conducted in a round-table fashion.
February 22nd, 2012
04:00 PM ET
John King hosts Arizona Republican debate
Don't miss the Arizona Republican debate tonight on CNN at 8pm ET, moderated by John King. Do you have questions for the remaining GOP presidential candidates? Post HERE or tweet using #CNNDebate.
About this Show:
Your daily destination for political news. Join John each night as he pulls back the curtain on Washington, cuts through the partisan noise, and gets to the bottom of stories that affect you.
John King, USA aired weekdays at 6pm ET. The final show aired June 29, 2012.
Any questions for John? Tweet them to @JohnKingCNN and he'll answer them Tuesday's at noon ET on CNN.com/LIVE
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CNN Arizona Debate Question: "How has your understanding of the Constitution and the policies you have supported throughout your political career fought to protect individual liberty, enforced fiscal responsibility, and brought prosperity to the people of the United States of America?"
Followup Directive: "Explain how your current promises and planned policy changes will uphold the Constitution by fighting for personal liberty, enforcing fiscal responsibility, and bring prosperity to the people of the United States of America."
Please ask Mr. Santorum if he thinks that food production, energy efficiency and available fresh water will triple in the next generation and, if not, why he and his wife have seven children.
Please ask Mr. Rpomney about this: I am a 77 (almost 78) year-old Pennsylvania female.
, not employed, retired, living on Social Security and some wise investments, but total gross annual income under $15,000.....and yet I pay 10% income tax. How is this in any way fair? A mere 3 to 4% less than this billionaire pays? Help us God, IF Mr. romney becomes our president...Go Sen. Santorum!!!
Question for Mr Romney on his new Tax Plan
understanding the very limited information we have seen in this proposal, I see that the "rich" exemptions would be something that would not likely apply to Mr. Romney himself. Would Mr. Romney personally be paying the set 28% he has proposed? Will this effectively eliminate the Bush era tax cuts his colleagues in Congress refuse to budge on?
CNN Arizona Debate Question: "Three of you have used religion as a method to collect voters' interest, which I find appalling but apparently none of you have an issue with giving up integrity in order to pander to a major group. Knowing this, how will you avoid pandering to special interest groups, refusing lobbyists, and fight to eliminate the unethical decisions that saturate our political system?"
I should correct this: *refuse not *refusing
I am a ten year old homeschooler who loves history and wants to ask each of the candidates, "What does freedom mean to you?" I have researched this question and found many people have different ideas about what is freedom. I would like to know how our potential presidents would answer this question. Thank you.
What is your vision for America? Please describe it in positive terms. Do not offer a comparison to President Obama....he is not present at this debate in order to have an opportunity for rebuttal.
Several of Rick Santorum's recent campaign rallies featured appearances by the Duggar family of the TLC reality show ‘19 Kids and Counting.’ Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar, who filled in for Santorum on the campaign trail when his daughter was in the hospital, have stated that they chose to endorse the former Senator because they “want a man that honors God to lead our nation.” In light of the Duggars’ strong faith-based endorsement of Senator Santorum and the fact that he allowed them to act as his proxy at several campaign events, I’d like to know if he agrees with the Duggars that, according to the Bible, a woman should not seek higher education; should not work outside the home; should, as an adult, remain under the authority of her father until her father approves a husband for her; and should be held responsible for ensuring, through her actions and manner of dress, that the men around her do not think lustful thoughts.
Duggars campaign for Rick Santorum: http://celebs.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981073658
Duggars call Santorum “Man of God”: http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2012/02/jim-bob-michelle-duggar-rick-santorum-man-god-presidential-race
Michelle Duggar's tips for a successful marriage: http://now.msn.com/living/0220-michelle-duggar-wives-submissive.aspx?_p=f93b185e-1c70-4391-a71a-dc5e54882590
Articles and books about the Duggars’ religious sect and its beliefs:
http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/politics/4094/%E2%80%9Ctaliban_dan%E2%80%99s%E2%80%9D_teacher:_inside_bill_gothard%E2%80%99s_authoritarian_subculture/
http://www.amazon.com/Matter-Basic-Principles-ebook/dp/B005PR4UKY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1323445880&sr=8-2
http://www.recoveringgrace.org
CNN Arizona Debate Question: "Much of the focus within your current political discourse is on Obama and removing him from office. I understand the GOP's desire to replace Obama but our country's problem is not just Obama, it's the failed and unconstitutional policies instated before him as well as his own. So how is removing a temporary figurehead going to correct the major sources of our country's decline, which Obama has ignored as well? How will you correct the erred policies of, not just Obama, but of previous presidents."
