Democratic Primary Debate at The Citadel, sponsored by YouTube and CNN: on Principles & Values

Barack Obama: People have an urgent desire for change in Washington

A: As I travel around the country, people have an urgent desire for change in Washington. We are not going to fix anything unless we change how business is done in Washington. Part of that is bringing people together. But part of it is also overcoming special interests & lobbyists who are writing legislation that’s critical to the American people. And one of the things I bring is a perspective that says: Washington has to change.

Barack Obama: Catching a cab, no one questions he’s “authentically black”

A: You know, when I’m catching a cab in Manhattan--in the past, I think I’ve given my credentials. But let me go to the broader issue here. And that is that race permeates our society. It is still a critical problem. But I do believe in the core decency of the American people, and I think they want to get beyond some of our racial divisions. Unfortunately, we’ve had a White House that hasn’t invested in the kinds of steps that have to be done to overcome the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow in this country. And as president, my commitment on issues like education, my commitment on issues like health care is to close the disparities and the gaps, because that’s what’s really going to solve the race problem in this country.

Hillary Clinton: After 35 years of experience, ready to lead on day one

KUCINICH: The new doctrine that I’m going to promote throughout this campaign is that we’ll use the science of human relations and diplomacy to settle your differences without committing the young men and women to war, unless it’s absolutely necessary.

CLINTON: We are united for change. We cannot take another four or eight years of Republican leadership that has been so disastrous for our country. The issue is: Which of us is ready to lead on day one? I have 35 years of being an instrument and agent of change, before I was ever a public official. And during the time that I’ve been privileged to serve as first lady and now as senator, I’ve worked to bring people together, to find common ground where we can, and then to stand our ground where we can’t.

OBAMA: We don’t just need a change in political parties in Washington. We’ve got to have a change in attitudes of those who are representing the people.

Hillary Clinton: I consider myself a modern American progressive

A: You know, it is a word that originally meant that you were for freedom, for the freedom to achieve, that you were willing to stand against big power and on behalf of the individual. Unfortunately, in the last 30, 40 years, it has been turned up on its head & it’s been made to seem as though it is a word that describes big government, totally contrary to what its meaning was in the 19th & early 20th century. I prefer the word “progressive,” which has a real American meaning, going back to the progressive era at the beginning of the 20th century. I consider myself a modern American progressive, someone who believes strongly in individual rights and freedoms, who believes that we are better as a society when we’re working together and when we find ways to help those who may not have all the advantages in life get the tools they need to lead a more productive life for themselves and their family.

Hillary Clinton: Maybe, finally, break that hardest of all glass ceilings

A: Well, I couldn’t run as anything other than a woman. I am proud to be running as a woman. And I’m excited that I may be able, finally, to break that hardest of all glass ceilings. But, obviously, I’m not running because I’m a woman. I’m running because I think I’m the most qualified and experienced person to hit the ground running in January 2009. And I trust the American people to make a decision that is not about me or my gender, or about Barack or his race or about Bill & his ethnicity, but about what is best for you & your family. We have big challenges and big needs in our country. We’re going to need experienced and strong leadership in order to start handling all of the problems that we have here at home and around the world. And when I’m inaugurated, I think it’s going to send a great message to a lot of little girls and boys around the world.

Hillary Clinton: Judge me on my merits, not as Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton

CLINTON: Well, I think it is a problem that Bush was elected in 2000. I actually thought somebody else was elected in that election, but... Obviously, I am running on my own merits, but I am very proud of my husband’s record as president. You know what is great about this is look at this stage and look at the diversity you have here in the Democratic Party. Any one of us would be a better president than our current president or the future Republican nominee. So I’m looking forward to making my case to the people of this country, & I hope they will judge me on my merits.

GRAVEL: The Democratic Party used to stand for the ordinary working man. But the Clintons and the DLC sold out the Democratic Party to Wall Street. Look at where all the money is being raised right now. It’s the hedge funds, it’s Wall Street bankers.

Joe Biden: Religion informs my values; my reason dictates outcomes

John Edwards: Doesn’t want your vote if you won’t vote for blacks or women

OBAMA: You know, when I’m catching a cab in Manhattan--in the past, I think I’ve given my credentials But let me go to the broader issue here. And that is that race permeates our society. It is still a critical problem.

CLINTON: Well, I couldn’t run as anything other than a woman. I am proud to be running as a woman. And I’m excited that I may be able, finally, to break that hardest of all glass ceilings.

EDWARDS: Anybody who’s considering not voting for Senator Obama because he’s black or for Senator Clinton because she’s a woman, I don’t want their vote. I don’t want them voting for me.

Mike Gravel: Clintons & DLC sold out the Democratic Party to Wall Street

CLINTON: Obviously, I am running on my own merits, but I am very proud of my husband’s record as president. Look at the diversity you have here in the Democratic Party. Any one of us would be a better president than our current president or the future Republican nominee. I hope the people of this country will judge me on my merits.

Q: Do you have a problem with that?

GRAVEL: Well, yes, I do, a serious problem. The Democratic Party used to stand for the ordinary working man. But the Clintons and the DLC sold out the Democratic Party to Wall Street. Look at where all the money is being raised right now, for Hillary, Obama and Edwards. It’s the hedge funds, it’s Wall Street bankers, it’s the people who brought you what you have today. And they’re lock, stock and barrel in their pocket.