Posted on 10/11/2007 9:28:30 AM PDT by pissant
Tuesday night’s debate between the Republican candidates for the GOP presidential nomination showed once again why the majority of conservatives can’t get excited over any of the current hopefuls.
Widely touted by the media as show-and-tell time for Fred Thompson – as the appearance that would make or break his candidacy – all that emerged from his corner was an acceptable performance, neither hot nor cold.
He showed that he has a good grasp of the economic facts, but there was none of that fire that Republicans crave to see in their standard bearer. He didn’t damage himself, but he didn’t set himself above his rivals either.
On the subject of the debate -- the economy -- Duncan Hunter showed the best grasp of the facts, especially the trade issue, while Thompson basically spoke in platitudes on the subject.
Over all, the debate showed there is not one candidate the voters can look at and say, “This is the guy we want to run the country.”
The only real misstep was Mitt Romney’s statement about going first to his attorneys if he had to go to war against Iran. He could learn a lesson from my father. He didn’t go to his attorneys when he had to attack Grenada and Libya. He went to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He knew you can’t sue your way to victory.
Mitt is a great and accomplished statesman, but his problem is that he looks too darn good. People suspect that there has to be something wrong with anybody who looks and acts that perfectly. Unfortunately, he comes across as a smooth salesman trying to sell you something you don’t need.
He should mess up his hair and look a little bit disheveled or he’ll remind people of the Democrat’s carefully coiffed pretty boy, John Edwards.
As Ann Coulter wrote in her new book, the best-qualified of all the candidates is Rep. Duncan Hunter. During the debate he was the candidate who provided the best information about the economy and had a first-rate suggestion of what we need to do.
He keyed in on what must be one of the most important economic issues – trade.
He talked about our shocking $800 billion trade deficit, and what the Chinese are doing to us. Duncan understands that when anybody cites Ronald Reagan as a free-trade advocate in defense of our present trade policies, they need to remember that in my dad's playbook, protection of the American people came before anything else.
Take the case of Harley-Davidson. My father protected this American manufacturer of motorcycles against lower-priced Japanese imports. When he acted in behalf of an American company, Kawasaki and Honda reacted by moving their plants to the U.S. and created American jobs for American workers.
His policy was so successful that although he gave five years of protective tariffs to Harley-Davison, they didn’t even need that long a time before they could turn their company around. Given a level playing field they proved their superiority as an American manufacturer.
Ronald Reagan did the same thing with semiconductors, and the auto and steel industries. He also forced the Japanese and others to open up their markets to American products so that trade would be fair. When that didn’t happen he would impose tariffs on those products coming into the U.S., thus protecting American manufacturers.
Sure, he was a free trader who wanted too open up trade, but he always sought first to protect the sovereignty of the United States and its manufacturing base. He did not confuse free trade with giving the store away.
The effects of our current trade policies and the horrendous trade deficit they have produced are a gun pointed at the heart of our economy, and the Republican who can stand up and tell the truth about this problem and its solutions will be the one who emerges from the pack.
Sure, he (Ronald Reagan) was a free trader who wanted too open up trade, but he always sought first to protect the sovereignty of the United States and its manufacturing base. He did not confuse free trade with giving the store away.
DH/Michael Reagan PING
“Where’s the Fire?”
I don’t know, but Billy Joel didn’t start it.
Hunter is the man, but on this planet at this time he is unelectable. I don’t care about Fred’s fire, I prefer my President to serve at behest of the people not because he/she wants it more than life itself.
I will vote for Thompson and hold my noise for Mitt, but Rudy is a no vote.
ping!
One of the WORST Billy Joel songs ever. LOL
Conservatives have apparently lost their will to support a candidate that best represents conservative values. If that were not so, they would be supporting Duncan Hunter by the droves rather than whining about him having no chances of winning. I will continue to support the best qualified conservative candidate, Rep. Hunter, until he tells me to stop. I’d advise all others who consider themselves conservative to do likewise. Quitters never win.
The globalists don’t want a Duncan Hunter in office. There will be a day not long from now, when they will wish they’d listened and not been so greedy for the fast $.
Interesting excerpt here from a book:
The People’s Republic in Latin America
David Howard
On a number of occasions I have written about China and its presence in Latin America. In the past couple of years, China has increased its influence in Latin America both economically and politically.
China’s continued involvement will soon supplant the United States and forever bury the “Monroe Doctrine.”
The People’s Republic of China is building military ties in the Latin America - especially with Venezuela ‘s Hugo Chavez and Bolivia ’s Evo Morales. In fact, Chile is going to host the first ever China-Latin America Business Summit in November furthering ties between the Chinese Business community and those of Latin America, Central and the Caribbean.
Americans believe that China ‘s Latin American presence poses a threat to the United States , according to a recent poll by Zogby Interactive.
