Republican Presidential Candidate Debate #4 - Des Moines, IA 08/05/07 - Official Discussion Thread

ABC

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Yes

You're either joking or smoking some type of illegal substance.

Ron Paul is more conservative than all of the other candidates combined.

[plain talk]

You don't have to worry. They will definitely replay that one.

I would hope so. Unfortunately one of our guys has to stand by his "nuke mecca" statement. I suspect its more likely the media will play that one more.

[Maeve]

In my opinion, Ron Paul won the debate followed in second by Sen. Brownback. The rest were simply embarrassing (excepting Duncan Hunter, who sadly can’t spark a fire with a lighter).

[logician2u]

Mark who?

Perhaps you can cite the SC decision(s) pertaining to this learned pronouncement.

[Maeve]

There are right-wing Constitutionalists like me who are more than happy to vote for Paul over the rest. Funny how his successes are always denounced as the work of the devil ... that is, DU, Daily Kos, college kids etc.

[George W. Bush]

Fox Focus Group Rates Ron Paul the Winner

That's fine but exactly how does Rockwell know this?

[hocndoc]

11 years education (at least) compared to 3 to 5 makes a difference. And if you always repeat yourself, she may just be impatient.

Part of the problem is probably your insurance - or that of the other people waiting to be seen.

[George W. Bush]

If I was on that podium I would have walked over to ron paul and give him a Patton slap across his cowardly puss and thrown him off the stage for disgracing our troops.

Do you often slap people in their seventies across the face? What a big man you are.

[ClaireSolt]

Could I suggest you learn about the life and family of Mitt. There is a lot there to admire.

[Petronski]

[Equality 7-2521]

If I was on that podium I would have walked over to ron paul and give him a Patton slap across his cowardly puss and thrown him off the stage for disgracing our troops.

Interesting that so many of the troops that Dr. Ron Paul (himself a war veteran) is "disgracing" throw our full support behind Dr. Paul (my wife--an active duty Navy Corpsman and me--a Navy Reserve Avionics Technician (and also a war veteran) included).

I admit that it would be fun to see you tackled, arrested, and hauled away in shackles, though.

[codercpc]

There have been many FReepers over the years who would agree with you about conservatism being a political endeavor open to personal interpretations.

Yet here you are trying to give me your interpretation of what conservatism "should" be.

If we follow the Constitution, as you suggest, I don't remember abortion being in there. Don't get me wrong, I am pro life. I do think that Roe V Wade was decided wrongly, but I also think that some people here on Free Republic wish that it was part of the Bill of Rights. It isn't there. I do agree with Fred Thompson that it should be left up to the States, like a lot of stuff, but I also know that even with 8 years of a Pro Life President, Roe V Wade is still the law of the land.

Fiscal concerns, and national security is, in my opinion, much more "Constitutional" than any of the social concerns out there. I have not said that Fred can't lead, only that he hasn't shown it yet. We may differ, but until Jim Robinson actually kicks me off, I will be here trying to remind many of you "head in the sand", "my way, or the highway" conservatives that there are reasons that Rudy leads the polls. And the number one reason is he is a Leader and he will fight the Islamic Fascist who aim to take all of our rights away.

[libbylu]

saw on fox this morning half of 29 person focus group decided Huckabee won, and some had never heard of him before.

[CounterCounterCulture]

It's the equivalent of Charlie Brown's teacher speaking.

Charlie Brown's teacher make more sense. :-D

[codercpc]

I am seriously looking at Mitt, and I think he would do the Country proud. I am very impressed with the way he has led his life, and even his "flip flops" don't bother me too much. At least he is up front about them, instead of acting like they never existed. My husband even remarked at how he won the debate (I agree), I would love for his numbers to increase in more than just one or two States though.

For a long time Fred was my reluctant #2 but after the past couple of weeks he has probably fallen to at least 3 - 4 (behind Duncan). Although I say that Rudy is my number one choice as of today, I am fully researching all of the candidates, trying to find the perfect fit. I love Rudy on security, but after Mitt's performance today, he is quickly coming up from behind. He sounds tough, and sounds like a leader, which is what we need now.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Catch the re-run this evening on C-SPAN @ 5:30 p.m. CDT (6:30 Eastern Daylight Time)

Thanks for the information.

[George W. Bush]

saw on fox this morning half of 29 person focus group decided Huckabee won, and some had never heard of him before.

I've always wondered just how many focus groups they have sequestered away in some building. It wouldn't cost much more to have a half-dozen than just one. And what if your broadcast revolves around including a focus-group segment and they produce a result you don't want to broadcast? The obvious answer is: multiple focus groups. But you only mention "our focus group" and you never talk about the others you had. Make everyone sign a NDA so no one finds out.

[ClaireSolt]

I just can't see the party of family values nominating Rudy when they have Mitt to choose instead.

I've read Leadership and admire much about Rudy but not his messy personal life. His days of fighting the Maffia may make him the best at fighting the Clintonistas. I am sure he would be tough as nails against them.

We have the luxury of having a very strong, well qualified field, and as one said, the Dem frontrunners have never run anything.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Tommy Thompson has vowed to end breast cancer by 2015 for all the women in America. Mighty big promise.

I'm sure scientist have been sittin' on their buttocks waiting for the right President to make that push.

[Reagan Man]

>>>>>>Yet here you are trying to give me your interpretation of what conservatism "should" be.

Hardly. The Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and modern day conservatism are intertwined, and not open to personal interpretation. You either promote abiding by the Constitution and the DOI or you don't. You either support the tenets of the modern conservative movement or you don't.

You need to get your facts straight and get properly informed. The goals of conservative Free Republic are clearly linked on the forums home page. There is no ambiguity about what agenda JimRob has in mind for FR.

"As a conservative site, Free Republic is pro-God, pro-life, pro-family, pro-Constitution, pro-Bill of Rights, pro-gun, pro-limited government, pro-private property rights, pro-limited taxes, pro-capitalism, pro-national defense, pro-freedom, and-pro America. We oppose all forms of liberalism, socialism, fascism, pacifism, totalitarianism, anarchism, government enforced atheism, abortionism, feminism, homosexualism, racism, wacko environmentalism, judicial activism, etc. We also oppose the United Nations or any other world government body that may attempt to impose its will or rule over our sovereign nation and sovereign people. We believe in defending our borders, our constitution and our national sovereignty."

Call that whatever you like, but this remains a conservative forum and Rudy Giuliani is persona non grata around here. And if you think thats not true, try posting a thread supporting Rooty`s big govt liberalism, or his support for issues like abortion on demand, gun control, gay rights, amnesty for illegals and global warming bunkum.

>>>>> ... until Jim Robinson actually kicks me off, I will be here trying to remind many of you "head in the sand", "my way, or the highway" conservatives ...

You're definitely on the wrong political forum.