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 10: 10:51 PM
Thanks for following the debate with us, tonight! You can continue to follow civil liberties with us through election day here, and on Twitter and Facebook!
UPDATE 9: 10:22 PM
We just came up on another point of agreement between Romney and Obama: DRONES. They both
support illegal drone killings.
Hmm…doesn’t seem to be in sync with the Constitution.
UPDATE 8: 10:11 PM
On the issue of Israel and Iran, Obama said, “[T]he President of the United States and the United States of America has stood on the right side of history.”
That’s not true when it comes to the
prison on Guantánamo Bay.
Ten years have passed since the first prisoner arrived in Guantánamo Bay, making it the longest-standing war prison in U.S. history. Almost 800 men have passed through Guantánamo’s cells.
Fashioned as an “island outside the law” where terrorism suspects could be detained
without process and interrogated without restraint.
UPDATE 7: 10:05 PM
Obama attacked Romney’s policy position saying ,“You’ve been all over the map!”
We wish he’d follow that map right back to his preivious positions on civil liberties issues like LGBT equality and reproductive freedom.
Come home, Mitt!
UPDATE 6: 10:00 PM
We’re about an hour into the presidential debate focused on foreign policy – and the topic of Guantanamo Bay has not come up yet.
Interestingly, this is a
point of agreement between the two candidates. President Obama has promised to close it – but has not done so; and Governor Romney wants to “double” it.
There’s no champion of civil liberties on this issue, folks!
UPDATE 5: 9:47 PM
With regard to shrinking numbers in our standing military, Obama said, “we also have fewer horses and bayonets.”
What do we have more of? Thanks to President Obama we’ve got a robust
drone program.
UPDATE 4: 9:40 PM
Obama and Romney keep talking about education, the economy and American competitiveness.
They
forgot to mention the DREAM Act – access to education for immigrant youth is good for our economy!
UPDATE 3: 9:36 PM
Romney: “I’ve got a policy for the future” and “an agenda for the future.”
Too Bad Romney’s
vision for the future doesn’t include LGBT equality, fair imigration policy or reproductive freedom.
UPDATE 2: 9:15 PM
Did Romney just mention the need for gender equality in the Middle East?
We heard it. But it’s a little surprising given his lack of support for women’s reproductive freedom and pay equity!
Check out his record
here!
UPDATE 1: 9:11 PM
President Obama: "My first job as commander in chief is to keep the American people safe.”
But American safety can be maintained without undercutting constitutional rights.
We can be both safe and free.
