Transcripts For CSPAN Presidential Candidates At The Iowa State Fair 20240622

The workers work for us and you have no real ownership stake other than 20 . And there are no contract second contract rights. I dont think it will be as quick as people think. The initial bump his travel and remittances. Some minor investments but not major investments. I am in favor of any policy that brings about change in cuba. I will tell you today that what the president had done had been in exchange for concrete promises by the cuban government. We will begin to do this and that. I would be uncomfortable with elements of the deal but it would be harder to argue against. Understand this arrangement. We are going to do all these things with cuba. We will open up all these things were willing to do with cuba. Cuba says, thank you very much. We still want you to pay reparations and were not going to change a single thing. They have said that to their own people. They have rounded up over 90 dissidents, some of them wearing barack obama masks. If they want to continue down this path, there had better be some action on the part of the cuban government. We will notot or have an American Flag flying at that embassy. Now we have given them the diplomatic recognition. And it is an illegitimate government. The only time we have ever come close to having a nuclear war was over the cuban missile crisis and the soviet union trying to put Nuclear Missiles in cuba. How are you going to prevent the chinese that are interested in the region, and the russians with the castro government and using those ports where they would put their own military naval vessels. Allow that. Not even secretary kerry said the Monroe Doctrine is dead. Rubio secretary kerry will not be my secretary of state. So [applause] that is not going to happen. First of all, the threat posed, they particularly target the southern command. Also Central Command and nasa, all in florida. Harbor fugitives of american justice. There are also two cuban generals, they were indicted for the murder of unarmed civilian americans. This was over international airspace. It happened in 1996. These are the sort of things that is the threat they cuba threat cuba poses. They were caught last year helping north korea. These are the kinds of threats that cuba legitimately basis. Spendings they ramp up today have the capability to be threatening or target is. For the final question, talk about, you said that he would support a prodemocracy movement. I assume that means covert activities. Rubio i would were quickly to work quickly to transition tv from off of cuban broadcasting. I want it to become an access provider. For example, theyre not exist the capability of providing through satellite access to the internet. They have had unfettered access to the internet. It would allow them to join social media and download candy crash, but it would also let them receive news from around the world. The blackout that exists is extraordinary. They will have no idea that this happened here today. They do not know about the debate in america. They have no idea. They dont get cnn or fox news or msnbc. Well their loss, right . They also dont get all of the information that they get is from cuban government sources. Breaking the news blockade will be a big part of that government transition. We have democracy programs now. We will fund those and try to give them a stronger standing. And show that we are firmly on the side of those looking for positive change. You are not just you are looking to empower the next generation of cuban leadership. People who are capable of functioning in a Democratic Society when that day comes. Lets move to iran. Lets assume, as you have predicted, that the print the president vetoes the iran deal and it is not overridden. So that the president iran deal goes through. You said that when you become president you would unwind a lot about. The other countries and the world, those that are on the iran deal, they see an Economic Opportunity that they will not walk away from. Europeans want to sell them cars, how effective would u. S. Sanctions be . They dont care be . Anctions lets discount the russians. They have never cooperated to begin with. Anything we are for, Vladimir Putin has decided he is against. The chinese have their own agenda. They have never been a critical linchpin of our efforts. They dont realize they need to be. The other countries, when our sanctions are reimposed, the Banking Sector in germany. They have access to the u. S. Economy through which 50 of Global Capital flows happen. They can choose to have access to the iranian economy. I think that they would choose the u. S. Economy. Given a choice, these companies are going to choose the american economy. The second point i want to make, we do not have to think hard to imagine what is going to be in place for about 10 years. Look at north korea today. North korea today possesses multiple nuclear warheads. Also longrange rockets. The good news is, they are not very good at aiming. We dont know if they will hit San Francisco or san diego. The bad news is they can hit something. What does that mean . We dont have an incredible threat of force against their nuclear program. The cost of it will be an attack on seoul, tokyo, guam, hawaii. That is where we will be with iran and 10 years. It will not have a credible force against them, because they would have expanded capabilities. We will also know that any sort of military action against them would result in an attack on paris, london, washington, new york. That is where i know we will be in 10 years because of this deal. What is iran develops a Nuclear State in 1. 5 years . Again, thats why its important. The combination of two things. Crippling sanctions on their economy and on individuals which is what force them to the negotiating table to begin with. Despite the fact that this administration fought against those sanctions. Now they say, we have put the sanctions in place and forced iran to the table. The Obama Administration argued against the sanctions, using the same argument that they use now. Basically, as long as you are enriching uranium, we will hit your facilities with a credible threat of military force. It is the only thing that reigns in the protest. The program. When you say that the russians and chinese have never , howdy prevent the russians and chinese from establishing a closer relationship with iran, especially if we are not in the deal . From cant prevent them pursuing this route. It is an eyeopener. That actually answers my question. We put a lot of stake in the Security Council, of which both of these countries have a veto power in. We are putting faith in the enforcement of this mechanism. Two of the main countries involved have this sort of relationship that you outlined. I still think and i believe that ultimately, the economy has been impacted by u. S. Sanctions. You would have too sanctioned countries interacting with one another. Neither one having access to the modern developments in economy in the world. It will not be able to really do any commerce. They will not be able to Fund Operations that they are seeking to fund. I want to turn to isis. You talk about a joint air force. A joint sunni air force. But it has not materialized. Know it hasnt. I think that there is a willingness for it. It requires American Leadership to convene it. Elements would be nationstates like egypt and jordan and many of the gulf kingdoms. Saudi arabia. It would involve empowering local forces in iraq. The sunni tribes involves kurds as well. Think it also involves the christian community, asking for them to defend themselves from these attacks may have experienced. It is accommodation of all these years. It would require u. S. Leadership to bring it together. It will require u. S. Involvement. Technical, logistical, intelligent support. Operationspecial forces to help with training. And with strategic advice. Ultimately, this is not just because we dont want to be in the fight directly but i believe the fastest and most endearing enduring way to defeat this movement is for sunnis themselves to defeat it. It has to happen that way. Otherwise, the elements that made it possible are still in place. The resentment between sunnis and