Home > Thinking Right > Archives > 2007 > November > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTeam’s ready: Bring on Hillary.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Before Wednesday night’s CNN-YouTube performance, which at times took on aspects of a real debate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was apprehensive. “I think the presidency ought to be held to a higher level than having to answer questions from a snowman,” he said.
He needn’t have worried. While there are undoubtedly gimmicky aspects to home-made video, CNN for the most part resisted any temptation to turn the forum over to snowmen, cartoon characters and adult questions planted in the mouths of small children. For that the adults who selected the questions from among 5,000 YouTube submissions deserve credit. It still had some cheesy aspects to it. One, for example, was the invitation to the retired Army Reserve officer from California brought in make the case that the military should jettison its “don’t ask-don’t tell” policy.
On the whole, though, it worked. The initial exchange over illegal immigration prompted real give-and-take. Romney accused former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani with running a sanctuary city for illegals. Giuliani, in turn, claimed that as governor Romney had run a “sanctuary mansion” with hired illegals — landscapers used by a contractor at his Belmont, Mass., home. Romney actually handled it very well, insisting that it would “not be American” to insist that a contractor’s employees produce immigration papers just because they had a “funny accent.”
Clearly among Republicans, illegal immigration is a hot issue — and it likely is among Independents and Democrats as well, one reason Democrats who now support driver’s licenses for illegals will find the issue troublesome in the General Election. While Hillary has hedged, Obama is unequivocal in his support for them.
Mike Huckabee continues to impress — and while he has no chance of getting the presidential nod, he is beginning to appeal as a vice presidential nominee on either the Romney or the Giuliani ticket.
At this point in the debate cycle, the conservative tunes in not so much to see who best succeeds at the game of “gotcha,” or to hear positions reaffirmed. It’s to see who could best go toe-to-toe with Hillary or Obama and who can take the off-the-wall and agenda questions (the military guy, for example) and defend his values and positions.
Wednesday night’s candidate performance demonstrated that the front-runners are perfectly capable of holding their own on any topic — questions germane, off-the-wall, loaded or not — before any audience, utilizing any format. Let’s vote.
Comments
By Anonymous
November 29, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this
What a surprise. When the Democratic candidates fielded YouTube questions, they were “obviously posturing to a niche audience” and the whole even was irrelevant and absurd.
Now, when the Repugnants jump on the bandwagon, it’s serious and substantive debate. More partisan spinning from Mr. Wooten.
By Anonymous
November 29, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this
Whoops, whole “EVENT.”
By Glenn
November 29, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this
JIM, NO! Not you! You’re an editor. You’re supposed to know how it works.
The test of last night’s debate is not whether it made for good air time or an amusing parlor game or even stimulus to public discussion. The test of that debate and any debate is whether it was a debate.
It was not. The only debating going on was the unplanned dickering the contestants managed to shoehorn into the overweeningly self-conscious and gamey format. As the hip lightweight Anderson Cooper repeatedly demonstrated, debate was not part of the plan at all.
What CNN wanted was something other than a debate format: a collective interview seeking the candidates’ responses to letters to the editor. See? It was all about the editor, CNN. It matter not how large the pool of contest entries; what matters is that CNN got to cherry-pick the ones it wanted—because, after all, it’s the terminal patient CNN to whom we should turn our urgent attention.
Remember a couple months ago when CNN was so adamant about General Petraeus’s ability to speak to Congress without prior review?
Which do you prefer to wear, Jim, diamonds or pearls?
By Redneck Convert
November 29, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
Well, I watched the Republican debate setting kind of sideways. The debaters were alright, but that librul Anderson Cooper was asking the questions so I didn’t want to look at him square. So I turned away when Cooper was talking and looked at the TV when the people was answering the questions.
The best part was when the guy said to send this Hillary woman to Mars. I bet her husband would find some intern up there to fool around with.
Course, I kept waiting for someone to say change the constitution so the kids of illegals born here ain’t citizens, but nobody did. So I guess when us rednecks haul the illegals back to the border in our pickups, we’ll have a whole bunch of orphans left behind and they’ll all be on welfare.
So I guess there ain’t no candidates that are as conservative as I like. This Giulani is just a librul in disguise. Romney is OK but I won’t vote for a Mormon no matter what he says about the bible being true. And Huckabee is a good Southren Baptist, but he’s for tax increases and won’t do. And this Ron Paul is nuts. He’s got the right idea about taxes and keeping the federal guvmint out of our life. But he wants to stop the war and bring our troops home when there’s a war to fight. No good Southrener would vote for somebody that wants to stop a war. Fighting is in our blood. Heck, some people down here are still fighting the Civil War. And nobody I know will vote for McCain. He wants to make the illegals citizens and take our job. He’s toast.
