Atlanta Press Club
U.S.Senate Debate
Season 2022 Episode 27 | 57m 28sVideo has Closed Captions
Atlanta Press Club General Election Debate for U.S. Senate.
Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate Series General Election Debate for U.S. Senate. Candidates: Chase Oliver (L), Herschel Walker (R - Has not confirmed participation), Raphael Warnock (D).
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Atlanta Press Club is a local public television program presented by GPB
Atlanta Press Club
U.S.Senate Debate
Season 2022 Episode 27 | 57m 28sVideo has Closed Captions
Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate Series General Election Debate for U.S. Senate. Candidates: Chase Oliver (L), Herschel Walker (R - Has not confirmed participation), Raphael Warnock (D).
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Atlanta Press Club
Atlanta Press Club is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> HELLO, I'M SCOTT SLADE.
THIS IS THE GENERAL ELECTION DEBATE OF OUR CANDIDATES FOR THE U.S. SENATE.
LET'S MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR THIS DEBATE.
THEY ARE CHASE OLIVER, A LIBERTARIAN BUSINESSMAN.
HERSCHEL WALKER, A REPUBLICAN HE IS REPRESENTED BY AN EMPTY PODIUM.
RAPHAEL WARNOCK IS THE INCUMBENT SENATOR FROM GEORGIA.
LET'S MEET OUR PANELS.
PETER BIELLO FROM GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.
STANLEY DUNLAP WAS GEORGIA RECORDER AND EMMA HURT WITH AXIOS ATLANTA.
FOR COMPLETE RULES ON TODAY'S DEBATE PLEASE VISIT THE ATLANTA CLUB PRESS WEBSITE.
TO START THE DEBATE, EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE ASKED 60 QUESTIONS.
CANDIDATES HAVE 60 SECONDS.
>> TRENDS MR. OLIVER, MANY VOTERS AGREE THAT THEY ARE FED UP WITH MAJOR PARTIES BUT MANY CANDIDATES LIKE YOURSELF STILL STRUGGLED TO BREAK THROUGH ON GENERAL ELECTIONS.
WHY IS THAT?
>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE SITUATION THIRD-PARTY CANDIDATES FACED IN THE STATE.
WE DON'T HAVE A TAX FUNDED PRIMARY THAT PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT MEDIA OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR CANDIDATES AND SO WE HAVE I WANT THE VOTERS TO KNOW THAT THEY DO HAVE A THIRD CHOICE IN THIS ELECTION AND I AM SOMEBODY WHO IS VERY PROUD TO BE REPRESENTING PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
I LIKE IN THE TWO PARTY SYSTEM TO THE PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING.
YOU HAVE TWO PEOPLE IN THE RAIN AND THEN THEY GO BACK AND LAUGH ABOUT HOW THEY GOT SO MUCH MONEY AND SO MUCH ATTENTION.
I AM NOT HERE TO PREP RIGHT OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING MATCH.
I KNOW I ONLY OWE ALLEGIANCE TO YOU, THE VOTER.
>> STANLEY DUNLAP, IT'S YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION TO RAPHAEL WARNOCK.
>> YOU HAVE MADE VOTING YOUR PRIORITY THE FIRST TWO YEARS IN THE SENATE ADVOCATING FOR THE JOHN LEWIS ACT BUT WHAT WOULD YOU DO --WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY THIS TIME AROUND?
>> THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE.
I WANT TO THANK THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB FOR ORGANIZING THIS EVENT.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT MY OPPONENT, HERSCHEL WALKER IS NOT HERE.
I THINK THAT HALF OF BEING A SENATOR IS SHOWING UP.
I HAVE SHOWN UP FOR THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA TIME AND TIME AGAIN.
ESPECIALLY ON THIS ISSUE OF VOTING RIGHTS.
I BELIEVE THAT A VOTE IS A KIND OF PRAYER FOR THE WORLD THAT WE DESIRE FOR OURSELVES AND FOR OUR CHILDREN.
I HAVE WORKED HARD TO CREATE A FRAMEWORK SO THAT WE CAN PRESERVE OUR DEMOCRACY , SO I WILL NOT REST UNTIL WE PASS VOTING RIGHTS.
I WAS JOHN LEWIS'S PASTOR, AND HE DID NOT HAVE ANY REASON TO THINK HE COULD WIN, BUT HE DID NOT GIVE UP THE FIGHT, AND IF HE CROSSED THE EDMUND PETTIS BRIDGE, WE WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THROUGH WHATEVER BRIDGE WE NEED TO, PROCEDURAL OR OTHERWISE UNTIL HE GET VOTING RIGHTS SECURED FOR EVERY GEORGIAN AND I WON'T FINISH UNTIL THAT HAPPENS.
>> THANK YOU.
PETER BIELLO, YOUR QUESTION FOR CHASE OLIVER.
>> MR. OLIVER, THE DEPARTMENT FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST BUREAUCRACIES IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
SEVERAL SECRETARIES HAVE ADVOCATED FOR MODERNIZATION OF THE VA AND FOR PREPARATION FOR THE GROWTH IN THE POPULATION OF VETERANS, PARTICULARLY IN THE SOUTH.
IF YOU ARE ELECTED TO THE SENATE, WHAT SPECIFIC CHANGES WOULD YOU SUPPORT TO HELP THE VA MODERNIZE AND PREPARE FOR THE POPULATION OF VETERANS?
>> I THINK ONE THING WE CAN DO FOR OUR VETERANS IS ALLOW VETERANS TO GO OUTSIDE OF THE TRADITIONAL VA'S SYSTEM AND USE MONEY TO GO TO REGULAR HOSPITALS.
SPEAKING WITH VETERANS, THEY CAN TELL YOU THE MOST BROKEN THINGS INVOLVED WHEN THEY COME BACK FROM WORK IS THE VA SYSTEM.
YOU MENTIONED THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE AND MORE VETERANS.
ONE OF THE REASONS I BECAME INVOLVED IN POLITICS IS BECAUSE MY GENERATION WAS THE GENERATIONS SENT TO FIGHT WARS FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.
THOSE VETERANS ARE COMING HOME WITH A LOT OF INJURIES AND WE NEED A FOREIGN POLICY THAT IS MORE FOCUSED ON PEACE AND LESS FOCUSED ON BECOMING THE WORLD'S POLICE AND INVOLVING OURSELVES IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
THE WAR IN IRAQ HAS PRODUCED MANY VETERANS COMING HOME WITH INJURIES IN MY GENERATION OF PEOPLE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO SUFFER FOR THAT.
I'M COMMITTED TO HELPING VETERANS AND THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS TO ALLOW THEM TO GET THE HEALTHCARE THEY WANTED TO NOT BE STUCK IN A BROKEN VA HOSPITAL SYSTEM.
>>,, YOU GET THE FINAL QUESTION IN THIS ROUND.
>> SENATOR WERE NOT, YOU HAVE BEEN VOCAL ABOUT YOUR SUPPORT FOR STUDENT DEBT RELIEF.
THE DEPARTMENT EDUCATES ESTIMATES THAT TO DO SO WILL COST $380 MILLION.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE WHO WERE ABLE TO PAY OFF THE LOANS OR EVEN THOSE WHO WERE NOT ABLE TO GO TO COLLEGE?
>> I AM THE FIRST COLLEGE GRADUATE IN MY FAMILY AND I WOULD NOT BE STANDING HERE WERE IT NOT FOR PELL GRANTS AND LOW- INTEREST STIMULANTS.
I PAID OFF MY LOANS, BUT AS I MOVE ACROSS THIS STATE, I AM ENCOUNTERING FOLKS WHO, 30 YEARS AFTER I FINISHED SCHOOL, ARE FINDING IT HARDER AND HARDER.
WE HAVE SEEN SO MANY BAD ACTORS IN THAT SPACE AND TOO MANY OF OUR KIDS HAVE A MORTGAGE BEFORE THEY HAVE A MORTGAGE AND WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT KIDS WHO FINISHED FOUR YEAR SCHOOLS.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE.
HERSCHEL WALKER GAVE A NONSENSICAL ANSWER THE OTHER NIGHT.
HE BASICALLY OFFERED A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD BANKRUPT THE UNIVERSITY SCHOOLS IN THE STATE AND IT IS ONE MORE REASON WHY HE IS NOT READY TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA.
I KNOW THAT WITHOUT STUDENT LOANS, I WOULD NOT BE STANDING HERE.
WE NEED TO REFORM THE SYSTEM SO THAT WE GET CONTROL OVER THE COST, BUT I WILL SHOW UP EVERY SINGLE TIME FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE STATE.
>> THANK YOU.
THAT CONCLUDES THE FIRST ROUND OF THE DEBATE.
FOR THE SECOND ROUND, THE CANDIDATES WILL QUESTION EACH OTHER.
EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS TO ASK THE QUESTION, 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND, AND THE CANDIDATE WHO ASKED THE QUESTION WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS FOR A REBUTTAL.