shiites. Its one of the reasons why isis was greeted as the liberator initially. When they reentered iraq, they were viewed as liberators. That was the view of many in the sunni community. They dont think that way anymore. They now see the reality of this group. It is critical they play a linchpin role in defeating this radical sunni movement. So you would not have cooperation with the shiite militias . Rubio they are basically extensions of the iranian government. They are nothing they are part of this web of surrogates to further their influence in the world. They are involved not for the purposes of defeating isis but for decreasing the influence and leverage on iraq. They want to become the dominant power. And the shiite militias are part of that effort. One of the audience questions is, you previewed it, the middle east christians. The Obama Administration seems to not put that front and center. How would you change this . Rubio i think it is critical to talk about it. Not enough has been said about groups like this and what is happening. This was the ritual slaughter of thousands of people of any other denomination and i think there would be an outrage people driven from ancestral homelands, there are not masses being celebrated. Were Christian Services on it is sunday. Important these communities be empowered. They need assistance in the short term. They are displaced in many places. I also believe that they need the ability to defend themselves. These communities will argue that we have no capability of defending ourselves. We are at the mercy of kurds and the sunni tribes. We count on others to provide for our defense. The Iraqi Government is not a huge fan of this notion, arming them. In the case of christians, they deserve the right to selfdefense. [applause] i believe that is the key part of it. Ultimately i think that they deserve the right to return to historic cities that hosted them for thousands of years. It should be part of any effort to ensure that any successor government in iraq is one of horseback, one that respects christians and kurds and those that live side in some level of sidebyside in some level of unity government. It has to be part of the longterm strategic lands. Plans. We will be right back in three or four years. You talked about iran having Nuclear Weapons and north korea. It is the notion of nuclear proliferation. If iran is a threat, other countries have said that they will, too. What do you do as president when you are faced with a middle east where a number of countries are where iran is, on the threshold of a Nuclear State. Rubio you prevent iran from having it and then you face a cascade. Put yourself in the position of the saudis. I have had quarrels with many in the saudi government, domestically and around the world. But put yourself in their position. They view themselves of allies of the united dates and as a strategic ally of the United States. They view themselves as a nation in conflict with the ambitions of a persian shia government in tehran that wants to become the regional power. They see themselves being encircled with activities in yemen. And with with the bahrain. They turned to the u. S. And the u. S. Is cutting a deal with saudi arabias rival in the region. It ensures they will have an industrial capacity nuclear program. It will continue to develop longrange rockets. The saudis are saying, i know thiswe live in neighborhood, we know what these guys are going to do eventually. They will break out the weapons. Say i promise you, if , there is a shia bomb, there will be a sunni bomb. Saudi arabia has already taken steps or will soon begin to take steps to match anything iran has. In essence, i am confident, in 15 years, iran possesses a Nuclear Weapons capability, they will not be alone in the region. At least saudi arabia will have the same capability. And you will have a situation like what you see today between india and pakistan but in a much more unstable part of the world where you can have three or four Nuclear Armed nations. This is the most unstable region on the planet. One of the first things you would do is increase defense spending. How would you deal with missiledefense . Rubio it is a critical component because one of the technologies to be able to access is intercontinental missiles. Although the designs are widely available. North korea basically has no economy. If you want to do it, even a poor country can. It is a nation governed by a criminal syndicate and is capable of producing Nuclear Weapons. Missiles are even easier to acquire. And nations like north korea are proliferating that technology. You could easily foresee a situation in the next 1015 years, where 12 or 15 countries could produce intercontinental capabilities or other potential threats. Missiledefense becomes a critical part of our notion. Both in europe, but also in the east and west coast of the United States. It requires investment. The Gates Commission that look ed at all of this and said the baseline funding anticipated all of these threats. That is why i believe we must return to the baseline number. The number one obligation of the federal government is to provide for National Security. There are a lot of other things and that the National Government wants to do [applause] there are lots of other things the federal government wants to do or has decided to do but National Security is the one thing the federal government must do. So my view of budgeting is this, before you pay for anything else, fully fund the defense and pay for Everything Else with the money that remains. We are treating it the same as every other program. And it is not. Israel, longtime u. S. Ally and a more dangerous neighborhood. There is has the law hezbollah hamas, hezbollah, and radical extremists. How would you repair relations with israel . Rubio sinai, they are using libya as a base of operations. I predict eventually they will target europe. From the libyan port city, they are just across the mediterranean right into europe. It is a great transit point for that sort of activity. By the way, dont take your eyes off of isis in afghanistan. Isis is beginning to fill that void. The question of israel, i think that this is the most significant erosion we have seen since the founding of the jewish state. What does israel ask of the u. S. . Orhasnt asked for soldiers for operations in their place. They have asked that we use our veto power at the Security Council to prevent International Sanctions for actions against israel. The second thing that they have asked, if they run out of weapons, bullets, or rockets. That we help supply them. For the first time in a long time, there are significant doubts on both of these things. The Obama Administration has telegraphed a threat. Or the condemnation of israel. They are intimating that if israel does anything against iran now, they will be an international pariah. And the u. S. Wont be there to support them. And we saw a year and a half ago, the administration hesitated for a significant time because they were concerned about the way israel was conducting operations. If i am president , they dont have to worry about either one. So i think that has eroded the relationship. The u. S. Will do whatever it takes to ensure the only proamerican Free Enterprise democracy in the middle east. That will be the state of israel and it will survive and prosper as a jewish state. [applause] we have several audience questions about china. How would you deal with our maritime presence in the region and chinas expansion . Rubio goes back to defense spending. Many times during the year we do not have naval resins naval presence there. All of our aircraft carriers in the region were not present. We have to have the capability. I agree with a pivot to asia but we need to have something to pivot with. The japanese are willing to do more. They have allowed the opportunity to provide selfdefense. That is an important, because the Japanese Military and selfdefense versus white selfdefense forces are quite capable. The Japanese Military is a critical effort in that region as well. We should not accept these artificial islands and the claims china makes around them. We need to challenge them. We need to send ships to the South China Sea without