All Republicans are yelling and screaming and asking President Obama to attack Iran.
I was wondering whether any of those Republicans know the consequences?
Possible world war III, high gas prices, Creating a recession or may be a depression.
OH Yes, then Republicans can win the Presidential elections in November.
Power hungry Republicans. Think about the country. America does not have money to start another war. Start a war and reduce taxes. You are destroying America.
For tonight's debate, I hope that John King will not just sit there when he is attached by the candidates for asking tough questions. He has an obligation to call them on their answers when he thinks that they are not answering the questions or when they attack the media for asking tough questions. During one of the last debates, he just took it when Newt attacked him for asking about Newt's character. We all know that character is an important consideration in politics and it is legitimate to ask a question about someones character especially when that someone (Newt) has such a checkered "character" history. The same can be said of Mr. Santorum, who is sounding like a religious psycho.
John King, please don't let them attack you for asking tough questions without calling them out when they don't answer.
Here is the last link, which somehow got cut from my previous post: http://www.amazon.com/Matter-Basic-Principles-ebook/dp/B005PR4UKY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1323445880&sr=8-2
And if that link doesn't show up, try this one: http://www.midwestoutreach.org/a-matter-of-basic-principles-bill-gothard-and-the-christian-life
see tweet
My question is for Mitt Romney. Considering that the Mormon church as some very racist views against African Americans in Mormon writings/teaching how do you explain this and why would you donate millions of dollars to a church that has these views towards African Americans?
Correction:
My question is for Mitt Romney. Considering that the Mormon church has some very racist views against African Americans in Mormon writings/teaching how do you explain this and why would you donate millions of dollars to a church that has these views towards African Americans?
I would like to see a question regarding investing in health research in tonight's debate. According to Research!America, 91% of Americans think research and development is import to state economies and 94% say accelerating our nation's investment in research to improve health is a priority. Please ask them if they support a strong investment in health research and whether they see it as a solution to some of our economic concerns. Thank you!
I would like to see a question regarding investing in health research in tonight's debate. According to Research!America, 91% of Americans think research and development is important to state economies and 94% say accelerating our nation's investment in research to improve health is a priority. Please ask them if they support a strong investment in health research and whether they see it as a solution to some of our economic concerns. Thank you!
Question for the candidates:
Why do all the GOP candidates (except Ron Paul) along with Pres. Obama believe that the US should join with Al-Qaeda in supporting the Syrian opposition in trying to depose yet another secular government in the Middle East, with the obvious goal of siezing the chemical and other weapons the Assad regime possesses?
Questions for the candidates:
All – Is a 100 Million dollar campaign donation too much to receive from a single donor? What if that donor were China or Iran? How much is too much?
All – Warren Buffet paid almost 7 Million dollars in taxes on 63 Million in earnings – for 2010. In dollars not percentage– how much is too much to ask from one individual?
To Rick, then Newt, then Ron, then Mitt – President Obama's latest tax plan is to reduce the corporate rate to 28% however; he is proposing a new tax on US corporations abroad. I assume these corporations would then be taxed by two countries. How damaging would this be to American workers and specifically why? This also seems like a 180 degree “class warfare” turn from making the rich pay their “fair” share. Thoughts?
Thanks John!
I would like to know why Santorum and Gingrich keep referring to themselves as part of the Evangelical Christian Base when they are Catholics? It appears they are using that term and should go against their own very fundamental faith as they have different beliefs!
DEBATE QUESTION:
It's been reported (see slate.com) that Mr. Romney visited his church prior to announcing his new position on abortion in 1993. Will Mr. Romney feel obligated to report to his church any position he believes is counter to church policy, if he's elected president?
Correction: Romney visited his church to explain his position prior to announcing it.
To Santorum and Newt:
What are you giving up for Lent for the next 6 weeks?
I have been listening to the candidate posture themselves as being a better Christian than the others. As a non-believer I would like to know if each candidate, as president, will promise to protect my freedom from religion with the same passion that he asserts his own.
Are you going to be brave enough to bring up the women's contraceptive issue tonight? If not, you're debate will be a fraud and not worth watching. It would be so interesting to hear what each man has to say about rape victims not getting the morning after pill and the virginia state controversey of having to undergo an ultrasound while in the throws of a miscarriage or rite after a rape. If you do not ask the tough questions then cnn should hang up the debate placket because cnn is obsolete.
My question for the candidates: What, exactly, do you think "separation of church and state" means?