EACH CANDIDATE WILL ASK TWO QUESTIONS AND MAY POSE ONE QUESTION TO HERSCHEL WALKER, WHO WAS REPRESENTED BY AN EMPTY PODIUM.
RAPHAEL WARNOCK, YOU MAY ASK THE FIRST QUESTION TO CHASE OLIVER.
>> CHASE OLIVER, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT AND I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THE TWO PARTY SYSTEM AND I CAN TELL YOU AFTER BEING IN THE SENATE FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS, I SHARE SOME OF THE FRUSTRATION OVER THE DIVISIVENESS AND I HAVE TRIED TO OVERCOME THAT.
I AM LISTED AS THE 18th MOST BIPARTISAN SENATOR IN THE SENATE.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW FROM YOU WHAT YOU THINK I COULD BRING TO WASHINGTON TO OVERCOME SOME OF THIS UNNECESSARY DIVISION IN ORDER TO GET THINGS DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, AND YOU'RE RIGHT.
I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THE PARTISANSHIP THAT GOES ON.
THE TRUTH IS YOU CAN BE THE 18th MOST BIPARTISAN SENATOR THAT WE GOT THERE, BUT THE FACT IS THAT EVEN THE MOST BIPARTISAN OF SENATORS IS NOT REALLY DOING A LOT OF WORK ACROSS THE AISLE BECAUSE THERE IS THIS HYPER PARTISANSHIP THAT WE HAVE.
NOTHING IS GETTING DONE.
THERE ARE BIG ISSUES FACING THE VOTERS HERE IN GEORGIA.
THINGS LIKE IMMIGRATION REFORM, THINGS LIKE JUSTICE REFORM, AND THIS IS GOING TO REQUIRE SOMEBODY TO STEP OUTSIDE OF THE PARTISAN CIRCLE AND SIT DOWN WITH EVERYBODY REGARDLESS OF THEIR POLITICAL AFFILIATION ON I JUST DO NOT SEE THAT COMING FROM REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS.
THEY ARE MORE CONCERNED WITH SPEAKING TO THEIR BASE, SPEAKING TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND GETTING THE WORK DONE, SO WHAT WE NEED IS SOMEONE LIKE MYSELF WHO OWES NO ALLEGIANCE TO CHUCK SCHUMER OR MITCH McCONNELL AND CAN GET WORK DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA REGARDLESS OF WHO THEY HAVE TO WORK WITH.
>> I WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA AND I THINK I HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT TIME AND TIME AGAIN.
I WORKED WITH TED CRUZ TO GET I- 14 NAMED A PRIORITY CORRIDOR SO WE COULD REVITALIZE THE SECTIONS OF OUR STATE, CONNECT THEIR MILITARY BASES.
I WORKED WITH A REPUBLICAN SENATOR FROM ALABAMA TO HELP GEORGIA FARMERS GET THEIR PRODUCTS TO MARKET, OVERCOME TRADE BARRIERS.
I WORKED WITH A REPUBLICAN SENATOR FROM INDIANA TO DEAL WITH DANGEROUS RAILWAY CROSSINGS.
I PASSED A BIPARTISAN JOBS AND COMPETITION BILL, AND I WILL DO ANYTHING, WORK WITH ANYBODY NECESSARY TO GET GOOD THINGS DONE FOR GEORGIA.
>> CHASE OLIVER, YOU GET THE NEXT QUESTION FOR RAPHAEL WARNOCK.
>> WE WILL BE HEARING ALL ABOUT THE SPENDING BILLS THAT YOU HAVE REPORTED AND THAT YOU HAVE SAID YES TO WHILE WE ARE SUFFERING FROM RECORD INFLATION AND $31 TRILLION NATIONAL DEBT.
MY QUESTION IS ARE YOU ACTUALLY READING THE BILLS OR ARE YOU JUST TAKING CHUCK SCHUMER'S WORD ON IT WHEN YOU VOTE ON THESE THINGS?
>> WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A RESPONSE TO A RECORD PANDEMIC THAT CREATED AN ECONOMIC SHUTDOWN AND AS A RESULT OF THAT, WE HAVE SEEN RISING COSTS WHILE WE ARE PAYING RISING COSTS.
CORPORATIONS ARE SEEING RECORD PROFITS, WHICH IS WHY I PASSED THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.
HERSCHEL WALKER SAID HE WOULD NOT HAVE PASSED THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT AND I WANT THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA TO THINK ABOUT AS THEY CONSIDER WHO IS READY TO REPRESENT THEM IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE.
TWO PROVISIONS IN THE ACT WHICH I WROTE CAP THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR SENIORS SO THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN BUYING MEDICINE AND BUYING GROCERIES.
BY THE WAY, THAT PROVISION ALONE HELPS TO REDUCE THE NATIONAL DEBT.
WE HAVE GIVEN MEDICATE THE ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE THE PRICE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
THAT IS A 300 WE HAVE GIVEN MEDICATE THE ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE THE PRICE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
THAT IS A $300 BILLION CUT IN INSULIN, ANOTHER PROVISION I WROTE, SO I THINK HERSCHEL WALKER, IF YOU WERE HERE TO TELL THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA WHY HE THINKS THEY SHOULD PAY FOR EXPENSIVE INSULIN AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHARGE WHATEVER THEY LIKE.
>> MY ANSWER TO THAT IS I ASKED IF YOU HAD READ THE BILL.
THE BILL ITSELF DOES NOT REDUCE INFLATION SO I WOULD NOT RUN ON I VOTED FOR THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT HOW YOU REDUCED INFLATION IN THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE THAT BILL DOES NOT DO IT AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT INSULIN AND PRICE CAPS AND LATER ON IN THESE DEBATES BUT THE FACT IS PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING THE BILLS READ IN WASHINGTON D.C.
THEY ARE GETTING THE BILLS HANDED TO THEM BY LEADERSHIP.
WHAT WE HAVE IS LEADERSHIP PENDING THE BILLS AT THE END OF THE DAY OF THEIR VOTING ON THE NEXT DAY 1000 PAGE BILL.
YOU ARE NOT READING THE BILLS AND IF I AM ELECTED TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE WE WILL HAVE SOMEBODY WHO IS READING THE BILLS.
>> IF MR. WALKER WERE HERE , I WOULD ASK HIM ABOUT THIS DISTURBING HISTORY OF VIOLENCE THAT WE HAVE SEEN FROM HIM AND WE ARE JUST TALKING ABOUT ONE WOMAN, BUT MULTIPLE WOMEN.
HE THREATENED TO KILL HIS EX- WIFE, PUT A GUN TO HER HEAD.
HE HAS THREATENED OTHER WOMEN AND WHEN ASKED ABOUT THAT, HE REALLY HAS NOT GIVEN ACCOUNT FOR THIS KIND OF VIOLENCE.
I WANT TO KNOW FROM HIM WHY HE THINKS HE IS READY TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA, AND IF HE IS READY TO FACE UP TO THIS HISTORY OF VIOLENCE AS HE TALKS ABOUT REPRESENTING US IN THE SENATE.
>> AND NOW, IF MR. WALKER WERE HERE HE WOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO REBUT.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS HE SAID IN RESPONSE TO THIS HE SUGGESTED THAT I DON'T BELIEVE IN REDEMPTION.
I PREACH ABOUT REDEMPTION EVERY SUNDAY AND ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE LEARNED ABOUT REDEMPTION IS THAT YOU HAVE TO CONFESS.
YOU HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND BE HONEST ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AND HE HAS NOT DONE THAT AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS RACE IS NOT ABOUT WHO HAS BEEN REDEEMED.
THIS RACE IS ABOUT WHO IS READY TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA IN THE UNITED STATES TONIGHT FOR THE JOB INTERVIEW , BY GIVING NONSENSICAL ANSWERS, BY THIS HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, HERSCHEL WALKER SHOWS HE IS NOT READY.
CHASE OLIVER, YOUR FINAL QUESTION.
>> I WILL ASK MR. WALKER THIS QUESTION.
YOU APPEARED ON THE STAGE WITH SENATOR WARNOCK IN SAVANNAH TWO NIGHTS AGO.
I WAS NOT INVITED TO THAT DEBATE THOUGH I REALLY DID WANT TO DISSIPATE, SO MY QUESTION IS SIMPLE.
WHY DID YOU AGREE TO THE ONLY DEBATE THAT DID NOT INVITE ALL OF THE CANDIDATES?
>> WHAT WOULD YOUR REBUTTAL BE TO WHAT MR. WALKER MIGHT'VE SAID?
>> I IMAGINE HE WOULD SAY SOMETHING LIKE I WILL DEBATE ANYTIME ANYWHERE BUT WE ARE RIGHT HERE AND I'M READY TO DEBATE HIM.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO REPRESENT THE STATE OF GEORGIA, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO SHOW UP AND I THINK REPUBLICANS NEED TO KNOW NOW THAT THERE IS A CANDIDATE WHO IS WILLING TO SHOW UP ANYTIME ANYWHERE.
