Posted on 05/04/2007 9:57:30 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
John McCain bounced back in the first Republican presidential debate and breathed new life into his faltering candidacy.
His answers were strong: he faced the camera squarely, and scored big with his circa-2000 attacks on pork spending and special interests. He was both passionate and articulate. His sole bad moment came with his fumbling answer about why he opposed the Bush tax cuts. But for a candidate who seemed to have lost his way, McCain did very, very well.
That said, there was a major bias in the debate. MSNBC and Politico deliberately marginalized Giuliani and steered far too many of the important questions to anybody not named Rudy. In doing so, they paid homage to their Democratic Party masters by diminishing the candidate most likely to win in November.
The other two winners were Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee.
Romney, who had the most face time of all of the candidates, showed himself to be the handsome, well-spoken candidate that he is. While his account of his flip-flops on abortion was not convincing, his homilies to family, God and country will sound good to Republican ears.
Huckabee (disclosure: a former client) was the most original and interesting of the candidates. His unique style came through when he defended his pro-life views by asking why, if we "move heaven and earth" to find hikers lost on Mt. Hood or in a coal mine, we don't defend human life in the womb. His explanation of how his faith leads him to embrace global stewardship in the face of climate change and to want to punish Enron-style executives who fleece their workers was both novel and intriguing.
Rudy Giuliani underperformed in the debate.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
What good will it do conservative Americans if the choice is between Hillary & Rudy? I actually think Rudy is the more dangerous of the two! Listen: If Rudy is elected to the White House, his proposals for gun confiscation, abortion funding, homosexual marriage and the like will be received as coming from a “conservative republican” rather than a liberal dem and will have a better chance of passing.
“Giuliani torpedoed Giuliani. ... ie, he now claims that a strict constructionist could take either side, for or against Roe vs Wade. So much for his promise of strict constructionists in the mold of Roberts or Alito. His idea of strict constructionism means diddly squat.”
I agree. His answer on Roe should end any pretense that Guliani will be a reliable friend on constructionist judges. I believe in that 30 seconds he torpedoed his own path to the White House. The very fact that we saw a number of more acceptable alternatives on stage who didn’t flub anything (Hunter, Romney, Huckabee, Brownback) made Guliani less a frontrunner and more a novelty item. (”Oh wow, America’s mayor as candidate.”)
Neither McCain or Giuliani seized the opportunity. McCain tried, but smiled at the wrong time and just seemed off balance. Rudy looked like a schoolboy that neglected his studies and so was on the spot. It’s up to these guys to grab the face time they are given and sell themselves to the voters. McCain and Giuliani didn’t do that.
Give Fred a bit of credit for being smart enough to stay out of a "dog fight" disguised as a debate staged by the minions of the Democrat party.
The RNC should be disbanded and then rebuilt with totally new staff for allowing such a farce, staged by the most fervently leftist journalist on TV, be sold as a "debate" between Republicans. This was an attempt at "assasination" on TV.
Fortunately, my guy is Fred. He wasn't there. He didn't get singed one little bit.
Morris is just distracted by this whole “DC Madam” thing.
What a misrepresentation! Giuliani got more face time than any of the others, and he botched most of the questions, even the softballs. Important questions? Giuliani should be thankful he wasn't asked about his stance on gun control! Or the constitution for that matter (oops... he was, and he botched that one too).
Is Morris working for the Giuliani campaign now?
If Rooty were given more time he could have made an even bigger jackass of himself.
“”Morris is struggling to remain relevant.””
I agree although he is usually one of the more “interesting” talking heads on Fox. I never tire of hearing him drop bombs on the Klintons. However, his performance tonight was pretty bad and it left me looking for a tinfoil hat.
Morris is pure politics with no moral compass (just like his former masters).
I disagree. One must be slow talking in order for the liberals to try and get a grasp as to what was said. Really, it would be beneficial to speak reeeeeeaaaaalllll slow.
Morris is brilliant. I have learned plenty from him about the underbelly of politics over the years.
I watched Fred’s speech/discussion tonight on CSPAN (to the Lincoln Club in Org Cty, Ca) and he is NOT a slow talker. And yes, the man does smile ...and he can tell a joke, too! While I didn’t like a few things he said, the man is oozing charisma in a real down-to-earth manner (with none of the oil that drips off Romney) and definitely can command an audience.
In making my ultimate choice, it will come down to the issues. But of all the candidates, Fred is the only one in contention for the “Reaganesque” label, IMO.
I think the Rudy slide has begun.
He and Duncan would make quite a team from the looks of it, now. They both aren't peaking prematurely and that's ideal!!!
I think Morris needs a few more toes to suck on! This little piggie went to market... this little piggie stayed home... this little piggie had roast beef... this little piggie had none!!! AND THIS LITTLE PIGGIE said “Wee wee wee, all the way home!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.