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CONTINUES RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU FOR CLICKING ON OUR EXTENDED CONVERSATION WITH THE CANDIDATE WITH FORMER VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE, A REPUBLICAN. THE NEXT 30 MINUTES ARE COMMERCIAL FREE. YOU GET TO ENJOY ALL OF THESE GREAT QUESTIONS FROM OUR TOWN HALL OF NEW HAMPSHIRE VOTERS. WE WANT TO LINE THEM UP AND HAVE AS MANY QUESTIONS AS POSSIBLE. SO, MR. VICE PRESIDENT, WE’RE GOING TO START RIGHT OFF WITH NANCY KEENE. THANKS, AL. HI. I AM A RETIRED EDUCATOR. SO MY QUESTION IS ABOUT EDUCATION. WELL, THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE, NANCY. OH, IT WAS. THANK YOU. UH, WITH ALL THE PUBLICITY ABOUT BANNING BOOKS, BANNING CURRICULUM AND DIVERTING PUBLIC FUNDS TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS, WHAT ROLE DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS IN LOCAL EDUCATION? WELL, FIRST, LET ME COMMEND YOU FOR BEING AN EDUCATOR. MY WIFE, KAREN, TAUGHT FOR 30 YEARS, ALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND TO KNOW MY WIFE IS, YOU KNOW, SHE’S A SCHOOL TEACHER. THAT’S HER PASSION. THAT’S HER LOVE. AND I KNOW IT’S A CALLING. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. LOOK, I’M AS I SAID, I’M A CONSTITUTIONAL CONSERVATIVE. I, I THINK THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WAS ONE OF JIMMY CARTER’S REALLY BAD IDEAS. AND PEOPLE DON’T REALLY REALIZE WE DIDN’T HAVE A FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BEFORE THE CARTER ADMINISTRATION. AND I’D LIKE TO SEE THE DAY THAT WE THAT WE SHUT DOWN THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND WE RETURN THE RESOURCES IN A BLOCK GRANT TO EVERY STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO BRING ABOUT MORE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE INNOVATION. SO FOR ME, EDUCATION IS A STATE AND LOCAL FUNCTION. AND THE TRUTH IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ONLY PROVIDES ABOUT 5% OF EDUCATION FUNDING IN THIS COUNTRY. NEW HAMPSHIRE PAYS FOR 95% OF YOUR SCHOOLS. INDIANA PAYS FOR 95% OF OURS. AND I THINK GOVERNMENT THAT GOVERNS LEAST GOVERNS BEST. AND WE OUGHT TO SET EDUCATION POLICY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. THAT BEING SAID, I WILL TELL YOU THAT I’M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ADVENT OF WHAT’S KNOWN AS CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN MANY OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. AND I’VE BEEN SO ENCOURAGED TO SEE TO SEE MANY PARENTS STEPPING FORWARD, GETTING INVOLVED IN SCHOOL BOARDS AROUND THE COUNTRY. IT’S CRITICAL RACE THEORY TO ME IS SIMPLY STATE SANCTIONED RACISM. UM, IT IT ENDS UP FURTHER DIVIDING OUR COUNTRY IN WAYS THAT WE OUGHT TO BE COMING TOGETHER AS THE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR SAID, WE OUGHT TO BE JUDGED ON THE CONTENT OF OUR CHARACTER AND NOT OUR SKIN COLOR AND CRITICAL RACE THEORIES. THE OPPOSITE OF THAT. I ALSO AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT ABOUT THE THE RADICAL GENDER IDENTITY AGENDA THAT’S TAKING HOLD IN MANY SCHOOLS, A FOUNDATION THAT I CREATED IN WASHINGTON RECENTLY WEIGHED IN ON A FEDERAL LAWSUIT BECAUSE THERE’S A SCHOOL SYSTEM IN IOWA WHERE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A WRITTEN PERMISSION SLIP TO GET AN ASPIRIN FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE. BUT YOU CAN GET A GENDER TRANSITION PLAN FROM THE SCHOOL HEALTH DEPARTMENT WITHOUT EVER NOTIFYING YOUR PARENTS OR GETTING THEIR PERMISSION. AND THAT’S JUST NOT BAD POLICY. THAT’S CRAZY. AND WE OUGHT TO MAKE SURE THAT PARENTS ARE IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT. PARENTS ARE INFORMED WHETHER IT’S CURRICULUM OR WHETHER IT BE THINGS THAT BEAR UPON THEIR OWN CHILD’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. BUT I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT EMPOWERING PARENTS ULTIMATELY TO CHOOSE WHERE THEIR CHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL, PUBLIC, PRIVATE, PAROCHIAL OR HOME SCHOOL IS AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME. INDIANA RECENTLY ENACTED ESSENTIALLY UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE. SO DID ARIZONA. SO DID IOWA. AND I’VE BEEN A CHAMPION FOR EDUCATIONAL CHOICE AND FOR