Posted on 10/11/2011 3:18:34 PM PDT by Kaslin
Greetings from the picturesque campus of the Ivy League's Dartmouth College, the site of tonight's Republican presidential tilt. The Tipsheet will have live coverage of the event, which kicks off at 8:00 pm ET and airs on Bloomberg television (time to break out the TV guide, I suspect). Before you read my take on what to watch for tonight, check out the latest poll from Gallup, which puts the three top-tier candidates within five points of eachother.
Storylines
(1) Iran: Although the debate is supposed to focus almost exclusively on economic issues, today's breaking news bombshell that the Iranian government has been caught financing and coordinating terrorist attacks against targets inside the United States should absolutely be addressed. The candidate with the most granular understanding of the issues at play on this subject is Rick Santorum. I'm eager to hear what he, and all of his rivals, have to say. (Except for Ron Paul, who doesn't think Iranian nuclear aggression is a biggie, and who will find some way to blame us for Iran's poisonous treachery). Another wrinkle: Could Eric Holder's involvement in this story provide an opening for someone to finally raise Solyndra and/or Fast & Furious in one of these debates?
(2) Chris Christie's endorsement of Mitt Romney will likely get some play. Will Rick Perry -- or someone else -- pull the Northeastern RINO card? A Perry spokesman has already come pretty close.
(3) Mormonism: Rick Perry was recently introduced at an event by a pastor who has called Mormonism a "cult." Today, Mitt Romney demanded that Perry repudiate this view, arguing that the Consitution forbids a religious test for the presidency, and that anti-Mormon bigotry is ugly and has no place in American politics. A Perry spokesman has already declined to acede Romney's request, calling the issue a "distraction." I'll be stunned if this kerfuffle doesn't spill over into the debate, and Rick Perry had better be prepared with a damn good answer.
(4) Occupy Wall Street questions are almost inevitable. The base cannot stand the mob of hippies, communists, anti-capitalists, and sundry lefty hangers-on who comprise the bulk of the "movement." Organized labor and the Democrat Party establishment are getting on board, too. He (or she) with the best Occupy Wall Street-related zinger might win one of the biggest headlines tomorrow.
Candidates
Mitt Romney - The former Massachusetts Governor is in his own backyard, leading in the polls, and feeiling buoyed by the Christie "get." Deep down, he knows that Rush is right: Absent a tactonic shift in the race, Mitt will be the Republican nominee. His goal is to keep things moving on the current trajectory. It will be interesting to see if anyone besides Rick Perry will try to jolt Romney out of cruise control.
Herman Cain - With first-tier status comes first-tier scrutiny (and first-tier stage positioning). Expect more exploration of Cain's 9-9-9 tax plan, which I called for in an earlier post. It's been fascinating to watch the Romney-Cain partnership develop over the last few debates. Neither one has anything bad to say about the other, with Rick Perry hardest hit. At some point, if Cain is going to win this thing, he's going to have to attack his ally. Will that first salvo come tonight?
Rick Perry - The guy is still raking in major bucks and has never lost a campaign in his life. Reports of Perry's demise are -- for now -- premature, but the comeback train has to leave the station soon. Perry's campaign unleashed a brutal attack ad against Romneycare this week. Almost on cue (arguably, directly on cue), the White House has leaked the story that several top Romney healthcare advisors were actively involved in crafting Obamacare. If ever there were a time to really tee off on the frontrunner, tonight would be the night. Perry's probably got the most to gain, and he seems to enjoy mixing it up, so he'll likely lead the charge. But will be be able to pull it off succinctly and convincingly, unlike his slow-motion trainwreck in Orlando? The good news: Perry's son says his dad will be "well-rested" this time.
Newt Gingrich - I briefly heard Newt compare Occupy Wall Street to the Tea Party movement on a local radio show this morning. I wonder what he means by that, and whether he's read Ann Coulter's column on the subject.
Rick Santorum - The former Senator's expertise and greatest appeal to primary voters lie in the realms of foreign affairs and social issues. Does this mean he'll he flounder in an economic debate? Not at all, but he may feel less relevant.
Jon Huntsman - He needs a strong showing in New Hampshire to justify the continuation of his campaign, so Romney's the guy to beat. But some anti-Mormon rhetoric has seeped into this race over the last few days, and Huntsman might join forces with Romney to beat it back.
Michele Bachmann - One of her previous high water marks came here in the Granite State, when she made a stellar debate debut in June. She'll try to recapture the magic tonight.
Ron Paul - The retiring Texas Representative says many of his "extreme" views of three years ago have been vindicated by intervening events, and have now gained broader credibility and acceptance. He'll have another chance to explain why tonight.
Tonight's debate is being co-sponsored by Bloomberg, the Washington Post, and a local television station. Between Romneycare, Mormonism, and the "Occupy" mob, there could be major fireworks on tap. Tune in, and follow our live chat here at Townhall.
What disgusting creatures. How many outbursts from hippies during the debate?
OMG just saw a NARAL sign "Stop the War on Women"? Wait I thought we were at war in Iraq and Afghanistan when did the Congress pass a war resolution? I must have missed that somehow.
I guarantee atleast ten different hippies will interrupt the debate.
I haven't seen the Code Stinkos, I'm sure they're looking for attention. Maybe Al Sharpton can bring a mega phone, and Keith Olbermann can urinate on a cop car.
http://washingtonpostlive.com/conferences/2012-republican-presidential-debate
Other viewing options include Bloomberg.com and WBIN-TV in New Hampshire.
I do, too. All you can have is a tiny picture and be able to FReep, too....or anything else.
Yup.
Seeing the Obama signs, I can guarantee these bums are being paid from Barry's election fund. This is Marxism 101, and Axelrod is behind it you can take that to the bank.
A Essay on Mitt Romney Its damning. Bookmark.
Excellent
LOL...me too !
I don’t get bloomberg tv....I guess I’ll have to learn what happened second hand. “.
Try viewing on internet. Bloomberg maybe. Somewhere I bet. Otherwise I am chewing my nails off for Rickster to blow up the whole dang panel of dwarfs on stage, and off. :) Can you imagine what more the WaPo will try to do to Rick, but to make Romney shine? Sweat, here, and prayer. Cain will predictably love fest with Romney, the socialist and all will applaud. Ick.
Bloomberg - 222 on Uverse, at least here in ATL.
The protesters should be beaten with night sticks but I bet you that they’ll probably score weed as a reward for getting arrested.
189 on Cox Cable in Phoenix
Thank you.
I have it on now.
I feel bad for the commentators. I cannot imagine what diseases they are currently being exposed to by the vermin behind them.
Bloomberg has a 40-staff fact checking crew watching tonight.
[They should turn that crew loose on any of Obama’s speeches, but they won’t.]
Thanks for the link! Streaming now. :)
LOL!!! You are so right!!! They’d never have fact checkers for Obama, there aren’t enough fact checkers in the world to counter his lies.
bloomberg.com has it live
Blah, Mr. B just informed me I’m allowed to watch the debate but I can’t holler at the tv because it can’t hear me. He’s no fun.
All I’m getting is a shampoo commercial.
Shame that it will only be about the economy, considering the uncovered assassination plot by Iran.
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