Vol. 72/No. 7      February 18, 2008

BY TOM BAUMANN  
ALBANY, New York—More than 75 students attended an event here January 29 entitled “America’s Next President,” at the State University of New York campus. The eight speakers were from the College Republicans, College Democrats, and Young Socialists for Calero and Kennedy. They represented Republicans Rudolph Giuliani, Michael Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, and John McCain; Democrats John Edwards, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton; and Róger Calero, the presidential candidate of the Socialist Workers Party.

The program began with an introductory statement on behalf of each party. Colleen Ryan, representing Romney, spoke for the Republicans. “We are for defending our borders against illegal immigration, less government interference, and lower taxes,” she said. Ben Jacobs, who represented both Obama and Clinton and spoke for the Democrats, said student activity to win votes for the Democratic candidates was a positive feature of his party.

Ben O’Shaughnessy, a national spokesperson for Young Socialists for Calero and Kennedy, said the Socialist Workers candidates explain the need for working people to break with the Democrats and Republicans and to build a labor party based on fighting unions that can contend in the political arena in the interests of the working class. He said Calero and SWP vice presidential candidate Alyson Kennedy offer a course of action for working people to defend and fight for their interests against the ruling capitalists and their twin parties.

The speakers were then asked to address five topics: the economy, the environment, health care, immigration, and the “war on terror.”

“Ron Paul is for using property rights to defend against pollution,” said Henry Lampman. He said his candidate was for “allowing the free market to run its course” in regard to protecting the environment.

“The bosses’ disregard for the safety and health of workers goes hand in hand with their reckless plunder of nature,” said socialist O’Shaughnessy. He said strong, fighting unions could enforce not only safe job conditions but also defend the health and well-being of communities threatened by industrial pollution. He said the Socialist Workers Party candidates point to the need to build a revolutionary movement in this country in order to establish a workers and farmers government that can mobilize millions in defense of both land and labor.

Sam Estabrooks, speaking for Edwards, said that to protect the environment “cleaner” energy solutions could be developed and utilized.

On immigration, most of the Democrats and Republicans said their candidates were for “securing our borders.” The Edwards representative noted it would be “unrealistic” to deport 12 million undocumented workers. Jacobs said that in addition to “border security,” Clinton and Obama are for cracking down on workplaces that hire undocumented workers.

“The socialist candidates are active in the fight for the immediate and unconditional legalization of all undocumented workers,” said O’Shaughnessy. “We call for an end to the raids and deportations.” He said joining that battle is a life and death question for the labor movement today, as the bosses continue to use the issue to try to divide workers.

On the “war on terror,” Mark Trebatch said McCain would put “intense pressure on Syria and Iran.” He pointed to the success of the military surge in Iraq for the U.S. government and said McCain will keep troops there “as long as it takes.”

O’Shaughnessy said Calero is calling for the “unconditional and immediate withdrawal of all U.S. and coalition troops from Iraq, Afghanistan, and wherever else they operate.” He contrasted this to the various candidates who argue for a “phased withdrawal” or “draw-down” and support troop increases in other theaters of Washington’s wars. He said the socialist candidates are opposed to attacks on workers rights at home and call for the repeal of the USA Patriot Act.  
 
 
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