TEACHERS MY WHOLE CAREER. AND I’LL CONTINUE TO BE. THANK YOU. QUICK FOLLOW UP FOR YOU, MR. VICE PRESIDENT. YEAH, SETTING ASIDE THE PARTICULARS, ISN’T THE BEST PLACE TO HAVE THE DEBATE OVER CURRICULA AND HEALTH INFORMATION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL RATHER THAN HAVING THE STATE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTERVENE? WELL, IT’S BETTER THAN HAVING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTERVENE. I MEAN, WE YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS GOVERNOR OF INDIANA, WE WERE CONSTANTLY FIGHTING AGAINST FEDERAL BUREAUCRATS. MIKE, FOR MANAGING OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR CURRICULUMS. AND YOU’RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT THAT GOVERNMENT THAT GOVERNS LEAST GOVERNS BEST, GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY. BUT I THINK I THINK WHAT WHAT IS REALLY EXCITING IS THE ADVENT OF OF UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE. WE YOU YOU GIVE PARENTS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, AS WE DID IN INDIANA, THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE WHATEVER SCHOOL THEIR CHILDREN ATTEND. I PROMISE YOU, ALL THESE ISSUES WILL GET SORTED OUT BECAUSE PARENTS, PARENTS KNOW WHAT’S BEST. THEY’RE GOING TO CHOOSE WHAT’S BEST AND SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO RESPOND TO WHAT PARENTS WANT TO SEE FOR THEIR KIDS, WHICH IS A GREAT EDUCATION. AND A SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT. NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM LAURA LANDMAN. GARBER, WELCOME TO OR WELCOME BACK TO NEW HAMPSHIRE. THANKS, LAURA. I’M SURE YOU’RE VERY AWARE THAT MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH. OUR OWN GOVERNOR SUNUNU SIGNED A PROCLAMATION, AND THIS WEEK, I THINK IT’S MAYBE THURSDAY, IS NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH ACTION DAY. SO SO YOU TALKED ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH IN THIS IN YOUR STATE OF INDIANA AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING IT FOR EVERYONE. I’M A PSYCHOLOGIST. I’VE BEEN A PSYCHOLOGIST FOR 40 YEARS NOW, AND I’M A GRANDMOTHER AS WELL. AND AND I’M SEEING A NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. THIS IS A MARATHON AND IT’S NOT A SPRINT. THE CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS THAT I SEE ARE IN FOR A LONG HAUL IN THEIR CHALLENGES. I’M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE 22 PLUS SUICIDES A DAY IN OUR MILITARY, THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IS AT HIGH RISK FOR MENTAL HEALTH CRISES AND ONE OUT OF THREE ADOLESCENT GIRLS ARE CONSIDERING SUICIDE AND ARE DEPRESSED AND OR ANXIOUS. SO GIVEN ALL OF THAT, WHAT ARE YOUR PRESIDENTIAL PLANS TO DIRECTLY CONCRETELY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? AND WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO APPOINT A MENTAL HEALTH CZAR AND A COMMISSION TO GO ALONG WITH THAT? WELL, I THINK IT’S A MARVELOUS IDEA. I’VE NEVER LIKED THE TERM CZAR. ME NEITHER. RIGHT. BUT I DON’T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO YOU SURE MAKE SUCH A GREAT POINT. THANK YOU. IN THE WAKE OF THE WORST PANDEMIC IN 100 YEARS, THERE’S A NEW EPIDEMIC IN AMERICA. AND IT’S A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. YES, AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE, AMONG VARIOUS GROUPS OF AMERICANS. AND I THINK SOME OF IT COMES OUT OF COVID WITH A YEAR. THE PSYCHOLOGIST, I THINK SOME OF IT COMES OUT OF THE ISOLATION IN COVID FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. I THINK IT ALSO COMES OUT OF THE ISOLATION IN SOCIAL MEDIA, WHICH SOUNDS LIKE AN OXYMORON, BUT ACTUALLY KIDS THAT ARE LIVING ON THEIR PHONE INSTEAD OF INTERACTING WITH FRIENDS IN PERSON END UP REALLY STRUGGLING WITH DEPRESSION AND WITH LONELINESS. AND SO I THINK I THINK WE’VE GOT TO LEAN INTO THIS EFFORT. I’VE MENTIONED MY WIFE, KAREN, BEFORE, WHEN ONE OF HER INITIATIVES, WHEN SHE WAS SECOND LADY OF THE UNITED STATES WAS CALLED THE PREVENTS INITIATIVE, IT WAS TO PREVENT SUICIDE AMONG OUR VETERANS. BUT DURING COVID, WE BROADENED IT OUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO KIND OF RAISE AWARENESS. MY MY WIFE COINED THE PHRASE DURING THOSE DAYS. SHE SAID, IT’S IT’S OKAY TO SAY YOU’RE NOT