Posted on 10/10/2007 9:30:04 PM PDT by americanophile
Rudy Giuliani:The Michigan debate may have been Giuliani’s best. The affable mayor seemed relaxed, optimistic, and in command of the issues. His attacks, waged largely against Hillary Clinton, did much to elevate him above the other candidates and helped to feed the notion that Giuliani is both the inevitable nominee and the best match-up against Hillary Clinton in a general election. Giuliani was able to avoid many of the social issues that have plagued him in earlier debates due to largely policy-focused questions, and his retorts were generally articulate and on-point. When coupled with some humorous if slightly contrived lines, Giuliani’s performance was exactly what he needed to help build on his frontrunner status.
Mitt Romney: Romney continues to shine in the debate forum. His command of the issues is solid, his style is confident, and there is little doubt that he is competent. Unfortunately Romney’s handlers have gotten to him; forcing the normally cheerful and easy Romney to take on Giuliani over a trumped-up difference in policy. Moreover, Romney’s endorsement of the unconstitutional federal line-item-veto does nothing to bolster his constitutional credentials or his already suspect conservative credentials as a strict constructionist. Romney is at his best when he leverages his business acumen against the failed big-government policies of those on the stage as well as likely Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. Romney should take a page from Ross Perot and treat his campaign as a hostile takeover of a badly managed government, while using his easy, clear, style to build confidence and optimism. Romney should campaign on his strengths rather than on Giuliani’s unapparent weaknesses, and should avoid the kind of forced lines that bolster his critics claims of phoniness.
Fred Thompson: Given the high hopes and hype, Thompson was almost sure to disappoint, but the veteran actor proved even less of a star than expected. From a stumbling start that was far to reminiscent of George W. Bush’s grating inarticulateness, to platitudinous answers to policy questions in which his eyes frequently diverted to his notes, Thompson did little to rebut his solidifying reputation as a candidate running on image rather than on ideas. Moreover, on the debate stage, compared to optimists like Romney, Huckabee, and even Giuliani, Thompson seemed dower and distant. Thompson’s forte is clearly not a staged debate, but rather the folksy one-on-one encounters with everyday citizens. Thompson has yet to prove that he has the “fire in the belly” to be president, or the command of the issues to defeat the intelligent, if overtly leftist, Hillary Clinton.
John McCain: McCain’s Michigan performance may have been his worst. The once aggressive McCain seemed tired, downtrodden, and at times gave rambling answers to questions that he is known to have a better command of. Though McCain’s strong position on the war continues to lend credence to his campaign, and there is no question that McCain would be a strong commander-in-chief, the candidate himself seems to have been deeply affected by the precipitous (illegal immigration-driven) decline of his campaign. Moreover, McCain seemed plagued by technical difficulties that left him unable to hear the questions, resulting in a series of awkward pauses that undoubtedly if subconsciously highlighted his age.
Mike Huckabee: Huckabee continues to surprise and excel in the debate forum. His clearly articulated, folksy and cheerful demeanor makes him among the most engaging on the stage and continues to generate interest in his candidacy. Though some may deride Huckabee’s slightly “hickish” last name (certainly no worse than Millard Fillmore), there can be no doubting that Huckabee continues to gain popularity, and his common sense approach to governance seems refreshing and relatively genuine. Unfortunately, Huckabee continues not to receive the type of serious policy questions from moderators that he increasingly deserves.
As for the other candidates, who have yet to emerge from solid second-tierdom, the results were mixed. Duncan Hunter’s tough, assured style continues to resonate confidence and decisiveness. Unfortunately his unrelenting focus on the issues of Chinese trade policy and a strong military begin to paint a portrait of the Congressman as an overly one-dimensional candidate. Indeed, it appears as if Hunter is campaigning full time for secretary of defense, rather than president of the United States. Sam Brownback continues to sound rational and clear, and gives the impression of a competent and dutiful public servant… perhaps suitable as a future head of the Department of the Interior. Ron Paul’s slightly hysterical personal style continues to erode any gains that his principled constitutional positions might otherwise engender, and Tom Tancredo, though right on illegal immigration, simply is out of his league as a presidential contender. Border Czar Tancredo has a nice ring to it however.
If Thompson and McCain were the debate’s big losers, Romney and Giuliani came out far ahead of the pack… and due to his poise, clarity, and skill the winner was Giuliani by a nose.
Gopubicus has his head up his ass.
hahaha, I like Duncan too.
According to Intrade, Huckabee won and Romney lost.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1908787/replies?c=8
To: CounterCounterCulture
Snapshot at Intrade
2008 Republican Presidential Nominee
2008.GOP.NOM.GIULIANI
Rudy Giuliani to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 38.9 39.2 38.8 116921 +0.2
2008.GOP.NOM.ROMNEY
Mitt Romney to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 23.8 24.0 23.8 97384 -1.9
2008.GOP.NOM.THOMPSON(F)
Fred Thompson to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 22.0 22.1 22.1 86218 +0.2
2008.GOP.NOM.PAUL
Ron Paul to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 5.7 5.8 5.5 64923 -1.4
2008.GOP.NOM.MCCAIN
John McCain to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 5.2 5.3 5.2 145572 -0.0
2008.GOP.NOM.HUCKABEE
Mike Huckabee to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 2.8 3.3 2.7 49872 +0.1
2008.GOP.NOM.RICE
2008.GOP.NOM.HUNTER
Duncan Hunter to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M - 0.1 0.1 27578 0
2008.GOP.NOM.BROWNBACK
Sam Brownback to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M - 0.1 0.1 32441 0
2008.GOP.NOM.TANCREDO
Tom Tancredo to be the Rep Presidential Nominee in 2008 M - 0.1 0.1 31505 0
8 posted on 10/09/2007 12:03:58 PM PDT by Kevmo (We should withdraw from Iraq — via Tehran. And Duncan Hunter is just the man to get that job done.)