So I guess any Republican is better than this Hillary woman. But that don’t mean I’m satisfied. I wish old Strom was alive to run so we could get rid of the civil rights laws and fly our Dixie flags again. That fellow in Texas with the Old Flag on his wall had the best idea. I didn’t like none of the answers to his question though.
Well, its time to get the bars all stocked up for the Baptists this weekend. They’ll have a powerful thirst after they listen to all the dull sermons on Sunday morning. And don’t forget to buy your booze by Saturday night. We don’t want nobody to violate our Sabbath. You can get drunk as a skunk at home or in bars, but don’t you go buying booze from a store on Sunday. Have a good day everybody.
By Jeff
November 29, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
The only disappointing aspect of the debate for me was when Ron Paul said it was either the Republican nomination or bust for him.
What IS interesting though is that even though Dr. Paul didn’t get much airtime, in the CNN Post-Debate Viewwer’s Poll, Dr. Paul won EVERY category other than ‘Most Disappointing performance’.
By Tiny Tim
November 29, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
“f-f-find ‘em…” (Oh no, not the 4 F’s again.)
“f-f-fool ‘em…” (Shut up, nobody is fooled, Tiny Tim!)
“f-f-feel ‘em..” (You havent felt anyone, Tiny Tim, Shut Up!)
“f-f-f-forget ‘em..” (Forget you, Tiny Tim).
By jbmlaw
November 29, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
Good morning all. As is my practice, I failed to access youtube to watch the debate (in truth, I accessed youtube to watch Jonathan Coulton videos.) Drudge reports this morning that the Army Reserve guy is actually a Hillary campaign plant, and that CNN has apologized. I don’t know why they apologized – it seems to me that these things would all be more interesting and useful if Republicans wrote the questions to be asked of Democrats, and Democrats wrote the questions to examine Republicans.
I understand my guy Fred presented a video that showed Mitt professing support for abortion and Huckabee vocally supporting any sort of tax anyone wanted to levy; good for Fred. He is not going to take any votes from Rudy or McCain, and they are not taking any votes away from him; they are different markets in the right-side constituency. Mitt and Huckabee are vying for the conservative vote, so it is time for Fred to distinguish himself. The Mitt attack may have been wrongful, as Mitt is now renouncing his prior soft words on abortion. I do not trust Mr. Huckabee, however; I suspect he is a faux-conservative, even though he talks about the Fair Tax. Yesterday’s WSJ had a lead editorial strongly praising Fred’s tax position; since the WSJ has seemingly been pushing Mitt before yesterday, I perceive their real intention was to push Mitt into taking a firm position on taxes.
As to Jim’s morning essay, I no longer believe Hillary is inevitable; I think Obama is near critical mass, and may have enough going for him to stop the Hillary express.
By Dennis
November 29, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
Let’s be honest, could we?
The Republicans don’t have anyone who’s worth voting for and the Democrats are little better, IF.
We have a Congress that isn’t worth a d__mn either; beholden to corporations and special interests, with Democrats shilling for Republicans over the illegal spying on American citizens, “Blackwater”, and no bid contracts, and investigations of the White House.
Those “non-political”, “objective-eyed” agencies such as the FBI, CIA, Attorney General, Secret Service, the Pentagon and Homeland Security have all been involved in one governmental cover-up and scandel after another, yet neither political party nor political candidate has dared discuss any of those in public debate.
Forget the Constitution, even the Supreme Court is nothing more than another political entity.
These elections aren’t about Hillary or Obama, Romney or Guiliani, or the Democrats vs. the Republicans.
These elections are about the welfare and stability of this country, and neither political party has anything much to offer except what you’ve heard all of your life.
You don’t have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.
By ron
November 29, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
I still don’t see anyone in this group of candidates that gives me a warm ,fuzzy feeling.As things stand now,I wish they would all disappear and the real candidates show up.It’s hard for me to believe that I am going to have to vote for one of them.
By Glenn
November 29, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
And what’s mo’, ron, I sure hope you find yourself a warm and fuzzy one to serve as C-in-C.
By Glenn
November 29, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this
Hi Dennis. Did you just say, “Forget the Constitution, even the Supreme Court is nothing more than another political entity”?
Didn’t you mean to say, “Forget the Journal-Constitution, even the Board of Editors is nothing more than another political entity”?
[Rudy 08]
By Van
November 29, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this
Dennis “These elections are about the welfare and stability of this country, and neither political party has anything much to offer except what you’ve heard all of your life.”
Very good, well done - I do agree with your assessment.
Being as old as I am, I have heard many things from the different parties, some good and some good for the roses.
What we have is a choice between a party that wants to manage your life from the cradle to the grave and one that wants to spend us to our graves.
No where is there a solid, constitutional believing, bed rock candidate.
I personally like Fred for his tax and other positions and Huckabee presents the most sincere performance.
