Dec. 12 Republican debate transcript

Washburn: I want to move on and hear the free statements from our next two candidates; Congressman Paul first, and then Senator Thompson.

Paul: The goal of all political action should be to preserve liberty. We need more freedom in this country. We need to look to ourselves and what we are doing. We have drifted so far from our Constitution that the government -- the Constitution was written to restrain our government. Yet, we've turned around, and the Constitution now us used to restrain the people.

But we have no chance if we don't restrain the government all that they do in undermining our personal liberties, controlling our economic well being and using our -- using it as an excuse to police the world.

If we don't change the role for government, this country is going to suffer a very, very serious economic crisis.

Washburn: Senator Thompson?

Thompson: On all these issues, I've been a strong, consistent common-sense conservative. But the most important issue facing our country and will be for a long time is national security and the safety of our people.

I've spent a lot of time, both in and out of government, traveling, talking to foreign leaders, dealing with these issues. I know the world we live in. I think I know what we need to do. I think that it's going to require strong leadership.

And I would ask people to think one thing before they cast a vote: When our worst enemy is sitting down at the negotiating table, thinking about what he can do to the United States of America, who do you want sitting on our side of the table, representing you? That's probably the guy you ought to elect president.

Washburn: Thank you.

I want to take on a new issue. I would like to see a show of hands. How many of you believe global climate change is a serious threat and caused by human activity?

Thompson: You want to give me a minute to answer that?

Washburn: No, I don't.

Thompson: Well, then I'm not going to answer it.

(Laughter)

Washburn: OK.

(Applause)

Thompson: You want a show of hands. I'm not giving it to you.

Washburn: We're going to follow up on that, but what I need to know is: Who believes global climate change is serious and caused by human activity? And then we'll talk in more detail about it.

McCain: I think that climate change is real and I...

(Laughter)

Washburn: I'm going to start with Senator McCain and come back to Mayor Giuliani.

McCain: I've been involved in this issue since the year 2000. I have had hearings. I've traveled the world. I know that climate change is real.

But let me put it to you this way: Suppose that climate change is not real and all we do is adopt green technologies, which our economy and our technology is perfectly capable of. Then all we've done is given our kids a cleaner world.

But suppose they are wrong. Suppose they are wrong and climate change is real and we've done nothing. What kind of a planet are we going to pass on to the next generation of Americans?

It's real, we've got to address it, we can do it with technology, with cap and trade, with capitalist and free enterprise motivation. And I'm confident that we can pass on to our children and grandchildren a cleaner, better world.

Washburn: Mayor Giuliani?

Giuliani: I agree with John. Climate change is real. It's happening. I believe human beings are contributing to it.

I think the best way to deal with it is through energy independence. And I...

Washburn: Who doesn't...

Giuliani: And I think energy independence is...

Washburn: Who doesn't agree?

Hunter: He said contributing, but not totally.

Giuliani: Yes. Yes.

Hunter: OK.

(Laughter)

Giuliani: And I think that all parties should embrace this as an issue for us and our...

Washburn: Let me come at it this way. Let me come at it this way.

What impact on the economy would be acceptable in order to reverse global warming and greenhouse gas emissions?

Washburn: Governor Romney?

Romney: Well, it's going to help our economy because we're going to invest in new technologies to get ourselves off of foreign oil. And as we get ourselves off of foreign oil, we also dramatically reduce our CO2 emissions.

That's good for the environment. It's also good for our economy. Because buying $300 billion or $400 billion worth of oil a year from other people who use it against us, that's bad for our economy. It's also bad for the environment.

We can do these things in a way that help both the environment and the economy and national security. That's the beauty of what we're talking about here.

Is global warming an issue for the world? Absolutely.

Is it something we can deal with by becoming energy independent and energy secure? We sure can.

But at the same time, we call it global warming, not America warming. So let's not put a burden on us alone and have the rest of the world skate by without having to participate in this effort. It's a global effort.

But our independence is something we can do unilaterally.