Posted on 06/05/2007 2:50:43 PM PDT by CounterCounterCulture
Republican Presidential Candidate Debate #3 - Manchester, New Hampshire 06/05/07 - Official Discussion Thread
WMUR-TV, CNN, and the New Hampshire Union Leader will host a Republican debate in Manchester, New Hampshire on the campus of Saint Anselm College. Moderated by Wolf Blitzer. Debate begins at 7 p.m. EDT (4 p.m. PDT) and will last two hours.
Rudy actually met with Clinton and Reno to push national gun licensing. I didn’t know Mitt had joined in with that move, either. I just can’t warm up to Mitt... he’s not the worst of the bunch, but I can’t get behind him for a variety of reasons. If he’s the nominee, I’ll support him, but with a lukewarm feeling.
But regarding Paul, he came off as a loon this night.
Finally, someone with guts said outloud, on TV, what all of us have been thinking and saying!
I wish there were more of it; it is refreshing.
Actually, if Huckabee’s record here in Arkansas is any indication, he supports any tax that he thinks will bring more money into the government’s coffers.
Huckabee is a likable guy in person. Very personable and good at saying exactly what his audience wants to hear (even if he has no intentions of following through - as I have witnessed several times first-hand).
Huckabee pushed through a income tax surcharge of 3% a few years back - with promises that it was for one year. When the following year revenues met (actually surpassed) budget needs, he kept it for an additional year “just in case” revenue were to fall off. Let us not forget that he also supported using sales taxes and additional fuel taxes for about every spending proposition he could think of.
He also supported so-called “sin” taxes - on food, soft drinks, and similar.
He also pushed through a very flawed body mass index requirement for public school students.
He also was responsible for banning tobacco from public places including restaurants.
Does he have positives? Yes - he lead the campaign to protect firearms makers from stupid liability lawsuits. He supported CCL. He promoted the Arkansas Covenant Marriage law.
Will I vote for him. NO. If it comes down to Hitlery or Obama vs. Huckabee, I don’t believe I could vote for him even then.
The man talks like Hillary’s long lost crazy brother.
Good firsthand account of life with Huckabee. It confirms that same mixed picture we’ve read before and heard from others who have watched him closely as governor.
I agree. There is definitely room for improvement. He had so much content and so little time to deliver, and the lack of fair moderation made it difficult to plan for opportunities that could be (and were) squelched by the debate staff.
It’s sad, really. I don’t know why he keeps using the clichés of Democrats and the liberal anti-war types unless that’s part of his strategy. It doesn’t help him at all if what he wants is to win the primaries in the GOP, IMHO. I think he does a lot better when he gives speeches, and when he writes, but he is not a good debater, IMHO, and you need to be able to overcome clichés and such when your ideas are not understood, or popular in your own party. It may be an asset as far as calming some of the anti-Republican sentiment out there, but dang it I wish he would stop sounding like the Democrats!!!
I did notice that the moderation was unfair — to all of the candidates. I would suggest to him and his campaign to not use some of the Democrat’s slogans about the war though, it just makes him sound like them to the point that I don’t think he’ll ever be able to gain the support of anyone who supports the WOT, or other Americans who view themselves as patriotic and are touchy about these things as evidenced in the last debate when he sounded just like others who “blame America first”... I know you all have probably heard that before though. (o:
Who made the comment that 80% of the real inventions and innovation in medicine that save lives comes from countries such as the United States, not from Third World nations who may have cheap drugs? – an amazing but obvious important point often forgotten. Yes, everyone did well, and had their moments, including those who are currently not on the “top of the polls” - but only one can be the winner from anyone’s perspective, and only one can be number two, and so on . . . everything is clouded with emotion, and bias. Nevertheless, though my preference is for Romney, it seems to me (who won the debate?):
(1) Giuliani - Very tactfully compares his stance, which is the same stance of many Republicans, against the Democrats – clever use of comparisons that are important to the overall campaign. Giuliani then stated, that there are problems with the (immigration) bill, that it will likely make things worse – and this puts Giuliani on the map for successful candidacy and nomination. “I’ve read the legislation” (immigration bill) et all. I am tired of the constant questions from liberal moderators regarding abortion, I really don’t think we need to keep questioning this in such a repetitive manner. I get it, ok? - no matter where one stands on the position among Republicans, we all get it and have taken sides and vote what we think is best when we select the nominee. I think Giuliani has clarified his position, and I am not going to let this issue sway me away from him. Excellent example of real bipartisanship in putting a man on the moon, viz the need to work together towards a very real issue which is energy independence. “Yes” on Libby comments and it seemed clear that he doesn’t care what the left thinks. “One of the reasons we are safe now”, and his perspective of the WOT going back to the 1970’s, “people can only accept Democracy if they have an orderly existence . . .” – “same amount of attention as the negative news” – his demeanor in delivery in this regard, very well given, very easy to receive. Tax deductions to buy health insurance – good idea. Giuliani is comfortable talking to the public, such as during the “town hall” part of the debate. While I didn’t appreciate his comments against Tancredo, when Giuliani said “How much do you believe in freedom” – this was an attention-grabbing definition of what is an American. This debate gives Giuliani a real chance to pick up conservative votes he may have lost otherwise. Mistakes of 2006: accountability (bingo!), “Republicans became Democrats” (bingo).