I'M GOING TO STAND UP FOR SMALL GOVERNMENT, LOWER TAXES AND A PLATFORM THAT RELIES ON TRUSTING YOU AND NOT LETTING THE GOVERNMENT MAKE EVERY DECISION FOR YOU AND HERSCHEL, I GUESS, WAS SCARED TO HAVE COMPETITION ON STAGE TRYING TO SPEAK THAT MESSAGE.
>> THAT CONCLUDES OUR SECOND ROUND.
THIS IS THE GENERAL ELECTION DEBATE FOR CANDIDATES FOR U.S. SENATE.
I WILL GO BACK TO THE PANEL TO ASK QUESTIONS OF THEIR CHOICE UNTIL WE RUN OUT OF TIME AND I WILL DETERMINE WHEN A REBUTTAL IS APPROPRIATE.
>> WE HAD A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO CARRY A LAW THAT PASSED A GEORGIA STATE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR TO ALLOW CONCEALED CARRY WITHOUT A PERMIT AND WE ALSO HAD, THIS SUMMER, CONGRESS PASSED A GUN LAW AND THIS QUESTION IS FIRST, FOR MR. OLIVER.
WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE BALANCE BETWEEN GUNOWNERS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, AND THE NEED TO CALL FOR GUN REFORM AND FOR BOTH OF YOU, WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE TO ADDRESS THE MASS SHOOTINGS AND GUN VIOLENCE IN REGARD TO THAT?
>> MR. OLIVER.
>> FIRST, I WANT TO SAY I AM A PROUD GUN OWNER AND I RESPECT THE SECOND AMENDMENT.
EVERYBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO DEFEND THEMSELVES FROM VIOLENCE AND GUN LAWS IN THIS COUNTRY COME FROM A PLACE OF HISTORICAL OPPRESSION AND BIGOTRY.
WE HAVE A PASTOR HERE FROM EBENEZER BAPTIST.
THERE WAS A PREVIOUS PASTOR FROM EBENEZER BEST DENTIST WHO WANTED TO CARRY AND WAS DENIED THE RIGHT.
HOW DO WE ADDRESS VIOLENCE?
THE TRUTH IS WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD GUNS IN THIS COUNTRY.
THE WAY YOU ARE NOT GOING TO ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE IS BYPASSING RED FLAG LAWS THAT DO AWAY WITH DUE PROCESS.
WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE CULTURE OF VIOLENCE IN OUR SOCIETY AND THAT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN COME TO TERMS WITH AND SPEAK TO OUR FAMILIES AND OUR FRIENDS BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, NO, I AM NOT GOING TO SUPPORT RED FLAG LAWS OR GUN CONFISCATION.
I'M GOING TO STAND UP FOR PEOPLE'S RIGHTS TO DEFEND THEMSELVES BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, I AM A MEMBER OF THE PINK PISTOLS.
ARMED ARE HARDER TO SUPPRESS AND THEIR ARDOR TO BASH.
>> THESE MASS SHOOTINGS THAT WE KEEP SEEING IN OUR COUNTRY DOES NOT HAPPEN ANYWHERE ELSE.
WE HAVE TO COME TO TERMS WITH THAT.
I SUPPORT THE SECOND AMENDMENT, BUT YOU CAN SUPPORT THE SECOND AMENDMENT AND STILL BELIEVE IN REASONABLE GUN SAFETY, AND I AM PROUD THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 30 YEARS, WE PASSED A GUN SAFETY LAW ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS AND I THINK THAT IF THE SENATE WERE MORE RESPONSIVE TO WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE ON THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT, WE WOULD GET MORE DONE.
MOST AMERICANS SUPPORT UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS.
WHY CAN'T WE GET THAT DONE?
BECAUSE TOO OFTEN, THE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STRANGLED OUT OF THEIR OWN DEMOCRACY BY ALL OF THIS DARK MONEY, WHICH IS SOMETHING I TRIED TO ADDRESS IN THE VOTING LAW THAT I KEPT TRYING THE PAST AND I'M GOING TO KEEP TRYING TO PASS BECAUSE DEMOCRACY IS AT STAKE AND I CAN ONLY THINK ABOUT HOW HEARTBREAKING IT MUST'VE BEEN FOR THOSE PARENTS AND YOU'VE ALL DAY, AND WORSHIPERS IN CALIFORNIA, SO MANY PLACES.
I AM GLAD WE ARE ABLE TO GET MORE DONE AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US BUILD ON THAT QUESTION.
>> THIS IS A QUESTION FOR BOTH CANDIDATES.
GEORGIA IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY WITH THIS SPECIFIC KIND OF GENERAL ELECTION RUNOFF STRUCTURE.
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT SHOULD CHANGE, SENATOR WARNOCK?
>> HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW.
EARLY VOTING BEGINS TOMORROW AND AT THE END OF THE DAY , EITHER I AM GOING TO BE IN THIS SEAT OR HERSCHEL WALKER, WHO HAS NOT SHOWN UP TONIGHT, IS GOING TO BE IN THE SEAT.
WANT TO ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO SHOW UP FOR EARLY VOTING.
IT BEGINS TOMORROW AND GOES THROUGH NOVEMBER 4th AND IN THE MEANTIME, I'M GOING TO KEEP DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO HELP THE PEOPLE GET THEIR VOICES BACK IN THEIR OWN DEMOCRACY.
>> IS THAT A YES OR A NO ON THE RUNOFF STRUCTURE QUESTION?
>> I HAVE TO ACCEPT THE RULES AS WE CURRENTLY HAVE THEM, AND I AM WILLING TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS ELECTION, BUT RIGHT NOW, THERE IS SO MANY THINGS AT STAKE THAT I REALLY FOCUSED ON THAT.
>> YES, I WOULD REFORM THE SYSTEM BUT WHAT I WOULD NOT DO IS DO AWAY WITH RUNOFFS.
I BELIEVE YOU HAVE TO HAVE OVER 50% OF THE VOTERS SUPPORT TO REALLY REPRESENT US.
YOU SHOULD NOT BE GETTING UNDER 50% IN GOING TO OFFICE, SO I DO SUPPORT THE STRUCTURE WE HAVE BUT WE CAN APPROVE ON THAT.
WE CAN DO INSTANT RUNOFF VOTING .
YOU GO INTO THE BOOTH AND YOU PICK YOUR FIRST AND SECOND CHOICE ON DOWN SO WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT WEEKS OF ADS THAT WE DON'T WANT TO LISTEN TO ANYMORE.
WE CAN HAVE THE RUNOFF RIGHT THERE ON ELECTION DAY.
THAT IS A REAL REFORM THAT WOULD SAVE THE TAXPAYERS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, MAKE SURE THE DEMOCRACY STAYS RESPONSIVE TO THE PEOPLE AND REPRESENTS THE PEOPLE.
WE DON'T WANT TO DO AWAY WITH --WE DO NOT WANT TO HAVE PLURALITY VOTING BECAUSE IF YOU ARE UNDER 50% SUPPORT, YOU SHOULD NOT BE GETTING SENT SOMEWHERE TO REPRESENT 100% OF THE PEOPLE.
WE NEED TO REFORM TO RANK CHOICE VOTING.
>> LET'S DO 15 SECONDS TO EACH OF YOU BECAUSE I THINK SENATOR WARNOCK HAS HIS HAND UP.
>> I WANT TO SAY THAT THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA CAN AVOID A RUNOFF.
THEY CAN SHOW UP STARTING TOMORROW FOR EARLY VOTING.
I THINK MOST OF US DO NOT WANT TO SEE A RUNOFF.
THERE IS BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT ON THAT POINT AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE PEOPLE SHOW UP BEGINNING TOMORROW.
>> I THINK VOTERS DESERVE A CHANCE TO HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD AND THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE LUMPED INTO ONE BOX OR THE OTHER.
THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE SHAMED IN DEVOTING TWO PARTIES AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO VOTE REPRESENT THEMSELVES AS INDEPENDENT SO IT IS IMPORTANT WE HAVE VOICES THAT REPRESENT THEMSELVES AS INDEPENDENT ON STAGE.
>> THIS QUESTION GOES TO BOTH OF YOU, BUT FIRST TO YOU, MR. OLIVER.
SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS ARE SET TO RISE TO KEEP PACE WITH INFLATION, AND THAT HAS SOME PEOPLE WORRIED ABOUT THE SOLVENCY OF SOCIAL SECURITY.
IF YOU ARE SWORN IN AS A SENATOR IN JANUARY, WOULD YOU TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT SOCIAL SECURITY, AND IF SO, WHAT WOULD THOSE STEPS BE?
>> FIRST, MY PARENTS LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME, SO I KNOW THE STRUGGLE OF LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME.
THERE ARE PEOPLE RIGHT NOW WHO DEPEND ON SOCIAL SECURITY FOR THEIR LIVELIHOOD.
