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.
“Great thinking... I was ecstatic about Perry before he entered, and now feel very similar to you. I experienced the fall of Perry and the rise of Cain, got aboard the Cain Train, and saw it fall tonight with monotonous repetition of a plan that will never come to fruition.
Frankly, I’d love to see Newt, and if the primaries were held tomorrow, I’d likely pull the trigger for him based on today’s performance. But I’m not going to fight for any of the candidates as they stand now until I see more. I just know I’m going to fight against Romney.
But unlike some posters here, should he get the nomination, you bet your ass I’ll be pulling the trigger for him come November. I’d do that for any of the candidates on stage today. “
100% agreed.
I really wish this whole thing was instead between:
1. Duncan Hunter
2. Tom Tancredo
3. Tom McClintock
4. Ron Paul
I like Ron Paul...however, he seems to forget that Libertarianism stops at the border...even the very Libertarian founders understood that. If you are going to have any self-respect AND call yourself a nation-state - even in the minimal sense...borders, language and culture are important. Even Ron Paul will do something of a dance should illegal immigration and H1-B / L-1 abuse be allowed to appear in the forefront of the debates.
=8-)
That's what it would end up being anyway, the corporations will just pass their 9% onto the consumer.
Ive made a lot of money off that **shole
Rick Perry looked like he rolled off the Fred Thompson campaign bus.
Yeah buy used food and used cloth :) There is no way his stupid 999 tax would generate enough revenues to run the basic government functions and entitlements unless his national sales tax is on everything we buy including the basics such as food and cloth. Also it is a political killer since in the current tax system 50% of the population do not end up paying any taxes after they file for all the deductions about Cain tax plan has no deductions but a mandatory 9% tax on their income tax. The irony is that many of those who are supporting him do not pay any tax after they file for all the deductions but they are cheering an mandatory tax increase of 9% on their income and another 9% sales tax on anything else they purchase.
Jeez this thing is a roller-coaster:
at first I liked Bachman, then she couldn’t stop talking about her 23 kids and she is just a bit bizarre. Then she had that deer in the headlights moment - that seared my brain.
So then I jumped on the Perry bandwagon - he seemed like the “real conservative.” But he turned into Boomhower and he sounds like Bush2 on Klonopin.
So then I jumped on Godfather’s Pizza, but he couldn’t get Alan Greenspan’s name out of his mouth fast enough....probably cuz that’s the only fed chairman’s name he could remember. He did okay tonight, but may be set back by this performance.
So now I’m to Newt - if we could just destroy his history like Obama’s handlers did for Obama....no trace of anything...he is the ideal candidate.
At this point, I don’t know who is going to emerge but I wish Huntsman and RonPaulTard would go home. They are just wasting bandwidth.
At the end of the day, I’ll support whoever emerges.....even Mittens who I have very little regard for. The future of the country is just too damned important.
Anyone stay tuned in to watch these snide Bloomberg “reporters” and their take? What a bunch of losers. Trying to shoot holes in the candidates’ figures, saying they “provided no proof”, yet at the same time providing ZERO backup on where the Bloomberg numbers came from.
And then there’s “Andy Hunt” or some such peon. He was asked about the clapping for Ron Paul (and I am not a backer, but still) and made some smarmy comment about how “they cheer for the JV soccer team, too” and that “it didn’t matter”.
I find all of the Bloomberg team repugnant.
Aggies are good people and usually pretty smart. Perry just doesn't seem too with it. Didn't make me turn around from my computer like Cain's voice or Newt's logic. But I feel we will be getting Romney.
That could be a strong ticket. If Gingrich is VP he could handle special projects.
Romney.. um.. good grief they gave him a lot of time to talk, and can he TALK! lol just like a good used car salesman, you can't get him to shut up.
Perry - Actually did pretty good and this is the first time I didn't see him fade near the end. Maybe being able to sit helped since he's had back surgery recently, it probably also helped that every single question wasn't an attack on him and his record.
Cain - hm.. well.. Cain got the spot light he's been wanting... and... he fell short in my opinion. Nothing catastrophic, but 999 is not the solution to every problem. He took some major hits from Santorum and Bachmann just as Perry had in previous debates, and he is starting to look a little like a one trick pony.
Santorum - actually did pretty darn good tonight, this is the first time I actually liked him and I especially liked it when he talked about the American family.
Paul - same lovable nut as always.
Gingrich - WOW freaking W O W ! what in the world! seriously, that guy is smarter than all the rest of them put together! And unlike the rest of them, I think he could actually fix things. Even with all his baggage I think Gingrich would be the one I would want to be debating Obama. Having said that, I think Gingrich has about a 1% chance of winning, which is sad. Our country is worse off because people like Gingrich are not currently serving it in some capacity.
Bachman - had a decent night too, the first one in a LONG time (with a little help from Romney) and her little dig at 999 - 666 drew some blood.
50% of Americans are morons with the attention span of a Gnat. They will focus long enough to see one of next years Presidental debates. If Perry can't hold his own in a debate,then he is history with these Dip$hits. Indications are that he is very weak in this area. Newt would take Bambi to the Woodshed, but the baggage is insurmountable. Romney really is the one to give the Marxist in Chief the best run for the money (Yep, I will hold my nose, but anyone whom stays home if it is Romney really doesn't love this Country IMO)
Sarah, what the hell are you doing in Korea, Girl?? We needed you HERE tonight!!!!!
The sad thing is, I do believe he’d make a great president. He’s just not a good campaigner.
I agree. He spoke before the debate like he was going to be at Romney's throat. But he ended up agreeing with him instead of attacking him.
Confirmed my suspicions that he really is angling for Romney's VP slot.
Saaaaave a pretzel for the gas jets!Isn't much different than this answer.
Bachmann AGAIN attacked Perry, who is not even the frontrunner anymore, and continues to leave Romney untouched on his RomneyCare ties to ObamaCare. .
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44854320/ns/politics-decision_2012/#.TpT3HrJNLIa
White House Used Mitt Romney Health-Care Law as Blueprint for Federal law
It is painfully obvious now that she is after a position in a Romney administration and it is utterly sickening.
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