Posted on 11/12/2011 10:57:36 PM PST by monkapotamus
I missed tonights CBS debate, mainly because I spent a great evening with some of my blogging friends here at FreedomWorks BlogCon2011. When I returned, though, I got a few messages about one particular moment in the debate, where CBS moderator attempted to lecture Newt Gingrich on the rule of law regarding American citizens who join the enemy to wage war against the US. Big mistake.
The two worst aspects of this exchange? The smug look on Pelleys face when he challenged Gingrich on this point, and the no you can hear him utter just as Gingrich started his smackdown of Pelley. Regardless of the context of this exchange, this is a perfect encapsulation of why these media debates are utterly worthless, and why the Republican Party needs to force a format change. Pelley isnt running for President, and we dont need to have Pelley debating the presidential candidates. We need them to debate each other. Its only made more ridiculous when a moderator-turned-participant ends up as far out of his depth as Pelley was on this question.
As I mentioned, I didnt watch the debate, but from my Twitter feed and a few e-mails, it seems that many thought that Gingrich and Romney were strong as usual, Rick Perry did surprisingly well, and Herman Cain spent too much time deflecting with promises to have a team of experts look at the issues once hes elected President. I dont know how Rick Santorum did in the debate, but his team sent out their spin e-mail with the subject line, Draft Template, which leads me to conclude that he at least flunked the post-debate. Either that or hes looking to back a new candidate named John R. Template for the Republican nomination.
We already have one open thread for the debate, but feel free to add your opinions on the debate in this thread, too.
....and where the media predicted one.... Pacquaio KO-ing Marquez didn’t come close to happening. Good night of boxing and political debating!
Sadly, it is the view of Ron Paul that one cannot be killed without due process, even if he is an enemy combatant.
Your clip: Wow! Just wow! Maybe I’ll have to look at Gingrich again. It’s good to see him in full attack mode, rather than his usual “cat-playing-with-wounded-mouse” mode.
He did ...
1)Who was saying “ well said “ in the background after Newt was finished ?
and 2) was that Major Garrett sitting next to Jerk-face ?I can only see his back. I miss him...
I am starting to think Newt is going to be the next President....and I would love to see him debate bambi.....even with bambi’s secret ear piece for answers...
Damn, I forgot to watch...the fight.
Saw one Dos Santos fight so months ago. He is Baaad!
I can't imagine any other candidate on that stage so ready, willing and able to combat the press's leftist narrative on issue after issue.
We need someone who can do that.
If this is going to a Newt ping list, could you please add me? Thank you!
I thought that Gingrich really controlled the qeustions and the “moderators.” That is, he didn’t let himself be dragged or lured off topic, he rejected any attempts to set him up, but he remained within the time limits and had his thoughts lined up so he could actually answer the question.
One of Bush’s biggest problems in dealing with the press (which is essentially what these “debates” are) was that he was absolutely terrible in dealing with hostile questioners and simply lost control of the answer or, towards the end, was even afraid to give one.
Neither Perry nor Romney controlled the questions as well as Gingrich, Cain was embarrassingly at sea, and the others, except for Ron Paul the Certifiable, had brief moments (Bachmann actually had some pretty good ones) but did not have that type of control and focus. It was actually a pretty interesting look at the candidates this time.
I also estimate that I disagree with Obama 95% of the time. Agree with Mitt 75% of the time and agree with Newt 95% of the time.
Our primary process it seems to me is designed to allow the liberals and the msm the control as to who is nominated and their selection attempts to give us a loser like McCain that is easily beatable. We need to clear the stage and allow a look at Mitt and Newt assuring a fair look a the guys that can win this election
Pelley interviewed Marine Staff Sgt. Frank D. Wuterich on 60 minutes before I knew who Frank was. Before Evan. Pelley was so sanctimonious I wanted to reach through the screen and slap the smirk off his face. IMO, Pelley is disgusting and useless.
Stupid & childish? Not if you look at it from the perspective of the trial lawyers, who stand to make a mint defending terrorists in our courts. Of course, we will need many more courts, judges, & bureaucrats to administer this “justice”, so I imagine the public employee unions would back this crap, too. And mo' money - taxes - to pay for it all.
BY criminalizing terrorism, a whole new section of criminal law is created, with millions of ready-made defendants all over the world. Criminalizing ice cream would have a similar effect.
Trying terrorists in criminal courts is not about justice. Actually, it is a jobs program for lawyers & bureaucrats.
“... of the lawyers, by the lawyers, for the lawyers ...”. Isn't that what Lincoln said?
You have not missed a Helluva lot. Pelly is a pukey socialist arse that seems to hate the USA. The liberals can’t resist chiming in and skewing the agenda towards the the weakest candidate so their lord and savior Obummer will have an easier victory as they did in the 08 election. Even on Fox, The greasy looking little creep Jerry Rivers that looks like he just returned from chaining Little Nell to the RR tracks had to chime in with his entirely wrong spin on the debate.
It’s “Dos” not “Des,” and yeah it was brutal!
You might want to check on that. He makes a distinction between American Citizen and enemy combatant. American citizens who engage in violent insurrection ought to be prosecuted to the end they are, if found guilty, expelled with no right of return.
“This was a ridiculous debate. Ron Paul got 89 seconds.”
Not that that matters. Getting more time won’t help RP. His supporters will love to hear him talk but that won’t improve his support among the rest of the electorate since his views do not resonate that well. His biggest strength is his belief in Constitutional government. His biggest weakness is his foreign policy. You can believe in Constitutional government without RP wacky foreign policy views.
Romney in particular is a frequent liar. He is an elitist, big gov’t bureaucrat, who will continue the decline of this country as surely as Obama. If my choice next November is Obama or Romney, I will vote for neither.
I like Gingrich, but his penchant for compromise (with the devil, if necessary), I believe, would make him a weak President, much like Carter. His personal history is a disaster.
Cain has been a disappointment lately, not because of the BOGUS sexual harassment charges, but because of some recent statements that leave me unimpressed. I wish the guy would just clam up when he not familiar with the subject. I still think he is the only viable Pub candidate with the moral fiber & intellect to possibly turn this country & economy around. Gingrich would be a good VP for Cain.
Newt has allot of baggage. He is the smartest guy in the room, but remember, Newt left congress under scandal, he was sleeping with ladies who worked for him while married.
I think the media would love to channel Newt into first place, then the powers to be will unleash a barrage on Newt like we’ve not seen.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.