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.
The lowlights will probably be all over the cables tomorrow, tho finding a comment by anyone but Romney may be difficult.
Nice of you to try to defend your fellow PerryBot but you've failed.
btw..I couldn't help but notice that your racist friend has failed to respond to my request that she substantiate her charge. I'm sure you noticed also thus your failed attempt. If you/she are going to prove me a liar you're going to have to do better than to attack me on Perry's pro-ILLEGAL alien record. So have at it...when have I lied?
How about IA and SC...he is ahead in both.
Tell that to the Messiah, Barrack O Bama
I dont know....I’d probably vote to eliminate Paul to get rid of his annoying supporters.
Only people in places like the City of Chicago pay more than 9% sales tax today.
No need for a Constitutional amendment, either:
13th Amendment: "The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration."
Other Constitutional provisions regarding taxes
Article I, Section 2, Clause 3:
Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers...
Article I, Section 8, Clause 1:
The Congress shall have power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises...but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States...
Article I, Section 9, Clause 4:
No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
He said I failed to teach the Republican party to govern as the majority party. They were the minority for so long that when we took control, they didn’t understand how to lead. We should’ve changed the rules on the Dems. We should’ve played hardball. We should not have been as inclusive as we were of the minority party. We should have gotten on with our business as the majority.
This just means he had one of his aids surf Free Republic during the prep for that interview. ;-)
Cheers!
He said I failed to teach the Republican party to govern as the majority party. They were the minority for so long that when we took control, they didn’t understand how to lead. We should’ve changed the rules on the Dems. We should’ve played hardball. We should not have been as inclusive as we were of the minority party. We should have gotten on with our business as the majority.
This just means he had one of his aides surf Free Republic during the prep for that interview. ;-)
Cheers!
This surprised you? Romney bailouts??
He is the worst guy we could have representing the RINO party. He plays out every "'big business first'-rich-white-elite-big bank" stereotype made up about Republicans. Jeeze, Republicans learned nothing from 2008? I didnt buy it then and wont next year.
To: Frantzie
RE “Volunteer and donate. We will hold Pres McCain’s feet to the fire.”
Like you did with Bush? And with a Democratic majority??
“Volunteer for ???? You don’t mean for McCain do you? I can’t promote him with a straight face. .....
And he’s against pork, and earmarks, and deficits, except the 700B investor/bank bailout bill he voted for that because it’s the best congress would pass and we had to do something immediately” ??
I cannot defend mCCain. can you???
#21 posted on Friday, October 17, 2008 2:42:23 PM by sickoflibs ( Obama : spread YOUR money around with ‘tax rebates’ to those not paying taxes)
This Newt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDQdraiUj0M
I did. He didn’t listen, and here we are.
Bush/Cheney should have been, too.
I know how bad it is out there. Jobs are scarce every where.
But I gotta tell you this actual factual incident. I worked for a medium sized outfit and gave my 2 weeks notice because I found a job 10 miles away instead of my 25 mile drive each way. The owner (2 levels up from my boss) calls me in his office, and explains why raises are not being given out. The business cycle was at low end. And if I got a raise, whileevery single person was frozen out, it would not go over well. So, he pulls out his personal checking book and wrote me a check for 15% of my annual wages. I decided to stay!
You are full of BS.
Perry is an illegal lovin racist Mormon hater /S
I am sick of the BS
EXACTLY! Not to mention many of the other “pros” on the circuit. I’m sick of most of them — they couldn’t answer a question if they borrowed O’s teleprompter.
Ever read the Constitution? Clinton can never be POTUS again. He had two terms.
Only people in places like the City of Chicago pay more than 9% sales tax today.
________________________________________
Tennessee
If we get a repeat of 2008 with a RINO Republican, then a third party is going to become a growing reality.
I agree with you.
As soon as Perry announced a chill went through the establishment and the MSM because he suddenly shot to the top and it was like, oh, great now we have a decent candidate.
It wasn’t days before the media attacked. Look at the ridiculous Rock story... comparable to grabbing Palin’s e-mails. To anyone with a brain the rock story would make Perry look better if that was the best they could do to show Perry a racist.
Problem—they can’t show Perry a racist because he isn’t one and has been in the public eye way too long for something not to have turned up if he was.
The original reason I turned against Cain was the weird unwarranted dislike he’s shown Perry. Did he believe The Rock showed Perry to be racist? If so, that’s ridiculous.
Did he know that it didn’t, but decide to attack Perry on it anyway? That’s cynical and kinda makes the Romney conspiracy thing get a litte legs.
Anyway, after seeing Cain tonight, he seemed confused on economics and not ready for prime time.
And for someone, can’t remember who (sorry) to think that calling him a favorite uncle type was racist, that person is a prime example of seeing people only in color and stereotypes.
Where is the fire that will get me all excited? It was there with Palin, and now a little with Cain, but come 2012 it looks like its going to be another choice of BLAAH over the Obozo. America, prosperity is not over the horizon, its going to take some time to get it back. In the mean time, welcome to the 3rd world.
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