I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD TAKE SOCIAL SECURITY AWAY FROM THEM BUT FOR PEOPLE MY AGE WHO ARE NEVER GOING TO SEE SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS SHOULD HAVE THE OPTION TO STEP OUT OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM AND PUT THEIR MONEY INTO A PRIVATE MARKET IF THEY CHOOSE.
IF THE MARKET IS WORKING BETTER , WHICH IT OFTEN DOES, IT WILL HAVE BETTER RETIREMENTS AND YOU CAN MAKE THAT CHOICE.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET YOUR MONEY WHEN YOU RETIRE BECAUSE THE SYSTEM WILL BE INSOLVENT BUT PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE A CHOICE WHERE THEY PUT THEIR MONEY FOR THEIR RETIREMENT.
>> I WILL PROTECT SOCIAL SECURITY.
THERE ARE FOLKS WHO WANT TO PRIVATIZE IT, AND SOCIAL SECURITY CAN BE PRESERVED.
WE CAN MAKE SURE IT IS THERE FOR THE GENERATION THAT NEEDS IT NOW, FOR MY GENERATION, THE GENERATION AFTER THAT, AND A VOTE FOR HERSCHEL WALKER WILL FURTHER ADVANCE THE AGENDA OF THOSE WHO WANT TO RUB SOCIAL SECURITY.
IT IS ONE OF THE REASON WHY I PASSED THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.
WE'VE GOT TO PROTECT OUR WE DID AND THAT WILL ALWAYS GIVE MEDICARE THE ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE THE PRICE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND I THINK ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE I RAN INTO A WOMAN AT A HEARING I HAD .
SHE AND HER HUSBAND LITERALLY MAXED OUT THEIR CREDIT CARDS PAYING FOR MEDICINE IN THE EVENING OF THEIR LIVES.
WE FINALLY GAVE MEDICARE THE ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND HERSCHEL WALKER SAYS HE WOULD VOTE AGAINST IT SO I WILL PROTECT OUR SENIORS.
I WILL PROTECT HER SOCIAL SECURITY.
I WILL PROTECT OUR MEDICARE.
>> SENATOR WARNOCK, ARE THERE SPECIFIC STEPS YOU WOULD TAKE ?
>> WE CAN ASK FOR CORPORATIONS TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.
HERE WE ARE GIVING MEDICARE THE ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE AND APPARENTLY HERSCHEL WALKER THINKS THAT'S A BAD IDEA.
HE THINKS THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHARGE US ANYTHING THEY WANT.
WE DO NOT SUFFER FROM A POVERTY OF RESOURCES.
WE SUFFER FROM A POVERTY OF MORAL IMAGINATION.
>> MR. OLIVER.
>> YOU CAN'T CHARGE ANY PRICE YOU WANT FOR DRUGS.
WHAT YOU CAN CHARGE IS THE PRICE PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR IT AND RIGHT NOW BIG PHARMA IS SUBSIDIZED BY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS A YEAR BY OUR GOVERNMENT AND THE TRUTH IS THEY SHOULD COMPETE IN THE MARKETPLACE LIKE ANYONE ELSE.
I DON'T WANT THE EXPANSION OF GOVERNMENT INTO OUR HEALTHCARE.
WHEN OBAMACARE GOT PAST WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED.
PRICES ROSE AND OVERALL CARE DIMINISHED.
I DON'T SUPPORT EXPANDING GOVERNMENT INTO MORE HEALTHCARE.
WE NEED TO BRING MARKET FORCES INTO HEALTHCARE THAT ARE GOING TO LOWER THE PRICES.
ARBITRARY PRICE CAPS ARE NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND I'M HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WILL SOLVE THAT PROBLEM AND HELP PEOPLE WITH DIABETES AFFORD THEIR INSULIN.
>> MY QUESTION IS FOR BOTH OF THE CANDIDATES.
MR. OLIVER, YOU MENTIONED YOUR PRIORITIES INCLUDE FIXING THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM.
WE HAVE SEEN ISSUES ARISE FROM DETENTION CENTERS TO HOW MIGRANTS ARE HANDLED WHEN THEY ARRIVE IN THE COUNTRY.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO BRIDGE THAT GAP?
ALSO, FOR SENATOR WARNOCK, DO YOU BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN ENOUGH DONE AGAINST CRITICISM FROM ORGANIZATIONS OVER PRESIDENT BIDEN'S HANDLING OF THAT?
>> WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT BIPARTISAN IMMIGRATION REFORM FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS AND IT HAS NOT GOTTEN DOWN BECAUSE OF HYPER PARTISANSHIP.
WE NEED SOMEBODY IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE THAT IS WILLING TO SIT DOWN AND FIX THIS BROKEN SYSTEM.
WE NEED IT TO BE MORE EFFICIENT, LESS COSTLY AND MORE RESPONSIVE TO PEOPLE AND WE DON'T NEED TO BE PUTTING PEOPLE IN CAGES, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE SEEKING ASYLUM.
WE CLAIM TO BE THE LIGHT OF LIBERTY TO THE WORLD.
I WILL WORK WITH ANYONE IN THE UNITED STATES REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION SYSTEM.
RIGHT NOW IT IS TOO COMPLICATED, SO WE HAVE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO STEP OUT OF THE SYSTEM AND COME HERE WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION.
THE WAY TO FIX THAT IS TO FIX THE SYSTEM TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO ENTER INTO IT.
WE DON'T DEMONIZE PEOPLE FOR WANTING TO COME HERE AND WORK AND PUT DOWN ROOTS BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT MY FAMILY DID GENERATIONS AGO.
IT IS ABOUT TIME WE FIX THE IMMIGRANT JOURNEY AND FIX OUR BROKEN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM FOR THEM AND FOR US.
>> I'VE SPENT TIME IN RECENT DAYS WITH DREAMERS AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE US FIX OUR IMMIGRATION SYSTEM.
THIS IS THE ONLY COUNTRY MANY OF THEM HAVE KNOWN.
I HAVE SPENT SOME TIME WITH BUSINESS LEADERS IN RECENT DAYS AND BUSINESS LEADERS ACROSS THE STATE AND FARMERS ARE CALLING ON THIS TO FIX THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM.
WE HAVE THE SOLUTIONS TO FIX THIS.
IT IS POLITICS THAT GETS IN THE ON THE NEXT ELECTION THAT THEY ARE NOT THINKING ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION.
I'VE PROVEN THAT I KNOW HOW TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE.
I'M COMMITTED TO DOING THAT.
MAYBE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH BEING A PASTOR.
I AM USED TO WORKING WITH WHOEVER COMES IN THE DOOR.
WE HAVE GOT TO GET COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM DONE IN OUR COUNTRY.
IT IS GOOD NOT ONLY FOR IMMIGRANTS, IT IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS AND FOR OUR ECONOMY.
IT IS PAST TIME FOLKS STOP DEMAGOGY THIS ISSUE AND WORK ON THE PROBLEM.
THAT IS SOMETHING I WILL STAY FOCUSED ON UNTIL WE GET IT DONE.
>> SENATOR WARNOCK ON FRIDAY IN THE DEBATE, YOU SAID REPORTS THAT A FOUNDATION AFFILIATED WITH EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH ATTEMPTED TO EVICT TENANTS DURING THE PANDEMIC FROM A HOUSING COMPLEX REPORTS ARE NOT TRUE.
THE STATE OF GEORGIA IS NOW INVESTIGATING THAT FOUNDATION FOR NOT PROPERLY REGISTERING AS A CHARITY.
HOW DO YOU RECONCILE ALL THOSE DOCUMENTS WITH THE DENIAL OF THE STORY.
>> I AM ACTUALLY GLAD YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION BECAUSE THIS IS ONE MORE EXAMPLE OF HERSCHEL WALKER AND HIS ALLIES LYING.
FIRST OF ALL, THERE WERE NO EVICTIONS AND THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION REPORTED THAT, AND I CHURCH HAS NO DIRECT INVOLVEMENT IN THE DAY- TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF THAT APARTMENT BUILDING .
THE ATLANTA GEORGIA CONSTITUTION REPORTED THAT.
WHAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH RIGHT NOW IS A DESPERATE CANDIDATE WHO IS NOT HERE TONIGHT AND HE HAS RESORTED TO TRYING TO SULLY THE NAME OF DR. KING'S CHURCH , JOHN LEWIS'S CHURCH FOR SHORT- TERM POLITICAL GAIN.
IT DIDN'T WORK THE LAST TIME.
MY CHURCH IS A MATTHEWS 25 CHURCH.
WE BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOU SHOW UP FOR THE LEAST OF THESE, YOU'RE DOING GOD'S WORK IN THE WORLD.
WE WON'T BE DISTRACTED.
WE WILL KEEP DOING THAT WORK AND I WILL KEEP SHOWING UP FOR THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA, BRINGING A POLICY LEVEL, THE WORK WE HAVE BEEN DOING FOR YEARS AT A LOCAL LEVEL.