asking for permission. We shouldnt admit these exclusive air zones, we should continue to challenge them repeatedly. To make sure we can back that up. When we talk about the capability to be in the region, understand that china does not want a direct war with the u. S. Here is why they do it. They will not build 12 aircraft carriers, they will build a lot of cheaper rockets that will destroy expensive aircraft carriers. Once they can do that, they know it forces are fleet further and further away. And they can turn to countries and say, youve got these American Security agreements youre relying on, but they cant really live up to it anymore. You might as well fold into the order we have created. It is almost like a reverse Monroe Doctrine. The chinese version of the Monroe Doctrine and they must be the dominant military. And we cant be around. We should not accept that. Our economy is deeply dependent and in no way should we seek ground on that to china or any nation. [applause] the countries that you have identified as a threat, north onea, russia, they all have thing in common which you alluded to. They dont let their people have access to the World Wide Web or have access to social media. What proactive foreignpolicy initiatives would you take the time that turned on those cyber walls. Rubio look all over the world. The problems are being created by totalitarian states. There are not there is not a single Free Enterprise democracy on the planet threatening people and creating instability and violating the rules. All the problems are created by tyrants. And so, in some ways, there are fundamental truths that are always there. The battle between liberty, freedom, tyranny, and oppression. What we can do about it, look, we need to firmly be on the side of those who want to change society. I and president and there is a revolution in iran, my first statement isnt going to be that im not going to interfere in the sovereignty of iran. I will say, we stand in solidarity and support. Were protesting against them. It is why i helped pass Human Rights Violations policy in venezuela. We need to be firmly on the side of those seeking political change in china, russia, iran, everywhere in the world where tyranny is being confronted by people standing up for it. I think sometimes unfortunately this administration has look the other way on prodemocracy movements, human rights, things of this nature. When you do that, you demoralize the movement. The moral authority should not be underestimated. It is the key role in providing the moral sustenance and International Attention for those who have sought freedom during the cold war. We can play the same role now. How can we break the cyber blockade . It is harder in large countries like russia and china but i can tell you how we dont allow it to accelerate. Turning the internet over to the World Government Organization that now regulates the internet and finds that these practices are legitimate. [applause] you have compared with your optimism and americas future with Mainstream Media and a lot of polls have said americans think the future is going to be less good than the past has been. They look ahead and say the nation is in decline. You have talked a number of times about restoring americas leadership role and americas sense of self. And confidence in its morals. It is a shining city on a hill to borrow Ronald Reagans phrase. Rubio i am optimistic about america because, despite our challenges, i wake up every morning with a believe that i belief that i would not trade places with any other country in the world. [applause] i encourage everyone here to ask yourself the same question. Despite our challenges, who would you rather be, would you with russia . Places china . I dont think anybody would, and neither would i. Every generation faces challenges. Some are domestic, some international, some both. We have always faced great challenge. We always will. The question is not whether we face challenges, its whether we solve them and move on. I think that the 21st century holds extraordinary promise. Economically, we live in a world where hundreds of millions of people by the things we make and the services we offer. They are prepared to invest with us and partner with us. We have never had a Global Economy with so many people that buy things and invest. We can be a big winner. It is not a zerosum game. I am optimistic about that and all over the world people are aspiring towards liberty and freedom. For example, the ability to radicalize americans, imposes threats, but also provides opportunity. These are positive developments. Our choices, do we harness of them and lead, or are we overwhelmed americans are insecure about tomorrow. The world is changing. The economy is undergoing a transformation, not a downturn. It is like the Industrial Revolution happening every five years. Are we going to embrace it, or ignore it and get left behind. Teaching, but it still requires American Leadership. In the absence of leadership, that leads to a vacuum and that leads to chaos. We never asked for the job of being a global leader, but fate has given it to us. We must accept it or the world will become a darker, more difficult place to live in. In the absence of leadership, there is no one to take our place. It makes the world more dangerous. [applause] [applause] within that inspirational closing, we should let senator rubio get on with the rest of his day. He will be on air and less than 10 minutes across street. Lets please let senator go out. [applause] [applause] everyone stay seated. Thank you very much. [applause] [applause] we ask again that you remain seated so that the senator can make his way out. I want to thank the senator again for sharing his time and views with us. [applause] [applause] we will take the moderator. [applause] [applause] and of course thinking all of you for joining us. Have a wonderful day. There was plenty of attention on cuba today with secretary of state john kerry traveling to the country for the reopening of the embassy there. It was the first visit by a u. S. Secretary of state since 1945 and comes nearly a month after that the u. S. And cuba normalized relations. This ceremony in havana is 35 minutes. Ladies and gentlemen, the secretary of state accompanied by the charge daffaires of the United States embassy of havana and the assistant secretary of state. [applause] please be seated. Good morning. It is my great honor to welcome everyone to the embassy of the United States in havana. [applause] [speaking spanish] thank you, secretary kerry, coast guard commandant, assistant secretary jacobson, and all other executive branch officials, as well as members of congress for being here today. I would like to welcome the official cuban delegation and i would like to give special recognition to the marine detachment to the embassy of havana, 1961. [applause] and Marine Security detachment to the embassy of havana, 2015. [applause] many of you worked very hard to make this day happen and i thank all of you for coming, from near and far. And how far we have come. In the few short months since our president s announcement in december, the United States and cuba have already established diplomatic relations and an Important Foundation for the future. And of course, there is the added addition of the new sign on this building. I began my own Foreign Service career in 1991 in this building when it was called something else. At that time, i never imagined we would see our flag raised. [applause] it is a long, complex road to travel, but it is the right road. In many ways, no one has traveled greater distance to be here then poet richard blanco. He has written an original poem to mark the special occasion. He is the fifth president ial inaugural poet in u. S. History. President obama has said, blancos contributions to poetry and the arts have already paved the path forward for future generations of writers. Todays about the future. Please join me in welcoming richard blanco. [applause] richard for the people of both our countries who believe not even the sea can keep us from one another. Matters of the sea. [speaking spanish] the sea doesnt matter. What matters is this. We all belong to the sea between us. All of us, once and still the same