OKAY. AND IT’S SOMETHING I’M SURE YOU KNOW, YOU TELL YOUR PATIENTS ON A REGULAR BASIS IS JUST FIRST COME COME FORWARD AND TELL PEOPLE YOU’RE STRUGGLING WITH AN ISSUE AND THEN AND THEN MAKING SURE THAT THAT STATES AND LOCALITIES HAVE THE RESOURCES TO COME ALONGSIDE PEOPLE. BUT IN A VERY REAL SENSE, WE’RE GOING THROUGH FOR OUR KIDS AND FOR MANY PEOPLE IN THE POPULATION AND EPIDEMIC OF MENTAL HEALTH AND AND AND WE THINK WE CAN DEAL WITH IT. WE CAN LOOK TO THE EXPERTS, WE CAN ENGAGE, WE CAN STRENGTHEN FAMILIES IN AMERICA. LOVE THAT BIBLE VERSE THAT SAYS HE PUTS THE LONELY AND FAMILIES AND SO STRENGTHENING FAMILIES IS ALSO A WAY THAT WE DEAL WITH HELPING PEOPLE ACHIEVE A GREATER SENSE OF WHOLENESS IN THEIR LIVES. BUT BUT AT THE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE THAT MIGHT REPRESENT A THREAT TO THEMSELVES OR A DANGER TO OTHERS, I THINK WE GOT TO GET BACK TO INSTITUTIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CARE. I REALLY DO. WE THE 1970S, WE ALL WALKED AWAY FROM IT. AS A COUNTRY, WE’VE IMPROVED IT. I WORKED IN PATIENT AS WELL, BUT WE GOT TO KEEP WORKING ON IT. AND I THINK A GREAT LEADER AND YOU KNOW THIS IN PUBLIC SERVICE RELIES ON THOSE WHO ARE EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELDS. WE DID. AND WHEN I WAS GOVERNOR, THAT’S WHY WE BROKE GROUND AND BUILT THE FIRST MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL IN 30 YEARS IN INDIANA, BECAUSE I HEARD FROM MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS, I HEARD FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT. THEY JUST SAID, WE JUST DON’T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO WHEN WE’VE GOT SOMEONE THAT HAS A PROBLEM, COULD POTENTIALLY BE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS. BUT I THINK WE NEED TO THINK MORE BROADLY ABOUT THAT, PARTICULARLY IT’S ALSO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH THAT BENIGN, NOT DANGEROUS ISSUES AND HOMELESSNESS IS IS EXTRAORDINARY. AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE LIVING IN A HOMELESS LIVES TODAY THAT WE OUGHT TO, AS A NATION HAVE SOMEWHERE THEY CAN BE CARED FOR. AND WE OUGHT TO WE OUGHT TO SEEK TO DO THAT. BUT APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. NEXT QUESTION FROM KEN BERLIN. HI, KEN. MR. VICE PRESIDENT, THANKS FOR BEING HERE. YOU BET. I’M GOING TO SWITCH IT TO FOREIGN POLICY A LITTLE BIT. SURE. SINCE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CAME IN THE RELATIONSHIP WITH NATO HAS GOTTEN MUCH BETTER THAN IT WAS PREVIOUSLY. THE COUNTRIES SEEM TO TRUST THE U.S BETTER. FROM WHAT I’VE SEEN, AND THERE’S A FEELING NOW THAT OUR WORD MEANS SOMETHING. SO MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, ARE YOU A STRONG SUPPORTER OF NATO AND WOULD YOU KEEP IT GOING? AND IF NOT, YOU KNOW, WHY NOT? BUT THAT’S WHAT I’D LIKE TO ASK YOU. WELL, ABSOLUTELY. STRONG SUPPORTER OF NATO’S HELPED KEEP THE PEACE SINCE THE END OF WORLD WAR TWO. BUT I WILL TELL YOU, UNDER OUR ADMINISTRATION, THERE WERE A LOT OF COUNTRIES IN NATO THAT WERE NOT LIVING UP TO THEIR COMMITMENT TO SPEND 2% OF THEIR GDP ON DEFENSE. AND WE WERE EXCEEDING THAT COMMITMENT. AND FRANKLY, YOU KNOW, I’M THE FATHER OF A UNITED STATES MARINE AND THE FATHER IN LAW OF A OF A NAVY PILOT AND AND I GOT TO TELL YOU, AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS HAVE BEEN CARRYING THE LION’S SHARE OF THE LOAD FOR NATO FOR A LONG TIME. AND I’M PROUD OF THE FACT BEFORE WE LEFT OFFICE, NATO ALLIES HAD APPROPRIATED ANOTHER $120 BILLION IN OUR MUTUAL DEFENSE, AND IT PUT THEM ALL IN A POSITION IN US INCLUDED, TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THAT UNPROVOKED RUSSIAN INVASION IN UKRAINE. AND I DO THINK THAT THE RUSSIAN AGGRESSION HAS ALSO HELPED SEE OUR NATO ALLIES IN EUROPE WAKE UP AND UNDERSTAND THE REAL THREAT NATO WAS EXISTED AS A COUNTERWEIGHT TO RUSSIA TO BACK IN THE DAY TO THE SOVIET UNION AND RUSSIA HAS PROVED AGAIN THAT WE STILL NEED NATO AND THAT THAT MUTUAL DEFENSE AGREEMENT THAT’S DESCRIBED IN ARTICLE FIVE. SO, YES, BUT YOU KEEP THAT IMPORTANT TRANSATLANTIC TREATY TOGETHER. BUT YOU HOLD OUR ALLIES ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR PROMISES AND TELL THEM AMERICA IS GOING TO KEEP OUR PROMISE, BUT YOU’VE GOT TO KEEP YOURS. AND THAT’S HOW WE’LL PROVIDE FOR THE COMMON DEFENSE OF FREEDOM