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Quotes From Republican Debate
Townhall ^ | May 03, 2007

Posted on 05/03/2007 8:30:56 PM PDT by jdm

Quotes from the first Republican debate [May 03, 2007]

SAM BROWNBACK

He said his approach in Iraq would differ from President Bush's. "I'd push more a political solution along with a military solution in Iraq, and here I would push a three-state, one-country solution in Iraq, with a Kurdish state, a Sunni state, a Shiite state, with Baghdad as the federal city. I think we've got to push a political solution, along with the military, to get to a stable situation in Iraq, which is our key political issue of the day."

He said Congress was right to intervene in the Terri Schiavo right-to-die case. "Yes, it should have. And it gave her the right, and the family the right to take that appeal to the court. That's what the Congress did. And her life is sacred. Even if it's in that difficult moment that she's in at that point in time, that life is sacred, and we should stand for life in all its circumstances."

JIM GILMORE

"I see this Iraq problem as part of an entire Middle East issue, and it's sort of a fundamental problem that we're going to have an honest conversation with the American people about. We're going to have to engage in the Middle East, and we're going to have to do it for an extended and a long period of time."

RUDY GIULIANI

He said it would be acceptable if the Supreme Court upheld Roe v. Wade. He also said, "It would be OK to repeal. It would be OK also if a strict constructionist judge viewed it as precedent, and I think a judge has to make that decision. ... I think the court has to make that decision and then the country can deal with it. We're a federalist system of government and states can make their own decisions."

"The use of military force against Iran would be very dangerous. It would be very provocative. The only thing worse would be Iran being a nuclear power. It's the worst nightmare of the Cold War, isn't it? The nuclear weapons in the hands of an irrational person, an irrational force. (Iranian President Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad is clearly irrational. He has to understand it's not an option; he cannot have nuclear weapons."

MIKE HUCKABEE

He said he would have asked Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to resign earlier than Bush did. "I think I would've done that before the election. I certainly wouldn't have said that we are not going to do it and then, right after the election, done so. But that's the president's call. Clearly there was a real error in judgment, and that primarily had to do with listening to a lot of folks who were civilians in suits and silk ties and not listening enough to the generals with mud and blood on their boots and medals on their chest."

"The most important thing a president needs to do is to make it clear that we're not going to continue to see jobs shipped overseas, jobs that are lost by American workers, many in their 50s who, for 20 and 30 years, have worked to make a company rich, and then watch as a CEO takes a $100 million bonus to jettison those American jobs somewhere else. And the worker not only loses his job, but he loses his pension. That's criminal. It's wrong. And if Republicans don't stop it, we don't deserve to win in 2008."

DUNCAN HUNTER

"You know, right now, right now, Iran is moving equipment into Iraq that is being used to kill Americans. Iran has crossed the line, and the United States has absolute license at this point to take whatever actions are necessary to stop those deadly instruments from being moved across the line, being used in explosives, roadside bombs, inside Iraq."

"Right now, the border is 2,000 miles of a very porous area where hundreds of thousands of people come across on an annual basis and where last year we had 155,000 folks who came across from Mexico who were from other countries in the world. Some from communist China, some from Iran, some from Korea. We have to secure the border. That's the biggest failure of the federal government."

JOHN McCAIN

"When the majority leader of the United States Senate says we've lost the war, the men and women that are serving in Iraq reject that notion. And, if we lost, then who wins? Did al-Qaida win? When on the floor of the House of Representatives they cheer _ they cheer _ when they pass a withdrawal motion that is a certain date for surrender, what were they cheering? Surrender? Defeat? We must win in Iraq. If we withdraw, there will be chaos; there will be genocide; and they will follow us home."

He said he supports a guest worker program to help deal with illegal immigration. "The status quo is not acceptable. We have to secure our borders. But we also need a temporary worker program, and we have to dispose of the issue of 12 million people who are in this country illegally. This issue is an important and compelling one, and it begins with national security. But we also need to address it comprehensively."

RON PAUL

"The purpose of government is to protect the secrecy and the privacy of all individuals, not the secrecy of government. We don't need a national ID card."

MITT ROMNEY

"This is a nation, after all, that wants a leader that's a person of faith, but we don't choose our leader based on which church they go to. This is a nation which also comes together _ we unite over faith and over the right of people to worship as they choose. The people we're fighting, they're the ones who divide over faith and decide matters of this nature in the public forum. This is a place where we celebrate different religions and different faiths."