How I long again for the days of Adlai and Ike, it was so clear back then. Even Nixon was a clear choice in ‘68, even though by todays standards Hubert was a conservative compared to Hillary.
By Charles
November 29, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
It’s either the Republican nomination or bust for me too; Young African Americans should vote for Ron Paul. He is the only candidate running for president that’s not completely controlled by the New World Order (NWO) crowd. Young African Americans should know that there is no place for you in the New World Order, composed of many democrats and republicans. They are building the prisons for white people too if they don’t approve of the NWO.
Rudolph W. Giuliani needs to get a life. He transformed New York City into a safe city by shipping many of the criminals and vagrants in his city to the South. His problem has now become my problem.
Look out NASA. If Hillary Clinton or Barak Obama is elected president, I’m skyjacking one of your space-ships; destination, planet Mars.
By Van
November 29, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
Charles,
Do you think there is any place for the middle class in the NWO as you put it?
No, we will be taxed into poverty, to pay for our bloated government and to support the developing counties, since we will also be taxed by the gracious UN, in the NWO.
This would leave the Kennedy’s, the Kerry’s, the Bill Gates and the rest of us. There is an old silent movie from 1927 that sums it up, it was called Metropolis, the elites and the workers.
By getalife
November 29, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
Ron Paul won.
Lazy fred’s new ad is good.
Looking at the real poll numbers, the dems win in a landslide.
By Charles
November 29, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
Van,
You are exactly right. I focused primarily on young African Americans because they are obviously neglected by their own people and are the first to suffer in this scheme.
Yes, the middle class will be taxed into poverty. The end result is the elites and the workers.
Young African Americans won’t be given consideration as a worker.
By Phil
November 29, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this
“Society in every state is a blessing, but Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one: for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries BY A GOVERNMENT, which we might expect in a country WITHOUT GOVERNMENT, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer. Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built upon the ruins of the bowers of paradise. For were the impulses of conscience clear, uniform and irresistibly obeyed, man would need no other lawgiver; but that not being the case, he finds it necessary to surrender up a part of his property to furnish means for the protection of the rest; and this he is induced to do by the same prudence which in every other case advises him, out of two evils to choose the least. Wherefore, security being the true design and end of government, it unanswerably follows that whatever form thereof appears most likely to ensure it to us, with the least expense and greatest benefit, is preferable to all others.”
I’m sure Mr. Paine would have said: It’s just Common Sense
By Glenn
November 29, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this
The “debate” label has become a solecism: a “debate” is that which CNN calls a debate. It can be scripted, staged, spun & skewed—like the Hillapalooza CNN threw a few weeks ago. Or it can be subjugated to the editor’s agenda, as last night’s exercise and the CDC congressional testimony were.
As long as journalists such as Jim continue unquestioningly to call it a “debate”, it’s a debate.
By their unreasoning, every time Hillary is asked by one of her shills a question of her own devising, it’s a debate.
Got that?
By James
November 29, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
Family Values -Larry Craig
-Jim Galley
-David Vitter
Corruption
-Duke Cunningham
-Bob Ney
-Bob DeLay
-Bill Frist
Corruption Possible
-Ten Stevens
-Don Young
-Tom Feeney
-John Doolittle
-Rick Renzi
-Gary Miller
Ethics Questions
-Lisa Murkowski
-Jerry Lewis
-Ken Calvert
-Pete Domenici
-Heather Wilson
-Scooter Libby
-Alberto Gonzales
-Scott McClellan
By Peter
November 29, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
WOW VAN……..
“What we have is a choice between a party that wants to manage your life from the cradle to the grave and one that wants to spend us to our graves.”
My question is ……
Which party wants to “SPEND us to our grave” ?
Republicans have created the biggest deficits ever……
SO you have some confused here……
By Dennis
November 29, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
By Van November 29, 2007 9:59 AM Dennis “Being as old as I am, I have heard many things from the different parties….”
It does take a little “real” living to break out of the mindset offered by the media (Wooten’s column is a good example) and what we were taught in school as this “wonderful” government.
“How I long again for the days of Adlai and Ike, it was so clear back then.”
Ike warned us. Today, war is the biggest industry in the nation, but we don’t dare publicize that.
Regarding Hillary, she probably has the best political mind of the bunch, certainly the better grasp on world politics, but nobody wants her.
More and more, nobody wants the mainstream media, either. It’s pathetic how they can’t do any better but to play the game.
You don’t have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.
By Charles
November 29, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
The New World Order crowd is using African Americans in the media to do their dirty work. They are using the Negroes the same way they used Martin Luther King Jr.
When the New World Order crowd has met their objectives, Negroes in the media will suffer the fate of Martin Luther King Jr. Because, they are too close to trouble; they know too much.
