Chris Christie supports a "balanced" approach to vaccination

[Likely Voter]

The interesting thing here is how badly Christie handles this. First he tries the pander to the anti-government types, then quickly backtracks. For someone who is supposed to be a 'straight talker' this is amateurish.

[Likely Voter]

Every state in the US requires kids to get vaccinated to go to school. The Supreme Court has weighed in on this as early as 1905 saying the state has the right to compel vaccinations. The fact that this fringe issue is working its way into presidential politics is kind of amazing. Maybe this is proof that the economy is really fading as the over-riding issue.

[Likely Voter]

Well this already is a states issue. The Federal government doesn't have any vaccine requirements. The FDA regulates it, but this is a state issue.
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/laws/state-reqs.html

Every state, even MS, requires vaccines:
http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/msdhsite/_static/41,0,71,303.html

as does Rand Paul's KY:
http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/epi/School+and+Childcare.htm


Most of these laws were written decades ago. Are we actually going to see some GOPers suggest the Federal Gov should get involved, or even that some of these states should repeal these laws?

[Likely Voter]

Well this already is a states issue. The Federal government doesn't have any vaccine requirements. The FDA regulates it, but this is a state issue.
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/laws/state-reqs.html

Every state, even MS, requires vaccines:
http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/msdhsite/_static/41,0,71,303.html

as does Rand Paul's KY:
http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/epi/School+and+Childcare.htm


Most of these laws were written decades ago. Are we actually going to see some GOPers suggest the Federal Gov should get involved, or even that some of these states should repeal these laws?

Yes, every state requires some vaccines for daycare/school. The question is which vaccines, and with what kind of exemptions. That varies widely.

The issue at hand is about the Measles. Every state requires measles vaccine and has done so for decades. I don't believe there is any credible medical debate over these laws. I haven't seen any reports about any state legislatures debating these laws.

This is a crazy fringe thing that no leader should lend credence to, especially now that there is a new outbreak of measles due in part to irresponsible parents

[Likely Voter]

Not sure what 'people' you are talking about, but this forum is about the 2016 presidential election and two of the potential candidates today (Christie and Paul) were asked specifically about vaccines for measles and both of them spouted dangerous nonsense pandering to a small group of anti-government loons.

I can't believe this is even being discussed. This is an issue that was debated and settled a century ago.

I agree (can't believe I'm saying this) with Dr. Ben Carson:

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[Likely Voter]

This is the comment that got so much of this forum upset in the first place:

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The issue du jour is the measles and Christie's amateurish pandering is what kicked up the stir and why he had to quickly clarify his remarks, as noted by the WaPo:

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Not really sure what you are arguing. He was asked about measles, said something stupid, then walked it back. Then Rand Paul said something even more stupid.

I just hope that this doesn't become political and especially doesn't become a left/right thing. It would be frightening if we had mandatory vs voluntary immunizing states like we do with union v 'right to work' or Medicaid Expansion vs no Medicaid Expansion.

[Likely Voter]

He was asked "do you think Americans should vaccinate your kids? Is the measles vaccine safe?"

It wasn't a trick question. As I noted before his state mandates many vaccines including measles. Unless he is ready to call for review of that policy and or introduce new legislation, the correct answer was "yes". It is baffling why he flubbd it but he walked it back.   It is also baffling why you seem to be defending something he has already refuted.

[Likely Voter]

He was asked "do you think Americans should vaccinate your kids? Is the measles vaccine safe?"

perhaps you have a link for your quotation (odd wording and all)?

actually the quote was 'their kids' not 'your kids', but yes he was clearly asked about measles.
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/chris-christie-clarifies-vaccine-remarks-n298386

He then suggested that parents should have a choice in the matter, even though his state mandates that they don't. I'm sure someone from his health department pointed that out to him, which is why he quickly sent out the second 'clarifying' statement

You seem to be the only one defending him. After he 'clarified' he cancelled all his press avails. He has been widely admonished by people on both sides, including those lefties at the Wall Street Journal editorial board who noted "The Governor panders amid an outbreak of preventable disease"
http://www.wsj.com/articles/christies-vaccine-stumble-1422924436