>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, YOU ARE SAYING WHILE THERE MAY HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTS TO EVICT, NOBODY WAS EVICTED .
>> THERE HAVE BEEN NO EVICTIONS .
FULL STOP.
>> THIS QUESTION GOES TO MR. OLIVER.
PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS CALLED CLIMATE CHANGE AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT .
DAILY HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE GETTING HIGHER.
POLAR ICE CAPS ARE MELTING.
STORMS ARE BECOMING MORE POWERFUL.
SEA LEVELS ARE RISING.
IF YOU ARE GEORGE'S SENATOR NEXT YEAR, WHAT LEGISLATION WOULD YOU INTRODUCE TO NOT JUST IMPROVE OUR ENVIRONMENT, BUT LIMITED BRING DOWN CARBON EMISSIONS, WHICH HAVE BEEN TIED TO CLIMATE CHANGE.
>> I THINK IT SOUNDS GREAT TO SAY WE CAN MAGICALLY PASS A BILL AND START USING LESS CARBON OUTPUT BUT THAT IS NOT THE WAY IT WORKS AND WHEN YOU RELY ON GOVERNMENT TO SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEM THAT IS WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO STIFLE INNOVATION.
IF GOVERNMENT WERE DESIGNING PHONE CHARGES WE WOULD BE USING USB CHARGERS FROM 10 YEARS AGO.
WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS GET OUT OF THE WAY AND LET THE MARKETPLACE INNOVATE.
THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN GREEN PRODUCTS THAT ARE GOING TO PROVIDE OUR FUTURE AND WE NEED TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THAT, QUIT OVER REGULATING GREEN TECHNOLOGY AND GET OUT OF THE WAY.
WE CAN FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE BUT THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE GOVERNMENT ACTION AND CARBON CAPS AND ALL NEW GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS.
IT JUST REQUIRES US TO BUCKLE DOWN, HAVE THAT AMERICAN INNOVATION WE ARE KNOWN FOR AND WE'RE GOING TO DEVELOP TECHNOLOGIES THAT WILL POWER US INTO THE FUTURE NOT USING CARBON-BASED FUELS.
IN THE MEANTIME, GOVERNMENT DOES NOT REALLY HAVE A ROLE IN DECIDING WHAT TECHNOLOGY IS GOING TO BE DEVELOPING IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
>> SENATOR WARNOCK, I WOULD LIKE TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.
>> I AM VERY FOCUSED ON THIS ISSUE.
IN THE CHURCH WE CALL IT CREATION CHECK CARE.
WE OUGHT TO BE KIND TO THE EARTH.
THAT IS THE ONLY PLACE WE HAVE AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A PLANET TO LEAVE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND IT IS THE REASON I HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON THIS ISSUE.
I'M GLAD WE PASSED THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, WHICH REPRESENTS RECORD INVESTMENT IN GREEN ENERGY AND A GREEN ENERGY FUTURE .
IN ADDITION TO THAT, I HAVE BEEN VERY INVOLVED LEADING THE WAY WITH THE CREATION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE RIGHT HERE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID WHEN I BECAME A SENATOR'S WORK VERY HARD TO KEEP THIS COMPANY OPEN, LG , IN GEORGIA, BECAUSE IT WAS INVOLVED IN THE TRADE DISPUTE.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE KEPT THAT INFRASTRUCTURE HERE WHERE THEY MAKE BATTERIES FOR CARS.
I AM GLAD THAT I HAVE WORKED WITH THE KIA AND HYUNDAI FOLKS HERE IN GEORGIA AND DOWN AND BRIAN COUNTY, WE ARE GETTING READY TO OPEN UP A COMPANY THAT WILL HIRE 9000 PEOPLE, AND THEY WILL BE CREATING ELECTRIC VEHICLES THERE.
I HAVE ALSO LED THE WAY WITH CREATING SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL.
THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS WE NEED TO DO AND I'M VERY FOCUSED ON THAT WORK.
>> I HAVE A FOLLOW-UP FOR MR. OLIVER.
IT SEEMS LIKE YOU'RE PRIMARILY INTERESTED IN MARKET-DRIVEN FORCES.
CAN YOU NAME AN EXAMPLE OF AN INNOVATION THAT BROUGHT DOWN CARBON EMISSIONS THAT HAD NO GOVERNMENT INCENTIVE TIED TO THAT?
>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT IS HARD TO GET THAT BECAUSE OF THE WORLD WE LIVE IN.
BUT THE TRUTH IS WE NEED TO BRING MARKET COMPETITION BACK TO IT.
WE DON'T NEED TO SEE WHO CAN SCRAMBLE TO GET THE NEXT FEDERAL DOLLARS.
WHAT TECHNOLOGIES DO WE HAVE?
I IMAGINE TESLA --ELON MUSK HE WILL TAKE THE SUBSIDIES BECAUSE ANYBODY WILL TAKE FREE MONEY BUT IT IS YOUR TAXPAYER MONEY THAT'S GOING IN ELON MUSK'S POCKET.
HE CAN AFFORD TO DEVELOP VEHICLES WITHOUT TAKING MONEY FOR IT.
WE DON'T NEED TO BE PRINTING MONEY OUT OF THIN AIR TO GIVE MONEY TO GREEN BILLIONAIRES TO DEVELOP TECHNOLOGY.
THEY WILL DO THAT ON THEIR OWN.
>> THIS IS FOR MR. OLIVER.
YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU WOULD BE HAPPY FOR A RUNOFF BECAUSE THAT WOULD SHOW THERE IS DISSATISFACTION WITH BOTH THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES, BUT IF THAT HAPPENED WITH THE TWO OTHER CANDIDATES WOULD YOU THEN SUPPORT ONE OF THE OTHERS DURING THE LEAD UP TO THE RUNOFF?
AND IF SO, WHY?
>> IT'S NOT MY JOB TO ENDORSE ONE OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES CONSIDERING I DON'T SUPPORT THE TWO PARTY STRUCTURE.
IF THERE IS A RUNOFF AND I AM NOT IN IT, I WILL ALLOW THE OTHER TWO CANDIDATES A CHANCE TO ATTEND AFFORD THEM.
I WILL MODERATED AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES I THINK ARE IMPORTANT TO INTO PETER INDEPENDENT VOTERS.
I WOULD PROVIDE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THOSE VOTERS WHO FEEL DISSATISFIED WITH THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM AND GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO PUT THEIR SUPPORT IN THE RUNOFF.
THE BEST CASE SCENARIO WOULD BE ONE WHERE WE HAVE ONE CANDIDATE WHO IS NOT PART OF THE BROKEN TWO PARTY SYSTEM AND YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT, GEORGIA.
YOU CAN VOTE OUTSIDE OF THE SYSTEM AND MAKE A RUNOFF THAT IS HISTORIC AND WORTHY OF THE VOTERS INSTEAD OF THIS BROKEN TWO PARTY SYSTEM WE CONTINUE TO SEE OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
>> SENATOR WARNOCK, 30 SECONDS TO RESPOND.
>> EARLY VOTING BEGINS TOMORROW, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, EITHER HERSCHEL WALKER WILL SIT IN THE SEAT OR I WILL SIT IN THE SEAT .
ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE LEARNED FROM BEING A PASTOR IS THAT IN ORDER TO SERVE THE PEOPLE, YOU HAVE TO SPEND TIME WITH THE PEOPLE AND I GUESS THE REASON WHY I HAVE BEEN SO FOCUSED ON ISSUES LIKE MEDICAID EXPANSION IS THAT I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH TIME AT PEOPLE'S BEDSIDES AND I FOCUSED ON THE INSULIN ISSUE BECAUSE I'VE BEEN THERE WHEN DIABETES HAS GOTTEN OUT OF CONTROL.
I'M A PASTOR IN THE SENATE.
I AM DEEPLY HONORED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA AND I WOULD BE DEEPLY HONORED TO SERVE YOU FOR SIX MORE YEARS.
>> SENATOR WARNOCK, YOU EARLIER TONIGHT AND IN YOUR CAMPAIGN HAVE ATTACKED HERSCHEL WALKER FOR HIS PAST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALLEGATIONS, SOME OF WHICH HE HAS DENIED AND SOME OF WHICH HE HAS NOT.
HIS CAMPAIGNS ATTACKED YOU, AS WELL, FOR YOUR EX-WIFE'S ALLEGATION THAT YOU RUN OVER HER FOOT WITH A CAR, WHICH YOU DENIED, AS WELL AS YOUR CHILD CUSTODY BATTLE.
OUR CAMPAIGNS GETTING TOO PERSONAL ON WHAT WOULD YOU DO ABOUT IT?
>> FIRST OF ALL, LET ME BE VERY CLEAR.
I HAVE NEVER BEEN VIOLENT TO ANYBODY FOR ANY REASON AND I HAVE SPENT MY ENTIRE LIFE AS A CITIZEN, AS A PASTOR OF DR. KING'S CHURCH STEEPED IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF NONVIOLENCE AS A SENATOR , FIGHTING AGAINST NONVIOLENCE.
