[CounterCounterCulture]

GOP Debate #1 thread: Republican Presidential Candidate Debate #1~ Reagan Library 05/03/07 - Official Discussion Thread

[Jet Jaguar]

BTTT

[CounterCounterCulture]

Showtime in about 90 minutes

[Vision]

So glad this one will be on Fox.

[Spiff]

I can’t wait to see how Giuliani further screws up his campaign tonight. This will be fun.

[tiredoflaundry]

Thanks for the thread!

[ODC-GIRL]

This one should be MUCH better than the last one (I hope). We shouldn’t see ridiculous questions like “would you keep Karl Rove in your White House?”

Insanity, to allow a Republican debate to be “moderated” by a hack like Matthews.

[Vision]

The questions of the night are...

Will Romney continue to look extremely polished?

Will Rudy continue to falter or did he learn?

Can Hunter be treated with respect in question selection?

Predictions: Romney and Hunter will rise above, with Hunter putting in the best appearance.

[Cyber Liberty]

We’re popping the corn, and pizza’s on the way, CCC....

[Reaganesque]

Bookmarking.

[jwalsh07]

Running out of time Mr. Hunter. Make your points and make them forcefully. If you disagree with others on the panel, do so voiciferously. You have to stand out!

[nowandlater]

I predict it will be more hostile this time. Look for a few haymakers thrown.

[jdm]

Iraq, Abortion Loom Large In GOP Debate

(CBS/AP) Iraq and abortion loom large as 10 Republican presidential candidates debate a second time Tuesday.

On one issue — the four-year-old war — the GOP field is largely in sync, backing President Bush in opposing Democratic calls for beginning a withdrawal of U.S. forces. But the candidates are split on social issues, most notably a women's right to terminate a pregnancy.

Less than two weeks ago, top-tier candidates Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney shared a stage in Simi Valley, Calif., with seven underdogs competing for the GOP nomination in the first Republican debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

Iraq and social issues dominated the discourse that night, a preview of what was sure to await the candidates in Columbia, S.C., where conservative Christians make up a large chunk of the state's GOP primary voters.

Since the California event, Giuliani has reaffirmed his support for abortion rights after his convoluted debate answer on whether he would welcome the Supreme Court overturning its landmark decision legalizing abortion. He personally opposes the procedure.

Giuliani, the former New York City mayor; McCain, a four-term Arizona senator, and Romney, the ex-governor of Massachusetts, were facing Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, former Govs. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin and Jim Gilmore of Virginia. Reps. Ron Paul of Texas, Duncan Hunter of California and Tom Tancredo of Colorado also were participating.

Paul, the Libertarian presidential nominee in 1988, voted against giving Bush the authority to wage war in Iraq in 2002.

Hours before the debate, candidates responded to the death of the Rev. Jerry Falwell, the television evangelist who founded the Moral Majority and was a force in conservative politics.

If the first debate was framed by the spirit of Ronald Reagan, then tonight's gathering in the heart of the Bible Belt will take place in the shadow of Falwell's death, reports CBS News chief White House correspondent Jim Axelrod.

"These candidates have to be concerned about the way in which they appeal to what we now call 'value voters,' religious voters, people who shared the values that Jerry Falwell championed, because he got them active in politics," said Republican activist David Keene.

McCain, who once called Falwell and his ilk "agents of intolerance," praised him in a statement as "a man of distinguished accomplishment who devoted his life to serving his faith and country." Romney described Falwell as "an American who built and led a movement based on strong principles and strong faith."

Giuliani told reporters after a tour of the debate site: "He was a man who set a direction. He is someone who is not afraid to speak his mind."

The University of South Carolina's Koger Center for the Arts was the setting for the debate, sponsored by the South Carolina Republican Party and Fox News Channel. The channel's Brit Hume was moderating.

Underscoring the dominant issues, Americans Against Escalation in Iraq and the South Carolina Young Democrats sponsored a 20-foot mobile billboard to circle the debate site, bearing the phrases: "Republicans, Mission Accomplished?" and "McCain, Mission Accomplished?" And, activists affiliated with Planned Parenthood also were holding an abortion-rights rally outside the hall.

---

And, activists affiliated with Planned Parenthood also were holding an abortion-rights rally outside the hall.

Awwww... how special... gag!

[dschapin]

Hey, just wanted to let ya’ll know that Fox News is going to be doing a poll after the debate to determine who won. This poll is a little different than the typical one because they want you to send in a text message. You can check out all the info at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,272493,00.html

However, here is the most important info from the article.

“You Decide: Let FOX News know who you think came out on top by voting with a text message.

The number to which you can send your text-message is 36988. It will accept your vote between 9 p.m. EDT and 12:30 a.m. EDT.

The codes to enter for each candidate are:
R1 — Sam Brownback
R2 — Jim Gilmore
R3 — Rudy Giuliani
R4 — Mike Huckabee
R5 — Duncan Hunter
R6 — John McCain
R7 — Ron Paul
R8 — Mitt Romney
R9 — Tom Tancredo
R10 — Tommy Thompson

The codes are case-insensitive, so “r5” will work as well as “R5.””

[Salvation]

Will check in later since I have a meeting at church tonight.

[kcar]

I sure hope there’s a discerning questions about gun control.

[don-o]

Thanks for the thread and the link to the Fox stream. Political junkies mainlining tonight.

[cripplecreek]

Present and accounted for

[DEM-SPOILER]

I am in Columbia and was wondering if the debate is open to the public or if you had to get tickets in advance. Anyone have any info on this?

[Reagan Man]

The mix: several conservatives, a few moderates, one centrist, one libertarian and one full fledged liberal. Lets not forget, 9 of 10 candidates may not be perfect, they have their faults, but they also aren't Rudy Giuliani. Rudy is the real enemy of conservatism. Support for Giuliani to be the nominee throws the GOP back to the 1970`s, the last time Rockefeller Republicanism was a dominant force. Lets not go there again.

[Tennessee Nana]

Hi CCC

Big debate..Big winner...Big BoooHoooHooo