Posted on 09/06/2007 9:21:16 AM PDT by pissant
I found the debate frustrating. Neither of the top tier candidates -- Giuliani and Romney -- had a good night. Giuliani took a big hit early over his 1994 statement welcoming illegal immigrants to New York. Thereafter, he seemed to answer most questions by referring to New York city crime statistics. He needs to diversify
Romney seemed defensive and, at times, evasive. His answers on Iraq were rambling. When the deputy sheriff in the restaurant called him out for not articulating an "end game" strategy, Romney was unable, I thought, to take advantage of the opportunity.
McCain did pretty well. At a minimum, as always, he answered the questions. I can conceive of him having a "surge" in New Hampshire as the "straight talk" candidate, particularly if Giuliani and Romney don't step it up.
Huckabee had another decent night, and I give points to anyone who takes on Ron Paul. But (as Romney pointed out) the "broken pottery" analogy in Iraq misses the most important reason for why we need to keep fighting -- namely the implications of the outcome on the war against terror. Huckabee also totally ducked the final question concerning what we should do if Iran continues on its present course towards becoming a nuclear power.
Duncan Hunter was, once again, the best of the rest.
Sam Brownback continues to be a huge disappointment. If the best he can do is channel Tom Friedman, it's clearly time for him to withdraw.
UPDATE: For what it's worth, Fox's focus group agreed with me that McCain did better than the two front-runners, and that Rudy talked too much about New York.
No, not when we are such easier targets to hit if we are sitting around with our heads buried in the sand..
I appreciate your input. Still, negative s negative and CFG is an important organization. I wonder how much that hurts him.
Shouldn’t that be Hunter-Thompson?
I didn’t see it, unfortunately. I had a previous obligation. I’m glad to hear Hunter did well.
Duncan and Fred.
Yup. I think Paul should be called on this in the next debate.
It could, as far as I’m concerned, but I don’t think Fred would take second billing. Hunter would accept the second banana spot to help the country. He’s a humble (in the best sense) patriot.
God, Fox is dragging out Geraldine Ferrarro, once again, to state that her favorite is, of course, McCain. The Dems must be very worried when they resort to dragging Ferraro out, LOL!
The non-serious candidates need to drop out of the debate. Hunter, Brownback, Huckabee, Tancredo, and Paul stand no chance of winning the nomination or even being on the ticket.
You would think so, wouldn't you? But a liberal judge in Kansas recently ruled that although it is illegal for them to enter the country, it is not necessarily illegal for them to be here. With judges like that, why even have laws? The last thing we need is to elect a President who will likely nominate that Kansas judge to a federal bench.
Not much, IMO. Hunter is a HUGE spender on military and borders. That counts against him. Plus, I’m quite sure they see his anti-NAFTA, anti-WTO, anti-China votes as a negative. When you have a 92 lifetime rating from the ACU, and are rated the most conservative (or maybe 2nd to Tancredo) by the National Journal, I don’t think too many will worry about the CFG’s rating. Especially, since his record on taxes is stellar. If he has a middling rating from CFG, it is more than compensated for by his 100% rating from the American Security Council
I think Hunter should stay in the race.
I think Hunter should stay in the race.
Have you heard somwhere that he was comtemplating withdrawing?!?!?
That’s good.
I’m afraid Duncan is running out of money and the further he goes without increasing his standing, he may get to the point where he can’t continue to run.
After seeing him for the first time last night, I don’t think he should be invited to any more Republican debates. Beyond coming across as crazy (and liberal), he looks weak and scared. What dictator would fear that guy?
No. I was just responding to comment #31.
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.