Scenario: Mass casualty accident. Lots of people needing transfusions for injuries, some taken to hospital where they will receive transfusions and live. That hospital fills up so others are taken to a hospital where those running the hospital have a moral objection to blood transfusions and they die for lack of transfusions. Given Sen. Roy Blunt's proposed amendment that any one should be able to object to covering/providing medical care that they object to on moral grounds, this could happen. Explain why this is okay.
Please ask the candidates what they will do about the U. S. Postal Service's bleeding red ink! Why do we continue to let them lose money? Why not attack the problem?
Question for the GOP candidates: We are 3 years into a continuing economic crisis caused, in great measure, by Wall Street's reckless use of leverage and the marketing of fraudulent securities, yet the not one executive has been charged criminally. What can you do to restore the public's faith in "equal justice under law" given this fact. (And yes, contrary to the Administration's claim, crimes WERE committed!)
You have spent time recently on the subject of Contraception. My question is this: a) Have you used artificial contraception?; and b) Have you had a vasectomy?
Thank you,
Mitchell K., Richmond, Virginia
All candidates: We often hear about the media having a leftist or liberal-leaning bias. If this is true, can you articulate why they have this bias? Thank you.
This is the season of Lent.Which one of you will give up first,your bid to be President of the United States?
i wish someone would ask the gop if they are making the election about religion 1. who you pay attention to children molested in church only if they wore a chain of birth control around their necks. 2. why are u so against birth control would u rather someone take a pill to avoid pregnacy -fetus not created or someone get pregnant and then have an abortion
How do you feel about the Supreme Court decision that allows Corporate officers to spend stockholders' money to support political candidates that stockholders do not wish to support.
Question for Mr. Santorum in Tonights GOP DEbate.
Given that a religious follower of the Jehova's Witness Faith would not be in personal favor of Blood Transfusions, & given that hypothetically a member of the Witness Faith runs a business that has employed NON Witness workers, what are your ( Mr. Santorum) views regarding such a worker receiving al blood transfusion, as a life saving procedure, if his Witness employe'rs Health Insurance program is required to pay for this as a life saving medical necessity?
#1 s/b would you
Will any of the candidates demand that congress sacrifice with the rest of us by taking an immediate 10 % salary and benefit cut for all hired, elected, appointed and others that have contracts with the federal government.
John, Here is a question for the candidates with Rick Santorum in mind. With the planets population just passing 7 Billion, rising food and fuel costs, housing, etc. do you think we should start to limit people having very large families similar to what China has adopted? I think we need to be responsible with regards to our stewardship of this planet.
For all candidates, if elected what would be the first thing you would do to put the unemployed back to work and would you open up drilling for oil and gas on our public lands as well as off shore .
13 months unemployed executive. My savings are almost gone. $1,900 / month in health insurance. I can no longer pay my mortgage and B of A will not help (other than government programs – unemployment delays 3 months of payment than all payments are due – this is financial suicide). I put 60% down and am not “underwater”. We bailed out the banks (with my taxes). We are helping those who are “underwater” on their mortgage. My interest is 2X what B of A offers. Where is my bailout? If I made foolish decisions when I bought my home I would qualify for help. I did the right thing – why am I being discriminated against? How would you help people like me?
Question for Mr. Santorum: Why are your charitable funds low for you when you are pushing social values? And why did Operation Good Neighbor that you started fail because of losing funds.? Is it even possible to have a President where his deeds match his words.?
I still have yet to hear an answer to this. Both Santorum and Gingrich are former Government Employees who had a terrific Govt. Health Plan. Each seem to think the rest of the country does not deserve similar insurance coverage. A great debate question is why don't taxpayers deserve as much? Another important question is did Santorum and Gingrich retain their health plans when they left government? I suspect they did not lose their insurance. Please consider these questions in tonight's debate.
As a 20 military vet, parents, two brothers and 2 children who service in military, from WWI thru Desert Storm, I am appalled that no candidate has addressed foreign policy issues. Only Ron Paul, as far as I know, has served in the military. The PRIMARY responsibility of the President is National Security, not contraceptive policy or jobs. Why do any of the candidates believe they are more qualified than Barack Obama to protect the United States
It is a good possibility that Israel will attack Iran soon. What is your position? What if Russia aides Iran? What is Iran shuts the straits of hormuz down (gas at $10/gal. would devastate our economy)? Iran is threatening doing this without a war. Would you be more proactive with Israel? Specifically what would you do? And why wait until they are nuclear? Mr. Paul would you just keep your hands in your pocket or what?
Canidates,
Do you believe we have a problem with securing our border with Mexico, if so in detail, how would you secure it ?
