John Delaney in South-by-Southwest political conference

On Government Reform: Nationally televised debates between President and Congress

His big idea: As part of his effort to find common ground with political opponents, Mr Delaney promises that as president he would hold nationally televised debates with Congress once every three months. Think of it like question time in the British Parliament, but not as often and (probably) with less creative insults. Source: BBC.com on 2020 Democratic primary contenders at 2019 SXSW Mar 12, 2019

On Technology: Bipartisanship on infrastructure, digital privacy, and more

The former technology executive did what he had to make his pitch for moderation and accord. "I don't think bipartisanship is a dirty word," he said.

He ticked off six possible areas of common ground he thinks both parties could find if he's president--a carbon tax; infrastructure spending; criminal justice reform; immigration reform; digital privacy and a new national service programme. You have to admit, he's an optimist.

Source: BBC.com on 2020 Democratic primary contenders at 2019 SXSW Mar 12, 2019

On Energy & Oil: Bipartisan carbon tax bill, but not the Green New Deal

Delaney has not held back on the campaign trail when asked about the Green New Deal, the sweeping policy proposal to combat climate change that is supported by a host of liberal lawmakers. On Twitter, Delaney once said the plan was "as realistic as Trump saying that Mexico is going to pay for the wall."

At the South-by-Southwest conference, he defended that position. "It is a time for bold solutions. But we also have to put our shoulder behind things that can actually get done," he said. "Because climate is not like other issues. We have an infrastructure issue in this country. But if we wait five years to deal with our infrastructure, it's a missed opportunity. But it doesn't get exponentially worse, so we have to deal with climate change right away."

Delaney said he would get a bipartisan carbon tax bill passed in his first year as president. "We have to have a goal around climate that's realistic," he said.

Source: CNN KFile on 2019 SXSW conference in Austin Mar 11, 2019

On Foreign Policy: Don't believe Putin about Russian 2016 election interference

Delaney slammed the Trump administration when he was asked about Russian interference in the 2016 election. "I believe them over Putin, so I will start with that," Delaney said when asked about Russian intervention in the 2016 election.

Former FBI acting director Andrew McCabe said in an interview with 60 Minutes that Trump dismissed the intelligence agencies' finding of the threat posed by North Korea's missiles by saying, "I don't care. I believe Putin."

Trump has said in 2018 that he holds Putin responsible for election meddling, but he has also attacked the intelligence community and undercut their findings.

Source: CNN KFile on 2019 SXSW conference in Austin Mar 11, 2019

On Principles & Values: Independently wealthy but grew up in a blue collar family

Delaney, who is independently wealthy after starting two separate companies, opened up when he discussed his own roots in a working class neighborhood in New Jersey, something he has not done much on the campaign trail, a decision he admitted to CNN earlier this year was a mistake.

"I grew up in a time when we had institutions in our society that really supported people. And I don't think we see that here today," he said. "I mean, I grew up in a blue collar family. My dad was an electrician. Neither of my parents went to college. I needed scholarships from my dad's union to give me the opportunity to get the education that I have received. And I had this amazing kind of American dream-type life where I worked hard and played by the rules."

Source: CNN KFile on 2019 SXSW conference in Austin Mar 11, 2019

On Welfare & Poverty: Social justice is fine, but separate church and state

At the South-by-Southwest conference, Delaney reflected on his Catholic faith by arguing despite those beliefs, he still doesn't think religion should inform public policy. "I firmly believe in the separation of church and state, full stop," the Maryland Democrat said when asked how his religion would shape his approach in office.

He said his "social justice orientation" comes from his Catholic faith "to some extent." But he said he doesn't think his church's doctrine "should decide public policy in this country."

"I also believe strongly in the freedom of religion, right, and I believe strongly in the separation of church and state. So I don't believe religious doctrine should inform public policy," he said.

Source: CNN KFile on 2019 SXSW conference in Austin Mar 11, 2019

The above quotations are from South-by-Southwest political conference. Click here for other excerpts from South-by-Southwest political conference. Click here for other excerpts by John Delaney. Click here for a profile of John Delaney.
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Page last updated: Apr 25, 2019