Today's first candidate is Bill Richardson. Iraq, he says, is the most important issue facing America, and he has the clearest position -- withdrawal of all American forces through negotiations. Congress has been too weak on Iraq, and were he there he would push for legislation to defund deauthorize the war this calendar year. Richardson also says he has been the best governor for labor, that he would appoint a union member as Secretary of Labor, and that he supports legislation like the Employee Free Choice Act.

The first question comes on a specific exit strategy. Richardson underscores that he would leave no residual forces in Iraq -- this is what makes him differ from other candidates, he says. Troops should be redeployed to Kuwait, etc. Matthews' second question comes on Joe Lieberman's support for "limited military action" against Iran. Richardson says he opposes this, that he would use a word unused by the current administration: "diplomacy." In quick responses, Richardson says he is for card check, is opposed to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", and is in favor of collective bargaining for TSA and Homeland Security. On the question of pensions, Richardson says that he would reform bankruptcy laws to protect pensions and says that he believes Social Security needs to be buttressed, to which he adds there should be a nationwide, universal 401k. On privatization, Richardson explains that he will not support the privatization of public jobs. On a question of taxes, Richardson says that he would allow the President's to end in 2010, but that he is a different type of Democrat -- he cuts taxes. What's more, he says that there should be a balanced budget amendment, that there should be an end to corporate welfare, earmaks should be ended, the money spent on Iraq should be spent domestically and the salaries of the President and Congress should be dependent on cutting the deficit. The next question comes on CEO salaries. Richardson demurs on the call to allow shareholder votes on CEO salaries, but says that there should be less disparity between wages. On the question of Arnold Schwarzenegger's opposition to Spanish language television, Richardson says he disagrees, noting he is the only Hispanic candidate in the race, but then turns to say that there should be support for education. To the question of whether there should be impeachment hearings for Alberto Gonzales, Richardson says the AG should resign and the Department of Justice should not be politicized. Richardson opposes Libby pardon, supports teaching of evolution in public schools. Final question on Social Security, Richardson says he would oppose privatization, stop raiding the trust fund, tie the trust fund to the budget, grow the economy. In closing remarks, Richardson notes support for abortion rights, opposition to Guantanamo, and support for Kyoto, among other things.

The next candidate is Dennis Kucinich. His opening remarks focuses on piece of mind, talking about nationwide universal single-payer healthcare.

Matthews first question: where are the big ideas in the Democratic Party? Kucinich goes through his Iraq policy, his environmental policies (which he says will grow the economy), and his healthcare policy. The next quesiton is on pension security, to which Kucinich responds that workers should not lose their pensions when a private equity firm buys out a public company. Matthews then asks about the decline of small industrial towns in the Rust Belt. Kucinich says that he would cancel NAFTA and the WTO and go back to bilateral trade. Kucinich once again calls for changing US trade policy in response to a question about outsourcing. The next question is on the cheap insourcing of labor; Kucinich says there need to be strict labor laws, better trade policy, but that immigrants shouldn't be blamed. On Iraq, Kucinich states opposition to war (since before the war). Matthews follows up to ask where the foreign troops would come from. Kucinich refocuses on need to end war, also supporting reparations for Iraqis. In closing remarks, Kucinich speaks to need for universal healthcare, stating he is the only candidate to support a single-payer system.

Candidate number three is Hillary Clinton. Clinton begins by speaking to importance of unions, and AFSCME in particular, in strengthening America and the middle class. She notes her support for the Employee Free Choice Act. With growth in productivity, workers should not be left behind.

Matthews first question is on a specific exit strategy. Clinton says that we should begin withdrawing troops right now, that the American soldiers have done their jobs but the Iraqi politicians have not. If Iraqis don't meet standards like an oil law, funding for them should be cut. Finally she says there should be diplomacy in the region. "If the President doesn't end our involvement in Iraq... I will" (close paraphrase). On a follow up question on residual forces, Clinton indicates support for a continuing American military presence in Iraq to fight Al Qaeda, protect the Kurds, stave off the Iranians, protect US interests (like the embassy) and perhaps train Iraqis. But no permanent bases, no Korean model. Responding to Rudy Giuliani's call for more American troops in Iraq, Clinton says there aren't more to send. Turning, she focuses on need to serve America's veterans. The next question again comes on Lieberman's support for attack on Iran. Clinton says that we do need to protect our troops (in Iraq from Iranian involvement), but that there needs to be engagement with Iran. Clinton would have no response to a possible pardon of Scooter Libby. Matthews follows up, but AFSCME people complain from the audience he's asking that question, so Matthews asks about the importance of card check. Clinton says that there used to be card check, that the balance should not be tilted against labor. Clinton seems to go 90 percent towards joining Richardson in supporting a union person for Labor Secretary. On NAFTA, Clinton says there was some good but also some bad. Also says that some of the problems attributed to NAFTA -- like jobs going to Canada -- are actually caused by lower healthcare costs North of the border. On the question of restoring American cities and American families, Clinton says that workers should get the skills and training for the jobs of the 21st century -- not just college skills, but also mechanics and the like. Clinton also says there should not be tax cuts for corporations that outsource jobs, that a new energy policy could bring some jobs, and healthcare costs need to come down. Clinton says there should be an end to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," that TSA/HSA employees should have bargaining rights. Matthews asks if he "can ask a frikkin' question" on evolution. "A science class should be about science," says Clinton; leave philosophy for philosophy classes. "I can believe in both faith and science." In her closing statement, Clinton harkens back to the last administration without literally referencing it, saying that America can do better and has done better. Calls for government transparency, more affordable college, universal kindergarten.

