Dec. 12 Republican debate transcript

Washburn: Mr. Keyes?

Keyes: I think that the critical thing is what you need to do. If you really want to see a change in government, then we need to restore the credibility of the Republican Party, a credibility that has been destroyed by the betrayal of promises to keep government limited that resulted in outrageously high budget deficits at a historic level in this country.

The betrayal along the border with the president telling us that he suddenly discovered we didn't have a secure border, six years into his term.

And if you want to accomplish that, join the political army of America's revival at AlanKeyes.com and make sure you become part of that change.

We're not going to restore self-government until you become an active people, not willing to take the inadequate choices you have, but lifting up the choice that this country needs.

Washburn: Thank you.

Mayor Giuliani?

Giuliani: I've been tested by having to provide leadership through a crisis, through difficult crises, not just September 11, but in my time as United States attorney, associate attorney general, mayor of New York City.

And America needs bold leadership. We have big problems. We have problems that we haven't faced in the past and solved, problems about how to deal with terrorism effectively; problems about our border; problems about our economic security that we've talked about.

And to do that, we need bold leadership. We need the kind of ideas that I've put forward in the 12 commitments to the American people. But most importantly, we need an optimistic leader who can bring us these kinds of solutions.

I've gotten results in the past.

I would like the opportunity to do that for my country.

Washburn: Thank you.

Going to shift gears a bit. Voters have told us that character and leadership qualities matter as much or more than many issues.

Over the past few months, we asked candidates who have spent time in Iowa about several of their core values. And we videotaped the answers.

Since we're pitching Web sites, you can see all the insights videos at DesMoinesRegister.com. But today we're going to see a few of them and then expand the conversation.

Let's watch the first ones.

(Video)

Giuliani: I would do this as president. When I was mayor of New York, I would go get people's opinion. I'd go walk the streets. I'd sit down at a restaurant. I'd ask people what they think. I'd go on radio, call in -- do a call-in show.

I did 96 town hall meetings. It was all for the purpose of hearing what people had to say. Because maybe, even with multiple sources of advice within government, maybe if you don't hear from the people every once in a while, you get a wrong perspective.

(End video)

(Video)

Hunter: Legislation is a function of compromise.

And when you put together a budget, for example, a budget to increase defense spending, that budget which increases defense spending may have -- may have also pork barrel programs that you don't like, and you promised your constituents you'll fight against pork barrel programs. In the end, if you vote for the for the budget of the United States, you vote for a lot of things.

(End video)

(Video)

Paul: The Internet is delightful. It is just delightful for finding the information. And if there's a question that I need; ask; you can find it.

So I spend a lot of time getting information that was at one time in my life was very difficult to find. There should be no excuse in this country anymore for not finding correct answers and analyzing the problems that we face, because the correct answers are out there and judgment should be made to the best of one's ability.

(End video)

Washburn: So this next set of questions is entirely about character and leadership.

Mayor Giuliani, your administration in New York has been accused of handling your security expenses in a way that obscured the public disclosure.

What, specifically, will you promise to do to ensure that a Giuliani White House is open with information that might be inconvenient to explain to the public?

Giuliani: The reality is that all that information...

Washburn: 30 seconds, please.

Giuliani: The reality is that all that information was available and known to people, known six years ago.

And I would make sure that government was transparent. My government in New York City was so transparent that they knew every single thing I did almost every time I did.

So, I would be extremely...

(Laughter)

... I would be extremely open. I'm used to it. I'm used to being analyzed. I haven't had a perfect life. I wish I had. And I do the best that I can to learn from my mistakes.

But as far as open, transparent government, I think I've had both a open, transparent government and an open, transparent life.

And it allows you to lead, then, with honesty and truth.