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.
romney bookmark
Read that Townhall is trying to arrange a conservative debate and has extended invitations to the candidates. Just wish we would narrow now, but keep Newt, and get more time for Rick and the rest standing. Everything is coming down fast for Romney.
Oh get a life, you sicko drama queen. Go sniff Sara’s shoes.
Of course, you can post it!...
Which post though?
If it is which I think it is, pleas add property tax or rent, both of which are not subject to the federal sales tax because you are not buying a NEW item.
Yeah. I know he changed his mind. That will be a big deal during the election for all of them. I think Cain and Perry both supported TARP before they rejected it. But that is better than Romney who still spouts the beauty of taxpayers bailing out banksters and Corporations.
Cain is digging up Kemp’s failed “enterprise zones” - another croney capitalism “solution.” That turned out like Obama’s funding of alternative energy businesses. It will be real easy to turn on him because that program was so corrupt. You had big city mayors passing out Federal money to community organizers turned “business people” in the enterprise zone. What a disaster.
Just have to share...my 22 y.o. son is getting married in two weeks. His fiancee is the youngest of 11, and 8 of those 11, between them have 43 children! No lie! They are of Finnish descent, come from large families, and believe in having big families; so it seems.
Last I checked we have three serious candidates and I am weighing them all. Whether you like it or not. Cain is going to get vetted like everyone else. I am not an idol worshiper.
See post #487 by Conservativegreatgrandma. Turns out that's another one of those lies that was told enough that it became "truth".
I think that is wonderful. :)
#1285....For example if your paycheck is $50,000, you are paying $7650 in payroll tax! Out of that 50,000, after you pay federal tax, state tax, city tax, mortgage, car payment, savings, how much money you have left to buy stuff with? It is not a difficult arithmetic. My guess you will have less than $20,000 left to spend on which you will pay less than $1800 federal sales tax.
Thank you!!
Yes...but I sure hope as much as ever that they WAIT a few good years or more before starting to have babies. On the other hand, I’m thankful for him marrying into such a large, loving family...they all seem to watch out for each other...extended families included. He certainly has none of that on our side of the family. Lots of love? yes...but in terms of numbers and connections, very few.
Come on, troll. Let’s see that baggage you say Cain has.
Actually to me, the 999 plan sounds like someone has gone berzerk trying to figure out Federal Income Taxes, Federal Alternate Minimum Tax, Federal Fuel Tax, Federal Excise Taxes, Federal Payroll (Social Security and Medicare) Taxes, State Income Taxes, State Sales/Use Tax, State Excise Taxes, State Unemployment, Local Income Taxes, Local Sales/Use Tax, Local Property Taxes, etc., etc., etc. and wants something straightforward.
Even if Herman Cain is elected, there's no way it's going to be passed by Congress as is. At the very least, there will be a standard deduction exempting the first $20,000 or so of income from Federal Income Taxes.
Since the income tax and the business tax would not apply, I assume you somehow want a Sales Tax exemption when you spend your savings ? How would you do that ? Obviously, you can’t determine on every purchase whether it was made from money saved under the previous income tax. Possibly a one-time credit against the 9% income tax equal to 9% of the value of your savings at the time of changeover ?
Of course, you’d also want the 10% early withdrawal penalty applied to any IRA or 401k savings for people under 59 1/2, and the old income tax rates applied to that money when it is withdrawn, right ? Because that money was not “already-taxed” as you put it, but was merely “tax-deferred”.
I’d rather call it a wash. Forgive the penalties and old tax rates for the tax-deferred savings and accept that new purchases would be taxed at 9%. Although I think the Sales Tax portion should be extended to services as well as goods, so the rate could be only 4% and collect the same $400B revenue. Of course, “949” doesn’t sound as “catchy” as “999”.
Won’t matter, some people prefer perpetuating the lie.
Put on your big boy panties and learn to read and use google, drama queen.
How ironic that you ridicule Cain's southern accent when your own southern candidate Rick Perry has a fatal campaign flaw with delivery of incoherent responses to questions.
Your plan has serious flaws and you ducked them.
Let's discuss Perry's economic plan. Oops! Perry managed to inform us that he doesn't have an economic plan during the debate that focused solely on the economy.
All this is academic—Cain leads in South Carolina and unless he loses that lead he will be the nominee— since Reagan,IA,NH,NV all the rest haven’t been as accurate a predictor of the GOP pick than the SC primary.
And this Carolina boy is still going for Cain.
Also, CAIN hit several right out of the park with loud audience applause I noticed. He stopped somebody dead in their tracks (showing his not a p****), when he caught them misrepresenting what he had actually said (Ron Paul), and had the smallest hiccup when he mentioned Greenspan. He showed thick skin with the others ganging up and making jokes about pizza, so that was a good test cleared.
CAIN got 9-9-9 across many, many times, which was the major objective, and raised his name identification and did probably literally no damage to his positives. All in all an absolutely fantastic night for Herman Cain.
I think he probably does better in the podium format with the booming voice and great one liners, but even with the close proximity of being with opponents, he showed grace, manners, good natured ness and was on his toes at every moment, did not hear him seriously stumble at all. Mind you, I heard this all on the radio and have NOT seen the video.
The worst IMHO to come across in an audio sense had to be Texas Governor Perry. Way too many "uhhs" and "ahhs" and this very back monotone with little spirit and "fire up the troops" sense that our leader is going to need in the General Election.
I don't like Newt and his morals and past double crossings, but man was he brilliant on some points.
Santorum sounded like he had one too many Red Bulls and seemed to drone on, but his point about family at the end was important.
Bachmann with the reference to "Satan" (even as a joke"), ie. 666, was really lame and way over the top I felt. I think that lost her some traction.
The other guys were just a blurrrrrrrrrrr. (Poor Governor Johnson.)
That's basically the approach I am taking now. All of the candidates are flawed. Five are not Romney, Paul or Huntsman. I am open to any of those five. Even Perry, who has shown a remarkable ability to shoot himself in the foot, is open for consideration to me, but he has to start talking less like governor of Texas and more like someone who understands what it means to be a conservative candidate for president.
I will comment on all candidates when they are right and wrong, and I will slam all of the operatatives on FR if they make up deceitful attacks on any of those five. Slimeball PDS-style tactics have no place on FR now that we are trying to figure out someone who is both a viable anti-Romney and a viable GOP nominee to go up against the Obama slime machine.
I will say this about Newt - he has, head and shoulders above the others, shown an ability to articulate his visions for the presidency and what is wrong with our current president. But he does havre to address his past baggage head-on.
Perry has the executive gubantorial experience the other four do not, he has to start acting like it, as it gives him, IMO, an electability nod.
Santorum? I think he's too Beltway-ized, but will still give him serious consideration. I don't like his tax exemption for manufacturing - that is using the fedgov to play favorites again. Corporate tax relief should be across the board and not just in one favored sector.We are losing jobs in all areas, not just manufacturing.
Bachmann? She seems to be learning how to measure her words. Her heart is in the right place, let's see if her brain can follow.
Cain? Love the guy's viewpoints. I just think he needs to realize that Washington is where good ideas go to get beaten beyond recognition - and that his ideas for the presidency have to start being viewed through that cautionary filter. I have serious problems with having both an income tax and a sales tax, because in the long run both would be hiked into a massive tax increase.
May the best candidate of those five win. And may they all learn something in the process.
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