As a nation we need to focus on short and long term issues. While there has been a lot of discussion about the economy, I want to learn about each candidate's SPECIFIC plan for insitituting a viable energy program.
Why has not any candidate endorsed a national campaign converting gasoline engines to natural gas? Obama called us the Saudi Arabia of natural gas. This would put people to work, allow us to be more geopolitically independent. Newt has BIG IDEAS – this is very big and would position us as the world power that we once were.
Canidates,
all you are great men, without being negative towards each other, can you tell me what you are going to do for the country to get it back on track......(jobs, jobs, jobs)
For Speaker Gingrich, 'If you are elected President, what would be your thoughts in regard to inviting Franklin Graham to Washington to pray for our Country on the National Day of Prayer?'
Candidates have bragged "I will never apolize for America!"...
PLEASE ASK THEM IF THEY APPROVE OF THE U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT'S RECENT APOLOGY FOR HAVING MISTAKENLY BURNED THE HOLY BOOK.
THANLK YOU.
For Govenor Romney 'Are you a Christian?'
i am an OBAMA supporter,but even if i wasnt, none of the canidates are strong enough to beat Barack Obama.
Even if the unemployment was12%. they're beating thier selves.
Question for the canidate: What would you do that no one else have yet done, to get both parties to work together?
because It seem to be a war going on in gonress, you know like blue against red (crips & bloods turf war).
How large of a disadvantage will the eventual Republican presidential candidate have to overcome due to the extensive campaign to win the nomination? As the campaign wears on the continuous spending by each candidate potentially reduces the amount of money available for the presidential candidate. Meanwhile President Obama can continue to raise money for his campaign as the republican candidates attempt to one up each other providing President Obama's campaign team with plently of free material and strategies.
Greetings Mr. King, I am a 50+ year old Canadian who is an admitted political junkie. In fact I ran in the last provincial election here in New Brunswick, wasn't successful but loved the process.
Greetings Mr. King, I am a 50+ year old Canadian who is an admitted political junkie. In fact I ran in the last provincial election here in New Brunswick, wasn't successful but loved the process.
In any event really enjoy your show. I must ask however what is the preoccupation with religion in the republican primary. This has not been an issue in a Canadian election in my memory and it just seems to that the time, energy and resources spent on this issue takes away from the most important issue the U S faces - the economy. Perhaps you might parphrase an old line to the Republican candidates– "It's the economy __________ ?
If you make over $110,100 per year you only pay Social Security tax on the first $110,100. Which means you pay a smaller percentage of you income to Social Security than the average person. Is this fair? Why or why not?
Why do you as a candidate and a citizen of the United States seemingly revel and engage in sensationalistic, negative statements at a time when bipartisan cooperation would be so beneficial for the country and the American people? This is divisive for the country and detracts from the important issues affecting us today and in the future. Leaders should be visionary and inspire without resorting to tactics that hurt the country and make a mockery of our political process.
would like to know percentage of tithe or charitable contributions of 2010 from each gop candidate.
Question for the candidates: Do you love this country enough to change the course of your platform if it became necessary for the good of the U.S. Can you think of one such instance?
I would like to hear from the candidates as to their position on Education. How do they each plan to support teachers and students?
The obama birth certificate that the White House released has been charged as a forgery. Do you think this should be investigated?
Question for Rick Santorum – Since you are a self professed and strict practicing Catholic, do you believe that all sexual activity that cannot result in the potential creation of life is immoral and therefore should be outlawed?
Please ask R. Santorum to expand or explain re his wife's six year affair with an OB/GYN MD who did abortions. Exactly how did she delay pregnancy during those six years? This was in the '80's when she was a nursing student. PS DId she graduate.?
What will the candidates do to save the Post Office? Will they privatize? Would they call for mass lay-offs. My husband is a letter carrier and I am very concerned.
Question for the candidates: Since the Government took God out of the classrooms, would you agree to take the Feds out of our kids lunchboxes in the cafeteria?
Mr. King,
I have a general question to all the candidates. I have been watching the debates and listening to all the candidates and unfortunately I have not heard much about social security. I would like to know what each candidate will do to payback social security funds? and how will they keep it from being squandered again so the people that have been putting into it for years like myself will have the payments at retirement. I believe if I would have saved the money on my own that was taken for social security I would have more at retirement than social security will provide.
I think job creation is the number one concern for this country, especially in the manufacturing sector. I am a special ed teacher and my students most likely are not college bound. The lack of manufacturing jobs impacts my life and more importantly the life of my students. A simple example is that I cannot find a stainless-steel coffee mug made in America. Even those with the Made-in-America logo are made in China. How would you promote manufacturing jobs in America?