By DICK -IF ONLY I HAD A HEART - CHENEY
November 29, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
Mitt Romney is not now, nor will he ever be, president. His comment therefore is worthless, much like him and his whole family.
By DICK -IF ONLY I HAD A HEART - CHENEY
November 29, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
Mormans are just secret Mulims, hiding out in Utah. A vote for Romney is a vote for Osama and Muslim extremism, aka Morman extremism.
By TW
November 29, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
Glenn - great comments today. Capitalism has signed onto the presidential race in full force and has appointed Vince McMahon as its director. The media needs it close for the same reason the NFL wants parody amongst its teams…all about the money, baby. ‘Debate’ is dead.
By getalife
November 29, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
McOld’s torture position showed w broke the law again.
It made willard look pathetic especially with the family values crap.
At least, willard admitted there are major issues that need resolved.
Huckleberry got the loudest cheer from the me generation with dissolving the IRS.
Grover got his no new tax pledge from some but who is going to pay for w’s disasters?
Who will pay back the trillions borrowed and the trillions stolen from Social Security?
By ILikeMike
November 29, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
The American people have a unique opportunity to interact with candidates through the internet. Not unlike voting on reality TV programs, we should demonstrate our support for candidates and, perhaps more importantly, their ideas by making contributions that are tied to their debate performance.
You can help show the candidates that they are accountable to the people and that their positions on issues directly affect their financial support.
If you support one position advanced by a candidate last night, contribute a dollar to that candidate’s campaign. If you support five positions, contribute five dollars.
I have attempted to facilitate this concept with respect to Mike Huckabee and encourage you to take this challenge by visiting [www.abuckforhuck.com].
You can make a difference!
By ron
November 29, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
Glenn-Obama and Oprah would be a warm,fuzzy for blacks and some women.Not me.Rudy would be a warm,fuzzy for reporters,trying to figure out where he spent money and who he’s married to at the moment.No good to me.Huckabee is a warm,fuzzy to the Bible pounders.Not me.Romney is a fuzzy for the Mormons,and the people of Massachusetts.I’m not one of them.Hillary is a warm,fuzzy to Bill,sometimes.She doesn’t help me.She would,however,drive Limbaugh to disembowel himself in public,which,as good a thing as it is ,isn’t grounds to base a presidental vote on.So I wait.Hope this clarifies things a bit.
By Jackie
November 29, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
The Republican debate was nothing more than a show that allowed them to espouse their views without offering anything substantive. Ron Paul was the only one on the stage that offered a morsel of truth. The only thing I would disagree with him is his stand on eliminating the IRS, i.e., taxes. Regardless of how it is explained, someone has to pay for the government and the services they offer. On the Democratic side of the agenda, Barrack Obama is the person that breaks away from the previous methods of doing government business. However, he will not be nominated because he stands in the way of the corporations are their fleecing of the citizens.
By getalife
November 29, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
“So, a good night for for the lowest denominator, a bad night for the GOP. America got to see a vaguely threatening parade of gun fetishists, flat worlders, Mars Explorers, Confederate flag lovers and zombie-eyed-Bible-wavers as well as various one issue activists hammering their pet cause…
He forgot that Rudy wants to replace all retiring federal employees with 10 years left of service with Robots., And as for the ladies, when they try to outlaw abortion you don’t have anything to fear. In their eyes—you’re incapable of making a rational decision on what you can do with your own bodies, you won’t be prosecuted by the law.”
Geez.
By E Trashorama
November 29, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
With her friends in the media, Hillary might just beat any Republican candidate.
CNN PLANTED A QUESTIONER FROM THE HILLARY CAMPAIGN AT THE REPUBLICAN DEBATE.
Turns out that the questioner given the most time —both with a video AND in person at the debate (wait, wasn’t this supposed to be a debate responding to video questions?)—is a member of the “LGBT Americans For Hillary Steering Committee.”
Retired BG Keith Kerr is a member of the Hillary campaign!
No wonder CNN gave him the opportunity to ask his question about homosexuals serving in the military again and again.
Will members of the Republican candidates’ steering committees be given the opportunity to likewise ask pointed questions of the Democratic candidates at future debates?
By GOD OF WAR
November 29, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
The only one that made sense last night was Ron Paul.. However I like Obama and Kucinich… These guys arent speaking politic-anease..
By Van
November 29, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
Peter,
I tried to make it clear to clear thinking people.
The Left will make all your decisions for you, and if you disagree you will be demonized into submission. If you are not an elite, like Teddy, you will be taxed and taxed and taxed.
At least Mondale was truthful when he promised to raise taxes.
The current batch on the right, will spend and will try to be just like the lefties. We will spend and try to outspend the left. Oh, guess where all that money will come from.
Maybe it is time to re-establish the Constitution with a little revolution.
Voting is more important that who you vote for. Don’t vote, don’t b***. about it.