child marvels over starfish, listens to hollow shells, scopes dreams into impossible castles we have all been lovers, holding hands, strolling down either of our shores, our footprints vanish in waves that do not know their berth or care on which country they break they break they bless us and return to the sea home to all of our silent wishes no one is the other to the other to the sea whether on island or vast continent, remember our grandfathers their hands dug deep into the red or brown earth, planting maple or mango trees that outlived them our grandmothers counting years while dusting photos of their wedding days those brittle family faces still alive on our dressers now our mothers teaching us how to read in spanish or english how to tie our shoes how to gather falls colors our fathers warmed by the weight of cloud plotting into factories or cutting sugarcane to earn a new life for us my cousins and i now scouting the same stars above skyscrapers or palms waiting for time to stop and begin again when rain falls, washes away through rivers or streams back to the sea no matter what anthem we sing we have all walked barefoot and baresoled among the soar and dive of the seagulls cries our lips anointed by the same spray of salt laden wind we have fingered memories and regrets like stones in our hands that we just cant toss yet yet we have all held seashells up to our ears listened again to the echo today the sea is still telling us the end to all of our doubts and fears is to gaze into the illicit blue of our shared horizons to breathe, together to heal, together. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the National Anthem of the republic of cuba. [applause] thank you, richard blanco, for such inspirational remarks. It is now my very great honor to introduce the secretary of state of the United States john kerry. [applause] secretary kerry please be seated, everybody. Thank you very, very much. [speaking spanish] im sorry we are a little late today. But what a beautiful ride in and it is great to be here. I thank you for leaving my future transportation out here and back of me. [laughter] members of the cuban delegation, thank you for your leadership and all of the work of your distinguished members of the cuban delegation, thank you for all of your leadership and all of the work of your delegation. My colleagues, past and present, ambassador delaurentis, all of the embassy staff, those watching around the world thank you for joining us at this very historic moment as we prepare to raise the United States flag here our industry in at our embassy in havana, symbolizing the reestablishment of diplomatic relations after 54 years. This is also the first time that a United States secretary of state has been to cuba since 1945. [applause] this morning, i feel very much at home here and i am grateful to those who have come to share in the ceremony, standing out around our facilities. I feel at home here because this is truly a memorable occasion. A day for pushing aside old barriers and exploring new possibilities. And it is in that spirit that i say on behalf of of my country [speaking spanish] my friends, we are gathered here today because our leaders president obama and president castro made a courageous decision to stop being the prisoners of history, and to focus on the opportunities of today and tomorrow. This doesnt mean that we should or will forget the past. How could we after all . At least for my generation, the images are indelible. 1959, fidel castro came to the United States and was greeted by enthusiastic crowds. Returning the next year for the uns general assembly, he was embraced by then soviet premier nikita khrushchev. In 1961, the bay of pigs tragedy unfolded, with president kennedy accepting responsibility. Then in october 1962, the missile crisis arose, 13 days that pushed us to the very threshold of nuclear war. I was a student then, and i can still remember the faces of our leaders, the grim maps showing the opposing ships, the approaching deadline, and that peculiar word quarantine. We were unsettled and uncertain about the future, because we did not know when closing our eyes at night what we would find when we woke up. In that frozen environment, diplomatic ties between washington and this capital city were strained, then stretched thin, then severed. In late 1960, the u. S. Ambassador left havana. Early the following january, cuba demanded a big cut in the size of our diplomatic mission, and president eisenhower decided he had no choice but to shut the embassy down. Most u. S. Staff departed quickly, but if you stayed few stayed behind to hand the keys over to our swiss colleagues, who would serve diligently and honorably as are protecting power for more than 50 years. I just met with the foreign minister, and we are grateful to switzerland always for their service and their help. [applause] among those remaining at the embassy were three marine guards larry, mike, and jim. As they stepped outside, they were confronted by a large crowd standing between them and the flagpole. Tensions were high. No one felt safe. But the marines had a mission to accomplish. Slowly, the crowd just parted in front of them as they made their way to the flag pole, lowered old glory, folded it, and return ed to the building. They had done their jobs, but they had also made a bold promise, that one day, they would return to havana and raise the flag again. [applause] at the time, no one could have imagined how distant that day would be. For more than half a century, u. S. Cuban relations have been suspended in the amber of cold war politics. In the interim, a whole generation of americans and cubans have grown up and grown old. The United States has had 10 new president s. In a united germany, the berlin wall is a fading memory. Freed from soviet struggles, Central Europe is home again to democracy. And last week i was in hanoi to mark the 20th anniversary of normalization between the United States and vietnam. Think about that. A long and terrible war that inflicted indelible scars on body and mind, followed by two decades of mutual healing, followed by another two decades of diplomatic and commercial engagement. In this period, evolved from a country torn apart by violence into a growing economy. In all that time, through reconciliation, through normalization, cubanamerican relations remained locked in the past. Meanwhile, new technologies enable people everywhere to benefit from shared projects across vast stretches of ocean and land. My friends, it does not take a gps to realize the road of andal isolation estrangement the United States and cuba were traveling is not the right one. In the United States, it means recognizing that u. S. Policy is not the angle on which cubas on whichll anvil cubas future will be forged. Decades and good intentions aside, the policies of the past have not led to a democratic transition in cuba. It would the equally unrealistic would be equally unrealistic to expect normalizing relations to have, in the short term, that impact. Cubas future is for cubans to shape. Accountability rests, as it should, not with any outside entity, but solely within citizens of this country. But the leaders in havana and the cuban people should also know that the United States will always remain a champion of democratic principles and reforms. Like many other governments, we the cubannue to urge government to fulfill obligations under the u. N. And human rights governance, obligations shared by the u. S. And every other country in the americas. Besteople of cuba would be served by genuine democracy, where people are free to choose their leaders and express their ideas, practice faith with social justice, realize more fully where institutions can answer what they deserve. Let me be clear. The establishment of normal diplomatic relations is not something that one government does as a favor to another. It is something that two countries do together when the citizens will both benefit. And in this case, the reopening of embassies is important on two levels. People to people, government to government. We believe it is helpful for the first, people of our nations to learn more about each other. To meet each other. That is why travel from the u. S. To cuba has