McCain says we have to reduce foreign oil dependence.
[What legislation has Senator McCain introduced to open Anwar and other US oil fields?]
Every time I hear McCain speak tonight, his conservative credentials go lower.... we’re in he negative numbers at this point and the man should simply leave the party and be honest about what he’s become.
Fred Thompson defending the free market.
ap piece out
Huckabee, Romney square off in debate
LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080106/ap_po/republicans_rdp
MANCHESTER, N.H. - Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney clashed with Mike Huckabee on foreign policy and John McCain on immigration Saturday night in a high-stakes presidential campaign debate three days before the New Hampshire primary.
“It’s not amnesty,” McCain shot back after Romney criticized his plan for overhauling the immigration system. “You can spend your whole fortune on these attacks ads, my friend, but it’s not true.”
Earlier, Romney criticized Huckabee for having written that the Bush administration was guilty of an “arrogant bunker mentality” on foreign policy.
“Did you read the article before you commented on it,” asked Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor.
“I read the article, the whole article,” shot back Romney.
Romney’s aggressive demeanor reflected the stakes in the wideopen race for the Republican presidential nomination. Huckabee defeated him in the Iowa caucuses on Thursday with an underfunded campaign. Now Romney faces a strong challenge from a resurgent McCain in New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary next Tuesday.
Former Sen. Fred Thompson, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Texas Rep. Ron Paul also shared the stage, but they were largely eclipsed for significant portions of the 90-minute debate as Romney, McCain and Huckabee struggled for advantgage.
Romney walked on stage with his first win under his belt, a triumph in the scarcely-contested Wyoming caucuses. The former Massachusetts governor, seeking to become the first Mormon president, said the outcome was “just the beginning.”
A pre-debate poll suggested McCain’s momentum had carried him into a narrow lead over Romney in New Hampshire, and that Huckabee was in third place place. It also suggested he had not yet profited from his victory in Iowa, but the results of an election in one state often take several days to show up in surveys in another state.
Both Huckabee and McCain jabbed at Romney for having changed his position on numerous issues such as abortion, gun control and gay rights.
“You are the candidate of change,” McCain said with a laugh.
And Huckabee, admonished not to characterize Romney’s position on the Iraq war, replied, “which one.”
Everything Flipabee says is calculated for the effect it will have on voters.
Pretty much the same with Romney.
Fred is the one who is most genuinely thinking about the problems.
It didn’t look like Fred got many greetings from the Dems...
The hug between Obama and McCain was slightly nauseating. The Hillary-McCain greeting was moreso as it looked like she was going to kiss him.
Fred says the right things but I still get the impression that he is just there to help McCain. I only watched the last half hour or so maybe Fred attacked McCain earlier, but I doubt it.
Anyone notice how Iraq was basically of the table?
Rush was right!
FR is getting sluggish.
Is everyone watching the lame local wmur analysis?
Terrible!
New thread Mom or continue on this one?
My worthless evaluation of the debate. Pardons for length, figured I might as write out my impressions, and I was away from the comp the whole debate.
Wonderful debate. Ask relevant questions, let the candidates debate. Novel idea!
Romney. Good answers, presidential, intelligent, and easily understood. But he got himself backed into a corner a couple of times and, I don’t know. Just something about him, seems as if he is in debating class, trying to score points, not show everyone his own views.
McCain. Not the best orator, or at remembering lines. Still, he did help convince me of his credentials to be the president and of some of his own controversial views. I’ve always kind of supported him, so I’m naturally biased, but thought that he did a good of showing his self (unlike Romney).
Guiliani. Not too much involvement. Didn’t get into any real arguments, stayed pretty simple, tried and true. Generally quite good, but didn’t really get into any debates, so it’s hard to judge.
Paul. Should not be on stage, but love him. Always good for a laugh or cheap punching bag for guys trying to appeal to establishment conservatives.
Huckabee. Reinforced my dislike. Signature moment, his attempt to compare himself to Obama, describe how similar they are. Scary for a Republican in a Republican debate...
Thompson. Perfect answers on all the questions. Now if he could only speak in such a way that people would listen... This is really petty, but he has to act (like he does so well) when he answers questions. So, good answers, horrible presentation.
So, my biased view, McCain, Thompson, Guiliani, Romney, Huckabee, Paul.
Local ads on now:
McCain’s literally uses the word “phony” attacking Romney- this after live report saying voter groups did not respond well to personal attacks during this debate.
Mitt’s ad immediately followed McCain’s - starts off respectfully praising McCain - and then criticizes policy.
I predict McCain’s negativity hurts him Tuesday.
(I think Romney is really cute.)
ABC gives the dems, who have ignored islamic terrorism, a softball opening to criticize the Bush administration rather than confront the dems on their weakness.
Obama’s rambles and talks in circles. He makes words but the statements don’t make much sense.
This is going to do the Dems in,,Go Mr. Richardson...
Uh Hillary uh is uh off uh script uh.
Thread II?
This is hilarious. Romney actually said, “I like mandates, mandates work.” Fred pounded him on it.
Romney got pounded all night and defended himself very poorly with lame “Hey, stop the personal attacks, I’m here to talk about issues.” crack back.
McCain took the gloves off and Romney just sat there basically saying, “Don’t hit me! Charlie? Will you tell him to stop hitting me?”
Fred was the big winner tonight.