We need a candidate, either party, that will look out for the welfare of this country and not the moneyed lobby’s. In the old days, we looked out for ourselves and let the government take care of the country, it seems a little skewed now.
By Youtube Snowman
November 29, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this
How about that CNN plant last night? Wasn’t that swell? Doesn’t the lamestream lib media raise holy hell when a Dem gets questioned by a plant? Where’s the outrage? I’d just like to know why political debates have sunk to the lows of uneducated Myspace clowns asking questions.
That said, get a load of this heartwarming story of an illegal Mexican saving the life of someone.
You think PMSNBC will mention this illegal Mexican story?
By GOD OF WAR
November 29, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
Nobody messed with Ron Paul after he chewed Rudy up.. I dont know about dissolving the IRS though.. That would take a lot of time and waste more money to dissolve it..
By marcus
November 29, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
the whole debate was a shame….
cnn did not give fair and equitable time for all candidates….only the ones that they like. its not democractic and not true journalism when you marginalize other candidates by not giving them hardly any questions or giving the hardest ones to answer.
if you research ron paul…he gets the most attention on youtube. i would have to guess that most of the 5000 questions were ron paul influenced. it was funny that some of the stands that ron paul took months ago and how the other candidates mock him are slowly mimicking some of his positions.
some of the questions, if allowed by the other candidates to answer them would show you the real differences between each of their platforms. but alas, opportunity lost.
not really….
we can not be a nation of sheep when you have the media guiding the questions and picking who the candidates are. follow the money as mike grave says. each of the media is own by the corporate elite. they have a vested interest in getting what they want. do you think ron paul shares their views? wake up america!!!!
we have been dumbed down by society, the media, our education system. we lack the ability to become critical thinkers. how the other people evaluated the debates really show the depth of their understanding….which is not very much. i challenge you to be a critical thinker. do your research.
if you think ron paul did an average performance compared to some….then evaluate why there wasn’t enough questions thrown at him. its a tactic called “marginalizing” if you are aware of it…you would see it more apparent. read all the media articles….they marginalize because they fear a real change.
be a critical thinker…please.
look at ron paul…you tube, read his interviews (outside of the mainstream corporate media). take the red pill (ref matrix). wake up…the end of our empire is right around the corner….subprime, the falling of the dollar…the eroding of the constitution.
don’t be sheep. wake up.
By marcus
November 29, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
the whole debate was a shame….
cnn did not give fair and equitable time for all candidates….only the ones that they like. its not democractic and not true journalism when you marginalize other candidates by not giving them hardly any questions or giving the hardest ones to answer.
if you research ron paul…he gets the most attention on youtube. i would have to guess that most of the 5000 questions were ron paul influenced. it was funny that some of the stands that ron paul took months ago and how the other candidates mock him are slowly mimicking some of his positions.
some of the questions, if allowed by the other candidates to answer them would show you the real differences between each of their platforms. but alas, opportunity lost.
not really….
we can not be a nation of sheep when you have the media guiding the questions and picking who the candidates are. follow the money as mike grave says. each of the media is own by the corporate elite. they have a vested interest in getting what they want. do you think ron paul shares their views? wake up america!!!!
we have been dumbed down by society, the media, our education system. we lack the ability to become critical thinkers. how the other people evaluated the debates really show the depth of their understanding….which is not very much. i challenge you to be a critical thinker. do your research.
if you think ron paul did an average performance compared to some….then evaluate why there wasn’t enough questions thrown at him. its a tactic called “marginalizing” if you are aware of it…you would see it more apparent. read all the media articles….they marginalize because they fear a real change.
be a critical thinker…please.
look at ron paul…you tube, read his interviews (outside of the mainstream corporate media). take the red pill (ref matrix). wake up…the end of our empire is right around the corner….subprime, the falling of the dollar…the eroding of the constitution.
don’t be sheep. wake up.
By GOD OF WAR
November 29, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
All of you need to stop.. The conservatives arent conservative anymore.. Open your eyes Dems and Repubs are raping the american public.. The only thing that will help us now is term limits on every government office.. I hate to break the news to you but GW and his crew dont care nothing about you.. Wake up people.. The fleecing of America continues.. Oh and by the way I have seen the huge expressway that stops at lower texas..
By @@
November 29, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
I hear ‘ya Jim. As I recall the silly stuff was allowed through in the Dems first YouTube debate. I, for one was so shocked by the stupidity of it, I was hoping for more topical questions. CNN came through.
Kudos to Bill Bennett for not hesitating to water Hillary’s plants.
All in all everyone did just fine in their responses. In the initial back and forth between Mitt and Rudy on illegal immigration, it was what I would have expected. Romney took a swing and Giuliani swung back. If I have a contractor on my property, it’s my responsibility to verify whether he’s legally insured against injury. Why wouldn’t I want to assure myself that he was a legal immigrant? No big deal IMO. Although the more I research the immigration issue, the more complex I am finding it to be. I think Tancredo is oversimplifying.