increased 35 since january and continues to grow. It will create opportunities for the rising number of entrepreneurs. And we are encouraged that u. S. Firms are interested in helping. And that the government here recently pledged to create dozens of new and more affordable wifi hotspots. We also want to acknowledge the special role of the cubanamerican community is playing in establishing a new relationship between our countries. In fact, we have with us this morning representatives of that community. Some who were born here and some born in the u. S. With strong ties of culture and family, they can contribute to the spirit of bilateral cooperation that we are seeking to create. Just as they have contributed to their adopted land. The restoration of diplomatic ties will make it easier for governments to engage. After all, we are neighbors. Muchbors will always have to discuss in areas like migration policy, disaster preparedness, protecting Marine Environment and more complex issues. Having normal relations makes it easier for us to talk. Been deepen understanding when we know we will not see i tie on not see eye do i to eye on everything. Notwithstanding president obamas new policy, the overall u. S. Embargo remains in place. They can only be listed by congressional action. A step that we strongly favor. [applause] for now, the president has taken steps to ease restrictions on exports and imports to help cuban entrepreneurs on telecommunications and family travel. The goal of all of these changes is to help cubans connect to the world. And to improve their lives. Just as we are doing our part, we urge the cuban government to make it less difficult to their citizens to start businesses and engage in trade, access information online. The embargo has always been something of a twoway street. Both sides need to remove restrictions that have held us back. Before closing, i want to sincerely thank leaders throughout the americas who have long urged the United States and cuba to restore normal ties. I thank the holy father, pope francis, and the vatican for supporting relations between our countries. I think it is not accidental. I applaud president obama and president castro both for having the courage to bring us together in the face of considerable opposition. Im grateful to Roberta Jacobson and her team and our counterparts with the Cuban Foreign ministry. And hishief of Mission Staff for all of the hard work that has led up to this day. Staff,ay to the embassy if you think you have been busy this past month, hold onto your seatbelt. [laughter] but above all, i want to pay tribute to the people of cuba. And to the cubanamerican communitys in the United States. Said, everything that divides men is a sin against humanity. Clearly, the events of the past, the harsh words, the provocative the human tragedies, have all been a source of deep division that has diminished our common humanity. They have been too many days of sacrifice and sorrow. Too many decades of suspicion and fear. That is why i have been heartened by many on both sides. Whether because of family ties or a simple desire for something more productive. They have endorsed this search for a better path. We have begun to move down that path without any illusions about how difficult it may be. We are each confident in the in our intentions and in the contacts we have made and pleased in the friendships we have forged. The time to reach out to one another as people who are no longer enemies or rivals, but neighbors. Time to unfurl our flags and raise them up and let the world know that we wish each other well. [speaking spanish] it is with that in mind, that i turn now to the marines, 54 years ago you marines promised to return and poised the sec. Kerry today i invite you to fulfill the pledge by presenting the Stars Stripes to be raised by our current military detachment. This is your cue to deliver on words that would make any diplomat proud, just as they would any member of the u. S. Marine corps. A promise made, promise kept. Thank you. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the raising of the flag and the National Anthem of the United States. [drum roll] [applause] [United States National Anthem] [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please remain in place while the official delegation departs. On the next washington journal, a look at what the epa is doing to address the toxic spill earlier this week. The denver post joins us. Aboutday reporter talks some of the near collisions between drums and commercial airlines, and how the federal government is responding. We will give you a chance to weigh in by phone, facebook, and twitter. Washington journal is live everyday on cspan. So far this year, the cspan ur has visited over a dozen cities, reviewing their unique history and literary life. This weekend, we will showcase some of the places we have been in 2015. Me to pull he told over on the tarmac when i landed, and he started getting out of the airplane. Totold me it was time for me take it around by myself. When i took off that time, when i got up to 500 feet from where i was supposed to level off and i started to push off on that stick, it came off in my hand. I left the throttle wide open started pushing forward so then i climbed over into the front seat. I made a fairly smooth landing youd he said, what are th doing in the front seat . I pointed to that stick and it was on the floor board. Said, noww that, he you know you have the right stuff to be a pilot, and that was before john glenn have the right stuff. What happened on the morning of january 16, 1965 that cause the worst military aviation disaster in kansas city . That morning, 11 degrees outside, men arrived at days before 8 00 a. M. They prep and check, get ready to go, and at 9 27 a. M. They depart and leave the runway with 31,000 gallons of jet feel. Three minutes into the flight, the pilot calls mayday, mayday, mayday. They are never heard from again. The plane crash occurred on january 16, 1965 around 9 30 a. M. In wichita,nt down the northeast end of wichita. It crash landed in a section of wichita that was typically referred to as an africanamerican community, 97 of the africanamericans were living in this section of and we, so it goes down are talking a 500 foot high fireball and goals this entire , fires14 homes destroyed everywhere, destruction everywhere, and ultimately 30 lives were lost. There was no substantial history there. I cannot believe that 30 lives were taken, no memorial, and this is and remains the worst aviation disaster in u. S. History and there is not more on it. Watch our program on cspan2 her book tv and sunday afternoon at 2 00 on American History tv on cspan3. Republican president ial candidate jeb bush was in des moines, iowa today to attend the iowa state fair. We will show you his visit in just a moment. Then, a Campaign Event with donald trump in new hampshire. Florida senator and republican president ial candidate marco rubio talks about National Security and foreign affairs. The iowa state fair is happening this week in des moines with several 2016 president ial hopefuls attending. Candidate jeb bush stopped by the event friday to meet with local residents and take part in the des moines registers candidates soapbox. It gives each candidate 20 minutes to speak from the stage on the grand concourse. [applause] thank you all so much. What a joy to be here. This is one of the greatest times to be alive, but heres the problem. Our government does not work like it needs to work. Gridlock in washington makes it harder for people to rise up. More People Living in poverty today, 6 million more than the day that barack obama got elected. The middle class has declining income. 6. 