If the candidates all went to send these entitlement programs to the state level, where do the states get the funding? Is the federal government funding it, or are the states supposed to raise state taxes?
John King said he would give everyone one of the candidates equal time. The debate has turned into a free for all between Romney and Santorum. Why is John King not following the standards he set forth at the beginning of the debate? CNN is not giving all of the candidates a fair share.
This question is to Rick Santorum: I am disable. I got injured before I could retire. I am receiving Soical Security, but for my medical insurance I am receiving Medicare and Medical. I need Medical (which is Medicaid in some states). I can not get a supplement health insurance, without it costing me half of my Social Security Check. I am not 60 years old. It is hard to get a supplement health insurance when you are young and unable to work. You say you want to do away with Medicaid? What are you going to replace it with for those of us who are young and disable?
If Social Security is a separate deduction from our pay checks supposedly going to a separate fund, why does it become part of the argument in overall government budgets?
How can our country survive without proper taxation on the wealthiest Americans? Will you kill the Bush tax cuts that are set to expire on 12/12?
if elect what would you do about the super packs.....Clyde
What are you thoughts on shipping coal from Montana to Coos Bay, Oregon then shipped off to China.
Many are focused on the 1% but what would you do to get the thousands of government employees to pay their unpaid taxes?
newt wins again and my vote
Mr. King,
You may want to pick up Santorum's remarks when you asked candidates question towards end of debate about thei public's misconception of them. He said, referring to Obama, "I would beat the tar out of him." Once again, Ssntorum racial slip of tounge? Should be part of your follow-up on Thursday. I haven't seen anyone else pick up his comments.
Why is it that Romney, at least once per debate, doesn't address the question put to him? How arrogant! Doesn't he get it that he is applying for the job of chief executive? If I refused to answer a question in a job interview, I'm sure my name would be removed for consideration. I'm tired of his tap-dancing.
Thank you John King for finally giving the best Republican debate to date. I appreciate your FAIR treatment of Dr. Ron Paul. I am 49 years old and am tired of the media telling me who is electable, how to think etc. I truly believe Ron Paul is correct that a return to our constitution is the only hope for our country. And I am tired of the fear mongering and the neo-con, undeclared wars that damage our national security and advance the police state while usurping our God given liberty. And I am far from alone.
I just wanted to say thank you for being very generous in allowing Congressman Dr. Ron Paul to finish his thoughts. While he isn't the most polished candidate, he often makes the listener think through the issue which can be lost when rushed or interrupted. I figured you probably hear a lot of negative and extremely harsh comments from supporters of Dr. Paul so I wanted to be sure and take the time to thank you publicly. Thanks
I'm wondering why, when the birth control question was posed, John King didn't come back at the candidates to hold them accountable. This was a valid question from a voter during a presidential debate about the issues. This is a very important issue. The reason none of the candidates wanted to answer it is because their answers are very unpopular. They wanted to avoid it. So Newt did his attack on the "elite media" and deflected to some claim about what the media did, didn't do or should have done back in 2008. It was lame. And John King, on the spot, should have pointed out that it is an issue about which many Americans care and the candidates should stand by their positions and voice them during a debate (presumably, the perfectly appropriate place to do so). Instead, Newt personally attacked the media, demanded the subject be dropped – and the moderator let them get away with it! This is a disservice to the American public. We have a right to know how they would vote on this issue. I'm not sure I understand why they were let off the hook. (Although I'll bet being on that stage, live, being personally attacked in inappropriate ways, might leave someone a bit flustered and not right on top of his game, so if that is the answer, it is understandable, but unfortunate). Thank you.
$50 a month is $600 per year.. which may be a lot to someone who earns say 12 000$ per year.Also, if they have a paid for car, they could sell that and buy a more ecoonmic one. Too-pollutey?Well.. possibly the old ones.You know that half of Europe now drives modern TDI cars that get like 65 mpg and can push 120 mph?I doubt they are too pollutey- our enviromental agencies are rabid dobermann attack dogs compared to the de-barked, de-toothed quadriplegic chihuahua of the EPA.. all new diesels for the past decade and something had to have a thingie called the particulates filter or something..The only reason TDI's are banned is probably that the pathetic losers in US car industry can't make them and they bribed EPA crooks to make them illegal...So much for free enterprise and innovation 😉
All companies operating in the US have to abide by Anti-Trust regulations, execpt for Unions who are federally exmpted from the Anti-trust regulations. To Romney, what are you going to do to repeal this federal exemption for unions and get manufacturing back to the US, when you are elected president?