(2) McCain - “Nations Lose Wars” et all. On the WOT, I think McCain was the most effective speaker on the position held by conservatives (and myself) – he is probably the only candidate who could sway the American people to understand the situation in Iraq. However, the problem is the (immigration) bill - I totally disagree with McCain on the Bush-Kennedy Amnesty (immigration) bill, however he did well in the debate even on this issue. Interesting comments by McCain regarding Navaho language in Arizona which I understand and appreciate. I share McCain’s ideas, and enjoy his comments, in regards to God. I appreciate his explanation that we will only have to ask more young men and women to sacrifice even more later if we cannot understand the need to sacrifice now (Iraq/WOT). Mistakes of 2006: Spending, spending, spending.
(3) Romney – not to attack each one of these problems one by one (WOT), but a broad response to hopefully drive Islam populace towards modernity (bingo). . . like Giuliani, Romney again communicates his opposition to the (immigration) bill. “Enforce the law that already exists”, aligning himself with conservatives. In regards to the question of abortion, as with Giuliani, I get it, I accept Romney’s position and explanation of previous record, and I am not going to let broadcast moderators to try and sway me away from an effective candidate who I believe can win the votes and support of the American people. I am sick of the “Mormon question”, and I am getting tired of the endless harping on the “abortion record” at this time of War and at a time regarding a serious debate on borders and immigration. I trust that Romney would put forth excellent candidates for the SCOTUS, and let this matter rest. The way Romney calmly and politely and effectively responds to this idiotic harping on Mormonism or abortion is in itself enough to confirm in my mind that he is a gem of a candidate for President of this nation, a real winner. As in previous debates, I think Romney again demonstrated he knows the leaders and dictators of the world, the “tribes” if you will, the nations – in other words, he knows the world geographically, politically, culturally, et all. “Washington makes a mess – Washington is all talk” (health insurance, personal responsibility). I didn’t appreciate the “Ads in Spanish” CNN trick - in fact, I really didn’t appreciate much of any of the “town hall” questions which seemed to be more of questions that would come from Democrats rather than Republicans. No, this wasn’t enough the trip me up in regards to appreciating Romney, but frankly his response was to go off subject to the question. Mistakes of 2006: no Vision of future, future through products and services – interesting, important, and forward looking, but he didn’t really answer the question in this case.
(4) Tancredo – comments on Balkanization. His comments regarding his disappointments with Bush, his bold comments that he would “tell the President the same thing” Rove told him. His comments on conservation – EXCELLENT! – Conservation through conservative principles. Mistakes of 2006: Bush ran as a conservative and governed as a liberal. American means you cut from the past (Wow!) – Fantastic response from Tancredo to the town hall question regarding defining an American. “The process of assimilation is not going on” - Bingo. These closing moments from Tancredo moves him into position number 4.
(5) Huckabee made some amazing comments, in regards that many Americans think it was President Reagan won the Cold War, and yet the Taliban believes it was they themselves who defeated the Soviet Union – very interesting, and insightful comment. “They celebrate death, we celebrate life”.
(Last Place) What’s his name who is running but isn’t officially running yet and will make the big announcement later to save us all but I forgot his name since he isn’t in the debate because I guess he doesn’t consider it too important right now . . .
Shouldn’t the GOP nationally be following that Arnold Schwarzenegger example in California?
REP. HUNTER: No. (Laughter.)
Hunter goes for honesty over points.
One of the things that makes him the best.
As presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani addresses his stance on abortion, lightning makes sound system sputter.
Note: annoying ad for AARP precedes video as of this posting.
Actually, I think he looks like a stiff Ken doll, and is a turn off for me. I'm warming up to Romney only because he seems to be a personable, articulate speaker, well versed on the issues.
If only he would wise up and READ the SECOND AMENDMENT. Hey, Mitt (what kind of a name is that anyway?), the Second Amendment doesn't say a thing about sporting and hunting rifles. It says MILITIA! We need weapons in our homes that we can use for national defense in unforeseen emergencies, i.e. we need modern assault weapons, not matchlocks.
If 9/11 and Katrina didn't teach you that national security emergencies can happen where citizens will have to provide security in concert with their neighbors for days, maybe weeks, till the feds can collect their wits, then you don't have the foresight we need in a President.
My friend in a Tarzana neighborhood told me how the men in the neighborhood barracaded the streets and patrolled them after the big Los Angeles earthquake.
What would we do if a bunch of Iranian terrorist sleeper cells went suicide active all over our country? Our police and national guard can't possibly patrol and checkpoint every strip mall in the country. We would need armed citizens to help defend us for a while.
Note, CNN transcript as of now doesn’t have opening introductions of candidates like the N.Y. Times does
I’m just now watching the reruns of post-debate commentary on CNN.
Paul Begala loves Giuliani.
ROFL. What a pair!
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