The presidential candidates from Colorado didn’t get a lot of air time during Thursday’s debate in Miami, but they still managed to reveal some controversial political stances.
For example, John Hickenlooper accused the U.S. of “kidnapping” immigrant children who cross the border illegally with an adult who may or may not be related to them — formerly known as detention.
Hick managed to snag a few national news headline for that outrageous remark. Otherwise, most of the media attention for both Hick and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet was very limited to Colorado outlets.
The message of the night across the Democrat board was taxes, taxes, and more taxes, so they can give free stuff to millennials in exchange for votes.
Here’s our recap of the Colorado boys, who combined were called on eight times — Bennet got five questions, Hickenlooper was asked three questions plus he managed to interrupt others to get in some extra time.
Bennet came in 6th place for most time talking — nearly eight minutes, followed by Hickenlooper in 7th place with just over five minutes.
7:09 p.m. Hickenlooper finally gets a question, and ignores it to give what has now become his stump speech urging Democrats to use a word other than “socialism” to describe government-run social programs.
7:12 p.m. Bennet completely agrees with Socialist Democrat Bernie Sanders that income inequality must be set right by politicians.
Instead of Medicare for all, Bennet was universal healthcare, which was widely rejected by Colorado voters.
7:29 p.m. Bennet discusses his prostate cancer.
All candidates are asked to raise their hands if they favor taxing Americans to pay for health insurance for 11 million illegal immigrants. EVERYONE raises their hand.
7:40 p.m. Hick finally gets to speak again and accuses the U.S. of kidnapping children.
Candidates are asked to raise their hands if they believe crossing the border illegally should be decriminalized. Everyone raises their hand, except Bennet.
7:51 p.m. Bennet is asked about trade, talks about his mom from Poland instead.
8:02 p.m. Hick gets tired to being ignored and interrupts to brag how he stopped police from killing black people by requiring them to wear vest cameras.
We wonder if the national media will event bother to fact check whether the Denver Police Department’s record on brutality is something to brag about on national television. Here’s a hint, it’s not.
8:11 p.m. Back to Bennet, who criticizes Biden for fighting for tax cuts instead of tax increases. This, is the Democrat Party.
8:22 p.m. Hick finally gets a question! Can climate change and the oil and gas industry co-exist? Yes.
All of the candidates are asked if they could only tackle one issue during their presidency, what would it be?
Climate, responds Hick and Bennet.