Republican Debate Open Thread
I just finished watching tonight’s Republican debate.
I thought Huckabee stumbled badly when he refused, several times in a row, to answer Mitt Romney’s question about raising taxes in his state.
Thompson knows what he’s talking about, and I agree with him on more issues. But debates are about presentation — and his presentation, unfortunately, is not great.
I think it went well for Romney.
And you?
Let’s see if we can get, say, 1/20th the number of comments that this Hot Air open thread from Saturday got: 1292 comments.
Nah, I don’t think so either.
I think Fred won the debate. Chris Wallace didn’t let him talk enough, though.
Romney does a good job, but I don’t trust that he is telling the truth about things. People that change their positions for political expedience are not trustworthy in my opinion. What’s to stop him from going right back to his old positions once he is elected?
The same holds true for the senator from my state, John McCain. What a jerk. He did support amnesty, he did oppose tax cuts, he did involve himself in the gang of 14 and he did come up with McCain-Feingold. He’s definitely untrustworthy. We had to scream and write letters and call Kyle this last summer to stop McCain’s idiot immigration plan. Now he says he is for enforcement. Yeah, until he is elected…then he’ll work with a democratic congress to sign amnesty legislation. No Way!
As for Rudy, at least he admits his positions on abortion and other social issues…that’s more honest than changing them to win the base. And he rocked as mayor when I lived in NYC…it was a great city under him.
So, I say Fred won the debate, Romney second…everyone else lost…heh…
🙂
Stacy In Tucson (b99466) — 1/7/2008 @ 12:12 ami caught most of it, i’ll go along with patterico on this one, romney was impressive. my guy rudy, i dunno, this late primary thing of his could back fire. huck looked bad on tax issue, if he had issues with court and a dem legislature he should just say so. when are they gonna plug the plug on ron paul? this guys at least as much of a nut as dennis kucinich. all in all, a romney night, he looked good, he was engaged and he presented his message well.
james conrad (7cd809) — 1/7/2008 @ 12:31 amfollow up, where romney really won this debate IMO was health care, he was very knowledgeable and impressive when this topic came up.
james conrad (7cd809) — 1/7/2008 @ 12:43 amYou’re in a minority. Most of the focus group following it thought he was the biggest loser.
Christoph (92b8f7) — 1/7/2008 @ 1:40 amI think Fred won the debate too, though in fairness, I didn’t watch it or listen to any of the post-game action. That’s unimportant, imo :).
Kevin (4890ef) — 1/7/2008 @ 1:56 amjust watched video of mary katherine ham over at town hall, she was in spin area of debate, everyone had a spin doctor EXCEPT fred. i like fred and think he would be a good prez but his presentation is just to laid back. americans want a candidate who REALLY WANT the job and are willing to fight to get it. fred projects an image of someone who will take the job if offered and thats not gonna cut it.
james conrad (7cd809) — 1/7/2008 @ 2:09 amjust watch video of frank luntz over at hot air…..PREDICTION: romney is gonna win NH
james conrad (7cd809) — 1/7/2008 @ 2:50 amThe majority of Americans want Big Daddy to take care of them because they never grew up and learned how to take care of themselves.
The results of the Oprahfication of a Nation.
syn (9c2583) — 1/7/2008 @ 8:25 amFank Luntz turns out the loser, according to the other polls McCain is a bigger hit in NH than Romney.
syn (9c2583) — 1/7/2008 @ 8:27 amDeciding on a president by wins or losses in televised debates does not seem very practical or wise. How often during a presidency is a president required to debate? Not unlike sitting Brady and letting the top Sports Illustrated football analyst quarterback the Patriots. Hey, the guy can out analyze Brady every way there is, but does analyzing have anything to do with running a team? [Hey, DRJ, notice the sports angle?]
Whoever is the best debater can be the press secretary. I don’t believe a debate is the best way to get across policy statements or other vital information to make an intelligent decision on our next president. Kind of similar to getting your news from TV evening broadcasts. Bombastic and stylish, but a mite sketchy on details.
Even saying the debate performance is a test of the candidate’s ability to think quickly and present themselves well doesn’t hold too much for me. I want a president who installs great staff people, understands his role under the Constitution, and performs the office with wisdom and decisiveness. That does not include blistering bright and eloquent repartee in front of the cameras. About as helpful as a great set of teeth or great oratory skills when making one’s way through a phalanx of domestic and foreign problems in search of solutions.
I need a president, not a world champeeeen debater.
allan (4a4c5e) — 1/7/2008 @ 11:06 am“I want a president who installs great staff people, understands his role under the Constitution, and performs the office with wisdom and decisiveness. That does not include blistering bright and eloquent repartee in front of the cameras.”
…which brings us back to Fred!
Dana (149e06) — 1/7/2008 @ 11:30 amlol, ok kids, have it your way, thing is, fred is not going to win nomination, simple as that.
james conrad (7cd809) — 1/7/2008 @ 1:52 pm“…1292 comments.”
Are you looking for quantity;
Another Drew (8018ee) — 1/7/2008 @ 5:47 pmOr Quality?