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To: All
Post debate snapshot at Intrade: huckabee won, Romney lost.
2008 Republican Presidential Nominee
2008.GOP.NOM.GIULIANI
Rudy Giuliani to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 38.9 39.2 38.9 116951 +0.3
2008.GOP.NOM.ROMNEY
Mitt Romney to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 23.6 24.0 23.6 97414 -2.1
2008.GOP.NOM.THOMPSON(F)
Fred Thompson to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 21.7 22.1 21.7 86268 -0.2
2008.GOP.NOM.PAUL
Ron Paul to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 5.7 5.8 5.7 64978 -1.2
2008.GOP.NOM.MCCAIN
John McCain to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 5.2 5.3 5.3 145604 +0.1
2008.GOP.NOM.HUCKABEE
Mike Huckabee to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M 2.8 3.4 3.3 49903 +0.7
2008.GOP.NOM.HUNTER
Duncan Hunter to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M - 0.1 0.1 27578 0
2008.GOP.NOM.BROWNBACK
Sam Brownback to be the Republican Presidential Nominee in 2008 M - 0.1 0.1 32441 0
2008.GOP.NOM.TANCREDO
Tom Tancredo to be the Rep Presidential Nominee in 2008 M - 0.1 0.1 31505 0
1,401 posted on 10/09/2007 3:08:34 PM PDT by Kevmo (We should withdraw from Iraq — via Tehran. And Duncan Hunter is just the man to get that job done.)
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13 posted on 10/10/2007 2:20:58 PM PDT by Kevmo (We should withdraw from Iraq — via Tehran. And Duncan Hunter is just the man to get that job done.)
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I’m not sure how to interpret this, so I’ll take your word for it, haha.
What debate was this guy watching? Not the one I saw, that's for sure.
Maybe Thompson wasn't the best coiffed or suited, but he had the best grip on the issues and the most solid delivery of specific, substantive fact, policy, and ideas of ANY of the men there.
And I don't believe he had any notes.
GOPublicus must have had his head somewhere from which it was hard for him to see or hear.
Well, since I’m a Duncan Hunter supporter, it means that he won hands down! Hah hah. Now that we have your support, please send a donation to...
I thought Thompson had a fine suit, haha.
Well, at least it’s clear how you feel, hahaha.
Yup... Hillary light
What a Barf Alert of an article.
I desperately want Fred to win.. Otherwise, I dunno wtf will happen.
I’ll still fight to the end against the democrat, no matter the GOP choice.
How the hell can one not?
Who or what the heck is GOPPUBLIUS.COM?
Sorry for pinging you. It never crossed my mind that someone would have a screen name of “Anybody”. Next time I’ll just make it to “All” instead...
Conservatives split the vote and we'll have a Clinton in the White House. Cool! It'll be 1992 all over again! I wonder if grunge will come back in style? I hope so! I really miss Soundgarden.
Indeed. Lets give it to the libs if we can’t get everything we want!
We did it in 92, lets do it again and never complain!
Opinions^^^^^^^. That’s how I would describe it. My opinion does have some bias toward Fred. But there’s no winners in surface-driven forums. Depth is required, and real facts.
Rudy was Rudy. A man with only the economy and the war on terror as his platform. On the WOT, I could trust him to a point...about everything else, I look at him with suspicion. Upon factcheck, you’ll find exaggerations and manipulations of the facts...among many of his remarks.
Romney is an actor. As a governor, I’m sure he’s capable of getting certain things done. I don’t trust him on MANY things. He’s a bit weird to me..reminds me of my gay uncle...overly tanned, fake smiles too much, and no one believes him. I think the ‘debate’ between him and Rudy was too liberal-like for my taste...a lot of fluff, but very little fact.
Fred is a good guy. I watched the whole thing, and thought the negative remarks were overemphasized by the media. It’s his style...he’s not meant for a 30 second forum. His answers were much more accurate than Romney or Rudy, and he was honest in his perception of the future. I don’t need sunshine...I want truth. Save that for those whom don’t think we’ll see some bad stuff come up.
McCain could be a good candidate if his temper and background wasn’t so shaky. Although his answers really didn’t go so well, imo. This wasn’t his expertise and honestly most politicians know nothing about the economy. They make comments that are often highly ignorant or idealistic.
Huckbee. I like a level of populism, because I think it’s truthful to say some people in this country have different upbrings from various backgrounds. I’m not sure of Huckbees past on certain issues, but given he’s able to effectively meet a middle ground on his thoughts and the Republican free-market perspective, I think he’ll have some VP potential. I say that lightly.
Hunter seemed to want to go after Fred. That’s fine. I do agree with some of his opinions on the nature of our economic trade, but I think his solutions via his website...aren’t necessarily in line with my thoughts or many economists thoughts ie I think he sees a smaller picture of the overall problem. I really wish this guy didn’t spend so much time as a house representive...he should have run for governor somewhere. That’s the only conceivable way I could see him winning this primary.
The rest aren’t too much worth noting.
If we nominate Rudy, we’ll have much more to worry about than Hillary. Change the party that much, is a bad sign for conservatives. It means the Republican party is abandoning critical principles, and when neither party is a part of that...then the future looks bleak...long after Hillary.
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