Transcript: The debate (Reagan Library GOP Debate)

International Herald Tribune ^ | 05/03/2007

[Ultra Sonic 007]

MSNBC's Republican presidential debate with candidates: Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kansas);the former Virginia governor James Gilmore (R-Virginia); the former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani; the former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee; Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-California); Senator John McCain (R-Arizona); Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas); the former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney; Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colorado); and the former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson. Moderated by Chris Matthews with questions by John Harris, editor in chief of politico.com and Jim Vandehei, executive editor of politico.com. At the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California Transcribed by the Federal News Service, a private transcription agency.

[LowOiL]

The "separation of Church and State" is merely to prohibit the establishment of an American official religion in government.

The term is nowhere to be found in the constitution.. What you suggest as an alternative is (not a church advocated religion), but NOT seperation of Church and State" which has become a litmus test.

The Mythical "Wall of Separation":

[Sender]

How did we get an idiot like Chris Matthews to create some kind of irreverent comedy routine out of a serious Presidential debate?

[LowOiL]

Thompson --- "Where I think the Republican party lost its way is, we went to Washington to change Washington. Washington changed us. "

Good answer

[Sender]

Bill of Rights

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

I agree, there is no language specifying a "separation of Church and State" in the Constitution. It only prohibits any law governing an official religion, or limiting freedom of religion. It appears that we have failed in respecting the freedom of religion, at least in respect to any freedom to govern or legislate in accordance with the politician's concept of God's will. The ACLU will strike it down if it has any reverence to God.

[The_Eaglet]

MR. MATTHEWS: Dr. Paul? REP. PAUL: I am known for sticking to principle and not flip- flopping. I voted to impeach him.

I think "I voted to impeach him" is the best one-liner and maybe Paul was voted to have made such a contribution by MSNBC viewers.

[calcowgirl]

To the same question on changing the constitution, the transcript is WRONG. This transcript is messed up! I watched the video again at MSNBC.

REP. HUNTER: After I've served eight years as president, I'd be happy to change the Constitution for Governor Schwarzenegger. (Laughter.) (Said by Huckabee, not Hunter)

MR. MATTHEWS: Three to one.

MR. THOMPSON: We haven't seen his endorsement yet, Chris. (Said by Hunter, not Thompson)

MR. MATTHEWS: Okay. Three to one; the no's show.

MR. THOMPSON: That's a no. (Said by Hunter, not Thompson)

MR. MATTHEWS: Okay. Four no's to one.

[LowOiL]

Issue Illegals...what ya gonna do...

SEN. MCCAIN: Well, I'm happy to say that we've been working very hard for a couple of months with Democrats and republicans..

[cdnerds]

This whole debate was to rushed. How can we all judge anyone on 30-60 second sound bytes? Ill wait till 2nd tier people drop out and then the good 2-3 minute answers from the front runners, opening and closing statements can be made. I heard more in a super bowl commercial, then from most of these people. 10 people in 90 minutes? and we are judging? LOL ROFL ..

It was so rushed if someone dropped their pen it would have been considered a political disaster.

[LowOiL]

Thank you very very much for pointing that out, I was worried that Hunter said yes... He didn't...

Thank you again...

[LowOiL]

Ron Paul -- "My major political decision, which was a constitutional decision, was to urge for five years that this country not go to war in Iraq."

Umm... what exact constitutional provision was that?

[calcowgirl]

Here is the recap to the question of changing the Constitution for Schwarzenegger/Martinez to be eligible as president:

1. Romney NO
2. Brownback NO
3. Gilmore NO
4. Huckabee YES? (combined with a joke)
5. Hunter NO
6. Thompson NO
7. McCain seriously consider it
8. Paul NO
9. Giuliani YES
10. Tancredo NO

[LowOiL]

MR. MATTHEWS: Congressman, your turn. (what tax would you like to see cut)... REP. HUNTER: Absolutely. Chris, you know, right now our manufacturers are getting killed. We're seeing manufacturing move offshore because the dumb trade deal that we signed with the rest of the world allows all of our exports to be taxed twice, while their exports to us are not taxed at all. The only way that we can even come close to leveling that playing field is to eliminate manufacturing taxes. So eliminate all taxes on Americans who will stay in the United States and make products and hire American workers.

BIG BIG SALUTE...

[LowOiL]

MR. MATTHEWS: Congressman, your turn. (what tax would you like to see cut)...

REP. HUNTER: Absolutely. Chris, you know, right now our manufacturers are getting killed. We’re seeing manufacturing move offshore because the dumb trade deal that we signed with the rest of the world allows all of our exports to be taxed twice, while their exports to us are not taxed at all.

The only way that we can even come close to leveling that playing field is to eliminate manufacturing taxes. So eliminate all taxes on Americans who will stay in the United States and make products and hire American workers.

BIG BIG SALUTE...

[LowOiL]

McCain... “my first priority would be their talents and what they can contribute, rather than what their party identification is. We need to come together more. “

[LowOiL]

McCain....”I know how to reach across the aisle to the Democrats, and they know how to reach across the aisle to me. I’ve been doing it for a long, long time.”

[calcowgirl]

Gilmore was EXCELLENT here:

---

MR. MATTHEWS: But you, as commander in chief and chief executive, would you employ Karl Rove?

MR. GILMORE: It isn’t a matter of Karl Rove. What’s important to this nation is not Karl Rove. (Laughter.) What’s important to this nation and to this party is the acquisition of a philosophy and values that we are as Republicans.

There is a time now for us to reach out and to say that we’re spending too much money in government, that it’s taking too much of the resources of this nation, that we have got to do something about government spending, create more jobs and higher revenue and a better opportunity, and thereby to cut taxes for regular people. I did that as governor. I’m a consistent conservative that keeps his word and does what he says that he’s going to do.

[NapkinUser]

“Here is the recap to the question of changing the Constitution for Schwarzenegger/Martinez to be eligible as president:

1. Romney NO
2. Brownback NO
3. Gilmore NO
4. Huckabee YES? (combined with a joke)
5. Hunter NO
6. Thompson NO
7. McCain seriously consider it
8. Paul NO
9. Giuliani YES
10. Tancredo NO”

So Giuliani supports changing the Constitution to allow foreign born people to run for president? God these guy sucks.

[NapkinUser]

these=this

[browardchad]

The worst answer of the night:

Q: Do you think Scooter Libby should be pardoned?

REP. PAUL: No, he doesn't need a pardon. But he doesn't need it because he was instrumental in the misinformation that led the Congress and the people to support a war that we didn't need to be in.

Wow.

[TennTuxedo]

I'll wait another 6-8 months before I subject myself to the campaign BS. We will hear this same stuff for the next year and a half.

Why do you think the media forced the campaign on voters so early? Think about it.