Democratic candidates still want to accept Syrian refugees

Even after a terrorist attack in Paris killed 129 people, Democratic candidates still want to accept Syrian refugees.

The issue was raised during Saturday night’s Democratic debate hosted by CBS News.

RELATED: 72 House Democrats ask Obama to take in 100,000 Syrian refugees

When moderator John Dickerson pointed out to Bernie Sanders that he has been “a little vague” about refugees, Sanders mostly focused on military reform. He did speak of a “moral responsibility” however:

In terms of refugees I believe that the United States has the moral responsibility with Europe, with Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia to make sure that when people leave countries like Afghanistan and Syria with nothing more than the clothing on their back that of course we reach out. Now what the magic number is, I don’t know. Because we don’t know the extent of the problem. But I certainly think that the United States should take its full responsibility in helping those.

When Dickerson suggested Martin O’Malley had “a magic number” of 65,000, O’Malley was unable to provide a straight answer as to if that number should go up or down after the attacks in Paris.

Hillary Clinton was asked and spoke about a screening process for refugees. Rather than suggesting less refugees, she credited herself with suggesting more:

I think that [screening] is the number one requirement. I also said that we should take– increased numbers of refugees. The administration originally said ten. I said we should go to 65 but only if we have as carefully screening and vetting process as we can imagine whatever resources it takes.

As CBS News also reported, GOP candidates had much different reactions to Syrian refugees after the attack on Paris.

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