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A frustrating evening (the debate)
Powerline ^ | 9/6/07 | Paul Mirengoff

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.


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: duncanhunter; gopdebate
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To: CJ Wolf

Unfortunately, everyone with a brain thinks it will be a bloodbath, even some of those who support withdrawal. So not only does Bush, Romney, Rudy, Hunter, Huckster, Tancredo, etc etc believe it will be a catastrophe to withdraw, so do the Iraqis. Paul is a fool. He has no idea what he’s babbling about on this subject.


81 posted on 09/06/2007 10:40:20 AM PDT by pissant (Duncan Hunter: Warrior, Statesman, Conservative)
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To: mnehrling
...We’ve committed the invasion of this war, and it’s illegal under international law. That’s where I take my marching orders...

And here I thought he took his marching orders from the Constitution?....LOL Darn.

Yep, that statement might even be more outrageous than Rudy's top two.

82 posted on 09/06/2007 10:41:46 AM PDT by stockstrader (We need a conservative nominee who will UNITE the Party, not a liberal one who will DIVIDE it!)
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To: stockstrader

Rudy isn’t the only candidate (or freeper) who does not have a problem with non-criminal illegal aliens.

Look for more discussions and questioning of candidates about proposed amnesty compromises that will differentiating between ‘criminal’ and ‘non-criminal’ illegal aliens and justification by the econobot supporters who’s candidates favor a path to citizenship.


83 posted on 09/06/2007 10:43:07 AM PDT by Kimberly GG (INVEST IN THE FUTURE - DUNCAN HUNTER '08.....(NO MORE CFRers))
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To: Mountain Dewd

“I don’t think he should be invited to any more Republican debates.” (Paul)

If they keep having these text message Polls we will never see the end of him!


84 posted on 09/06/2007 10:43:22 AM PDT by acoulterfan
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To: pissant

Maybe after we leave they will keep fighting each other. Like they are now. I doubt they will unite and try to take us on again.


85 posted on 09/06/2007 10:44:17 AM PDT by CJ Wolf
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To: Kimberly GG
Rudy isn’t the only candidate (or freeper) who does not have a problem with non-criminal illegal aliens.

The operative words above are 'non-criminal' illegal aliens!!

BY DEFINITION, if they are here illegally,,,,they ARE breaking the law. If they are here illegally, there are NO 'non-criminal' illegal aliens.

86 posted on 09/06/2007 10:46:34 AM PDT by stockstrader (We need a conservative nominee who will UNITE the Party, not a liberal one who will DIVIDE it!)
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To: pillut48

Absolutely NOT.

Do some research and comparison and you’ll understand why paring Hunter with Thompson is like paring Thompson with Guiliani. Cerainly not a ticket that would get my support. Besides which, BOTH candidates have said they will NOT take VP positions.


87 posted on 09/06/2007 10:47:29 AM PDT by Kimberly GG (INVEST IN THE FUTURE - DUNCAN HUNTER '08.....(NO MORE CFRers))
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To: stockstrader

I agree with you. I’m just saying that some candidates and freepers don’t.


88 posted on 09/06/2007 10:52:03 AM PDT by Kimberly GG (INVEST IN THE FUTURE - DUNCAN HUNTER '08.....(NO MORE CFRers))
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To: KJC1; CJ Wolf
Just because Adelman’s the only one we can recall saying it doesn’t mean he’s the only one who used the term “cakewalk”. My impression was, and remains, that those selling the invasion were only too happy to overlook any obstacles and best case every scenario. Pity they aren’t held accountable in any serious way for their actions.
89 posted on 09/06/2007 10:52:54 AM PDT by caltrop
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To: papasmurf
Would JC even consider it? I doubt it. Seemed to me he had his fill of Washington, D.C. He was too nice a guy, principled, with strength of character, but after a while, you just can’t stomach it anymore. I speak from experience. You wake up in the morning and realize you’d be standing knee-deep in less crap if you’d decided to be a plumber or a sanitation engineer.
90 posted on 09/06/2007 10:53:16 AM PDT by Constitutions Grandchild
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To: caltrop

The only screw up with the invasion of Iraq is that we decided to stick around. Our military and war plan was awesome. We should have left via Iran along time ago.