LOVING NATIONS IN EUROPE AND AROUND THE WORLD. THANK YOU. GREAT QUESTION. QUICK FOLLOW ON THAT, MR. VICE PRESIDENT. WHAT SHOULD THE NEXT PRESIDENT BE DOING ABOUT THAT CONFLICT IN UKRAINE? SHOULD THEY CONTINUE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S POLICY OR FIND A DIFFERENT ONE? WELL, STRONG SUPPORT AMERICAN MILITARY SUPPORT TO UKRAINE AND I THINK WE OUGHT TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE UKRAINIAN FORCES UNTIL THEY THEY REPEL THE RUSSIAN INVASION AND RESTORE THEIR SOVEREIGNTY. THE REASON I BELIEVE THAT IS BECAUSE OF MET VLADIMIR PUTIN. I’VE NEVER HAD ANY ILLUSIONS ABOUT HIM IN MY DEBATE AS VICE PRESIDENT IN 2016, I CALLED HIM A SMALL AND BULLYING LEADER OF RUSSIA. THAT DIDN’T MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY. BUT I MEANT WHAT I SAID, AND I KNEW I WAS RIGHT. MY YEARS ON THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE IN CONGRESS HAD NO ILLUSIONS ABOUT WHAT HE’S ABOUT. AND NOW THE WORLD HAS NO DOUBTS ABOUT VLADIMIR PUTIN. ANYBODY THAT THINKS THAT PUTIN, IF HE OVERRUNS UKRAINE, WILL STOP IT. UKRAINE HAS WHAT WE IN INDIANA CALL ANOTHER THINK COMMON BECAUSE HE HAS AMBITIONS ABOUT REASSERTING THAT SPHERE OF WHAT WAS THE OLD SOVIET UNION’S INFLUENCE IN EASTERN EUROPE. THERE’S NO QUESTION IN MY MIND. AND SO I THINK STANDING FIRM, I’LL TELL YOU, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, ADAM, HAS NOT DONE A GOOD JOB. THEY WERE THEY THEY CUT OFF THE MILITARY AID. WE WERE PROVIDING TO UKRAINE THAT THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION HAD DENIED. AND THEN THEY WERE SLOW. AND IT REMAINED SLOW IN PROVIDING THE UKRAINIAN MILITARY WITH WHAT THEY NEED. IN JANUARY, WE SAID WE WERE SENDING 33 ABRAMS TANKS. NOW THEY’RE SAYING THEY’LL BE THERE BY THE END OF THE YEAR AND THEY’RE STILL HOLDING OFF ON AIRCRAFT WHEN OTHER EUROPEAN ALLIES ARE GOING TO GIVE THEM F-16S. WE PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID IN HIS STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS, ADAM, HE SAID, WE’RE THERE AS LONG AS IT TAKES. AND LET ME SAY TO MY FRIENDS HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, IT SHOULDN’T TAKE THAT LONG. WE’RE THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD. WE’RE THE ARSENAL OF DEMOCRACY. WE GIVE THOSE COURAGEOUS SOLDIERS IN UKRAINE WHAT THEY NEED. THEY’LL GET THE JOB DONE. AND WE’LL NOT ONLY PUT RUSSIA BACK IN ITS LANE, BUT ALSO YOU’RE GOING TO SEND A DEAFENING MESSAGE TO CHINA THAT THE FREE WORLD WILL COME TOGETHER AND DEFEND OUR INTERESTS IN THE ASIA PACIFIC AS WELL. AND SO FOR RESTRAINING RUSSIA, RESTRAINING CHINA, I THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE UKRAINIAN MILITARY WHAT THEY NEED TO REPEL THE RUSSIAN INVASION AND RESTORE THEIR SOVEREIGNTY. MR. VICE PRESIDENT, WE HAVE A QUESTION COMING IN FROM ONLINE BEFORE WE GET BACK TO THE TOWN HALL. AND THIS TOUCHES ON SOMETHING THAT YOU MENTIONED JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO. DONALD CARPENTER ASKS, WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT THE HOMELESS POPULATION IN FOUR YEARS? WELL, DONALD, I THINK IT’S YOU KNOW, WE NEVER TALK ABOUT IT, DO WE? AND YET THERE’S NOT A MAJOR CITY IN AMERICA WHERE HOMELESSNESS IS NOT A WIDENING PROBLEM. AND THE OTHER THING WE NEVER TALK ABOUT IS, I SAID IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH AND HOMELESSNESS. BACK WHEN WE HAD INSTITUTIONAL HEALTH CARE, MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN THIS COUNTRY, PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT NECESSARILY DANGER TO THEMSELVES, BUT THEIR FAMILIES NEEDED SUPPORT IN THEIR CARE, HAD A PLACE TO TAKE THEM. WE HAD A PLACE CALLED MASCOT TALK HOSPITAL IN INDIANA IS A LARGE FACILITY. PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO BE THERE AND THESE FELL INTO DISFAVOR IN THE 1970S. THESE INSTITUTIONS DID. AND RATHER THAN REFORM THEM AND IMPROVE THEM, WE ABANDON THEM. AND WE TURN A LOT OF PEOPLE A GENERATION AND MORE OUT ONTO THE STREETS. AND I JUST THINK THAT’S MORALLY WRONG. THINK, THINK, DONALD, THINK, THINK. RESTORING INSTITUTIONAL, MENTAL HEALTH CARE WILL DEAL AN AWFUL LOT WITH HOMELESSNESS. BUT THEN THE OTHER PIECE IS, IS, LOOK, THIS ECONOMY IS STRUGGLING. I KNOW PEOPLE LIKE TO POINT TO CERTAIN STATISTICS, BUT FAMILIES ARE