MY OPPONENT ON THE OTHER HAND, HAS A WELL-DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF VIOLENCE AND HE HAS NOT COME CLEAN ABOUT IT.
HE IS BLAMING ME FOR HIS OWN HISTORY, SAYING I DON'T BELIEVE IN REDEMPTION.
I BELIEVE IN REDEMPTION.
I PREACH ABOUT IT.
BUT, IT IS HARD TO BE REDEEMED IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO COME CLEAN ABOUT THE BASIC FACTS OF YOUR LIFE, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY , AGAIN, THIS RACE IS NOT ABOUT WHO HAS BEEN REDEEMED.
IT IS ABOUT WHO IS READY AND I THINK MR. WALKER HAS SHOWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT HE IS NOT READY TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE BOTH OF YOU BEGINNING WITH MR. OLIVER.
YOU SAID ONE OF YOUR HIGHEST PRIORITIES IS PENAL REFORM IN AMERICA.
WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE?
>> I BELIEVE WE NEED TRUE JUSTICE REFORM AT EVERY LEVEL AND THAT IS NOT JUST IN THE JAILS.
THAT IS FROM THE POLICE TO THE COURTS TO THE PROSECUTORS, BUT YES, WE NEED REFORM IN OUR PRISONS.
I HAVE HEARD SO MANY STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE THEY'VE BEEN ABUSED AND WHAT WE DO RIGHT NOW IS INCARCERATE PEOPLE MANY TIMES FOR BASIC DRUG POSSESSION.
THEY GO IN AND DO NOT GET CARE FOR THEIR ADDICTION AND THEN THEY GET OUT UNDER RETRAUMATIZED AND GO RIGHT BACK TO BEHAVIORS THAT HARMED THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE.
WE NEED REAL HARM REDUCTION AND REAL WORK IN OUR PRISONS TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM BUT BEYOND THAT WE NEED TO FIX FACETS OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM.
WE NEED TO DO AWAY WITH MANDATORY MINIMUMS.
WE NEED TO DO AWAY WITH QUALIFIED IMMUNITY FOR FEDERAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SO THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE IN A COURT OF LAW JUST LIKE ANY OF US AND I THINK IT EVERY LEVEL, WE NEED REAL I AM OPPOSED TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT BECAUSE TOO OFTEN WE PUT PEOPLE TO DEATH WHO WERE LATER FOUND TO HAVE BEEN INNOCENT SO WE NEED REAL REFORMS TO OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM AT EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
I HAVE GOTTEN TEAR GASSED IN THE STREETS WHILE I PROTESTED FOR JUSTICE REFORM.
>> SENATOR, SAME QUESTION TO YOU.
>> IT IS SOMETHING I HAVE WORKED ON FOR YEARS, LONG BEFORE COMING TO THE SENATE.
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS ABOUT FOUR OR 5% OF THE WORLDS POPULATION.
WE HOUSED 25% OF THE WORLD'S PRISONERS.
MANY OF THERE ARE FOUR NON- VIOLENT RELATED OFFENSES.
I WAS GLAD TO SEE SOME MOVEMENT ON THIS FRONT AROUND CANNABIS AND I THINK WE NEED SOME NECESSARY REFORM .
WE ARE WAREHOUSING A LOT OF FOLKS FOR NONVIOLENT DRUG RELATED OFFENSES.
IT IS SOMETHING I HAVE SEEN UP CLOSE.
I HAVE USED THE MINISTRY OF MY CHURCH TO ADDRESS IT AND NOW THAT I AM IN THE SENATE, I AM FOCUSED ON BRINGING THE KIND OF REFORM THAT WE NEED AND PART OF IT IS OPPORTUNITY.
I GREW UP IN PUBLIC HOUSING, AND I THINK THAT PART OF THE ANSWER TO A LOT OF THESE THINGS IS HOPE.
YOU HAVE GOT TO GIVE PEOPLE HOPE.
YOU HAVE GOT TO HELP PEOPLE AT LEAST HAVE THE LADDERS TO CREATE THEIR OWN BEST LIFE.
I KNOW WHAT THAT DID FOR ME, AND I TRY TO EXTEND THAT OPPORTUNITY TO OTHER PEOPLE.
>> PETER BIELLO, NEXT QUESTION TO YOU, PLEASE.
>> SENATOR WARNOCK, PRESIDENT BIDEN'S POPULARITY IN GEORGIA IS UNDERWATER.
INFLATION IS STILL RISING.
WHY SHOULD VOTERS TRUST DEMOCRATS ON IT COMES TO THE HANDLING OF THE ECONOMY?
>> I'M ASKING THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA DEPRESSED ME.
I DID NOT LOOK TO GET INTO POLITICS AND IT IS BECAUSE I AM NOT IN LOVE WITH POLITICS.
I AM IN LOVE WITH CHANGE.
I'VE SPENT THE LAST 17 YEARS SERVING AS SENIOR PASTOR OF THE EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH AND I RETURNED TO MY CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY SO THAT I STAY CONNECTED THE PAIN THERE , FOLKS WHO ARE PAYING RECORD PRICES WHILE CORPORATIONS ARE ENJOYING RECORD PROFITS, THAT IS WHAT DRIVES ME TO GO BACK TO THE SENATE EVERY WEEK TO TRY TO GET THINGS DONE FOR HARD-WORKING PEOPLE.
WE PASSED THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT AND I'VE GOT MORE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US GET DONE.
I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN AN EXCELLENT CAP FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE PRIVATE INSURANCE IF I WERE NOT BLOCKED BY CRAVEN POLITICIANS WHO THINK THEY WORK FOR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES.
I DON'T WORK FOR PHARMA.
I DON'T WORK FOR OIL AND GAS AND I DON'T WORK FOR SOME PARTY.
I WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA.
>> WE CAN SEE THE BALANCE OF POWER POTENTIALLY CHANGE IN THIS ELECTION.
IF THAT HAPPENS , AND IT IS ALREADY PRETTY CONTENTIOUS BETWEEN REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS, IF THERE IS EVEN MORE OF A FURTHER DIVIDE, REALISTICALLY , HOW MUCH CAN YOU GET ACCOMPLISHED OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AS WE SEE HOW THINGS CAN CONTINUE TO GET WORSE BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES MAYBE NOT WORKING TOGETHER OR SOMETHING.
AND THAT IS FOR BOTH CANDIDATES.
>> LISTEN, THE PROBLEM WITH OUR POLITICS RIGHT NOW IS THAT IT IS TOO MUCH ABOUT THE POLITICIANS .
THEY ARE THINKING MORE ABOUT THEMSELVES THAN THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO HIRED THEM TO SHOW UP FOR THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE.
I THINK I HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT I KNOW HOW TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE, THAT MINE IS AN EXTENDING HAND.
I DID AN AMENDMENT WITH TED CRUZ.
I DISAGREE WITH HIM ON ALMOST EVERYTHING, BUT WHEN I SAW AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD OUT AN INTERSTATE THAT WOULD CONNECT OUR MILITARY BASES AND REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE THAT HAVE SUFFERED, I JOINED WITH HIM TO DO THAT.
I THINK THAT IN A DEEPER SENSE, THERE IS A ROAD THAT RUNS THROUGH HUMANITY THAT IS BIGGER THAN POLITICS, BIGGER THAN PARTISAN BICKERING, BIGGER THAN RACISM AND BIGGER THAN THE REGIONAL DIFFERENCES THAT WOULD SEPARATE US.
I STILL BELIEVE IN THE AMERICAN COVENANT.
I AM NOT ABOUT TO GIVE UP ON IT.
OUT OF MANY, ONE .
I AM GOING TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR IT.
IF MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR DID NOT GIVE UP AND JOHN LEWIS DID NOT GIVE UP, I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE UP.
>> YOU MENTIONED BIPARTISANSHIP AND TALKED ABOUT CAN WE TRUST DEMOCRATS WITH SPENDING REDUCTION.
THE TRUTH IS WE CAN'T REALLY TRUST REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS WHO ARE IN LEADERSHIP RIGHT NOW TO DO THAT BECAUSE MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE THEY HAVE BEEN DEFICIT SPENDING LIKE IT'S GOING OUT OF STYLE.
THE LAST TIME WE HAD A BALANCED BUDGET WAS IN THE 1990s.
IT IS ALSO THE LAST TIME WE HAD A MIDDLE CLASS.
THE ONLY THING REPUBLICANS AND TO SPEND YOUR MONEY OUT OF THIN AIR AND DEVALUE OUR DOLLAR.
HE HAS SAID SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE PASSED THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.
IT DOES NOT REDUCE INFLATION.
THE COST OF GROCERIES AND COST OF RENT ARE GOING UP EVERY MONTH AND PEOPLE ARE FEELING IT.
I GO TO WORK EVERY DAY AND I HAVE TO BALANCE MY BUDGET.
