Christian Science Monitor: on Principles & Values

Pete Buttigieg: Qualified for president since mayors have to get things done

BUTTIGIEG: When you are a mayor, you're responsible for getting things done," responded Mr. Buttigieg. "You'll never hear about a city shutting down the government because they have a disagreement over politics. ... Cities don't get to print their own money when there's a deficit, so you just have to figure out your finances and get stuff done.

Ron Paul: Accused of racist remarks in 1980s newsletters

Some journalists who have researched the newsletters say it was a lot more than 10 sentences. The controversial statements that have surfaced stem largely from the period 1985 to 1994. Some samples: A Dec. 1989 newsletter predicted "Racial Violence Will Fill Our Cities" because "mostly black welfare recipients will feel justified in stealing from mostly white 'haves.' " Paul said he had "some moral responsibility" for the words [since the words appeared in his newsletters].

George W. Bush: I trust the people, and Al Gore trusts Washington

In the most striking example of attempted political pick-pocketing, Bush is arguing that the last eight years of prosperity have nothing to do with the Clinton-Gore administration. “Our economy is strong today not because of Al Gore,” he says. “Our economy is strong today because we’re a land of dreamers and doers.”

Bush is, in effect, taking President Reagan’s classic reelection argument, “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” and standing it on its side. He is acknowledging that the average American is better off today than four or eight years ago, and offering in its place his populist-tinged theme of trust. The polls show the public doesn’t want a tax cut, he says, but he believes it’s the right thing to do - that the surplus is the people’s money, and he’s going to give some of it back to the people.