HURTING. THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF AMERICANS ON THE SIDE LINES. OUR ADMINISTRATION MOVED 10 MILLION PEOPLE FROM WELFARE TO WORK. THINK THINK THE OTHER WAY, THAT WE END IN HOMELESSNESS IN AMERICA IS BY EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOBS, FOR PEOPLE TO GET TO WORK, HAVE GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT AND BE ABLE TO HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK AND AND RAISE THEIR FAMILIES. TO ME. SO IT’S ABOUT GROWTH, BUT IT’S ALSO ABOUT RECOGNIZING MENTAL HEALTH AS A VERY REAL ISSUE IN THE HOMELESS POPULATION. NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM PATRICK CONNOLLY. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY QUESTION IS ABOUT IMMIGRATION. THERE’S REAL SHORTAGE OF WORKERS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND IN THE UNITED STATES. WHAT WOULD YOU DO AS PRESIDENT TO INCREASE THE SCOPE AND THE AMOUNT OF LEGAL IMMIGRATION AND WORK VISAS? SO MY GRANDFATHER LEFT IRELAND IN 1923, WENT THROUGH ELLIS ISLAND, CAUGHT A TRAIN TO CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, DROVE A BUS FOR 40 YEARS. THE PROUDEST MAN I EVER KNEW, MICHAEL RICHARD PENCE GOT TO BE VICE PRESIDENT BECAUSE RICHARD MICHAEL CAWLEY GOT ON A BOAT IN AN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM IN 1923 THAT WORKED. IT WAS A MERIT BASED SYSTEM. MY GRANDFATHER HAD TO TRAIN FOR A YEAR AND A HALF TO BECOME A TAILOR, YOU KNOW, TO MAKE SUITS AND CLOTHES, BECAUSE THERE WAS A CERTAIN QUOTA FOR TAILORS FROM IRELAND THAT YEAR, AND HE APPLIED TO MEET PART OF THAT QUOTA. THAT WAS THAT WAS THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM THAT WE HAD. NOW, OVER THE DECADES, WE’VE ABANDONED THAT. WE’VE ADOPTED A CHAIN MIGRATION AND ALL THESE RATHER INCHOATE PROGRAMS. AND WE HAVE A BROKEN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM TODAY. WE TRULY DO. ADAM SMITH, A GREAT PHILOSOPHER, ECONOMIST 200 YEARS AGO, SAID NO NATION GROWS BUT BY POPULATION. AND WE OUGHT TO WE OUGHT TO HAVE AN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM THAT IS FOCUSED ON AMERICA’S NEEDS, A MERIT BASED IMMIGRATION SYSTEM, WHICH I WILL TELL YOU, WE WERE BEGINNING WORK ON AT THE TAIL END OF OUR ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, A NATION WITHOUT BORDERS IS NOT A NATION. WE SECURED THE BORDER. WE REDUCED ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM ABUSE BY 90%. AND AND THINK HAVING SECURED THE BORDER, MY SENSE WAS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WERE READY TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. BUT NOW JOE BIDEN HAS SQUANDERED ALL OF THAT. WE HAVE THE WORST BORDER CRISIS IN AMERICAN HISTORY AND THEIR ADMINISTRATION ISN’T EVEN TALKING ABOUT TRYING TO FIX THIS SYSTEM IN ANY SERIOUS AND MEANINGFUL WAY. I THINK THE NEXT REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT AND IT PROBABLY TAKE A REPUBLICAN MAJORITIES IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE TO DO IT ON A ROLLER SLEEVES UP AND SAY WE’VE GOT TO SECURE OUR BORDER, WE’VE GOT TO HAVE RULE OF LAW IN THIS COUNTRY, BUT WE GOT TO FIX A BROKEN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM THAT PUTS THE INTEREST OF OUR NATION, THE NEEDS OF OUR NATION FIRST AND FOREMOST IN WAYS THAT OUR IMMIGRATION SYSTEM DID 100 YEARS AGO. WE CAN GO BACK TO THAT IDEA AND DRIVE AMERICAN PROSPERITY FOR GENERATIONS IS ANOTHER ONLINE QUESTION COMING IN. CHRISTIE PROSSER ASKS, WHAT WOULD YOU, IF ELECTED PRESIDENT, PROPOSED TO IMPLEMENT TO HELP ENSURE OUR SCHOOLS ARE SAFER FOR OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS? CHRISTIE APPRECIATE THE QUESTION. IT DEEPLY GRIEVES MY HEART AND TO THINK OF AND TO SEE REPORTS OF AND TO HAVE MET WITH FAMILIES IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE AT OUR AT OUR SCHOOLS. I MEAN, LOOK, MASS SHOOTERS ARE COWARDS. THEY GO WHERE THEY ASSUME PEOPLE ARE UNARMED AND WE SIMPLY HAVE JUST IN MY VIEW AND AS I SAID BEFORE, THIS IS MORE ME AS A GRANDFATHER TALKING. WE JUST OUGHT TO GET OVER THE DEBATE OVER WHETHER WE’RE GOING TO FUND ARMED SECURITY GUARDS AT EVERY PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL IN AMERICA. WE JUST OUGHT TO DO IT. AND IF STATES AREN’T DOING IT, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT JUST OUGHT TO DO IT. WE’RE THE MOST PROSPEROUS NATION IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD. THERE’S ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHY WE SHOULDN’T HAVE ARMED, TRAINED SECURITY AT EVERY SCHOOL IN THIS COUNTRY. PEOPLE THAT THAT UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY’RE DOING. I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT SITTING AT A METAL DESK AND NOT PAYING ANY ATTENTION. I’M TALKING ABOUT REAL PEOPLE THAT BECOME A PART OF THE FABRIC OF THAT COMMUNITY, CAN ACTUALLY IDENTIFY STUDENTS THAT MAY HAVE ISSUES FOR WHICH THERE OUGHT TO BE AN INTERVENTION WITH THOSE STUDENTS. AND ALSO HAVE A HAVE AN EYE ON THE PHYSICAL SECURITY OF OUR SCHOOLS. WE OWE OUR KIDS NOTHING LESS THAN THAT. I, UM, THE SHOOTING THAT TOOK PLACE IN NASHVILLE RECENTLY JUST I GOT TO TELL YOU, IT JUST BROKE MY HEART. I HAVE A VERY CLOSE FRIEND WHOSE DAUGHTER WAS ONE MILE AWAY. FOUR YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS ONE MILE AWAY AT A PRESCHOOL. AND IF THEY HADN’T TAKEN DOWN THAT SHOOTER, IT WAS ONE OF THE SCHOOLS THAT HE HAD APPARENTLY SCOPED OUT FOR FOR FURTHER VIOLENCE. AND LOOK, WE OWE EACH OTHER TO GET THIS PASSED. POLITICS AND STEP ONE OUGHT TO BE PROVIDE THE RESOURCES FOR ARMED AND TRAINED SECURITY GUARDS IN EVERY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY. FULL STOP. NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM ROBERT PORT. GOOD AFTERNOON. HI, ROBERT. WOULD YOU CONSIDER DEMOCRATS AS PART OF YOUR CABINET TO PROMOTE BIPARTISANSHIP IN WASHINGTON. WELL, I DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO ANNOUNCE TODAY, BUT YOU KNOW, I ASSISTED I RAN THE TRANSITION DURING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IN 2016 AND 17. I HELPED BRING IN THE CANDIDATES CANDIDATES FOR CABINET POSITIONS. AND I’M VERY PROUD OF THE CONSERVATIVE CABINET THAT WE ASSEMBLED IN THE TRUMP-PENCE YEARS. IT WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY GROUP OF MEN AND WOMEN AND I WOULD TELL YOU, THERE’S SOME TRADITION OF THAT THINK YOU KNOW, I THINK WHEN YOU’RE ASSEMBLING A CABINET THAT SERVES ALL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, YOU OUGHT TO LOOK FOR THE VERY BEST MEN AND WOMEN IN THE COUNTRY WHO SHARE YOUR AGENDA. AND DESPITE ALL EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY, THERE ARE CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS IN AMERICA AND THERE’S A FEW OF THEM ACTUALLY THAT ARE IN OFFICE AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL. I MEAN, IF YOU FOUND IF YOU FOUND CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS THAT WERE WILLING TO COME ALONGSIDE AND BE A PART OF WHATEVER IT WAS THAT AGENCY ADVANCED, YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT. I THINK ANY PRESIDENT OUGHT TO BE OPEN TO THE BEST PEOPLE. POLITICS COMES SECOND. BUT THE VERY, VERY BEST PEOPLE. AND IT ALSO SENDS A MESSAGE THAT WHEN YOU’RE AN ADMINISTRATION COMING IN, YOU’RE YOU’RE AN ADMINISTRATION SERVING ALL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THANK YOU. NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM MARK BOYD. WELCOME BACK TO NEW HAMPSHIRE. IT’S GOOD TO SEE YOU. THANK YOU. I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, HAVE WORKED HARD OUR ENTIRE LIFE AND PAID INTO SOCIAL SECURITY. YEAH, WE ARE NOW COUNTING ON IT FOR OUR RETIREMENT BECAUSE WE EARNED IT. RIGHT. HOW ARE YOU PROTECT SOCIAL SECURITY? FOR MYSELF, MY CHILDREN, MY GRANDCHILDREN, ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHERS COUNTING ON IT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE? WELL, FIRST OFF, LET ME TELL YOU, ANYBODY THAT’S GOT HAIR THE SAME COLOR AS ME. YOU GOT A LITTLE MORE, THOUGH. I’VE NOTICED YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY. YOU KNOW, ANY REFORM OF SOCIAL SECURITY THINK WE CAN WE CAN DRAMATICALLY CHANGE THIS DEBT CRISIS THAT WE’VE TALKED ABOUT THAT FACES OUR GRANDCHILD AND OUR CHILDREN. IF WE’LL INTRODUCE REFORMS FOR PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 40, WHICH IS TO SAY, IF YOU’RE IF YOU’RE RETIRED TODAY, WE’RE GOING TO KEEP THE PROMISES TO YOU. WEALTHIEST NATION ON EARTH WILL KEEP THE PROMISES OF SOCIAL SECURITY. ANYBODY TELLS YOU DIFFERENT, DON’T BELIEVE THEM. OKAY. SECONDLY, IF YOU’RE GOING TO RETIRE IN THE NEXT 25 YEARS, SAME GOES YOU’RE NOT GOING TO WE’RE NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE GAME THAT YOU’VE PAID INTO AND RELIED ON. IT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. BUT FOR AMERICANS UNDER THE AGE OF 40, YOU DO A SURVEY, YOU’LL FIND OUT MOST AMERICANS AND I GOT THREE KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 40, MOST AMERICANS UNDER THE AGE OF 40 DON’T THINK THEY’RE GOING TO GET ANYTHING OUT OF SOCIAL SECURITY. I MEAN, THESE KIDS ARE WITH IT. THEY’RE SMART. THEY SEE THE NUMBERS. WE’RE AT $30 TRILLION IN NATIONAL DEBT TODAY. THAT’S GOING TO BE $150 TRILLION IF WE DON’T HAVE SOME COMMON SENSE AND COMPASSIONATE REFORMS IN THE NEXT 25 YEARS. AND THE TRUTH IS, SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE ARE SLATED IN THE NEXT 5 TO 10 YEARS TO HIT INSOLVENCY, WHICH WOULD MANDATE CUTS IN THE PROGRAMS. LOOK, I THINK WE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO KEEP OUR PROMISES AS A NATION. BUT THINK YOU CAN TAKE THESE NEW DEAL PROGRAMS THAT ARE 100 YEARS OLD AND YOU CAN MAKE THEM A BETTER DEAL FOR YOUNGER AMERICANS BY INTRODUCING THINGS LIKE PERSONAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, ALLOW THEM TO HAVE SOME CONTROL OVER THEIR RETIREMENT SAVINGS. BUT YOU LEAVE THIS THING UNDONE IN. I’M GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT THOSE THREE PERFECT GRANDDAUGHTERS OF MINE IN 25 YEARS ARE GOING TO BE FACED WITH NOTHING BUT BAD CHOICES. IF YOU DON’T REFORM THESE SYSTEMS. I’VE HAD, I’VE HAD BUDGET EXPERTS LOOK ME IN THE EYE AND SAY ONLY 1 OR 2 CHOICES. 25 YEARS, YOU DON’T REFORM THE SYSTEM. YOU GET TO $150 TRILLION IN DEBT. YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO CUT PROGRAMS. PEOPLE NEED OR YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO DOUBLE PAYROLL TAXES ON WORKING AMERICANS. AND INTRODUCE A EUROPEAN STYLE WELFARE SYSTEM ON TAXATION AND AND I GOT TO TELL YOU, THOSE ARE BOTH BAD CHOICES. BUT IT’S GOING TO TAKE LEADERSHIP FOR US TO MAKES IT CLEAR WE’RE GOING TO KEEP OUR PROMISES TO GUYS LIKE YOU AND ME. WE’RE GOING TO KEEP OUR PROMISES TO PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO RETIRE IN 25 YEARS. BUT YOUNGER AMERICANS JUST TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW WE IMPROVE THESE PROGRAMS FOR THEM AND KEEP THEM FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THANK YOU. WE’LL FOLLOW ON THAT. MR. VICE PRESIDENT, DOES THAT INVOLVE PRIVATIZATION, PARTIAL PRIVATIZATION? WHAT ARE SOME OF THE IDEAS? WELL, REMEMBER WHEN I SUPPORTED PRESIDENT BUSH’S EFFORT TO ALLOW YOUNGER AMERICANS TO TAKE A PORTION OF THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY PAYROLL TAX AND PUT IT INTO A PERSONAL SAVINGS ACCOUNT? THEY ROLLED OUT THAT BIG $40 WORD. BUT IT’S JUST RIGHT NOW WE’LL GIVE YOU ABOUT 1% RETURN ON WHAT YOU PUT INTO SOCIAL SECURITY. WHAT IF I JUST LET YOU TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF THAT AND PUT IT OVER IN ANOTHER ACCOUNT? IT GETS 2%. YOU DOUBLE YOUR MONEY. I MEAN, FOR YOUNGER AMERICANS, WE CAN ACTUALLY GET THEM GREATER RETIREMENT BENEFITS BY HARNESSING THE POWER OF THE AMERICAN FREE MARKET. AND CALL IT WHATEVER YOU WANT. I THINK IT’S PART OF THE SOLUTION GOING FORWARD. BUT IT ALSO BEGINS WITH SOMETHING, ONE OF A ONE OF OUR AUDIENCE MEMBERS BROUGHT UP EARLIER, YOU KNOW, THE LAST TIME WE BROUGHT ABOUT MEANINGFUL REFORM IN SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE WAS WHEN RONALD REAGAN AND TIP O’NEILL WERE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND THEY FOUGHT HARD. THEY FOUGHT ON THE ISSUES, BUT THEY SAT DOWN AND THEY FIGURED OUT THEY EXTENDED THE LIFE OF SOCIAL SECURITY BY 30 YEARS WITH AN AGREEMENT. AND THERE’S THERE’S COMMON SENSE REFORM THAT CAN BE PHASED IN OVER TIME FOR YOUNGER AMERICANS THAT CAN DO THAT AGAIN, IT TAKES LEADERSHIP. NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM GAYLE TAYLOR. HI, GAYLE. HELLO. SPEAKING OF LEADERSHIP, PLEASE LET ME KNOW THE WAYS THAT YOU HAVE SUPPORTED WOMEN AND GIRLS IN ALL OF YOUR YEARS IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS. WELL, MY DAUGHTER WENT TO YALE LAW SCHOOL. MY OTHER DAUGHTER IS A BEST SELLING AUTHOR. SHE WRITES FOR THE DAILY WIRE. MY WIFE’S HAD A CAREER IN EDUCATION, SO IT STARTS WITH MY FAMILY. MY MOTHER’S 91 YEARS YOUNG, WENT TO COLLEGE THE YEAR AFTER MY FATHER PASSED AWAY IN HER LATE 50S. SHE’S AN AMAZING