I like Thompson’s no-nonsense answers. He doesn’t take me all the way to “bumsuck Egypt” for the answers. As I’ve said before a Giuliani/Huckabee ticket would be just fine with me.
Watching the interaction between McCain and Thompson leaves me to wonder if they too would come together on the Republican ticket. Only problem is there would be no chance of a second term ‘cause they’re both too old. Once the Republicans are in again in ‘08 (and they will be) I wanna see ‘em hold the WH for subsequent terms.
If the Dems get in (I don’t think they will) they’ll be out after four. No doubt in my mind.
By Griffin Girl
November 29, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
In my view this presideantial election is all about one thing: the senator from New York. I am a woman, and not particularly conservative (pro-gay rights, pro-choice, pro-separation of church and state, pro-evolution, etc.) and I am offended that all of the pundits are saying that Hillary Clinton will become president because of women voters. I for one find her to be dangerous, power-hungry, duplicitous, a shameless panderer, and especially dopey on matters of national defense. Since her nomination is all but sanctified, I am looking to the Republicans to beat her somehow. Although I am a Giuliani supporter, I saw several on that stage last night who might be capable of beating Clinton in a fair fight, including Romney, Huckaby, and my man Rudy. I was disappointed in ol’ Mitt last night, though. He flubbed a few answers and out-and-out evaded the Bible question. He’s better than that and I hope he gets it together for the next debate.
By Zyskandar A Jaimot
November 29, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
How many DEMBHOLE ‘SHILLS’ can CNN place in an audience??? ANDERSON COOPER ‘moderator’ of this so-called REPUBLICAN debate [COOPER failed-actor/failed-personality/failed-anchor/failed-tellall-author/soon-to-be-failed-homosexual] claimed he had no knowledge that 5 or 6 of the questions were DEMBHOLE OPERATIVES!!! UNBELIEVABLE - the man who said he was GAY and a former general works for HILLARY and her GAY/LESBIAN task force!!! THIS DEBATE WAS A FARCE AND SHOWED THE DESPERATION OF THE DEMBHOLES AND the CommunistNewsNetwork - ‘plants’ as far as the questions were concerned and potted ‘plants’ in the audience including KERR and others flown to FLORIDA from CALIFORNIA by CNN!!! Watch out ANDRSON COOPER - another of your relatives[a VANDERBILT no less] is committing suicide by jumping from a building!!! DUCK!!! WHAT A YUTZ EVEN FOR A GAY GUY!!!
By Tiny Tim
November 29, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
So who let Gen. Dumbledork into the GOP debates last night?
By Dennis
November 29, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
By Van November 29, 2007 12:30 PM | Peter, I tried to make it clear to clear thinking people. The Left will make all your decisions for you, and if you disagree you will be demonized into submission. If you are not an elite, like Teddy, you will be taxed and taxed and taxed.”
Just checking back in here, Van.
Who do you suppose will be “taxed and taxed and taxed” to pay the costs of Bush’s Middle East wars and corporate tax breaks and to make up the differences needed in the national budget to pay what’s needed to run the government?
(Maybe our government could re-nig on paying back the loans we get from China and India that are now being used to keep us afloat as it is.
You don’t have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.
By Curious Observer
November 29, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this
The Left will make all your decisions for you, and if you disagree you will be demonized into submission. If you are not an elite, like Teddy, you will be taxed and taxed and taxed.
Yes, Van, how we all long for a return to the good old days, when poor people had the decency to starve to death quietly and old people simply moved in with their relatives when they grew incapable of working any longer. In the words of your hero Trent Lott, if old Strom had won we wouldn’t have the troubles we have now.
I say we continue on the Republican path of borrowing money from China to continue to spend as recklessly as possible. Whatever we do, we shouldn’t increase taxes to pay for our current spending. Instead, let’s simply turn our children and our grandchildren over to China to work as factory hands, so that we can continue to incur $2 billion trade deficits. There won’t be any good jobs for them anyway; we’ve already outsourced most of the decent jobs to China and India.
Yes, those taxes certainly are evil. Let’s keep going as we are, piling up massive debt and becoming vassals of China. Maybe, however, we can get rid of some programs we’ve opposed since 1937—say, Social Security. You don’t need Social Security if you’re living with your relatives. Why, if we had the money that’s being spent on Social Security benefits, we could probably fund yet another war and continue the tax cuts that fatten the bank accounts of hard-working, upper-income people like us.
By GOD OF WAR
November 29, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah and Trent Lott resigned because he got caught messing with a male escort.. Add him to the list of hypocrits..