"You can fight, for instance, to make sure that partial-birth abortion is made illegal. You can fight to have information given to women who are thinking about having an abortion. You can fight to make sure that there's opportunities for people to express their views on this topic openly and near abortion clinics. You can fight for the opportunity to go out and campaign for the rights of those who care about this issue to be heard before Election Day, and the McCain-Feingold law prevents that from happening."

TOM TANCREDO

"There are issues that I believe have not been addressed tonight, not in full, and I believe that they do separate us. And I certainly believe the issue of immigration and immigration reform and what's going to happen to this country unless we deal with this forthrightly _ no more platitudes, no more obfuscating with using words like, 'Well, I am not for amnesty, but I am for letting them stay.' That kind of stuff has got to be taken away from the political debate, as far as I'm concerned, so people can understand exactly who is where on this incredibly important issue."

TOMMY THOMPSON

"I think the biggest problem we've got in America is the alternative minimum tax that's bringing more middle-income people in. Let's put it in _ let's have the people have a flat tax and have the option of paying whichever is least."


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: debate; msnbc; quotes
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To: Swordfished
how does it feel to be fighting a losing battle?

How does it feel to be shilling for America's most liberal Governor?

41 posted on 05/03/2007 9:49:14 PM PDT by EternalVigilance ("A [Free] Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: SeafoodGumbo

I’m Just Waitin’ On A Fred

Watching girly-men go passing by
It ain’t the latest thing
I’m just standing in a doorway
I’m just trying to make some sense
Out of these girly-men go passing by
The tales of sellout men
I’m not waiting on the Rinos
I’m just waiting on a Fred

His smile relieves a heart that grieves
Remember what I said
I’m not waiting on the Rinos
I’m just waiting on a Fred
I’m just waiting on a Fred

Don’t need a whore
I don’t need no boozer
Don’t need a Mormon priest
But I need someone I can cry to
I need someone to protect me
Making war and breaking heads
It is a game for few
But I’m not waiting on the Rinos
I’m just waiting on a Fred


42 posted on 05/03/2007 9:51:05 PM PDT by Enduring Freedom (my axis of evil includes democrats and liberal media)
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To: EternalVigilance

how does it feel too put forth so much effort in taking one man down with disingenuous arguments? does it pay well?


43 posted on 05/03/2007 9:51:15 PM PDT by Swordfished
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To: Swordfished

Can you name me one other American Governor, of either party, on whose watch gay marriage, a permanent assault weapons ban, socialized medicine, including taxpayer-funded abortions, the homosexualization of the public schools, and more, were enacted?


44 posted on 05/03/2007 9:52:35 PM PDT by EternalVigilance ("A [Free] Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: Swordfished

Your charge that anyone pays me to post on FR is as dishonest as your candidate.


45 posted on 05/03/2007 9:53:21 PM PDT by EternalVigilance ("A [Free] Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: EternalVigilance

this is a thread about ‘quotes from the Republican debate’. you come and spew your spam anytime the word ‘Romney’ is mentioned. that is NOT a strong enough connection.

you’re on your heels. people don’t have to take your distortions for reality, they can see and research for themselves. you have no candidate, but you sure are bizarrely intent on taking one specific candidate down.

you won’t tell us who your candidate is because it would only marginalize you. so you’re left just being negative. an unfortunate way to go through life.


46 posted on 05/03/2007 9:59:41 PM PDT by Swordfished
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To: Swordfished

Free Republic is a conservative site that is devoted to defeating liberals. On Mitt Romney’s watch as Governor, which just concluded, the GOP in the Commonwealth was decimated. Gay marriage was enacted. He signed a permanent assault weapons ban. He signed socialized medicine, complete with taxpayer funded abortions. His departments flooded the public schools with pro-homosexual content. He appointed more Dems and Independents to the bench than Republicans, including radical gay activists. Etc., etc., etc.

If you can’t take the heat caused by an honest portrayal of your man’s own words and record, get out of the kitchen.

One last thing: This fight is just beginning.


47 posted on 05/03/2007 10:07:55 PM PDT by EternalVigilance ("A [Free] Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: Jedidah

Ron Paul hasn’t done much of anything to address illegal immigration in Texas.


48 posted on 05/03/2007 10:10:39 PM PDT by weegee (Libs want us to learn to live with terrorism, but if a gun is used they want to rewrite the Const.)
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To: TheLion; EternalVigilance

Wait a minute. Are you calling what appears to be documented, verifiable public record information “spam” and “tripe”?

And aren’t you shooting the messenger?

Paraphrasing your questions, here is what I might wonder, as a newcomer to this thread:

Are you a fan of NAMBLA and what they do to recruit children and protect molesters?

Would you do away with the free speech of straights?

Are you anti-heteronormative and do you seek special rights for a minority?