5 Million People are working parttime, and most of them want to work fulltime. Workforce participation rates are lower than they were in 1977. For the first time in American History, businesses are closing at a rate faster than they are opening. This is not the america that will lead the world. This is not the america that will make sure that children will have more opportunities than their parents. What they need to do is restore things that we have allowed to languish for too long. Do not need to tell iowans sroles of water. We have a serious problem. We need to embrace the Energy Revolution in our country to be Energy Secure with north American Resources in a short period of time with american ingenuity, innovation and technology. [applause] and we have to have the courage to preserve and protect our entitlement systems that but recognize that the world has changed. That we are aging far longer. That the system was designed in a different place and time. We need to find a consensus to preserve what we have with them make sure that we can make sure it exists for the next generation. If we do those things, our budget would move toward a surplus and we would go our economy far faster than 2 . People would be lifted out of poverty and the great middle of our country that defines who we are would get a pay raise for the first time in a long, long time. That is what we should be doing. [applause] i know a little bit about this because i got to be governor of a purple state, florida. It is not red like texas and not blue like california, it is right down the middle. I was the most conservative governor in the States History , but i had a reformers heart and we cut taxes every year totaling 19 billion. We reduced the State Government workforce by 13,000. In fact, you can fire someone for incompetence in State Government in florida. Im sorry, that is a radical idea. And you can reward Public Servants that do a better job. We change the system and we shrunk it but i think the , services are a lot better because of it. Ask the people that had to deal with eight hurricanes and for four tropical storms whether the State Government was there to take care of their needs during 16 months when tragedy , took place in every community. We reformed our education system. Florida was that the bottom of education 50th out of 50 states , in graduation rate. Because we created the first private School Choice programs, we expanded our Charter Schools, we eliminated social promotion, we put reading coaches in every school. We had accountability like nobodys business. Guess what . We graded schools a, b, c, d, f. We had a 50 improvement in graduation. Florida student achievement has had the greatest gains during this time of any state. I know how to fix things because governoreform minded that improve things. Our income grew 4. 4 every year. We could grow our economy far faster and it would lift peoples spirits up but we have , to fix these things in washington. Right now, we have a president that pushes down anybody who disagrees with him and elevates himself with this sophisticated nuanced view and the result is , nothing gets done. Nothing gets done but it can. We can fix this. [applause] if we do, we will have more confidence to lead the world again. The United States plays a constructive role in the world by being the ally of our friends. They know we have their backs. And having our enemies fear us a little bit, that is how you create a more peaceful world. Boys are filled. Ds are u pull back, filled. Thousands and thousands of forces organized to destroy western civilization. I am not exaggerating. Today, the fbi director says the thing that keeps him up at night are homegrown terrorists. They are inspired by isis. We should be taking out isis. We should have a strategy to deal with isis rather than admit we do not have one. Each and every day that they exist [applause] they gain more power, they recruit more people. If i am the next president of of the United States we will have a strategy on day , want to take out his great threat to the National Security and the world. I promise you that. The president has no strategy and Hillary Clinton has no strategy. Their strategy is to say it is somebody elses fault. It is time we had a president that accepted responsibility for the duties of the presidency. If there is a problem, do not say the dog ate my homework, which is what we hear all the time. Acceptresponsibility responsibility to fix it. That is what leaders do. I believe we are on the verge of the greatest time to be alive if we are strong, rebuild our military, show support for veterans, bring that competency in government and grow our economy at a far faster rate. I do not know about you. Put aside your ideology for a brief moment. Do you think the federal government is operating in a way that shows respect for the taxpayers of this country . No hospital was being built in denver, but now the veterans have to come to congress to ask for enough money to spend 1. 8 billion to build a hospital for the greatest military men and women that are retired and deserving of the service. That is ludicrous. People do not get fired anymore in washington dc. How about office of Personnel Management in charge of the Human Resource office . 22 million files have been taken allegedly by the chinese. Even though the Inspector General said, be careful, we do not have the Cyber Security necessary to protect our servers. Even though that came about, Nothing Happened and the net result is that classified information, information that allows for security clearances , is now in the hands of the chinese. Put aside your ideology. I hope you want a president that can roll up their sleeves and fix these broken systems to make sure we can serve the people. [applause] no more 800 Million Health care websites no more cost overruns , in the Defense Department and other places. We need a competent leader that will except responsibility to fix these things, and i believe that i am the guy to do it. I humbly ask for your support. Here is my deal. I am a republican and proud conservative and i have a record of reform that is unmatched of anybody running. I believe in order to fix these things, we need to come together as a nation. I am tired of the divides. I respect people that do not agree with me. It is ok to disagree with me. I do not ascribe bad motives for people that disagree with me. They may be wrong, that is fine, we will have a lively debate, but we need to forge consensus again to fix how we tax, regulate, restore the military, restore our intelligence capability. We need to build a consensus again. So i campaign the way that i would govern amongst everybody, no rope lines, totally out in the open. I campaign in the latino communities in spanish asking them to join our cause. I campaign in the africanamerican communities saying, join us because we believe in education reform so your children can be lifted up , on college campuses, among democrats and republicans alike. If they do not like my views i respect that but they know i have a heart for them. The next president will have to unite this country and i will campaign in the way that sends the signal that enough of this divide. We need to fix things in washington, d. C. Thank you all very much. [applause] i want to thank you and your family for your legacy. If elected to the presidency, would you fully fund the united funds one third share to would you create a president ial initiative focusing on nutrition around the world . Jeb bush i think we need to maintain our commitment to the successful programs this by far is one of the great legacies of my brother and has brought bipartisan support and needs to be continued. It is also good Foreign Policy to not just be involved in being the worlds policeman. We are not. We need to lead in every possible way. People look to the United States as a leader for security purposes but also these kind of , purposes as well, so i will continue to fund those programs. Yes, maam . [indiscernible] the question is smaller class size. In florida, we have a constitutional amendment that lowered classic size. Lower class sizes. That lowered class sizes. I believe that we ought to pay teachers more for student learning, lower class sizes, there is no evidence to suggest that and thats what we should be focused on. Do you support common core . Common core i support higher standards. That term is so darn poisonous i dont know what it means. I am for higher standards, state created, locally implemented with the federal government has no role in the creation of standards, content or curriculum. Hang on, we will get you. You are next. Do not let the head explode. The federal government should have no say in that and if it is not changed by law, i will do it executive