Driver’s Licenses an Issue in Democratic Presidential Debate

The Democratic candidates debated in the historic city of Phiadelphia last night.  Driver’s license eligibility came up.  Here is the MSNC report:

“[Sen. Christopher] Dodd . . . was the only candidate who raised his hand when Brian Williams, managing editor and anchor of `NBC Nightly News,’ asked whether anyone believed illegal immigrants should not have driver’s licenses. “This is a privilege, not a right,” he said. Clinton may have given her opponents an opening to bear down on their “doubletalk” attack. In a convoluted answer to the same question, Clinton first said she thought New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s plan to let illegal immigrants have driver’s licenses “makes a lot of sense.” Then she said she did not endorse Spitzer’s plan even though she repeated that he had the right idea. Then she accused Russert of asking a “gotcha” question. Edwards leaped, noting that Clinton appeared to have given two different answers in less than two minutes. “I think this is a real issue for the country,” he said. “I mean, America is looking for a president who will say the same thing, who will be consistent, who will be straight with them.””

For more on the debate, including a link to a video of the entire debate, click here.  According to Frank Luntz’s Democratic Focus Group, Senator Obama was the “overwhelming” winner of last night’s debate.  See Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8ocKiHEzvM

Postscript Some readers may want to look at Lou Dobbs’ latest — a critique of NY Governor Spitzer’s position on driver’s license eligibilty for undocumented immigrants.  Dobbs has been conducting war on Gov. Spitzer, calling him an “idiot,” among other things.  As I said before, the national safety/public safety argument for denial of driver’s licenses to certain groups of drivers makes no sense to me.  I want all driver’s on the road to be safety tested and to have liabilty insurance.

KJ