Assuming you are a Conservative and that the answer to my rhetorical questions is NO, please verify the validity of EV’s citations and offer him an appropriate apology.

If you are not interested in verifying the truth—no matter how it falls, then you are less Conservative than might be hoped.

I do understand your passion for winning.

Please consider this quote. I think, given your screenname, you’ll like it:

Truth needs no defense...It is a lion that simply needs to be let out of its cage — Charles Spurgeon

Cheers.


49 posted on 05/03/2007 10:14:35 PM PDT by The Spirit Of Allegiance (Public Employees: Honor Your Oaths! Defend the Constitution from Enemies--Foreign and Domestic!)
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To: The Spirit Of Allegiance

Yeah, right!


50 posted on 05/03/2007 10:17:11 PM PDT by TheLion (How about "Comprehensive Immigration Enforcement," for a change)
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To: TheLion

Allow me to ask you a question I’ve asked several Romney supporters tonight, with no satisfactory response:

Shouldn’t a candidate’s current rhetoric bear at least a passing resemblence to their record?


51 posted on 05/03/2007 10:30:41 PM PDT by EternalVigilance ("A [Free] Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: EternalVigilance

I think all politicians grow over time. Running Mass and running the US are completely different. The same things just won’t work. Candidates evolve as they move into the national spotlight.

Romney already said he should have moved to another state.

I still believe women have the right to choose and we should get abortion out of our platform as the Democrats use it to defeat us all the time.

We are too stupidly hard line on a few key issues and the Rats stuff it down our throat.

Did you notice how we once again allowed Democrats to host and frame the debate. They cornered Republicans on Abortion, Stem Cells, Iraq and Iran....suprised they left out guns.

All issues that MSNBC thinks poll the other way with the mainstream.

One liberal female idiot on the post analysis team asked, “are the Republicans now shifting their lies about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq to Iran and starting a war with them next”?


52 posted on 05/03/2007 10:42:13 PM PDT by TheLion (How about "Comprehensive Immigration Enforcement," for a change)
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To: TheLion
I still believe women have the right to choose and we should get abortion out of our platform as the Democrats use it to defeat us all the time.

Then, you're a liberal, and it's no surprise you support Romney.

53 posted on 05/03/2007 10:43:27 PM PDT by EternalVigilance ("A [Free] Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: EternalVigilance

No, I am not a liberal, just a little smarter than those of your ilk that get us defeated all the time.


54 posted on 05/03/2007 10:50:50 PM PDT by TheLion (How about "Comprehensive Immigration Enforcement," for a change)
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To: TheLion
No, I am not a liberal, just a little smarter than those of your ilk that get us defeated all the time.

Conservatism works, wherever it is tried. Sad that you're not familiar with the concepts.

55 posted on 05/03/2007 10:52:54 PM PDT by EternalVigilance ("A [Free] Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: EternalVigilance

You are being a jerk. I know more about conservatism than ever appeared in your aspect.

You are one of these hard liners that won’t pass an assault weapons ban that is nothing but politics and then allow the Rats to completely destroy you in the election over the issue. Then you go hard line on abortion and allow the rats to steal zillions of female voters over to their side just on this issue alone.

You therefore never allow these people in your camp to change thier minds....you just keep electing Democrats.


56 posted on 05/03/2007 10:58:36 PM PDT by TheLion (How about "Comprehensive Immigration Enforcement," for a change)
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To: TheLion
You are one of these hard liners that won’t pass an assault weapons ban...
...then you go hard line on abortion

A guy can learn a lot about a candidate from their supporters. That brother, is not conservative.

57 posted on 05/03/2007 11:13:16 PM PDT by Mensius
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To: Mensius

It is not the weapon being banned but the politics surrounding it. That brother is smart. You may think you are conservative, but you have a lot to learn about politics.

Even with a ban, everyone can still get them. You just allowed the other side to win the election....hurray for your beliefs!


58 posted on 05/03/2007 11:17:13 PM PDT by TheLion (How about "Comprehensive Immigration Enforcement," for a change)
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To: Mensius

BTW, my beliefs have nothing to do with Romney. He is just flat out superior to the rest of the field. Let America decide.


59 posted on 05/03/2007 11:19:17 PM PDT by TheLion (How about "Comprehensive Immigration Enforcement," for a change)
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To: TheLion
You may think you are conservative, but you have a lot to learn about politics

I know the 2nd ammendment has nothing to do with hunting.
I know that federalism is a founding principal.
I know that caving on principal gets one what one deserves.
If I don't know politics as you do, I feel I am a better man for it.

60 posted on 05/03/2007 11:23:45 PM PDT by Mensius
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