91 posted on 09/06/2007 10:55:47 AM PDT by CJ Wolf
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To: caltrop

Your impressions don’t count. Adelman is the only one who said “cakewalk” unless you can PROVE otherwise.

I think you need to go back and read pre-war speeches, etc, and you’ll find your “impressions” are based on feelings not facts.

Pity you want people held accountable for your misguided feelings.


92 posted on 09/06/2007 10:57:27 AM PDT by KJC1
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To: pissant

Some observations from last night’s debate;

Ron Paul is a certifiable loon and how any FReeper can support him with a straight face is way beyond me.

I like Tancredo, but there can be no doubt that he’s a one issue candidate.

Rudy is a blowhard and New Yorkers can have him back. We don’t want him here in the Midwest. Give him a job at Fox, maybe replacing Colmes. Hell, Hannity has him on every other night, that is, when he’s not talking to Al Sharpton.

Mitt’s middle name is RINO.

Huckabee doesn’t have a clue.

McCain blew it with his support of “immigration reform,” and he can talk all he wants about terrorists and the WOT, but he’ll soon dry up and blow away.

Was Brownback even there?

I was impressed with Hunter but he hardly got any questions.

And oh yes; Ron Paul is a certifiable loon.


93 posted on 09/06/2007 11:00:14 AM PDT by toddlintown (Five bullets and Lennon goes down. Yet not one hit Yoko. Discuss.)
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To: KJC1
Are you the same expert who said Adelman hadn’t served under Rumsfeld for thirty years? I’ve already “proven” Adelman was on Rumsfeld’s Defense Policy Board from 2001-2006. Since you’ve already been corrected today why don’t you see if you can redeem yourself and point out exactly what you’ve proven today? :)
94 posted on 09/06/2007 11:04:40 AM PDT by caltrop
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To: freekitty

Nah. :-) I got it right the first time. Fred has the face recognition now—4/8 years from now, Duncan would be known and could be the CIC then. :-)

Win/win.


95 posted on 09/06/2007 11:05:39 AM PDT by pillut48 (CJ in TX --Soccer Mom, Bible Thumper and Proud to be an American! RUN, FRED, RUN!!!)
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To: Mountain Dewd

Did you know he was (is still?) an obstetrician?


96 posted on 09/06/2007 11:06:17 AM PDT by pillut48 (CJ in TX --Soccer Mom, Bible Thumper and Proud to be an American! RUN, FRED, RUN!!!)
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To: Xenalyte

Makes you want to bang your head against a brick wall.

I’ve had the same response concerning communism, socialism, marxism, etc. in America!! Unbelievable.


97 posted on 09/06/2007 11:08:25 AM PDT by pillut48 (CJ in TX --Soccer Mom, Bible Thumper and Proud to be an American! RUN, FRED, RUN!!!)
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To: pissant

Duncan Hunter had sincerety, knowledge and poise last night. He is the one fit and serious enough to take on all of our problems.

This must be why the MSM will not allow him much attention. They never ask him a full round of questions on all issues.


98 posted on 09/06/2007 11:09:25 AM PDT by dforest (Duncan Hunter is the best hope we have on both fronts.)
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To: caltrop

I don’t follow Adelman’s career. I presented information in a WaPo article HE HIMSELF authored.

He and/or the paper either made a mistake or your source is incorrect.

I didn’t pull this out of my butt like YOU are regarding your fweeeeelings about the lead up to war.


99 posted on 09/06/2007 11:10:36 AM PDT by KJC1 ("I'm the anti-war candidate"--Ron Paul 9/05/07)
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To: Xenalyte
She is innocent of logic stuck on stupid. There. Fixed it for you. ;-)
100 posted on 09/06/2007 11:10:58 AM PDT by pillut48 (CJ in TX --Soccer Mom, Bible Thumper and Proud to be an American! RUN, FRED, RUN!!!)
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