The fourth candidate on the stage is John Edwards. Edwards speaks to importance of unions. His parents, family have healthcare because of unions. He has worked to organize workers into unions across the country, including a local of AFSCME. America, he says, needs a President who will speak to the importance of unions, who supports card check, who supports ban of permanent replacement workers.

The first question is what the minimum wage should be; $7.50 today, he says. On NAFTA, Edwards says, there needs to be changes. Edwards says there should be a renewal of the social contract that has been whittled down, a social contract that ensures healthcare rights, workers' rights, a right to education, etc. Edwards supports card check, and explains how important the Employee Free Choice Act is. In response to a question from Matthews, Edwards says that he is not concerned about intimidation by union members. Edwards supports TSA/HSA collective bargaining rights, end to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Edwards notes opposition to privatization of public jobs. On CEO pay, Edwards indicates support for shareholder say in executive salaries. Matthews asks about exit strategy; Edwards says that he would withdraw 40,000-50,000 troops immediately, draw down more troops subsequently over 10 months, then engage in diplomacy inside and outside of Iraq. Edwards seems to indicate support for a residual force in Iraq by not opposing it, but focuses on troops in Kuwait, possibly Jordan and elsewhere; troops should remain to protect the embassy. From a union member via Matthews, where are the grand ideas in the Democratic Party. Edwards says universal healthcare, energy independence, fighting global warming, and fighting poverty (here and elsewhere). America should once again be seen as a force for good, he says, noting that he would close Guantanamo on his first day as President. On Katrina, would it have been different is the President had shown up with water, Matthews asks? Yes, Edwards says. President should have prepared for this, but there should have been presidential leadership and planning. Notes that he brought 700 college students down to do rebuilding in New Orleans. In closing remarks, Edwards says that there needs to be a President dedicated to giving Americans a chance. Also says that there should be a candidate who can campaign in Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, etc.

The next candidate is Barack Obama, who appears to get the loudest response from the crowd. Obama talks about organizing 150,000 new voters in 1992 with AFSCME. Also talks about need for universal healthcare, right to unionize through cardcheck, a new energy plan and an end to the Iraq War (notes his opposition to war from the start).

Matthews first question is on how this was a bad decision, not just a badly-implemented plan. Obama lays out his case for opposing the war at the beginning. Says "we need to be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in," that a phased redeployment needs to begin. "It is time for us to bring our troops home." On the next question, Obama says that the problem with this President is that he is too wedded to ideology, that the facts do not conform with his beliefs. This is as true about Iraq as it is tax cuts and the economy; increases in the stock market aren't going to lift all Americans. Matthews says that Obama sounds like Bobby Kennedy, but wonders about Obama's call to end some of those old fights. Obama says that he will fight, but we also need to win some fights, get the Independents on our side. "George W. Bush has been a good advertisement for the Democratic Party," he says. Talks about, for instance, coming together to raise fuel economy standards to 40-45 mpg, which would end need for foreign oil. But there should not be compromise on workers' rights to organize, right to education, on civil rights, on retirement rights. Matthews asks if Obama will be a Hubert Humphrey (restriction of trade) or Bill Clinton (free-trade) Democrat, and Obama says he won't want to lose like Humphrey. "I believe in trade," he says, but there need to be labor standards, environmental standards -- and standards that are enforced -- and that there needs to be a Department of Labor, not a Department of Employers. Flubs name of Employee Free Choice Act for a moment, but notes support for card check and then gets name of legislation correct. In closing statement, Obama says he needs support of the grassroots, that he needs a movement around the country; notes large crowds, numbers of supporters. Also hits on key themes like Iraq, healthcare, etc.