Spring Break
Gubernatorial candidates debate
Austin Kilgore, Editor in Chief, akilgore@smu.edu
Issue date: 10/11/06 Section: News
The four Texas gubernatorial candidates met for a live televised debate in Dallas on Friday.
Republican incumbent Rick Perry, Democratic challenger Chris Bell, and independents Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn held their only debate before the November election.
Immigration, education and property taxes took center stage, and each candidate offered a different plan to stop illegal immigration and increase border protection.
"We're going to have a fair legal immigration program," said Strayhorn.
"I'm going to take illegal immigration out of the political arena and put it in the law enforcement arena," she said, adding she would put the Texas Rangers in charge of protecting the state's ports and borders.
Perry said the state government was ahead of the national government in protecting the border and that he plans to ask the state legislature for an additional $100 million to strengthen the borders.
"We will do everything we need to do and can do in this state until Washington understands you cannot have national security you cannot have an immigration program until you have border security," Perry said.
Friedman said he would put more National Guard troops on the border and require immigrants to carry taxpayer ID cards.
He added the state should fine companies that hire illegal immigrants.
"Colonel Travis drew a line in the sand. The men who crossed it at the Alamo knew they were going to die. There's another line called the border - let's honor and protect it and respect it," said Friedman.
Bell emphasized the idea of holding employers responsible, but rejected the notion that Texas' illegal immigrants could be deported in a reasonable manner.
"Does anyone seriously believe we can deport 12 million people when we couldn't even successfully evacuate New Orleans?" Bell asked.
The candidates were given an opportunity to question each other during the debate.
Friedman asked Bell about the lack of debates during the campaign, Bell questioned Strayhorn on her campaign contribution practices, Strayhorn questioned Perry about the lack of a "Jessica's law" against child predators and Perry asked Friedman about his long-term energy plans for the state.
Republican incumbent Rick Perry, Democratic challenger Chris Bell, and independents Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn held their only debate before the November election.
Immigration, education and property taxes took center stage, and each candidate offered a different plan to stop illegal immigration and increase border protection.
"We're going to have a fair legal immigration program," said Strayhorn.
"I'm going to take illegal immigration out of the political arena and put it in the law enforcement arena," she said, adding she would put the Texas Rangers in charge of protecting the state's ports and borders.
Perry said the state government was ahead of the national government in protecting the border and that he plans to ask the state legislature for an additional $100 million to strengthen the borders.
"We will do everything we need to do and can do in this state until Washington understands you cannot have national security you cannot have an immigration program until you have border security," Perry said.
Friedman said he would put more National Guard troops on the border and require immigrants to carry taxpayer ID cards.
He added the state should fine companies that hire illegal immigrants.
"Colonel Travis drew a line in the sand. The men who crossed it at the Alamo knew they were going to die. There's another line called the border - let's honor and protect it and respect it," said Friedman.
Bell emphasized the idea of holding employers responsible, but rejected the notion that Texas' illegal immigrants could be deported in a reasonable manner.
"Does anyone seriously believe we can deport 12 million people when we couldn't even successfully evacuate New Orleans?" Bell asked.
The candidates were given an opportunity to question each other during the debate.
Friedman asked Bell about the lack of debates during the campaign, Bell questioned Strayhorn on her campaign contribution practices, Strayhorn questioned Perry about the lack of a "Jessica's law" against child predators and Perry asked Friedman about his long-term energy plans for the state.
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