order when i am president of the United States. Yes, sir . Why do you support your brothers plan to privatize Social Security question mark . Eb Bush Jeb Bush i dont. It would have made sense back then but now were way beyond , that. Is reformed to do Social Security to preserve it , for reform in the logical ways that there is broad bipartisan consensus which is over an , extended period of time and raise the limit of income. You can solve Social Security that way. [indiscernible] jeb bush the question i assume everyone heard it right now we have 3500 soldiers and marines in iraq already. We have a strategy. It kind of creeps up. We are responding incrementally to the challenges rather than having it strategy. I would take the advice of commanders in the field and what , i have heard is that the iraqis want our help. They want to know that we have skin in the game and we are committed to this [indiscernible] jeb bush excuse me . We did not have to get out in 2011. It couldve been modified and that was the expectation. Everybody in iraq and everybody in washington you that this deal could of been expanded and now what we [indiscernible] jeb bush now we need to do something else, which is to deal with the fact that we have islamic terrorist organized and the way you take them out is to rebuild iraq and support for the kurdish and to reengage with the sunnis and to be able to have a strategy to take them out. We need to do the same thing, although more complicated, in syria. Yes, sir . I have having a hard time hearing. [indiscernible] Jeb Bush Paul Wolfowitz is providing some advice. I get most of my advise from a team that we have in miami, florida. Young people that have experience either in congress or in the previous administration. The parlor game that is played where you have 25 people, 30 people helping with foreign and that they have any experience, they have had to deal with two republican administrations who were the people that were president s i mean, this is kind of a tough game for me to be playing, to be honest. I am my own person. I just gave a speech at the reagan library. I urge you to take a look to get a sense of my views on how this stuff should work. Yes, sir . A like you, i consider myself public servant. Like our young voices are not being heard at the federal level. We have Youth Councils at local levels. As president would you be open , to the idea of creating a youve counsel to form your self and various Department Heads . Jeb bush thats a great idea. Here is my email address jeb jeb. Org. Write it down and send me your thoughts. I just gave out my email address. That is what i did as governor of florida. I think we need a lot more transparency in politics today. [applause] get somebody from the back. Yes, maam . Do you consider russia our most dangerous adversary . Put would you do to contain in . Seen militaryve leaders say that is the gravest threat. I was watching an interview yesterday where people were saying that. I also think that isis is easily as important threat [laughter] yeah, right. And china over the long haul, and north korea with Nuclear Weapon and unstable pakistan, there are many threats. To isolate one would be easy. The Vladimir Putin threat relates to our weakness. As we pull back, he sees opportunity. He will respond to strength. You do not need to be bellicose to respond to russias. Russia. You need to say, here are the consequences of your actions. There will be further sanctions. Europe needs to go along. We need to forward lean in terms of native support and u. S. Support into eastern europe, poland and the balkans to send a signal that the Nato Alliance is still intact. We need to make sure that we are arming and training ukraine forces. They have been invaded. Parts of the country are still occupied by prorussian forces. We need to provide support or ukraine to continue to reform. We have to to be involved with our partners and allies in europe so as to push back putin for sure. I think over the long haul, his is a failed state. If we grow our economy at the rate we are talking about, we will be stronger than any country in the world. This is still the strongest country in the world. This still has the potential to be the only developed country to renew itself and grow at a far faster rate. If we did that, and you see the failed economic policies of russia, ultimately, they will collapse, but we need to be steadfast and vigilant as a relates to their efforts. Yes, maam . [indiscernible] jeb bush yeah, sure. I am in favor of forprofit, notforprofit Charter Schools , are highly effective. The good thing about Charter Schools is that if they do not work, they close. What about traditional Public Schools . They can stink the place up over and over again and nothing happens. Yes, maam . Yeah, you. [indiscernible] we have a national crisis. What would you do to solve that crisis. Jeb bush the question is that we have a crisis of alzheimers in our country. What will i do . Two things. First and foremost, we need to recast our research and development budget. It should no longer be cut. As we cant fix the here and now problems, particularly of social welfare problems and entitlement problems, that is where the growth of the budget is in washington. We need to focus on longterm things infrastructure, but we , have seen that r d budget of nih go down. And inside of that budget, alzheimers, which will create huge costs going forward, hundreds of billions of dollars of cost for families and for the government through medicaid and medicare. The amount of money being spent is Something Like 700 million or 800 million at the most. There are other diseases that get billions of dollars for research. We could find a cure for this. At a minimum, we ought to be able to find a delay of dementia. That is number one, recast the r d budget for the National Institute of health to be able to find a cure. Secondly, we need to make sure that there is enough money for communitybased care alternatives, because the great it is purple politically but also purple because people that have dementia this apportionment lived in my beautiful state and the caregivers, the spouse and the child and others that exist makes it harder for them to be able to live a healthy life as well. I think we need to move away from institutionalized care and Medicaid Programs the communitybased care. I think does it make a mark as it relates to the challenge you face. Yes, sir . [indiscernible] my stance the iranian deal is a bad deal. I Hope Congress with a two thirds majority kills it. It is bad because it does not deal with the broad relationship with iran. Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world. We are giving them 100 billion of fresh money to carry out their agenda and destabilize the region. They repressed their own people. For two weeks, we could of been on the side of the people that elected a different approach in iran, but we were silent and now the president ial candidates and others who had dissented in iran, are put away. Why would we want to legitimize the regime that does not allow freedom in their own country . There are three americans held hostage in iran as well and yet it does not seem like that was part of the negotiation. Iran is building Ballistic Missile capabilities to launch missiles, nuclear and otherwise. There is nothing in the agreement that deals with that. We are loosening up conventional weapon sanctions that now will allow them with fresh money to become a military force that will create an arms race in the middle east. I have not even gone to the verification issue as it relates to their ability which they violate the rules over and over again. This president believes that they will go quietly into the night and just change their ways, and that is not how the world operates. I believe this deal should be rejected. If sanctions are imposed by the United States, other countries will have the choice. Will they look at iran as a business proposition, perhaps jeopardizing their commercial and political and diplomatic with the United States . I think that choice will be pretty clear for some countries. Maybe not russia and china, to your point, but other countries will have to deeply consider whose side they are on. Thank you all