EVERY GEORGIA HOUSEHOLD HAS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.
WHY CAN'T WE INSIST ON THE GOVERNMENT THAT BALANCES ITS BUDGET.
WHY IS THAT THE RADICAL IDEA, NOT THE RATIONAL IDEA?
BALANCE THE BUDGET SO WE HAVE MORE PROSPERITY AND A GROWING MIDDLE CLASS.
THAT IS WHAT WE NEED.
>> SENATOR WARNOCK, 30 SECONDS FOR YOU TO RESPOND.
>> IS I AM LOOKING AT RISING COSTS, PART OF WHAT I HAVE TRIED TO DO IS TO HOLD BIG PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE , OCEAN CARRIERS ACCOUNTABLE AND I'VE TRIED TO I AM PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE PASSED ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS THE JOBS AND COMPETITION BILL.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE RISING COST OF YOUR AUTOMOBILES, PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF MICROCHIPS.
WE INVENTED THE MICROCHIP.
WE USED TO MAKE 40% OF THEM.
NOW WE MAKE ONLY 12% AND SO HERE WE ARE WITH A COMPANY IN WEST POINT, GEORGIA SHUTTING DOWN NOT BECAUSE IT DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH CUSTOMERS, BUT BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH CHIPS.
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SUPPLY CHAIN.
LET'S TALK ABOUT DRUG PRICES.
THE PRICE CAP IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
THAT'S JUST GOING TO LEAD TO MARKET SHORTAGES.
THE WAY TO MAKE INSULIN LESS EXPENSIVE IS GET RID OF PATENT EVER GRINNING.
ALLOW CUSTOMERS TO BUY FROM OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTRY WHERE INSULIN IS LESS EXPENSIVE, PUSHING THE PRICE DOWN USING MARKET FORCES.
WE NEED TO MAKE IT EASIER TO DEVELOP NEW MEDICINES AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES BY REFORMING THE FDA AND GETTING RID OF THE RED TAPE THAT INCREASES THE COST OF THESE DRUGS.
>> THIS QUESTION IS FOR MR. OLIVER.
YOU ARE RUNNING AS GEORGE'S FIRST OPENLY SENATE CANDIDATE.
WHAT PROTECTIONS FOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY DO YOU THINK CONGRESS NEEDS TO TAKE UP?
>> AT THE END OF THE DAY WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING A STOP DEMONIZING LGBTQ PEOPLE.
I HEAR ALL DAY LONG FROM FOLKS LIKE HERSCHEL WALKER ABOUT HOW TERRIBLE LGBTQ PEOPLE ARE, HOW THEY ARE DESTROYING OUR CHILDREN.
I WAS A CHILD ONE TIME AND I WAS THANKFUL THAT I HAVE SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE THAT COULD HELP ME AS I WAS GROWING UP AND I DON'T WANT TO DO AWAY WITH THAT BUT THE REALITY IS WE HAVE FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE LOOKING TO DEMONIZE LGBTQ PEOPLE AND I AM NOT ONE WHO IS GOING TO STAND FOR THAT.
I SUPPORT THE EQUALITY ACT BUT THE BEST WAY FOR ME TO BE A GOOD REPRESENTATIVE AS AN LGBTQ PERSON IS TO GET UP, DO THE WORK AND BE LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT LGBTQ PEOPLE ARE.
WE JUST LOVE DIFFERENT PEOPLE.
THERE IS NOTHING INHERENTLY THE PRIDE PARADE .
I THINK THE TWO PEOPLE ON THIS STAGE WHO WILL ABSOLUTELY STAND FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE BUT I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE SOMEBODY YOU CAN SUPPORT WHO KNOWS WHAT IT'S LIKE TO GROW UP LGBTQ AND WHO KNOWS WHAT IT'S LIKE TO FIND THE SUPPORT OF THOSE PEOPLE IN THEIR LIVES.
>> THIS QUESTION GOES TO BOTH OF YOU.
I WILL START WITH SENATOR WARNOCK.
COVID-19 IS STILL WITH US AND AS MONKEYPOX HAS SHOWN US, NEW VIRUSES CAN POP UP AT ANY TIME.
IF YOU ARE ELECTED TO A FULL TERM, WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN YOUR NEXT TERM TO MAKE SURE THAT WE AS A COUNTRY ARE PREPARED FOR THE NEXT PANDEMIC?
>> PART OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS MAKE SURE WE SURE UP AND STRENGTHEN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FOR ALL TIMES.
WE HAVE SEEN IN THE STATE 10 HOSPITALS CLOSE IN 10 YEARS AND A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, WE GOT THE TERRIBLE NEWS THAT THE ATLANTA MEDICAL CENTER IS GOING TO CLOSE.
I HAVE REMAINED FOCUSED ON TRYING TO STRENGTHEN OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN GENERAL BECAUSE IN THE WORK WE DO AROUND VACCINES, ALL OF THAT DEPENDS UPON OUR ABILITY TO DEAL WITH THESE KINDS OF CHRONIC DISEASES AND HEALTH IN GENERAL.
GEORGIA NEEDS TO EXPAND MEDICAID AND THAT IS A STATE ISSUE , AND IT HAS GOT TO BE ADDRESSED AT THAT LEVEL BUT I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING I CAN AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND I WILL KEEP DOING MORE TO FURTHER INCENTIVIZE OUR STATE , TO EXPAND MEDICAID.
WE GOT 600,000 PEOPLE IN THE COVERAGE GAP.
MOST OF THEM ARE THE WORKING POOR AND WHEN A PANDEMIC COMES ON TOP OF THAT, PEOPLE ALREADY NOT GETTING BASIC HEALTHCARE, IT MAKES IT THAT MUCH WORSE, WHICH IS WHY WHEN YOU KEEP FIGHTING FOR HEALTHCARE.
>> MR. OLIVER, THE QUESTION TO YOU.
60 SECONDS.
PANDEMIC, AND THE THING THAT WE NEED TO DO --ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS THE BIGGEST CRISIS OF THE PANDEMIC IS THE FACT THAT WE CLOSE DOWN BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS.
WE CAN SEE PEOPLE WHO GET SICK FROM COVID-19 AND DIE BUT WHAT WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY BUSINESSES CLOSED AND ARE NEVER GOING TO OPEN AGAIN.
WE NEED TO HAVE A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO OUR PANDEMIC THAN SAYING WE'RE JUST GOING TO SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN AND THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PANDEMIC FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.
I AM NOT SOMEBODY WHO THINKS WE NEED TO ARBITRARILY LOCKDOWN THE STATE.
YOU CAN GO TO YOUR DOCTOR AND TAKE YOUR DOCTOR'S ADVICE.
THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.
DON'T TAKE POLITICIANS ADVICE FOR YOUR HEALTHCARE.
TAKE YOUR DOCTOR'S ADVICE FOR YOUR HEALTHCARE.
THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ACTUALLY PROVIDING YOU HEALTHCARE AND NOT JUST TALKING POINTS THAT ARE GOING TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD OR THAT DON'T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE.
>> WE HAVE ABOUT FOUR MINUTES LEFT OF THIS ROUND.
>> I WANT TO QUICKLY SAY THAT I WROTE THE MEDICAID SAVES LIVES BACK.
TIME AND AGAIN I HAVE TRIED TO STRENGTHEN OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.
HERSCHEL WALKER DOES NOT BELIEVE WE SHOULD EXPAND MEDICAID AND HE SHOULD EXPLAIN TO THE 600,000 GEORGIANS WHO ARE IN THE MEDICAID GAP, MOST OF WHOM ARE THE WORKING POOR.
THESE ARE HARD-WORKING FAMILIES.
HE SAID THE OTHER NIGHT THAT WELL BODIED PEOPLE ALREADY HAVE HEALTHCARE AND YET HE SAYS HE IS READY TO BE A SENATOR.
WHY DOES HE NOT KNOW THAT THE FOLKS WHO ARE IN THE GAP, A LOT OF THE WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY.
HE SHOULD TELL THEM THAT.
>> MR. OLIVER, FINAL WORD FROM YOU ON THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID IN GEORGIA?
>> I AM AGAINST EXPANSION OF MEDICAID BECAUSE I THINK THAT FURTHER GOVERNMENT GETS ENTRENCHED IN THE HEALTHCARE MARKETPLACE, THE FASTER YOU'RE GOING TO SEE RISING INFLATION.
EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE ARE THE TWO AREAS WHERE THE GOVERNMENT INVOLVES ITSELF THE MOST AND WHERE PRICES RISE THE MOST.
YOU CAN HAVE A MEDICARE PROGRAM BUT EXPANDING IT IS GOING TO THROW GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD EVENTUALLY.
SINGLE-PAYER HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS DO NOT WORK THE BEST AND YOU CAN LOOK AT THAT JUST BY CANCER SURVIVAL RATES AND OUR ALLIES WHO DO HAVE SINGLE- PAYER HEALTHCARE.