Newsmax.com broke down the following information regarding China ‘s influence in Latin America :
Argentina
China buys 23 percent of its soy from Argentina . During a visit to Argentina in November 2004, Chinese President Hu Jintao pledged about $5 billion in Chinese investments in the Argentine oil industry over five years.
Argentina has also cooperated with China on space projects, such as a satellite laser ranging project at Argentina ’s San Juan University , and has discussed collaboration in designing a new-generation nuclear reactor.
Bolivia
Bolivia’s air force has acquired two Chinese-made MA60 aircraft after getting a $35 million credit from Chinese authorities. The planes are scheduled to be delivered in October.
Chinese companies will participate in the exploration of El Mutun , Bolivia ‘s largest iron ore deposit, Bolivian officials announced in August. Chinese companies may also invest in oil and gas in Bolivia.
In 2004, the Chinese companies Lutianhua Group - China ‘s largest producer of urea for fertilizers and plastics - and China Chengda Chemical Engineering Corporation agreed to build an urea project in Bolivia with local partner, Iisa-Tum Par Group.
Brazil
U.S. officials are concerned about Chinese-Brazilian cooperation in satellite technology since it could lead to military applications associated with high-resolution satellite imagery.
Chinese-Brazilian trade is growing strongly. Brazil now accounts for 45 percent of China ‘s soybean imports. Brazil-based CVRD (the world’s largest iron ore producer) plans to build a steel plant in Brazil with Chinese steelmaker Baosteel.
Meanwhile, China-based Sinopec has signed several cooperation agreements with Brazil’s state-owned oil company Petrobras for joint oil exploration, production, refining, product sales, petrochemicals, pipelines, and technical assistance. They have also signed a memorandum of understanding regarding a $1.3 billion gas pipeline linking the southeast to the northeast of Brazil . And two other Chinese oil companies are in talks with Petrobras for similar joint operations.
In late 2004, Brazil gave China “market economy” status and opened up its economy to Chinese imports.
Chile
China and Chile signed a free trade agreement two years ago and have boosted ties dramatically since then. There are now more than 5,000 Chilean businessmen in China . Codelco , Chile ‘s state-owned copper company is increasing exports to China . Chile aims to become the key entry point for Chinese goods to Latin America .
Colombia
Sinopec (and Indian company ONGC Videsh) last year paid $800 million to acquire a 50 percent share of oil company Ominex de Colombia.
Costa Rica
China and Costa Rica are planning to negotiate a free-trade agreement following the formal establishment of diplomatic ties in June; five days after the Central American nation broke its long-standing ties with Taiwan . “Promises of closer trade and economic ties essentially lured Costa Rica into the diplomatic switch,” U.S.-based consulting firm Global Insight said.
Trade between China and Costa Rica reached $2.1 billion in 2006, an increase of 87 percent from 2005. Trade has grown another 65 percent during the first half of this year. On August 22, Taiwan ‘s President Chen Shui-bian accused China of buying Costa Rica ‘s diplomatic relations with an offer to give up to $500 million.
Cuba
China played a key role in upgrading Cuba ‘s air defense system and has a presence at Cuban military facilities at Bejucal and Santiago , which can potentially be used to collect intelligence data on the United States .
Ecuador
Hong Kong-based Hutchison Port Holdings, which has close ties with the People’s Liberation Army, plans to open a new terminal at the Pacific port city of Manta this year. Manta is home to a U.S. Air Force base through 2008, when its lease runs out. Hutchison received a 30-year concession for the terminal last year and plans to invest $523 million to build it. The Chinese presence could be used in the future by the Chinese state for intelligence collection or other activities, experts warn.
In March, Chinese officials included Ecuador on a list of nine countries that its oil companies should target for investments. A Chinese partnership invested $1.4 billion in 2005 to acquire the Ecuador assets of Encana and Chinese companies are currently operating oilfields previously owned by Occidental Petroleum, which was forced to leave in May 2006.
El Salvador
Grupo Poma, a Salvadoran conglomerate, expects to sell 100,000 Chinese-made Cherry cars in Central America this year and another 300,000 next year, company officials said in August.
México
China has become the second-largest exporter to Mexico after the U.S. But in Mexico , China is seen more as a rival than a partner. Credit Suisse estimates Mexico lost a total of $15.7 billion in exports to the United States between 2002 and 2006 thanks to Chinese competition. Despite the tension, Mexico currently supports China ‘s bid to formally join the Inter-American Development Bank.
Panama
Hutchinson-Whampoa has a 50-year lease on management of the ports on each side of the strategic Panama Canal . The port operations allow it to monitor military and commercial traffic transiting the canal, and potentially to deny transit through this strategic chokepoint, experts say.
