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: 9:04 PM
ICYMI: The debate moderator told the audience not to tweet during the debate. That’s fine. You can follow us @ACLULW!
UPDATE 2: 9:14 PM
Rep. Paul Ryan just said, “It’s never too early to speak for our values.”
We value our civil rights and liberties!
UPDATE 3 9:31 PM
Rep Ryan just said, “Let me tell you about the Romney I know.” We prefer the Romney that respects our civil rights and liberties.
Mitt,
come back home to civil liberties.
UPDATE: 9:47 PM
Rep Ryan said:"Romney cares about 100% of Americans."
What about immigrant youth? LGBT couple? Women of reproductive age?
The Constitution is for the 100%.
UPDATE 4: 10:00 PM
Biden and Ryan have been on stage for an hour now and there have been ZERO mentions of civil liberties or the constitution.
Fortunately? Unfortunately? We do have a
track record of where they stand on our civil liberties.
UPDATE 5: 10:10 PM
Biden and Ryan keep talking about the U.S.’s military engagement in the Middle East. We’re wondering why there hasn’t been a question about illegal drone strikes.
UPDATE 6: 10:15 PM
Why is Ryan pro-life? He says “because of reason and science.” He believes “life begins at conception” and only thinks there should be exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the women.
Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. But the Constitution protects everyone's right to make informed decisions free from government interference about whether and when to become a parent.
UPDATE 7: 10:28 PM
Biden: “The next president will get one or two Supreme Court nominees. That's how close
Roe v. Wade is.”
Nearly 40 years ago, the Supreme Court decided that landmark case legalizing abortion and helping to ensure that women and their families could decide for themselves whether to have a child.
UPDATE 8: 10:35 PM
That’s a wrap for the veep candidates! We heard about reproductive freedom, but nothing about immigration policy or LGBT equality.
Come back next week when we’ll be live-blogging and tweeting for the second Presidential debate (town meeting)!