PERSON, SO THE WOMEN IN MY LIFE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO ME BY THEIR LEADERSHIP. ALL THROUGHOUT MY CAREER, WE WE’VE HAD WOMEN IN SENIOR POSITIONS IN MY OFFICE WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR OF INDIANA. I CHOSE A WOMAN TO BE MY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. AND AND SHE’S NOW THE THE PRESIDENT OF THE LARGEST COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM IN AMERICA AND DOES AN INCREDIBLE JOB. AND SO AND LOOK AT OUR CABINET AND THE WOMEN WHO SERVED ON OUR CABINET AND IN VARIOUS SENIOR ROLES. I’VE I’VE I’M PROUD OF OUR RECORD ADVANCED ADVANCING THE INTERESTS IN THE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND ALWAYS WILL. I’VE GOT ABOUT THREE MINUTES LEFT IN THE HALF HOUR. MR. VICE PRESIDENT. SO I’M GOING TO FOLLOW UP HERE WITH ANOTHER FOREIGN POLICY QUESTION FOR YOU. YOU KNOW, WE TALK ABOUT CHINA. WE TALKED ABOUT THE SOUTHERN BORDER. WE TALKED ABOUT UKRAINE AND NATO. IS THERE A PART OF THE WORLD THAT WORRIES YOU WHERE THERE’S A POTENTIAL NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT THAT WE DON’T TALK ENOUGH ABOUT IN THE UNITED STATES RIGHT NOW. OUR ADMINISTRATION WORKED HARD. TO RESTORE FREEDOM TO VENEZUELA. AND NICOLAS MADURO IS A SOCIALIST DICTATOR WHO TOOK THE SECOND MOST PROSPEROUS NATION IN OUR HEMISPHERE AND IMPOVERISHED. IT AND CREATED WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY A NARCO STATE, A HAVEN FOR MORE NARCOTICS AND WORSE COMING OUT OF VENEZUELA TODAY. I’M DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS RETURNED TO NEGOTIATING WITH THE MADURO REGIME. THEY’VE THEY’VE ACTUALLY ALLOWED THEM TO GO BACK TO PUMPING SOME OIL. THEY’VE BEGUN TO LESSEN SANCTIONS AND IT’S JUST WRONG. WE MADE GREAT PROGRESS IN THE LAST 25 YEARS IN ADVANCING DEMOCRACIES ACROSS THIS HEMISPHERE AND VENEZUELA COLLAPSING INTO DICTATORSHIP AND SOCIAL ISM. IT’S IT REPRESENTS A DESTABILIZING FORCE IN THIS HEMISPHERE. AND I’M SOMEONE THAT LOOK, I, I STILL BELIEVE THAT THERE OUGHT TO THERE OUGHT TO BE A CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE WORLD THAT THE MONROE DOCTRINE IS STILL IN SPIRIT, ALIVE AND WELL, THAT THIS IS A HEMISPHERE OF FREEDOM AND SENDING MESSAGES TO OTHER POWERS, ESPECIALLY CHINA, THAT WE WILL LOOK AFTER OUR INTERESTS IN THIS REGION WILL ADVANCE THE CAUSE OF DEMOCRACIES IN THIS REGION. UM, WE’VE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN FRONT YARD AND THAT’LL THAT’LL MAKE AMERICA STRONGER AND IT’LL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE ALL ACROSS CENTRAL AMERICA AND SOUTH AMERICA. DOES THAT INVOLVE TRYING TO CHANGE THE LEADERSHIP IN VENEZUELA IN ANY WAY? AND WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP THERE? WELL, YOU KNOW, WE WERE THE FIRST NATION ON EARTH TO RECOGNIZE JUAN GUAIDO AS A LEGITIMATE PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA. HE WAS ELECTED BY THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. AND ANOTHER AFTER WE RECOGNIZE JUAN GUAIDO, WHO I MET IN SEVERAL TRIPS TO VENEZUELA, COURAGEOUS YOUNG MAN, EXTRAORDINARY PERSONAL STORY. 16 NATIONS RECOGNIZED JUAN GUAIDO. BUT IT BROKE MY HEART WHEN THE NEWS BROKE EARLIER THIS YEAR, ADAM, THAT LARGELY AS A RESULT OF THE EITHER THE NEGLECT OR THE APPEASEMENT OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WITHDREW ITS SUPPORT FOR JUAN GUAIDO AS THE INTERIM PRESIDENT. AND SO WE HAD A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE WHO WAS COMMITTED TO DEMOCRACY IN VENEZUELA. WE WERE PREPARING TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FOR THAT NEW GOVERNMENT. BUT MADURO, WHO IS A MURDEROUS DICTATOR, RAN OUT THE CLOCK. NOW HE HAS AN AMERICAN ADMINISTRATION THAT’S WILLING TO WILLING TO DEAL WITH HIM AGAIN AND DON’T THINK IT’S AN AMERICA’S INTERESTS OR IN THE INTERESTS OF OF DEMOCRACY. MR. VICE PRESIDENT, WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON THIS EXTENDED CONVERSATION WITH THE CANDIDATE WE’VE HIT THE HALF HOUR MARK ONLINE AND ON OUR MOBILE APP. SO THANK YOU TO YOU FOR JOINING US FOR CONVERSATION WITH THE CANDIDATE. THANK YOU TO OUR TOWN HALL OF NEW HAMPSHIRE VOTERS WITH ALL YOUR QUESTIONS. AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AT HOME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, EVERYONE. THANK YOU ALL. GREAT. NOW.