By Shark Sammich
November 29, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this
Marcus said—
cnn did not give fair and equitable time for all candidates….only the ones that they like.
It’s cable tv. They don’t have to give fair and equitable time.
This is why you haven’t seen anything on broadcast television yet, and probably won’t before the primaries, either.
Why this isn’t a much, much bigger issue than it is… well, maybe Jim can tell us.
All I can say for now is that I agree, it’s an outrage, and it should be unacceptable whether you’re left, right, up or down, that we haven’t had a real debate with equal time for all, just a month before the first actual votes are to be cast.
By Heywood Jablome
November 29, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
Wondering why none of the good rule-of-law family values conservatives here have not mentioned Giuliani’s romantic weekends in the Hampton’s on the taxpayer dime?
Adultery and fiscal fraud. Now that is a winning combination. Though we could be charitable and accept Rudy’s story that Judith Nathan was really only caring for his ailing prostate. Oh stop, you’re killing me…..can’t breathe.
Rule of law, people. Whatever will we tell the children?
At least if Romney picks up a chippy on the side he can do the right thing and add her to his harem.
By Anonymous
November 29, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Gosh, “plants” and “operatives” were at work, on Hillary’s express orders to ask tough questions.
Those poor, poor Republican candidates, facing an audience that wasn’t pre-screened for Republican Lockstep Disorder. Instead, they had to answer a few ACTUAL questions from people who DON’T worship them.
Y’know, Bush never would’ve allowed such a thing….
By Jackie
November 29, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
There is a brewing storm about Rudy and his ties to the government of Quattar. It turns out that government harbored the 9/11 terrorists and the security people around Rudy knew of this connection, yet, Mr. Guilianni continued to do business with them. Now, he refuses to release a list of his business clients, most of whom were from the Middle East. Secondly, it has been reported in the Village Voice that Rudy’s father was a member of the mafia. Makes one wonder about his voracity.
By Jackie
November 29, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
News reports indicates that the Senate Judiciary Committee will issue an subpoena to Karl Rove. It was reported that Mukasey has approved of a Special Prosecutor if one is needed. Karl Rove stated in an interview this week, it was the Democrats that pushed the Iraqi war and Dubya was complying with their wishes. Please, don’t believe your lying eyes and ears.
By getalife
November 29, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
They want you to sign a repudlicken oath to enjoy your freedom of speech.
Too bad:
“But what really made the moment special was one undecided Republican voter who thought she ‘may’ have finally decided:
Sharon: “I think if the Democrats have John Edwards, I’d vote for John Edwards.” … “I had thought about Giuliani, I had thought about Mitt Romney, also Fred Thompson. I don’t care for his TV shows but you know, I thought maybe him being an actor that was just a persona and it’s not.”
I’ll take a wild guess that wasn’t exactly the answer any of the GOP contenders wanted to have broadcast to the masses, especially not Frederick of Hollywood.”
Bwa.
By lane filler
November 29, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
Anyone interested in what Huckabee is really like face to face should try this funny (but it actually happened) column: http://goupstate.us/index.php/lanefiller/2007/11/02/title_14
By JaxJM
November 29, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
Some conservatives (and the media loves this angle) seem to be worried that there are few Presidential candidates that can stand up to Hillary (or whomever is nominated by the Dems). My take is different: ANY of the four or five leading Republicans (Guiliani, Huckabee, McCain, Romney, Thompson) will be a MUCH stronger candidate than Mrs. Clinton, or Obama, or Edwards - as would Duncan Hunter. Tancredo is a one-trick pony, and Paul is as much a fringe candidate for the GOP as Kucinich is for the Dems. Republicans need to remember that they are the party of Reagan, of optimism, of “Morning in America.” I believe the GOP will retain the Presidency in 2008. This “debate” reinforced my belief.
By jbmlaw
November 29, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this
Dear Lane @ 3:17, funny and good-natured article.
Dear JaxJM @ 3:20, I agree with your post, especially your citation of Duncan Hunter. I really like Duncan also.
By Glenn
November 29, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this
ILikeMike @ 11:35,
If you really believe that “You can make a difference”, and are not just saying that because that’s what liberal cheerleaders say when they are overflowing with school spirit, then you don’t belong in adult company.
By AmVet
November 29, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!
You people and your Rudy this and Hillary that or I’m for Fred or I want Barack!
Though a cross party ticket has never been elected in our nation’s history, I am convinced, CONVINCED, I tell you, that a Huckabee/Kucinich ticket is our only hope!
Jesus and aliens. An unstoppable combination.
By Next Candidate Please
November 29, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
While I don’t agree with Huckabee on the issues, at least the guy knows what he believes and sticks with it — all the while saying that it’s pefectly fine for other people to have differing viewpoints (an attitude sorely lacking among many on both sides of the political spectrum).
