2024 CNN Town Halls


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OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Chris Christie: If you're pro-life it's got to be for the whole life.     Mike Pence: Won't rest until sanctity of life is center of American law.     Nikki Haley: I think we can all agree on banning late-term abortions.     Ron DeSantis: Defend the rights of states to enact pro-life protections.

Budget & Economy     Chris Christie: We must imposing fiscal discipline again in this country.     Mike Pence: Freeze nondefense discretionary spending across the board.     Nikki Haley: We've got to go back to being fiscally responsible.     Ron DeSantis: Line-item veto and Balanced Budget Amendment.

Civil Rights     Nikki Haley: Everybody associates the Civil War with slavery.     Nikki Haley: America has stains about racism, but fix it along the way.     Ron DeSantis: DE&I is discrimination, exclusion, and indoctrination.

Crime     Donald Trump: I will pardon a large portion of January 6 rioters.     Mike Pence: We need to get serious and tough on violent crime.     Mike Pence: No interest nor intention of pardoning January 6 lawbreakers.

Drugs     Chris Christie: End the war on drugs, it's a disease; focus on treatment.     Nikki Haley: Marijuana isn't like heroin, but let states decide.     Nikki Haley: Fentanyl via northern border too; create addiction centers.

Education     Chris Christie: What we need is to have competition with the public schools.     Mike Pence: Public schools can compete with our private schools.     Nikki Haley: Parents talk to their kids about gender--not in schools.     Ron DeSantis: Make universities back federal student loans.

Energy & Oil     Donald Trump: FactCheck: Didn't lose "energy independence" under Biden.     Mike Pence: Climate changing, but don't put undue burden on Americans.     Nikki Haley: We're not the problem; China and India are the problem.     Nikki Haley: Climate change is real, but no extreme transitions.

Families & Children     Ron DeSantis: No tax on diapers or cribs or any baby items.

Foreign Policy     Mike Pence: We need to provide Ukraine with resources to repel Russia.     Nikki Haley: Kim Jong-un is a thug; nothing good or decent about him.     Nikki Haley: China is our number one national security threat .

Free Trade     Chris Christie: We need to make the Chinese understand that the party's over.     Nikki Haley: When I was governor, I sold South Carolina to everyone.

Government Reform     Nikki Haley: States passed election integrity laws which we needed.     Nikki Haley: Take many federal programs and send them to the states.     Nikki Haley: Offer "term limit pledge" to all candidates for Congress.

Gun Control     Mike Pence: Armed guards at every public and private school in America .     Chris Christie: Criminals don't follow the law; that's why they're criminals.     Donald Trump: FactCheck: NRA did oppose Trump "bump stock" ban .     Nikki Haley: Secure schools with onsite police, not gun-free zones.     Nikki Haley: I don't trust government to deal with red flag laws.     Nikki Haley: For school shootings: more mental health; more security.     Ron DeSantis: Opposes waiting periods; instant checks will do the job.

Health Care     Mike Pence: Minors with gender issues should wait until adulthood.

Homeland Security     Mike Pence: We need a president to build a military fitted to the times.     Ron DeSantis: I'll advocate for military service; get more signing up.     Nikki Haley: Don't give cash to friends or foe; you can't follow it.     Ron DeSantis: Veterans issues on front burner, but outside the VA.

Immigration     Donald Trump: FactCheck: border wall 52 new miles, plus rebuilt 406 miles.     Chris Christie: Send the National Guard to secure the southern border.     Donald Trump: Would reinstitute family separation policy at the border.     Mike Pence: Allow people to work here for a short period of time.     Nikki Haley: We will defund sanctuary cities once and for all.     Nikki Haley: Admit immigrants on merit, not on random quotas.     Ron DeSantis: Children born here to illegal immigrants aren't "anchors".     Ron DeSantis: Remain in Mexico; no benefit from military-age males .     Ron DeSantis: Shipping migrants to Martha's Vineyard made it a news issue.

Jobs     Chris Christie: We have to show people that we value vocational training.     Nikki Haley: Retrain workers for post-AI, like when textiles went abroad.

Principles & Values     Chris Christie: You fight and fight, but then compromise and take the win.     Chris Christie: America is a leader; the world is great when America leads.     Donald Trump: Sexual abuse case: claims trial was rigged & partisan.     Donald Trump: Can't recall if he shared classified documents with anyone.     Donald Trump: FactCheck: Never ordered National Guard to Capitol on Jan. 6.     Nikki Haley: Trump thinks Jan. 6 was a beautiful day; it was terrible.     Nikki Haley: The best way to appreciate God's blessings is to give back.     Nikki Haley: Focus on idea that America is the best country in the world.     Mike Pence: I will always stand on the Constitution of the United States.     Nikki Haley: Pardon Trump: he was the right President at the right time.     Nikki Haley: Show people how you're similar, not how you're different.

Social Security     Chris Christie: We do need to look at means-testing of Social Security.     Mike Pence: Reform could include investing taxes in a mutual fund.     Nikki Haley: Raise the retirement age to reflect life expectancy.

Tax Reform     Nikki Haley: Let's make the small business tax cuts permanent.     Ron DeSantis: Eliminate the IRS; have a single rate and just a flat tax.

Technology     Chris Christie: If China won't let our social media in, TikTok should go.     Mike Pence: TikTok should be banned from this country, period.     Nikki Haley: Guardrails for artificial intelligence--not heavy regulation.     Nikki Haley: Full disclosure on Big Tech algorithms & bots.     Nikki Haley: A.I. can be dangerous, but enforce law instead of regulating.

War & Peace     Chris Christie: Support for Ukraine is really a proxy war with China.     Donald Trump: Claims he could end Russia/Ukraine war in 24 hours.     Nikki Haley: War in Ukraine is about freedom--one we have to win.     Nikki Haley: Never should have lifted terrorist label from Houthis.     Nikki Haley: In Afghanistan way too long; never negotiate with Taliban.     Nikki Haley: Palestinians don't want a 2-state solution; but "maybe".     Ron DeSantis: Hold military leaders accountable for Afghanistan debacle.

Welfare & Poverty     Nikki Haley: Homelessness is shameful, and it's not their fault.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Chris Christie New Jersey N.J. Governor; Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump Republican Presidential incumbent Mike Pence Indiana Former Republican Vice President (withdrew Oct.2023) Nikki Haley South Carolina Republican presidential contender; UN Ambassador 2017-2018 Ron DeSantis Florida Republican presidential contender; FL governor