Another Chinese company, Cosco Pacific, is among the bidders for the development of a rival port on the Pacific side of Panama . China may also participate in the $5.2 billion expansion of the canal.
Paraguay
Paraguay, the only country in South America still allied with Taiwan , has been looking for a free-trade agreement with China since 2005. An increasing share of Paraguay ‘s soybeans are ending up in China via Argentina , Brazil or Uruguay .
Peru
The Chinese National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) owns 45 percent of Pluspetrol Norte, the largest foreign oil operator in the country. CNPC subsidiary Sapet is also exploring for oil in an area near Peru ‘s Camisea gas fields.
Venezuela
Venezuela is China ‘s closest political ally in South America and has the most extensive military cooperation with the Chinese in Latin America outside of Cuba. It has bought three JYL-1 mobile air defense radars and is looking at also buying fighter jets from China.
Chavez has visited China four times, most recently in August 2006, when the two countries signed $11 billion in energy and transportation accords.
As U.S. oil giants ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips were leaving their oil production in Venezuela ‘s Orinoco belt this summer, CNPC was one of several foreign oil companies that reached an agreement with the Chavez government to continue their operations there. Sinopec plans to explore in the Orinoco area as well.
China and Venezuela also have a joint venture that plans to manufacture wireless phones in Venezuela .
In March, China and Venezuela signed various agreements that translate into investments worth more than $6 billion in Venezuela , of which the Chinese will provide $4 billion. The agreements included creating several joint venture companies that would explore for oil in Venezuela , produce oil in the Orinoco belt, provide maintenance for oil wells, transport oil and build ships.
China will also participate in the construction of three refineries in Venezuela for oil found in the Carabobo bloc, while Venezuela guarantees uninterrupted deliveries of oil to China . Those agreements come on top of a strategic energy plan that commits Venezuela to increase oil exports to China through 2011.
USA! Is anyone watching?
More of Howards books: http://books.google.com/books?q=The+Peoples+Republic+in+Latin+America++David+Howard&ots=Xxik1gZElb&sa=X&oi=print&ct=title&cad=legacy
ann coulter admitted this AM that though she loves Duncan Hunter he has not caught on and would not likely be the nominee. Fred is my candidate, i don’t need fire and brimstone, youthful appearance or hollywood hair, etc. Just a solid electable conservative, and that is Fred Thompson.
Not the same scenario. Reagan was protecting American corporations from foreign imports made by foreign manufacturers. Todays president would need to protect American workers from American manufacturers off-shoring American jobs. Biting the hand that feeds the party coffers is a big difference.
Truly amazing how the Republican party has done a U-Turn in 20 yrs. and returned to its roots like Reagan never happened. It’s been a big swooping U-ey, not a wrenching turn on a dime, but nevertheless, the same bunch who used to control it pre-Reagan are once again in charge and will no doubt be very pleased with losing across the board in ‘08 and returning to permanent minority status where they’re most comfortable, a la Bob Michel. I think they have not foreseen what actually lies ahead: not minority status, but disappearance as a party as they become a small cog with no power in the larger one (Democrat) party.
Or he will? He ALREADY does!
Either the Breck girl or his fellow Massachusettan, the gigolo, John Kerry.
Actually, it appears Mike Reagan is warming up to Fred.
I know that sounds odd, but he was more harsh towards him a few months ago than now.
History tells us that the "most qualified" or the "one with the best grasp of the facts" doesn't necessarily make the best leader. Take GWH Bush for instance. On paper, he had the best resume you could want. The problem is he wasn't a leader. Of course he wasn't a conservative but that's another discussion.
The fact is that 95% of the American public have never heard of Duncan Hunter. Of the 5% that have, propably 95% of them have no idea what he looks like. An even smaller number actually know what he stands for.
This begs the question "Why has nobody heard of this guy?". He's been in Congress forever but what has he done? What has he done to show that he can be the leader of the free world? The bottom line is that he may be a good bureaucrat but he does not inspire people. If he did, he would have more money and would be higher in the polls. Is he a good guy? Probably. Is he a good candidate? No!
I'd also vote for Fred. I'd vote for Romney, too.
And, yes, I AM one of those Republicans who will not vote for Giuliani or McCain.
Care to guess how long before there are Chinese ground forces in South America?
I’m the reverse. I will vote joyfully for Duncan Hunter, sigh and pull the lever for Thompson, hold my nose and vote for Guilianni, and will not vote for Romney.
I read a post here on FR that a Chinese “company” that is actually Chinese military has the rights to operate the ports of the Panama Canal right now.
My sentiments too. If we could just get all other conservatives to admit that he is in fact the best qualified true conservative candidate in the field and adhere to this committment, Duncan Hunter support would explode in the face of the MSM who's trying so hard to suppress him from the public.
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