very much. I appreciate you and i look for ward to shaking all of your hands. God bless. [applause] i trust the governor of iowa to regulate iowa agriculture. [indiscernible] give him hell, jeb. Mr. Bush they were like a year and a half of doing nothing. A still havent done anything. They still havent done anything. They have tentative recommendations. Mr. Bush they are tentative. Towe are saying going back the fuel standards. Farmad some of the best years. The epa has totally screwed it up. We had the administrator at the state fair and he said all the right things and went back to washington and did the opposite. he is busy right now. He has a mess on his hand. Well they caused it. Bush they are going to have criminal charges. If it was anybody else, they would. They did it. Mr. Bush a good learning experts for him. How are we doing . Good to see you. How are you doing . He is a new guy, just started. Thank you. Give him a few hands. Youve got a great state. Wi. Did a great job where are you going to school . I hope so, sir. I am going my senior year. Mr. Bush i want to get i need your vote. The rule is you have to take in consideration, if they asked for it, you need to consider it. I liked what you said. How are you doing . Thank you. Totally missed it. Would you support the president ial initiative for that Early Childhood development in education . A multilateral [indiscernible] jeb bush if it is effective. It is outcomebased. If it was simple and did not try to impose a westernu. S. Imposition on countries that were completely different and it could work. That is why people should say this is what will work for us and we funded. Would you support that . Mr. Bush i would turn all of our aid programs into those kinds of projects, and also, programs with more free market promotingis that of corrupt governments. Great question. Do you consider yourself mr. Bush [indiscernible] i kind of like the traditional conservative approach. Back then, we had totally different we now have a progressive government. Now the progressive government has run amok. He had the same intention for reform that roosevelt had. That would not be a bad thing. [indiscernible] [the National Anthem] [applause] [indiscernible] [indiscernible] we raise beef, too. It is lean and healthier. The chinese are buying a lot of pork. Bush the safety is higher. How is the cheeseburger you have cheese inside . You have bacon on that too . You have eggs . You have my name on it . You bet. We got you all set up. It has become a big hit in the last years. It sells out. I love to grill with bacon. Mr. Bush where is your farm . Northeast iowa. Beautiful northeast iowa. Mr. Bush what are the Biggest Challenges you face right now . Me being down here is wrong. [indiscernible] mr. Bush making sure there arent infections . We raise babies. The chickens. Thats a huge problem. Over 30 million. Mr. Bush what about labor, whats that issue . We dont work 8 00 to 5 00. A lot of times at 1 00 in the morning. Mr. Bush if you cant find workers, what do you do . Do it yourself. Can we get a photo . Mr. Bush that would be great. Governor, get in here. Mr. Bush how many people do you have on your ranch . I think we have about 10 employees. We have my son down in louisiana. National guard training down there. [indiscernible] i was there in fall 1969. It was hot. August and september is the worst time to be there. [indiscernible] [indiscernible] mr. Bush ive been told there is an inverse relationship between height and intelligence. The taller you are, the less smart you are. Im not sure about that. Mr. Bush where you from . Clarion, iowa. 90 miles north. [indiscernible] corn and soybeans. I do not have as much time to do it. I got a what he farmed. You are going to be in charge hes a pro. I was lieutenant governor. Iran for lieutenant governor. Mr. Bush how about the hamburgers . Pork burgers. They are not ready to be flipped. Mr. Bush after twenty seven years, the man knows what hes doing. See bubbling on top, that is when it is time to turn them. They are not there yet. We have a big line here. Have a pork chop on the stick. Mr. Bush that is where im going next. By a little bit to promote the economy here. See if they can take the money out and spend. Fried snickers. It is like going to have been. Heaven. Fried snickers. Melted and fried. Its like gigantic quantities of powered sugar on top. Will you be joining other candidates . Mr. Bush all 74 of us. We say, early and often. Go to all 99 counties. That is the secret to iowa victory. Why do you want to support pork today . You cant beat the iowa state fair. You cant beat the great pork we have in the state. Mr. Bush i very competitive. Very competitive. My granddaughter, 9 years old, won a blueribbon with a raspberry cake she made. Pretty happy little girl. Mr. Bush wild raspberries . They arent wild. Great time for raspberries. Governor, im worried there are bubbles coming out of your pork burger. There is one. Progress being made on the righthand side. What do you think . All right. Let me know, i will assist you. Dont know how good he is on the grill. I do this with my son every sunday and we normally have either stake or pork. Im pretty competitive. The more you do it, the better you get. Thats why hes such a great governor. Mr. Bush you get that Mental Health issue all worked out . Yes. Mental health redesign. We were fortunately one of the latter states to do that. Mr. Bush we did that when i was governor. You did the right thing. It takes a while. We can actually provide better services. Mr. Bush your focus on taking care of people who need the service, rather tha disruptions. We found that we increase Mental Health services to a lot more people. Thats right. We are also doing mens care for medicaid, too. Just starting that . Mr. Bush we have 100 . Restoring it to, basically, to what was intended. I dont know why they lowered it. I dont know why is always more complicated than it needs to be. [indiscernible] notice that . It will have huge benefits. I think that was the original idea. It seems to be working. We produce more ethanol than we consume gasoline. Mr. Bush i was surprised when i got into this, wind. 28 of our electricity is generated by wind. Another billiondollar investment. Heres the thing. They protected it. Mr. Bush youre kidding. What im seeing right here . [indiscernible] this is the best food at the iowa state fair. Mr. Bush the healthiest food at the iowa state fair. Enjoy. Ready . Mr. Bush oh man. Whoa. Within eight or two with an egg oir two. Mr. Bush does that in the insult to the pork chop . Everybody has their own flavors. Mr. Bush a little bacon doesnt hurt. You cannot beat a pork chop on the stick. Bush i had a pork chop this morning at the Hilton Garden Inn my home away from home. Have the jerky. Beef jerky. This is a lot better. I think they would agree with that. I never thought there would be a day when people were just staring at me eating porkchops. The iowa state fair, it doesnt get better than this. While you are here with the governor, what are your thoughts on Water Quality issues and the lawsuit going on in iowa . Mr. Bush that should be a state issue wherever possible. We have huge rainfall. It is flat. We have a really diverse and fragile ecosystem. People in florida know how to take care of the water a lot better than the epa. Or the army corps of engineers. We have a strategy to reduce nutrients. Something being developed with iowa state university. We are working with farmers. Kerosene. We dont need more government regulations. That will drive up the cost and really reduce our ability to make iowa more competitive. Mr. Bush your point is well taken. Regional issues. We have the mississippi river, the great lakes, the gulf of mexico, the atlantic. This administration has gotten hyperactive in pushing down expanding to what the definition of federal waters are. No one has ever come close to this definition. And if they like iowa, it has huge impacts to get a permit for a drainage ditch, or pond, a retention pond. It takes forever. They impose their will topdown. Florida is different from mississippi, different from iowa. What would you do about it . Mr. Bush reverse it. Hopefully some of these rules will be pending because of court challenges