>> THIS IS FOR BOTH OF YOU.
TWO YEARS IN AS A SENATOR , WHAT WOULD YOU DO , TODAY IS YOURSELF, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SENATOR WARNOCK WAS ENTERING OFFICE TWO YEARS AGO AND ALSO, MR. OLIVER, YOU WOULD BE A THIRD-PARTY CANDIDATE NEW TO CONGRESS.
HOW WOULD YOU TRY TO INGRATIATE YOURSELF IN THERE AND HOPEFULLY TRY TO GET SOME THINGS ACCOMPLISHED AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS?
>> THIS IS NOT EASY WORK AND ANY WORK THAT IS WORTH DOING IS NOT EASY.
MY DAD SAID IF SOMEONE HIRES YOU TO DO A JOB, DO THE JOB THEY HIRED YOU TO DO AND THIS MAY SOUND CORNY, BUT REALLY, I WAKE UP AND PINCH MYSELF EVERY FEW DAYS BECAUSE I AM DEEPLY HONORED THAT THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA HAVE GIVEN ME A CHANCE TO REPRESENT THEM IN THE SENATE.
I SEE THAT AS A SACRED TRUST WHEN YOUR NEIGHBORS SAY WE WANT YOU TO TAKE THE CONCERNS OF OUR FAMILIES, OUR SENIORS, OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH YOU AND PUT FORWARD POLICY THAT HELPS US LIVE OUR BEST LIVES.
I WAKE UP EVERY SINGLE DAY THINKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA AND I WOULD TELL PETER BIELLO AS I WAS SWORN IN TWO YEARS AGO, OR NEARLY TWO YEARS AGO, TO SOLDIER ON.
THAT IS WHAT I KEEP SAYING TO MYSELF EVERY DAY.
NEVERMIND THE DISTRACTIONS, THE LIVES, THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE THROW AT YOU.
STAY FOCUSED ON THE PEOPLE WHO ASKED YOU TO SERVE.
>> HOW WOULD I INGRATIATE MYSELF IF I WERE TO BE ELECTED AND HOW WOULD I WORK WITH PEOPLE?
THE FACT IS I WOULD BE AN OPEN BOOK.
I AM HONEST.
I TELL YOU EXACTLY HOW I FEEL AND I DON'T HIDE BEHIND PARTISAN GAMES.
I WOULD SIT DOWN WITH ANYBODY TO DO THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE BUT MY JOB IS NOT TO GO THERE TO MAKE FRIENDS.
MY JOB IS TO GO THERE TO DO THE WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA SO I WANT TO GO TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE, SIT DOWN WITH ANYONE REGARDLESS OF PARTY TO GET THE WORK DONE IN THE REALLY BIG ISSUES WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING FOR 20 YEARS OR MORE.
IMMIGRATION, JUSTICE, HEALTHCARE, VOTING RIGHTS, ALL OF THESE THINGS WE COULD WORK ON TOGETHER BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME ONE WHO IS REALLY WILLING TO SIT DOWN AND GET THINGS DONE.
I'M NOT THERE TO MAKE FRIENDS.
I'M THERE TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA AND MY ALLEGIANCE WOULD BE TO THOSE PEOPLE AND TO NO ONE ELSE, SO I'M NOT GOING TO BE CHUCK SCHUMER'S BEST FRIEND OR MITCH McCONNELL'S BEST FRIEND BUT I'M SURE I CAN FIND COLLEAGUES WHO ARE WILLING TO DO THE WORK IF I SENT THERE.
>> WE HAVE TIME FOR ONE MORE QUESTION AND ONE MINUTE ANSWER.
>> THIS LAST QUESTION IS FOR SENATOR WARNOCK.
THE KEY TENETS OF YOUR REPUBLICAN OPPONENT'S CAMPAIGN IS TO CLAIM THAT YOU VOTED 90 % OF THE TIME WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN FILE IN OFFICE.
HAVE YOU, AND IF SO, IS THAT A PROBLEM?
>> I HAVE VOTED TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA, AND THEY ARE THE ONES I AM THINKING ABOUT EVERY SINGLE TIME, AND WHEN I'VE NEEDED TO , I HAVE STOOD UP TO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.
I STOOD UP AND SAID NO, DON'T CLOSE THE SAVANNA COMBAT READINESS CENTER.
WE NEED THAT CENTER FOR OUR NATIONAL SECURITY .
I HAVE WORKED WITH REPUBLICANS TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO GET BILLS DONE BECAUSE I WORK FOR GEORGIA AND I'M NOT GOING TO BE DISTRACTED ABOUT WHAT HERSCHEL WALKER SAYS ABOUT ME.
HE DOESN'T TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT HIMSELF.
HE SAID THAT HE GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE.
HE DID NOT.
HE SAID HE WAS VALEDICTORIAN OF HIS CLASS.
HE WASN'T.
HE SAID HE STARTED A BUSINESS THAT DOES NOT EVEN EXIST IN THE OTHER NIGHT WHEN I SAID HE PRETENDED TO BE A POLICE OFFICER, HE PRESENTED A BADGE AS IF THAT WERE PROOF THAT HE REALLY IS A POLICE OFFICER AND NOW HE WANTS US TO THINK THAT HE IS A SENATOR.
I THINK THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA ARE WISE AND DISCERNING, THEY KNOW THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I KNOW WHO I WORK FOR.
I WORK FOR THEM.
>> THANK YOU BOTH, AND THIS IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR QUESTIONS.
EACH CANDIDATE NOW WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS.
>> FIRST I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB FOR HOSTING AND INCLUSIVE DEBATES .
MY NAME IS CHASE OLIVER AND I WANT TO GO TO D.C. TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA.
I'M NOT INTERESTED IN PARTISAN GAMES BECAUSE THEY WON'T SOLVE THE ISSUES THAT MATTER TO GEORGIAN VOTERS.
I WANT TO TAKE POWER OUT OF THE HANDS OF GOVERNMENT AND RETURN IT TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU.
I WANT YOU TO BE ABLE TO START A SMALL BUSINESS.
I WANT YOU TO HAVE CONTROL OVER YOUR OWN BODY AND I WANT YOU TO BE ABLE TO LIVE YOUR LIFE AS YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF AT PEACE.
I'M NOT GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN PARTISAN FIGHTS AND BICKERING.
MY JOB IS TO WORK.
I OWE ALLEGIANCE TO NO PARTY.
INSTEAD I OWE ALLEGIANCE TO GEORGIA, THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND THE RIGHTS AND LIBERTY OF ALL PEOPLE.
TO LEARN MORE, VISIT MY WEBSITE.
>> I WANT TO THANK THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB FOR ORGANIZING THIS DEBATE .
THANK MR. OLIVER FOR BEING HERE.
IT IS TOO BAD HERSCHEL WALKER DID NOT SHOW UP.
I THINK PART OF BEING A SENATOR IS SHOWING UP AND WE ARE APPLYING FOR A JOB.
THIS IS A JOB INTERVIEW.
YOU'VE GOT TO SHOW UP FOR THE INTERVIEW AND I HAVE SHOWN UP FOR THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA TIME MY DAD USED TO SAY SON, IF SOMEBODY HIRED YOU TO DO A JOB DO THE JOB THEY HIRED YOU TO DO.
HE USED TO WAKE ME UP EVERY MAN YOU TELL ME TO PUT MY SHOES ON WELL, GEORGIA.
MY SHOES ARE ON.
I KNOW THE DAYS ARE DIFFICULT BUT I STILL BELIEVE THAT THE SCRIPTURE IS RIGHT, THAT THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS AND THE DARKNESS OVERCOME IS IT NOT.
DON'T GIVE INTO DESPAIR.
WAKE UP TOMORROW MORNING.
EARLY VOTING BEGINS ON OCTOBER 17th.
YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE.
YOUR VOICE IS YOUR HUMAN DIGNITY.
LET'S GET TO WORK FOR GEORGIA.
I WOULD BE HONORED TO HAVE YOUR VOTE.
KEEP THE FAITH.
>> THAT CONCLUDES OUR DEBATE.
WE WOULD LIKE TO REMIND VOTERS THAT ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 8th AND EARLY VOTING BEGINS OCTOBER 17th.
OUR THANKS TO OUR PANELISTS AND TO THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB FOR ARRANGING THIS DEBATE.
VISIT ATLANTA PRESS CLUB.ORG/DEBATES .
I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THE PASSING OF CHARLIE LOUDERMILK WHO DIED THIS YEAR AT 95.
HE UNDERSTOOD THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVIL DISCOURSE NO MATTER ONCE BELIEF.
I AM SCOTT SLADE.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB LOUDERMILK YOUNG DEBATE SERIES.
DON'T FORGET, THE GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE IS MONDAY NIGHT .
HAVE A GOOD EVENING.
Support for PBS provided by:
Atlanta Press Club is a local public television program presented by GPB















