Keller @ Large: Debate Provides Useful Information For Voters
By Jon Keller, WBZ-TV
BOSTON (CBS) - If you like the idea of raising the minimum wage well beyond its current level, the Republicans onstage at Tuesday night's debate probably aren't for you.
Related: Keller: Speed Bump For Trump?
The three candidates who addressed that issue, Donald Trump, Ben Carson and Marco Rubio, all insisted that doing so would cost jobs and leave American business un-competitive with overseas competitors. But the way they expressed their views gave voters useful information about who they are.
Carson, who fought his way up the ladder from humble origins, said the focus should be on other ways of allowing people to duplicate his feat "rather than give them everything and keep them dependent."
Rubio ticked off a series of opportunity-creating alternatives, including more emphasis on vocational education.
"Welders make more money than philosophers, we need more welders and fewer philosophers," he said to loud applause.
Trump offered simple advice, from a man who made it with nothing but a million dollar stake from his father: "People have to go out and work really hard if they want to get into that upper stratum."
Another interesting exchange occurred when the debate turned to immigration reform.
Trump's plan to deport the millions of people here without documentation was trashed by John Kasich, who called the idea "silly, not an adult argument," and explained why in detail.
Trump's response? "I built an unbelievable company worth billions, I don't have to hear (this)."
For Trump believers, Tuesday night was likely more affirmation.
For the rest, it's hard to believe he made any headway.
Listen to Jon's commentary:
