ACLU Liberty Watch 2012 is monitoring the presidential and vice-presidential debates, reporting and commenting on the battle of words, from a constitutional and civil liberties perspective. From immigration to LGBT equality, voting rights, women's rights and a safe and free national security policy, this is the place to follow the debates.
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UPDATE 1: 8:45 PM
Jim Lehrer just opened and tasked First Lady Michelle Obama and Ann Romney with enforcing the crowd’s rules. Let the debates begin!
UPDATE 2: 9:07 PM
President Obama said: “we’ve got to invest in education and training.”
Yes we do. The President’s “deferred action” has helped make educational opportunities available to DREAMers too!
UPDATE 3: 9:24 PM
Romney just said: “I've got 5 boys. I'm used to people saying the same thing over and over again hoping it becomes true.”
We hope you talk about civil liberties. We hope you talk about civil liberties. We hope you talk about civil liberties.
Is it happening? Nope, not true yet.
UPDATE 4: 9:47 PM
Romney: “States are the laboratories of democracy.”
That’s how federalism works. But if Romney is such a big fan of state policy, why does he
support a federal marriage amendment? The freedom to marry should be made available to loving couples in same-sex relationships across the country.
UPDATE 5: 10:06 PM
We’re 60 minutes into the presidential debate on domestic policy issues and neither President Obama nor Governor Romney have mentioned civil liberties yet. We’re waiting!
UPDATE 6: 10:20 PM
Obama said the first role of the federal government is to “keep people safe.” That’s important, but our choice is not, between safety and freedom.
We can be safe and free, without drones and Guantanamo Bay.
UPDATE 7: 10:23 PM
Romney: “[W]e must maintain our commitment to religious tolerance and freedom in this country.”
Word. Everyone should be free to follow and practice their faith – or no faith at all – without governmental influence or interference.
UPDATE 8: 10:29 PM
Romney: “Republicans and Democrats both love America.”
And the Constitution!
The Constitution is for the 100%.
UPDATE 9: 10:36PM
Well, that’s all folks! Join us here next week for the vice presidential debates in Kentucky.