Romney, while he does have one impressive head of hair and a ruggedly handsome jawline, seems to believe nothing and everything all at once.
Giuliani just seems mean and petty, although on the issues he’s more in line with my way of thinking.
Thompson, well, I just don’t know what to think of him. I can’t stop thinking that if someone handed him an Oscar-worthy movie script and a house in the Hollywood Hills he’d ditch the GOP and go live it up in the City of Angels.
Ron Paul is an idealist but let’s face it, America has become too bitter to ever elect someone who would actually, just for fun, discuss the merits of a republic over an empire.
Now Senator McCain, a man whom I previously have thought of as being somewhat above the fray only to see that hope dashed by his pandering to the right, still seems to really get it. I especially like how he shamed Romney on the torture question. Too bad he will never get the nomination of the party he’s served so ably.
The others, I can’t recall their names. Oh, there’s that Tancredo guy who doesn’t like immigrants. Funny though, I can’t find any Tancredos, or anyone whose last name ends with a vowel for that matter, in any books on early American history so I’m assuming he’s the son or grandson of an immigrant.
By Craig
November 29, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
I like the way you think JaxJM. Why should we worry about health care, or how long they plan to keep spending lives and money in Iraq, or how to pay down the budget deficit, or ensure that Social Security is around for our kids, or how to deal with $4.00 per gallon gas, or how to deal with Iran. Nah those aren’t important issues. We’re sunny, we’ll just keep repeating “Ronald Reagan, Ronald Reagan” - and all will be well.
Thanks buddy, as a good Republican, I was worried. Thanks to you I’ve seen the light.
By Tiny Tim
November 29, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this
Well, if we pick our presidents by judging their debating skills then Bush would not have been elected and Gore and Kerry would have won, and the Supreme Court would have had to commit treason and overrule the popular vote, and ohio would have had to stuff ballots and perform ballot fraud…….oh yeah, nevermind.
We lost our country eight years ago, people, and I want our country back. I say we take it back. Who’s with me? Let’s do it!!!
By Glenn
November 29, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this
Every week I get more astounded by how Carteresque Huckabee is.
By Tiny Tim
November 29, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this
Every time I watch them, Huckleberry Hound seems more SnagglePussesque; and I am humbled, and astounded, and entertained.
Exit stage left.
moron.
By Glenn
November 29, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this
Yep, a moron all right. An astounded moron. Astounded that so many could be Huckleberry hounded by The Rabbit Slayer in razorback disguise.
Mimetic dorkhead.
By TadsnArizona
November 30, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this
Which candidate supports the way you believe? I grew up a Democrat, became a Republican and now am independent. In this election, which candidate really represents the way you would vote, or your belief’s. I listen to both Democrat and Republican so called debates, I watch to see who is trying to hurt a candidate. like when you google John McCain his last name is always in small case, so google is discriminating against McCain. And Hillary placing people with Questions to make her look good in Iowa. …… Are these values I want my children to grow with and learn from? I can not and will not Vote for Hillary. She is a disgrace to country and to her party. She isn’t even a good example as a wife, in my opinion. My motto is ABC… Anybody but Clinton. I believe the best will rise to the test and the people are taking their government back through this election, we are watching, listening and will vote for the candidate that appeals to us and can change the status quo.
By TadsnArizona
November 30, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
Which candidate supports the way you believe? I grew up a Democrat, became a Republican and now am independent. In this election, which candidate really represents the way you would vote, or your belief’s. I listen to both Democrat and Republican so called debates, I watch to see who is trying to hurt a candidate. like when you google John McCain his last name is always in small case, so google is discriminating against McCain. And Hillary placing people with Questions to make her look good in Iowa. …… Are these values I want my children to grow with and learn from? I can not and will not Vote for Hillary. She is a disgrace to country and to her party. She isn’t even a good example as a wife, in my opinion. My motto is ABC… Anybody but Clinton. I believe the best will rise to the test and the people are taking their government back through this election, we are watching, listening and will vote for the candidate that appeals to us and can change the status quo.
By GaLiberal
November 30, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
Moron Jim says: CNN for the most part resisted any temptation to turn the forum over to snowmen, cartoon characters and adult questions planted in the mouths of small children.
What Moron Jim doesn’t tell you is that Rethuglicons plant questions all the time. Like when the 12 yo girl asked Bush why we were in Iraq. Perfect timing to let Bush beat his 9/11 war drum and spread more of his cr@p lies while the boot-licking drones applauded in agreement. And what about the ads being ran by “scared” kids asking if the big bad terrorists are coming back. Apparently it’s ok for the Rethuglicons to plant questions in kids mouths when it furthers their agenda, but then shake their heads and wag their fingers at everyone else. Typical Rethuglicon double standard.
When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And the Rethuglicon debates are living proof.